Brooke & her boyfriend have been going out now for about 7 months, so over the course of that time he has gotten to know more and more about the family and our household. You know, at the beginning when I knew Joey was coming over I cleaned. I picked up, dusted (a little), vacuumed, made sure dishes were in the dishwasher, etc. Then, as time went on, I would straighten up and vacuum. Now, I throw the crap in my bedroom and pick up the globs of dog hair from the hallway.
A few weeks ago he was here and, based on that visit, I think there will be no future effort made whatsoever to try and mask the truth of who we are and how we live. First, we were down to one roll of toilet paper for the 3 bathrooms. So he heard the announcement that the only bathroom with toilet paper would be the main bathroom on the first floor. Then Brooke called me to tell me that Zoey was eating toilet paper in her room (where she and Joey were hanging out). I mean really! We did not have enough toilet paper in the house for her to be consuming it! Sadly, the toilet paper she was eating was from the trash having previously been used by someone to blow their nose or something. Gross! Then, as I went into the upstairs bathroom to throw away the dog-chewed toilet paper I realized, to my horror, that there was dirty laundry on the floor. I had sorted and only gotten to one load...the other load was all over the bathroom floor! Thank God there is no toilet paper in that bathroom and he would have had to use the downstairs! Dammit. He's a guy. He doesn't need toilet paper!
Anyway, he now has TMI and I now just hope that she keeps him around for a while so he doesn't feel the need to blab about our disaster of a household. We certainly can't have an ugly break up that results in lots of bitterness on his part. Hell, if they don't get married I may be in the market for some memory erasing drugs to slip in his drink!
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Sunday, January 29, 2012
College dreams...are they realistic?
I first need to preface this with the following: "Mark hates to read" It may be a visual thing. Maybe with his poor vision it is just too tiring. But, truth be told, I think it is just that he would rather be doing something else.
This marking period he had to read one book and do a project on it. I encouraged him to read The Hunger Games. I read this book and loved it. It has all of the things that an 11 year old boy should love: action, suspense and a fair amount of violence.
It took him no less than two full months to finish it. Painful!
Anyway, this morning he asked me about University of North Carolina. Both my father and my youngest brother went to this fine institution of higher learning. He asked if he has good enough grades to get into UNC. To which I replied, "Yes, I think you do. But you should start reading more."
His answer: "Why? Is North Carolina a reading school or something?"
After I finally regained my composure I said, "All colleges are really reading schools." He replied, "Oh man! I think I'll be a plumber."
This marking period he had to read one book and do a project on it. I encouraged him to read The Hunger Games. I read this book and loved it. It has all of the things that an 11 year old boy should love: action, suspense and a fair amount of violence.
It took him no less than two full months to finish it. Painful!
Anyway, this morning he asked me about University of North Carolina. Both my father and my youngest brother went to this fine institution of higher learning. He asked if he has good enough grades to get into UNC. To which I replied, "Yes, I think you do. But you should start reading more."
His answer: "Why? Is North Carolina a reading school or something?"
After I finally regained my composure I said, "All colleges are really reading schools." He replied, "Oh man! I think I'll be a plumber."
Friday, January 6, 2012
Flash mob
WSB Flash Mob
Above is the link to the YouTube video of flash mob that I participated in with the accounting firm where I work.
When they first sent out the e-mail regarding this I thought it sounded fun. Then, upon further reflection, I thought that there was serious potential for me to make an ass of myself. I was torn. Should I or shouldn't I? So, I asked the kids. They thought it was cool and convinced me to go ahead and do it. I'm not sure if they really thought it would be cool or if they just wanted to have an opportunity to laugh at me, but whatever.
So, on December 3rd I took a train with a number of my co-workers into NYC and did the flash mob. I had been practicing all week at home in my family room (to the laughs of Eric & the kids) and I was excited. And it was soooo much fun! What a great opportunity to be a part of something like that.
I am convinced, however, that at least Brooke, while convincing me to participate, was somewhat motivated by the prospect of being able to laugh at me. She spent much time last night texting her friends and telling them to watch it. I guess I should be pleased that she actually was amused and not embarrassed. She wanted her friends to see it. Hmmm. Maybe I am a little cool.
Above is the link to the YouTube video of flash mob that I participated in with the accounting firm where I work.
When they first sent out the e-mail regarding this I thought it sounded fun. Then, upon further reflection, I thought that there was serious potential for me to make an ass of myself. I was torn. Should I or shouldn't I? So, I asked the kids. They thought it was cool and convinced me to go ahead and do it. I'm not sure if they really thought it would be cool or if they just wanted to have an opportunity to laugh at me, but whatever.
So, on December 3rd I took a train with a number of my co-workers into NYC and did the flash mob. I had been practicing all week at home in my family room (to the laughs of Eric & the kids) and I was excited. And it was soooo much fun! What a great opportunity to be a part of something like that.
I am convinced, however, that at least Brooke, while convincing me to participate, was somewhat motivated by the prospect of being able to laugh at me. She spent much time last night texting her friends and telling them to watch it. I guess I should be pleased that she actually was amused and not embarrassed. She wanted her friends to see it. Hmmm. Maybe I am a little cool.
Monday, January 2, 2012
This could be dangerous
Mark: "Mom, Could I have one of those pipe cleaner thingys to clean my ears?"
Ouch!
Ouch!
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Compassion
The day after Thanksgiving, Eric threw his back out while playing football with the boys (Kevin, Mark & CJ, my 5th child who is really a bonus because I don't have to feed him or find a way to pay for college for him - really like that). Anyway, he made it into the house, ate dinner with us, got around slowly all evening and went to bed. In the morning when he got up it became apparent that things had worsened over night. He took two steps away from the bed and collapsed onto the floor in excrutiating pain. So, 911, ambulance, ER, lots of drugs (sadly, none for me), x-ray, and 3 hours later we arrive home.
First, Eric gets out of the car and makes it halfway to the house and is again gripped and yelling in pain. I react by screaming "Do NOT go down to the ground! I will NOT be able to get you up!" Hmmm. OK, so Florence Nightengale I'm not. But practical, right? We made it to the hood of my car and neighbors (CJ and his dad) ran over to help and managed to get Eric into the house.
Next up...Brooke. After Fred & CJ pretty much carry/drag her pained father into the house and carefully put him on the family room couch, she looks at me with a look of terror in her eyes and says, "He can't stay there, Mom! Joey is coming over later and we're watching movies!" I guess the idea of watching Christmas movies with your boyfriend with your father on the other end of the couch looking like death warmed over because of all the pain meds he's been given is less than appealing, but really. I need to work with her on her timing. And, of course, her compassion. That's it. We need to work on her compassion. But, maybe Eric is the better parent to teach that lesson.
First, Eric gets out of the car and makes it halfway to the house and is again gripped and yelling in pain. I react by screaming "Do NOT go down to the ground! I will NOT be able to get you up!" Hmmm. OK, so Florence Nightengale I'm not. But practical, right? We made it to the hood of my car and neighbors (CJ and his dad) ran over to help and managed to get Eric into the house.
Next up...Brooke. After Fred & CJ pretty much carry/drag her pained father into the house and carefully put him on the family room couch, she looks at me with a look of terror in her eyes and says, "He can't stay there, Mom! Joey is coming over later and we're watching movies!" I guess the idea of watching Christmas movies with your boyfriend with your father on the other end of the couch looking like death warmed over because of all the pain meds he's been given is less than appealing, but really. I need to work with her on her timing. And, of course, her compassion. That's it. We need to work on her compassion. But, maybe Eric is the better parent to teach that lesson.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Stationery card
Snowflakes Ribbon Christmas Card
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