Friday, February 27, 2009

LASH WEDNESDAY


It was Thursday. Sweet little snaggle-tooth (that's what he called his tooth, and said was the reason he would smile with his mouth closed in the school picture the day before) informs me that he will no longer be able to eat lunch at school. For a while, anyway. I said that I was sorry to hear that, and asked if mom would be sending in a lunch instead.
Snaggle tooth: "No, I can eat some of the lunch, just not the meat."
Me: "Oh, I see, is this because of Lent?"
S.T.: "Yes, we celebrate that at our church."
Me: "And you can't eat meat on Fridays?"
S.T: "Yes, but I can still have the dessert. And the fruit, I think, because that is definitely not meat. Did you give up anything for Lent, Mrs. B.?"
Me: "Yes, I gave up cross-country skiing on Thursdays."
S.T: "Wow, that sounds like it would be fun to do. We went to church last night and got lashes on our foreheads."
Me: "Do you mean ashes?"
S.T: "No, at my church we use lashes."
Me: "Did it hurt?"
S.T: "No, it just left a mark. I had to wash it off in the shower."
Me: "Well, that's good then."

God, I love these kids.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

NONE OF YOUR BEEEZNESS!


There are some stories that just beg to be told, and then there are some that lose something in the translation. I'm hoping that this one is in the first category.
The other evening, my kids and I were in the family truckster, heading off to the first of two basketball practices of the evening. We turned right at the end of our street, but a disturbingly close cloud of black smoke caught my eye in the rear view mirror, and I decided that we should backtrack to investigate where the smoke was coming from...you know, the "if there's smoke there's fire" theory and all. Sure enough, as we crossed the major road separating us from the fire, we could see flames licking up over the 6 foot high wall in someone's backyard. Which was a stone's throw from two other backyards. I quickly dialed 911, and gave the emergency gal the crossroads where we sat. She asked if I had an exact address, which I did not, but said that I would drive around the corner to find. Which I did. Once in the front of the house with major heat issues, I parked and ran up to the front door, wanting to alert anyone inside of the fire in the backyard. On the front door hung the all-too-familiar lock box, prevalent around our neighborhoods, and characteristic of a bank-owned repo. house. My first thought was, "good, no one inside to get hurt". My second thought was, "oh crap, there's a fire in the abandoned house's backyard". Or maybe that was both my first and third thoughts, but I digress. I had turned toward the back fence to see if I could see what was going on, when I was met by a rather unfriendly gentleman walking out to greet (or not) me in the driveway. He asked what I was doing, and what I needed (HUH???). I asked what HE was doing, and was he aware that there was a fire burning quite out of control in the backyard. To which he replied yes, and that it was no biggie, he was just "burning some bees". Again, HUH??! I told him that I had called 911 when I saw flames over the back fence from about 1/4 of a mile away, and that the fire had already been reported when I called. He looked at me, rolled his eyes, and said he'd go ahead and stay and wait for the fire trucks to arrive.
Now, just to recap: 1. Fire in backyard of abandoned house. 2. Man who is not the owner burning bees in the backyard of aforementioned house. 3. No water available to put out the fire, as house has been abandoned. 4. Fire department on their way.
I'm thinking his decision to stay was a good one. Oh, and did I forget to mention the jug of curious-looking yellowish fluid that was sitting on the edge of the property by the back gate? Bee fire propellant, perhaps?
We then left and proceeded to our practices as previously scheduled, and could hear the sirens in the distance. I called the emergency number back, and reported our findings to the lady on the other end of my phone. When she heard the new information about the fire and it's host, she asked me to repeat it to her. "Yes, ma'am", I said. "Bees. He's burning bees." There was a muffling sound, and then laughing as she said she would definitely send an officer out to investigate the, er, Bee Burning situation.
Later that evening, I got a call back from the officer that had investigated. Apparently this man did live in the neighborhood and had taken it upon himself to "watch over" this abandoned property, and had, in fact, been burning some bees.
It just makes me all warm and fuzzy inside to know that this kind of neighborhood watch is in effect so close to my home and family! I just hope the officer talked some sense into this man, and that there won't be any spontaneous burning of rattlesnakes or any other uncontrolled burns in the near future. Holy cow.

Friday, February 20, 2009

TODAY'S TOP THREE


We went on a field trip today! Wait, that's not the best part...the best part is that I lived to blog about it! Really quickly, before I head to bed, I wanted to post my favorite top three things I heard today from the 2nd graders, while we were out.

Student: Mrs. B.? Can my bladder explode?
Me: I don't think so, I think that only happens to teachers. Why?
Student: Because I've seen a water balloon explode, and I've got to go to the bathroom really bad.

Student: If I had some money for every time I've seen this play, I would be totally broke because I've never seen this play before.

Julie: Mrs. B.? Jodi (not her real name) took some of my lunch and ate it.
Me: Jodi, did you take some of Julie's (again, you know...) lunch and eat it?
Jodi: No, she gave it to me. She said she didn't like the kind of chips her mom packed.
Julie: Oh yeah, I forgot. My brain does that to me sometimes.
Me: Yup. Me too.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

A CHALLENGE

A fellow blogger at Sassified has put forth a challenge. Always up for a challenge, (or at the very least, always dumb enough to accept one), I happily joined in! Sass will bestow a letter on you (or you may bestow a letter on your own self, I'll bet), and then you must come up with 10 things beginning with that letter that you love. Now, never one to take the easy way out, I will of course make this harder than it has to be. My letter is E, and here it goes!

  1. Edamame. The kids and I love, love, love these little green soy beanies! They are delish steamed and salted! One of our favorite places to eat out is Pei Wei, and we order these little guys every time. My husband? Not so much...
  2. Elf. The movie. We have watched this movie every Christmas season, many times, since it came out on DVD. We've even answered our phone, "Buddy the Elf, what's your favorite color?" on more than one occasion. Neighbor friends, you know who you are, you'll remember this I'm sure!
  3. Enchiladas. I really, really like all Mexican food, and have taken to making home made salsa every weekend (since the beginning of January, anyway!). I will post the recipe I use if anyone wants it, it is from my brother (found on-line...not my brother, the recipe), and is very, very close to Chevy's salsa--my favorite!
  4. Ebay. Although I've rarely purchased and never listed anything on Ebay, I can sit for hours pouring over all the goodies that are out there for the taking. I especially love looking at all the craft stuff and the books. What a huge time suck!
  5. Education. I have always loved teaching. I used to "use" my younger brother as my student, until the day he realized he didn't have to stay for "class". That was a really bad day. But then, I grew up and became an actual teacher. Not a high-paying gig, but also never a dull moment. I love to go about 80 m.p.h. and think in 20 directions at once, so this is the perfect career for me, I think!
  6. Effervescence. Okay, this is getting harder! I love soda, which is filled with bubbles, thus...effervescence!
  7. Energy. Lots of it, always! I love to be busy, and tend to focus more clearly and get more done when I am. Like a lot of people, I think. Happiness is the energy of life, and so is coffee!
  8. Equality. I love living in a world where more and more people are recognizing their own strengths and abilities to change their destinies. With the power of a positive attitude, a love of life, and faithfulness in God, anything is possible for anyone. I believe in judging people by the "content of their character", and think that if everyone took responsibility for their actions and were accountable for them, this would be a very different and more enjoyable world.
  9. Eucalyptus. I love the smell in cleaning products and in aromatherapy oils. Combined with rosemary is even better!
  10. Endings. Happy ones! I'm a sucker for "and they all lived happily ever after". I've even gone so far as to create alternative endings for books (in my own head) that had adverse endings. I'm sure the authors of these books would be so glad to hear that!
There! I did it! And now I challenge you to do the same. Think outside the box a little--pick a letter that you may not think of as easy, and see what you come up with! Let me know if and when you post your lists, so that I can come and read!

P.S. I had to laugh at the comment back from Sass...she said she was surprised not to see ESPRESSO on my list...yup, missed that one!

Saturday, February 14, 2009

A VERY FUNNY PHONE CONVERSATION

I found the funniest blog, and this video was on one of her posts. It's a hysterical phone conversation between Ellen Degeneres and a woman named Gladys. I think I'd like to call Gladys too, she's good people! I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day!

Thursday, February 12, 2009

HURRY UP, WEEKEND!

It's been a very busy week, and I'm looking forward to a fun holiday weekend! Ah, the bliss of a government job! Even if it does occasionally mean being vomited on (in a non-medical atmosphere), it's still a very cool gig! I'm submitting this picture as a visual of how I've felt the last couple of weeks...
Funny Pictures
Funny Videos

...and this is just funny!
Funny Pictures
Funny Videos

Can you tell I found a fun new website? Click on the link and it will take you there...very funny stuff!

Good luck collecting the fine...
Funny Pictures
Funny Videos

Necessity is the mother of invention...
Funny Pictures
Funny Videos

I think we saw him eating a Suburban once...
Funny Pictures
Funny Videos

And I just HAD to include this one...he's probably in the gifted program.
Funny Pictures
Funny Videos



Have fun looking at the hundreds of other funny pictures on this site, just be sure your audience is adult, because there are many that are definitely not kid friendly, and nobody wants that kind of 'splaining to do!

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE



I decided to dig through some old photos (okay, they are organized and cataloged chronologically, so it's not really digging!) and find a Valentine's picture from long ago to post in honor of the up-coming holiday. Although I didn't find the exact one I was looking for (fabulous, WHERE IS IT???), I found these! The kids and I used to meet my mom in the park for a Valentine Picnic lunch every year. I always looked forward to preparing the cute sandwiches (cut into heart shapes) and all the special goodies for all of us to share.
Flash forward to today, and I am missing these days so much! I long for the sweet, carefree days of not having school schedules, sports schedules, and work schedules to adhere to! Our days were ours to do with what we pleased, and we filled the hours with so much fun! Of course, back then life seemed riddled with a "to do" list as long as my arm--just like now--but now as a memory, it all just seems like a blip on the screen.
The lesson I'm going to take away from this: live in the moment more, worry less, and appreciate every second with the people you love, because all of today's obligations and worries will one day just be a blip on your screen!

Friday, February 6, 2009

WAGON RIDES FOR TUESDAY!


The cute little button over here (finger pointing to the right) was made to spread the word about the VIRTUAL WAGON RIDE that will take place this Saturday (tomorrow) in honor of a little girl named Tuesday Whitt, who was only with her family a short time before returning to heaven. She had an aggressive form of cancer that, despite everyone's best efforts, took over her little body.
Take some time this weekend to be grateful for your children, your spouse, your friends, and all the people in your life that you may, at times, take for granted. I know I will! Tuesday's family is going to have a wagon ride in her honor at a local park, because wagon rides were one of Tuesday's favorite things! Everyone out in cyberspace can join in, in their own way, to celebrate life with their own VIP's. If you take pictures, you can post them here, and the family will be able to see just how far the love for their little girl has spread!


No longer forward nor behind
I look in hope or fear;
But, grateful, take the good I find,
The best of now and here.


-John Greenleaf Whittier, MY PSALM, 1859

Monday, February 2, 2009

NEEDED: MOTIVATION


I am having one of those completely unproductive days. I'm just not feeling any love for the laundry pile that covers the couch in my bedroom (hey, it's clean, and no one has ever died from wearing wrinkled clothes), and I'm certainly opposed to all things grime and dust. I've tried rolling right AND left, and it seems that both sides of the bed are the wrong side to wake up on. I SHOULD try to tackle the pile of papers in my office that threatens to overtake me on a daily basis. Again, just not feeling it.

Do you think our ancestors on the prairies of this GREAT LAND ever had days like this? Probably, but without the luxury of whining about it. I just can't imagine great, great aunt Mabel (names have been changed to protect our good family name) expressing her discontent at having to milk yet ANOTHER cow to her hard-working hubby. Although, she may have uttered a disgusted sigh at seeing yet ANOTHER pile of dungarees that needed beating up against a rock in the river. That was a 1/2 mile walk from the farm. Up hill, both ways. In the snow.
When compared to the obstacles of previous generations, my lack of enthusiasm over doing chores in my beautiful, a/c cooled, gas-heated home seems a bit...pathetic.

On that note, I think I'll put on my happy face, change my attitude, and go clean something! And after I feel that I've earned it, I will return to Blogland, the land of milk, honey, fabulous stories and recipes that my children's children will one day pass down tales about ("Did you know that one day great-great grandma surfed the net and visited 100 blogs of people she didn't even know and left them ALL comments?").

Duty calls.