My Point Is

2010-05-12T16:53:00.003-04:00

It seems a little silly that I have this blog or even a blog. I enjoy this one and this one and this one and this one. And I think half of those may be the readership of this bi-yearly publication. I should just pull the plug on this and decrease the stress it gives me when I see it unupdated for months at a time. It seems a little silly that something like a blog that I do absolutely nothing to would give me stress but I tend to get stressed about really silly things.

For example, Sean recently went to an out of town conference for with a large number of his co-workers. He needed to be at the meeting place by 7:30 am, they'd board the chartered bus and they'd depart promptly thereafter and he was explaining that he wanted to arrive early and what time he'd be home and that he'd miss Griffin's baseball game and my incredulous response was, "Do you know who you are going to sit by on the bus?" Apparently he and I prepare for out of town trips differently.

2010-02-05T09:40:00.002-05:00

Happy Happy Birthday PB!!!

I love you as much as I could love another person!

2010-01-15T07:25:00.002-05:00

My sweet girl is here...

And Dan too.

Today could not get any better.

2010-01-13T10:47:00.001-05:00

Happy Birthday Suzer!

We love you more than you could ever know!

2010-01-12T09:23:00.004-05:00

I realize she is mine so have have a ridiculously biased opinion. But I do think that if I saw Parker walking down the street I would think she is a pretty cute little thing. However, we are having a battle for independence.

For example, when I dress her...

So cute, regardless of the tattoo.

Notice the brushed hair.

This was recently.

And this was yesterday...

I think I am losing the battle.

2010-01-05T12:49:00.004-05:00

I feel like in the training of the new employees, it would behoove certain establishments to bring in outside training help. Like me. SmalWarts (named changed for anonymity) could hire me to boost their crapful image.

I would go slow with them so I wouldn't disrupt their perfect storm of horrible service, dirty stores and rotten produce.

Day one would be pretty low key, not really very informative, perhaps just a little practicing here and there. After a quick session 1, we'd break for lunch then be done for the day. Sort of like this...

"Hi, I am Annie Murphy, you've probably heard of me. I worked in retail for quite some time but won't bore you with the details. Your new employer has asked me to give you a few pointers that will enhance your work experience and make people not hate coming in here.

Number 1. You must smile and say hello, not mumble or mutter but speak. Loudly. So other humans can hear you. Then you mustn't act like you hate the person approaching you making them wonder if you are packin heat, want to slit their throat with the machete you stole from the hunting section of your superstore then put the homemade shank in them you crafted in your downtime of standing around not helping other customers. That's all."

2009-10-26T11:32:00.004-04:00

Today is a confessional of sorts. I don't usually take to the internets to air my laundry but today is the day. I am putting it out there and I don't care who sees it. I am comfortable with myself and in the areas I'm not awful. I do worry a little about the fallout of this admission. I think it can only get better if I say what I need to say.

I am a bad driver. I am. I wanted to write about the day that I was on autopilot and backed right into Sean's car that was parked right behind me. Then I opted to stay silent. Then I thought I'd write about it again, the second time I did it. Or the times I have forgotten to put the car in gear and forgotten the emergency brake and it has rolled into the street. Or the times to mirror has folded up when the basketball hoop kisses it.

Today is a new day though. Today we left to go to the library, we piled in the mv and backed up. Right into the trash cans. I think the trash man put them directly behind me on purpose. I stopped running them over pretty quick and moved forward and got out to wheel them up to the house. Good thing I am spry because the car kept rolling forward because I think I forgot to take it out of drive. Ah well, tomorrow will be the new day.

They say things left in the dark continue to grow but exposed to the light, I hear it gets better. Although I think this being in the light will now just make more people able to see my minivan coming and take cover.

2009-10-20T11:24:00.000-04:00

Just cuz they are cute...

2009-09-17T15:27:00.003-04:00

Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday dear the greatest mother-in-law that I am so lucky to also be friends with
Happy Birthday to you

I really am lucky, my mother-in-law is kind, generous, funny, smart and a great listener. I am so grateful to have in-laws that I would pick as friends.

We love you Grandma Connie!

2009-09-10T09:24:00.004-04:00

OK I know I have shown this pic before...but not with this story.

Last night I was laying Parker down and we were talking about her day, I didn't see her much for it was a busy one. I was asking her what she wanted to do today. She doesn't have friends over to play much because, actually I don't think she has any friends. Sure she has us and our friends and her brothers and their friends but that's kind of it. Which is one of the 1852 why she is super excited to start school Wednesday.

So here goes.

Me: So Park what should we do tomorrow? (In the sweet rocking chair last minutes of the day)

Parker: Momma, Can I have a friend over? (Very sweetly)

Me: Sure! Who do you want to have? (Excited because of above reasons)

Parker: Well I saw my best buddy today.

Me: OK do you want to have her over? Who is it? (Having no idea who she is talking about)

Parker: Brad. Call him please.

2009-09-04T17:17:00.001-04:00

I love this face...I wonder how much I could love it before my heart explodes.

2009-08-27T13:13:00.003-04:00

This is the power of my amazing husband...

2009-08-22T07:53:00.005-04:00

Today is my mom's birthday! We don't get to see her today, not til next weekend, so bummer. She is the same grandma that my daughter asks to call everyday and whimpers and cries not understanding some people have jobs and can't talk about butterfly wings and strawberries and wearing dresses all day.

My mom is my kids grandma, she has worked hard to make memories for my kids, to treat them to things and teach them about things of which I have no idea. She is doing things Grandmas are supposed to do, and she is great at it.

Happy birthday Mom, we love you!

2009-08-13T09:00:00.003-04:00

Ready or not world here I come! I make my actressing debut today!

I can't believe that I am actually doing this but more so that I am actually nervous. I have never been in any kind of acting thing except at the Art Center at The College of Wooster when I was a child and couldn't object, as a little old lady that knitted and rocked in her rocker and said, "Woe is me". I have a tendency to get overcome by nerves and my body kind of revolts. IE fainting three times in two weddings, that's right, twice in one, throwing up the first day of 7th grade, in homeroom. Kids are cool by 7th grade. Needless to say I woke up with (and went to bed with and for the last week have had) some anxiety.

I do feel like there is one person who is sort of already looking out for me though, preemptive calming my fears. Sarah, the make-up gal, told me dirty hair styles better than clean hair. She was talking right to my heart, even if her hair creation will be splattered on the pavement when I realize the camera is on.

Ode to a sweet face

2009-07-17T11:22:00.000-04:00

She is just cute, she can't help it...

2009-07-01T07:46:00.004-04:00

We had such a good weekend. It came on the heels of a crazy busy week so I think that made it so much more great. It was just a weekend full of friends and being together and laughing and talking about nothing and talking about everything.

I have realized that I have sold relationships short. I just thought I/my fam could exist as the Murphys with some friends on the side. Over the last few years I have found that there is something so huge to being with people who know you and that you know and you still all like each other anyway, your whole fam knows their whole fam, they can give you the business if you need it. There have always been pockets of people in my life that are the good ones but moving back to the Cincinnati has taken me some time to get there with people. I sometimes think in our parts the assumption is that we are in relationships with people and they are all good, healthy relationships that don't require a lot of work. It took us a long time to find a batch of people that felt good and easy.

Blah blah blah, I just love these ones...

Cincinnati looks good on them.

2009-06-23T21:55:00.002-04:00

The Murphy household had a rousing game of 20 questions last night. Cooper doesn't quite understand it yet or has it way figured out.

Sean: OK, I am thinking of an animal.

Cooper Question 1: What is it?
Cooper Question 2: Does it have 18 tails?

2009-06-19T08:03:00.004-04:00

I could not be more excited for today. 'Tis the start of a busy weekend, 4 baseball games - which only seems right as it is Lou Gehrigs birthday today, some family coming to town and a blind date Sunday night. I think Cupid is in the air and I enjoy helping him. I may have a problem with thinking about fixing people up but this one is going to be good, I'll let you know how it goes.

There will be some celebrating...many moons ago on this day the Statue of Liberty was delivered to the USofA. Of course its Fathers Day in a few as well. I dare you to find a better father, a more fun dad, a better encourager to his kids, a harder worker, a funnier, a more patient, kinder dad than this one.

He also happens to be having a bday today. I think this is the first birthday of his in the entire time I've known him that he isn't at a camp of some sort on this day. And I love, love, love it. But today its work and games instead. I think I may pretend its raining, pretend games get rained out and pretend he and I get to hang out. We will try but how can we pretend that the real reason of our joy is not that he shares his day with the one and only Miss Paula Abdul.

2009-06-03T09:50:00.003-04:00

The cutest girl in the history of girls has a birthday today. It is her Golden Birthday, she is turning 3 on the 3rd. So far this morning, she has asked for birthday cereal with birthday milk, her birthday clothes, some birthday juice and asked for the birthday sun so she can play outside. I like to refer most of my emotions to Kelly Clarkson lyrics. My life would suck without her.

2009-05-28T20:10:00.006-04:00

Don't forget to reserve your tickets for the hottest show in town. June 7th, 5 funny boys will be funny at Riley's in Springdale. You can pick the 5 pm or the 7 pm show and pay $15 for either. That's for dinner and everything. Hit up 771-3361 and tell them your coming. I think they are slated to be funny about Lake Erie. And there will be back bends.

2009-05-25T21:53:00.003-04:00

How can I sum up a darn near perfect weekend? Let's just say I think I have cornered the market on friends. Mine are dynamite. Until I can come up with more than that, here is my new fave pic..."Summer Life for Littles".

2009-05-06T13:35:00.005-04:00

I went to IKEA today for a quick second but got there before it was officially open. The greeter lady told me that the restaurant was open and that I could head up there until the showrooms open. So Parker and walk the 4.7 miles to the restaurant and arrive 3 minutes before the guy guarding the steps gets out of the way.

I decided a cuppa joe sounded good while we waited. So I tell the little gal what I'd like and she pointed and sort of looked to where the cups were kept. I waited a sec and then another sec and another sec and when I realized she was done talking/pointing to me, I asked how much the cup of coffee was. Do you know? Guess. It was free. It wasn't that good but it was still free. Did you know that? So I tell the girl to get out of town and she said no but that everyday from 9:30 - 11:00 am the coffee is free. And that one of the employee benefits is they always get free coffee and that was why she was so wired. Then she told me that, "yep Sunday through Saturday we have free coffee so...pretty much every day." I do not claim rocket scientry but...

I love Swedish stuff as much as the next girl, well mostly the fish but add the gratis kaffe to the list.

2009-04-30T09:35:00.004-04:00

I think I fall into the average persons category of affection for Rachael Ray. I am not really pro her or anti her but I don't change the channel if she comes on. I have even made some of her things including Steak Pinwheels that I think are one of Sean's favorites. I think they're gross.

I am all for her 30 minute meals and saving time and her usage of the french dressing. But recently I felt a little insulted for the whole populous of non-pro cookers whilst watching her show. She was making some egg scrambled something and told me that in order to save time, "give the yolks, which are the yellow parts of the eggs, a little prick with your fork to break them."

Honest to goodness how long does it take to scramble an egg? How much can it possible save you to break the yellow part which I now know is called the yolk, before you scramble it? Well I'll tell you...14 seconds for the non pricked yolk and 11 for the pricked yolk. Three seconds I'll never get back.

She could use egg beaters and be amazed.

2009-04-05T23:53:00.004-04:00

I miss this face...

-

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He went home with Grandma today and I do not like it. He has been gone for 13.5 hours with many more to go. I don't even like it when he is gone at school for the day.

I asked him what I was going to do when he goes to college and he answered, "What am I going to do when I go to college?" Music to a mommas ears. As he was leaving Sean told him to write home everyday while he is gone and he said, "Sure, OK dad, I will." (He and his father share the same love language of sarcasm.) Then he whispered to me, "No I won't, he doesn't need me to but I'll call you everyday."

Sniff, sniff.

2009-04-02T21:23:00.002-04:00

Tomorrow is it. The Q City Players are in action again so I'll see you there or I'll see you another time.

But for real, come, it will be fun.

2009-04-01T08:37:00.000-04:00

Birthday number 4 for Cooper Murphy! What a day it will be. We are starting off with breakfast of his choice, one chocolate pop tart and one brown sugar and cinnamon pop tart, looks oddly like what'd he'd eat every day. Then to school with cake that looks like ice cream and a button that says birthday boy. We will scooch on over to the McDonalds with his two best buddies, his sister and his fave aunts. Then the icing on his birthday cake is his first baseball practice this afternoon! I think his head may explode.

He has informed me of three things...

#1 He is choosing to skip today because that's what 4 year olds do.

#2 I was instructed to call him Birthday Boy, not Cooper, Coop, Cooper Thomas, Cooper Bear or anything that would come out that doesn't sound like Birthday Boy.

#3 He is excited for his surprise party. This is the party he has planned and been planning on for weeks and when I tell him it won't be a surprise if he already knows about it, he tells me that it will since he won't know the exact moment when we yell surprise. Touche Birthday Boy.

2009-03-27T08:38:00.000-04:00

What were you doing 10 years ago today?

I love you SMM.

2009-03-25T13:20:00.003-04:00

We have funny kids. Actually that's not true, I don't think most kids are really that funny. At least not yet. We have silly kids that every once in a while say something that is funny but most often they say goofy stuff or repeat stuff they hear us say or say something a little wouldn't normally say. Mostly its not hilarious knock knock jokes and crazy dancing, i.e. Nonetheless, I laugh a lot.

Last night it was because of Griffin. We were saying our good nights and learning Judy Moody really can predict the future. Cooper was ready for bed so he hopped into his bed and I hear him, "Mom. I think something is wrong." Despite what I just said, I think you'd be surprised at his dead-panability.

I walked in to see his knees under his chin and him telling me he doesn't fit in his bed. There is no shortage of giggling behind me and I pull the covers back to see Griffin has short-sheeted Coopers bed.

I was then warned, "Watch out mom, April Fools Day is coming."

2009-03-20T08:38:00.002-04:00

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!

Oh my gosh, we made it! It is an amazing day today! Spring is officially here and I don't have time to waste. According to me, weather will now officially be warmer, more colorful, more full of life and no more cold because it is Spring! Happy 2nd best day of the year next to the first day of summer!

2009-03-19T09:30:00.000-04:00

How Rock Stars eat breakfast...

2009-03-18T10:21:00.004-04:00

I went to UK. Much to the dismay of my pals there, I am not much of a college basketball fan. I absolutely was while I was a student there. (Those who know me will laugh at the use of the word "student" there.) I was part of the Student Athletic Committee and have the t-shirt to prove it. I was there during the Jamal Mashburn, Rick Pitino, Jeff Brassow, Richie Farmer, Christian Laettner stomping-the-chest stage and it is ridiculous that I remember those names and many more, Chris Harrison, Gimel Martinez, Andre Riddick, Henry Thomas, Dale Brown, Travis Ford, Tony Delk. In any case, this is the time of year that I watch the 3 basketball games a year that I watch and sillily try to pick who I think will win the whole thing. So if you want to join the hijinx, come on.

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2009-03-17T09:38:00.000-04:00

3 Days...

Happy St Patrick's Day

And a quick SPD note. Griffin set a trap to catch a leprechaun last night. The trap contained Sean's ring because it was shiny and would catch the leps attention. This morning, the ring was gone!!!! The leprechaun took the ring, left a note telling Griffin something about how leprechauns are too fast and can't be caught this year but maybe next year. He left some quarters and some clover plants for the kids. Griffin about had a heart attack and couldn't believe he missed the leprechaun. He was also was very nervous about the missing ring so he called his daddy and can you believe that when Sean got to work, his ring was sitting on his desk with a note and a St Patrick's Day cookie! Grif took the note to school and is sure that the noise he heard overnight was a door opening and a leprechaun tiptoeing through our house.

Then he tried to convince me he should be able to stay home from school and celebrate being Irish.

2009-03-16T13:33:00.000-04:00

Tis the birthday of my friend, my homey, my peeps, my girl, my Debber.

Sigh. I just love you.

2009-03-05T09:47:00.003-05:00

Sometimes I really think certain people in certain jobs should find themselves a different job in a different field so they don't have to trudge through the everydayness of life and be mad and jerkish to people. Every person is not created to do any job they want.

For instance...

Last night I took all the littles and we went to a place where quiet is the norm, books abound and you don't have to pay for them, lots of glasses...I may or may not agree that this is the library, I don't know what kind of connections Lady 1 has. Griffin has a project to do on a famous American and he chose Neil Armstrong (Grif also thinks he can get Neil to accompany him to class the day of his presentation since Neil lives so close). So I figured he could do some research the old fashioned way instead of only on the Internet. This is the establishment that we go to at least once a week for 2 year old story time with Miss Cheryl who is wonderful and not to be confused with anyone in this story.

I will agree we probably overstayed our welcome and my kids were not behaving. I had three kids that wanted four different types of 'material' this 'place' offers. Two thirds of my people were doing puzzles at a table 4 feet away from me in the kids area (offering this type of area would lead one to believe there is some level of kid tolerance) and the third was looking for things on Neil. Griffin and I asked Lady 2 to help us find an audio recording of the first moon landing. Lady 2, "Oh sure, this is so great when kids your age use [this place] for school projects. I'd be happy to help you." At this point Cooper and Parker get a little surly and come looking for us in the aisle 13 feet away yet still in the kids area.

Enter Lady 1. "Children." (marker that she doesn't deal with them often - people don't really say that very often anymore) "Children, where is your mother?"

Then I hear the pitter patter of little feet and more like non pitter pattering of non little feet coming to find me.

Of course I tell them they are acting like maniacs and they need to sit down with the puzzles and (let's just call them books for the sake of ease) 'books'.

Lady 2 "Yes, ma'am, if they are 7 or under they need to be with you, by your side, at all times."

Me "OK thank you. We are trying to gather our 'books' and we'll be done. We are having a hard time finding some things that the computer says are on the 'shelves'.

Lady 2 "Ah well, that's because kids (pause and nod at my two) pull them and return them to the wrong places."

WOWZER. I was honestly left speechless which is probably good, we were already making a scene. I think there are times when speechlessness has saved me. I of course think of the best, wittiest, albeit scathing and sarcastic retorts the minute I am removed from a situation.

I really just wanted to ask her if she saw the kids playing tag or the girl doing cartwheels in the aisle or if she got forced into the family business and wished she could have been a dancer or if she accidentally signed up for the wrong classes at Baxter U. But I didn't, aloud.

And why is spellcheck back today?

2009-03-03T08:46:00.002-05:00

Ever feel like life is passing you by? I remember when Griffin was a few months old I vowed to not wish away his babiness by saying, "I can't wait until he walks" or "It will be so much easier when he talks". I want to enjoy every step of the way with my kids and my husband and my life. I also remember a couple of years later after a raucous New Years Eve of trying to stay awake until Dick Clark proclaimed the new year that I would under no circumstances for that calendar year say, "Wow, I can't believe it is _____ already!" Time is going to pass whether I like its speed or not so those were wasted words for me. Eventually I quit thinking about the flying of time so much once I quit talking about it with every check out person at the WalMarts.

Time does go quickly and I don't think there is an antidote to that. I do think for me it has been the awareness of it. And I think there is something to be said for numbering our days and having heart changes because someone a whole lot smarter than me decided the amount of time I would get to spin on this planet (The third from the sun, see last Tuesday) so I figure I better enjoy it while I can.

All of this re-occurred to me after seeing Parker making her own peanut butter sandwich last night. Sigh. She is fast grower upper.

Seriously, what happened to the spell check? Because I don't even know if re-occurred is officially a word.

Part II

2009-02-26T09:28:00.002-05:00

Griffin: Parker! Don't come in here, I'm getting dressed!

Parker retreats.

Griffin: That pesky varmint.

2009-02-25T09:07:00.002-05:00

These two.

Sometimes I just like to sit and listen to my kids playing and most of the time it makes my heart warm, sometimes I can ward off a fight or catch them doing something good. Today it just made me laugh.

Griffin and Parker were working on a project, a poster for his bedroom. He got up to eat some cereal and Parker stayed near the markers.

Griffin: Parker come over here and sit with me. (I think it is so sweet that he wants her near him.)

Parker: (Blank Stare)

Griffin: Parker come over here and leave the poster alone. I don't trust you. It's your shifty eyes.

2009-02-24T14:27:00.000-05:00

When I was little I wanted to be an astronomer. I was pretty into constellations and the moons and the planets. I remember telling my grandma I didn't really want to be an astronaut unless NASA changed their little outfits to purple. That was my one condition, you can not have my 10 year old shoebox planetarium expertise unless I get to wear a puffy purple suit. This all came back to mind as Griffin was studying for his Space Unit test. It was apparently funny to him that planets that were planets when I was his age aren't planets anymore confirming in his mind the t-rexian age of his mother.

I am sure all of our parents had dreams of what they wanted us to be. Of course I have thought about my kids when they grow up wondering what they will be but more than that I think about their personalities and what would fit well with that. Although there aren't a whole lot of jobs for irrational, fit throwing, screaming people so I have to think futuristically. (Insert your choice of celebrity references here.)

Cooper told me he wants to be a graffer which translated into English means a photographer. "Either that or someone that washes off fire, like a fireman or maybe a farmer or something" said he. So I thought what the heck, I won't be a squelcher of dreams, I'll let him have a shot. Hopefully his passion will turn into talent at some point, maybe when he stops holding the camera facing himself. Here are a couple of the 47 pics of the floor, his belly and my ear.

Tomorrow to the dairy farm.

And where did spellcheck go?

2009-02-19T10:51:00.002-05:00

The BEST part of being a mommy to girl...

OK, maybe not THE best but def one of the best.

2009-02-17T08:53:00.003-05:00

Typically we don't do much celebrating of the cupidic holiday. This year the Murphy girls got a pretty sweet valentine from our #1 valentine fella. And he's funny too.

Happy Birthday

2009-02-05T08:19:00.016-05:00

Never in the history of ever has there been a greater aunt, friend, supporter, laugher-with-er, confidante. Today is the birthday of my aunt, actually Sean's aunt but I claim her. She is the best _______ there ever was and I adore her, my husband adores her, my kids adore her, my friends adore her. Everyone who has ever had an interaction with her is crazy about her. She is the best.

2009-01-27T08:48:00.003-05:00

I can hear the rally cry in my head, "Weather people unite! We finally got one right!" We awoke to whiteness everywhere and it is my one time a year to say it really is pretty. As I was shoveling this morning, the snow plow went by, blasted me and the newly shoveled drive with dirtsnow. When he came back the other direction he mouthed, "Sorry." I don't think he was. I feel like we should be working together but he seems to be anti-clean-Murphy-driveway. In any case, I won't complain because this guy and his newly learned meteorological facts is home all day. So all day long I get to hear,

"Weather travels in a cycle yes it does.
Weather travels in a cycle yes it does.
It goes up as evaporation, it forms clouds as condensation, it comes does as precipitation
yes it does."
(Sung to the tune of "She'll be coming round the mountain")

2009-01-22T09:43:00.001-05:00

Just in case anyone is interested...Hellboy 2 got nominated for an Oscar.

I think we have our winner.

What a morning

2009-01-15T11:29:00.003-05:00

This has been some blog hiatus. I get revved up and think I will start posting again and it lasts about 3 days so just go with my inconsistency and love me anyways.

I can up from the laundry room to find this...

Wow...I'm just not sure what to say

The capetowel was added when Cooper told her she should try to fly.

2008-12-16T09:58:00.003-05:00

What has two thumbs and Sassy McSassypants? This girl. (Pictured here with one of her two loves.)

I am amazed every day at our 2 year old daughter. She is no longer a baby that does whatever mom says. She is a toddling one that does what she wants and nothing less. Here are some of her antics from this morning.

Exchange #1
Mommy: Parker, come on, let's get you some clothes for you to get dressed.
Parker: Um, no thanks mom. I'm fine but you go get dressed and brush your hair.

Exchange #2
Parker: Mom, can I have some juice?
Mommy: Yep, go get your cup and I'll get you some juice.
Parker: Thanks mom. (She turns to walk away and sees Cooper hijacking the puzzle she was playing with) Mom, could you do something about that?

2008-12-10T12:25:00.003-05:00

There is some funny stuff happening at the Vineyard in Springdale over the next few weeks. Here is a little glimpse into that funnyness. I have been lucky enough to watch some of the goings on and see how unbelievably talented the people involved are. And I CAN NOT believe how much time and energy and work goes into something like this. In any case, reserve free tickets here and come see it. I will not tell you which of my middle children asked if the guy in the hat singing was Mork from Ork.
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'Tis the Season

2008-12-04T22:29:00.007-05:00

Christmastime is in full swing at the house of Murph. We decked some halls, trimmed a tree, greened the ... things needed greening. Busy times. I am realizing I get wound up easily and it doesn't take much. Perhaps some may say high strung. It has been absolutely nutso around here. The list is still long of things needing done but and here is my new philosophy, it'll get finished or it won't.

So my pledge for the next 6 weeks is to relax, calm down and enjoy this time. My new mantra came to me when were unpacking all of decorations and I was so afraid the kids would break something that it became very unfun for everyone. So I walked to the other room and decided it really doesn't affect one part of my life if one thing breaks, if it breaks, we will clean it up.

I am deciding to make good, fun, healthy memories and let the kids be kids instead of making them think things are more important than them. I want to encourage creativity, I do not want them to fear mommy being angry because a $3 silver star is broken. I want to encourage risk taking, I want to encourage chance taking, I want them to experiment with their lives. We will be here as a safe landing pad full of encouragement when they fail but I'd rather they risk and fail rather than be fearful, timid, or safe players.

This is of course until tomorrow when I blow a fuse.

2008-11-28T19:50:00.002-05:00

I never really knew why Thanksgiving hopped around the November calendar the way it does. My Thanksgiving knowledge consisted of knowing it usually fell somewhere around the end of the month and I like the food. Well this year my 8 year old told me it is the fourth Thursday in November, the first one was in 1620, something to do with Myles Standish, half of the 102 people who made the trip died plus a ton more I have already forgotten.

We all survived our trip to the capital of Ohio, land of the Buckeyes and home of the majority of the Murphy's. The entire Cincinnati contingent was not present, had they been, the day would have been perfection. We had great food, lots of games and fun being together. On the way home, Sean and I dissected every minute of the day and realized it wasn't really that different than most of the other times we are with our family but it was one of the best times we had. It was just a great day, I would say it ranks in my top 5 favorite family days. I really don't know what it was, it was just great. So thanks Columbus Murphy's for making Thanksgiving '08 super great.

The littlest of Murph's...too pooped too party.

2008-11-20T09:10:00.006-05:00

In case you are looking for a Friday full of funness, the come here to see these guys. They're pretty funny. And one of them is super cute.

The deets...

Friday, November 21
Ballet Tech Cincinnati
8:00pm
$5
6543 Montgomery Road
Cincinnati, OH 45213

2008-11-18T09:29:00.004-05:00

Every once in a while, I get puffed up and feel very important. Like I have done something not one other person on this earth could do. I was created for this moment and this moment was created for me. Only my certain skill set and talents and abilities could forge together at this time in history for this day alone and avert a crisis that will save the world.

Today I had one of those moments. I, and I alone, removed a Lego sword from the printer that has been mysteriously jammed for 12 days. Twelve long days of thinking, I wonder what is wrong with this thing. If only someone could be a hero, come save the day and fix this intricate piece of machinery.

Thank you (I am bowing).

2008-11-17T13:02:00.006-05:00

All is right with the world. Buddha is married, Griffin is 8 and Sean is home! He drove 18 hours and one half to get home last night. So great. While our hearts ached that he was gone and he was homesick, we all had great weeks. And he arrived home with souvenirs, Longhorns shirts, pens, armadillos and puppets.

We got to have a birthday celebration for Griffin but before a day of bowling, sugar and games we got to unveil the surprise. He and Cooper have shared a room since Cooper was brand new. Grif has been very interested in a room of his own for many moons and we have debated for about that long. We don't necessarily feel like every kid needs their own room and there is so much good that can come from having a roommate. But we finally decided to let the boy have his own space.

We thought and rethought and decided and changed our mind several times on how to fix up the extra bedroom into a cool place for an 8 year old. So the plan is set into motion, the gathering of supplies, the mapping of the room, the hiding of the key on top of the door frame. I could not figure out how he didn't know, not the ridiculous amount of time I was 'cleaning the closets' in there, the noxious paint fumes, the door being 'broken' for two weeks.

Saturday morning Griffin watched the video Sean sent that said his present was in the extra bedroom and to run up and get it. Off he goes and Aunt Peggy and I await his thunderous footsteps with cameras rolling. This may or may not be the same Aunt Peggy who called my daughter Peg Bundy for the day.

I think he loves it. He spent 20 hours and 50 minutes of the first 24 in there sleeping, investigating, Lego building and hanging out.

He asked if schools give a new bedroom day off hoping he could stay home today.

At one point he said, "Kendrick and I saw the skateboards and stuff in there and it was a mess, we just didn't know what you were doing." And I said, "How'd you see that stuff? Did you look under the door?" And his answer, "No Mom, we just got the key and opened the door."

So much for a surprise.

2008-11-15T07:42:00.002-05:00

Today is the anniversary of the day I became a mom, some may call it Griffin's birthday. We are revving up, we have lots going today. But I know there is lots in store for this guy, he is destined for greatness. Kind, smart, fun, loving, obedient, funny, and one of the three best kids ever. He is truly amazing.
Happy Birthday Griffin!!!!

2008-11-13T21:36:00.002-05:00

Well I have some great friends. This week they have proven themselves S-U-P-E-R, super is what they are, super, super great.
It has been a hard week but good. I do know I will be very excited when a few more tomorrows become a few more yesterdays. It terrifically painful for me to be in Ohio and not in Texas...my heart doesn't want to go into that right now.
For now I will introduce you to my besties for the week.

Israel's wife knocked on my door holding my love language...ice cream. Not much else needs to be said.

Later that same ice creamed afternoon, this one brought me some coffee. Not just coffee but she knows my favorite kind and spent her hard earned job that she works at money to buy it for me. Then our four little arms carried a 357 pound desk from them basement to me secret project (more on that to come). Our gigantor muscles are still shaking.

These two made dinner for my littles and I, pizza that was YUM-MY. Not only were there individual pizzas for all but knowing how I love them, there were green olives for the crowning glory on my deliciousness. But who are we kidding, one was really the dinner maker, one was the playmate for my boys. As Griffin shared on the ride home, he was running on the treadmill in the basement that the non dinner maker would turn up faster and faster until he flew into the pile of pillows they stacked up. Safety first!

I finally got to chat with this old gal. Not old chronologically but old friendologically. As we talked about Griffins 8th birthday, we realized we have been friendly for more years than that, she was the first friend to hold that little boy when he was brand new. She also told me I should go quickly to the doctor to get my splinter infested finger flushed and sutured as it is infected. OK she said none of that but she did say to maybe put Neosporin on it. And a band aid. It does hurt. And its purple, sort of. And you can kind of see the hole.

YAY FRIENDS!

2008-11-12T12:20:00.005-05:00

I have an idea. I think it is pretty solid. I am in the middle of swapping Cooper and Griffin dressers. That's what I have always called it but I have heard it called many a thing, a bureau, chest of drawers, wardrobe, highboy but the one I understand the least is chester drawers.

Anyways, my plan is this. Since I am switching all their clothes and I am in the middle of doing laundry, why don't I just continue to use the dining room table as a giant dresser for everyone until every piece of clothing is out of the boys drawers and then it will be super easy to just put away all their clean clothes in empty drawers.

I think its ingenious.

2008-11-10T09:28:00.004-05:00

Yesterday wasn't quite the day movie makers dream of. Unless it is a movie about a girl who stabbed herself with scissors, whose daughter is convinced she saw her dad in the rain drops, whose son pooped on the floor and she didn't know it was poop til she picked it up, whose son super glued his fingers to his shirt, who has no ice cream in her house, who got a shiner from her daughters teeth connecting squarely on her cheekbone, whose son left the water in the bathroom on all day, whose kids stayed up way too late despite the extra cuddles and kisses, whose daughter told knock-knock jokes for 17 minutes straight which doesn't seem that long but consider hearing in a big man voice from a two year old a one person narrative of who has come over.

Ah well, its not so bad, the trash made it out to the curb, everyone slept well, kids made it to school, the grocery store will get gotten too and the sun is out.

Happy Monday.

2008-11-07T13:04:00.005-05:00

We are quickly approaching being 4/5 of a whole Murph. I haven't thought about it much yet but I do know I will not like next week, not one bit. I know he'll pick up a twang so get ready for the ya'll that's coming back to the OH. And the cowboy boots. And hats. And the belt buckles. Everything southern + Sean = Love Love Love

Here are some other things I know I don't like...
-Being one short of a quintet, we aren't the same without a soprano
-SMM being in Texas
-Having Texas so far away
-Me not being in Texas
-Birthdays with out 5 people
-Missing a husband
-15 minute phone calls to catch up on a whole day

2008-11-06T13:23:00.004-05:00

The Murphy's have mowed their last lawn for '08. I am the mower of the lawns in this house and couldn't be happier about it. I know there are those who think its a mans job but for 65 minutes once a week or every 4 days or every other week depending on what season it is, SMM and I turn our nose up at gender roles and I mow the grass and he is the primary care taker of the littles.

I feel like that is a little chance that I have to think and be by myself and not worry about anything but running over my own foot. Of course there are times someone needs me and I throw my hands up, shake my head and yell, "I CAN'T HEAR YOU, THIS MOWER IS LOUD. YOU'LL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL I AM DONE MOWING THIS WHOOOOOLE YARD, THE WHOLE THING, AND I JUST STARTED AND I MAY DO THE NEIGHBORS TODAY TOO. SO GO BACK INSIDE AND TELL DAD THAT YOU NEED YOUR DINNER MADE, HELP WITH YOUR HOMEWORK AND THAT YOUR BROTHER HIT YOU BECAUSE I CAN'T HEAR YOU, I'M MOWING THE GRASS."

Well last night was a battle between light and dark. I started with what I thought was just enough to finish before the sun went down and I just happened to be wrong this time. We played a new game at breakfast, Fruit Loops and Crop Circles.

So goodbye lawn mower, goodbye gas can and goodbye nasty green shoes, I will see you after this crap called winter. For now, I am off to repair the damage of the dark and I must do it now, for I only have one more hour of sunlight today.

2008-11-03T17:56:00.003-05:00

We had a great weekend. Cute kids with cute costumes and lots of candy and pencils. Pencils? Sure we need writing implements but boy are we set.

We had a weekend that felt right, it felt like it should. It felt like community, like fun, there was lots of laughing with lots of people that I like having around. And my to-do list is getting shorter, slowly but it is.

Since I am not much for writing, I'll go with my normal psychosis that people can read my mind so now you know how my weekend was.

2008-10-31T12:32:00.003-04:00

The cookies were made with lots of left overs!!!!

And the teachers aren't striking.

So two down...

2008-10-29T20:46:00.004-04:00

I worry. I am a world champion worrier. I worry for pleasure, for fun, for sport. I am the Greg Louganis of worry.

Here are my latest go rounds with worry...I will not explain why each of these worry me because then I will worry that I am not explaining myself adequately. And that leads to a big old bunch of nutso that makes me think that people think about me as much as I think about me. For each one of these there are 47 more.

1 -Lakota schools are thinking of striking.

2 - Coopers preschool sent a packet on the upcoming flu pandemic and how the bird flu may mutate and humans may get it.

3 - Grif's birthday will be here shortly and bedrooms don't redo themselves.

4 - There is an apple border in the kitchen that has stared at me for years doubting my resolve to take it down.

5 - Cookie Monsters famous cookie dough cut into ghost shapes frosted in white with chocolate chip eyes take a long time to make.

6 - North Carolina and Pennsylvania and Texas and Maryland and Colorado are far from here and I like people that live in those places.

7 - Vans don't usually make weird noises.

8 - Time goes too fast.

9 - My nose is stuffy and I have a weird cough.

2008-10-19T18:44:00.002-04:00

I often have a hard time separating all the jumble that is my brain. I wish I had a red record button right above my left ear that I push when I need to remember something and every time I hit the button it added 15 minutes to my day so I could think through why I hit the button. It would be 15 extra minutes that don't count against me in any other part of the day, they just add to the end.

During that 15 minutes, my brain is programmed to only think of the reason for the button pushing and I can't move on to another 15 minute segment until the first thought is complete and I'm satisfied. But if I finish the thought before 15 minutes is up, the extra minutes don't carry over, I loose them.

If I think there is a subject I need to discuss with myself that may take more than 15 minutes, at the moment of the original button pushing moment, I can hit the blue button beside the red button and that adds 5 minutes to my 15. The blue button can only be pushed 3 times in one day so I have to use the extras wisely. If the original 15 minutes is up and I still need more time that wasn't blue buttoned, I can red button the subject but will have to come back to it at the end of my time.

Until that day, weekends are good stuff when they come in the form of my friends...

2008-09-26T08:12:00.003-04:00

She is feeling better...

and that makes me happy.

2008-09-22T12:23:00.002-04:00

We have a sick little girl. That makes for a worried, tired, nervous, anxious mother bear. Medicine and tests and extra kisses are helping. I am thankin' my lucky stars she is on the mend...and she is still sassy.

2008-09-19T12:44:00.003-04:00

Da da da da...there is a new Smiley baby!
Congrats Paul and way to go Carrie.
Now there are two Levi's we love.

And the Steelers are 2-0
(zip it Brad)

2008-09-10T22:26:00.003-04:00

Not only is there a 2nd grader in the hizzowse but a preschooler as well. And apparently, we just have kids that get excited for school. Cooper was swept into Griffins excitement tornado and could not have been more excited to go to school.
What a day...

2008-09-08T11:30:00.001-04:00

1 - 0

2008-09-02T11:06:00.002-04:00

A second grader now lives in this house. We watched him board the bus like an old pro, find his seat with Kendrick and start greeting all of his old friends.

I have a lot of friends who have kids that were not so excited for this day. Griffin on the other hand could barely sleep last night. He went to bed almost shaking with excitement. He slept with a smile on his face and woke up giggling. He told me last night before he fell asleep, "The suspense is killing me! It feels like Christmas is tomorrow!" I want to bottle that excitement just in case he doesn't feel this way in 10 years.

Conversely, I have not been excited for this day. I could barely sleep because I was nervous about second grade. I don't know why and I realize it is ridiculousness. This year he is a little fish in a big pond. Second to sixth grade seems like such a huge age difference. I am worried he won't be able to find his class, lose his lunch box, someone will be mean, he'll get lost finding the bathroom. And the whole time, I will be at home, unable to swoop in and save him.

My swooping days are coming to an end...

2008-08-29T10:54:00.002-04:00

Setting: Fixing breakfast, everyone in their PJs, a sweet morning in the Murphy kitchen

Sean: Cooper, who has the prettiest mom in the world?
Cooper: MEEEEEEE!!!!

Sean: Parker, who has the prettiest mom in the world?
Parker: MEEEEEEEE!!!

Sean: Griffin who has the prettiest mom in the world?
Griffin: Me? You don't mean right now do you?

2008-08-26T09:20:00.004-04:00

Is using the turn signal too much to ask? Maybe someone has thought it through a lot more than I have and can explain the not using of the blinker. But to me it seems like it is in a fairly convenient spot and pretty easy to operate. So come on, can we just be a people that scooch our little hand over to the lever and let the world know, "I'M TURNING LEFT, YAHOO!"

2008-08-25T10:21:00.005-04:00

Saturday was Parker's flower girl debut. If you are wondering who can do flower girling better than anyone, its Parker. She was wonderful, walked down the aisle holding her princess wand perfectly. She even tried to coax the ring bearer who cried and wouldn't go. If you are in the market for a flower girl, she's your best bet. The bride was just about the most gorgeous bride I've ever seen. I wanted to high five her husband but I thought that may be inappropriate.

The whole day gave me hope for my family. These two families are amazing pictures of what love, commitment and parenting can do. The two that got married are awesome. They are committed to each other, to their Jesus, to their friends. They also wrote notes to their parents saying they wanted a marriage like theirs, I feel like that is a pretty big deal coming from people who have seen those marriages every day.

It was a great day but better than that, a great start to Ross and McKenzie's journey.

And Parker was cute.

2008-08-22T16:20:00.004-04:00

Summer is closing down. With that, our free entertainment is over and I don't get to see my bf Fridayly.

But this Friday, I get to watch this little girl practice for her first flower girl roll...

Get out the tissues.

2008-08-20T15:24:00.002-04:00

Disclaimer: I LOVE THE OLYMPICS

Last night we sat down to watch the games of the XXIX Olympiad. And of course after a rousing Trampoline competition, we were hunkered down for a ping pong match. And what a match it was. I couldn't believe the athletic prowess of those gentle giants. They were nimble like cats and ferocious as ...
OK, really?
It isn't even called ping pong. It is apparently called Table Tennis. The table is in the middle of a huge empty room so Griffin is convinced the table is smaller than the one at Peggy's house. They hold their paddles in an odd way and do fancy throwing up of the ball (if that's what they even call it) before they serve and I even heard grunting.
Now the table tennis ball, they only use one. They don't even have someone to shag it for them after each point, they have to run and get it themselves. Even at Aunt Pegs there is a bowl of extras. Those guys look like morons as they chase a mini bouncing ping pong ball around a huge empty space. I think I'd complain.
We watched for a couple of points and finally Griffin said, "I can't believe this is in the Olympics." And I must say, I agree.

And P.S. There was a North Korean shooter that got 2 medals taken away after he failed the banned substance tests. Seriously? Shooting a gun and banned substances? Isn't that Oreos and water?

2008-08-12T08:34:00.004-04:00

I miss my friends. And Parker is having withdrawal. (I wasn't going to use this picture but she cried when I deleted it.) Aren't you sick of $17 diet cokes yet?
Mice.

Happy ___________!!!!!

2008-08-07T09:32:00.003-04:00

'Tis a big day in the lives of people I know and love...

Happy Birthday to Katy...
The first person to hold our daughter. I love Katy, I love her laugh, her loyalty, her heart, her guts and that she now loves diet coke. Would you believe at one time she didn't?

Happy Birthday to Liz...
My Wooster connection. A lot of our lives are more similar than I would have imagined. I love her brain processing, I love her competitiveness, I love her commitment to change and I love her sister.

Happy Birthday to Mel...
My favorite friend that lives waaaay too far away. I dream of the day we can be next door neighbors. There are few friendships that are as easy as mine with Mel. I miss her.
And Happy Anniversary Bleah!
How lucky I feel that we are friends. I tell Sean every time we hang out that I love being with them and I wish we could hang out more. And I'm afraid I love them in a creepy, stalkerish way.

HAVE GREAT DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-08-06T15:28:00.003-04:00

I had a etymological surprise yesterday. I was talking with a girlfriend who used a phrase I had never heard before.

In an ideal world, Sean and I would be leaving Sunday to go visit her and her husband and do some work with them for a couple weeks. But sigh, that's not the case.

She told me "it is bucketing down." Any guesses? All I can hear is the brogue and it makes our non plans for next week sadder. Apparently it is raining cats and dogs and we would have needed raincoats. Ah well, at least it should be sunny in OH.

PS This is also the friend that Griffin said of her husband, "You didn't tell me he'd sound like a leprechaun."

2008-08-05T08:57:00.001-04:00

Why won't this girl sleep?

Mommy's tired...

The feel of today...

2008-07-31T14:51:00.003-04:00

Yesterday there was a tootsie roll in the dryer. With my clothes. On my stuff. Then my kids colored with tootsie roll flavored markers today. If you know me at all, you realize the nightmarish horrificness of this.

It is like those little brown demons are coming after me. To destroy me. Their plot to rid the world of AMM is subtle but it is there and very real.

I thoroughly dislike birds. They scare me, they flutter and are unpredictable. And as much as I have been told they aren't dirty or crazed, I choose to believe Hitchcock.

And who uses a bird as their cute little know-it-all that is really a condescending, arrogant, candy-stealer? The tootsie roll.

Watch out you small, brown, gag inducing nastys, I will get you. All of you. And that daggone owl.

2008-07-28T22:54:00.003-04:00

What an amazing weekend...
In the midst of the rampant infections in our house, we went to a cabin with some of our bfs and it could not have been more awesome. We swam, tubed, boated, ate, euchred, and laughed so hard my muscles hurt. All the while we were only and hour and 15 minutes from our house. It was a gorgeous cabin, a beautiful setting and I really don't know how it could have gotten much better. Well a little more sleep would have helped.
I realize I have been a little picture crazed lately, in keeping with that, here are some more.

2008-07-24T12:03:00.002-04:00

It is a little crazy around this house today. Not much sleep was gotten by anyone. I am very much looking forward to nap time. I feel like I may have some strep in my throat and I am looking for the semi that ran over me in my sleep.

Normally we tried to be unplugged from tvs and playstations and movies during the day but not today. Today is games and pajamas and cartoons and sofajumping and snacks all day with lots of whining and tattling.

It is very Lord of the Flies in our house today. And I kind of don't care.

2008-07-22T22:43:00.005-04:00

I figure after a week of staycation that was chock full of everything possibly fun, I should venture back to blogification.

It was a terrific week, really, really great. And I don't know what the best part was other than being with my family and really liking being with them.

On a side note, I am an eavesdropper. Griffin and his best friend were discussing the best cartoons yesterday and I eavesdropped. Kendrick asked Grif about a show that Grif said he wasn't allowed to watch. Kendrick responded, "There isn't any fighting in it." Griffin's reply?

"Just because there isn't any violence doesn't mean that the content is appropriate."

2008-07-11T08:59:00.003-04:00

Just a thought but I feel like when Cooper and Parker are hiding and whispering in a corner, they might be up to some mischief. Although they show their faces every so often and reassure me, "Mom, we aren't doing anything so you don't need to check on us" so I think they are ok.

This is the first of many parenting tips by Annie Murphy. Yes, you can be a mom just like me.

2008-07-07T22:20:00.003-04:00

Griffin is on a little vacation with Grandma. For the last three years he has gone to spend the week around the 4th of July with Grandma doing fun things, skipping rocks, riding bikes, hunting for frogs, being the center of the ice cream eating world and loving every second of it. So the boy has been gone 34 hours and 15 minutes, I love it for him, I hate it for me. I miss him.

And the crazy thing is that if he was home, because I am an awesome mom, I would probably be frustrated about something, the kids not getting on with going to bed, the tv room being a mess, toys left outside. But since he isn't here all that is happening is my guts hurt and I want to hug him.

2008-07-03T18:38:00.004-04:00

I don't have much to say lately except...

I love the July 4th holiday. I love the festivities, I love fireworks, I love cooking outside, I love all the hub bub surrounding the day and I love my red, white and blue flip flops.

That and my aunt-in-law took Griffin to get a faux hawk today and let him die it blue.

PS And by die I mean dye.

2008-06-27T09:14:00.002-04:00

I am having a little heart failure....

Griffin just asked me how someone gets pregnant.

2 reasons

2008-06-25T15:35:00.001-04:00

Just because I think she is cute and I run this dog and pony show...

And because I miss Mel...

2008-06-25T08:37:00.002-04:00

Two of my favorite gals...

...and I love them.

2008-06-24T08:56:00.002-04:00

I haven't had much time or energy to do much of anything lately. I have been overwhelmed lately, super tired, really excited by life. I especially am loving the people that my kids are turning into. This 7 year old man is something else.

One of my friends has quite the eye for photog and did not take this pic.

2008-06-19T08:12:00.004-04:00

Every year, Sean has a birthday. And every year for the last 15 years it has either been while we were at Young Life camp or during SOS. Luckily he isn't me and doesn't need a lot of whoop-e-dee-do on his day. But it is still the day that we celebrate the love of my life...

I love you SMM.

2008-06-16T16:37:00.002-04:00

So now I'm a facebooker. I can't stop. That, Perez Hilton and Webkinz will be the end of me. Yes Webkinz.

I need to find some control somewhere.

2008-06-15T08:36:00.002-04:00

I wrote this twice and twice this "computer" deleted it. So for the third time we will be quick so my anger stays at bay.

Here is to the best daddy in the history of daddydom.

These three little people are incredibly lucky to have a dad that is head over heels in love with them, who works hard to support them, who is their best encourager, who is their best playmate. Who would have thought at 38 and 361 days, Seans three best friends would be 7, 3, 2.

We love you daddy!

2008-06-13T09:59:00.004-04:00

Well its Friday night and apparently someone has a crush on me. I have gotten so many emails that say that I am cute and that there are plenty of eligible men waiting to meet me, tonight! Can you believe that? They'd drop their plans for tonight just to meet little ol me! Who would have thought? I wonder how they all got my email? I may have to pass their info along, I have some pretty cute single friends and after all, I am taken. When I respond to their emails, they all seem to handle me being off the market pretty well. I guess there are lots of fish in the cyber sea.

2008-06-09T22:07:00.011-04:00

What a day, what a day. May I first say that our lawn is horrible, know that we know that. I just am not up for gigantor water bills in order to keep up. Even so, we still mow it. Today was mow the grass day. Normally this is one of my favorite days of the week. I love being outside, I don't mind pushing the mower because in my brain, this is some sort of super duper exercise program that Billy Blanks et al haven't come up with yet.
-

Today though, was different. And I'll tell you why.
-

FRICKIN CICADAS.
-

It all started as it normally does with the adding of the liquid gold to the mower and the starting up which I am self conscious about anyways because who can really know how they look pulling the starter pulley thing over and over while the machine and my neighbors laugh.
-

Usually I mow around the edges of the yard twice then work in row like fashion. We have two trees in our yard that in the springtime are the prettiest trees ever, today they were a playground for cockroachian torturers. As I ducked under the first tree in a matter of seconds, there was a swarm or those daggone cicadas and they were in the shape of an arrow coming right after me. I had no choice but to swat and flail my arms to rid them from sucking my blood.

Our mower is one of those self propelled ones. Today, it was self propelling its way into our neighbors deck because I needed both arms for self defense. If that mower wasn't so heavy I would have swung it around to aerochop those things. Now our neighbors have one strip from our side yard to their deck until they mow again.

The taunting continued and I could only swat and shoo them away nicely for so long. At some point I think I even yelled at them loudly enough for the guy putting new siding on the house next door to become convinced he shouldn't turn his back on me or I'd aerochop him too. As our little red toro hummed along, I swear to you I think they thought it was their mother ship coming to get them. They just plopped right on there for a little ride.

As I said before, I normally go in a linear pattern, today not so much. Their horribleness also like to lay in the grass. I just happened to rid the world of quite a few of those &*%^$ as I could by running them over not on purpose but because I thought today would be good for no pattern at all, just circles and lines and right angles whenever I felt like it. PETA Schmeta.

Here's the other thing. At one point a little stick got in my sock so I stopped for a sec to get it out (the stick by the way made my ankle bleed). I put my shoe back on only to find that one of the crappin things flew in my shoe and was in there when only my foot was supposed to be.

And I don't want to talk about when one flew in the car when Parker and I were trying to go the the store. Or when I was reputting my hair up and one got stuck inside my ponytail. These little devil pets are not my friends. Or the one that flew in my shortpants.

So someone better give me some flippin answers. How long are these little nightmares staying? Why are they at my house and not at my aunts 2.7 miles north or my friends 1.1 miles west? Why are they so dang loud? What is their purpose? Why did I see people collecting bagfuls of them?

Screw the neighbors, I'm covering my yard with pebbles and cacti.

2008-06-06T08:36:00.004-04:00

Amidst the chaos of all things today, the first Friday with no school, our nephew being here, the first day of the pool opening, the fourth baseball game of six baseball games in ten days, me not feeling great (but its mind over matter), tonight is awesomeness. Tonight the QCP have a show and I couldn't be more excited. If you are looking for something fun to do tonight, head to Cincinnati Ballet Tech at 8 in the pm, pay $5 at the door and prepare to be amused.

Happy Birthday my sweet girl

2008-06-03T08:09:00.003-04:00

From this...

...to this in 730 short days.

Which also happens to be 1,166,832,000 miles around the sun.

My trip around the sun

2008-06-02T21:25:00.005-04:00

I have had lots of good weekends in my half-way-to-70 life. This past one is dangerously close to the top of the list. Two of my BF's and I spent the night at my other two BF's house.

We did nothing but eat, laugh, admire the stars, tell stories and watch the occasional home movie. Oh and we hid from Debbie when she went to the bathroom, every time. The first time she used the facilities, as she left the room she said, "Oh and I have nightmares of going to the bathroom and coming back to everyone hiding from me." At that point we, at Holley's leading, felt like we had no choice but to hide with that admission.

We hid in the laundry room, the closet, the office, the garage and my favorite, under the deck. After the deck hiding, Debbie came back and we giggled as she sighed, "Oh crappin dogs you guys..." Peggy tried to give her a hint as to our whereabouts by tossing a rock over the railing and up onto the deck. Peggybelle was a great athlete but I don't think rock tossing was her sport. As she hurled the rock, it was mostly up and not so much over her head as it landed right exactly back on the top of her head. I just thought it was a pebble she threw but apparently it was more of a gigantic boulder that could have crushed her skull.

Those memories along with harmonious singing (choreography by Suzer), lobsters, jaunts down memory lane and the most beautiful ring from my grandmother-in-law and my aunt-in-law, go down as my favorite 35th birthday party ever.

2008-05-29T08:16:00.004-04:00

M*A*S*H is my favorite show. I once told a group of gals that tidbit and they groaned with disdain like I was an ignoramus.

I love Niagara Falls. The wax museums and neon make it feel a little bit touristy but I still love it.

Many moons ago Sean and I hopped in the car with no particular destination. We decided which way to go at each turn and ended up in NF, Canada.

The entire drive was occupied by M*A*S*H trivia. And I have to say I am unbeatable. I have been challenged and remained victorious, even against PSmiles.

2008-05-28T08:12:00.005-04:00

Happy Birthday to my friend Leah!!!

Post Script: Sean said he was waiting for this to get funny, it doesn't get funny, it is just a beautiful song.

2008-05-23T11:42:00.005-04:00

I heard on the radio today that The Rusty Griswold's will be at the Taste of Cincinnati. Wouldn't you know I'll be there too.
When I was in high school, I had a couple of friends obsessed with Vacation. That led me to seeing that movie more times than one would think possible. Vacation and Friday.
I think this is my fave part. Actually my favorite part is when they tell Clark they don't want to go to Wally World anymore and he gets a little surly. And really actually my favorite part of the Vacation movies is the dam part from Vegas Vacation. And I know that hurts my husbands soul to know that and I couldn't find a clip of that because I think I was one of 43 people who saw that movie and the one person that liked it.

2008-05-20T23:50:00.009-04:00

Tonight I thought I would stop by the UDF to pick up some deliciousness for my kiddies and me. We had a little party and our mouths were invited.

When we pulled up to the home of the some ice cold perfection, the line wrapped around 2 corners and two employees were directing traffic.

I couldn't imagine what all the to do was about and thought back to the time 6 years ago when the gas station near the first house SMM and I lived in had a sign that read $.99 and the whole of Middletown went berserk.

Surely this couldn't be the case, but then I saw it, the sign on the corner for the UDFs gas read a mere $3.67. (That is per 1 gallon.) Well I'll be darned.

Since I didn't think that was that much of a bargain and we just filled up our tank on Sunday for $88.17, we took our cookies-and-creaminess and went home.

2008-05-19T07:57:00.003-04:00

In light of another's disparaging remark made last week, I thought I would take the time to set the record straight. I have in the past and will continue today and in the future to be a lover of vegetables. I think their contribution to my life has been unparalleled and I realize the value of my life has only increased with vegetables. I only speak highly of the vegetable, except for a time in my life when I experimented with mushrooms. I tried them sauteed, fried, roasted, braised, stewed and I maintain today that they are incompatible with my palate.

As a young girl, I enjoyed the cooked carrots. I have heard many a story that cooked carrots, strawberries and potatoes were the only foods I'd eat. Notice 2/3 of all consumed food in my formative years were vegetables.

To further demonstrate my affection for ground grown lovers of my soul, I will conclude with a list of my favorite...

broccoli

collard greens

dark green leafy lettuce

kale

mustard greens

romaine lettuce

radicchio

horseradish

spinach

carrots

black beans

black-eyed peas

garbanzo beans

kidney beans

lentils

navy beans

pinto beans

tofu

white beans
corn
artichokes

asparagus

rhubarb

ginger

wasabi

bean sprouts

cabbage

kohlrabi

cauliflower

celery

cucumbers

radishes

eggplant

all peppers

chilies

iceberg lettuce

all potatoes

onion

zucchini

Now please don't question my love for fruit.