Sophomore Scream

Year 2 of teaching preschool is in the bag and I don't mean to brag but I did pretty good. I avoided the sophomore slump nicely.

Fact: My parents cheered the loudest at the graduation ceremony. (I didn't even have to pay them)

Opinion: My kids were the greatest. (although the other kids were pretty awesome too.)

Fact: Without my trusty side kick Robin I wouldn't be able to be so awesome.

Opinion: I'm pretty good at this. (At least I hope I am.)

So let the summer begin. It's time to get my tan on. (PS Remember sunblock is your friend!)

Before I let my brain cook in the Southern sun I want to remind you of a few things.


1. Glitter is like the sand of crafting. It gets everywhere and no matter how hard you try there is always a little more.

2. Hugs from small children are great. Even better are hugs that come with sweet words.

3. You can build up a tolerance to snot. Not something I wanted to learn.

4. I've never met a child that didn't like goldfish crackers.

5. Coloring with crayons is very calming.

6. Pretty band-aids are the cause of more injuries than old benches.

7. If you bring me a cup of coffee I can be swayed to do, or forgive, just about anything. Bubbly water also works.

So have a fun summer kids and if you remember only one thing from my class make sure it's that being yourself and being weird is better than normal everyday of the week.

Meat is tasty Murder

This weekend isn't about barbecues and long weekends.

It's about freedom and the people who selflessly provide it for you. The people who wait at home for someone who may or may not return. The people who get paid less than the fry guy at McDonald's to be away from their family for months, possibly years at a time.

But this isn't that blog so we are going to talk about food because no one comes here for political rants. Although I can try some if you want. I'm pretty good at ranting in general in case that wasn't obvious.

Seriously though, THANK A VETERAN!!

Now on to the stories about meat.

In an attempt to be healthier red meat is a rarity in this house but despite my earlier tirade we did attend two barbecues this weekend. Both included some super yummy food and burgers.

I love a good burger.

I don't mean some factory made meat patty. I'm talking hand formed, spiced to perfection beef.

This is the awesome part though.

There are a lot of subtle signs of friendship. Some of my favorite are the little things. Knowing how someone takes their coffee. Knowing their favorite movie. Favorite color.

The pinnacle of this weird info though is knowing how someone likes their burger.

Twice this weekend I was presented with burgers that were cooked to my version of perfection.

By the way, that is rare. I mean so rare that a skilled veterinarian could possibly resuscitate it.  I don't care about salmonella or e coli or food poisoning. I like to live dangerously and obviously the people I love most know this about me.

So thank you for my mooing burgers and for knowing me. You guys are the best.

Happy Memorial Day!!!

inappropriate language

This is an exact quote from one of Natalie's teacher today:

"Don't worry we have someone coming in to sand those bitches."

Now if you assume that my child doesn't go to some hippie progressive school or some hard core disciplinary boot camp you might be thinking about what prompted this little outburst.

Never fear because I'm going to tell you. And really you shouldn't be surprised because why would I have written a post just to tell you about a teachers potty mouth? That's boring!!!

Sorry back on topic.

When I got home from work today I was just heading into the backyard to help Triple S with our ongoing double pergola project (I'll talk about this another day but sometimes my husband rivals Norm Abram with a hammer.) when the phone rang.

It was the school and they wanted to let me know that Natalie had a splinter in an area of her body that she would not show to the nurse.

So instead of being Triple S' walking tool belt I headed over to the school. When I got there the peanut was standing patiently in the office. The staff smiled at me as I pulled her into the nurse's bathroom and closed the door.

She pulled down her pants to show me her tiny butt cheek.

I'm pretty sure I hid my surprise well as she didn't freak out until I told her I had to take the splinter out. Then she was all about the tears and the NO's.

Although it isn't fair to call something that can be used to hold a sandwich together a splinter. The darn thing was as big as a tooth pick.

This is our souvenir card. Quarter provided for scale.

It was stuck almost all the way under her skin. The poor thing. The office ladies had asked her to sit but she had politely declined and it was suddenly very clear why. Who would want to sit with a wooden spike in their cheek?

What about sanding the bitches?

Oh right. The teacher that was with Natalie when she slid across the wooden bench and impaled herself wanted to let me know the problem was going to be fixed to ensure that no other tiny bottoms were injured. 

She meant benches. Not bitches but her slip made my day so she is forgiven. Plus she was just worried about my peanut so who can blame her for a little righteous anger against an inanimate objects?

Ninja Resume

If you aren't already concerned for me you might want to rethink your stance.

I just spent the last hour getting out of a choke hold and a head lock.

Then I closed my eyes and waited to be attacked.

-Did you call the police?

No.

-Why the hell not?

Because I paid for that.

-You might want to reread 50 Shades of Grey. You are confused about "rough play".

What? No! I paid because I just got out of Krav Maga class.

What is Krav Maga you say? 

AWESOMESAUSE that's what.

This is called a "facehug" I think. I haven't learned it yet.

Okay so maybe fighting some guy isn't your idea of a great Tuesday night but I think I have mentioned before that I'm not normal.

Since we moved to the South I feel like I am only adding to my Ninja Resume and not my real one. (That is a real thing. You don't know about it because the first rule of a Ninja Resume is.... Well you know.)

That's cool though because since I can't grow anything or operate on anyone I am going to need some marketable skills when civilization collapses and I guess protection is as good a racket as any other.

Remember the Bear? I guess I'm already building up a loyal customer base.

So if you need to go somewhere and pick up cabinets you bought from a guy on craigslist let me know. I'll go with you just in case.




On a serious note. Krav Maga is excellent for anyone looking for some self defense. Especially you ladies. It doesn't hurt to know how to defend yourself.

#TBT (it's an internet thing)

In a follow up from my post about my wonderful husband and our anniversary here is a photo of me from our honeymoon in Sedona, AZ.

please note what's in my hands.

We went there because although I would be perfectly happy to bake on a beach somewhere Triple S is a bit less fond of the sun. (It's possible he would burst into flames, we've never tested that hypothesis.)

Compromise. A very auspicious beginning. (I love big words. Nerd Power!!)

digital camera circa 1997

This is the camera I brought with me. Pretty BA right? I thought that thing was the bees knees. Just like I thought my first discman was. I even got the car kit for it so I could play CD's in my 1987 Ford Tempo.

(My first CD was Eric Clapton Unplugged)

Yeah, that's right.

I'd like to say I continued that awesomeness with all my music purchases but that would be a lie.

And a story for another day.

*hint I got a check from BMG when Mili Vinili were proven to be frauds. (It was for $1.27)

14 years!!!

So today is my 14th anniversary with Triple S and if he were home I would kiss him.

He isn't. (I'll wait for you to pick yourself up off the floor. It's not like he's missed anything before right?) 

The last time he was home we were home improvement fiends! Working hard to get our shiny new house where we want it to be.

This of course includes all kinds of little things. The house was new after all, but since we aren't Rockefellers we didn't pay the builder to do everything for us. Think no cabinets knobs or garage door openers. (I think the mark up on them was like %400!)

 So we search the Internet for deals.  (When I say we what I mean is Triple S)


Fast forward to used cabinets on Craigslist for a steal that Triple S wanted to put in the laundry room. (I argued they were too nice as the idea of a fancy laundry room is disturbing to me. "oh let me just go in this pretty laundry room and relax." said no one ever!)

This is Triple S's FB post. Proof that we are perfect for each other.

But we got them and no one was killed. Heck no one was even threatened.  Now Triple S is back on the boat and sending me more Craiglist cabinets.

To pick up ALONE.

Obviously I can take care of myself but.....

Wait, do you think this is his convoluted way of hiring someone to murder me?

If so I take back what I said about him being perfect and I would write a letter to the police about "in the event of my untimely demise." But I'm pretty sure they always assume it's the husband anyway so good luck!

Although it is possible that he is just being a good husband and trying to make our home nicer. If that's the case never mind the part where I accused you of wanting to murder me pumpkin. I love you too.

Happy 14th!!

Gosh we were cute.

Pinterest is an Enabler

Yesterday a good friend of mine posted about how pinterest (Micheal's and hobby lobby) all make her feel inadequate. There was a pile on of support. Ladies who all feel like they should be craftier than they are but somehow fall short of Martha Stewart.

There are dozens of blogs devoted to Pinterest Fails. (You are not alone.)

By the way this is an awesome website to remind you that just because someone says it's "super easy" that the Internet is full of liars. It's a miracle anyone bothers to wear pants anymore.

Right now there are no less that 6 projects in my house that I found online and bought the supplies for.

Side note: I just scoured the Internet for images and almost started a shopping list. Will I never learn?

To be fair to myself and to make sure I don't feel like a total failure I have done some crafty things that worked out. I'm a big fan of the oil sharpies.

Wine glasses with inspirational quotes on them

Those things get well and truly used in this house.

Sadly I would have to call my record a losing one.

I tried this ombre dip dye with my shower curtain. First the color was nothing like the color on the box. Second it was blotchy and third it was possibly the ugliest thing ever. Said shower curtain is currently being used as a throw for when we are forced to sit on the ground at sporting events.

I bought the yarn and the glue for this project but have yet to attempt it. I just know it's going to be messy and sticky and dear god why did I think this was a good idea?

I bought a large mirror at a yard sale with this in mind. Right now it is sitting in my garage. It has been half covered with paper scraps and glue and I hate it. To be fair the paper I picked doesn't match anything in my house. Sometimes I get sucked in by pictures of much cooler houses and forget that I still have two kids and a dog and that a white couch is never going to happen.

This one seems easy enough right? How hard is it to cut a t shirt and tie some knots? Harder than you think if the three shirts I attempted to do this to are any indication.

So stay strong fellow crafting failures. You are in good company.