My Cell-Called Life

Oh crap...!

2010-03-06T11:41:00.001-08:00

That water is running inside my winshield!

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At the carwash...

2010-03-06T11:38:00.001-08:00

It is 45 degrees today so everyone is at the carwash!

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2010-02-13T09:08:00.001-08:00

Ella and Lauren watch a movie on my laptop while patiently waiting for auditions today. (Lauren didn't meet the criteria, but the other 3 kids did.)

It's not a paid gig... just for fun. A new experience for them though. ... Don't worry, a stage mom I am not!

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Up to you...

2010-01-23T15:45:00.001-08:00

Someone made the right choice....

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The view from here...

2010-01-20T13:12:00.001-08:00

Well, I'm off work... but I'll be sitting here awhile. What kind of genius tries to survive an Illinois winter without an ice scraper in her van?

Oh yeah. That would be me.

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Templeton

2010-01-15T20:12:00.001-08:00

Lauren plays with her friend's rat 'Templeton'.

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Awesome...

2010-01-14T16:09:00.001-08:00

It's here!

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Even KMart Knows...

2010-01-13T12:21:00.001-08:00

Clearanced St Louis Cardinals shirt: $5.00

Clearanced Chicago Cubs shirt: $1.50.

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There is no Shanghai, Connecticut

2010-01-11T16:30:00.000-08:00

I ordered a new laptop last week (it ended up being cheaper to order straight from HP than it was to buy one at a retail store)! Since it was being built to my specifications, I have been awaiting my email telling me that it had been shipped.

Imagine my surprise when I got the email today and clicked the FEDEX tracking number to see that it had shipped from Shanghai CN. I was pretty sure there was only one Shanghai, but I was so surprised to see it was shipping from China, I thought I'd better Google it. I did.

I found this blog where confused people kept commenting about how they were confused but "relieved to find out that there is a Shanghai, Connecticut" and were hoping to get their piece of computer equiptment soon.

The comments on that blog are now closed, so I had to just write one of my own letting you all know that there is no Shanghai in New England, and there is a pretty good chance that any computer you order originally came from somewhere overseas.

Guess we'll see how that whole 5-7 business days thing goes.

Treat

2010-01-11T10:47:00.001-08:00

Nobody has ever left me a treat for subbing before. Of course, right now Im participating in 21 days of prayer and fasting with my church... so I'll be saving this for awhile.
(It isn't a complete fast, but I definitely can't eat this right now... even though it was very sweet of her the leave it for me.)

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Snow Ice Cream

2010-01-08T20:19:00.001-08:00

Fresh clean snow, sugar, vanilla & milk...mmm

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She doesn't do anything half way!

2010-01-07T22:07:00.001-08:00

Lauren makes a snow angel.

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Awesome Neighbor...

2010-01-07T12:19:00.001-08:00

My neighbor is awesome. He did the whole block's sidewalk and my driveway!

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Dress Up

2010-01-01T20:01:00.001-08:00

I cleaned out the kids' toy closet today and put all the dress-up stuff in one place... so Ella put it all on!

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Money Laundering

2009-12-30T20:30:00.001-08:00

I don't know why my kids have suddenly taken to money laundering, nor do I know why they are so litteral about it... but money sitting in cups of water or wrapped up in washcloths is a common occurance lately.

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It's the most wonderful time of the year...

2009-12-07T17:26:00.001-08:00

Egg Nog!

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Church at the movie theater...

2009-12-06T10:55:00.001-08:00

Only one more Sunday in this theater. Should be in the new church by December 20th!

Have been here since August of 2008!

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Free period

2009-11-12T07:50:00.001-08:00

Writing during my free period. No students. No distractions. Not even any Facebook at the school... might actually get an article published today.

Okay. Back to work...

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Shiny Gym Floor

2009-11-09T09:46:00.001-08:00

Teaching PE today. Gave a few who forgot their gym clothes a 'get out of jail free' card by not writing them up as long as they played in their street clothes.

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I love fall

2009-10-27T14:00:00.001-07:00

From my side yard... so pretty.

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The Replacement...

2009-10-04T12:08:00.001-07:00

...not really, but I think I might keep her.

Her name is KC (she came with that name, not sure how I want to spell it yet).

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Two trains passing...

2009-10-04T07:54:00.001-07:00

right in front of me as I'm trying to get to church. Long ones. Go figure.

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2009-09-11T09:39:00.000-07:00

road construction in front of my house

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2009-09-03T17:56:00.001-07:00

Justin hung the note I sent in his lunch yesterday on his toolbench at work. (All together now... awww). Someone saw it and wrote a message back. He said he's leaving it up anyway.

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Note I stuck in Justin's lunch yesterday.

2009-09-03T13:14:00.001-07:00

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Even as a sub today I learned something new...

2009-09-03T08:24:00.001-07:00

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Even as a sub today I learned something new...

2009-09-03T08:05:00.001-07:00

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Stupid spiders...

2009-08-13T07:57:00.000-07:00

I learned this trick from ER (the tv show) ... if the redness and swelling starts spreading past the line.... death is imminent.

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2009-08-10T15:39:00.001-07:00

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At least it wasn't a mirror...

2009-07-31T23:15:00.001-07:00

Today El touched the rotting window frame in our playroom and the glass fell right out onto the ground. To be fair, I think these windows were brand new in 1920.

Jeff and some giggling onlookers helped me get plywood up for awhile. Hopefully the Carver Center will get their weatherization pogram up and running soon so that I can get these windows replaced.

Good news: the plywood will probably keep out snow better than the window did!

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Ridiculous

2009-07-31T23:09:00.001-07:00

It is JULY Walgreens! Halloween is 92 days away!

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MOA Chapel

2009-07-22T16:32:00.001-07:00

So do people who get married at the mall of america follow up that plunge with one on the Log Schute?

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An Even Better Way To Keep Them Occupied...

2009-07-22T09:44:00.001-07:00

internet access in the waiting rooms. Awesome.

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Waiting...

2009-07-22T08:04:00.001-07:00

It's nice they bring toys for the kids to play with here, but it feels like they use it as a license to keep us waiting longer...

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Morning Walk in Minneapolis

2009-07-20T04:46:00.001-07:00

Went to the weight room first, but the outdoors was calling. Just a fast 20 min walk, but i am going to have to be careful that the awesome food from the Ronald McDonald House doesn't aid in spinning my eating out of control.

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Snack Time

2009-07-18T15:54:00.001-07:00

McDonalds at the Mall of America...

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MckPicnic Time!

2009-07-18T10:58:00.001-07:00

It's chillier than we expected, but we are enjoying some time at Lake Minnetonka State Park with MckMama and her family. (www.mycharmingkids.net)

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Journey

2009-07-16T17:49:00.001-07:00

This is one I haven't heard before.

I like it.

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Memorial plaques in the Ronald McDonald House backyard

2009-07-16T14:04:00.000-07:00

Way too many, way too young.

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We have arrived.

2009-07-16T12:51:00.001-07:00

This is our room at the RMH.

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Slightly Problematic...

2009-07-01T20:17:00.001-07:00

At the new church site. Giving myslef a tour. This is what I see...

That pipe is cemented in and runs down under the floor... and comes out in a doorway.

Now Im no professional, but that seems like it could cause some problems.

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He lifts me up...

2009-07-01T20:13:00.001-07:00

Okay, technically the lift lifts me up here... but taping and mudding the drywall for the new church gives me such an uplifting feeling...

Im doing something important that doesnt directly benefit me.

That is Niki on the lift and she is getting to be a pro at this stuff!

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Mmmm... Shelby. :-)

2009-06-29T12:10:00.001-07:00

This is Shelby Mustang. This top 3 of my favorite cars. It would probably be top 2, but it's a hard top.

I told J that even though I'm partial to convertibles, I'd settle for a hard top. So nice of me.

I think the only thing that beats the Shelby Mustang is the Cobra... they don't come with seat belts. They come with a harness!

Did I mention I love car shows?

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Car Show...

2009-06-29T09:56:00.001-07:00

I love car shows. Look at this Stingray. There was an awesome Barracuda that I didn't get a picture of.

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Mmmm Meat

2009-06-27T22:58:00.001-07:00

Dinner was at Buffalo Wild Wings tonight.

This is the Big Jack Daddy Burger and it was delicious. Pork and beef and onion rings on the same sandwich.

I also love that they keep the skin on their fries.

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Storm Movin' In

2009-06-27T22:21:00.001-07:00

We got a storm warning as we were going into the theater, but it was gone by the time we got out.

The Proposal was hillarious.

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Girls on the Quad

2009-06-26T08:14:00.001-07:00

Ella & Lauren run off some energy between presentations.

People make negative comments about Knox College because of the few crazy college kids they see running in this town... but it is a good school, a bit on the liberal side for me, but I loved going there.

I'm proud of my diploma from Knox College and I love letting my kids participate in programs here.

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See Below

2009-06-26T07:56:00.001-07:00

Grr... my phone will only send one pic at a time today aparently.

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Presentation day at College for Kids

2009-06-26T07:51:00.001-07:00

Isaac teaches me how to play the math game 'pig' while Ella plays a math game on the floor.

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Pool Time...

2009-06-25T17:48:00.001-07:00

If it was up to me we'd stay in all summer...

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Who's crying now?

2009-06-25T13:54:00.001-07:00

$2.62 times 22 gallons. ouch.

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First Dentist Appointment

2009-06-25T13:53:00.001-07:00

Hurray for Ella and Lauren!

Ella has 3 cavities :( but they aren't too bad.
Lauren has a few more, but they were expected. Chemo & MPS can do a number on your teeth!

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Caption 'Four'

2009-06-24T22:06:00.001-07:00

... that's the number of cameras that are on me there... (cause each one adds 10 lbs!)

Actually this is me being silly. I put a water-wing on each wrist and ankle and had my 5yr old take a picture while I floated along.

What do you think, have a better caption? Leave it in the comments.

On a side note, here is a completely sponsored thought... how would you like to have this picture, poster-sized, to hang on your living room wall? Okay fine! They will do whatever picture you want... and they do a whole bunch of other neat things too!

UPrinting.com is a leading online provider of business cards, color brochures and mailing postcards.

Let the fun begin...

2009-06-24T18:37:00.001-07:00

Railroad Days

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Pardon the technical difficulties...

2009-06-20T08:07:00.001-07:00

And we're back... had some interesting pics the last couple of days, but some technical difficulties prevemted posting!

Rocket Derby Day....

IJ sands his rocket down.

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Relaxing at Menards...

2009-06-18T06:49:00.001-07:00

J was too busy looking for something to notice he lost me. So I found the furniture section and waited.

He made it up to me with dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings.

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dialated! ook pictues today, byt

2009-06-17T13:37:00.001-07:00

dialated!

ook pictues today, byt cant see well enough to send. texting with my phone at arms length!

At The Eye Doctor

2009-06-17T11:52:00.001-07:00

Think they'll have a cure for this?

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Lauren calls them 'Woo-woos'

2009-06-15T21:08:00.001-07:00

When I was five we lived across the street from this fire station. When my sister would cry [howl] my mom would say there must be a fire somewhere because she could hear those fire engines.

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How do you explain to a 3yr old....

2009-06-15T20:59:00.000-07:00

that the metal box in the girls bathroom full of little paper bags was not put there so you could have one to carry your tiara around in?

I told her it was for dirty diapers and made her put it back.

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College for Kids Knox College

2009-06-15T20:57:00.001-07:00

When I sat in this auditorium 8 years ago on my way through student orientation, it never occured to me that in 8 years I would be back with a life so different.

1. I now have 4 children (then was pregnant with 2nd).

2. My husband at the time became someone else's husband last weekend. (I especially would have been shocked to know the future Mrs. N wasn't old enough to drive yet!)

3.That I would own a camera phone that could also check my email in a pinch and lets me play Tetris!

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$35 Avon Gift Certificate Give-Away

2009-06-14T23:59:00.000-07:00

I'm post-dating this so it stays at the top for now. Please scroll down to check for updated posts to My Cell-Called Life! This is just the best place for me to hold this fundraiser, without starting a new blog!

On to the contest...

The Grand Prize will be a $35 gift certificate to my Avon website. I may add more prizes, depending on how many people contribute. I want others to be blessed by this fundraiser too! It will end on June 30th, 2009.

How do you enter?

1. Leave a comment on this post. You will be entered 5 times. (One comment per person)

2. Mention and/or post a link to this blog on your blog or twitter (make sure you mention this in your comment). You will be entered 5 times. (Blog & Twitter = 10 times!)

3. Place an order from Avon by clicking on the picture on the right. You will be entered 3 times for every dollar that you spend there!

4. Donate directly to Lauren's fund using the ChipIn widget on the right. You will be entered 5 times for every dollar you donate directly.

THERE IS NO PURCHASE/DONATION REQIRED TO WIN!

If you would like to learn more information about Lauren and Hurler's Syndrome, you can click the links in the right-hand column of this blog.

Abandoned

2009-06-14T19:54:00.001-07:00

Found this in our driveway this weekend. Somebody pieced together two very different bikes to make thi creation. No doubt they abndoned it when they realized they were no longer able to shift gears or use the brakes on their new creation!

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Here We Go 'Round the Mulberry Bush...

2009-06-14T18:01:00.001-07:00

... shoeless

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Should have been...

2009-06-14T13:42:00.001-07:00

This should have been a picture of a shopping cart upside down over a street sign a few blocks from my house. A friend sent me a text and I jumped in the car to go take a picture.

Unfortunately, a good samaritan stopped and took it down and pushed it into the grocery store parking lot. I saw him do it from half a block away. Dang do-gooders... always ruining my fun! (Thanks anyway Jesse!)

Haha... hope you are having a great Sunday!

Not So Scary...

2009-06-13T21:20:00.001-07:00

More puppies in cars.

It was a pretty cute little girl. When I tapped the window she licked the other side, and didn't stop wagging her tail once!

Look at her eyes. One is blue and is brown!

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Shameless

2009-06-13T21:13:00.001-07:00

Is it wrong that just before I took these pics he had started to lose his balance and (since I knew I was too far away to help) my next instinct was to grab my camera phone?

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Seriously!?!

2009-06-11T17:34:00.001-07:00

Why does every swimsuit at Walmart look like they expect my five year old to wear it standing on a street corner?

Side cut-outs? Bra cups? Give me a break!

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Man On The Sidewalk

2009-06-10T20:06:00.001-07:00

Sidewalk chalk isn't just for children...

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For Safety's Sake

2009-06-10T20:04:00.001-07:00

The power company decided that for safety's sake during storm season it would be best to cut out branches that are near powerlines.

There are trees that look like this all over the city... It looks like a giant came through and took a big bite of this one.

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Bitten

2009-06-10T20:00:00.001-07:00

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Is This Really Recycling?

2009-06-09T15:17:00.001-07:00

See the red lights under the headlights? Yeah, not easy to see, but those are disposable cups, like the kind your grandma used to bring to the family picnic.

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No Ax-Murderers Hiding in These Bushes!

2009-06-09T15:14:00.001-07:00

I guess that's one way to do it!

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Heck Yeah!

2009-06-08T19:53:00.000-07:00

In case you aren't sure, that says that I (the Chicago Special Education Examiner) am number one out of all of the Education & Schools Examiners on the site! Awesome. It is this story that put me over the top today:

Child abuse in our schools: Restraint and seclusion in boy's special education classroom

Just send me a sign...

2009-06-08T19:47:00.000-07:00

Just send me a sign... or four?

I would wonder if it was a joke, but I'm sure that there is some interesting story there...

(They all say "No Parking Between Signs")

Since when ...

2009-06-08T15:51:00.001-07:00

Since when did "We're going for a walk." turn into "Everyone grab something to ride."?

I'm the only one walking!

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Hot Air Balloon Over DQ

2009-06-04T17:10:00.001-07:00

I need a better picture phone.

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Just a note...

2009-06-04T06:21:00.000-07:00

It is always great when you and your child have a similar sense of humor. (If I could only teach her to use her natural sense of sarcasm for good and not evil!... but I digress.)

Alex's teacher said that if students were going to have their friends sign their shirts they had to have a note from their parents saying it was okay.

She won't lose this note! (And pardon the 'airbrush', I may not be completely anonymous... but I'd like to make it as hard as possible for ax-murderers to find me.)

I know it is coming...

2009-06-04T06:06:00.001-07:00

Someday, amidst pre-teen angst and drama, this picture will remind Ella and Lauren they used to love eachother.

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I ain't never had

2009-06-03T14:29:00.000-07:00

... too much fun.

Subbed for 8th grade girls today. Several classes combined and we walked to a park about a mile away. Yearbooks were signed, pictures posed for, girls swam, played basketball, climbed a tree, had some fun and got some exercise.

It was a beautiful morning!

Priceless

2009-06-02T11:52:00.000-07:00

Thirty donuts= $21
Thirty juice boxes= $9
Runner-up bags of candy for 3 rooms= $17

Money raised for Ronald McDonald House= about $125.

Teaching 425 kids the joy of doing something good for others= you know the answer.

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Freecycle Rocks

2009-06-02T11:48:00.001-07:00

Someone posted these beads and beading containers on Freecycle.

One more thing to make my supply gathering for my summer beading class go more smoothly!

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Not Me Monday!

2009-06-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

Okay, we've done this before... hope you all enjoy!

I did not get to the cold wet Memorial Day parade and realize that my children didn't bother to grab jackets before they left the house. I also did not take J's jacket, put it on Lauren (ther 3yr old) and tie the arms behind her back like a straight-jacket, while giggling. Nor would I EVER tell J "wait until they throw candy" and giggle some more as she furiously tries to get her arms out to snatch up the sweets. (Don't worry, I made sure she got plenty and I untied the arms right away).

I did not work 1.5 days of the 4 work-days that my brother was in town. I would never work on a day when Peter, who I hadn't seen in over 6 years is in town and staying at my house! (He did make plans with others though, so it worked out).

I most certainly did not and would not ever try on a an array of dresses that required me to go braless before the wedding on Saturday and I definately did not consider charging a couple of them that wouldn't work for the wedding but were super cute. (Thank goodness I've got a good head on my shoulders when it comes to $$$. I put them back.)

I also did not not do any dishes the whole week that Peter was here, and due to this, did not make mac and cheese in my deep 12" skillet on Friday because all of my pots were dirty. In fact, I kept this place completely spotless for his whole visit, despite the fact that this meant I never got one stitch of sleep... because I would never let anyone see this house messy. Nope! Not me.

I did not tell everyone I know about the fundraiser for Lauren because when I said I was done pushing it... I meant it, 100%! I would never change my mind and hand out 20 catalogs to friends, family and strangers (including a few at the wedding reception... including the bartender!)

Lastly, I did not -at the reception where I had previously had one fruity alcoholic drink- think it would be funny to empty J's double shot of Jose Quervo when he wasn't looking... and that did not lead me to drinking a few more and becoming giggly and silly. J did not one time feel the need to remind me that we were in public when I ~~attacked him~~ leaned in for a kiss on the dance floor. Also, Sunday morning, we did not have to walk to my house from his to get my car to drive to where we left his at the reception the night before! Because I do not get drunk. Ever. Not even on special occasions. Nope. Not me!

And I definitely WILL NOT hit refresh on MckMama's blog today a million times in order to try and be one of the first to link to my page through hers! (And I did not do it last week either, nor was I annoyed at myself for wasting a bunch of time checking and rechecking for her post even though I KNEW it was Memorial Day and she probably decided not to do one.)

I would never do any of those things. NOT ME! Never.

Ready or not... here I come! I can't wait to read what you haven't been doing this week...

Catching up from the week...

2009-05-31T21:13:00.000-07:00

So you may have noticed with all the lead-in that this was a busy week for me! Here are a few pics from the week...

Monday

Peter was here and we went to a very cold, wet, short Memorial Day parade... sans jackets. We are tough though, we survived the 17 minutes in short sleeves in the frigid 57 degrees.

Tuesday

I worked at an elementary school where the kids who sold at least 30 items for a fundraiser got to go to lunch in this... a stretch hummer. Later some of the teachers took turns combining classes so they could go for a ride too. (Substitutes were not included in this.)

Thursday

I introduced Peter to the BEST ribs anywhere in the whole world... Rib Shack is awesome. YUM!

Friday
(Yep, that's the day we went to the drive-in, but this was earlier)J took us out for lunch since it was my brother's last full day in town. We went to Hungry Hobo's for some baked potatoes and sub sandwiches. This sweetie-pie stole my pop once we got home.

Saturday
Sadly, my brother went back to California... but I still had a ton to do. J and I mowed his yard and then headed over to mow mine. If I had taken the picture fast enough, there would have been a beautiful butterfly here. Instead, you just get some flowers from J's bushes.

J and I had a wedding to go to that evening and since I have lost 30 pounds so far this year, I decided it was time to get a new dress. This is the one I wanted... but it was too expensive. I'll have to post a pic of the one I got another time. Still, I loved this dress and the fact that this one (and the one I actually bought) were a size 14!!! (I haven't been in a dress that small in several years.)

This is the bouquet I 'caught' at the reception. Actually, all the singles were gathered and the bouquet was handed to me. The same happened with the men... and after a quick fake throw by the groom the garter was put right in J's hands. :-)

Sunday
Kids came home. Ran to the store. Saw this pup with his whole head out of the window. He didn't growl or bark (he didn't act happy either!), but it was a little disconcerting to have to squeeze between this dog and my van to get into the driver's seat!

Now... who is ready for some 'Not Me Monday?"

Let's Go To The Movies...

2009-05-29T18:18:00.000-07:00

The kids and I are at our first drive-in theater experience with Peter before he heads back to California in the AM.

He likes taking pictures with his cell phone too!

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A little graphic...

2009-05-26T13:58:00.001-07:00

Limited time only! Free keychain with any riding mower purchase. Courtesy of Sears & Craftsman.

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Not Me Monday!

2009-05-25T02:15:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

I did not spend so much time preparing for my brother's visit that I barely slept for a week. Which most definitely did not lead me to an eye infection that made me too light sensitive to do everything I left until the last minute. (Because, of course, even when I don't sleep when I should I ALWAYS take my contacts out before bed).

I did not hold my brother's party at a bar in the early evening, and while I was there I did not sing karaoke in front of most of my family. I also did not (and would not ever) let my three-year-old take the mic after me for an impormptu rendition of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, (and if I did, I would never forget my camera all the way across the room so I don't have it on video).

I also did not spend a large part of the week trying to get word out about Lauren's fundraiser (which is up to 11 whole comments!) only to give up and just hope people will find it. I'll still give out the gift certificate, but I'm done promoting!

Lastly, I did not cheer with glee when my stories pushed me to the 2nd ranked author in the "Education" section on examiner.com.

Oh yeah, I will totally not be checking MckMama's blog every five minutes so I can be one of the first to use Mr Linky to link you all to me!

It's Always Better Crunchy

2009-05-24T18:52:00.001-07:00

Anyone else up for a hotdog, cheese, chips, and ranch chip dip?

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Peter is here!

2009-05-24T11:05:00.000-07:00

Didn't post much yesterday. Was too busy enjoying my big bro.

Here he is singing one song @ karaoke. It was great and great fun!

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Blinded by the light

2009-05-23T08:31:00.001-07:00

I have barely been sleeping for a week as I prepare for a visit from my brother who I havent seen in person in 7 years. Yes, I've seen him many times: Here is a list of sightings

(You should see his Demo Reel too!)

Anyway, I woke up with an eye infection. I can't handle light. I can barely handle the computer. I had so much to focus on getting done today... good thing I'm pretty sure he'll love us whether the house is perfect or not!

I started concentrating so hard on my vision that I lost sight.
Robin Green, Northern Exposure, Burning Down the House, 1992

Amen!

2009-05-22T11:54:00.001-07:00

In case the pic isn't clear. This truck has men in their camo gear inside of it.

The window says: "If you can't stand behind us, feel free to stand in front of us."

Tradin' Paint Stories

2009-05-21T19:35:00.001-07:00

IJ comes in to see the progress of his new room and is excited to see the first coat of paint on the ceiling even though I didn't get to the edges yet.

He's so excited, in fact, that he says, "Mom, if you don't want to do the edges you don't have to. I don't look up very much anyway."

See?

2009-05-21T19:34:00.000-07:00

Working on ceiling now...

Train

2009-05-20T18:50:00.000-07:00

We're on our way home from church and this train is all that stands between me and the last 20 min of American Idol!

ARGH!

Olive Juice

2009-05-20T06:46:00.000-07:00

Nearly every day I drop the kids off at this corner a 1/2 block from their school. 11YOG (11 year-old-genius) gets out first, helps everyone else out (including two neighbor kids) and folds the seat down so I don't have to deal with it when we get home and the little girls need to hurry into the house to wait for their bus.

I always told her Thank You, but on one grouchy day I said "I LOOOOOVE YOU!" and she grumbled back the same in reply. Now all three of the girls and I yell it as embrassingly loud as possible every day.

She would be embarassed if it weren't a)half a block from school and b)making her smile to widely to even fake a frown.

Sometimes, just to make myself giggle, I yell "Olive Juice!" (She's a smart cookie, she'll call me on it one day).

Whew! My fingers are tired!

A man paints with his brains...

2009-05-19T23:22:00.001-07:00

Two years ago, when L was in transplant, many members of my church came together to make this old house safe for her to come home to with a compromised immune system. Some of the supplies were donated, including 9 gallons of white paint.

Almost every room in my house has been painted with this over the last two years. I don't have an all white house though... I spend a few minutes with some acrylic craft paint and a cup of white. I mix this and that together until I get what I am looking for.

My closet has grey trim. My bedroom has one blue wall. The new room will have a green wall (light sage in the upper right hand corner of the 'pallette') and a tan ceiling (I think... it hasn't been mixed yet.).

A man paints with his brains and not with his hands. ~Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475 - 1564)

Wow.

2009-05-18T21:24:00.001-07:00

We ran a 1-month-long contest at our elementary school collecting pop-tabs for the Ronald McDonald House. To my amazement, the total weighed in at over 225lbs!

Four classes brought in over 20lbs each and one of those classes brought in 43lbs!

Not Me Monday!

2009-05-18T05:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

I most certainly was not happy to send the kids to their dad's house and spend an entire weekend sans children. I did not spend Saturday night ~~stuffing myself~~ eating with the world's best BBQ take-out at J's house and watching the All-Star race without interuption or having to share.

I did not convince J to go to "small group" Sunday night at a house down the street only to find that they had had to cancel due to a family emergency. And when he gave have his most honestly sincere disappointed (fake) sigh, I did not say "That's okay, our assistant pastor has one at his house too, and he just lives three houses that way." I did not have any fun whatsoever while I was there.

At small groups my asst pastor's wife did not look out the back door to check on the children and see my three year old running around her yard with her pants and panties pulled around her ankles. Because of this I did not want to ring my 11yr old's neck (who was supposed to be watching her) and I did not whisper-yell that she had better run home and back (half a block away) and get L some clean clothes. I did not listen to the next ten minutes of Bible-study from the bathroom while waiting for said clothes (and I did not whisper-sing "If you're happy and you know it" six times to keep L from running out into the livingroom half-naked).

I look forward to reading what all of you did not do also! Have a great Monday!

Git 'er done...

2009-05-17T21:46:00.000-07:00

Well, we are getting there... Justin took a 4-day weekend, and spent a large portion of it over here at my house putting up the paneling in Isaac's room. We have one more piece to put up, and the rest will be up to me... (cleaning, sweeping, moving furniture, etc.)

I can't wait to get it all done!

National MPS Awareness Day

2009-05-14T22:33:00.001-07:00

Today I tell Lauren's story while we pray for a cure.

Today is in honor of those precious children living with this rare disease and in memory of all of the MPS angels who were taken to Heaven too soon.