Funky Foto Flashback - Premier!

Guess what I got a wild hair to do? My own meme. You can thank the Un-Mom and Sprite's Keeper bc they showed me how much fun meme's can be.

So here's the lo down on Funky Foto Flashback: Every Thursday post any vintage photo that's in your possession and that's it! If you want to write a caption, that's better. If you want to write the story behind the photo, that's EVEN better!

Here's my retro photo - my mom, circa 1954? I love this photo - its so mysterious. I know that's my mom - but if I didn't know that, I would be drawn to this photo. Who is that little girl? Where is that mask from? What does it represent? Why is she in the middle of that field? Where did she get those shoes?

To me, it looks like the cover of a coming of age novel.

Let's see your retro photos...

Snag this button from the sidebar (thank you keely for breaking it down like i were an eight year old - ok as if i were a five year old, "your mom and dad gave you $10 to run a lemonade stand...)

Copy and paste the code in the post.
Show me some love and comment.
Sign in at the bottom so we can all enjoy teasing your bell bottom jeans and afro pick.

Random Tuesday pictures

1. Sheila was all up in my grill. But that's ok - she is so cute!


2. Sheila got stung by a bee on her lip after one of our jogs. Though it was disturbing that her face swelled up in an instant, she's still so cute / pathetic / ok now.

3. Tommy came over and hung out with us. B insisted we take the couch outside as we have no patio furniture. I was not entirely happy with this proposition but since the couch is back in the house and doesn't reek of smoke (contained "camp" fire) its ok. Perhaps when we get the tax refund we might consider buying some second hand patio furniture ... and paying off debts ... more importantly paying off debts. Blasted recession!

4. B worked LONG hours all last week. After I ranted on the phone to Mrs. Bedhead about how I see alcoholism could become a slippery slope for many overwhelmed moms and that she should say something if my consumption begins to eek past moderation, she showed up (186 beers too early) to enable my present addictions with a latte and (raspberry dark) chocolate bar. Then her and Mr. Bedhead and baby bedhead stayed to play with my psychos for about an hour. If that's not love, I don't know what is. You see from the picture that they interrupted my ironing, I love her even more for that!

5. Gabriel got glasses. Apparently, he is almost legally blind (literally) and these glasses may or may not prevent him from going totally blind. But if we never got him glasses ... that would have been bleak so let's not go there. The upside is that he is so handsome with them on! This new discovery explains a lot about his soccer season. Also, it explains why he nearly sits on top tv to watch it. Nowadays he lays leisurely on the floor - usually sprawled out on top of Sheila.

6. I tried to make focaccia for the first time. It was ruinous but it made my dirty tea kettle look good. Notes to self: let dough rise, don't be hasty, don't bake when it rains, use more flour, don't try to multi-task whilst trying a new recipe.

Spin Cycle: Change Takes Change to Change

What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of change?

Diapers, right? Me too.


I hate changing diapers. Hate is such a strong word and yet so appropriate here. Hate it. My definition of hell is as follows:

Absence of God and unending dirty diaper changing.

There are so many people out there who just love changing diapers -what's that you say? you hate changing diapers too? strange, i thought i was the only one.

Diapers - is on my list of top 5 reasons not to have a third child.

My psyche has tried to protect me from this by affecting my sense of smell. Ninety percent of the time, I am the last to smell the dirty diaper. Although I can smell food and tell you with great accuracy which herbs are in it - I can smell wine and tell you the country of origin and - in the case of the French - the region. I can't smell dirty diapers.

Dog poo on the trail? No big deal. Change the litter box? Sure, I don't mind. I'll even do grosser stuff like clean a fish. Changing diapers just gives me the hibbety jibbeties. Blech.

You might be thinking, get over yourself, grow up and just change them. You have a good point. And I do, ultimately, change the dirty diapers. As the stay at home parent, in fact, I change almost all of them. But they are certainly the crappy part of my day.

Dirty diapers.

You can give a man to fish (change his diaper) or teach a man to fish (potty training).

Ah, the joys of potty training. Because now you are not just cleaning up your child's poop all day, you're cleaning up his "accidents" all over the house. With Gabriel I tried training him young, to no avail. Finally when he turned three I said, "you are just going to do it or you will get a spanking." He did it. I think there might have been just two accidents (no psanking for true accidents). This is a technique I learned from my Sri Lankan friends. In Sri Lanka, children are potty trained by 18 months.

ARGH!



What's a mom to do? Make the change to potty training eight months early just so I can stop changing diapers? Hmmm.... that's not a bad idea!

(read the other spinners too!)

Spin Cycle: Laughter

My favorite, favorite, favorite comedian!



This one is for my FIL



As always, visit the Spin Cycle and check out what the other bloggers spinned - spun - whatever...

Late V Day Post - and other weekend stuff

Friday:

The Bedhead's came over to make chocolate covered pretzels.

mmm sprinkles!

Then my Valentine stopped by during lunch to drop off flowers!

In the evening, the kids were sweet to each other and Gabriel helped Ethan eat a decent portion of meatloaf.
Saturday night we dropped off the kids and took Sheila to Chalk Bluff for some fishing, grilling and visiting with (new) friends. We met up with B's work associate, Ryan, his girlfriend, Aimee (adorable!) and his dog, Duke. Aimee observed that even Duke had a Valentine! AND she caught a fish that was our delectable appetizer (thank you, Aimee). She just all around rocks. For dinner, the guys grilled lobster tails, filet mignon and assorted veggies. For dessert, none other than chocolate fondue! I can't wait to go back there...

Sunday, after church, we went hiking with another one of B's work associates, Tony, his wife, Dawn and their dog Abigail.

on the way to the park

G catching a ride on Tony


the next male model: Gabriel Zoolander (he's so hot right now)


there was a really cool rock climbing wall and playground at this park

Tony getting modeling tips from Gabe

Dawn releasing her inner child

Random Tuesday

1. After I changed out of my pj's yesterday, Gabriel exclaimed, "You look awesome, girl!"

2. Also yesterday, both of my sons vomited simultaneously ... on my bed. Ew.

3. Sheila FINALLY learned how to fetch a tennis ball - who ever heard of a dog who doesn't know how to fetch?

4. We are studying the book of Esther in my Tuesday bible class. I can't stop thinking about what Haman's wife was like? Probably some unsuspecting teenager when her parents sold her to him, but over the years how does being the wife of an ego-centric, rage-aholic, psycho affect a woman? Or maybe she was an agagite too and equally brutal?

5. This is what I looked like today after I took a midday shower. I was startled and a bit frightened when I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. So I had to show you...

No wonder my Brandon is never in the mood on the nights I take a bath before bed - who wants to get busy with the Clockwork Orange?

wordle

Haiku for Wordle

check it out playa'
enter in your blog address
spits out word collage

Baby Phish Heads

When both of our little punks were in utero, we put head phones on my belly and let them listen to music. Dave Matthews and Phish for daddy, Miles Davis and Dave Brubeck for mommy. Its obvious that they take after daddy. They like to jam to Phish in their bunk beds as they fall asleep at night, with their lava lamp as a night light.

Last night though, I was laying with Ethan in the top bunk. We were listening to Phish and Gabriel said from the bottom, "mommy, can i play the guitar like this?" and I said, "sure, you just have to practice a lot." Then he said, "can I play the drums like this?" He can play the drums like that now. He's really good.

So, in honor of my punks and hubs, here is Phish....

Anniversary video

i made this video as a gift for hubs for our anniversary / v day in 2007.

Anniversary2007 @ Yahoo! Video

V Day

we have been so busy having fun at (kids) valentine's parties! despite the fact that i got married on valentine's day, i think it should be a kids holiday. its so fun watching them make their crafts and their cards - the enthusiasm over their special snacks and stickers.

thank you for taking the picture, lori!

Valentines Tunes


i also like making love themed compilations - which i probably wouldn't do if there wasn't already a love themed holiday.

a lot of people don't like valentine's day. they say its a commercial holiday intended to make people spend money and feel guilty or inadequate. i like it - but i try to keep it light hearted. what do you think of valentine's day?