Inspired By You Wednesdays

Happy New Year!

I've decided to make Wednesdays a post that one of your amazing posts inspired. Todays inspiration comes from Annie over at anniethology.blogspot.com, sorry I am still working on the link in the text body thing.

Annie has the assignment of teaching teenagers about manners, she asked for ideas on how to approach this tough assignment. So hurry on over and leave her a comment.

Here is my little idea. I find it's effective for kids of all ages.


My Momma always said, "Manners is to do and say the kindest thing in the kindest way."

I like to illustrate that point with this little story.

A large noisy family sat down at a local restaurant. They perused the menu with much jostling, and joking, until the waitress approached to take their order. The waitress ask each family member in turn what they would like to order and, as it turned out, everyone ordered roughly the same meal, a hamburger shake and fries. Finally the waitress turned to the last person left to order, a quiet 4 year old boy carefully studying a menu that he couldn't read. "And What would you like young man?" Asked the waitress looking him in the eyes.

"I'd like a..."

"Oh he'll just have what the rest of us are having!" Interrupted his Mom.

The waitress ignored the Mom and again asked the boy, who's lower lip was beginning to quiver, "What would YOU like to order young man"

The boys eyes lit up, the quivering lip firmed, "I'd like a hot dog, with ketchup," He replied.

As the waitress moved away the little guy looked up at his Mom with wonder in his eyes, "Wow! She thinks I'm real," he said.

Teenagers need to remember that adults are real and adults need to remember that teenagers are real. We should treat each other like we treat our coolest friends. I try to remember what it felt like to be a teenager and how emotional everything felt. I expect that my teenagers will remember that I'm new at this parenting teenagers thing and communicate calmly both my successes and failures.

Being noticed and listened to is one of the greatest feelings any of us can have. Children of all ages respond to feeling really seen and heard. Listening to our children and being willing to learn from what they tell us open the lines of communication and willingness for them to learn from us.
I am not a big one for New Years Resolutions but it's been on my heart to really open up to and with my children. They amaze me everyday with their amazing gifts of life, their talents and compassion, they need to hear it from me everyday, heaven knows they hear enough of my complaints and frustrations.

So there you have, it my one and only New Years Resolution: Notice and listen to my children, Husband and everyone that crosses my path in such a way that they will say in amazement, "Wow, she thinks I'm real."

Toothsome Tuesday

Recipe For a Christmas Breakfast Tradition

Combine:
5 inches of fresh snow on top of the foot or so already fallen.


12 lbs of bacon, and 8 lbs of sausage links, cooked by Adorable Hubby.

14 batches of German Pancakes baked by Boy Mom.

10 lbs of potatoes boiled and hash browned.

Mix in :

6 Gallons of Orange Juice, 2 gallons of chocolate milk.


Sprinkle all surfaces liberally with:



21 tired adults,
30 assorted, excited kids, 1 lonely neighbor boy, and my crazy neighbor lady in sandals and a house dress looking for her twins.


Pack tightly and enjoy!

Mondays Muttered Mumblings

Not to many years ago a Christmas gift I got.
Just thinking of this wondrous gift makes me kinda hot.

He's always there what e'er my mood he knows the secret trick.
To make my grumpies disappear and make my ole' heart flip.

My love hides in the closet, by the dusty broom and pan.
It's not that we're embarrassed; but, that some don't understand.

His talents are impressive, his attachments drive me wild.
To say I'd never let him go is putting it too mild.

My seven boy life doesn't phase him in the least.
Lego's, gym socks, stinky drawers, are to him a feast.

How could I love another so, when I've got a real good guy?
Come on over, try him out, then you'll not question why.

Make no mistake though ladies, you'll have to get your own.
'Cause my sweet Ridgid Shop-Vac doesn't leave my home.

Enduring To The End

Our modern Christmas is a great symbol of enduring to the end. I work and strive to prepare and do every little thing I can to get ready. I worry that I'm getting my fair share then guilt rushes in and I worry that maybe I have to much so I rush out to help others. I try to accomplish each of our traditions and a few really great ones I've read or heard about somewhere. I worry myself0 sick with cooking and cleaning and preparing. I stew over each child and whether they have enough of each little thing that is popular and will help them successfully answer the question, "What did you get for Christmas!"

Then suddenly I wake up and it's Christmas morning, no more work or worry or preparation I'm naked, as it were, before the spirit of Christmas finding that all the stress and worry did was detract from my enjoyment of the season. The Joy of the holiday makes up for all the things that I thought I had to get done but didn't . With a sigh of relief I realize that Christmas really is a season of Christ, that his birth is the reason for the season and the fact that I ran out of time to make sugar cookies and do more than stick a bow on a present or two is made up for by the love of the Savior.

I'm glad that it's all over for one more year and with Gods insight maybe I'll be able to apply the lesson to my life.

Twas The NIGHT Before...

I'm ready, I've only got two denim quilts to sew, 4 batches of cookies to bake, 80 unwrapped gifts, and that partridge to catch...you know, the one for the pear tree!

The Merriest, joyfulest, Christmas Hugs and Mistletoe kisses, from Boy Home to your Home!

Mondays' Muttered Mumblings

Yellow snow. Yellow snow. It's Christmas time here at boy house.
Ding-a-lings... ok, enough of that.

I like a pristine snow covered yard, walks carefully shoveled, trees and bushes frosted with winter white.

What do I get? Foot prints, scattered snow shovels, and suspicious areas of yellow snow left by really, really tall dogs or perhaps... grrrr.

Son, of God

The greatest gift ever given to the earth is the gift of a babe, Jesus son of God. He came as an infant, "he increased in stature, and in favour with God and man". As he grew into the awareness of his role in his "Fathers business" his mother "understood not, but kept all these sayings in her heart". (Luke 2:49-52)

He came as a son to do the will of his Father, his life brought salvation to each of us, leads each of us in our journey to the presence of God. The will of the Father is for each of us to partake of the salvation which his son, begotten in the flesh, made possible. The parent child relationship does more to teach of Godliness then any other experience in life.

Every child that is born into our little world teaches us with a unique blend of inherited strengths and weaknesses, combined with their own amazing gifts and challenges. As we live hand in hand, heart in heart, teach, nurture, and seek Gods direction in behalf of our children we grow to understand how deeply and passionately our Heavenly Father wills everyone of us, as his child, back into his presence.

As I've held my newborn child I've felt something of what Mary must have felt as she gazed into the face of her Son, her Savior her Salvation. As I grow with my children stature, gaining experience, grace, and understanding may I learn from them of my Heavenly Fathers love and will for me. May we savor the relationship of parent and child. May we share in the joy of salvation brought to the earth, as a baby son in Bethlehem.

Merry Christmas


For My Son

He has Mom's nose, Dad's, bluer-than-sky, eyes, and a voice all his own, the voice of an angel. He is beautiful when he sings, a beauty that transcends earth and mortality a voice rising from the heavens, soaring to the heavens. He is flesh of our flesh, evidence of our joyful union, sent from God to lead us to Godliness. His passion and life love inspire. Melodious strains cleave senses to a pinnacle of present joy, flow to silence, rise renewed to greater heights. Sing son of our eternity, sing us to God, to Christ to salvation.

Sing, Choirs of Angels

Our #1 is a singer, he sings in his high school Chamber choir. I'm sure every parent is moved by the things their child does well, I bawl with tender pride the whole 3 hour performance.

I'm so thankful for great teachers, school districts that get the value of music and children who magnify the talents God has blessed them with, while in their youth.

Here is a picture and two of the numbers I'll post more about this Sunday.


#1 is center of the picture in the choir section, He's a gorgeous lad.

This is Chamber Choir with bells, It is amazing that they can sing and ring so beautifully.

Toothsome Tuesday

Peanut Brittle, yum! my Mother-in-law used to make this every Christmas so when I saw a jar of peanuts on sale I thought, "Hey, I'll be an awesome Mom and make a batch of Christmas Peanut Brittle."

I came home with the jar of peanuts, Adorable Hubby opened the jar, he grabbed a handful, #7 saw Dad eating peanuts, "I loves nuts Daddy!" cute smile. #7 ate a handful of nuts.

"Hey I love those can I have some?" # 6 got a handful of nuts.

"Uh, Dad, where did #7 and #6 get nuts?" #5 got a handful of nuts.

I stepped in at that point, I could see the writing on the jar.

After school rolled around, #'s 1, 2, 3 and 4 plus #I really ought to move in cause I'm here so much, showed up. They each had a handful of nuts. They have very big hands.

Adorable Hubby finished the last handful.

It's late Wednesday night I'm giving you an untried recipe. Maybe tomorrow I'll get more nuts and try again.

Ingredients

- 1 cup sugar - 1/2 cup light corn syrup - 1 1/2 cups dry roasted peanuts - 1 tablespoon butter - 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract - 1 teaspoon baking soda

Directions

Butter baking sheet. Combine corn syrup and sugar in mixing bowl. Microwave on high for 3 minutes, stir and place back in the microwave for an additional 2 minutes on high. Stir in peanuts and microwave on high for 4 minutes or until mixture becomes a golden brown. Add vanilla and butter, stirring until butter is completely melted. Microwave for 1 minute. Remove from microwave and stir in baking soda. Quickly spread out evenly on greased baking sheet. Let cool completely and then break into small pieces to serve.

Mondays Muttered Mumblings

Sunday, after dinner, we were all sitting around talking, when the conversation turned to Christmas favorites. #1 ask Adorable Hubby what his favorite Christmas Movie was then answered for him, "Oh, yeah it's Year With Out A Santa Claus, I never had a favorite Christmas movie," he finished wistfully. I don't know what is up with #1 lately you'd think he spent his entire childhood, walking up hill in the snow, naked and starving with out the simple pleasure of a single Christmas tradition.

"Dude," I said in my super cool Boy Mom lingo, "You watched Rudolph so many times you thought you were Hermie the elf. You were convinced you were going to be a dentist when you grew up."

"Oh, Yeah..." He recalled.

"And now you're a theater worker!!!" Said # 5 enthusiastically. We all shared a great laugh.

"From dentist to theater worker, look at what's become of my life." Poor #1 this graduation thing has him pretty stressed out.

Later that night Adorable Hubby and I were in bed cuddling the three youngest to sleep. # 5
asked what was so funny about being a theater worker. To try to explain the humor I asked him what job was cooler, being a doctor or driving a garbage truck...

All three little boys lay there thinking for a minute or two then said they would much rather drive a garbage truck than be a dumb doctor who gives kids shots and medicine.

So there you have it, we're raising Popcorn Pushers and Garbage men, 'cause those jobs are way better than doctors or dentists.

You Are of Great Worth!

Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;

For behold the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him.

And he hath risen again from the dead, that he might bring all men unto him, on conditions of repentance.

And How great is his joy in the soul that repenteth!
D&C 18:10-13


This week I have had many reasons to believe in the tender care and personal awareness of the Lord in my life. His love and constant care is my joy, hope and salvation.

May he touch our lives and awareness, that in this season of Christ we may each feel His redeeming love, His tender care and His eternal awareness of our sorrows and joys.

Twas...

Twas two weeks before Christmas when all through the abode
were lists and messes and stress overload.

Decorations were hung out of boxes, and strewn,
projects were stacked up in nearly each room.

The children had concerts, with choir and band
to which they needed hauling all over the land.



Boy Mom in her bathrobe, Adorable Hubby in a stew,
were shopping and planning for their boy crew.

When out in the street there arose such a scuffle,
we sprang to the door, boy cussing to muffle.

Out on to the driveway we ran with a yell
screaming boys you mustn't say sh**, Da** and He**.

The sun on the yard grass, yellow and dead,
lighted our neighbors shaking their heads.

When what from our postal mans' bag should spill,
but a very large handful of credit card bills.

Then Adorable Hubby using his brain,
whistled and shouted called each boy by name.
l
Now Jacob! now Joshua! Jeremiah! and Benjamin!
now Isaac! now Joseph! now Adam! who's that one.

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
now hang all the Christmas Lights! Nobody fall.

We returned to the house and heard on the roof,
the stomping and thumping of many boy hoofs.

I went to the kitchen to think about cooking
when a sound from the living room had me a looking.

A sweet dimpled boy, peeking out of the clutter,
said simply, "Hi Momma" but it made my heart flutter.

His pants were on backwards, his face was all smeary,
what he held in his hands made my grown-up eyes teary.


Twas a babe in a manger, and he'd made a crude stable,
with sticks and some cardboard, the best he was able.

Quiet peace filled my heart in all these preparations,
for Christmas is children and Christ and salvation.

Take a break in your rushing and all you must do,
for a moment of joy from boy home to you.

Toothsome Tuesday

Each December Adorable Hubby receives his favorite holiday treat, now, now, this is a G-rated blog. Adorable Hubby's favorite, OK, second favorite holiday treat (can you tell he's peering over my shoulder) is Fudge.

I'm a chocolate lover like any good woman, fortunately, this treat doesn't tempt me... much. Which is why I willingly make a triple batch every year, put it in a big Tupperware in the fridge , then watch in amazement as Adorable Hubby nibbles one little piece a day, definitely not the same appetite as for his 'most favorite' holiday treat.

This is the best recipe I've found.

3 cups sugar
3/4 cup butter or margarine
2/3 cup (5 1/2 oz can) evaporated milk
1 12oz pkg semisweet chocolate chips
1 7oz jar marshmallow cream
1 Cup chopped nuts (optional)
1 tsp. vanilla

Combine sugar, butter, evaporated milk, bring to a boil, stirring constantly, boil 5 min, over medium heat, again with the constant stirring. Remove from heat, stir in chocolate chips until melted, stir in marshmallow and vanilla until smooth, pour into buttered 13"x9" pan, cool cut into squares, store in covered container.

A triple batch is enough for Adorable Hubby, a spot on the holiday treats trays I make to bring to parties, and, it used to last through New Years until our older boys discovered they enjoyed it, as babies they would cry when given fudge...yeah@@, go figure.

Enjoy!

Mondays' Muttered Mumblings Brings You Boy Moms' First Annual Toy Review

Saturday morning as I chatted with a friend on the phone, I escaped my boys by wandering the backyard, picking up toys and garbage, dressed in a fuzzy blue bathrobe, minus the belt, and boot slippers. Yep, classiest gal in the whole dang trailer park, I am. As I gathered a patio table full of toys, I was overcome with the memories of all the joy these boy toys had brought my herd of male offspring. A touch of Christmasy spirit inspired a need to serve my fellow boy toy purchasing bloggers, thus the beginnings of Boy Mom's First Annual Toy Review. I couldn't bear to think of another mom to a boy facing the boy toy shelves at Consumermart with out some guidance from this uber experienced boy toy connoisseur.

Toys will be reviewed least to most favorite, building suspense and anticipation which you'll want to bring with you as you face the toy aisles this festive season.

In last place due to the weather, but in Australia, I've relearned, (I think I knew this in 8th grade) that it's summer in which case Aussie readers feel free to reverse the rankings order, is Last Summers Kiddie Pool. This pool is wonderful for those afternoons when the mercury reaches a balmy 41 degrees and the boys have de-winterized the faucets and dragged out the hose. It comes with a random floatie toy or two including a normally non-aquatic mammal, it also comes with two cups of expensive, high-quality playground sand. Draw backs include, a few holes, dirty towels and $300.00 at the doctors office for colds and frostbite.

The Rake, Leaf and Snow Shovel Set, is normally classified as a tool not a toy, until a Boy Mom is begged, "Please, please leave us a pile of leaves to play in, we promise to bag them when were done, and put the rakes and shovels away, please, please, please." These tools turned toys are great for hours of outdoor fun. Snow shovels and rakes can double as varied weaponry from clubs to light sabers, guns to swords, enhancing imagination and violence, always a plus in boy toys. Another set of snow shovels is recommended just in case three feet of snow falls on the shovels before they are put away as promised, not that it's ever happened here or anything.
Dragon In A Tree, a perennial favorite, variations include: Teddy Bear In A Tree, Shoe In A Tree and Nerf Football In A Tree. Once placed in the tree this innovative toy increases throwing accuracy as your boy throws random items attempting to dislodge it. You have to provide your own tree, and careful instruction in aiming away from windows and neighbors cars is an important consideration.

Ultimate Outdoor Throw-it Set, a great companion set to Dragon In A Tree. This set comes with a slightly deflated football, a cracked Frisbee, and random whiffle ball. Disappointments and tears are avoided with these pre-distressed toys, no more five year old boys demanding to be driven to the store, right now, to replace a broken or deflated toy. Windows and passer-bys' are less likely to be injured by these slightly less than classic boy toys.

Naked Dolly With A Shovel is top of the line in gender roll de- stereotyping play. The back to nature clothing scheme and shovel, scream, total feminine side acceptance in the sand box world. Be warned occasional teasing from non-forward thinking playmates may result.

Auto Shop Collection. These collectibles are not recommended for regular play as the value of collectibles decreases when removed from their original packaging. They look great at the bottom of the toy box in a boy room and as their value increases Juniors got a great investment in the future.


This next item is a must for the mixed gender home, Disney Princesses Bowling Set. Wow! Who could ask for a more versatile toy. Little girls can have hours of fun chatting, bossing and hair flipping with these pretty ladies. When your little princess has moved on to another activity no need to pick up after her, just call in the boys, set princesses in classic bowling alley formation and let the boy fun begin. Be aware that while the sporting little lass may join this game for a turn or two many girlie types find battered flying princesses traumatic. Save yourself a tear or two-thousand by restricting boy use of the Disney Princesses Bowling Set to nap time.

Carl's Jr. Cup 'O Random Lego's, each set is unique, original and comes with no instructions. They can be tossed in the yard for games of Lawn Mower Hide-n-Seek, or spread through the house for a lights out game of Bare Foot Roulette. These well traveled toys find their way to every nook and cranny of a boys domain and are a must for the budding architect or structural engineer. Warning: Carl's Jr. Cup 'O Random Lego's are known to cause the occasional stream of obscenities in shoe-less boy parents.

The number one favorite toy and 2008 winner of the Boy Mom Toy Review is, drum roll please, Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr... Hole In The Head Woody. This versatile toy is a must for the 5 years and under crowd. The character is based on the sequel to the popular Disney movie Toy Story entitled, There Are Way Worse Places Than Sid's House. Hole In The Head Woody is great for the boy who needs a stash for his boy treasures, Woody's head serves as a gender acceptable boy purse for grasshoppers, small rocks, used fireworks shells, sticks or any number of boy treasures. Woody comes with a handy carrying string, not to be confused with the voice string in other versions, which can be used to haul Woody around, tie things together, hang Woody from various structures or as a projectile launcher, just twirl around head until maximum speed is achieved then let go launching Hole In The Head Woody with mind boggling velocity at nearby people and objects. Though there is the potential that Woody might actually have a secret toy life which could be compromised by a large hole in the head, Hole In The Head Woody is Boy Mom's choice for Boy Toy of the year.

Enjoy shopping fellow Boy Moms, You can thank me later.

Glorifying God

While in the middle of thinking all my woman, wife and mother thoughts I was approached by #2 with a question. "Mom, what does it mean to glorify God."

#2 doesn't take much of anything lightly he studies, meditates, prays, and ponders, I couldn't give him an answer from the head it had to be from the heart. I sat still, body, mind and mouth, too rare a state for me. Softly the answer touched my heart, "The scriptures say that Gods' work and glory is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man, in each way that you receive the spirit of God in such a way that it leads you closer to the ideal you, the you that God sees, the you that blesses the lives of others and brings peace and joy to the world you glorify God. "

"But, how do you glorify God Mom?"

My answer is not what's important; the important thing is the question. For in each of those womanly, wifely, motherly thoughts which are the creation of all my actions this beautiful question asked and lived, assures grace, truth, goodness and glory.

Thank you # 2, for a reminder of an important question, one which should temper all my thoughts every moment of every day of my life.

May I let go of the fleeting, foolish glories of the world seeking instead to glorify the Kingdom of God and his son Jesus Christ.

Sabbath Joy to you.

Bring On The Parties

I managed to take two whole pictures at our church Christmas party. The little boy with his back to the camera wearing a blue sweatshirt is my #6 singing Away In A Manger with the children in his primary class. The food was great, we shared stories of Christmas around the world, sang carols and visited. The party committee did a great job.


Some of the crowd. The boy in the fore front is my #3, you can see his face in Thursdays post.

Princess Bowling

Perhaps you can tell already from the title that this post will be a classic illustration on the differences between boys and girls.

This morning my girlfriend had me watch her daughter Lilly while she took care of some things. Lilly arrived with a pink backpack full of pink things. One by one, as #s 5-7 watched in fascinated silence, she reached into the backpack of pinkness and pulled out princesses. We don't have princesses here, heck, we don't have a grasp on female pronouns here, so this was heady stuff. Each princess was introduced by name, some with many names, Briar Rose, Sleeping Beauty, Aurora, others with a song, "Ah ah ah, ah ah ah," the boys and I dutifully repeated each name and sang along to a song or two.

Later in the day after much hair flipping, and adorable drama (adorable because I don't get a steady diet I'm sure), Lily had left her princesses on the bar where I was making cookies, and was playing happily with #7 in another room. #s 5 and 6 were snitching chocolate chips and trying to figure out the mysteries of princesses.

#5: So this is uh...Singing Beauty.

#6: No, that is S-l-e-e-p-i-n-g Beauty, or Aboura.

Boy Mom: Sleeping Beauty, Aurora, or Briar Rose.

#5: Why does she have so many names?

Boy Mom: Um, well, because...maybe we'll watch the movie some time.

#6: Watch a movie about princesses?

Boy Mom: It has a dragon and a prince with a sword in it.

#5: All right! Can we watch it right now?

#6: This princess is Urielle.

#5: Urielle, that's a weird name.

#5: ( knocking a cup over into the row of princesses which topple like dominoes) Wow, three of them fell.

#6: Yeah, that's so cool, let's see how many I can knock down.

Poor princesses it was a great game of Princess Bowling though.

I even helped them set up the princess like bowling pins.

"If you can't beat em, Princess Bowl with em," we Boy Moms find ourselves saying.

Clean Him Up

#3 is taking a class in school that explores different careers and societal roles his latest unit has been child care, the class has learned little songs, made age appropriate games and learned the ins and outs of caring for young children. As the culminating event of the project students are allowed to bring a three to five year old child to class for one hour, where they put into action all that they've learned. This is my third time bringing a younger sibling to the Jr. High School for this class so, aside from the date and a reminder the night before, I trusted myself to handle it this time as well.

My #3 is an interesting mix of fierce competitiveness, wow, that's a big word for this time in the morning, efficiency, conscientiousness, enough with the big words already, tenderness, passion, self doubt, obsessive/compulsiveness, teasing, and gratitude. I know, sounds like most 13 year old boys, so we'll bare in mind that as a teenager it's in his job description to not remember that for many years I bathed, dressed including shoes, socks and clean underwear, combed hair, dropped off and picked up multiple children with only the occasional mix-up.

Unlike our other children, who tend to spring upcoming events on us at the last minute, "See ya in a week when I'm back from choir tour in Seattle", #3 reminds us until we're ready to pop him in the mouth regularly. Yesterday, the day before bring a child to school you can guess what I heard 8billion several times, "Mom, don't forget that you have to bring #7 to school at 9:45 tomorrow morning".

"Mom, tomorrow, #7, 9:30, you can't forget."

"Now Mom, are you planning to have #7 at my school tomorrow at 9:15?" note that the time gets a bit earlier with each reminder. Did I mention that we suspect a future of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder for this child.

The reminders continued into the evening along the same order until suddenly another concern about my parenting skills surfaced. "Uh, Mom, when you bring #7 to my school tomorrow you need to make sure he's cleaned up and dressed nice, " he glances at #7, "like he's dressed now!"

"So chocolate pudding face, superman undies and bare feet are out?" I ask, with only a trace of sarcasm dripping from my tongue.

"Yeah Mom, our school has a dress code ya know." He has the good sense to accompany this last with a sheepish little grin.

I feel it's only fair to mention that #7 has, from birth, some kind of aversion to clothes. If #7 is wearing underwear we consider him dressed, if he's wearing a shirt with the underwear we know he's decided to go out to play, if shoes and pants are part of the ensemble he's been captured by Mom and is going somewhere with her, if his face is clean, his hair is combed, by me not him, and he's dressed including socks and underwear, we watch the heavens for signs of the millennial reign. Yet, silly mom that I am, I'm still fairly confident that I'll be able to pull off getting him to the Junior High with out incident.

This morning, as he left for the bus, #3 mentioned one more time, just to be absolutely, positively sure I could handle it that I needed to have #7 at the doors by the tennis court, at straight up 9:45, but 9:30 would be better, and to make sure #7 was clean and dressed.

I out did myself, I showered him, combed and jelled his hair, put clean clothes on him including underwear. I saved us all from a precipitous appearance of deity, you can thank me later, by putting sandals with no socks despite the cool temperatures, not that he's lost his shoes again or anything.

At straight up 9:45 a.m. #3 greeted us outside the school, with a big hug for #7. I was proud, I had proved to #3 that I could be a responsible Mommy, I double checked on the pick-up time, 10:50 a.m., then left to run a few errands.

10:45 a.m. phone rings, "Hello".

"Mom, where are you?"

"#3, I'm in the car driving to your school." I said without the least trace of aggravation in my voice.

"OK, just checking to see if you remembered."

10:50, I'm pulling up to the school, phone rings, "Mom where are you?"

"I'm outside your school, which you would know if you were out here waiting for me instead of inside calling me!" My voice just may have increased slightly in volume.

So, I still haven't proved to my latest teenager that I'm a competent mother; but, #7 had a great time, came home, took off his sandals, pants and underwear, put on a swimsuit then showed me all the fun things he did with his really great brother at big kid school.

Ho Hum

A little down today, one of those days you question the purpose of existence outside the mound of comforters and pillows on your bed.

Then just as I was ready to give up and bury my head under said comforters and pillows with out posting I checked and found COMMENTS, funny how much a word of encouragement means. Thanks to you all, from bestest friends to amazing strangers who feel like bestest friends.

:)

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:~)

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:=o)

Internet smiles, hugs and best wishes coming your way.

Toothsome Tuesday

Toothsome Tuesdays that sounds fun for a recipe day.

Adorable Hubby and I love this salad we've been buying it at the Art City Trolley for ten years. Recent financial setbacks have become the 'mother of invention' and I've figured out a wonderful meal our family loves.

Dice, then brown 4-5 boneless chicken in 1 tablespoon of olive oil add salt and pepper to taste, set aside to cool.

Rinse and cut up 1 head of Romain lettuce.

Rinse and cut up 1 head of Iceberg lettuce.

Rinse 8 Cups of Baby spinach.

Finely slice 1/2 purple onion.

Chop 2 cups almonds
In sauce pan place 1 Cup sugar, turn burner on high and melt sugar stirring constantly don't worry about lumps they melt. When sugar is melted remove from heat dump in chopped almonds, mix to coat almonds turn out on cookie sheet place in cool place till sugar is hardened. Break in small pieces, I use a meat mallet the cooler the mix the easier it breaks.

1 cup Feta cheese crumbles.


Mix all greens together in large bowl. We set all other ingredients out salad bar style so little people can pick and choose.

To assemble:

On large plate place two big handfuls of greens, picky people can use tongs, so then that's two big tongfuls. Top greens with 1/2 cup chicken, 2 Tablespoons feta cheese crumbles, 2 Tablespoons candied almonds, 4 or 5 rings of purple onion or many more. Top with raspberry poppy seed dressing.

Raspberry Poppy Seed Dressing.

In blender combine :
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 Tbl. dry onion flakes
1 teas. dry mustard
1 teas. salt
1/3 cup vinegar
1/4 cup frozen raspberries

blend for 20 - 30 seconds, then while blending add 1 cup vegetable oil, blend 30 - 60 seconds. Add 1 1/2 teaspoons poppy seeds, stir by hand. Store left overs covered in fridge.

Yummmmy, this is served with 1/2 an onion bagel at our favorite little restaurant. This amount barely feeds our family cause it's a seriously delicious combination. We let the little ones use ranch other dressings that they prefer and leave out all the good stuff toppings they think are yucky.

Mondays' Muttered Mumblings

Bathrooms, that's a dirty word at boy house. Today in a fit of pre-decorating cleaning I ventured into the boy bathroom, gasp! What was I thinking? Amnesia? Temporary insanity brought on by a wicked combination of leftover turkey and pecan pie.

Not to worry I closed my eyes, held my breath stuffed my fingers in my ears and sang a hymn. I muscled my way past the moldering towels , the month ago football gear, the muddy shoes and pants probably Turkey Bowl relics.

I've had years of experience overcoming the post traumatic stress of a fool hardy peek into boy bathroom. The flashbacks, voices, desolation, carnage, and guilt are hard to withstand. Harder to handle still are the wild desires brought on by such a scene; I crave the smell of bleach, I tremble as I think of ammonia scented with lemon, my hands aches to attack armed only with rubber gloves, chemicals and Brillo pads.

No, I'm a women of morals and principals I will be strong. They know how to clean a bathroom I taught them well. I won't clean it for them, I won't, I wo... might, but I'll hold back a stocking stuffer I will.