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Social Distancing Day Ten

2020-03-25T22:30:00.000-07:00

I think the initial shock of what is happening has worn off and I have really embraced whatever we're calling this; social distancing or shelter in place. I'm sure that it will probably be a rollercoaster as this continues but for now we are friends.

I am off my normal schedule. I got to sleep around midnight and get up around 8:30. It's so nice just to get up and eat breakfast and watch a ~~little~~ lot of TV. I watched hours of Seinfeld today, and did some chores.

Things are mostly normal here but I'm not sure to do with our mail...

I've just been throwing it in the floor. We said we were gonna glove up and go through it and just trash what we could. I have two amazon packages I haven't opened yet. The last I heard is that the 'rona can live on cardboard for 24 hours so I figured I'd let it sit for a few days before I open it.

For lunch I made ChaChi and I grilled cheese and soup. I always make my sandwich in the pan and keep the heat on low, then I put mayonnaise on the outside of the bread, instead of butter. I almost burned it today. I was washing the bottle of mayonnaise with soap and water (like I've been doing to a lot of our groceries) and ChaChi walked into the kitchen, we locked eyes and I said, "I'm not crazy, you're crazy." He just looked at me and said, "You're not crazy, you're just being cautious." I could feel the tears well up in my eyes, and I looked away hoping he wouldn't notice. 😂 That kid gets me haha, or he's crazy too.

Ansley made some banana bread. I feel like I was in the kitchen most of the day. I kept getting a terrible smell off and on. Finally, I realize it was that damn cantaloupe...it smelled horrible. It had defeated me and I poured what I could in the sink and bagged up the rest and put in the trash. I was reading an article that said most fruits' seeds bought from the grocery store won't bear fruit anyway. What are they doing to our food? I knew I had some seeds under the sink so I put them in some dirt in half of this apple container. I know there is a certain time of year you're supposed to do this but who has time to read up on that? Ok, I do but I didn't...anyone surprised? I just thought I'd throw them in some dirt and see what happens. I mean Bloomberg said anyone can do it.

I helped Ryan put up some more wood up and a light fixture.

ChaChi had 30 math problems to do and it took him about four hours to do them. 😲 He would work a problem and Ansley would check it and was really nice to have everyone home huddled up in the kitchen with me.

I've been reading about how there are mask shortages and saw a few post of people who have made some. I rummaged through some of my old sewing stuff to see if I had anything to make some. I was surprised to find I had some elastic. I don't have much but I'm gonna try to make what I can out of the little bit I have. Here is my first one. It's not the prettiest...of course my bobbin thread ran out 1/2 way through.

I hope you had a great day too!

Social Distancing Day Nine

2020-03-24T21:32:00.000-07:00

I have to start with last night. We were in bed asleep and heard Dumdum squawling (isn't that the greatest word? Also spelled squall, I know because I looked it up) in the backyard. He was tussling with another cat from the wrong side of the tracks. Dumdum is a little on the small side and we save his tail often. He hollers, we open the back door and he scurries in. I guess you could say he's a bit of a...well, you know.

We get back in bed and Ryan starts coughing so naturally I go sleep on the sofa, just it case he's got the 'rona. He thinks I'm dramatic...I think he's contagious. We all have allergies so I'm sure it's just allergies but you can never be too careful. I wake up a couple of hours later with the cat standing on his back paws with his tiny, little cat head right in my face. How creepy is that? I woke up again when Ryan was getting ready for work. It was pouring down rain and I couldn't go back to sleep until I knew he made it to work. It was a rough night.

The kids are having to do their classes online and ChaChi had a virtual meeting on zoom at 10:00 AM. I thought it was cool (I felt like a dorky mom) and ChaChi thought it was stupid. ChaChi is on a block schedule and has four teachers but I've only heard from two of them. I think they have until tomorrow to get in touch with all the students...we'll see.

Then I tried to wake Ansley for the day but I was unsuccessful but how cute is she? When they hit the teen years, they are much cuter and nicer when they are asleep. She is doing online learning too and is not a fan of that or of getting up before 2:00 PM.

I cleaned up a little and decided to clean out my glassware cabinet that looked more like a plasticware cabinet. I swear, I don't know where they come from! We'll I guess that's a lie because the name of the restaurants are plastered across them but you get what I mean. Do they multiply in the cabinets and why do I even put them in the dishwasher? We never use them again.

I got a text from my neighbor, he was in a real bind and needed a fix. I told him I had what he needed and to wait for a text and I'd make the drop.

I handed off (from a safe distance and then backed away to a safer distance) to him two heaping cups of the finest all purpose flour money can buy. I told them this would have to be documented but I'd protect his identity.

When I returned home I started dinner and got a FaceTime call from another neighbor. I almost didn't answer because surely it was a mistake to FaceTime me! She suggested we get ten feet apart and drink some beer so hopefully we'll be able to do that tomorrow.

After dinner we went for a 3.5 mile walk and there were people ALL over the place out walking. I have never seen the amount of people out in one week as were out today! We were having to zigzag all over the street to keep our distance. It felt so good to be outside...it always does.

We saw this huge airplane. Ryan told me what it was but I forgot and he's asleep.

Ansley said, "why's the grass smoking." (it was getting foggy out) I thought it was hilarious. She was joking but it was funny. We always say stupid things but act like we're serious, kind of an inside thing.

People are putting bears in their windows for kids to look for on their walks, like a "bear hunt." They were all over the place! I thought it was a cute idea and enjoyed it more than I should have. Ryan didn't believe that was what was in the windows and said we were crazy.

We got a late start on our walk, it got dark on us and when we had about a mile left it started raining. Ryan checked the weather before we left...it always cracks me up when we're so far from home and it rains. That never gets old, hahaha.

Love my weird family!

Social Distancing Day Eight

2020-03-23T20:56:00.000-07:00

It's a lot like Groundhog Day around here. Watch some murder shows, threaten kids, feel like I have all this time to be productive, and yet not being productive.

Did some laundry, vacuumed a little, should have done a little more. Made eye contact with a jar of cantaloupe, noticed something floating on top...it's probably mold or something, didn't care enough to actually look into it further, decided I would just trash it, never trashed it. We cut some peppers the other night and I reasoned with myself that it would just make more sense to plant something ~~I actually like~~ we eat . So now I have pepper seeds sitting on the counter that I will probably never plant.

I do this every time someone sneezes. They say, "I'm overreacting, I say, "tell that to Covid."

Found some old trail mix when I cleaned out the pantry. The nuts were bad ~~that's what she said~~ so I sorted them from the M & M's and raisins.

Ryan asked me if I could come help him in the shed. I said, "no" but went anyway. I'm always surprised the things he asks me to do. This evening he wanted me to help him put up a sheet of plywood on the roof to make a ceiling, right now it's just open rafters. He had made a "T" out of some 2x4's that were way taller than me and I was supposed to balance, well more like put pressure on it and try to guide the plywood into place. Like line it up and be square on a chalkline. I'm over there with that plywood like a circus clown trying to balance six plates on sticks or something. He's like, "can you turn the 'T' 90 degrees to the North" or something crazy. I'm like fool, I don't even know what you're saying! So finally, he realized the depths of his stupidity of asking me for help and my stupidity of not knowing how to turn this "T" 90 degrees. He says, "Never mind it's fine, you can go back inside." Well, I must have walked too slow because the next thing I know I'm standing on a tool box with my hands in the air holding up a sheet of plywood.

After that fiasco I came in and made some cinnamon rolls from scratch, per his request. I made 1/2 cinnamon and the other 1/2 I put some jam inside. I had never tried mixing it up but it worked out. Sometimes, I'm too spontaneous for my own good. I can never stick to a plan or a recipe.

After I rolled and cut them.

After they had time to rise.

Cooked.

About to get in my belly.

Then, I called my mom to try to order her some more groceries but they didn't have any pickup times. We'll try again tomorrow.

Social Distancing Day Seven

2020-03-22T22:26:00.002-07:00

"I wish carsickness and homesickness didn't even exist." ChaChi Hehir age 5. This popped up in my "memories" on Facebook today.

To really think about the emotion in those words is almost heartbreaking. I hate that I can't even remember why they were said. ChaChi has always been an old soul with lot of deep thoughts and original perspectives. I guess it's sad to me that now he's fifteen and it's not cool to freely open up about emotions anymore.

Anyway, it's rainy and dreary and this damn tree has blown over, again. Sometimes, I feel like this tree is living my life, haha. Ryan is out in the back piddling in his "shed quarters" before he has to go to work.

This morning I watched a two hour Dateline with Keith Morrison. Ryan always comes in when I have these types of shows on and then he gets sucked in but also complains about how long it takes them to "just tell the stupid story" he says that every. time. He doesn't get Keith Morrison, at all. He's gotta paint a picture. Did you know that Keith Morrison is Chandler Bing/Matthew Perry's stepdad? I never liked Friends. Even in these circumstances I wouldn't watch it but it's only day seven, things could change.

I did some laundry and finally finished the pantry. After Ryan left for work I watched a two hour 20/20 and Ansley came down and then she got sucked in, An hour in, ChaChi came down and fished it up with us.

I had a little retail therapy with some online shopping.

I bought some weights, a pack of underwear...a pack. Who wears underwear in a pack? Senior citizens, toddlers and now me. I have the worst luck with underwear...I'm sure it's the lack of junk in my trunk. I'll have on yoga pants and I'll just be walking along and my underwear will have migrated down into a wad, like not just in my crack but like down my hips. So I'll slide my hand down all cusual-like and try to grab them and do a little shimmy but at the same time try to make it look like I'm just struggling with my pants and now I've said too much. Anyway, I also ordered Mike Rowe's book and some Bob's Red Mill Oats.

Shopping took a good bit of my time. I get sidetracked easily and the next thing I know I was admiring muumuus. You can't tell me they don't look comfortable! Then, I started to feel sorry for Ryan and deleted it from my cart. I thought the granny panties will be sad enough for him. I'll have to save that for another time.

I finally did something with the sweet potato I cut a few days ago.
I put coconut oil in a bowl and microwave it, stir in the potatoes, season with some pepper, season salt and turmeric until it's mixed well. I put it on a baking sheet and cook @400 for 15 mins, stir it around and put it back in for another 10-15 mins. I like mine crispy and Ansley doesn't.

We didn't really have a plan when we started dinner but we notice a couple of peppers were going bad so I chopped them up and put them on the same sheet at the potatoes, for the last 10 minutes.

I decide to make some rice, mixed in some corn with a can of black beans and threw it all together in a bowl.

This is probably my favorite meal right now and I felt like we should eat something healthy after the last few days.

After dinner the kids and I watched two episodes of The Goldbergs and ChaChi went back to the Xbox. Ansley and I started A Million Little Things but turned it off when Ryan came home. Now, it's raining...again.

Social Distancing Day Six

2020-03-21T20:41:00.001-07:00

Finished off the Honeycomb, finished off the wine...just had one small glass today. Started to make a Costco run but realized they were about to close. I will be doing social distancing dry for a while. I was on the wagon but...social distancing.

Watched murder shows most of the day, barely got off the couch until about 4:00. You know when you hear distance runners talking about "hitting a wall?" I feel like that's what today was like for social distancing. I still haven't finished the pantry. As I typed that I realize I didn't even stir my cantaloupe today.

Went for our 4 mile walk.

There is an owl in this video and if you listen you can hear it and another call back. It crazy how just getting outside can make you feel better.

Someone had chalked this on the street.

Then we passed a house party blaring Ghost of Mississippi by The SteelDrivers. Give it a listen sometime.

Got home and made frozen pizza. We had thawed out some mystery meat from the freezer. ~~Ryan~~ Someone didn't write what it was on the package. We thought it was some kind of wild game but by the time it was thawed we realized it was ribs and didn't have time to smoke ribs.

Social Distancing Day Five

2020-03-20T20:59:00.001-07:00

Today's breakfast was steel cut oats with blueberries, pecans, cinnamon and honey. It's more like dessert to me. Oatmeal has been one of my favorite things my whole life. I decided to eat my breakfast in bed. As soon as I got in bed I heard the guy come back to get the rest of our tornado debris, it didn't all fit in one truck. I was disappointed I wasn't going to be able to watch him this morning. I watched the season finale of 68 Whisky. That's a pretty good show, kinda like a more inappropriate MASH.

My lilies started to open up so I trimmed the anthers. They make a mess and will actually leave stains.

Here's my cantaloupe. I need to move on to step two because I can the "good" sees are at the bottom. I just went back and reread the article and it said use a fully repined fruit...which this one wasn't. Reading is fundamental. So should I continue with this mess or go ahead and quit now?

ChaChi came down and we watched The First 48.

I finished off this freezer burned butter pecan ice cream. I worked on the panty a little more. Have I mentioned how I like to start things and never finish them? Ryan and I waked about 3 miles tonight.

For dinner we had wild turkey (that Ryan killed), green beans and Rice-a-roni. Don't judge my rice to everything else ratio.

We live on a dead end street that picks back up behind our house. There was a bright light shining in the back door tonight. I dared Ryan to moon them. I won't say whether it took the dare or not but it was the highlight of my day 😀.

Social Distancing Day Four

2020-03-19T20:31:00.001-07:00

Got up around 8:30 (I'm really enjoying this part) and ate more Honeycomb. Watched this guy pick up some debris from the tornado that came through about a month ago. Why don't tornados have names? I watched from the window for a while and then walked outside to watch. It felt great outside. Like, I just wanted to watch but didn't want to seem like I was "watching him" you know what I mean? So that wasted like 20 minutes.

ChaChi got up around noon and harassed me to play Xbox for about an hour. Ansley got up around 3:00 PM! You know if someone gets that much sleep you think they'd be nice and pleasant. Well, they aren't! There was several times today that I thought I needed to call an exorcist but due to social distancing, I refrained. The natives are getting restless. They played a game of Memory and ChaChi smoked Ansley. She said she wants a rematch.

ChaChi noticed our tulips are starting to come up! I love tulips! Our flower beds desperately need to be weeded. It has rained so much and cleaning up from the tornado I haven't gotten around to it and also, I hate doing it.

Ansley and I have been trying to reorganize the pantry today to see what kind of a food situation we have. Now, I just really want to go to Target or Homegoods and look for some glass jars. We didn't get finished so there will be more of the same tomorrow. We came across this MRE and ChaChi ate it. It was actually pretty tasty.

Here's Dumdum just doing his usual thing.

I made homemade meat ball subs for dinner. David, if you come across this...yes, I used turkey. David is our neighbor and he is disgusted by the fact we eat ground turkey.

Ryan and I watched Kid Rock on Instagram Live.

Social Distancing Day Three

2020-03-18T20:48:00.002-07:00

Got up at 8:00 AM, ate two Jethro size bowl of Honeycomb.

Stirred my cantaloupe. When I took the lid off it made a sound like it's under pressure...tomorrow this adventure may be a little more exciting...if that's even possible.

Watered ChaChi's plants. I have never liked plants in the house but we went dumpster diving and they were in there and now I water them. They are doing pretty well. The tallest one is a ZZ plant and it is poisonous. So yeah, I keep that one in the kitchen. If you look closely, you will see some new growth. That has to make you feel good! I don't know what the other three are but they are weird and you never know what they're gonna do. They were fat but now they're growing tall and skinny. I keep waiting for that to happen to me. When Ansley was in Montana for two weeks last summer I killed her cactus. I killed Ryan's humming bird vine too. I'm proud to be keeping our dumpster plants alive.

Wednesday is my day to do chores so I did chores all day, fun. When I was doing the laundry I found one of ChaChi's cough drops that had made it all the way through the dryer and never opened~God is good, y'all.

I cut this sweet potato because I guess some cooking oil had gotten on it and it was going bad. I have a recipe for this but I'll have to cook that later.

Ryan brought home my favorite, Stargazer Lily. He must be spending a lot of money on hunting crap lately. I know they look a little crazy in that "vase' but that's all I had and they'll still smell good.

The kids slept til noon ish, cleaned their rooms. ChaChi vacuumed for me, played Xbox all day. Ansley unloaded dishes, cooked several meals and we watched The Voice.

Mall Scavenger Hunt

2014-04-07T12:35:00.000-07:00

Ansley's twelfth birthday party!

We started out the night at a Japanese steakhouse. After dinner I took the girls outside the restaurant and revealed the plans for the night. The scavenger hunt was a surprise. Ansley had wanted to do one but I had told her we wouldn't have enough time after dinner. I had to work on the plans while she was at school. Side note: She knew I was in the office working on something because I told her not to go in there. It was driving her crazy but I told her it was a surprise. She kept asking what I was working on. I told her it was a poem about how much I love her. I told her I planned to recite it after dinner. Bahaha I thought it was hilarious. She was really freaked out at the thought of this.

I made shirts for everyone to wear and passed them out after dinner when I told them about the scavenger hunt.

Next stop, the mall. Here are the pics from my team, A.K. A. the winning team!

Dancing with a statue.

Everyone wearing glasses

Picture with employee at makeup counter.

Riding the escalator.

Picture with the blue mannequins. I thought this would be a hard one as there were only in a few places. These girls obviously shop a lot!

Looking lost in front of a mall directory.

Getting a strangers autograph. This lady was a little apprehensive which made it funny. I assured her it wasn't a legal document.

Wearing hats and scarves.

Smelling flowers real or fake.

Had to find Amazing Grace perfume and get a sample.

Group saluting an American Flag or replica.

Picture of someone wearing a band or concert shirt.

Using your bodies to make the number 12.

Getting a napkin from the yogurt shop.

Jumping off the fountain

Ansley's initials

Picture with "turtle" on the "beach."

Picture with surfboard

Ryan's team pics

ChaChi was such a trooper...as usual!

The whole group met up in the courtyard and played a little tag.

Let the games begin!

Cookie Face Race

Bubble gum hidden in whipped cream, first one to blow a bubble wins!

The cake.

Opening her cards. In lieu of gifts she took donations for Callie Evans. You can find her story on Facebook. "Praying for Callie Evans"

Time for a movie! I introduced them to a little Napoleon Dynamite. It was a hit, most passed out before it finished. We restarted it in the morning.

Now, breakfast...served on a string.

Never tried before...doughnut game in a triangle! I had ChaChi taking pics at this point.

It was a great party! Ryan and I had as much fun as the kids. Ansley has done a great job picking her friends! This really is the greatest group of girls ever! Eleven girls, one boy and not the first sign of drama. I say it was a success!

Not just a biscuit.

2014-03-05T15:06:00.000-08:00

Here is a picture of my first batch of homemade biscuits. I can't eat a biscuit without thinking of my Grandma. I don't know how often she made biscuits but I can't remember being at her house when she didn't have fresh biscuits. I would just love to be in the kitchen watching her make her biscuits. It was surely an art. They had them for breakfast, lunch or dinner. I loved them smothered with sausage gravy and a nice dusting of sugar.

This is the only picture that I have of my Grandma. I wish I had more but I think she was too busy being awesome to be posing for pictures. I'm sure she would have never taken a selfie.

I never really thought about how much something so simple as a biscuit can bring back so many memories. It's not just me either, several of my cousins say they cry when they open the oven after making biscuits. She did more than make biscuits. She could sew anything, crochet and more importantly make those around her feel so important and loved. I don't ever remember her being too busy to give me her full attention even in a roomful of family members; and there were a bunch of us! My grandpa was pretty righteous too. He worked on cars, had a little wood shop, a master at solving crossword puzzles, was a beekeeper and a founding father of dumpster diving!

The time that I got to spend with them was special and I wish I would have gotten more. I wish I had her biscuit recipe and more pictures of them. I wish that I wouldn't have been a selfish teenager and visited more often.

I want to more like my grandparents. I think sometimes our plates are too full to make biscuits. Too busy running here and there to really stop and appreciate what is important. Time, time is what is important. I want to spend more of mine making biscuits with the people I love.

Go Girl: For the girl who has everything. (And wants to stand and pee)

2013-11-09T20:02:00.001-08:00

Ok, we're in BassPro looking at the portable toilets. We are planning on taking the kids out west for an extended camping trip. We are going to need a toilet…among other things. That is when we spotted the GoGirl. I feel like my life has been forever changed.

It is an apparatus, if you will, that allows women to pee standing up! What? Pee, standing up? Count me in. Well, let me just cross that off my bucket list.

It comes in a little tube that explains it can be used while camping, boating, traveling, music festivals or sports.

Inside, you will find directions printed on a duel service disposable bag. It states: 1. For best results, maintaining a seal on the back is important. 2. Practice at home to be sure you have a good seal. It is accompanied by two tissues.

Here is a nice close up. This side up…in case you were confused. In my mind, I'm thinking they didn't just put that there for no reason. Someone, somewhere was confused about this. I snapped this picture while inside the BassPro. An employee busted me and said that every time they get them in stock they sell out rather quickly. He assumed they were being purchased for gag gifts. He said he caught a guy looking at it and said, "Don't worry the girl that returned it said she didn't use it." Our conversation went further and he said that he thought that peeing standing up was the last thing that men could do that women couldn't. So I said, "I guess that's why you squat now?" He just walked off laughing. I'll take that as a yes!

I guess the illustration is to tell you not to squeeze it closed while in use. Hello?

I'm guessing you figured out by now I couldn't leave the store without this life changing product. For $12.99 can have your own GoGirl.

Anyone who knows me for more than five minutes, knows I'm terrible OCD. Me and public toilets aren't friends. I can't remember the last time I've used a port-o-let other than to pee behind.

I felt it was my civic duty to give this thing a try. A-MAZ-ING.

I must be a natural because I got it right the first time. I peed with joy! Seriously, I was laughing the entire time. I think the only way this could have been any more fun is if I were ~~taking a leak~~ peeing off the side of a canoe, or on the Appalachian Trail, or into bushes, or off a building, or off the Grand Canyon, or into Niagara Falls or a WalMart bathroom.

Seriously, this is life changing. I will be buying Ansley her own GoGirl. Because, really it'd be gross to share. My only problem is what kind of looks will you get cleaning this joker off in the public sink?

Penis Envy, NO MORE! I can write my own darn name in the snow!

Go to http://www.go-girl.com to get your own GoGirl!

Selfie Sunday

2013-11-03T13:04:00.001-08:00

As you can tell from my Facebook, I love to take pictures ~~as much as the next guy~~ probably more than most. However, I consider "selfies" to be so creepy. I don't even like the slang expression for them, "selfies." I recently commented on fb how I don't understand what would provoke someone to want to post pics of themselves on the regular, all safely strapped into their car. Especially if you are over 25 and that is being generous.

I admit I have taken pics of myself a couple times. Once, was because I had gotten a new "do" and mom wanted me to shoot her a pic. Because of the six hour drive between us, I felt this clearly warranted a self taken pic. But man, it was still so weird. I mean where do you look? Do you smile? Yes, I think you smile...in most selfies the folks I see are smiling. Smiling or making the duck face seems to be acceptable in a selfie. This and throwing up peace signs is a whole new level of douchebaggary. Do you say cheese? What if someone sees you? Do you just continue your quest of self absorption or are you like, "Hey, all my real friends are busy. Do you think you could snap a quick pic of me?" "Oh, wait! Let me get my seatbelt on. You know, safety first." Honestly I just don't get it!

There must be some unwritten protocol to all this madness because they always seem to be taken in the same places. Originally, I noticed them being taken in the bathroom both public and private. Think about this, you're taking your picture. in. a. bathroom. A shower or toilet is never a good idea for a backdrop, unless you are Beavis and Butthead. They did love their toilet shots. The car is popular and the bedroom shot seems to be edging up popularity. All nicely tucked into bed with only your ~~boobs~~ self esteem hanging out.

These are becoming so popular that cell phones are making it easier for these people. No this is a bad idea. Don't encourage. I say "these people" because it usually the same personality type; single and loving it. However, all the drama they put on social media tells another story. Then they get into a relationship and post tons of self taken pics of them and they're new found happiness. Only to have them quietly disappear after two weeks to be replaced with inspirational quotes by John Mayer. "Don't be scared to walk alone and don't be scared to like it."

If you are really looking that awesome and you feel like the world should really see you. Grab someone else to take it of you. Somehow, that just seems less weird. Or if there is a cute kid nearby grab them and take a pic with them. Make sure to get their parent's permission first. Otherwise, this could turn into a whole other problem!

Well maybe I've got this all wrong. You tell me, what do you think?

Maybe I shouldn't be so quick to judge. I had to give it a try.

This is my first and second attempt. I wasn't sure where I was supposed to look. Dang, I have a terrible double chin. No wonder I don't fancy the selfies. I really could use some makeup. Ok, I'm gonna pick myself apart over this.

Ahh the Miley Cyrus photo bomb.

ChaChi said I wasn't doing it right and suggested this pose along with the title of the blog.

Yep, I felt as stupid as I look but the kids found it hilarious.

Dinner Fail: Salisbury Steak

2013-10-23T18:55:00.000-07:00

Let me start out by saying I may have slept 20 hours in the past five days. I went to the doctor today and got a sinus cocktail and four prescriptions. Got home and got in bed and took some meds that I already had that kept me up. So, I started doing some laundry and I get a call from the nurse at the kid's school. ChaChi has a stomach ache. She puts ChaChi on the phone and I ask him if he just needs to go to the bathroom or does he feel sick. He said he felt sick. So I tell him I'll be there in just a few minutes; two minutes later ChaChi calls back, "Mom, may I use the nurse's bathroom?" Oh my gosh! Really? The kid is sick and he's asking me if he can use the bathroom!???!?!?! I felt so bad! ~~I may have casually mentioned~~ ok, I'm sure I've ranted on many occasions how nasty school bathrooms are. He acts like I may turn into the Gestapo if he had to use a public restroom. When I got to the school to pick him up I didn't know wether to be proud of him for trying to be obedient or embarrassed wondering how strange the nurse finds it that my kids calls to ask me if he can use the freaking toilet. Option 1. Poop your pants. Option 2. Use the public toilet. Sidebar: I'm pretty sure Bret called me to get permission to come home to go to the bathroom his senior year. I've seriously messed up these kids.

Ok, my lack of sleep has me delirious. What does all this have to do with Salisbury Steak. Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

I had decided to try a new meal tonight. We're definitely in a dinner rut. Nothing sounds good, nothing. So I have never made salisbury steak. Truth is, the only salisbury steak I've ever had came out of aluminum container that you heat in the oven. I haven't had that in 15 or so years. I had to make a special stop at the liquor store to get some cognac for this recipe. Sounds fancy doesn't it? It had a lot of ingredients, messed up a lot of measuring cups, dishes, cutting boards, and pans. I even doubled the recipe because it looked like so much trouble. I started at 5:00 o'clock and it was ready at 7:00. You getting the point? It was a lot of trouble. Made ChaChi a plate, "Oh I hate mash potatoes and this corn doesn't taste right. What is this meat? It tastes like dog food and I know because I've eaten a lot of dog food." Me, "We don't even have a dog." ChaChi, "Well, when Bret was keeping his dog here, I had his dog's food and some of those Beggin' Strips. Remember?" Me, "You didn't eat dog food."

Tomorrow, we are having leftover and I guess I'll stop and pick up ChaChi some Beggin' Strips. The good news is, if I'm up again coughing my head off again I have half a bottle of cognac.

Snack Rotation

2013-09-12T10:13:00.001-07:00

Here it is, the dreaded snack rotation schedule.

How did this become a thing? I swear I don't remember this going down when I played sports. Did our moms and dads do this? I don't think they did. They were way too smart,. All I remember is taking a pacman thermos with all it's eight ounces of water.

I cannot express how strongly I loathe the snack rotation. For so many reasons, I truly hate it.

Today is my day, Sept. 12, ChaChi.

I will pick the kids up from school and get home around 3:45. We'll rush in, get dressed for cheer at 5:15 and a soccer game at 7:30 which is an hour away from where she will be cheering. I will have to remember everything from hair bows to shin guards. Now, on top of all of that I have to make sure I have snacks for thirteen kids. I will be lugging two chairs, a cooler full of water for ChaChi, a cooler for the team and a bag of snacks. Meanwhile, try to make sure my kids don't get flattened in the parking lot because it is straight up crazy getting in and out of there. Ryan should be able to help tonight but his schedule is so crazy, a lot of the times I'm alone. So I feel for you, single parents.

I know, I know, I sound like a total nag. I just think we could keep things more simple if we did away with this stupid idea. Who thought of this anyway? I bet they have their own little pinterest board dedicated to the snack rotation. Just let me be responsible for my kids and you be responsible for yours. When ChaChi was six, someone brought Gatorade and a Hershey Bar for a post-game snack! Are you freaking kidding me a Hershey Bar? What? Were you all out of Pixy Stix and heroin? Now, they bring cookies, chips or crackers and 22 oz. sports drinks. So if your kid has a 7:30 game it's over around 8:30 and then they chug this enormous amount of liquid right before bed. Uh Oh...looks like someone may wake up in a puddle. I don't know about you but I really try to limit the amount of brominated vegetable oil (google it, yep it's in a lot of sports drinks) and artificial dyes my kids consume. This snack rotation makes it hard. I swear, one day I'm going to coach something so that when that annoying parent asks, "Have you done the snack rotation?" I can say, "There will be no snack rotation." It will blow their snack loving mind!

I don't know why people think that after kids have played for a freaking hour they need a stupid snack! Ever think that is why people are so much more round than they were in the past. Kids are starting to have their cholesterol checked at age nine, nine, nine year olds have high cholesterol! Ok, I don't need to get started on that. After all, I have some sports drinks to buy.

If you agree with me, please share this post. Together, we can make a difference.

Tennis Skirts

2013-09-10T12:14:00.000-07:00

Ladies, I just want you to know you're not fooling anyone wearing that tennis skirt. I've been by the tennis courts in this town and they are always as empty as Curves on Thanksgiving. I go to the zoo and you're there with your tennis skirt. I go to drop my kids off at school and you're there with your tennis skirt. I pick my kid up and you still have on that stupid skirt! If you really did play tennis shouldn't you be sweaty and gross? Instead, your makeup is flawless and your visor is still neatly in place. I've even been in Wal-Mart and you are there with your freaking tennis skirt. Are you expecting a tennis match to break out in the clearance section or something? Seriously? What is with the tennis skirts?

I know my habitual wearing of yoga pants or running shorts makes me look like a hypocrite because I assure you I haven't so much as done an downward dog. Basically, I'm not wearing pj's and you should be happy about that. I don't know why I find the tennis skirt so annoying. I've even seen them advertised as running skirts? Why? Why would you want to run in a skirt? I mean, I don't think even a pentecostal wants to run in a skirt.

Tennis anyone? Just kidding, let's just go get some lunch.

Dining Chair Do-Over

2013-08-27T08:26:00.001-07:00

Before

This picture doesn't show just how gross this chair was but it was a nasty mess.

We took the chairs apart, sanded and primed them and sanded them again. I think we could have skipped the first sanding.

We made templates from the old chairs. We could have just removed the old fabric and cushions and used the old bottoms. I am crazy OCD so I preferred new.

We sprayed them with a pressure fed pot sprayer using an oil based paint.

This was our first chair makeover and we had no clue what we were doing. So we did what every self-respecting DIYer does, we YouTubed it. William Eisenberg at Eisenberg Upholstery has some great videos. He skips all the cheesy introductions and such and gets right to business. He'll even answer any questions that you have promptly. Super impressed with this guy.

Finished Project

Comfort Inn Daphne AL Review

2013-07-28T07:42:00.000-07:00

We got a late start yesterday, which just happened to be our 12 th Anniversary. Ryan was recovering from double mids and I thought it'd be better to leave a little late than deal with a monster. So I let him sleep longer than he had wanted. That put us checking in at our hotel just after 2:00 AM. I had booked the room online so I just went in and got the room key while Bret and Ryan got our stuff out of the truck. When I got outside it was raining. Bret took the little kids and the stuff ahead of us. Ryan went to park and while he was parking a group of two guys and a girl were dropped off at the door. I was under the impression that they had just come from a nearby night club. The girl wasn't wearing any shoes! Must have been Bama Fans. I went on up to the room while Ryan parked. When Ryan got up the the room he was soaked (and a little irritated) because he had to park in the back of the hotel and they keep all the other doors locked.

I booked a suite and it was anything but. Two queen beds and a pull out loveseat. The loveseat looked like it had been mauled by a baby cheetah. The cushions had some rips in it and looked like it had seen better days. Really people, what are you doing in these hotel rooms? ChaChi got right in a bed which is foreign to him because at home nobody gets in bed without a shower. Well right in the bed, after I striped the DNA contaminated comforter from the bed. I pulled out the loveseat and found that I would be the one making the "bed." My anxiety was in overdrive as I put my hand on the bar to pull out the bed. There was no mattress cover so I doubled up the two flat sheets that were provided. I have no idea how to properly put on a flat sheet. I just wrapped that joker under the end of the mattress and told Bret it would be in his best interest if he didn't turnover a lot. Then I had to put the "pillow" in the case. What are these pitiful squares they call pillows? OMGosh! I seriously almost lost it on this chore. It's like how do you put a pillow in the case without it touching your body. Bret was cracking me up with remarks like, "How does the biggest person here get the smallest bed." I was like it's just for a few hours and this room was almost the cheapest I could find. He said, "Oh, cheap is good as long as your comfort level isn't sacrificed. Haha That is so true. Except, while he was outside the room on the phone I was inside freaking out making that darn bed.

Ryan and I showered and got in the bed. After making jokes and laughing about Bret sleeping on that little bed which Ansley referred to as a crib we turned the lights out. All the lights were out except Bret's computer. It was bright enough to make light on the ceiling so I asked him to do some shadow hand puppets for me. He quickly obliged me with a crocodile then a bird and then what Ryan thought was a bunny. Bret kept on making shape after shape and then I got tickled thinking how funny it would be if I fell asleep and he continued to make shadow puppets. We were all cracking up! Then I tried to get comfortable but kept rolling to the middle of the mattress as did Ryan. So we decided if we turned back to back maybe we wouldn't roll to the middle as much. The room was quiet except for every time Bret moved it sounded like someone was trying to untangle a metal slinky.

This morning I woke up and couldn't go back to sleep so I got up and went to the bathroom. I turned the light on and the fan in the bathroom came on. I thought a helicopter may be trying to land in there it was so loud! Here is a pic of the door. Apparently, there was a hole here and someone thought this would be a good way to repair it. It is kind of hilarious; I'm not sure they wouldn't have been better off just leaving the hole.

Here is Bret on his cot. He slept with his feet on the coffee table because he didn't fit in the bed.

And that is how we spent our anniversary. Now on the to beach!

Things to do in Memphis...

2013-07-22T08:44:00.000-07:00

When you don't have a pool. This is the south and let's face it, the summers are miserably hot. I'm pretty sure if you go outside in the summer and you don't have a pool you turn into beef jerky. It's so hot the homeless make signs that say, "Will work for shade." So the following is what have we done since we don't have a pool:

* Water Balloons

* The Brooks Museum is free on Wednesday. It has an art studio and kids can create projects to take home from 10:00 AM until noon. The Brooks is located right by the Memphis Zoo. In the summer, you can put your kids in their swimsuits and swim in the fountains. This is an especially fun thing for us because it just feels so wrong. It's a white trash activity at it's best. I wonder if they chlorinate the ponds? Oh, I shouldn't even let my mind wonder about those things.

* The Memphis Zoo

* Lichterman Nature Center has a couple of air-conditioned buildings. A good place to go if you just want to get out of the house for a short time. They have a lot of walking trails but it is just too hot in the summer.

* Play Red Light/ Green Light using the water hose. You spray the person you catch moving after you've called red light.

* If you're not OCD you could go to the library. We choose the bookstore instead. There is just something about holding a book that has been checked out over and over again by strangers. You have no idea where those things have been.

*Run through the sprinklers. I can't wait until we get up a fence. There is something unsettling about a grown woman running through the sprinklers. I mean...I can imagine. For the neighbors, that is.

*Put a sprinkler under the trampoline and jump. This one is just for the kids. If you read my kegel post you know exactly what I mean.

* Pray one of your friends that have a pool will invite you over.

* Paint birdhouses.

* Drive in movie. There is a Malco Drive in on Summer Ave.

* Slip and Slide. Yep, we really need to get on that fence.

* Watazumi

* Go to the Apple Store. Your kids can play on the iPads while you shop around. Next door is the Teavana store. Cruise through and sample the teas.

*Make a human size bird's nest. Don't worry the water was really close by at all times. My kids are creative...if nothing else.

Well, there is less than three short weeks before the kids head back to school. We have a few more things on our list that we want to do. A stupid stomach bug has kept us in this week. So if you're running out of things to do I hope our list will give you some ideas.

A Square Meal on Wheels Food Truck

2013-06-13T21:11:00.000-07:00

Have you ever eaten off a food truck? No? What are you waiting on? Today, we visited the Lichterman Nature Center. They put out a free membership every May through memphismuseums.org. You could spend several hours there any other time of year. I guess that's why it's free for the summer. There are two air conditioned buildings, that is where we spent our time.

Feeding the "fish" seemed more like feeding the turtles and geese.

Now to the good stuff. I've been following A Square Meal on Wheels for several months hoping their location and ours would cross paths. Well, today was that day. Mr. Clark was parked about three minutes away from the nature center so we couldn't resist.

Ansley ordered the fried shrimp. It came with fries and a dipping sauce. Ansley approved.

I ordered the fish tacos and an order of fried green tomatoes. ("Towanda! Face it ladies, I'm older and have more insurance" I mean can you eat fried green tomatoes without thinking of that movie? Obviously, I can't.) Both of which are freshly made. I tried everything and this is what I loved best. This food truck's claim to fame is the Lobster Rolls. I'll have to try them next time. I assure you, there will be a next time.

ChaChi ordered the chicken fingers. They also came with fries and your choice of honey mustard, ranch or BBQ sauce.

This here is a piece of the Caramel Cake. I'd have to say it is a must have. It was so good! Moist and light but not too sweet!

Don't be skeptical about eating off a food truck. Come on, everybody's doing it! Their health score was a 98. That is better than most sit down restaurants. We received friendly service and got our food fairly quick and hot.

You can like Mr. Clark on Facebook @ A Square Meal on Wheels to find out where you can find him for lunch.

At the gym: Guys, don't be creepy

2013-03-19T19:27:00.001-07:00

Back to the gym...again. This time I mean it.

So if you follow my blog you know I've been spending a lot of time at the doctor lately. That means getting on the scale. Not fun. Especially if you've gained some weight, like me. I've been saying, "I'm going to start eating right again and going to the gym on Monday." and then "No, I meant next Monday." Well, I started my diet yesterday and due to another doctor's appointment I didn't make it. However, I did go this morning. I'll try to spare you all the details.

The gym was packed! I was prepared this time. I made sure that I put on underwear that actually fit! If you read http://split3ways.blogspot.com/2012/10/public-service-announcement.html you know what I mean. It was a total sausage fest when I first got there. It hadn't been like this before, mostly senior citizens and a good mix of men and women.

I'm just minding my business, doing a few back extensions. On a machine like this:

This is the starting position. As I'm fully extended I hear a whisper coming from behind me, "That's nice, mmmm hummm." I think did I just hear that, for real?! Surely not. I continue working out. I go to another machine and then back to the the back extension machine. Again, the guy walks behind me and more audibly says, "That's nice." After I'm finished with the machines, I go to the far corner of the gym and get on an elliptical machine. Where this guy continues to stare at me. As I go to get my keys to leave, he decides to take a bathroom break so that we almost run into each other.

Guys: Women do not find this flattering. We find it weird and creepy. The only thing it does for us, is consider getting an escort to our car.

Ok, maybe if he were much taller and hot it would have been a tiny bit flattering, maybe.

Kegels....another overshare moment.

2013-03-07T16:46:00.001-08:00

I haven't been feeling well for about a month. I've had a pain in my left side and have been running a fever. It's not a bad pain, just enough to notice. I really didn't think much about the pain. Then, my family got the flu. ChaChi got it first and passed it on to me. Then Ansley had it and Ryan had something. We all got the Tamiflu and everyone was feeling better except me. I didn't feel as bad but I still didn't have any energy and continued to run a fever around 100. I went to the doctor and they took blood and urine. To keep this as short as possible, they found stuff in each and sent me home with antibiotics and steroids. After two weeks I wasn't much better and my white blood count was worse than before. I got more antibiotics and had and ultrasound and a CT scan. Both of which came back normal.

Today was my appointment with the urologist. They did a different ultrasound and then said as a precautionary measure they would like to scope my bladder. Ok, I wasn't prepared for this, to say the least. I have been for all these tests and scans and haven't had to take my pants off. I really just thought I was going to give another urine sample and talk about the test results.

I can't remember the last time I've shaved my legs! I mean it's winter. Ain't nobody got time for that. So they take me back to the room and tell me to disrobe and cover with a paper sheet. Then a girl comes in and asks me to put my feet in the stirrups and disinfects my lady parts. How weird is this? I'm like we just met, could we at least talk about the weather for a moment. Could I at least get your name or tell you my favorite color. Then the doctor opens the door and comes into the room. I think, "Well, hello did everyone in the hall see my poontang?" They numbed me, ran the scope and filled my bladder. So I'm laying there looking at my bladder and I ask if they do bladder slings. I figure I've payed my copay I need to find all I can. He says, "Why, do you leak?" I say, "Yeah, sometimes." This was a mistake. After he got finished with the scope he places his head uncomfortably close to my not so private anymore region and asks me to cough. I do and he says it looks fine to him. Then he asks me to stand up and cough again. Lord, have mercy. Is there no shame?! I stand up and he kneels down in front of me and I cough again. He tells me everything looks good and that my bladder has fallen a little but nothing to be concerned about. What? My bladder has fallen and it can't get up! I feel like I should be concerned.

So I'm standing there with my bladder so full I thought it may burst. I have the "sheet" wadded up and placed between my legs. He then asks me if I know what kegels are. I tell him yes and he continues to explain to me all about kegels. Please try to picture this: he's looking at me very intense and he takes his hand and makes a fist and tightens and relaxes it several times. Showing me this is how to do them. He says do about ten quick ones and other times squeeze and hold. Then he looks me in my eyes and says, "See, just like that. I'm doing mine right now." It was all I could do to hold in my laughter and my urine. He says to do them in the car while I'm sitting at red lights or when I'm talking on the phone. Then he gives me these little blue stickers to put on my rear view mirror and on my phone or just anywhere as a reminder to do my kegels. Sounds like a Dr. Seuss book. Do your kegels on the phone. Do your kegels on the way home. Do your kegels on the pot. Do your kegels, you'll like it a lot.

After all of these appointments, tests, loss of dignity and prescriptions he says it was all probably just a bladder infection. I'm just happy to be feeling better! Well gotta run...there are kegels to be done.

Craigslist: For a good time call or text Bruce.

2013-02-16T06:01:00.000-08:00

I love Craigslist. I just bought some dining chairs off Craigslist that are super hideous. I hope when I finish their makeover they will look like I envision. Even when I'm not looking for anything I like to check it out. I like to read the missed connections, rants and the free stuff. I don't know why but it is totally amusing to me.

This morning I was looking through the free stuff and came across this ad:

Play boy magazines (Bruce)

I have around a ten year collection of playboy magazines kidz are getting older really need to just get ride of them u must take them all call or text 6624145353

My thoughts were that he had to make a conscious decision to place this ad. Like these magazines are so valuable to him that he just couldn't throw them away. He literally wanted someone to "enjoy" them as much as he had. Gross. Really, Bruce? I won't even check out a regular book from the library. For years my kids thought that Barnes and Noble was the library.

The wording of the ad further cracked me up. "U must take them all" he really put thought into this ad. He didn't want someone coming to look at his collection and start flipping through the mags deciding which ones they fancied. Or maybe he thought he wouldn't be able to complete the transaction if the interested party lingered too long. I can just imagine that exchange and hope that it would be awkward.

Uh yeah, I'm calling about the free porn...Oh, I can just come and pick them up...will your kids be home?

Watazumi Southaven MS: Impromptu Fun

2013-02-06T19:24:00.001-08:00

It's that time of year where the kids activities seem to overlap. Ansley just wrapped up cheer on Tuesday. Both of the kids started basketball three weeks ago and two weeks ago I signed them up for tumbling.

Ryan had ridden with us to get ChaChi's allergy shots as soon as he got home from work. Then we sat through an hour of tumbling. He was just ready to come home and relax. I really needed to come home and start dinner. But I spotted this glorious, monstrosity of a slide: Watazumi. I couldn't help myself. I just had to stop and check out this slide. If you've ever driven by Snowden Grove, you have seen it. I have always thought of stopping but it hasn't ever been inflated. Tonight it was inflated and the kids saw it and asked if we could stop. I could tell Ryan wasn't really up for it but my car just pulled off the road toward the slide. It was really out of my control, really.

We get out and find the person running the slide. The slide wasn't really open. The owner was just there doing some maintenance . He was kind enough to let the kids slide. Straight out of tumbling the kids were dressed in shorts and short sleeved shirts. I'm sure he thought we were crazy because he asked, "do y'all have jackets?" Of course we didn't. Then he says they may want to take their shoes off. Barefoot, through the wet grass and mud the kids made their way up to the top of the 65 feet tall slide, I think they counted 50 steps. ChaChi was the first one down which really surprised me because he is the chicken of the two. Later, Ansley revealed that she told him to go first because she wanted to see what it would be like. After we watched ChaChi go down we were like, "Oh man that was awesome!" The owner, I think it was Rob, said "y'all should give it a try." What? Me? Slide? Well, heck yeah! I think I will. Ryan and I kicked off our shoes and headed up the slide. When I got to the top, I have to admit I was surprised how high up we were. OH MY GOSH! I screamed all the way down, all 265 feet! It was such a great feeling. I felt like a kid again. The slide is $5.00 for three trips down or $10.00 for unlimited. Worth. Every. Penny. When I got off the slide I ran(in my socks, mind you) to the steps to go back up. ChaChi said he can't remember the last time he had that much fun.

My point in all this rambling: don't get too busy to have fun. I know the responsible thing would have been to come home and cook dinner and get the kids in bed on time. So what? The kids had an egg sandwich and got in bed an hour late. In exchange for a great time, totally worth it. Do over!

It is usually only open on the weekends but as luck would have it, the owner was there doing some maintenance. It is priced at $5.00 for three trips down the slide or $10.00 for unlimited sliding

Update:

I cannot say enough good things about Watazumi. We spent the day there yesterday. For the summer it is a water slide. When you arrive there are a nice group of trees to park under. Make your way to the cute little barn, get your wrist band and prepare to have a good time.

Watazumi

6674 Snowden Lane, Southaven MS 38672

Summer Hours

Monday - Thursday 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM

Friday - Saturday 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM

Sunday 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Cost

$15.00 For an all day pass. Come and go as you please. Just make sure you leave your wristband on.

What to bring with you: If you're sliding wear a swim suit or shorts and a t-shirt is fine too. Bring chairs or a blanket. Towels for the sliders. There are plenty of shady places to sit. Bring a cooler with drinks and snacks. Going up all those steps works up an appetite. On the weekends they show movies. Check their Facebook for update about what movie will be showing.Watazumi

Picture Frame Menu

2013-01-22T20:30:00.000-08:00

Here is what my menu usually looks like. Well, since we moved into the new house. In our last house, I kept a large white board in the pantry. It seems as the kids have taken claim to it as it's in Ansley's room with "Ansley Rocks" and "ChaChi's Cool" all over it.

I spotted this frame at Target today and thought it would look great in my kitchen.

What do you know? There is a Michael's right next to Target. I was originally looking for a cool chevron pattern. They didn't have anything so I thought it would be a good idea to just get some "themed" scrapbook paper and change them out monthly. So I got this for February.

I just took the insert that comes with the frame and laid it on the scrapbook paper, decorative side down. I used a small piece of tape to hold the insert in place while I was cutting it to shape.

I went ahead and picked up some shamrocks for March.

I can't decide if I want to get some vinyl letters to put on the glass. I don't usually do my menu on the same day every week.

ChaChi wanted to jump right in and fill out our first menu.

He thought it should start on Sunday, even though today is Tuesday.

Finished Project

Here is a translation: S - Pizza and Salad

M- Enchiladas

T- Buffalo Chicken Wrap
W- Fajitas (so funny) Fuheatu hahaha
T- Grilled Cheese and Soup
F- Fried Chicken, Mac and Cheese and Green Beans
S- Lasagna and Salad

ChaChi has already asked if he can fill out the menu for next week.

Stay at Home Moms

2013-01-15T14:09:00.000-08:00

I haven't worked since I was seven months pregnant with Ansley. Ryan works a crazy schedule and I'm not real keen on leaving my kids with anyone. As I mentioned before, I don't have any real skills so we decided I'd stay home to care for our trophies. It cracks me up the things people will ask me to do for them "because I don't work."

I wonder, do all stay at home moms get this treatment? I get asked if I will keep people's kids while they work a full time job. I'm like, do you even know me? I don't just love kids. I love my kids but that is pretty much it. I can understand asking me this once but I make it very clear that I am not interested and they continue to ask. I chose to stay home to raise my kids, not yours.

I've been called last minute to see if I could just swing by and decorate for a birthday party. I've also been called and the person will say, "so and so just had a baby, and how they would just love to be able to take a meal over but they work...so could I do it for them?" I'm thinking my kids will be lucky if they get some Ramen thrown at them and you think I have enough groceries in my house to whip up a nice meal for someone in a few hours?! Don't get me wrong, I will help someone in need. I just don't appreciate people "suggesting" what I should do.

I recently had an older lady that lives with her son's family, ask me if I would teach her to drive! What? Are you serious? What does that even mean? I'm just standing there like a deer in headlights with all these thoughts racing through my mind. Have you had a nervous breakdown and your family doesn't want you to have a license? Why are you asking me and not them? Oh yeah, I don't work and they do. Whose insurance would cover you if you crashed my car? What would Ryan say? How do you even respond to such a request? That's when I remembered I'm late to pick up a kid from school and leave abruptly.

It has even been suggested that maybe I shouldn't be such a fat butt because I'm a SAHM. I suppose I could spend countless hours at the gym, you know because I don't have anything better to do. I'll admit I really should get back in the gym. I keep telling myself I'll get back. I'm taking baby steps right now. I recently started getting up in the morning and putting my workout clothes on. I'm trying to build up to driving to the gym, if I could only make it inside...but that's a whole other issue.

What blows my mind more than anything is the requests are almost always prefaced with, "I know you don't work" or "since you stay home..."

To clear up any doubt SAHM's don't really just stay at home and twiddle their thumbs all day! Obviously, I have time to blog and fb with the occasional Pinterest thrown in. I try to watch as much television as possible and nap, oh the naps. Seriously though, when I worked I probably thought the same thing. I remember ~~ditching work~~ having the day off and going to the mall and seeing all the other moms there pushing their little strollers around and I just thought they had it made! Staying home and working moms both have their own perks. I think SAHM's just volunteer for more things and we do "work" we just don't get paid for what we do.

So, if you are a stay at home mom, have you ever been asked to do something because "I know you don't work?"

If you're a working mom, what's your take on the subject?

I've been both and I really thought working a full time job was easier. However, that was with one child and I was much younger. Now, I see moms that work with multiple children and I seriously wonder how they do all they do. Maybe that's why they ask me to drop off their dry cleaning.