Why I love my kids…..
Sometimes they just insist on learning the lesson themselves…..
Besides being totally silly and weird….
Notice anything?
Even after being told time and time again,
“it won’t work”
“your hair will be orange”
Last night, she insisted -
So, guess where she is headed now?
Although she did think ANOTHER box of blonde would fix the problem.
This time I put my foot down again.
Reason #2817 why I love my kids….
They do things like this….
Reason #1962 is his continued obsession with anything Big Bang and THAT shirt.
Obsessed with all things peppermint, once the Christmas season starts…..
He has been asking for two weeks when we are going to make peppermint bark. We give it to their bus driver, teachers, neighbors, etc…..and he eats a large percentage of it…..we have been making it for a few years now.
So I pour the dark chocolate and while it is cooling, I head upstairs to sort some clothes for the Purple Heart people to pick up on Monday….(even giving the “good stuff” but that is another post)
So I say, Hey dude, would you mind unwrapping those candy canes and smashing them up for me??
This is typically done, with my rolling pin in a baggie.
So – I am upstairs hearing what sounds like, him shooting things against the wall. I was trying to figure out if he had gotten one of his air soft guns or something…..
so I call down, and ask what he is up to……
He says,
“Throwing the bag against the wall! It works great!”
Hey, when I was his age, I owned a jacket pin that said, “why be normal?” – so why am I surprised?
Then, he came up and showed me that he discovered that he could hacky sack it!
And what do you know? Perfectly smashed candy canes!
And you have to love a kid that remembers to double bag in case he gets a hole!
All of you who were so happy I was blogging again, may regret it!
These are the things that go through my head at random moments.
This morning it was “Gratitude”
I may not be my “ideal” weight,
but my body plugs along even as poorly as I treat it.
I may not live in my 4000sq. ft dream house, complete with real hardwood floors and restaurant quality kitchen,
but my house is warm and “just right” for all of us, and has also “grown” just enough when family needed a place to stay as well.
I may not have my dream kitchen,
but my refrigerator and pantry are full, and I bake and feed my family quite well every day.
I may not drive a Lexus, BMW, or Mustang,
but my Kia is awesome, runs well and I can afford “new” every few years.
My kids may not be perfect, straight A, first string playing, instrument playing, picture perfect kids,
but they are loving, creative, imaginative, giving creatures who still like to hang out at home.
My lawn may not be manicured, and pristine,
but I love to dig in the dirt and the garden help is pretty sexy.
I may not have a granite counter topped outdoor kitchen,, timber tek deck, and custom flagstone patio,
but our deck and patio were built board by board, and stone by stone by our own hands, and is cozy and makes me happy.
I am not a super star million dollar making athlete or movie star,
but I love my job and make a difference in people’s lives every day.
I may not be able to change or save the world,
but I can make a difference to someone every day in some way.
It’s no secret.
I am not a huge cake fan.
I have been known to throw together a batch of chocolate chip cookies at 10:00 at night, simply because I HAVE to have one.
Cake notsomuch.
But I love love love red velvet.
It’s not really chocolate, not really not chocolate.
Different texture than regular cake. Usually covered in a cream cheese frosting.
I mean, come on. Cream cheese frosting!
But I have yet to find a recipe for home, that I love.
Likeliked but not loved.
Until now.
Marlene at In the Heart of Happy changed all that!
Oh MY Goodness – make it NOW.
I have been trying to do things to give of myself, and boost my mood all month. We were having Christmas lunch at work today. So, to treat my co-workers, I jacked another idea….
I have no connection to this blogger, I simply just now, googled “cupcakes in a jar” and this one she used red velvet like I did, so I linked her. – disclaimer over.
But please, for the love that is all sacred in baking, do not use a box. Please.
I actually had seen a website earlier this year, that makes and ships these cupcakes in a jar – I think they are in LA. Couldn’t find their website.
Anyway – I digress……
I wanted something easy and cheap but special for my friends…..
I took these……
Stuffed them into these……
K piped the frosting for me, and did it so fast I didn’t get a picture…..
Turned them into these.
I added a bit of scrapbook ribbon that lord knows I am not using for scrapbooking…..and tied a fork/spoon on since I knew we don’t have these at the office. And besides, isn’t it cute all ready to eat?
The remaining were politely consumed gobbled by the teenagers in the house. I was wondering if I should be concerned that the male teenagers knew what red velvet was?
Proof that the little things DO matter.
And make a small difference and put a smile on someone’s face.
I live for that.
Because you know what?
It puts a smile on MY face.
I often get fits of melancholy and lament my teenager’s childhood. I really do miss the crafting and Play Doh making we did so very often.
Enter : One Aunt Annie’s Pretzel Making Kit
It may not be Play Doh……
But for half an hour……..
We rolled, and shaped…..
And soon, the creative juices started to flow…..
Started out with “traditional” pretzels, but there is very little “traditional” about my two……
We quickly moved to faces, little people, X’s O’s and letters…..
Even better buttered and covered with cinnamon sugar.
Maybe I will have to invest in a caseload of kits!
They have outgrown so many of the things we used to do, but it is fun discovering what we can still find to do that is fun!
I really wish I had the ability to come up with kitschy eye catching titles…..but alas, I am not that creative!
Finally, got the tree decorated last night.
Photo credit to C – who was fascinated that each “sparkle” was 7 sided.
It’s been up and lit since last weekend.
I was beginning to think it was looking pretty nice with just the lights on it, but I finally got all of in one place at the same time, and got the miserable girl teenager to quit whining about not wanting to bother with anything for the holiday come help us. Combine typical teenage apathy, with tendency toward depression, and sometimes our traditions aren’t so much fun.
She would only put “her” ornaments on, which is fine. Every year we purchase the kids a new ornament that hopefully represents in some way their interests from that year, and their personalities. When they leave, they will take their ornaments with them, to start their own tree.
“why”, she says, “I don’t even remember buying half of them!”. Fruitlessly, I try to get her to understand they will make her smile in a few years.
But she kept fighting with me about putting the “stupid” handmade ornaments on the tree. “They don’t match the ones from the store. “
How do you get a teenager whose world presently revolves around themselves, to really understand what this tree means to me.
Little hands that used to barely wrap around a Christmas ball, now hold it like a toy.
Blue and white bags from school that contained the Christmas craft, that neither child could wait for me to open, and show me their crafty treasure.
Sweet cheeky faces
Memories that seem a lifetime ago…..
Precious treasure, the only remaining, from *my* own childhood.
Gifts given from the heart by far flung friends.
Patient’s who give from their heart with what they can, to show appreciation and love.
Phases of childhood…..
Passions and princesses, that will most likely not been seen again…..
Family vacations, and the memories that remain…..
and private moments shared….
this is a wine glass wire ornament holding a cork from our anniversary trip to Seneca Lake.
Reminders that even after all these years, they still hang everything in one place, making me smile…………….
C’s section of the tree – in one square foot is Scooby and Shaggy, Yoda, Minions, bowling balls, Rudolph, Tron and Tweety bird.
This year’s selections – Characters from Up chosen by K because she loves the movie and the Grape Soda patch scene, and Tron the Legacy chosen by C
And reminders , that no matter how grown up they try to act, they are still my the same kids they have always been, and little glimpses of that childhood twinkle reveal themselves now and again.
I tell K, “Someday you’ll understand.”
It matters not if a tree is green, plastic or aluminum. It only matters that it is decorated with smiles.
J. Allen Harrison
So far so good!!!
I am having trouble though. A lot of the things I am trying to do to “give” , I already do often. I started to talk myself out of using those for the challenge. But someone reminded me, it just means I try to be nice when no one challenges me, and just because I have done the tasks before, doesn’t mean they aren’t “nice” enough for the challenge!
I’ll get to yesterday in a minute.
I had made a batch of chocolate chip cookies on Friday.
“The best chocolate chip cookies ever!” ~~ according to my children.
Mom’s chocolate chip cookies – allrecipes.com
And no, I did not name them that.
But honestly, chocolate chips cookies are not at the top of my list of favorite treats, but these are good. Very soft, and they stay soft, not just for a day or two.
C shared them a few weeks ago with his friends on “Tasty Tuesday” – their self appointed, “bring a treat for lunch to share” day – creative huh??
he told me yesterday how many of his friends have been asking when he was going to bring some in again. A friend even texted him yesterday, “I could really use some cookies”. K also told me there is a boy in her homeroom that has also been asking about the cookies since she had taken some for “breakfast” ( she’s a teenager, I give up!) and shared them with him.
So, I decided today – day 4 -- I would make a fresh batch and send them to school with each of them. Cheap and easy for me. Love that their friends will be glad to get a nice treat. Feels nice, and filled my day and my heart while I was making them.
so, anyway – Saturday – day 4.
I set off to take some meals to a friend whose husband was injured and has just come home from the hospital. It is sort of one of my “things” that I do when there is nothing else I can do. I know all too well the relief of having a meal ready to go in the refrigerator when life seems to have gotten the better of you, so new neighbors, sick friends and family, and the like get meals from me. This was supposed to be my “giving” for the day. (I am also have some difficulty with limiting to one thing a day! ) But like I was saying, it wasn’t sitting real well with me, as “fitting” for the challenge, since it is something I do often.
After I left her house, I had to pick up some things from the Giant for dinner last night. I chose my check out line, and loaded my things on the conveyor, behind a young woman with a toddler. You can’t help but see and over hear as you stand there. The cashier read her the total, and she asked is all of the discounts has come off, and I could tell she looked a bit uneasy. She pulled out five gift card/cash card looking cards, I heard her tell the cashier each was $25, and she would have to go out to her car for some more money. After the cards were processed, she was still about $25 short of her total. I know welfare assistance has been using cards instead of food stamps but wasn’t aware they were in small denominations but I can’t help but assume that these were some sort of assistance for her. I also know the area around this Giant does have a large apartment complex for low income families. I honestly, was in no hurry, the cashier apologized and even the woman behind me with a baby, was very laid back and patient. I was impressed with her actually. I chatted amicably with the cashier, who was older than your usual pimple faced teen, about our brown thumbs for indoor plants and working on Saturdays, and she kept thanking both of us for our patience.
The young woman returned, with what appeared to be bank cards in her hands. She carried no purse. She scanned one debit card, and whatever was in that account still left her about $5 short, and she scanned the second card, and that still left her $1.24 short of her total.
Now, I have been blessed to never in my life have had to even come close to draining my checking account to buy groceries for my family. when we need something, we go buy it. Our refrigerator is rarely empty. I had toyed with the idea of paying her $25 balance for her while she was out at her car, but didn’t want to assume she didn’t have what she needed to pay and make her feel as though I was judging her. I like to think someone would do the same for me if the need arose.
But, she kept looking around, and started to look in her bags, I am assuming for something to return. She was giving the cashier a rather pleading look. I reached into my wallet, pulled out $2 and quietly slid it over the belt to the cashier, putting my fingers to my lips to let her know I really did not want this young woman to know what I was doing.
But darn it, she waved the money at the girl, punched it all in, and asked if *I* wanted my change back! ugh. I said, no thank you, indicating that she should give it to the young woman. The young mother looked at me and thanked me , but I could tell was very embarrassed, and would not look me in the eye. She turned to leave very quickly, and did not return my “Merry Christmas” when I called after her.
I was a bit heart sick , since my intention was not to embarrass her, judge her, or make her think my motives were to get her out of the way so our line would finally move. I have no idea what she was thinking or feeling.
The cashier when on and on to make a big deal out of it, as she checked out my groceries. I told her it was no big deal. I was blessed to never have been in her shoes and could share with her. I felt bad that my heart wasn’t big enough to give her the $25. It actually made me sad that such a small gesture deserved such accolade simply because so few people would have done it.
My heart was light, yet heavy at the same time as I left. I prayed that the young woman would see the care in my gesture, and was grateful that if nothing else, I had left a mark and a smile on the cashier’s face and hopefully she would pay my gesture forward in some way of her own.
As wonderful as it felt to hear my friend tell me what a difference I made in her day Friday, it was just as difficult to see the embarrassed look at that young woman’s face. I guess we can be judged for not giving, but there are times we may be judged and not leave the impression we intended even when we do give.
This was my surprise for today.
I woke up this morning and literally asked myself what I should do today, and a certain person’s name popped into my head, and I immediately knew what I wanted to do.
So I packaged up a nice bottle of wine…..
and intended to be anonymous, but it didn’t turn out the way I planned. But, you know what??
Seeing my friend’s reaction was the best!
When she said, “You have no idea who much I needed this today!”……
Told you I am a quote whore…
“And what happened, then? Well, in Whoville they say - that the Grinch's small heart grew three sizes that day. And then - the true meaning of Christmas came through, and the Grinch found the strength of *ten* Grinches, plus two! “
You will remember one of my goals of this project was to improve my outlook on the holiday season, remember the true meaning and cheer myself up.
As I drove away, with a wonderful smile pasted like a stupid fool on my face, I could literally feel a warmth growing in my chest, and I really thought of this clip from the Grinch.
The.feeling.was.palpable.
Nice.
::::: wipes off the cobwebs :::::
:::: Peeks around the corner ::::::
:::: blows the dust off the calendar ::::
Flip
flip
flip
flip
flip
Well, would you look at that.
December 1, 2011 -
YES, 11.
Seems to have been awhile since I stopped by.
So, what brings me back you are asking yourself.
A wee little challenge presented by a friend, reminded me, that one, I DO have a blog, and I DO miss writing. So I have decided to combine her challenge with cracking the ol’ knuckles and getting back in the game.
I really liked her idea.
So I am going to do my best to do something special for someone for the next 31 days. I already have a few things up my sleeve.
Any of you that know me, know I consider myself very blessed, warts and all, and I try very hard to live in an attitude of gratitude and practice kindness. Been in an awful funk lately and thought this was the perfect way to draw myself out of it.
Because I am a quote whore..
The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up. ~Mark Twain
So, I am going to take Mr. Twain’s advice and cheer myself up by trying to cheer others up. I am also going to really try hard to get the kids involved. As they have evolved into these teenage creatures that now live on the couch in the front room, in front of their lap tops and texting, it seems that some of things that I have taught them are lost in there somewhere. So hopefully, this will help draw it out.
Today’s act of kindness……I am starting small. One has to work up to these things you know.
when I stopped for my latte this afternoon, I remembered that is has been quite awhile since I had bought my son his favorite donut. I picked one up, left it on the counter for after school, and you know what he says --
“Is that for me? “
“Yes, honey, it has your name on it”
“why?” .
“Just because”,
“cool”
Mission accomplished.
I also tortured my daughter, who has been having a bad day.
Remember this guy?
And here is the story of how and why he came to live with us.....
And it is no secret that K hates him. She thinks his eyes are creepy. So, while she was at work tonight, and I was unpacking the Christmas stuff, because I am a wonderful mother who would never torture her child I innocently placed him on a shelf I put him on her bed.
She was supposed to come home, go upstairs to change her clothes and find him. Mean? Sure!! But she would yell at me, throw him at me, and laugh. That was my goal. Problem was, she went on Facebook first! And evil me couldn’t help gloating about my little trick. We are laughing about it though, so it’s all good.
In looking over the last few years of Decembers while looking for Duncan Bob’s post, I discovered a general theme of melancholy with me this time of year. Funny, each year I seem to have amnesia of last year, and feel as though this is a whole new feeling. Seems the last few years have been stressful. I honestly usually deal much better than this….have to remedy that. So THANKS AUDS! I am hoping your challenge will do the trick!
