Busymom.net

RSS Feed Homepage

Articles: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Lunch
2008-10-01 20:50:00
.flickr-photo { border: solid 1px #000000; } .flickr-frame { float: left; text-align: center; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 15px; } .flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; }
More About: Lunch

MARC Time
2008-10-01 18:38:00
.flickr-photo { border: solid 1px #000000; } .flickr-frame { float: left; text-align: center; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 15px; } .flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; }
More About: Time , Marc

Want ads
2008-09-30 07:44:00
Wanted: New or gently used Day Extender. XL model preferred. Reply by e-mail or call 867-5309 between the hours of 25 and 27 o'clock.
More About: Parenting

Weekends are made for Michelob
2008-09-28 02:49:00
So, it's the weekend. What up? Thus far, as usual ours has been a frenzy of sports. Actually, it started earlier in the week. There have been several volleyball games at Busy Girl's school, and some of them are broadcast on the Internet. If you know me and the school, tune in and you can occasionally hear me calling some of them, but I'm not the dominant female voice. I'm just a game here and there, the other person does all the work and most of the talking. We (other person and I) did end up doing a football game and that was kind of amusing. There was a student supposed to do it, but he didn't show up, so we just winged it. Hannah Storm I am not. I also can't see the roster well enough to name anyone so I wasn't much help there, either. Imagine if you will: "Shotgun formation. Wait, isn't that what you call it? Wide right. I'm pretty sure that's when those guys line up over there..." "He takes the handoff, runs to his right, I mean his left..." "...
More About: Parenting , Made

You know it's a tough place to work when...
2008-09-25 17:26:00
So, it took me until today to realize my retirement money is with AIG. If you don't know why that's a potential problem, look it up. (see also: lending money to people who can't pay it back) Don't judge. AIG used to be known as something else when I first began building my $100 and I'm used to calling it that. Anyway, it's time to review benefits at work and I ran into my AIG rep. Me: "Hey, I totally wouldn't want to be you right now." Her: "It's not so bad. My phone has finally stopped ringing." Me: "You've answered all the questions, or everyone is gone?" Her: "Funny." Me: "Either way, I'm still glad I'm not you." Her: "Look, this is nothing. Do you not remember I met you at (my former employer)?" Me: 'Yeah..." Her: "Compared to there, this is smooth sailing."
More About: Money , Work , Place , Tough

Every move you make
2008-09-22 07:38:00
So, I'm chatting with the wife of an acquaintance of Busy Dad's. I've met her a couple of times before and she's very nice. We were talking and she said, "Now, didn't you go to (high school)?" I said, "Yes, I graduated in 1982." (At this time, I was thinking, "Wow, she has a good memory, I don't even remember talking about this before.") Wife: "I went to (other high school) and graduated in 1983." Me: "Oh, OK." Wife: "Don't you know (guy our age)?" Me: "Yes, I do." (Now, I know we didn't talk about that before.) Wife: "Oh, your maiden name was (my maiden name)?" Me: "Yes, yes it was." (We for sure never talked about that, either) Wife: "Didn't you date (guy our age) in high school?" Me (wtf?): "Well, yeah. Kinda, I guess." Wife: "He was my boyfriend, I'm (first name, maiden name)." Me: "Oh, that's wild." The conversation moved on, and I suddenly remembered who she was. This guy liked me and we kind of went out when we were younger. If there had been Fa...
More About: Weird , Move , Make

It's my birthday, too
2008-09-19 06:22:00
At Busy D's soccer practice (I wasn't there): Busy Dad (to coach): "It's my wife's birthday, today." Coach: "Hey, mine too!" Busy Dad:"What year?" Coach: "1964" Busy Dad: "Hers, too!" Coach: "I was born around 3pm, is she older or younger?" Busy Dad: "She was adopted, it's not like she'd know." (OK, I'm kidding, Busy Dad didn't really say that) Another parent walks up. Other parent: "Hey, what's going on?" Busy Dad: "My wife and Coach both have a birthday today." Other parent: "It's my birthday, too." Busy Dad: "Shut up!" (OK, he didn't say that either, I just think it's funny to imagine him talking like that,) Busy Dad: "What year?" Other parent:"1979." Me: Shut up.
More About: Birthday

The misdirected war on convenience
2008-09-17 07:56:00
I'm probably going to catch hell for this, but I have noticed an online trend that I call "make it at home". Since society has embraced the lean and clean lifestyle (a good thing) there seems to be a preponderance (great word, no?) of people who zeal about such matters is a little "off". When the topic of online conversation mentions anything that smacks of convenience of most any sort, it brings out the "you can make it at home" comments. Please note, "making it at home" is a great thing (unless you are talking about drugs, deadly viruses or firearms, I suppose) there's just times that idea doesn't apply to the conversation and a mention of a convenience product doesn't always necessitate advice or mean someone isn't aware. For example, if I wrote, "I saw Mick Jagger at Starbuck's with monkeys flying out his butt singing 'Blame it on the Rain' ", someone will inevitably say, "It's much cheaper and better if you make your coffee at home and bring it with you in a conve...
More About: Parenting , Convenience

Heh
2008-09-15 02:30:00
.flickr-photo { border: solid 1px #000000; } .flickr-frame { float: left; text-align: center; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 15px; } .flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; }

Word from New Orleans Friend
2008-09-10 16:21:00
Update from New Orleans Friend : Greetings Busy Mom Minions! Please let me thank you for your thoughts and concern for us all. Luckily, this time it was only just a scare for us New Orleanians. Our drive was the most hideous part of it all. 8 hours to get to Hattiesburg (normally a 2 hr trip) and 17.5 hrs to Nashville (normally 8.5 hr trip). NOHub and I talked about the wonderful Busy's and how we were so excited to be evacuating to their home again (yes... excited!), but how we SO did not want to throw a major monkey wrench into their normal work and school routine for a whole week since we were there for the long haul. We know they would say it would never do such a thing, but how can it not? Yes, "evacucation", as we call it (evacuation/vacation), is now a lengthy event because there is much political and government involvement who say when it is allowed to go back to our homes, but not before they decide it is safe for us. Shew, I am so glad to have them there to ...
More About: Word

Make no concessions
2008-09-10 07:57:00
So, this whole freshman parent thing is still a little weird. Or, maybe it's just the sports teams, dunno. We're about half-way through the volleyball season (undefeated, I might add. Maybe I shouldn't add, might jinx us. Heh, there was an unintentional pun in there if you know me and the school.) and I still really don't know the other parents. In 8th grade, all the parents knew each other and sat together at volleyball and basketball games. We didn't all necessarily hang out socially, but there was a camaraderie and we were all very into the games. Now, though everyone I've met is very nice, there's just not that kind of thing going on. I don't know if it's just the difference between grade school and high school, or if this group is just reserved or something, but I'm just not used to not "clicking" with the other parents at least for the duration of the season. I suspect though, it's a function of me being a great big dorky freshman parent who will cringe...
More About: Parenting , Make

Big block of writer day
2008-09-08 07:46:00
So, yeah "hey". I'm still here. Can't think of a danged thing to write, so I'm going with the "just write something" theory. Something. Heh, I crack me up. So far, the school year is a never ending "to-do" list that doesn't get done because we're never here to do it. Busy Girl (who turned 14 last week, by the way) is playing volleyball in high school and has practice every day. Busy Boy is playing football with practice 3 times a week, and Busy D. has soccer practice twice a week now. Busy Girl's team is undefeated thus far, but we have quite a few more matches to go. The stark reality that she will have to play club/travel volleyball in order to continue her high school career has become apparent. (Hire me. Will write for astronomical volleyball fee.) As a 7th grader, Busy Boy won't see a lot of action in the football games this year, but he's actually got a good attitude about it. Busy D.'s soccer team moved up a division and they play on a larger fiel...
More About: Parenting , Writer , Block

New Orleans Friend Update
2008-09-02 01:33:00
New Orleans Friend and her family arrived in town after a 17 hour drive (usually takes 9-10) yesterday. They ended up staying a few miles from here and we're getting ready to go see them. Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers and stuff. They don't really have much news from home, just kind of a wait and see thing right now.
More About: Weather , New Orleans , Update

Welcome aboard
2008-09-01 01:07:00
.flickr-photo { border: solid 1px #000000; } .flickr-frame { float: left; text-align: center; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 15px; } .flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; }

Backpack giveaway
2008-08-31 17:37:00
Hey, I'm giving away a backpack for back to school over at GenBetween, go enter. Hurry! Today's the last day.
More About: Parenting , Backpack

Hurricane Gustav - Three letters earlier than Katrina
2008-08-30 21:19:00
We're preparing the house again for New Orleans Friend and her family. As much as we enjoy seeing them, perhaps a potentially disastrous hurricane isn't the best way to get together for a visit. I guess it's time to resurrect the Jim Cantore Weather Channel Drinking Game. We'll see.
More About: Katrina , Letters , Hurricane

Easy come, easy go
2008-08-26 07:07:00
The kids have been in school a couple of weeks now, and Busy Boy (7th grade, can you believe that?) has been uncharacteristically doing his homework on his own, without complaint. We're trying to stand back and let him take care of it, so I have no idea if he's doing it right, but we'll take it. Busy Boy: "Aren't you proud of me for doing my work by myself?" Me: 'Yes, I am. I'm very impressed." Busy Boy (somewhat joking): "I guess I'm just growing up." Me: "I have to tell you, I miss a lot of things about you being little, but your screaming and yelling and not getting your homework done properly is not on that list. Oh, by the way, have you had a science test, yet?" Busy Boy: "I have one tomorrow. (Pause) Oh, I brought the wrong book home." Me: *sigh* Busy Boy: "Hunh, I guess my childhood is back."
More About: Parenting , Easy

Dog update
2008-08-24 06:35:00
Just thought I'd catch you up on stray Rottweiler central. There's good news and bad news. Bad news first, I guess. We were seriously considering keeping him. He's a great dog, friendly and very playful, has never been aggressive in any way, just a big, "I'm so happy to be here" kinda guy. Unfortunately, his enthusiasm killed our elderly cat. Or, at least we think it did. Both big dog and Oliver (the cat) roamed the side yard of our house near the kitchen door, our main entrance. We were going to take big guy to the vet to get him checked out before putting him in the back with the other dogs, so he stayed on the front porch or on the side of the house. We've been watching him very, very carefully and he never bothered Ollie at all except for checking him out by sniffing, and a few half hearted attempts to get him to play. Like I said he loves to play and often bounds around the yard for no special reason. And, that is a lotta dog to be bounding around. We thin...
More About: Pets , Update

Busy Mom Barometer - The "Wake me up when next week is through" edition
2008-08-22 16:49:00
Coffee of the Day: Maxwell House Listening to: WMVY Today's Mental Jukebox Selection: In the Ayer (a-a-a-ayer) (Has sound, because it's, you know, a video) (Shut up, and stop judging my earworms. I have a teenager.) E-mail spam subject line of the day: "Gypsies violate Paris Hilton" Reading: Lots of medical records. Wanting: It to be August 29th. Day job kicking mah arse. Writing: Not much, obviously. Wondering: When did this trend of companies telling me that a fee or something else distasteful is "for my convenience"? There is nothing convenient for me about paying extra money. Stop it. If there's a fee for something, just state it.
More About: Wake , Week , Edition , Busy

Need a Rottweiler? We have an extra.
2008-08-15 16:23:00
Big guy is still with us. We're going to put up some posters and call the Humane Society, but I doubt they'll have room for him. We'll take him to the vet to check for ID, but I'm not going to hold my breath about that. Well, I shouldn't hold my breath, anyway give the fact I haven't been breathing right since mid-July. Um, whatever... Anyway, I'm pretty sure he was dumped, we live out in the country, kinda and it's happened before. This is actually our second uninvited Rottweiler. Local folks? Ask around, post his picture. And if, oh, say you work in the media and have a popular blog? It'd be awesome if you'd help me out. (@nitweet, I'm looking at you)
More About: Pets , Extra

What's in a name?
2008-08-15 06:16:00
Me (watching Olympics): "I think I'd like to change my name to 'Nastia'". Busy D. (without looking away from the TV): "Get me something to eat, Nastia."
More About: Parenting

Help?
2008-08-13 03:55:00
This sweet boy has been abandoned at our house. We have 3 other dogs, we can't keep him. He's an older male, as nice as he can be. Still has an imprint from where someone removed his collar. Sorry for the bad cell phone picture, I'll put up more later. I'm taking a chance that someone local might respond. Please contact me if you'd like to know more about him.
More About: Pets

When code attacks
2008-08-13 00:51:00
Yes, I know my site is all horked up in IE. Stand by.
More About: Technical , Code , Attacks

Overheard
2008-08-12 21:48:00
"Why hasn't anyone found the secret Krabby Patty formula? They've been looking a long time." - Busy D. mumbling to himself while watching Sponge Bob
More About: Parenting

Not a post
2008-08-12 06:20:00
If I were to write a post right now it'd be full of the same ol' shiite as of late. You know, back to school arriving like a freight train, summer reading not done, sports practices, third nipple, MIL here for a week, still sick. You know, all the usual stuff. So, I ain't gonna do it.
More About: Parenting , Post

PIC-0040.jpg
2008-08-10 21:09:00
.flickr-photo { border: solid 1px #000000; } .flickr-frame { float: left; text-align: center; margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 15px; } .flickr-caption { font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px; } Sent from Busy Mom's Blackjack

High School Freshmancal
2008-08-10 06:53:00
So, I'm officially the parent of a high school student as of yesterday. Ain't that weird? If you've been around here for a while, Busy Girl was in 3rd grade when I started around these parts. I thought it'd be more of a dramatic event than it was, really. It actually kind of snuck upon us, you know, one day you're all, "Hey, it's only July, I love summer, " and the next moment, you're all, "Omgwtfbbq, what day do they go back, again? Is it tomorrow?" Since she took a class this summer (for credit, not remedial), and has been going to various sports training and practices at school, her insertion into high school has been kind of gradual, and the first day wasn't so dramatic. The thing I hadn't really factored in to the whole "new experience" thing was my insertion into high school as a parent. I am just as much of a freshman as she is. There was a cookout at school the other night. I met Busy Girl there after volleyball practice and, when I walked up to the gr...
More About: Parenting , School , High School , High

Summer. Please report back to my office.
2008-08-06 08:27:00
Since droning on endlessly about being sick and, ZOMG the steroid crazies, isn't exactly curing me, I suppose I'll stop talking about it. Or, not. I really don't know because, see above: steroid. crazy. The voices are telling me to keep blogging about it, though. OK, OK, I'm better, but not all there, yet. Working on it, though. Likely a viral infection I just can't shake. My own doctor has yet to call me back in nearly 2 weeks. It's now turned into a bit of an experiment for me. You see, I'm only 43, left them more than one message (same day appointment requests go to the nurse's voice mail) explaining I've been in the ER twice, urgent care once and I need to be followed up because I might have a blood clot on my lung or I might have congestive heart failure (I don't) and they have YET to call back. I'm going to see how long it takes, if ever, to get a call. I did end up seeing a lovely new doctor and he's great and I'm gonna live eventually, so all is ...
More About: Parenting , Office , Summer , Report , Back

The White Trash Mom Handbook
2008-08-05 19:28:00
Today's a big day for White Trash Mom and Tacky Princess! The White Trash Mom Handbook is in stores TODAY! Seriously, you can get yours today! You have to hurry, though, it's almost time to go back to school, so you'll need to know how to navigate the muffia, how to fake it for the bake sale and what the "rest of us" wear to PTA meetings. Find out what all the famous people are saying about the White Trash Mom Handbook, so you'll be in the know. I'm not just saying this because Busy Mom Blog is listed in the book, I'm saying it because I've had the pleasure of meeting Michelle and Molly and they're fun to hang around with:
More About: Books

Not what you want to hear after doing camp laundry
2008-08-04 08:04:00
"Here's some colon pants." - my MIL handing me a pair of pants after she had finished washing 3 weeks of Busy Boy's camp stuff. After my initial surprise and horror, I realized she meant they belonged to his friend, "Collin" and she had taken them out of the stack so I could return them. But, now "eeew". I can hardly look at them.
More About: Parenting , Laundry , Hear , Camp