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Don't you wish you had eaten dinner here?
2008-11-04 03:13:00
Busy Girl: "Cubed meat scares me." (Note: she was bitching about nothing in the house to cook for dinner, so Busy Dad told her to do something with some ham or beef or whatever it was that was in the fridge for soup or stew) ---------------- Me: "Eat your peas." Busy Boy: "And, if I don't?" (he was being silly) Me: "Eat your peas, or I'll take your phone." Busy Boy: "OK. You may have won the battle, but I shall win the war." Me: "The war of what? Peas? In which case you will have won...peas."
More About: Dinner , Kids Say the Darndest Things

Happy Halloween-io!
2008-10-31 17:58:00
Happy Halloween ! OK, I have to confess, I don't really like Halloween all that much. Sure, in my day it was the biggest social occasion of the year. There were more hook-ups than a Velcro closure and it was a great excuse to wear whatever you wanted. Robert Palmer girl, anyone? Now, I find it rather a pain. I'm glad the kids like it and all, it's just that it's such a...I don't know... My kids start talking about costumes in September. And talking...and talking... The other adult in the house buys them said costumes in September and by the time Halloween actually rolls around, they've lost the parts or they don't want to be that anymore. Then there's the whole thing of what they can and can't wear to school, so more often than not it involves at least one of them having 2 costumes. Halloween is usually on a weeknight and things begin absurdly early so I'm dashing away from work to get to school or to home. We don't live in a neighborhood that's good for trick-o...
More About: Happy

Masked Americans denied rights!
2008-10-31 15:03:00
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More About: Rights , Americans

Obama-McCain Dance off
2008-10-26 16:37:00
And you thought I didn't talk about politics:
More About: Funny , Dance , Obama

Lost: mind. Please return.
2008-10-25 21:34:00
I stopped by my dad's house the other day when he wasn't home and I noticed a pad of paper with a list that had times and entries such as "5:30 get up" and "6:15 go to work". I immediately thought, "Oh, Lord here's the first clue his mind is failing, what do I do now?" If you're new here, I'm an only child and my dad is 76 and has lived alone since my mother died a couple of years ago. He's a teacher and works full time, there's nothing wrong with him that I know of, but since he's a man of few words I do get a surprise every now and then. Like the time he couldn't walk and didn't tell me. For 3 days. Anyway, as I went through all the scenarios in my brain regarding this list, it finally dawned on me that he just got a new programmable thermostat and was working on the schedule for it. Alzheimer's averted. His, not necessarily mine.
More About: Lost , Mind , Return

Long live my HP Pavilion
2008-10-23 05:44:00
My beloved HP Pavillion laptop is dead. D-E-D dead. Cause of death unknown. Level of "I'm screwed". Known. Need it very, very, very badly.
More About: Live , Long , Pavilion

Blissdom 08
2008-10-19 17:56:00
Yesterday, Mrs. Fussypants and the Blissfully Domestic crew launched a new blog conference here in the South. Through the generosity of One2One Network and Epson, Blissdom was born. It was held in Nashville yesterday at the Hotel Preston (which was very cool, Nashvillians should check it out) and I was honored to be asked to speak. There were many, many fun people in attendance, and I finally got to meet Missy (and am pretty sure we shouldn't sit next to each other in venues where we should be serious and stuff.). There were some great sessions about bloggers and blogging, some excellent discussion and I think everyone came away with something they can use. We were entertained by the lovely and talented Jessie Baylin (Has sound, but you seriously need to check her out), drank Blisstinis at the open bar, had a great dinner at the Sunset Grill (hey, bartender) and got some spiffy swag bags, to boot. A big thank you to all who made it possible and stay tuned, because rumor ha...
More About: Blogging

Lands' End Free Shipping Code
2008-10-16 16:36:00
Here's a new Lands' End free shipping code: Code : OUTERWEAR Pin: 1013 valid October 13-20 I don't work for them, I don't get anything when you use it. However, feel free to use it to purchase my Christmas present at any time.
More About: Shopping , Free , Shipping

Soccer rapture
2008-10-13 04:03:00
I was helping coach Busy D.'s soccer game on Saturday, it's a multi-person affair, (don't start me on the reasons why) and I was manning the bench. I don't put up with a lot of crap on the bench and I watch them pretty tightly, likely to the chagrin of a couple of parents (the same parents whose kids are the reason it takes an army to get the kids through a game). During the game, a lady came rushing up to me and exclaimed, "What have you done with my son? Where is Clive (not his real name)?" Me: "Huh?" Lady: "He's not here, weren't you watching?!" Now, I was pretty sure I hadn't lost anyone, especially in the middle of a large field, but I had a little problem. I had no idea which kids was Clive. Since they moved up a division, we've added 4 kids to the team and I'm not around a lot since Busy Dad is the assistant coach, he wasn't there and I have no idea who some of these kids are. However, it didn't really seem like the time to tell her I didn't know who he...
More About: Parenting , Soccer , Rapture

Hey, you kids. Get offa my lawn.
2008-10-09 04:43:00
I took Busy Girl to get some new glasses the other day. While she perused the selection at Sears Opitcal, I asked young optician dude if they took my vision insurance. I was pretty sure they didn't, because it seems like some drugstore in Boise is the only place that takes it, but I thought I'd try anyway. Young Optician Dude: "No, but do you have AAA?" Me: "No." Young Optician Dude: "What about (some other letter jumble I can't remember)?" Me: "Nope.' At this point, since she was over in the designer frame section, I very jokingly, said: "But, you can give me that AARP discount if you want." Young Optician Dude: "Oh, OK, great!" Me: "I'm going to pretend that you knew I was joking and that you are now joking in return. Do not utter any word whatsoever that indicates any differently." Young Optician Dude: "Uh...uh...OK."
More About: Kids , Parenting

Yee Haw,
2008-10-05 08:48:00
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It used to sound absurd when we'd say, "When she's a teenager..."
2008-10-05 08:36:00
Well, now. I just realized that I'm experiencing a milestone here. I've been officially initiated into the Parents of Teenager s Club. Busy Girl has a date to Homecoming, and we're waiting up for her. She's not late or anything, she's with other parents, I just feel funny about going to bed while she's out. Let's see, Busy D. is 6, only what? 12 more years of this with teens? Ready. Set. Go.
More About: Parenting , Sound , Absurd

Multimedia message
2008-10-05 08:01:00
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More About: Multimedia , Message

Good afternoon, Baltimore
2008-10-03 20:49:00
So, I've been in Washington DC on business that past couple of days. Other than having a lovely dinner at Jaleo with Mammaloves, Pundit Mom, Devra, and Sarah not much happened. No, Devra didn't do anything unusual, why do you ask? The meeting itself is rather miserable (To me, anyway. Some people may like it. Or not.), but I endured and then went shopping. Then I watched TV. You people sucked me into the debate, but it's possible that I alternated it with a showing of School of Rock. No, Jenn, not "School of His Rock", ya perv. I debated heavily about the merits of ordering a Diet Coke via room service v. getting it from the minibar. You'll be glad to know I chose room service, but covered up my laziness by ordering a filet mignon to go with it. And a baked potato and spinach. And creme brulee. I wanted to ensure that no one would know it was really for the Diet Coke. I had to fly into BWI in Baltimore since it was something like $800 to fly into DC. I've...
More About: Travel , Afternoon , Good

Multimedia message
2008-10-03 17:57:00
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More About: Multimedia , Message

Lunch
2008-10-01 20:50:00
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More About: Lunch

MARC Time
2008-10-01 18:38:00
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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
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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
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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