Show me the money!

This morning I wore my leather jacket. I can't tell you the last time/place that I wore the jacket (well, prior to the morning's events.) On the way to school, I noticed that the pocket was rather full of coins, so I stuck my hand in to find about $4 worth of quarters just begging me to buy a sausage biscuit from my favorite greasy spoon. Ahh, my mouth was salivating. The biscuit was going to be so flakey and warm. The thought of such a treat made my morning errands (read: drudgeries) seem petty.
My heart was warmed by the very thought of that yummy breakfast sandwich. I even debated with myself. Should there be jelly on this biscuit? If so, what kind. In the end, it was no. No, there would be no jelly to muck up the taste of the biscuit/sausage melding together in perfection.
The moment of bliss finally arrived. When the cashier (who I know personally and whose 4 children I have taught) rang up my order total, I reached into that lucky pocket and pulled out.....a fist full of game tokens. STUPID. STUPID. GAME TOKENS. Game tokens from Party Central (think Chuck E. Cheese on crack if you've not had the misfortune of attending a birthday party at such a joint.)
Cashier Girl collapsed into giggles, as did several patrons seated near her. I was mortified. Mostly because I had no other cash to my name. Not even my debit card was with me. I may never recover from the shame.

Where we go for all of our homework help.

Cats really do make the best homework tutors. Thomas helps Jack with his homework every night. She's a killer at subtraction. She has promised to teach me how to knit, but her schedule is really tight these days--what with story problems and spelling words and such. Thomas is the sweetest kitty ever. She's even forgiven us for the whole 'we thought you were a boy kitty so we named you Thomas thing.'

Ahhh. Finally! Puke on a non-holiday! That's more like it.

I know why we're puking. Because after this horrendous bug made the rounds through every household within a 20 mile radius of us, I had the audacity to proclaim that we had 'dodged the bullet.' Nay. No dodging. This was one of those sneak attack, hiding in the bushes, lying in wait bullets. Last night, shortly after my blog entry about lottery commercial songs and beautiful sisters, our very own Beautiful Sister violently emptied it in her bed. Then in the toilet (about 4 times). Then in a H'ween Bucket (about 8 times). All of this within 2 and a half hours. Enter: Mr. Suppository. Shortly after Mr. S arrived on the scene, Beautiful Sister fell asleep until 4 AM (at which time she tossed it up again 3 times.) Enter: Mr. Suppository2. We've only had one spewing since 8 AM, so all is right with the world for now.

Sometime in the middle of the night, I remembered Sam was supposed to dress up like he was 100 years old for the 100th Day of School Party today. Siigghh! So this morning, as I inserted suppositories and cleaned up things I won't describe (Your Welcome), I found a white t-shirt and wrote "I AM 100 Years Old" on it in large, black letters, slipped it over Sam's head, and Wa-La! TRAGEDY AVERTED!

I'm sure his teacher will not be as pleased with his costume as I was. Or maybe he'll be all the rage.

Beautiful Sister begged us several times last night to please 'buy her some roses.' Knowing her daddy, she'll get her wish. Poor gal. She's melted into the couch right now with the orange jack-o-lantern bucket clutched between her fingers. I swear that pumpkin is laughing at us.

Tomorrow is Friday. Tomorrow is Friday. Tomorrow is..

Mr. Pinkie is at a wake for his step-grandmother this evening. I ordered pizza in lieu of cooking, and we just wrapped up the homework/bath time dance. We'll be in bed shortly! Ahhh, the bed......
If there are peeping Tom's in our neighborhood, we've surely given them a good laugh this evening...for lots of reasons, but mostly for dancing in the middle of the living room to a lottery commercial. It's the song. The commercial has the catchiest tune. It's like one minute were playing with Legos, picking up socks, and drinking juice. The next minute we're all bobbing, weaving, and shaking what we got like crazy people in the middle of the living room. Commercial ends, we're all back to whatever it was we were doing before. We ain't right.

Speaking of not being right, Sam was getting dressed in his bedroom after bathtime. I was just about to go in his room when I heard him singing, "Sophy is so beautiful" all sweet and sappy (this is NOT like him.) So, I said, "WHAT? SOPHY IS BEAUTIFUL?" He was so embarrassed and hid in the closet and screamed, "LEAVE ME ALONE! YOU STINK!" Hehe. I love that kid. It wasn't long after that when Jack ran into the room shouting, "Mom. Quick. There is dog thief on Inside Edition!" It's all the important stuff around here. ONLY important stuff.

Tomorrow is the 100th day of school, and Sam has to dress up like he is 100 years old. Funny, I FEEL like I'm 100 years old after the week I've had. I probably look it too. Maybe he could take me in for show and tell. "See kids! I told you my mom was 100 years old."

Tivo + Me = Happiness

I love me some Tivo. How strange and wonderful to be able to pause the news, rewind to catch the weather, record 2-3 shows while watching another, record various titles under a season pass that allows you to NEVER have to endure a forgotten episode of Survivor or Lost or...gasp, American Idol (more on this later.) I look back now on all of the years of television that were lost in shuffle of diapers, feedings, pukings, etc. When you have 3 children under the age of 4, that happens. But oh boy! Not anymore! Don't get me wrong, we're still insanely busy. It's different now, though. We're able to record any number of mindless shows to watch once the kids are abed.

Happy sigh.

Here is our current recording list:
Lost - Of course, the show is OFF more than it's ON, but we endeavor to persevere. I read somewhere this season will consist of 17 back to back episodes. We'll see! I'm pretty much over my Lost obsession, but I will most definitely follow it until the end, which I also read is in the works. The writers of the show didn't want it to be the show that ran for "2 seasons too many," so the final season is already being planned. No word on when that is. Anyone know?

Survivor - The season just ended, but I'll be locked and loaded for the new season. Sometimes Survivor lets me down. Sometimes the "characters" aren't as interesting as other times. I'm really annoyed at the producer's inability to think up some other locale than an island setting. It would be really neat to see some different terrain. Think of what it would mean to the survivor's SURVIVAL. I think the purpose of the show is getting diluted because the players of the game have figured out how to survive the island setting ahead of time AND how to play the game by watching/learning from previous mistakes of previous players. I'd like a really big location shake-up, but I'm sure they'll never host the show in an area where you can't wear a bikini. Skin sells. Still, I'm a fan and will continue to watch. Favorite season of all time? Australia. Colby. ((Although Rupert pulled a close second some seasons later.))

Medium - I have no idea why I watch this show, but what can I say? I'm weak.

Dirty Jobs - TOP OF THE TIVO'ing list. Mike Rowe is my boyfriend. When this show leaves television, I will mourn and wear black. I love this show. For one thing, Mike Rowe is about as sarcastic as a human can be. He has a very twisted sense of humor. It's love, I tell you.

Man Vs. Wild - My latest Discovery channel addiction. Bear Grylles is my back-up boyfriend in the event that Mike Rowe ever cheats on me. This show is amazing. At least once per episode, Mr. Pinkie and/or myself will be like, "Huh. I didn't know that." I like the fact that he takes real life situations where people have been killed, like the Kim Family's father in the Oregon wilderness, and dedicates an episode to showing you how to survive if you were in that situation. Of course, there are the locations like the Costa Rican rainforest. Yeah, I'll probably never go there, but it's pure entertainment nonetheless. He makes no excuses for the survival choices he portrays saying that you will almost always make bad decisions in a survival situation, but the important thing is to keep making decisions and try everything possible. He's my hero. And my boyfriend. Don't worry, Mr. Pinkie is aware of the situation.

American Idol - It's like a bad crack habit that I can't kick (I assume.) It's just that...well, this show is as much of a fishbowl as Survivor is. There are 3 types of people on Idol, 1.) extremely talented people who need to be discovered, 2.)people who can sing on key, but need to stick to the church choir, and 3.) flat-out, weirdo, manic people who have no idea (and how does that happen)that they can't sing. Not only can they not sing and don't know it, they seem to have no clue that the rest of us are sitting at home with our mouth's agape in horror and awe. Like last night, the 2 little (one was actually huge) guys that were obviously out on a trip from their Group Home without a supervisor or counselor. Simon compared one of them to a bush baby or a jungle monkey..oh, it was dreadful. Normally, I laugh at the ridiculous people and their humiliation. Even if they're pitifully unintelligent...I know. I know...I'm being honest. But these 2 guys...they broke my heart. WHAT ON EARTH? I mean...their parents, their caregivers (because they were BOUND to have caregivers)...WHO let them out to traipse around Seattle on their own and embarrass themselves in front of THE WORLD...HELLO? Ok, so despite those 2 people, I find the bulk of the tryouts to be, far and away, more entertaining than anything else the rest of the season has to offer. My favorite winner to date...probably Chris Daughtry, but I liked Carrie Underwood and Kelli Clarkson. My favorite Idol ever was the kid last season with the amazing voice, asthma and bad teeth whose mom looked really sick. He was such a nice guy. As if I know him. HA!

15 Things You Don't Know About Me

((This is the most retarded title ever. I mean, after I tell you these things, then you'll know them...which makes the title...well, pointless. Right?))

1. I am phobic about boat travel.

2. I am not supposed to drive at night..you know, the whole night blindness thing. Still, it's kind of fun.

3. My first strawberry was consumed at the age of 17. The avocado was shortly thereafter.

4. I learned to swim in a stock tank on a peanut farm.

5. While in middle school, I used to hide under my brother's beds and listen to their phone conversations. I am still not ashamed of this and would do it again in a heartbeat.

6. Big cats, like lions and jaguars, pee on me on sight. It's happened 3 times in my life at separate zoos.

7. I've never eaten an orange.

8. My mouth used to (HA!) get me in trouble a lot.

9. My favorite color is pink.

10. My favorite number is 5. It turns up a lot in my life. For example, I am currently seventy FIVE dollars overdrawn.

11. If I could be any animal, I would be a bird.

12. I collect glass birds. Fenton birds.

13. I drink a pitcher of tea a day.

14. Cooking is not my favorite past-time.

15. I've always secretly wanted my own pet guinea pig.

Sophy Claire

Girl. Girl. Girl. Sophy is 195% girl. She is so dainty and prissy. She can't stand to have chipped nail polish, loves shoes and clothes, and dreams of being a glittery mermaid with diamonds in her hair. All of these girlie persuasions make it a little hard to visualize her, then, asking her brothers, "Hey. Wanna go fight?" She loves nothing more than a good tussle. She usually imparts as much pain as she receives. She has learned; however, that squealing in pain (even if it's a fake squeal) usually causes a momentary window in which she can get a better foot hold, hand hold, hair hold, etc.
Kindergarten is calling. As of August, all 3 kiddos will be in school. Sophy in kindergarten, Sam in first grade, and Jackson in third. I'm scared. Mostly because I know what Sophy is capable of. We had actually considered skipping kindergarten with her, but socially we do not feel she is up to the challenge. Academically, she is reading on about a second grade level, she is adding/subtracting, spelling, doing her brother's homework on request, etc. It's because of the latter that we've had to intervene on several occassions. I've caught most things that she has completed, but some things still get by me. At least we know she can do the work, right?
She is constantly leaving me notes on the fridge that say I LOVE YOU MOMMY or I LIKE PRESENTS or ITS MY BURTHDAY. Hehe. Lately she's been telling me that we're "sisters." Fine with me! As long as she doesn't ask me "wanna fight?"

Sam

So, we've covered the fact that Sam lost his first tooth. It wasn't exactly a loose tooth, but the ball that came along didn't seem to mind that the tooth wasn't exactly loose. $3 later, we've recovered from the bloody trauma.
Kindergarten is going good. Sam loves his teacher so much, and I love her so much too! She's great. We're really working on our basic reading skills which is not his favorite thing to be learning right now. He's finally starting to show some interest, so I'm hoping he'll start to pick it right up. Whereas Jack is more of a loner and happy to be that way, Sam seems to make friends where ever he goes. He has a different tale every day of some kid or other that he hooked up with at school. This could be good news or bad news for our future. He tries very frequently to get Sophy to his handwriting, homework sheets. She usually obliges, and I am forced to intervene. More on this in my Sophy update.
As I type, Sam is giving Sophy a horsey ride around the house on his back. I'm always frightened when they're getting along. It's seems safer, usually, when they're not on the same page. If they are ever together, it pays to look into their activities. Never good. Never. Like the time he tied her to the basketball goal with lots and lots of ropes (she agreed to this part). Shortly after securing the ropes, he walked away and told her he was going to get his pet bear to come eat her. Sophy didn't appreciate the humor and became hysterical with fear. Sam thought it was hilarious. Don't feel too bad for too long. Once she was untied, she promptly attacked him like the pet bear he wished he had.

Jack Ryan

I have one child simmering in the tub, one vegged out in front of the tv, and one tucked away with a book somewhere. Seems like a good time to update about the 2 guys and the doll. Guy #1 is less than 6 months away from being 9, uh-huh...NINE, years old. Eek. He is still my most likely to be reading a book somewhere. We're still leaning towards space, flight, and airplane topics. He can sit for hours with a book on trains or space travel and be perfectly content. Sometimes I worry because he is so placid and laid back. He takes orders very well from Guy #2, and usually this concerns me. As Guy #1, you'd think he was the boss of the crew. Nope. That role falls to Guy #2. The good news is that Guy #1 usually totally ignores the dominating ways of Guy #2, and it would probably be in his best interest to continue ignoring him. At least, this is what I keep telling him.
A few nights ago, Jack woke up in hysterics. Sobbing, crying, etc. When I finally got out of him what was wrong, I felt so bad for him. Turns out that he had a nightmare about me. He dreamed that I was in the forest picking flowers and 10 hunters came out of the woods and shot me. So...yeah, I was disturbed then too! I can't imagine where this came from. It isn't something we've heard about or seen on tv. We're very selective about our television viewing, so I don't know. Needless to say, I won't be picking flowers in the forest anytime soon. Hehe.
Jack has really gotten interested in exercise, jogging, etc. We recently bought him a pair of jogging shoes, and we're looking into some kid Fun Runs scheduled for the spring. If all goes according to plan, he'll be participating in an IronKids Triathalon on June 2nd. This will entail a 100 yd swim, 1 mile run, and 3.2 bike ride. He is so excited, and he is really doing his part to get ready for it. He is constantly begging us to let him go jog, so we're just backing him up on this one. We can't all be Derek Jeter, eh? I guess it wouldn't be so bad to have an Iron Man in the family!

The Story of the Tooth Fairy

As everyone knows, the Tooth Fairy lives in a recently remodeled birdhouse upgraded to fairy specifications. Her newly added front porch allows her to relax on her not-so-frequent night off, watch the sunset with her pet mosquito, and sip a soothing nectar of sugar-free orange juice with a splash of sparkling water. I've been told the secret location of her fairy cottage is in a hidden garden somewhere near Florida. Of course, that's probably a rumor. It's in this quaint little cottage, hidden by rose bushes, day lilies, and climbing jasmine that Toothie (as she is known by her closest bossoms) operates a very lucrative fairy dust operation to help offset travel expenses. Of course, bulk fairy dust is missing the one special ingredient that helps Toothie slip through key holes and under pillows, so we need not fear a rash of home invasions and pillow snatching. All is safe. It's about time now. Toothie is saddling up her trusty steed, a blue iridescent butterfly named Bicuspid, to head out into the wintry night. We're ready Toothie. We're ready.

10 Most Interesting Comments of the Day

10 most interesting comments of the day as quoted by Sam.

10. HELP! HELP! ((Blood running down his chin)) SOMEBODY HELP ME!! (Turns out he lost a tooth. An un-loose tooth, but a tooth nonetheless.)

9. When the Loose Fairy comes, how does she know where you are? (Mr. Pinkie and I laughed and laughed. Wonder how the Loose Fairy feels about Sam sullying her pristine reputation. She went from being an icon of innocence to "loose" in the blink of an eye.)

8. If we glue the tooth back in, do I still get the money?

7. Are my teeth plastic?

6. ((With a rag tied around his head/jaw, a golf club for a walking stick, and a very exaggerated limp)) I think I need to be absent tomorrow with this big hole in my mouth.

5. How many days until I can eat again?

4. (Topic change) Mom. How do they get babies out of your tummy? (I knew this was coming one day....) ((I took a deep breath and told him the truth. That babies come out of your belly button. Don't frown. You don't know Sam like I do.))

3. Gee. Do belly buttons stretch really hugely?

2. ((Pulling a stuffed puppy out of his pretend-impregnated tummy)) SOMEBODY HELP! SOMEBODY HELP! There's a puppy stuck in my belly button! ((Ack.))

1. If I swallowed my tooth and it came out my hiney, would it bite me?

If I have to tell you ONE more time.....

I have said this one little phrase about 1,997 times today. Ack. It's starting to leave a rancid taste in my mouth. About 2 hours ago, I dropped the aforementioned phrase for a more pleading, "Why? Why would you do that when I just told you to stop?" Followed up by, "Now you're sister has green marker eyebrows." After that I was answered with a quickly delivered, "I dunno, fish head...she likes it that way," while the offending red-headed 6 year old ran off to shoot the cat (once again, for the 219th time since lunch.) I finally just dropped all pretense at verbal reprimanding and leveled the dreaded 'look' at anyone who dares to step in the visual path of the stare. It didn't work in case you were wondering.

It's a school holiday for corn's sake. I don't want to beat anyone today. Ya know? Why can't we all just get along? Why must we stuff ourselves into pillowcases and fall on one another as we topple over lamps and giggle like insane, crazy people? Is it completely necessary that we hover a finger 2 mm over any given sibling's skin while they scream in obvious terror at the thought of being touched...by a finger?

As a last ditch effort, I did what any Mommy would do on a 31 degree, icey road, tree crackling day (if you wouldn't, please don't tell me.) I bundled them up, layers, toboggans, jackets, and tennis shoes and made them jog to the end of the block and back. Twice. ((Evil laugh inserted here.)) THAT worked in case were wondering.

In even more disturbing family news, Sophy has bemoaned the fact on numerous occassions today that she wasn't endowed with certain anatomical features (ahem) that her brothers were blessed with. To the point of tears and very specific requests made to rectify the situation. Why, she pleaded, would they have such handy equipage and she did not? Who had forgotten to give it to her, she wanted to know. Could we buy one at Walmart was the next question. She cried silently in her room for a while. Mourning the loss of her manhood that never was. Boy, wouldn't she be disappointed to learn about the fun mother nature has in store for her womanliness down the road? Let's hope that is a long, long, long way off. First, we have to get over our missing parts. Or, part, as it were.

A New Dog in the Family

My parents finally made the BIG commmittment and bought a LITTLE dog today! Hehe. Mind you, we've never really been a small dog family. I guess the Pinkie's started the trend with the our YorkiePoo, Pongo. We live in a neighborhood and have no fence, so we needed/wanted a small pup who wouldn't need to romp and roam. Boy did we get that one right. He's a lazy sloth! HA! My brother's family just bought their children a Papillion (small dog, GIANT ears) a week ago. My parents were so happy when all of the kids left home because that meant they no longer had to care for a dog! I guess, lately, they've been lonely because my mom requested we help her find a Papillion for her own. I believe "Pappy Jo", as my mom has already named her, will be ready in about a week. The kids are so excited! I can't wait to see her...teehee.

Life

As we drove home from the B&B with my nose buried in the giant bouquet of roses from Mister, we passed a large cemetery on the edge of town. Out amongst the markers and tombstones was an elderly fellow with a small bouquet of his own. He was holding the flowers close to his chest and had his head down. With the backdrop of gray clouds and the wind blowing the willow and oak trees around the cemetery, it was a really poignant moment. It was someone he loved. A wife, maybe? I don't know, but I inhaled the scent of my own roses and held on a little tighter.

Our Anniversary Celebration!

It's too much to type all of the little plannings that Mr. GP put into pulling off our evening, so I'll just focus on the important things. We arrived at our destination, Roseville B&B www.rosevillebedandbreakfast.com, at about 7 p.m. Mr. GP introduced me to husband/wife owners of the B&B that he knows pretty well. We ended up chatting with them both of and on throughout the night, and they are the neatest people. I'm looking forward to spending more time with them and stealing a few gardening ideas. So, we settle into our room, The Jacob room (if the link works you can see the tub! OMG.) We made our way to a secluded dining porch where a candelit table was waiting with a beautiful little bouquet of pale pink roses that a friend had made and delivered ahead of time. This little indoor porch was so nice with a little fireplace burning by our table. Oh, it was beautiful. We started dinner with a fresh strawberry and tomato salad on a fresh bed of greens. You can not imagine how wonderful this salad was. I can't begin to do it justice by describing it, but it was so simple and fresh and amazing. We also had a soft puff roll with our salad that was topped some type of seasoning. TO DIE FOR. So then our meal comes. Mr. GP had selected our menu ahead of time. I was served grilled tilapia on a bed of steamed tomatoes and asparagus, tomato pie, sweet skillet cremed corn, a potato casserole, seasoned green bean bundle wrapped in bacon and a lime drink with French rasberry syrup in it. I can honestly tell you that I have never had a better meal in my life. It was absolutely the best food I've ever eaten. The fish was seasoned to perfection and the asparagus-tomato combo under the fish just did something for the flavor. And the tomato pie, well, I just can't begin to tell you. It was beyond description. So awesome. At some point over dinner when we weren't rolling our eyes into the back of our head in ecstasy, we exchanged gifts. I gave Mr. Pinkie a heirloom pocket watch that he can pass down to one of our boys down the road. Mr. Pinkie, God bless him, took some loose stones that his mother had picked up in Russia last year, and had my long-awaited Mother's ring made. There are 3 stones, the kid's birthstones, and 8 diamonds set in white gold. Apparently the Russians know how to cut stones because the jeweler who made the ring said that you could never find stones cut like these in the US. He appraised the value of the ring at about $3,000 because of the stones...1 red tourmaline, 1 blue topaz, and 1 alexandrite. It's gorgeous. I can't seem to stop looking at it! Aww, it's beautiful. Ok, so then dessert came. Chocolate layer cake with praline icing and the best coffee that Mr. Pinkie has ever tasted. Turns out the coffee is from Tyler, Texas and is the commissioned coffee of the White House and has been for years and years. The B&B owner gave us directions, so I'm sure we'll make a trip! We sat and talked and laughed and just enjoyed being able to talk and relax while we had the best meal on the planet. The owner stopped in to visit with us and told us he would be right back. He came back with a lemon ice-box parfait that he had whipped up for an event the coming day and wanted us to try it. Who were we to deny him such a thing? So, we ate. Omg. Is there nothing this man can't cook? I'm not exaggerating y'all. It was the best food that has ever been in my mouth. And there has been a lot of food in my mouth. Once the visiting was over, we headed to our room. Mr. GP had a friend of ours make me a GIANT bouquet to match the small one that was on our table for our room. The color of the roses is so special because it's the color of roses that my grandmother always loved.

So, Mr. GP has this friend make these 2 arrangements for me. Waiting for us there in the room was our wedding album and our toasting flutes from our wedding reception, strawberries and chocolate, and a bottle of something sweet and bubbly and red. Not sure what it was, but it was really tastey. We lounged on the beds, soaked in the tub, ate our strawberries, giggled about wedding album and how people have changed (namely us), watched a little tv, read a book, and laughed and talked about funny things (or not funny things) that have happened to us over the last 10 years. It was just a really sweet time. This morning, we had a coffee/tea trolley right outside the door, so Mister got a cup (a sweet, red toile cup), and we headed out to the garden and grounds to walk around. I made friends with a little striped kitty, and we located the crowing rooster that had made his presence known at about 6:00 a.m. When we got back inside, our places were set in the big dining room. Again, a candle lit table with a rose bouquet for me again. We ate quiche of some variety that made my toes curl up in happiness. If you had been served this cold out of the fridge, it would've been no less amazing. ((Note: the owners are VERY skilled in the kitchen)) Along with the quiche we ate fresh strawberries with pineapple, ham, bacon, spiced bread, fruit bread, and hot tea/orange juice. We relaxed for just a while longer and then headed home. It was the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. It was so nice, in fact, that I told Mister that #15 was mine to plan for. :-)

I LOVE THIS MAN!

You know the diamond commercial where the man takes his woman to Paris (or some such romantic spot), and asks her to marry him again. As she gasps, her family all starts standing up in various hidden locales. And the woman says, "I Love This Man." Isn't that the one? Maybe I'm blurring 2 comercials together. Maybe I don't know my diamond commercials after all! GASP! HORROR!
Where was I? Oh yeah. Well, I used to watch that particular commercial and giggle because I could picture my family, in Paris, trying to blend with the locals. Well, if you knew my family (and maybe you do--stop giggling) you could easily imagine the humor of it all. After some passage of time; however, I viewed the commercial with a fair amount of curious speculation. I want to go to Paris and be proposed to again. I don't necessarily want my various and sundry family members there. It might ruin the mood. I would like for Mr. Pinkie to be there, of course, as he would be the one I would want to propose to me again. I saw an article the other day that said something like 64% of women, if given the chance to do it all over again with their spouse, wouldn't. I think that's really sad. But it makes me realize how very happy I am. How very blessed my children are to be tucked safely into a family unit that (albeit mostly insane) loves and would love again if given the chance. We've got LOVE coming out our ears PEOPLE! What do I love about Mr. Pinkie? Oh, just let me tell you.
First, I love the way that he wakes up earlier than I do. He actually likes doing this. It's one of my favorite things about him. He makes breakfast for the kids during this time. You see why I love this, right? Secondly, Mr. Pinkie cares. Being someone who usually doesn't care about much of anything (it's genetic), I am amazed at how much he DOES care about. Genuinely. He is such a good person. I did get lucky. I tell myself this mostly when he wants to smoke his yearly cigar as the Christmas lights go up. I have someone I blame for this annual habit, but I won't name names. Ahem. Bottom line is, I am so thankful that I married a kind hearted individual, and not some hard-head like myself. Next, I love the way that Mr. Pinkie comes home from the random trip to Walmart and has purchased panty hose for his 5 year old little girl because he knew she would be needing them for church the next day because she tore a hole in her last pair. Not only this, he knows what size to get and what color. Can there be a better man out there? Nay, I tell you. Not so. Last, I love him because he loves me. And that can NOT be an easy task. I don't think there is another human on the planet who would love me in all my glory. I must have charms. Big charms.
So, on the Eve before the eve of our 10th wedding anniversary, I wish to my Mr. Pinkie enough strength and love to be married to me for 10 more years + 50.
XOXOXO

Sophy and the Great Fire Dryer.

I'm going to write a children's book one day, and the heroine of the book will be a little girl who tackles all sorts of 5 year old adventures like unruly brothers and animal taming. Even the most mundane activities become worthy causes when Sophy is involved. Her labels and descriptions for things are far better than any we use in our daily doings. Tonight, she randomly called our hair dryer the "fire dryer." She was cold and shivering after her bath, wet hair and goosebumps. As we slipped on her pink flannel gown she chattered, "Quick, Mom! Get the Fire Dryer!" All of a sudden, we were girlie heroes...stamping out Cold and Evil. Fighting the Battle of the Wet Head. Eradicating Damp and Chill with...(trumpets and fanfare) THE FIRE DRYER.

I'm serious about that book. I would especially like to chronicle Sophy's fight to bring snow to the East Texas region in the form of a roll of toilet paper pinched into thousands of tiny snowflakes and carried around the house in a Halloween pumpkin. Waiting. Waiting for just the perfect moment when one needs to feel 'winter' the most, at which time the bucket is ceremoniously tossed into the oncoming path of said winter needer. Somewhere along the way, Sophy would demonstrate her medicine woman skills. Move over Dr. Quinn. You've been replaced by a 5 year old with a box of Curious George bandaids. That handy innovation is used regurlarly for everything from mommy's headaches to attaching princess painties to the back of her Barbie for any future predicament that would require Barbie to parachute behind enemy lines (those usually being in the aforementioned unruly brother's room.)
Not to be forgotten, the wild animal rescue that began with Sophy leading the charge to free a ruby encrusted unicorn from the bowels of it's captor's fortress (Barnes and Noble.) Buying Uni's freedom with every coin of spare change in her red, polka dotted purse while she proclaimed to the waiting store patrons upon her triumphant exit, "She's FREE! She's FREE! She's not in jail anymore!" While, I kid you not, her victory line of patrons applauded and cheered. At least this time she had the forethought to grab her piggie money ahead of time, so Ruby's freedom was acquired through the correct legal channels. We once encountered a stuffed snail that begged for his freedom as well and made his way as illegal contraband stuffed under the little freedom fighter's rainbow striped poncho. (Not to worry. Greater powers were at work that caused the return of the swiped snail to it's legal place in the consumer market.)
That's Sophy. Saving the world. One captured unicorn at a time.

What was I thinking?

Any minute now my nieces (ages 4 and 6) will be here to spend the night for a much talked about, much anticipated sleepover to end all sleepovers. My children planned this event pretty much without my consent. I didn't fully comprehend the magnitude of it all until my nieces came bounding up to me with joy in their eyes....so excited they were, literally, about to wet their pants. And so they come. We're excited. Yay. HA! I'm sure someone in this house will have loads of fun tonight. It just may not be me. Or Mr. Pinkie. He's not really excited by sleepovers. As it turns out, the boys have already made plans for all 5 kids to sleep in their bedroom and 'camp' and get up in the morning to make camping breakfast. I am so very frightened.
Mr. Pinkie left to go pick us up a dinner of steak medallions, baked potatoes, ceasar salad, and bread pudding. We felt like we'd deserve it before the night was over (or really even started.)
Honestly, I'm excited that our cousins are so in love with us and us with them. It's so exciting to watch them grow together and learn how to be people together. They're all so hilarious and have been raised closely together since birth. I'm just not sure if we'll still love each other in the morning. HAHAHAHA!
Happy Weekend.

2007-Unresolutions

I am not much of a resolution type of gal. I'm pretty anal, organized, get-it-done now, etc. I never make 'resolutions' because, for all of my organization, I tend to think of a resolution as more of a guideline. Sort of like a rule that is begging to be broken. Still, I totally dig this time of year because I (for as long as I can remember) have made "To Do" lists for each new year. We're usually talking about projects, remodels, etc. For example, last year was gutting the 'master cave'...er, bathroom and adding a window to the living room. This year, I want to do the same, but I've also added some new things to my list.
1. REMODEL THE KITCHEN - gutted and remodeled. It's atrocious and drawers are off their 50+ year old rollers and the cabinet doors no longer align and close right. DRIVING ME CRAZY!! TO DO THING #1!
2. Finish the mudroom. This shouldn't take too much $$ or elbow grease. Well, other than replacing the flooring...which will come with #1.
3. Invite more people over for dinner. Which would mean...
4. Cook more meals at home.
5. I will start some time of regular exercise regiment. I am not concerned about weight which I have gained over the years..but I'm still probably underweight for my height. I am VERY concerned about my health, loss of muscle tone, and the fact that the only (haha--only) exercise I get involves 3 other people in this house.
6.Take a few short road trips with the kids.
7. Keep in BETTER (meaning more frequent) touch with all of the old people in my life.
8. Make Mr. GP buy me flowers more often.
9. Get estimates for master suite addition (hopefully for '08), but I want the ball rolling this year.
10. A family portrait of all 5 of us. Together. With no lude gestures, awkward expressions, threatening glances or silly giggles involved.