Just Sayin'

It isn't the same to blog on a PC as it is on a laptop-both reading and writing! My creative juices just don't flow when I'm plugged in, I guess. Looks like my replacement part is on it's way so we'll be back to normal in a couple days. And I was smart, I ordered 2 connectors! Now we'll never be in this predicament again!

Oh, I guess I could try blogging on my Blackberry but that would be really painful!

We'll be back in business soon...besides, I have no material! *covers mouth* I hope I didn't just jinx myself again!

Laptop Down!

I swear my children thrive on making my life difficult! They scrounge the house to find things to destroy so I have to spend money to replace them! Last week it was the freezer catastrophe. How many hundreds of dollars were thrown away in that mess? Now today it's my laptop power connection. This will be the second time they have bent the prongs in the connector! Yesterday it was the bbq island mini fridge that I found open! That's the second one of those that we've had to replace also! I know, I should be thankful for these piddly little $100 replacements. Someday it will be cars with $1000's of damage!

So heaven for bid I have to actually use a PC instead of leasurly sitting on my couch to blog! Wish me luck in finding a new power adapter. If I recall correctly, the last time it was a little difficult!

I Spoke Too Soon...

So remember on Thursday when I said our house was pretty quiet and we had no exciting news to report? Um, ya, 5 minutes after hitting the publish post button, all heck broke loose!

Here's exhibit A: (please note I do not have photographic proof of additional upcoming debacles!)

Doesn't this freezer look brand spankin' new? No, you are wrong-it's 10 years old! But it is bleach smelling clean. When I walked into the garage early Thursday evening, I was greeted with a rather unpleasant odor! Come to find out that the boys failed to close the freezer door after noshing on Popsicles the night before! Yep, you guessed it! An entire freezer FULL of food ruined! Arrrrrrgh! GOB got the duty of cleaning it out since he got to go to Happy Hour that night! Ha!

Our next catastrophe was when DJB decided to go into the backyard to play. The dog decided to barge in the door at the same time. She went between DJB's legs and lifted him off the ground! It looked like DJB was riding a bull for one nano second. Unfortunately, he didn't let go of the door knob as the bull was bucking and took a head first plunge onto the tile floor. One big goose egg later, he said he wanted to "sale" Toni because he didn't like her anymore! ER diverted...no concussion.

Next, DJB went upstairs to get his pj's on. He comes SCREAMING down the stairs in a frightful scene! I go running thinking it had to do with his noggin crash! No! He found a SCORPION in his bathtub and it was ALIVE! Get this: then the boys tell me they had found another one downstairs the day before! LOB says, "Papa, didn't you tell Momma about the scorpion?" Papa says, "No, LOB, there's some things Momma just doesn't need to know!" Mr. Bug man will be coming Tuesday to super soak us in scorpion killer!

So that was our excitement for the week all in about 15 minutes worth of time! I could have done without all of it!

On to other news:

GOB is making awesome progress on the counter top project. 2 big chunks are installed and he's been demoing the next section today. We finally compromised on a sink for the the island. Now I just need to decide on some paint colors to freshen up the walls and some new kitchen faucets. It's going to look sharp! I've already told GOB that our next project will be sprucing up the bathroom down stairs! I'm thinking a new vanity with matching concrete counter top since right now there is a pedestal sink which I hate because I have no storage and maybe tile up the wall in some decorative pattern. All that should keep him busy until at least the end of the year!

LOB was the sucker who had to unplug the the stove. Look closely behind GOB and you'll see the new counter top. The boys had fun helping smash travertine! What a mess!

This is just a funny I picture I thought I'd include. DVB and DJB are about pound for pound! They love pushing each other around in this plastic dump truck!

That's all for now. We are enjoying a nice pleasant, productive weekend! Geez, I hope I didn't just jinx myself!

Spilled Sea Monkeys and Hiding Places

It's been a semi-uneventful week around our house if you can believe it!

The most action was when DVB spilled the Sea Monkey container. I must be desperate for blog content for that to make it in the weekly news! Anyway, LOB and DJB were REALLY upset. They had followed the directions closing and the Sea Monkeys had just "patched". Oh well, we'll try again. There is a Seamonkeys.com so we can order some more eggs or just go to Wally World and buy a new kit. We'll see, hopefully they'll just forget about it!


In case you were wondering, Sea Monkeys are the size of a period at the end of a sentence. It takes a magnifying glass to see them. I have no idea how many were swimming around before they got spilled but it kinda gave me the heebie geebies so I had to wash the floor 3 times!

DVB has found a new hiding spot. Luckily I saw him discover his new reprieve! He can't figure out how to turn the handles on doors yet but is a little obsessive about closing them!

DVB had a better week at daycare. On Monday afternoon of week #2, his sitter said he was a whole different kid. He was happy, playful and interactive. I guess I was under the impression that he was all those things last week but she must have not wanted to make me feel bad. So I'm a little confused but I'm glad he turned his frown upside down. She accepted the dates that I am working in September so he must we welcome back! He's also getting used to the idea of being dropped off and isn't making such a fuss for GOB. Also, the sitter says he walks around the house saying "ba-ba" all day. I said no, that would be "Papa", he's a little attached to his Papa. He walks around our house too looking for Papa!

We are looking forward to next week being "normal." I am only working Monday so we can get into a new routine. GOB has discovered that he too has been spoiled the last 5 years not having to get kids ready for school and dropping off and all the rigamarole associated with it! I think he's looking forward to a normal week too!

Successful First Week for Most!

I thought I'd better check in with all my blog readers. Remember I said last week that we had a busy 2 weeks coming up? I don't know how you full time working parents to do it! I have definitely been spoiled the last 5 years! I've realized that it is VERY difficult to keep the house AND kids AND husband AND errands under control while working 40 hours. I am very thankful that I have the choice of when I want work in most wonderful job ever! I'm sure next week when I get a nice fat paycheck with 80 hours on it I won't mind saying 'yes' the next time I get asked to cover for a vacation!

So everyone had a successful first week of school. That is, all but DVB. He figured out the daycare drop off deal on day 3. The first day he cried when GOB dropped him off-leg clinging and all! Day 2, GOB sent him in the door and he took off running to play so he ducked out quick. Day 3, he cried when GOB turned onto her street! Day 4 and 5 were the same! Thank goodness GOB does the dropping off! I get to do the good part of rescuing at the end of the day! The daycare lady says he's fine during the day. He eats, he plays, he takes a great nap. But he cries when he gets dropped off and picked up! I'm sure he'll be more used to the idea by the end of this week but the problem is, is that then he'll only be going to her on Mondays! He'll survive, I know!

DJB had a WONDERFUL first week of Kindergarten. At the end of the week the teacher sent home a huge stack of papers that they had done during the week. I was TOTALLY AMAZED at that work he had done and how accurate it was completed. Here I had been a worry wort all week thinking he would be inside his turtle shell but I was far from right on that one! I never knew he had it in him! Is he intimidated by his own mother or what's the deal? Whatev!

LOB loves his teacher as well. She seems a little on the strict side but I bet she's a great teacher and is very well organized. As I was reading through the instructions of nightly homework, I noticed her policy was a little on the harsh side if the child forgot to have his or her parents sign the daily behavior report. It said, "The student will suffer consequences if the Tiger Report is not signed for 2 consecutive days." Yikes! So I asked LOB what the consequences were and he said he wouldn't get to eat his snack! I don't think so, she can't withhold snack time for delinquent parents! It's funny, the first thing he did everyday when walking in the door after school was to have me sign the report right away!

GOB made great progress on the counter top project. I believe the upstairs counters will be ready for install tonight after the last coat of sealer is applied. 2 parts of the kitchen counter top will be ready for install tomorrow night! Yay! So the kitchen will be 1/4 done tomorrow. Now I need to decide what to do with the back splash. There was travertine there but GOB's ripping that off so I'm thinking just to sheet rock it, texture, and paint it. Maybe I'll do some decorative stencil or something on it...options, options.

So that's our update for the week. It may be another week before you hear from us again! Until then, I hope you have a great week!

It Was a Success!

The first day of school was a success! They both want to go back again tomorrow! Yay!

I was worried about DJB being a little too much on the shy side but his teacher said he did great! The only sad time he had was when he dropped his spoon and then wouldn't eat his applesauce at lunch time! I asked him if he knew anyone in his class, knowing he didn't, and he said, "Ya, I know everyone!" Duh! He's excited to do science tomorrow too!

LOB likes his teacher too. She seems very strict. I noticed in her instructions to parents that if the parents fail to initial the behavior chart each night, the student will suffer consequences the next day! Geez-O! She's serious! I asked if she was as nice as last year's teacher and he said yes. I'm not worried about him at all! Oh and the funny thing was, he said he asked his teacher permission to go check on DJB today and she let him. Awww! What a great big brother! I'm so proud of him!

And now for DVB's day...Thankfully GOB dropped him off at his first day of daycare because I had a feeling he might not be ok with it! GOB said he cried and was holding onto his leg as he was walking out the door. I'm SO glad it wasn't me! But Christine, his daycare provider, said he did great too and she said he's very smart for a 20 month old. She said he crawled up on the couch and was looking out the front window. She has never had any kids that have done that! He also didn't want give up his little snuggie blanket all day-usually he only sleeps with it. I'm so glad I thought to throw one of those in his bag!

Check out the hair! They even did it!

I gave GOB specific instructions to take a picture before he dropped everyone off. So when I called to remind him, he asked, "What do you want me to take a picture of? You can't see their backpacks in the picture anyway." Hence, the funky leg contortions in the picture! Oh well, it got done, that's all I wanted!

Breaking Potty News!

DVB just pooped in the potty!

He was standing by me and said "poo poo." So GOB took off his diaper and set him on the potty but he got up and toodled over by the kitchen table and laid a turd on the floor! Then GOB put him back on the potty and he finished up his job there! Yay!

Be thankful I spared you the pictures!

We have a busy week ahead of us! School starts tomorrow! Can I get another BIG YAY? Also, DVB will be going to daycare for the first time! And I'm working all this week and next! So like I said, it will be a crazy place around here! You may not hear much from our house this week! So have a good one!

Desperate Teet Teets!

Look at these poor birds. They have resorted to eating dog food! These guys must be desperate for anything! We even saw one drinking the dog's water! Or maybe that's what birds normally eat in the heat of the summer in our state!

I bet next, we'll see is them driving off in that little Chevron car!

Here I thought the birds flew North for the summer! Silly me!

Note to self: You know those empty bird feeders and dry bird bath aren't just yard decorations, fill them up for the poor little teet teets! (DVB calls birds teet teets!) Sheesh!

Southpaw?

So I wonder if there is a medical study out there that correlates being a southpaw with one's stubborn, wild, out-of-control personality. You know, because many people have likened DVB to his Uncle B. He's left handed and he was a monterous child! Just wondering... (you know I love ya, bro)

So as he's painting, LOB is assisting and was speaking to him in babytalk.

I said, "LOB, he does speak English."

DJB, "He does? He speaks English? That's funny, English!"

I said, "Hey DJB, you speak English, too."

DJB totally amazed, "I do?"

These boys crack me up sometimes!

I guess speaking English must be as cool speaking Spanish. DJB always likes to listen to people speaking Spanish. The problem is, is that I don't remember too much of it so when he asks me what they are saying, I just make something up! But I do remember some and I believe the landscapers were talking about a tree the other day, I think...That makes sense, right?

Updated: Sparkly!

Updated...at bottom

This was HILARIOUS! DVB loves loves loves shoes! Anybody's shoes! These happen to be little neighbor girl's sparkly shoes! We just had to take a picture and pretend he was a girl just for one super second!

LOB was messing with my camera and accidentally had it set at .3 mega pixels so you can't see the sparkly cuteness of these little shoes!

In other news:

GOB took the day off work and has been outside building all day. I'll have to post some progress pictures soon!

Now we're off to the vet! The dog has a rash from one end of her belly to the other. It's normal for her to get it this bad about 4 times a year. She is allergic to something but I don't want to pay the $300 for the test to see what it is. The vet thinks it's an environmental allergy and not food. Or maybe it was the entire box of Dunkin Donuts she ate on Sunday! Does anyone want to take any bets as to the estimated cost of this vet bill? They always try to talk me into a "new" drug and it only costs $125 per month! NEVER! I'd rather pay for a hydrocortisone shot and antibiotics every 3-4 months!

5 days till school starts, ya know, in case you were wondering! Yaaaaahooooo!

UPDATE: I won the bet to LOB for the vet bill by $11! It was $211 if you must know! I think he guessed $1035! Thank God he wasn't right! Flippin' dog! We have a new plan and no I did not fall for the drug that today he said would be $175-200 in her case (weight)! She's now on antibiotics for 6 weeks with a side car of hydrocortisone!

To The Dog:

Toni:


I'm SICK of it! I'm sick of you stealing food off the counter! I'm sick of you picking stuff out of the garbage can! I'm sick of you chewing anything and everything in sight! You are 2 years old! ENOUGH!

You probably realized that we lost the other half of your previous shock collar! (M.I.A. after last NASCAR trip) I'm sure that's why you think you can get away with this crap again! But guess what? I have a NEW BIGGER and BETTER vibrating/ultrasonic/static collar coming in the mail! The ebay seller says I'll have it in my hot little hands in 3 days! Ha! You just wait sucka!

Oh, and it has a barking feature on it too. Don't worry, I know you don't bark for no reason. But I may suggest it to those annoying dogs who live behind us!


You have gotten out of hand but I bet by this time next week, you'll once again LISTEN or you'll get to feel that leeeeetle tickle that will bring back memories!






This new one comes with a fancy case-now we are sure to be able to keep track of all the pieces in one nice and fancy carrying case! No more lost parts around here!


OK, now I am done writing a letter to my dog....


I'll let you know if she's back in ship shape next week!

Tonight's Request Was...

after he lugged a few hundred pounds of concrete up the stairs...

GOB: "Honey, can you bring me up a Budweiser and a coolie cup?"

ME: "OK..."

ME, when reaching the top of the stairs and seeing the countertops in place, "OH WOW! That's looks awesome!"

Here are a few pictures of Budweiser his handiwork!

He looks slightly homeless in this picture.

Budweiser View #2! Obviously a little finish work will mint this out!

Budweiser View #3! He embedded a slice of a geode stone we got at a rock shop. I really don't care for it but he's in love with it!

What? No Budweiser in this pic! I'm surprised DVB isn't nabbing a swig! Don't mind all the toys under the desk. We definitely keep a spotless house around here! Sheesh!

So now onto the rest of the project! The kitchen! I can't wait!

While GOB was demolishing the kitchen on one end, my helpers and I made 14 pints of salsa out of 25 pounds of roma tomatoes on the other end! ($10 for 25 lbs-DEAL)

DVB thought it was a "nana" and DJB kept calling them potatoes!

So I know you were wondering if you could hire GOB to redo your countertops but the answer is NO! He's mine! All mine! Bwahahahaha!

T minus 6 days till school starts-but who's counting?