OCT 21 2015

I am a HUGE fan of the Back To The Future trilogy and I've been awaiting THIS DAY for 25 years now!!  I wish they would have picked a date that fell on a weekend...I would have had a huge 80s party!  But come on, it's Wednesday and I've got stuff to do!!  So, instead of doing what I should be doing, I'm going to give a lot of meaningless thought and study to this date, OCT 21 2015.

In case you don't know, this is the date that Marty McFly traveled to in the future in the second BTTF movie.  And if you don't know that, stop reading right now and go watch the trilogy in order!  In the future, cars were flying.  People dressed in crazy clothing and they rode Hover Boards.  Back in 1985, most people seemed to think we'd be living on Mars or the moon by now.  

Here are some things that happened in the movie:

• Cars were hover converted to fly.  Fail.  If that were true, can you imagine the amount of texting and flying accidents we would have???
• Marty's boss called him on a video screen in his den.  Check!  Can you say Skype?  Fortunately, we don't have a have an ancient, retractable screen hanging on our walls.  We can Facetime someone right from our phone!
• USA Today photographed an event happening and it was immediately in the newspaper.  Well, that one is pretty much true.  With the invention of the cell phone camera, things like robberies, muggings, and arrests can be recorded and instantly uploaded to countless websites.
• The Cubs won the World Series.  Well, we'll see!
• Teenagers' clothes were worn inside out and shoes automatically laced themselves.  Plus, Marty's jacket dried itself when it got wet.  I can see the inside out clothes catching on, but auto lacing shoes might be a little costly.  Maybe LeBron will invent some and they can cost even more than his regular shoes.

• 80s Cafes with digital ordering.  The 80s decade is super trendy right now and, because of nostalgia, things from this era are totally rad!  Digital ordering?  Well, I just ordered Chipotle from an app the other day and picked it up a half hour later.  Pretty darn close!
• Hover Boards.  Did you know they truly have a product out right now called a Hover Board?  My boys were talking about it.  It doesn't actually fly, so I think it's junk.  But they were pretty hyped about it.
• Remember when Jennifer had to touch an electronic pad to be allowed access to her house?  How many of you scan your thumbprint to get onto your phone?  I'd say that one has pretty much happened.  And why hasn't someone linked this with a way to get into your house or car???

If you watch the part of the movie where people are walking around town, one thing you'll notice is that people are actually walking while looking straight ahead.  That's totally something not true about today's age.  It's almost rare today to see someone walking without a smart phone in their hands.  People can't walk, drive, or eat dinner without looking down at their devices.  Marty's kids did wear glasses that could answer the phone though.  Pretty close.  But, they didn't each have their own line.  That's sounds weird now.  The days of asking, "Is Marty home?" are long gone!  If you want to talk to Marty, you'll call him, not his land line!  

So, I'm excited to experience this day.  I just wish I could drive to the kids school in a Delorean and listen to Beat It while dehydrating a pizza.  Since I can't, I'll just have to be satisfied with blogging about it.

My Second Home

Us, a couple Halloweens ago

In case you don't know me, I'm a Chipotle addict.  We almost always eat there twice or more a week.  The food is always top quality, and the prices are quite reasonable.  My family can get away with eating there cheaper than any other restaurant.

Since we go there so often, we've gotten to know many of the the employees.  At first, we gave them all made-up names.  There was Sally.  He was a 6', 250 lb. effeminate man.  One of the first times we talked to him, he exclaimed in a very colorful manner, "Well, slap me silly and call me Sally!"  So we did.

Then there was Sarah Silverman.  No, not the real Sarah Silverman, but they were twins.

Another worker was affectionately named Dude, what ARE you?  We never did determine the actual gender of this person.  Hubby also liked to call "it" The Freak.  I didn't think that was too nice.

Now that some of the workers have stuck around longer, we're learning their real names.  There's Rachel behind the counter.  The manager is Katie and our new favorite is Sam.  They hang out and chat with us when we sit by the kitchen. 

Last visit, they charged Hubby $12 for our entire family.  He immediately corrected them, but they replied that they wanted to take care of us.  Another reason I like to eat at Chipotle...

I think they should sponsor my blog.  What do you think???

The Halloween we dressed up as processed food
(I'm French Fries)

My Super Power

Have you ever thought about what you would choose as your super power, if that was possible?  Maybe it's the imaginative dreamer in me or maybe I'm nothing but a child inside, but I think about things like this all the time.

When we're driving in the car for twelve hours, trying to reach our vacation destination, I wish I could cause the mini-van to boost into the sky and fly over all the traffic.

When I'm in an uncomfortable situation, that's when I wish for my invisibility.  I would like to simply disappear to free myself from that time and that place.

Sometimes, I wish I could lose ten pounds with the snap of a finger.  That is usually related to an event where I'm seeing friends from the past and am feeling particularly chubby at the moment. 

There are times when I would love to be able to put my hyper children into a state of calmness...actually, this one happens nearly every day.

But the super power I wish for most often is the ability to freeze time.  Above all other powers, this is the one I would choose.  You see, I am always late.  I hate being late; I truly despise it.  I try and I try to be on-time but I fail at this task almost daily.  I am late every single week to pick up Son #1 from tuba lessons.  His poor teacher waits with him outside the school after every lesson, waiting on me to arrive.  I seriously need to make this guy some cookies or something.  I feel horrible each time I see the two of them standing there in the cold, waiting on me.

Every Sunday morning and every Wednesday night, I am supposed to be at church early for Bible Quizzing practice.  I am the assistant coach and I'm late every time.  Seriously, every single time.  It's so hard to get my four children dressed, fed, looking presentable, and out the door on time.  I've taken to waking up a half hour earlier on Sundays and eating dinner an hour sooner on Wednesdays.  Still, I'm late.

On Sunday evenings, I typically have vocal music practice at church.  Yep, I'm late every time.  I start getting ready at 4:00 and still struggle.  Last week, I started getting ready one hour earlier and still ran late!  I just don't know what to do with myself.

I tried setting my clocks fast.  That didn't work because I knew they were fast.  I tried setting out everyone's clothes and ironing them the night before.  That didn't help either.  I'm afraid I'm a lost cause.  When I was single and newly married, I was early for everything.  I blame it totally on the children.

So, if anyone discovers some sort of magical crystal at the bottom of the ocean that allows a person to actually freeze time, please offer to share it with me.  I need it more than you know!

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Tell me, what would you choose as your super power, if you were allowed just one?  Also, do you tend to run late, no matter how hard you try?

Authentic People

I love answering questions about myself.  Is that vain?  I love filling out surveys too, which I've made very clear on this blog.  I think it has more to do with organized form filling-out rather than vanity.  Abigail is hosting a blog party that has an awesome list of questions to be answered.  I was so ready to answer the questions that I started at 7:30 AM, when I should have been getting my second grader up for school.  Maybe the few extra moments of sleep will make her even more beautiful.

Here are my answers to Abigail's Authentic People Blog Party Questions.  (By the way, Abigail is the daughter of one of my favorite bloggers, Lynette.  Lynette is one of the most real and honest people whose blog I read.  She has a whole bunch of beautiful kids and she takes amazing pictures.  Beautiful Abigail helps her out with photography.)

1} What's the nerdiest/geekiest/weirdest thing about you?
My obsession with forms kind of ranks up there, I guess.  I love coupons...that's pretty geeky.  I also claim to be an OCD Failure.  I love things neat, organized, lined up, and perfect.  But I'm always too busy or too lazy to get things exactly as I want them.

2} If you could live in a fictional universe from any book, movie, or television show, what would it be?
I would definitely live in Mayberry from the Andy Griffith Show.  I love that small-town feeling where evenings are spent on the porch swing eating coffee cake while playing guitar and singing.  There would be so much less stress in life and less crime in the world if things were really like that.

3} Little or big, practical or frivolous, what is one of your favorite items in your house?

My dad is a woodworker and makes the most beautiful turned bowls from rare wood.  They're worth a fortune and are definitely among my most prized possessions.  I also must mention my Shutterfly albums, my red stock pot, and my camera.

4} Do you like animated movies? If so, what is your favorite?
Love 'em!  Beauty and the Beast is probably my all-time favorite.  I adore brunette princesses who have a love for the written word.

5} What is your favorite household chore?
Definitely vacuuming.  I don't mind it at all and I love the straight lines it leaves in the carpet.  (See, there's a bit more of that OCD creeping up on me.)

6} What's your favorite thing to get at Starbucks (or your favorite coffee shop)?
Tall, no water chai, extra hot.

7} What is your favorite pizza topping?
I used to always say pepperoni.  But lately, I've kind of been an extra cheese girl.  I guess it depends on where the pizza is from.

8} Waffles or pancakes?
Waffles.  No doubt. 

9} Do you like to play games? If so, what is your favorite?
Board games rock!!  On New Year's Day, my cousins get together and play games all day!  It's one of the best days of the year.  Not to toot my own horn, but I am a beast at Taboo.  Like, pretty much unbeatable.

10} Have you ever let anyone win a game?
My kids- sure.  Other adults- yeah, I think so.  Sometimes you just feel so bad for the other person because they're horrible.

11} Have you ever dyed your hair?
Nope, never.

12} Do you make your bed every morning?
Absolutely!  I hate getting back into an unmade bed.  Clean sheet night is something I greatly anticipate!

13} Picasso or Norman Rockwell?
Norman Rockwell.  Again, it kind of goes along with my Andy Griffith fetish.

14} Do you like carpet, tile, or hardwood floors?
I like them all.  My home is mostly hardwood.  I have one room of carpet.  I guess tile is my least favorite.

15} If you could put one thing in a safe under your bed, what would it be?
My wedding album.  I actually do have my wedding video in a fireproof safe.

16} What's your favorite condiment?
I'm not a big condiment user so I guess I'll say soy sauce.  I do love me some salty soy sauce!

17} Have you ever thrown up on someone (excluding when you were a child)?
I don't think so.  My mom said I never threw up as a kid and I know I've not done it as an adult.

18} What was the last thing that made you laugh?
My kids.  They are really funny!

19} Think fast...what's the first song that pops into your head?
Your Masterpiece has been stuck in my head all day.  It's one of the songs we're learning for our choir Christmas concert.  It's so beautiful!

It seems like there ought to be 20 questions.  Ending it at 19 is so daringly different!  I hope you'll join in the Blog Party!  And if you're visiting from there, welcome!  I hope you'll look around and stay a while!

Just a Little Bit of Funny

I don't normally post videos but this was the funnies thing I've seen in a long time!  It had my kids rolling on the floor!  Please follow with Interview With a 2-Year-Old.

Goofing Off

Just for Laughs

When I read this, I actually laughed out loud.  There was a time in my life when I would have done these things.  (Before I got old.)  Next time we go on vacation to a tall hotel, I might have to bring this list with me.

Annoying Things To Do On An Elevator
1.  Crack open your briefcase or handbag, peer inside and ask "Got enough air in there?"
2.  Stand silent and motionless in the corner facing the wall without getting off.
3.  When arriving at your floor, grunt and strain to yank the doors open, then act as if you're embarrassed when they open themselves.
4.  Greet everyone with a warm handshake and ask him or her to call you Admiral.
5.  Meow occasionally.
6.  Stare at another passenger for a while.  Then announce in horror:  "You're one of them!" - and back away slowly.
7.  Say DING at each floor.
8.  Say, "I wonder what all these do?" And push all the red buttons.
9.  Make explosion noises when anyone presses a button.
10.  Stare, grinning at another passenger for a while, then announce:  "I have new socks on."
11.  When the elevator is silent, look around and ask:  "Is that your beeper?"
12.  Try to make personal calls on the emergency phone.
13.  Draw a little square on the floor with chalk and announce to the other passengers:  "This is my personal space."
14.  When there's only one other person in the elevator, tap them on the shoulder, then pretend it wasn't you.
15.  Push the buttons and pretend they give you a shock.  Smile, and go back for more.
16.  Ask if you can push the button for other people but push the wrong ones.
17.  Hold the doors open and say you're waiting for your friend.  After a while, let the doors close and say, "Hi Greg, how's your day been?"
18.  Drop a pen and wail until someone reaches to help pick it up, then scream: "That's mine!"
19.  Bring a camera and take pictures of everyone in the lift.
20.  Pretend you're a flight attendant and review emergency procedures and exits with the passengers.
21.  Swat at flies that don't exist.
22.  Call out "Group hug" then enforce it.

I have to say, I think #10 is my favorite.  I couldn't do it without busting out laughing!

Anyone feel brave enough to try one (or several) of these today?

Respectful Vandalism

The teenage girls group that I head up started up again last night.  They range in age from 7th to 12th grades.  Yesterday happened to be our Youth Pastor's birthday so I knew we had to do something big to acknowledge our appreciation.  Also, he's my first cousin so I know him pretty well.  I wanted to do something on the line of TPing (rolling, whatever you call it) or Forking, but I didn't want to do anything that would be difficult to clean up.  My fabulous assistant suggested Chalking.  That's it!  That's exactly the kind of thing I was looking for.

About 20 of us loaded up on the church's passenger van and headed over to his house.  We were sure he was out for his birthday so we had plenty of time.  The girls also made an ugly sign that they decorated with scribbles and mud handprints (they were so creative last night) to announce to his upscale neighborhood that it was his birthday.

About 5 minutes into the job, my mom happened to call and mention that The Birthday Boy was five minutes from home when he decided to stop for ice cream.  Knowing what we were doing, she asked if he would drop ice cream by our grandparents' house to try to stall him for a bit.  It worked out perfectly and we finished just in time.

My girls had a blast and the photos are all over Facebook now.  I love meetings like that where I really feel like I connect with the girls and show them a good time in a safe community.  I also hope this program is still going to be around when my girls are teenagers.  I'll do my best to make sure that happens.

Another Stolen Post

Yeah, it's 6:00.  No, I haven't posted yet today.  Yeah, I have so many things in mind I want to post about but don't have the time or mental clarity for any of them right now.  I seriously think I'm still jet-lagged.  How long can I use that excuse?  A month or two???

I'm also trying to get caught up on reading all my favorite blogs from when I was gone.  It's taking forever because all those awesome bloggers keep posting and posting!  It may take years.

Anyway, k posted this about a week ago and I thought it was clever.  So I'm gonna steal it.  (Swiper, no swiping!)  It's a writing exercise that requires a one word answer.  So let's see how I do.

yourself: busy

your boyfriend/girlfriend (husband, whatever): superman

your hair: graying

your mother: aging

your dog: nope

your favorite item: home

your dream last night: performing

your favorite drink: tea

your dream car: Mercedes

the room you are in: dining

your fear: failure

what you want to be in ten years: happy

who you hung out with last night: kids

what you're not: perfect

muffin: cinnamon

one of your wish items: patio

time: flies

the last thing you did: cooked

what you are wearing: plaid

your favorite weather:  seventy

your favorite book: Binchy

the last thing you ate: cake

your life: blessed

your mood: sleepy

your best friend: Hubby

what you are thinking about right now: eating

your car: van

what you are doing at the moment: coughing

your summer: amazing

your relationship status: blissful

what is on your tv: cartoons

what is the weather like: cool

when is the last time you laughed: four-ish

Driver's Seat

I just realized it's nearly 6:00 PM and I haven't posted yet today.  I'm not really sure why.  I think my brain is just a little overloaded right now.  I've even been a bit crabby.  Don't worry, I won't take it out on you.

Going through my file of pictures trying to decide what to post on short notice, I stumbled upon this picture of my two beautiful daughters.  They get along so well right now and I hope that continues into adulthood.  This photo shows a cute game they play together.  Big Sis made it up one day as a way to entertain her baby sister.  It's called Driver's Seat.  Each of the girls sit in between the banister rails on the steps.  Together, they singsong "Driver's Seat, Driver's Seat" as they lean from one side to the other.  That's it.  I don't really get why it's fun but apparently it is.  Baby Girl will even ask throughout the day for her sister to play Driver's Seat with her.  She asked me to play once but didn't understand why I couldn't fit in between the banister rails. 

I just love little creative things my kids do.

Laughter is the Best Medicine

I told someone the other day that there is no lack of laughter in my marriage.  I have the funniest husband who keeps me cracking up at all times.  The person responded that laughter is the most important key to a happy marriage.  I told her that we will always have a successful marriage then because all we do is laugh.  Maybe Hubby has a bit of a corny sense of humor but I totally appreciate it.

He does voices.  Not quite Robin Williams status, but close.  He loves to imitate Ben Stiller's different characters, which sets him off quoting movie lines.  There's a guy we know who has a very distinct voice and Hubby does it perfectly.  It always makes me laugh...UNLESS he busts it out when he's kissing me or being romantic.  It instantly gives me the heebie-jeebies and leaves me running away, screaming!

We also have tons of goofy little games we play.  Our newest game started when we were in Las Vegas.  There are lots of very interesting people to be seen in Vegas, to say the least.  When passing a unique couple, we would simply say one word: "him" or "her."  It always amazes me when you see a couple where one of them is significantly better looking than the other.  It makes me wonder why.  In this picture though, it's pretty obvious.  We would chime in with a unanimous "Her!"

I'm so glad I have a life full of laughter.  I would take that any day over a life of wealth or even a life of success.  If I had to choose between a gorgeous hunk with killer abs but no personality, or an overweight unattractive dude who kept me rolling in laughter, it would be an easy decision.  Somehow, the Lord blessed me with both- a gorgeous guy who is the funniest person I know.  When people see us, they certainly shout out, "Him!"  I guess I'm just blessed!

What one thing do you most share with your spouse- laughter, romance, intellect, hobbies, talents, OCD?

The Craziness that is My Life

Here's what's been going on around here lately. 

Son #1 is at Boy Scout camp this week.  He's never been away this long before and I'm worried about him.  Fortunately, two of the leaders are related so that helps ease my mind.  He just seems too little to be doing stuff like that.  See, look how precious he still looks in this plush lion costume!  (He would kill me if he found out I posted this!)  I get to visit him tonight.

Son #2 had to follow suit since he was the original owner of this Cowardly Lion costume.  If I'm being honest, he looked much cuter in it six years ago.





The boys have been cleaning out their closet.  They have found many treasures.  Here is another friend who recently came to greet me.  I was told that his name is Professor Poopy Pants.



The Professor brought this friend with him:





This has been quite an interesting summer thus far.

Blogger's Choice

Today, I have my choice of old pictures to post.  I went through a couple of my mom's albums and picked out some of my favorites.



I was awfully cute!  Actually, I look a lot like Baby Girl here!



I knew I wanted to be a teacher from a very young age.
This is me teaching a classroom of "students."



I also wanted to own a restaurant.



Me as Pipi Longstocking for Right to Read Week
at school



Check out that library!  (I was always a big
Dr. Seuss fan!)



This one reminds me so much of Baby Girl!



I got my fishing skills from my dad and my fashion sense from my mom!





Bad Boys, Bad Boys - Whatcha Gonna Do?

Today's photo assignment is "My Parents Would Kill Me..."  Sorry to say, I was a good girl.  I rarely did anything that my parents didn't know about.  But if I did, I was much too smart to allow it to be photographed.  So instead, I'll post a few pictures of bad things my own kids have done.  (You may have seen some of these before.)

Actually, those were much funnier than they were bad.  I probably have better things on video, but who has time to go through hours and hours worth of video???

I Was Really Proud

As a mother of four kids, there have been a lot of times when I've been proud.  The first time they said "Mama" or when they took their first step.  When they've been in Spelling Bees, school plays, and band concerts, when they've sang in church, and when they've brought home letters saying that they have been accepted into the gifted program.  They make me proud every day when they help take care of their baby sister, when they set the table without being asked, and when they reach out to a new kid who has yet to make any friends.

But all that began the day that each of them were born.  Hearing "It's a Boy!" or "It's a Girl" just thrilled my heart each time!  I was enamoured with them from the moment I first saw each one of their squishy little faces.

To pick one moment that made me proud is too difficult.  Instead, I have to pick all of them.

Tears on my Pillow

A time that made me cry...

My wedding, the birth of each of my babies, a few bad marital fights, death, the end of Titanic...

As I get older, I tend to tear up a bit more often.  I think it's just life's experiences weighing on me.

This picture shows one of the first times I remember tearing up.  I can't say I actually boo-hoo cried, but I remember being pretty sad.  It was my first day of Kindergarten.

It was a rainy day and I was terrified to go into the big school on the hill without my Mommy.  I was a very shy kid who didn't even speak to adults.  So how was I going to make it all day with this strange lady in charge of me and no mom to tell me, "Say thank you," or "Get in line now."?  That smile on my face is fake.  I wasn't happy.  I wanted to stay at home and play with my toys.  But my mom pushing me to go out on my own was one of the best things she ever did for me.  If I was allowed to make my own decisions, I would still be living in my pink room at her house- no husband, no kids, and no education.  That's why God gave us parents to make the tough decisions for us.

When she left that day, I cried and hoped she would come back and tell me I didn't have to ever go to school.  Ever. 

I'm just glad I had three tough kids who all started Kindergarten without any tears.  That would have been much harder to deal with than my own first day of school.  I'm happy they were all more brave I was!

That was Embarrassing!

Today's picture is supposed to represent an embarrassing moment.  I've been embarrassed a lot of times in my life but, thankfully, few of them were captured on film.

My Senior year of high school, I won a scholarship contest and was supposed to ride in the town's parade.  My cousin won the same scholarship the year before and got to ride on the top of a Corvette convertible.  I was pretty pumped about riding in a fancy car.  I would never be a beauty queen, so I had to earn my convertible rights with my brain!

I dressed up in my best church outfit, got my hair did, and waited on my ride to show up.  It was time for the parade to begin and there was no sleek car.  The president of the scholarship organization said there was a problem with the Corvettes so we would have to ride in the organization's hay wagon.  How dreamy.  I kicked off my heels and plopped down on the floor of the hay wagon.  I held up my "Scholarship Winner" sign and tried to wave at the people laughing at me.  I knew where my family was sitting, waiting to see me drive by.  I wanted to bury my head in the hay and hide.

This picture shows me arriving at the spot where my family sat to watch the parade.  My boyfriend (now husband) felt my pain and was trying to comfort me.  He told me I was the prettiest one on the hay wagon.  (That's not something you hear every day.)

So, there ya go...more embarrassment for your laughing pleasure!

Teenage Dream

Today's Blast From the Past photo challenge is a picture of me as a teenager.  Fortunately, I have lots of those.

Yes, this is me with Hubby way back in 1992!  That's when we started dating, so I've been with him for over half my life!  (He's even more handsome now!)

Another pic of Hubby and me, from a Valentine banquet back in '93.  We are standing in my parents' living room, which still looks pretty much the same.

I had to include a wedding picture because I was technically a teenager here!  I turned 20 two weeks after my wedding.  15 years later, I hope he's still happy with me...