Remember the silver tinsel from the 60's? The lovely silver strings that you hung on your dried up real tree in big clumps? And then the cat would eat it and crap it out.
One year our tree was so crooked that my Dad strung up fishing line from the tree to the ceiling to straighten it out.
The time I dropped the huge metal scissors into the punch bowl and cracked it but did not know until the punch started leaking all over the counter.
The flat plastic sled with a rope on it that were surely death traps on the sledding hills but one of the best gifts ever?
Christmas parties at school with presents and everything!
The year my parents went out and tied one on and then had to come home and put out gifts.. and they tried to be quiet. (They were not!)
Sitting in the living room and gazing at the tree at 3:00, arguing about who would wake up our parents the first time. 5:30 was their limit, really and God bless them for it.
The year all the adult kids with their kids crashed at our parents and stayed up watching "Ghostbusters!"
Every year that my Dad crabbed but my Mom did everything to give us a good Christmas when there was no money for them to do it. She pulled it off every year. We made cookies and watched movies and had ribbon candy. And she was up fixing turkey and baking for days. The pies would line the counter and and the tree would be loaded with candy canes. My Mom loved Christmas and she passed it on to all of us. This is when I miss her most and not because it's a holiday, because it was her holiday.
But when I am baking cookies or wrapping gifts I may be missing her but I am also thanking her for giving me this magic season. Thank you Mom and Dad for making us giving and loving. For giving us joy and laughter. I love you forever! Merry Christmas!
Friday, December 24, 2010
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
R U KIDDING ME?
The roads are slick and snow covered and you are driving in traffic texting or on your phone.
When you say you don't talk on the phone when your kids are in the car. What about other people's kids in their cars?
You are standing on a street corner begging and have the nerve to pull out a pack of cigarettes to smoke (not even generic cigarettes).
A middle school student gets a disability check when he is not even employable..he's 13 for God's sake.
My Dad is in the donut hole for meds while same student gets a monthly check.
Our new health care will cover your child until they are 26 as long as they stay unemployed. If their job offers them crap insurance they have to take it and your insurance cannot even be secondary. Doesn't matter if they are a full time student. My insurance told me to tell her to quit her job.
Nachos and cheese as a school lunch? When did that become a healthy options? Okay, I lied, any school lunch served is not a healthy option.
School breakfast on Fridays? Pop Tarts 400 calories and chocolate milk 170 calories.
Snookie.
Anything Kardashian, come on people.
Television censors...really? Do your job!
Gas that goes up 20 cents but never down 20.
Celebrities that scream they are Christians and then dress and dance like porno stars. If you wouldn't act like that in front of Jesus don't act like that. period.
And don't thank God for your awards when all your cds have parental warnings on them.
It's Sesame Street, put the girls away.
People who hang in the left hand lane and won't let you pass. Get out of my way.
People who get pets and then leave them out to cry and yelp all night..if you aren't going to love it don't get it.
People who don't donate blood, it's a life you are saving and you get a really good cookie.
Okay, I feel better now.
When you say you don't talk on the phone when your kids are in the car. What about other people's kids in their cars?
You are standing on a street corner begging and have the nerve to pull out a pack of cigarettes to smoke (not even generic cigarettes).
A middle school student gets a disability check when he is not even employable..he's 13 for God's sake.
My Dad is in the donut hole for meds while same student gets a monthly check.
Our new health care will cover your child until they are 26 as long as they stay unemployed. If their job offers them crap insurance they have to take it and your insurance cannot even be secondary. Doesn't matter if they are a full time student. My insurance told me to tell her to quit her job.
Nachos and cheese as a school lunch? When did that become a healthy options? Okay, I lied, any school lunch served is not a healthy option.
School breakfast on Fridays? Pop Tarts 400 calories and chocolate milk 170 calories.
Snookie.
Anything Kardashian, come on people.
Television censors...really? Do your job!
Gas that goes up 20 cents but never down 20.
Celebrities that scream they are Christians and then dress and dance like porno stars. If you wouldn't act like that in front of Jesus don't act like that. period.
And don't thank God for your awards when all your cds have parental warnings on them.
It's Sesame Street, put the girls away.
People who hang in the left hand lane and won't let you pass. Get out of my way.
People who get pets and then leave them out to cry and yelp all night..if you aren't going to love it don't get it.
People who don't donate blood, it's a life you are saving and you get a really good cookie.
Okay, I feel better now.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Can you hear me now?
Usually my high points at work are when a student remembers from day 1 to day 2 that they have a "B" in their name or how many quarters are in a dollar. My job is never really rocket science, it just sometimes feels like that at the end of the day.
Today one of our students who has not been indentified as hearing impaired was hooked up to an easy listener system that it just a head set for her and a microphone for who is speaking to her. I was called last night to hear that we could hook her up today and I was very excited.
She comes to my room to do calender with my naughty boy and I put the set on her head and talk. Her face shows every ounce of surprise she has.. she can actually hear me better! People talk about "her face lit up" and I am here to tell you, "like a Christmas tree!" It was my Annie Sullivan/Helen Keller moment. When it was time for art I had to leave the room because I had to cry for the pure joy she had sitting in a room with voices she could understand. She was smiling all day and when we went to lunch which is so noisey she kept the headphones on.
I had to call her Mom I was so excited. This is a day that I will always remember and one that makes the crazy days so worth it.
Today I so loved my job!
Today one of our students who has not been indentified as hearing impaired was hooked up to an easy listener system that it just a head set for her and a microphone for who is speaking to her. I was called last night to hear that we could hook her up today and I was very excited.
She comes to my room to do calender with my naughty boy and I put the set on her head and talk. Her face shows every ounce of surprise she has.. she can actually hear me better! People talk about "her face lit up" and I am here to tell you, "like a Christmas tree!" It was my Annie Sullivan/Helen Keller moment. When it was time for art I had to leave the room because I had to cry for the pure joy she had sitting in a room with voices she could understand. She was smiling all day and when we went to lunch which is so noisey she kept the headphones on.
I had to call her Mom I was so excited. This is a day that I will always remember and one that makes the crazy days so worth it.
Today I so loved my job!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Beer Belly Bonanza & Muffin Mania
Growing up we kidded my Dad about having a watermelon in his belly. It was shaped like the perfect July melon and if you thumped on it the sound was also the same. How can your gut be that big and hard? Only if you are a man. It was not your classic slouchy beer belly...it was like it's own entity. The man is 72 and his belly is still hard.
Not so much for us women. We have what is called muffin tops and only because we refuse to buy pants one size larger. (My 1st husband told me it looked like an inflatable duck that kids used as floatation devices at the beach and I should paint a duck face on my shirt..note: 1st husband did not last too long)
Kenny does not comment on my muffin although when we first married he was surprised to see me jump and zip at the same time. I thought this was quite smart as the fat would fly up and it took alot of talent to zip fast enough before it came back down. "Why don't you just lay down on the bed?" he asked me. I could not take this defeat laying down and the whole process of getting up and off a waterbed in tight pants was too complicated, I continued to jump and zip.
Most of my co-workers are over 45 and we lament at our muffins. Even the size 2 that is now in a size 4 is disgusted with the ring around her middle. "I never had this before! Look at this" she cries as she pinches what amounts to a small pinch compared to me who could float down the Old Mighty Mississippi with my duck. And we surely can't wear our pants low like the guys do with their guts.
I hear the answer is Spanx but I gotta tell you, one good hot flash and that baby is melting out my pant legs onto the floor like the wicked witch in Oz. I think I will stick with big shirts. Isn't it time for smocks to be all the rage for women over 40? (And maybe men with their beer bellies too?)
Not so much for us women. We have what is called muffin tops and only because we refuse to buy pants one size larger. (My 1st husband told me it looked like an inflatable duck that kids used as floatation devices at the beach and I should paint a duck face on my shirt..note: 1st husband did not last too long)
Kenny does not comment on my muffin although when we first married he was surprised to see me jump and zip at the same time. I thought this was quite smart as the fat would fly up and it took alot of talent to zip fast enough before it came back down. "Why don't you just lay down on the bed?" he asked me. I could not take this defeat laying down and the whole process of getting up and off a waterbed in tight pants was too complicated, I continued to jump and zip.
Most of my co-workers are over 45 and we lament at our muffins. Even the size 2 that is now in a size 4 is disgusted with the ring around her middle. "I never had this before! Look at this" she cries as she pinches what amounts to a small pinch compared to me who could float down the Old Mighty Mississippi with my duck. And we surely can't wear our pants low like the guys do with their guts.
I hear the answer is Spanx but I gotta tell you, one good hot flash and that baby is melting out my pant legs onto the floor like the wicked witch in Oz. I think I will stick with big shirts. Isn't it time for smocks to be all the rage for women over 40? (And maybe men with their beer bellies too?)
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Up in Smoke
I started smoking when I was 18. Did I know how to smoke? No, but after giving it the old college try I mastered the fine art of sucking in trash and blowing it out. Everyone I knew smoked in the 80s and it was my major bow to peer pressure. My parents did not smoke and for years it was only my younger brother & I who puffed, puffed, puffed our way through life. And now I have spent all these years trying to quit.
My brother who quit just recently with Chantix was smoking 4-5 packs (yes, packs) a day. He is about a month into fresher lungs. I am a stupid smoker, maybe 2 a day and then maybe 10. I never buy them because I would smoke all day if I had a pack. How many times have I quit? Probably in a year I really smoke 10 months out of that year... I quit for 2 weeks, 3 days etc. but then I think oh, I can smoke just one.. I got news for myself, no you can't!
So I have not smoked since August 6th and I am not going to say "this time" because I need to be done with this.
Ah, my addictive personality. I am so happy I never tried cocaine because I gotta tell you, my nose would have been eaten off my face.
I am very thankful that my girls hate smoking. I told Aubrey years ago if she ever tried it I would lay her hands on the counter and hammer them until all her fingers were mangled and she would not look cool smoking at all. I would congratulate myself on putting the fear of God in her but I think she was just smarter than me.
So, I am not going to think "this time". I am going to say "the last time" I quit smoking because I never know when I can call myself an ex-smoker and that is almost as good as saying "I have never smoked".
My brother who quit just recently with Chantix was smoking 4-5 packs (yes, packs) a day. He is about a month into fresher lungs. I am a stupid smoker, maybe 2 a day and then maybe 10. I never buy them because I would smoke all day if I had a pack. How many times have I quit? Probably in a year I really smoke 10 months out of that year... I quit for 2 weeks, 3 days etc. but then I think oh, I can smoke just one.. I got news for myself, no you can't!
So I have not smoked since August 6th and I am not going to say "this time" because I need to be done with this.
Ah, my addictive personality. I am so happy I never tried cocaine because I gotta tell you, my nose would have been eaten off my face.
I am very thankful that my girls hate smoking. I told Aubrey years ago if she ever tried it I would lay her hands on the counter and hammer them until all her fingers were mangled and she would not look cool smoking at all. I would congratulate myself on putting the fear of God in her but I think she was just smarter than me.
So, I am not going to think "this time". I am going to say "the last time" I quit smoking because I never know when I can call myself an ex-smoker and that is almost as good as saying "I have never smoked".
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Grumpy Old Men
I am not sure why I am stuck in this postion but I guess I may have to Thank my mom again. This was her job and now it has fallen to me whether I like it or not. It is alot of work.
My Uncle is now in the hospital fighting lung cancer. I think he looks pretty good for what he has been through but that is my opinion. I am trying to get information from a few people over 70 and I gotta tell you, these people are driving me nuts.
OH NO! HE REFUSES TO EAT! HE WILL DIE! (His son says he is bull-headed and the patient doesn't remember refusing the feeding tube)
HE HAS LOST 3 PINTS OF BLOOD! WHERE DID IT GO? HE IS GOING TO DIE! (blood transfusions after chemo are normal.. & I hate that I know this)
So I am like a firefighter... spray a few words here, a phone call there.. and I pray which makes God happy that my anger is down a notch.
& My Uncle Skip tells stories to his brother. They talk about "the old man" and the service..one is a veteran, the other running from the MPs. They talk about kids and marriage and alot about cars. (I swear a man would recognize an old car before any people in a photo..yeah, he had that 56 Chevy.. remember that 46 Buick? )
I sit in the hospital and listen and my Uncle winks at me with tubes in his nose & stomach as Skip spins another tale. They are the uncles that break my heart because they are so alone through mistakes and misteps. But I need them to know that they are loved by many so I go crazy with them.
I hope my Uncle gets out of the hospital and moves in with his brother. I hope they tool around town and everyone knows they are the Shireman boys. I hope they laugh together. And I hope when it's time they know they had a hell offa run and most of all they know that people loved them.
That is my prayer to God today.. know that you are loved. (No matter how grumpy you are!)
My Uncle is now in the hospital fighting lung cancer. I think he looks pretty good for what he has been through but that is my opinion. I am trying to get information from a few people over 70 and I gotta tell you, these people are driving me nuts.
OH NO! HE REFUSES TO EAT! HE WILL DIE! (His son says he is bull-headed and the patient doesn't remember refusing the feeding tube)
HE HAS LOST 3 PINTS OF BLOOD! WHERE DID IT GO? HE IS GOING TO DIE! (blood transfusions after chemo are normal.. & I hate that I know this)
So I am like a firefighter... spray a few words here, a phone call there.. and I pray which makes God happy that my anger is down a notch.
& My Uncle Skip tells stories to his brother. They talk about "the old man" and the service..one is a veteran, the other running from the MPs. They talk about kids and marriage and alot about cars. (I swear a man would recognize an old car before any people in a photo..yeah, he had that 56 Chevy.. remember that 46 Buick? )
I sit in the hospital and listen and my Uncle winks at me with tubes in his nose & stomach as Skip spins another tale. They are the uncles that break my heart because they are so alone through mistakes and misteps. But I need them to know that they are loved by many so I go crazy with them.
I hope my Uncle gets out of the hospital and moves in with his brother. I hope they tool around town and everyone knows they are the Shireman boys. I hope they laugh together. And I hope when it's time they know they had a hell offa run and most of all they know that people loved them.
That is my prayer to God today.. know that you are loved. (No matter how grumpy you are!)
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Summer Sleep
My top reason for loving summer and having a job that I have summers off? Sleep.
I remember being 4 or 5 and not sleeping and it amazes me that most people can go to bed, close their eyes and just ..sleep.
I am laying in bed thinking of how to save the world, get my laundry done, Did I load the dishwasher.. uh oh, better get up and look, I need a vacation..mm, where would I go? I wonder if it's going to rain? Did we lock the pool ladder? Did I close my car windows? Is everyone okay? What is that stupid cat doing? Did i put that payment in the mail? Better get up and check.. it is a non stop chaos soup in my brain.
But summer... at least I can toss and turn and know I can sleep in..every flipping day! Pure bliss.
I realized this morning that our coffee pot goes off after 2 hours and I have had to get up and turn it back on all week.. I miss the Today show... I don't care.. I stayed up late reading my book (Jen Lancaster is my new favorite author right now.. too funny!) and didn't have to worry about when I would fall asleep.. it is soo great!
And I am already thinking.. school starts in August, my sleep will again be jacked up. I will return to the tossing and turning of Sunday nights (Always the worst) and the thinking of Saturday mornings.
There is not much better than rolling over at 8:00 and just laying there..
until I think.. is my laundry done?
I remember being 4 or 5 and not sleeping and it amazes me that most people can go to bed, close their eyes and just ..sleep.
I am laying in bed thinking of how to save the world, get my laundry done, Did I load the dishwasher.. uh oh, better get up and look, I need a vacation..mm, where would I go? I wonder if it's going to rain? Did we lock the pool ladder? Did I close my car windows? Is everyone okay? What is that stupid cat doing? Did i put that payment in the mail? Better get up and check.. it is a non stop chaos soup in my brain.
But summer... at least I can toss and turn and know I can sleep in..every flipping day! Pure bliss.
I realized this morning that our coffee pot goes off after 2 hours and I have had to get up and turn it back on all week.. I miss the Today show... I don't care.. I stayed up late reading my book (Jen Lancaster is my new favorite author right now.. too funny!) and didn't have to worry about when I would fall asleep.. it is soo great!
And I am already thinking.. school starts in August, my sleep will again be jacked up. I will return to the tossing and turning of Sunday nights (Always the worst) and the thinking of Saturday mornings.
There is not much better than rolling over at 8:00 and just laying there..
until I think.. is my laundry done?
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