The weirdest thing!

On Saturday, I thought we were being invaded! Thousands of black birds kept circling and landing, circling and landing in the trees, weeds, and on the barbwire fence of the lot next door. As they flew over our house I was reminded of the picture of the locusts that the pioneers fought until the seagulls came to the rescue!




















It seemed choreographed as they took off in groups, some leading, some following. It was amazing! I wondered if it had something to do with the weather change? I don't know what brought them, but I enjoyed watching them. That is until I thought about our plans for a big garden, fruit trees, and berries!

1 street: 2 climates

Photos taken this morning!!!

This is the neighbor's house across the street:

SPRING!

This is our house:

WINTER!

These are not even the most dramatic pictures I could have taken! Most of the winter, driveways across the street are clear and dry while we have a couple inches of ice! Don't get me wrong, we would never trade my house and we are buying another north facing lot (go figure) because we are willing to deal with ice and snow for the house and yard we want on a cul-de-sac. I just wish the climates weren't so drastically different! It is a little discouraging when I am really ready for spring! I want to see my tulips and other bulbs emerge.

Unlikely friends

There is a strange phenomenon happening at my house that has me thinking somewhat deep thoughts (about puddle deep). Conner and Zippy have become the best of friends. During the day Zippy can usually be found on a leaf with Conner's front paw? claw? (whatever) protectively on him or sitting directly on him. At night, Zippy will sit watchfully on Conner's back while he sleeps. Realize of course that the gender of our pets are entirely a mystery and subject to the whims of the children naming them. I will let you ruminate over whether that has a bearing on this strange relationship. However, I would have thought that Zippy and Donna, the two frogs would be better suited friends and companions but Donna tends to be by herself most of the time.

I find the same thing often happens with people. The most unlikely people with seemingly opposite personalities can become fast friends.

My best (worst) WalMart story

Cami brought up a point that led to an idea. I just told my "Supernanny" WalMart story but it's not my best.

I was in a WalMart in Puerto Rico. I was in the restroom, which for those of you who know me I spend a lot of time in them, looking for them, etc thanks to the teeny, weeny, itsy, bitsy Huntington bladder I inherited. You name anywhere I've been and I can probably tell you where the bathroom is! There's another one for my short list of talents! Don't you wish you had my wealth of knowledge and experience?
Anyway, I was washing my hands with a generous amount of soap (how I hate public restrooms) when a lady exited a stall behind me. She then very politely explained that she had just had a manicure and therefore was unable to do up her pants. She then asked me to help her button and zip said pants. I know what you are thinking... "run away, run away". Unfortunately it was one of those moments in which I was so shocked by the request it didn't even occur to me to say no. I dutifully went over and began to try to button her skin tight, white stretch jeans over her ample belly. She must have had plenty of kids to develop that paunch. (So sorry for the visual you now have burned into th back of your brain which will permanently haunt you.) She then informs me that I must zip them first and then I will be able to button them. At this point, my brain kicks in and I think "What the ____ am I doing?" I finish zipping and buttoning her pants and exit the bathroom. Paul and I often enjoy exchanging strange stories that have happened to us. As I left the bathroom he said "You'll never believe what happened to me!" to which I replied, "I don't care what it was, I can top it!"

Now, here's the idea part. Everyone seems to have a WalMart (or other public place) story. Now that you have heard my best story, I would love to hear yours. I know Cherise has a WalMart story involving a man and the size of his underwear. If you haven't heard it, you should really ask her to tell you sometime.

Leave a comment and share your best public place story!

The Supernanny??!!?

As I was thinking about those matriarchs in the grocery store line. I was reminded of an experience I had in WalMart a few months ago. Now, first of all, let me say I am not a WalMart fan! They never have enough big carts to hold my brood, checkout lines are obnoxiously long, and returning anything there is like going through a criminal investigation. Having said that, I find myself there more often than I like because they carry some things (mainly craft items) that other superstores do not.
Anyway, I was standing in line at WalMart one day thinking my kids were being pretty good. No one had run off, there had been no blood, I had done relativly little screaming, and they were accepting my no answers to each candy bar they asked for. (They had to try asking for each variety on the off chance that the chocoholic in me might be tempted enough by the chocolate of one particular brand to say yes.) And then, the lady behind me catches my attention and says, "It looks like you could use the Supernanny" Yes, she had the nerve to say that!! Have you seen how the kids act on that show?! I think my chin actually hit the floor. Don't get me wrong, there have innumerable times that I freely admit I was in desperate need of the Supernanny, and I foresee many more in my future. This was not one of those times. I proceeded to tell her in the calmest voice I could muster that they were actually being pretty good for the amount of shopping we had done.
In all fairness, looking back, I think she was using the statement as a conversation opener so she could brag about her grandkids. I'm just not sure why she would choose something most mothers would consider an insult as a way to open friendly conversation!

WFMW - Toys worth buying!

Over at Rocksinmydryer Shannon has a weekly poll called Works for Me Wednesday. This Wed. she has asked us to suggest some of the favorite toys that we have bought and would recommend for their attention capturing and holding capabilities. Here are a couple of favorites around here.

Hyper Dash - This is a great portable fast paced active game that is adaptable to all ages. My kids love it and it gets them up and moving which is always a plus! It was recommended by meckmom (http://www.meckmom.com/2008/07/20/two-fun-family-games/) and I take that as a really great sign! My only regret was not buying the Hyper Dash Double Dash because it would be fun to have two going at the same time and the flexibility of using it with larger groups. You can find it on sale here: http://www.amazon.com/Wild-Planet-46001-Hyper-Dash/dp/B000TTPEXU

GeoTrax - If you have boys (mine are 8 & 6), you know about the fundamental need for speed and building things! This combines both.We have tried HotWheels race tracks as well as many other brands. Paul always wanted really cool racetracks as a kid and my theory is he is buying them now as a "big boy". Needless to say we have owned and gathered dust on many a racetrack! I like GeoTrax because it is interactive and can be rebuilt many different ways. The best part of a racetrack is laying it out, planning, building, and testing to see if it works. If mom or dad has to put it together and the child just watches the cars go round and round what's the fun in that? Another great thing is that GeoTrax are a gift that can continue to the next birthday, holiday, reward, etc. because you can keep adding sets.

Now for the down side... The sets are bulky and require storage space. We have also found that the remote will turn off and on our DVD player (how freaky is that?) They must be on the same wave length. So.. my advice is, if you have boys, throw out the toys (ie. racetracks) they don't play with, get you a big tote and make room for GeoTracks. And if by chance the remote messes with the other electronics in your house, don't tell the kids. Ours liked to stand around the corner with the remote while we were watching a movie. Their obnoxious creativity runneth over!

Now my question... Christian wants a webkinz or a Tamagotchi? How uncool am I that I don't know anything about these other than they don't come cheap? Anyway, if you have experience with these I would love your opinion! Are they worth the $ and more importantly, will they drive me to tighten my straightjacket?

Now check out what everyone else said over at Shannon's site! (http://rocksinmydryer.typepad.com/shannon/2008/11/works-for-me-to.html)

Why in the world...

I was in the shower this morning and noticed that my shower/clock/mirror/radio that Paul uses for shaving has a snooze on it. I began pondering, as I often do in one of the only quiet places in the house. I asked myself, "Why would you need a snooze button in the shower?" Do many people sleep in the shower? I have found myself feeling drowsy and sleepy (I am not a morning person) but never to the point where I would feel I needed an alarm! Maybe this is for people with narcolepsy? Maybe there are people who enjoy sleeping upright in the shower? Wow, their sense of balance must be amazing. Are you one of these talented people?

On the other hand maybe there are men who like to shave while taking a long leisurely bubble bath and tend to doze off, making them late for work.

The mirror certainly isn't for women who shave, we prefer to look at the body part we happen to be shaving to avoid very bloody accidents similar to the amount of blood present in Psycho. (Why is it that your ankles and shins bleed more than any single body part should? Not to mention that the bleeding is almost impossible to stop.) Just ask my mother how much a shin can bleed. She has a great experience! When as a newlywed, she allowed my father to attempt to shave her legs. He only got one swipe! But that's another story.

Wow, that was a big ranting tangent. Anyway, who would deem a snooze button a necessary addition to this type of clock? Any ideas?