Sum It Up Sunday - The Week In Random Observations

Track Meet
Conversation with youngest son at his eldest brother's track meet after observing him hang out for a bit with two boys:

Me:" Who were those boys you were talking with? Are they friends from school?"

Youngest: "Not exactly... more like PEERS."

Note to self: I've met quite a few peers and only one friend to date this year. Not sure if I should be concerned.

Talking Dirty
Middle son as I was watering my plants asked me if I knew the difference between Dirt & Soil.
When I shrugged my shoulders, he went on to explain:

"Dirt is soil where it's not supposed to be..."

Note to self: My house isn't dirty, I'm just gardening indoors!

How to Bond With A Teenager

Yesterday I had to take the eldest to a Ensemble Contest for his 7th Grade Band. Afterwards I took him for ice cream. We also went shopping for shorts and dress shoes for him.

We usually find out about wardrobe deficiencies when the weather changes. Or when dressing up for special occasions! I observed the boy limping in his 2-sizes too-small dress shoes. The other clue was sneaking along a pair of sneakers to change into after the contest.

We bonded over ice cream and shopping. I usually have an enjoyable time when I get one on one time.

Note to self: The key to success for quality time with a teenager is to make it all about them!

Sum it Up Sunday - Week in Review

Time is Running Out!
This lovely Calculator-Alarm Clock came in the mail Wednesday thanks to my husband doing a price-comparison on Auto insurance. Even though I have yet to join AARP and I've gone through a 3rd extension of the deadline to join, I was sent this lovely gift. No note. Just showed up in the mail. Couldn't help but think there was a subliminal message involved. Kind of like the horse head from The Godfather!


Brace Yourself

Eldest Son got his braces off & on Thursday, received his retainer. He is supposed to wear this gadget 24/7 with a few exceptions. So far he's not being very cooperative. He's either eating, about to eat, just eaten or "playing sports". Said sports include: throwing a Nerf football with his baby brother, riding his bike around the neighborhood, and playing with neighborhood kids.

I've made a new rule: No retainer, No TV!

Miracles do Happen

This week I also had my 1st Parent-Teacher conference for my 6th-grader. He is doing well in school and is well-liked by all. Only negative is his organizational skills (or lack thereof). He needs to slow-down, proof-read his work and organize his notebook & backpack. My 7th grader likes to be organized and has been making fun of what a disaster his brother's locker is.

I also struggled with being Organizationally-impaired growing up. It is a life-long battle.

We decided that it might be a good idea for Alex to come in early one day a week to straighten & properly file papers at school. I also approached the idea of my oldest son helping his brother with his locker. My middle-son reluctantly agreed to let his brother help, as long as he wouldn't be "judged".

I came home Friday afternoon to find that both boys stayed after school to straighten up the messy locker. Without being told and without any bickering!

It's not even Christmas yet. Miracles really do happen!

The Plague Hits Home
Yesterday we discovered my middle-child was running a high fever and has caught some sort of Flu-Bug. We are keeping him sequestered mostly in his room, letting his roommate/younger brother camp-out in the loft on a sofa. At this point, I would guess that we are all exposed and at risk. But just in case, we are taking a few precautions.

My husband spoke to our pediatrician. The epidemic has hit our schools, with as much as 50% of the student population that may be infected in the next week or two. Not much we can do but keep our patient comfortable, hydrated and isolated. Could last for several days.

I now am worried every time I have a "Hot-Flash". Menopause or the Flu? Perhaps I need to start wearing a surgical mask!

New Bike
Christmas also came early in the way of a shiny new bicycle for my eldest. Devon has been wanting a new bike with gears and other accoutrement befitting a teenage boy. He will be turning 13 in a few months but couldn't wait. After a few weeks of shopping around, he found "the one" today at Target!

Much to my husband's surprise, the kid even brought a wad of cash from his allowance and odd-job payouts. I guess "Santa" will have to find another gift to bring!

Sum it up Sunday

It seems like the Summer has gone by in a flash. We are finally getting some hot weather. My vegetable garden is starting to look a bit ravaged as our tomatoes are coming on faster than we can eat them. Snap pea season is over and my vines are all brown. My yellow squash vines are also drying up after producing a bumper crop this year. What once was full of promise and anticipation is turning to melancholy and dread.

Less than two weeks till Back to School. I am not ready for Fall!!!

Took the boys for a quick dip at our neighborhood pool tonight. We then came home and I made some Bruschetta / French Bread Pizza with some over-ripe (rotting) tomatoes, basil & mozzarella. Yum!

I was hoping to take some garden photos today but I was uninspired. I think I will post a few of my favorites that I have on my photo blog ( Drive by Shooting).

Sum It Up Sunday - Week in Review

Summer is in full swing. The days are flying by. Only two more weekly swim meets left!
The boys are doing well and are accumulating stacks of ribbons. I wonder if they will miss their morning swim practices next month. The older two boys are volunteering at the library and all three are participating the the Summer Reading program. They also all have weekly music lessons; trumpet for Devon and piano for the other boys.

Life's A Gas

I am constantly amazed at the progress the boys are making. The other day my husband informed me that my eldest son figured out how to play the NBC theme song. At first Dad was not impressed, after all it is only 3 notes. "How hard is it to play three stinking notes?" my hubby inquired.

" It's ironic that you used the word "stinking". I played it with my butt" our eldest (and baddest) boy replied.

Ewwww. Glad I was't there! Does the "Butt Trumpet" count as a musical instrument? If so I have a very talented boy! ( and a stinky one as well). ;p

Speaking of gas, this is what I paid this week with my 30 cent Kroger Marketplace discount - $2.18.
Not bad.... My Three Sons in Missouri " finally saw 2.29 ... for gas" this week.

What I paid for gas using my 30 cent discount!

Anticipation is Making me Wait...
My Bush Champion Tomatoes are getting really big and I am anxiously awaiting their safe change to red. I keep hearing about this terrible Tomato Blight and am trying to closely monitor my plants. I am finding the typical spotting on a few branches of leaves but I don't think we have any with the late blight that the media is reporting. As I bought a bunch of plants from a grower that was hit (Bonnie Plants) I am concerned. I've worked too hard this year to lose my crops.

As seen in the photo above, these are the biggest tomatoes I have EVER grown! Can't wait for them to turn red.


Bowling for Discounts

Yesterday I took the boys bowling so they could use some of the "Free" coupons they have accumulated. All 3 boys were given coupons for 2 free games. (not including shoe rental). When we arrived at the alley, my youngest son informed me that he lost his coupon. I paid for his 2 games and the shoes for the boys which set me back $16.

After bowling we went to dinner to use another coupon for 15% off at one of our favorite Italian restaurants, where I dropped $70 for dinner for 4.

Evening out with my boys, PRICELESS!


Hot Mess
Dad was home last night working on fixing a leak in the hot water pipe. Still working on it today. The broken part is ancient and impossible to find. Hope he gets the problem fixed. Today. I need a shower. Badly!

Seems like everything in the house is breaking at once. My hubby just fixed the ice-maker. Next on tap after the Hot Water heater is looking at new dishwashers.

When it rains, it pours. Same thing happens when pipes & dishwashers are broken...

On that note, it is a sunny day & I think I'll take the boys to the pool. Might be the closest we'll get to having a bath or shower today!

Sum It Up Sunday - All A-Twitter

Finally Jumped On The Band-Wagon

This past week, I finally set up a Twitter account. As if I didn't have enough time-sucking hobbies on the web! I'm still trying to make sense of it all. The 140 character limit can be maddening. Also the frequency of some vs the infrequency of others can be overwhelming. I'm not yet sure how to use this tool.

I guess it's good for when I have a tidbit that is short, even by Friday Fragment standards or if I want to try to draw attention to a post or event.

Barack's Teleprompter

A friend sent me a link to a new blog, http://baracksteleprompter.blogspot.com/ which is a smartly written blog from the point of view of the President's teleprompter, TOTUS. While much of the humor is over my head, I still feel a bit guilty for following it.

The blog is written by Mark Hemingway who is a writer for the National Review, a vehicle for the Republican Party. I wonder if "The Big Guy" reads this new blog. If so, does he find it entertaining?


Bad Momma's Secret to Housecleaning

I let my middle-son invite a friend from school over yesterday. The rules are simple. If you want to invite a friend for a "play date", you must help clean the house.

Works like a charm. We need to entertain more often.

Media Overload

Between blogs, websites, FaceBook, LinkedIn and Twitter, I have 9 places to post information on the internet. I have maxed out my ability to disseminate tidbits of creativity and knowledge.

On that note, time for my caffeine infusion so I can make it through the day!

Happy Spring!!!!