Got Unibrow?

A bit of a story today about my 9 year old son, to start things off...

About two months ago now, he had a bit of a meltdown one morning before school. I could tell that something was clearly bothering him, but I just chalked it up to him not being a morning person. It definitely takes him a while every morning to become acclimated enough to be social and fit for human company. We're used to it and we generally just treat him gently until he's fully awake and then all is well.

This particular morning, I could hear him in his room, having himself one huge hissy fit about something. His modus operandi is to mutter to himself under his breath when he's feeling slighted or otherwise upset. He blows off a little steam and then feels better and then it's all good. This particular hissy fit seemed to be a bit more protracted than most. Finally, having heard enough of his muttering and "kid cussing" I went into his bedroom and sat him down and asked him just WHAT had his undies so much in a knot.
His very dramatic and oh-so-serious reply?

"Mom, I simply CANNOT go to school today... I have a unibrow"

This was one of those parental moments that no one really tells you about before you have kids... keeping a straight face when you just want to have yourself one big old laugh over something that your child has just said. It's not easy!

First of all, the child does not have a unibrow.. second, WTF?? Is this a big worry among the fourth grade set that I haven't heard about?
I somehow managed to compose myself, and believe me, that took some doing! I took him to the bathroom where I took a specially modified razor (I took off the blade, y'all!) and I managed to "remove" the phantom unibrow, at which point he went happily off to school, as if he hadn't a care in the world.

Over the past several weeks, "Unibrow" has become one of our family catch phrases (with an accompanying hand gesture, even!)
If someone is said to have a unibrow, it means they are in a particularly bad mood or having a bad day. "bushiness" is the term used to describe the severity of one's unibrow. If someone in the family is having a "bushy unibrow" day... look out!

My daughter has kindly agreed to model "the Unibrow" cranky face for you all. I'll have to edit later once I can get someone to model the hand gesture for me.

Imagine the amusement in our household when we saw THIS holiday commercial for Garmin GPS systems. We've all been singing this song to each other and giggling over it all day. Never let it be said we aren't easily amused! Give-a give-a give-a Garmin! BWAH!

(BTW, we DO have a Garmin handheld GPS! Love it, and love whoever came up with that commercial. Thanks for the laughs!)

Back soon!


11.30.06 @ 10:56 PM PST [link] |

When bad dogs happen to good people...

It's been quite a time of things around here with the BAD DOG. He's decided that he's quite a cat-chaser and my felines are decidedly not amused. They aren't at all shy about whapping the mutt on the nose with a claw or two, but he's sort of dense that way and keeps coming back for more.

He's also prone to protracted barking fits for reasons that only his little brain can fathom. As near as I can tell, people in hats are definitely a trigger, as is anyone who looks as menacing and obviously dangerous as a freckled 11 year old girl or anyone who seems to be.. you know, breathing.

I've been pretty lucky for the last few days. My two kids have been at their bio-dad's house, so I haven't had to make the mom's taxi runs to get the kids to and from the school bus. The bus comes early and we have a 17 mile drive each way to get TO the bus, so it's more involved than just shuffling them all out the door. (I wish!)
There is definitely some serious organization that needs to happen each school day. When you go to school that far away, if a lunch or backpack or school paper is forgotten, someone's definitely going to be unhappy for the day!

Getting three children and the dog ready and out the door this morning before 6:30 in the freezing cold (and dark!) took maneuvers of near military precision, let me tell you!
Is it any wonder that I'm looking forward to tomorrow when my brother in law comes to take my niece and the dreaded beast back home. yay! Thank heavens my niece is no trouble at all, I'd snap like a dry twig if they were both incorrigible!

On the bright side, My nephew is doing well after his surgery! See, there's always a bright side!

Back soon with some more interesting content, I hope!! xoxox
11.30.06 @ 12:54 PM PST [link] |

Post-Thanksgiving Rambling

Hi y'all! Long time no chat!

It's been kind of crazy here (I know, I know, what else is new, right?!)
After getting home from Vegas, my hubby and I promptly came down with this lingering cold-flu sort of thing that has been plaguing us for the better part of a week now. No fun, I can tell you. We'll both rally a bit one day and then be worse the next. I guess a lot of people around here have this creeping crud, because the cold and flu medicine aisle at the store is decimated! I'm trying to stay well-medicated, well-hydrated, and vitamin fortified! (now with extra crankiness!)

To add to the chaos around here, my 10 year old nephew is in the hospital today for some major surgery. He was born with Spina Bifida and over the last several years he has had several surgeries. This one is for his bladder and kidneys. He'll be having an 8 hour surgery today. We are keeping him in our thoughts.

While my nephew is in the hospital, I am watching his 6 year old sister, who is no trouble at all. She's really quiet and kind of meek and perfectly happy to go along with the program. Unfortunately, while my nephew is in hospital, my sis and her husband are staying in with him in Oakland, 60 miles away.This means that I also have to take care of my sister's dog who is VERY BAD. did I mention BAD? VERRRRRY Bad?

This creature is one of the most mannerless beasts I've met in a long time. He's big and rowdy, just a year old, and totally undisciplined. He's sweet enough, temper-wise but doesn't mind any commands worth a damn. It's going to be a LONG week or two. He's having a bad time settling in here and it's been really rough for us. I can't leave him alone without him having a conniption fit, even if he's in his dog crate. He's chasing my cats and pissing them off and generally, the house is in a complete uproar because of him. I'm just about at the end of my rope with this doggie. He's taking up SO much of my energy right now.
I feel a little bit guilty for being so resentful of the stupid dog, when there are much bigger family issues going on, but there you have it. I need the Dog Whisperer, stat!

Since I'm basically stuck at home for a while, I've got a few projects going on. I picked up my hooks this week for a little bit of "Hillbilly Knitting" a.k.a. crochet. Seriously, go read that post at Monster Crochet and while you're at it read this one too, I'll wait! Love it!

Lately, the weather has turned chilly here and I've been cold cold cold! I grabbed some yarn from the stash and made this no nonsense moebius scarf in just a few hours. The best part about crochet is that it's way faster than knitting. (for me anyhow, your mileage may vary)

Of course I've lost the ball bands, so I don't remember the name of the yarn, but it's is from Joann, their store brand, and it is the softest poofy blend of wool and cotton that I've felt in a long time. I've barely taken this thing off since I finished crocheting and wove in the ends.

With my crochet hook still smoking, I cast on for THIS crocheted cowl pattern (not a moebius this time)

Here is a close up of my piece.

It's a great pattern, fancy enough to be interesting, but still using simple stitches. The yarn I'm using is some mystery wool sock yarn that I got at the thrift store. I've been crocheting on this when I have the time and sense to pay attention to the pattern which hasn't been often. (See above re: BAD dog)

Desperately needing something to work on (hoping to keep my head while all about me are losing theirs) I began the easiest of all crochet projects, a ginormous granny stitch afghan. Of course, I had to do it in my current favorite color scheme, Neapolitan! Honestly, this matches with nothing else in my house, but I don't care a bit. the colors make me happy and it's great to work on while I'm watching tv. (I got heaps done while I was watching the season finale of "Prison Break" last night!)
The best thing... it's keeping me warm as I work on it! Good incentive to work faster so it gets larger!.

Time for me to go make lunch for the lil girlie and deal some more with the BAD DOG, wish me luck! *mwah*
11.28.06 @ 12:35 PM PST [link] |

Can you hear me now?
For some reason, my greymatter program has been eating my posts lately! I think I have it fixed now and we should be back to our regularly scheduled blogging!

Just a quickie post for now, but I thought I'd share this link with you all. It's a hoot!

The Holiday Party Excuse Generator

Back soon! xoxo
11.27.06 @ 08:16 AM PST [link] |