Wrist Control

I know, I have a strange sense of humor. This cracked me up.

It's been a rough week here. The Master has been home sick and, between us, we have missed 3 1/2 school days, 3 kickboxing classes, 4 martial arts classes, 1 cello lesson, and 1 ladies Bible Study. Between not getting any exercise and living solely on coffee and Girl Scout cookies, I feel like a human slug. Ugh.

Anyway, even blogging seems like an effort right now so I'll leave you with these:

This makes me laugh.

This makes me sigh.

And This makes it all worth it.

Fear Can be a Mitey Thing

One morning I found the Master curled into a small ball, lying entirely on top of his pillow.

"Hello. What are you doing?"

"Trying to keep away from the Dust Mites."

"Huh?"

"Since Dust Mites are so small, it will take them longer to crawl up here," he explained.

Curse you, Science Channel! He had recently watched a show about these creepy bugs and, apparently, had developed an acute awareness of them. Very acute. I guess that's what happens when you see something that God never intended us to look upon with our naked eyes.

"Will you wash my sheets today?"

"Ooookay...."
Rats, I was hoping to let them go a few more weeks a little longer.

"In hot water. It has to be hot."

I told him about the sanitary cycle on my washing machine.
(I'm happy that, in addition to killing dust mites, it helps mothers of little boys stay sane.)

After his clean, mite-free sheets were put on his bed, he was fine and slept soundly.

Which reminds me, I'd better go see what's coming up on the Science Channel....

Rice Sock

Here is a super simple idea that will bring you and your family comfort and joy. (Well, I can't guarantee the joy, but there will definitely be comfort!)

Take a sock, fill it with white, uncooked rice, and tie a knot to close the end. You can throw this in the microwave and heat and you will have a warm, comforting heat source that conforms to your body. This works great for growing pains, earaches, sinus pain, sore muscles, etc. You can also chill it in the freezer to relieve bumps and bruises. We use ours all the time. It's great to tuck into bed with a child on a cold winter's night.

The details: use a sock with a fine weave or the grains will leak through. Don't heat too long in the mircowave or it can become too hot. Just experiment - our sock with a cup of rice takes about 35 seconds on high.

Gently Now

The Master:
Why does my sister want to become a Gentle Hi-Dentist?

(she actually wants to be a Dental Hygienist, but I rather prefer the Master's version)

Relief and Confession

Dear Readers, you will be relieved to know that there was no sniffing. Not one sniff. I have to admit, though, at some point in the conversation, I did use the word, "poop". I don't remember why, but I'm sure there was a good reason. Unfortunately, that word is a integral part of every mother's vernacular.

Don't Sniff the Cream

I was telling Master Munchkin about an upcoming outing with a friend - we're meeting this weekend for a quick bite at a restaurant and some much needed "girl time".

The Master immediately launched into his lecture mode.

"Don't sniff the cream. Or burp. Or say 'stink' or 'butt' or any of those bad words. Use your manners- say 'please' and 'thank you'. But most important, no sniffing the cream!"

I had forgotten that I told him how I almost did something very rude on my last outing. I always, always smell the cream before I pour it into my coffee. I must have had a traumatic experience once, because cream does not go into my coffee unless it passes my nose test first. It's just something I do .

Anyway, a girlfriend had me over for coffee and it took everything within my power to not smell the carton of half-and-half that she scooted towards me across the table. I have to admit, it would have been rude to do so. Somehow, I restrained myself. And the cream was fine, of course.

I had forgotten all about that incident, but apparently it made an impression on the Master. So much that he felt the need to remind me. Twice.

I'll let you know how it goes. Will she sniff or will she not? And are there any other sniffers out there?

Kimora

But I'm A Special Duck

It started with a game of "Animal, Vegetable or Mineral". The conversation turned to Humans and how to classify them.

Me: Well, Science classifies people as "animals", but we're different from the rest of the animals - we're special.

Master Munchkin: But a duck thinks it's special too.

Me: No, they don't think like we do. We are different than all of the animals. We're not like anything else on Earth.

The Master, wryly: Yeah, right now there's probably a duck somewhere thinking the exact same thing.

Irish Wristwatch

Say these three times fast:

Irish wristwatch

Unique New York

Toy Boat

Yes, I have children.

So, how did you do?

NUMB3RS

My husband had a captive audience during a recent car ride and took the opportunity to talk to the Munchkins about one of his favorite subjects - Math. He started out teaching them about square roots then the topic somehow turned to numbers that have decimals that do not end or repeat themselves.

He asked Miss Munchkin if she knew what they were called.
"They start with the letter 'I'. You are this, sometimes, " he prompted.

Miss M: intelligent?
The Master: irritating?
Miss M: interesting?
The Master: interrupting?
Miss M: ingenious?
The Master: icky?
Miss M: incredible?

"Irrational!" my husband finally broke in.

The Munchkins, both a bit disappointed: Oh.

Are you Game?

If you are a Jane Austen fan, or even if you are not, try this game and post your score.

Inspiration

Here are 60 ways to give your photography a shot of inspiration.

Loved

I recently gave Miss Munchkin this beautiful necklace. Being a young teenager is never easy and I don't want her to forget, for even a moment, that she is loved. I know she *knows* that, but when you have a pimple, and miss that question on the test, and get thrown to the mat in martial arts class, it doesn't hurt to have a tangible reminder.



My fabulous friend, Ann, designs and creates these. Check out her work.

Swede At Heart
Etsy

Flair

I signed onto Facebook fairly recently, mostly to keep my thumb on the pulse of Miss Munchkin's world. OK, she doesn't actually have a Facebook account, but she most likely will someday and I like to be prepared.

One of the timewasters features you can find on Facebook are little buttons called "Flair". You can collect them and send them to your friends. I have to admit, it's like some of them were made for me.




You can even make your own Flair. I made this one:



So far, seven whole people have liked and used it.

This one cracked up the Master:



This one made me chuckle:



The things we do for our children.

Bravo!

9 Year Old saves friend from Pit Bull using BJJ

The Price of Loss

“The risk of love is loss, and the price of loss is grief -

But the pain of grief
Is only a shadow
When compared with the pain
Of never risking love.”

BJJ

Our martial arts school is in the process of adding a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class. You might have seen some BJJ if you've seen MMA fighters on TV "go to the ground".

Our instructors need to accumulate enough hours to become certified, so this month a handful of students get to train with them. I went to my first class today. There were 2 instructors plus 4 guys and, well, me.

The cool thing about BJJ is that is uses the principle of leverage; it's all about technique instead of strength - perfect for us girls! Face it, if we are ever attacked, it will probably be by a big strong guy. Or maybe a really mean, big girl. Regardless, it is good to know how to fight from your back against someone bigger and heavier than you.

I love our school and am thrilled with the instructors and the other students in the class. They don't have macho egos and are patient and friendly. The class is fun!

I did come home with a few bruises and mat burns, but I guess that happens sometimes when you roll with the big boys. Good thing I'm such a Manly Mom! :)

Not For a Minute

Don't let her fool you. The Country Doctor's Wife's Sister likes to post photos of herself like this but she really is beautiful, more like this:



Don't let her tell you otherwise.

Austenbook

If you are familiar with Facebook and are a Jane Austen fan, here's a must-see for you. Read from top to bottom, all the way through.

Thanks, Ann, for showing this to me and Brava to DeeDee, for being so entirely clever.

Broccoli Boy

There is a distinct possibility that Master Munchkin watches a bit too much T.V.



"Broccoli: one of the most nutritious snacks you can eat. Remember, your mom will let you eat it for breakfast, lunch, dinner or snacks in between. Do not call us at 1-800-00-000. Again, do not call us at 1-800-000-0000. And remember, this offer is always available at stores." (crunch!)

Remember When?

I came across a fun, free photo application that turns digital photos into Poloroids. It's called the Poloroid Project. Boy, these bring back memories!

I'm off to play with it now.

The Stuff of Life

A dear friend of mine walked into a recent party carrying a crockpot full of something cheesy and bubbly so I immediately grabbed a plate and stood in line. See, I have learned that anything Laura brings is definitely worth hording eating. Later I put her in a headlock until she gave me the recipe. I call it the Stuff of Life Dip because last night I had it for supper and then for lunch today and well, it's pretty much all that is sustaining me at this point.

Stuff of Life Party Dip

1 can (16 oz.) refried beans
1 c. picante sauce
1 c. shredded Mont. Jack cheese
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese
3/4 c. sour cream
3 oz. cream cheese
1 TB chili powder
1/4 tsp. cumin

Mix, heat and eat. Serve with corn chips.

You can vary the "heat" of this by chosing mild or hot picante sauce, etc. You can also make it lower fat by using cheeses made from 2% milk, fat free refried beans, low fat sour cream and cream cheese and it's still delicious.

Stark

Stark, originally uploaded by MrsMama.

The leaves from this tree in our front yard are entirely gone now. Winter is really here!

Whew!

After a long, tense day, my husband was able to save the hard drives from the computer - and all of our data. I am so relieved that my photos are safe. We have an external hard drive that I use to back up my work from time to time, but I haven't used it religiously. Guess what I'll be doing today?! :)

In keeping with one of my New Year's photographic resolutions (to display more of my work), I am happy to discover these restickable wall frame decals. How fun and easy would be to slap one of these up on your wall?

Photo Resolutions

Happy New Year!

Here are 22 Photographic Resolutions for the New Year. I am especially drawn to #3, #4, and #22. Our main computer died last night and I don't know the extent of the damage yet.

I know you hear it all the time, but #3 really should be on everyone's list.