Fly on the Wall June 2019

Welcome to the June Fly on the Wall Group Challenge. This month, 5  bloggers and I are describing what it would be like if you were to take a peek inside our homes...

Have a "look" around mine, and then go visit the other blogger's pages. There's always something fun, sentimental, or better yet, embarrassing going on. It's like your house, only we're admitting to the craziness. You have our permission. Buzz on over!

A cast of characters:
Me
The Man
Alexandra (daughter)
Christian (oldest son)
J. (the teenager)

At an appointment:
Doc: "I'm going to start you on this new medicine. Warning: It's not cheap."
Me: (looking at the name) "Hey, this is good. My husband makes this! Thankfully, it will be free."
Doc: (worriedly) "Um, what do you mean, 'He makes this?'"
Me: "He works for the company that makes that drug. A perk is that we get those prescriptions free. Why?"
Doc: "Whew. I thought by the way you said that he was making drugs in the basement. I was panicking there for a moment."
Me: "Nah. We only make crack in the basement." (joking, people.)

***

At the eyeglass store:
Kid at the counter: "Do you know Alexandra?"
Me: "Yes, she's my daughter."
Kid at the counter: "It's uncanny. you two look a lot alike."
Me: "We get that a lot"
Kid: (staring closely now) "It's weird...you look just like her except MUCH older."
Me: Thanks. A bunch.

***

We had the grandkids stay overnight:

See that adorable photo of the three of them? See how they look like they're almost asleep? Hahahahahahahaha. No chance.
Me: "Mark! We're so old. I don't remember the kids staying up this late. Are you tired?"
The Man: "I'm exhausted. Doesn't it feel like the longest day? The grands have so much energy."
J. : (rolling his eyes). Guys. It's only 8 o'clock.

***

Roaring Bubbles?
We've been wanting a hot tub for a LONG time. Usually, this is where I'd say. "By we, I mean ME!", but The Man is right there with me on this one. My doctor said we can write off the taxes we pay on it due to my "condition".  Let me tell you this is a first for a positive spin on that excuse! Anywhoo, we had to wait for the right time with money and added electricity, (also, money) but finally the day came and it's here. No joke this time. We can't wait to use it. After another trip to Michigan...

Water (and soul) therapy

***

Going back to the mitten:
I went back home in April to say goodbye to some special people thinking it would be a minute before I'd be back. However, my sweet grandpa Bonney passed on Tuesday morning. It always hurts when family passes, but I count myself as extremely blessed. I'm almost fifty and I had a grandpa this long. I cherish sweet memories of him. He was a hard-working father, grandpa, great-grandpa, and great-great-grandpa. His biggest wish was to join my grandma (his lovely wife) in heaven. I only cry for selfish reasons of not having him here. I know that he is dancing with grandma in heaven; likely with his own mama and papa watching over him.

Wrap your arms around your loved ones, friends.

See you next month.

-Michele

Buzz around, see what you think, then click on these links for a peek into some other homes:

Baking In A Tornado                  https://www.BakingInATornado.com

Never Ever Give Up Hope             https://batteredhope.blogspot.com

Menopausal Mother                     http://www.menopausalmom.com/

Spatulas on Parade                     https://spatulasonparade.blogspot.com

Bookworm in the Kitchen            https://www.bookwormkitchen.com/

Fly On The Wall May 2019: Young at Heart

Welcome to the May Fly on the Wall Group Challenge. This month, 5  bloggers and I are describing what it would be like if you were to take a peek inside our homes...

Have a "look" around mine, and then go visit the other blogger's pages. There's always something fun, sentimental, or better yet, embarrassing going on. It's like your house, only we're admitting to the craziness. You have our permission. Buzz on over!

The cast:
Mark: the man
Me
Alex: Oldest daughter
J.: The teenager
Christian: son (21)
3 grandkids :)

Young at Heart:

***

I'm not sure if it's because the man and I are now grandparents, or if we've always been this way, but I've decided the adults in our family often act like kids; in the best way.
Here are a few examples from the blur that has been Spring:

After Easter, I found a 12-pack of Bunny Ears that I forgot to use. Mark and I, our three kids and 3 grandkids put them on (because, BUNNY EARS!) After 5 minutes, the little ones and the teenager (not cool, man!) took theirs off. The adults, however, kept them on for the remainder of the night. One of us almost wore hers to bed.

Only serious adults wear Bunny Ears.

***

For a million reasons, I haven't been back to my hometown in years. A lot has been going on back there, so Mark and I decided to fly out to Michigan for a short 48 hours. For health reasons, I haven't enjoyed making that long flight. Mark surprised me and upgraded our tickets to first class. WooHoo! Although I'd like to think it was for me...

Priorities

Mark: "Isn't this nice? Watch closely as I put this tea away and enjoy 17 Bloody Marys". 

For me, having a restroom so close and being able to move around made the flight much more pleasant. I'm sure that the other "regular first-classers" weren't thrilled to watch Mark and I trade up our pretzels and almonds like they were marbles or golden treasures. 
Me: (later, out loud) "A warm washcloth and Ben and Jerry's for dessert? Where has first-class been all my life?"

***

Even though our time at home was short, I was able to accomplish most of what I came for. Including stopping at my childhood mall to see if the large bronze hippopotamus still existed. And it did. It's the little things, people.

Priorities 

***

Me: (Yelling downstairs) "Hey Mark? Can you help me move this desk?

Mark: "Yes, in about an hour. I have some things to finish up with work."

The teenager: (5 seconds later)"Hey Dad? How does this video game work again?"

(all I hear is running)

Priorities

***

Our foster granddaughter's birthday party fell on Mother's Day. I asked my daughter if she was okay celebrating it at our house on that day. She was thrilled. Plus, I promised the granddaughter a dinosaur cake. I wasn't able to find a "dinosaur bones" mold, even though I swore they existed. Five craft stores and one disappointed grandma later,  Christian used some fondant and created the bones. He's the real MVP. I'll always be amazed at the incredible abilities of my children.

I put crushed cookies and graham crackers on top so the kids could go looking for bones. Mark and I figured the granddaughter would love it since he and I had so much fun trying it out first.

They seemed to like the cake!

She found the bones and the boys ate them.

***

See that small table in the bottom right corner of the next pic? That was for the grandkids. Notice that they aren't at any table during the birthday craft time. Instead, the rest of us (minus the teenager) were engrossed in coloring wood dinosaurs.

***

The culmination of the day was to be a "paleontologist" and carefully break open an egg (made of plaster) to find a toy dinosaur inside. It was 10 times harder than any of us thought. We eventually opened all of the eggs, but it was a ton of work. Alex's face says it all.

"Thanks, mom, for this super fun idea."

***

Mark made a run to the store and asked if I needed anything. I told him I'd love a candy bar. I know I shouldn't eat them, but I'm weak, man!

Mark: "What kind do you want?"

Me: "I don't care. Just something chocolate."

After shaking his head at my indecision, he left for the store and returned with a big smile. He poured out a bag of various chocolates as if whatever he brought home would be wrong.

Trying not to take offense, I look at the pile. 

With the most serious face, I ask, "Where are the Almond Joys??"

Again people, priorities. 

Are you young at heart? Let me know in the comments.
Have a sweet weekend, friends. 
-Michele

Buzz on over and visit other participants of this month's Fly :)

                  Baking in a Tornado

                  Never Ever Give Up Hope

                  Menopausal Mother

                  Spatulas on Parade

                  Bookworm in the Kitchen

Fly on the Wall April 2019: Shall We Play A Game?

Welcome to the April Fly on the Wall Group Challenge. This month, 5  bloggers and I are describing what it would be like if you were to take a peek inside our homes...

Have a "look" around mine, and then go visit the other blogger's pages. There's always something fun, sentimental, or better yet, embarrassing going on. It's like your house, only we're admitting to the craziness. You have our permission. Buzz on over!

Cast Members this month:
Me (the blogger)
Mark (The Man)
J. (age 14)

S. (grandson, age 4)
Have a wonderful Friday, friends!
-Michele

1st and Goal  Done?

J. begged The Man to take him to see our city's 1st (semi)professional football team. The Salt Lake City Stallions were playing on the University of Utah's football field. The league was called the AAF (Alliance of American Football) The man gave in, the Stallions won and both dad and son had a great time. As the game progressed, I received pictures from the guys. My only comment was, "When is the game going to begin?"

Hardly anyone was there. It was clearer to see why J. was trying to hustle the man to a game. The league, without followers, was bleeding money. J. bought a hat, came home, and raved about the team. Three days later, with the opposite vigor, J. announced that the league did, in fact, go under. Players visiting other cities had to pay for their own ways home. Very sad for all involved. I'm glad, however, that the man and J. had a chance to make a special memory together.

What Bracket are you in?
J. was the last child of ours to get braces. (Photo not here because the 14-year-old isn't ready to show his latest look.) Anyway, after getting the braces on, we take him to a restaurant to celebrate. It took all of 30 minutes for him to break a bracket. He wasn't even eating anything thick or sticky. I call and make the appointment for the next day to get him back to the orthodontist. As I'm giving him the spiel on how braces aren't cheap and how we have to be more careful, I pop the wire on the back of my own teeth. In the end, he's all bracketed up perfectly and I'm here feeling the glue stuck to the back of my upper teeth. The ortho is going to think we chew on tin cans, rocks, and aluminum foil.

Here is a cute pic of J. 13 years before the braces.

Sugary Slam Dunk

Since he's in preschool, our grandson, S. doesn't always have the same school schedule as his big brother. So sometimes, he gets to hang out with the coolest kids in town, his grandparents. The man and S. have made it a tradition to stop for donuts before we head  home. I always go with them because, and I'm serious, watching those two walk hand-in-hand makes my heart swell. Know this though. S. loves to go with Grandpa to Dunkin Donuts, but his real love is right in those boxes. Just look at his face. That's grandma's boy.

Finally, a Word game.

I've started writing again (obvi). I find myself  searching for "appropriate" words that describe various situations. Often, the word just doesn't convey what I want to write/say.  I've decided that this crazy English language of ours could use some new words. Let me show you what I mean by using the ridiculous word,  FLARATHOSOUS. (pronounce it however you like, it's not real).

*You go to apply deodorant and as you do, the last of the stick falls out and onto the ground. This is usually the day after you've gone shopping and have picked up everything you've ever needed, except for deodorant. What's the name for the scraping feeling you get while rubbing the empty container on your soft, underarm skin? It's more than scraping or scratching. It's heavier than disappointment but lighter than disgust. I need to know. Share, people. (noun/verb?)

"Dang it, Debbie. Do you have an antiperspirant with you? I FLARATHOSOUS-ed mine this morning!"

*By the way, maybe it's the same word that describes applying chapstick and your lips hit that middle pole-thingy that keeps the balm from, I don't know...smooshing? (noun?)

"Man, is my lip bleeding? I put my chapstick on and hit the FLARATHOSOUS!"

*You absolutely need to talk with someone about something important. They call you and you run around like a maniac trying to locate your phone before the last ring. You miss the call. There HAS to be a word for that. Right? (verb?)

"SueAnn, that's my boss! Help! I've been FLARATHOSOUS-ing him every day this week!"

* You receive a set of ballpoint pens in a box big enough to put a teenager in. Thanks, Amazon. (noun)

"I'll show them a FLARATHOSOUS! Where's that refrigerator box? I have a spool of thread I need to return."

Hey, it was a slow month.
Happy Friday, Friends.
-Michele

Buzz on over to these homes:

                  Baking in a Tornado

             Never Ever Give Up Hope

                    Spatulas on Parade

               The Crazy Mama Llama

             Bookworm in the Kitchen    

Fly on the wall: March 2019

Welcome to the March Fly on the Wall Group Challenge. This month, 7  bloggers and I are describing what it would be like if you were to take a peek inside our homes...

Have a "look" around mine, and then go visit the other blogger's pages. There's always something fun, sentimental, or better yet, embarrassing going on. It's like your house, only we're admitting to the craziness. You have our permission. Buzz on over!

Dream Big, Kid

J., (our 14-year old)  told me that local bank was sponsoring a "Career Day" at his school. In the a.m.,  each child would be given a portfolio based on their current grades and behavior. With certain requirements of a job and bills, the point was to see how to balance finances. (Awesome skill, right?) He'd seen other students go through the program before, earning hi-rise jobs and buying fancy cars. With his 4.00GPA, he thought he'd be in the big league. 

J. :(Looking Glum after school) "I should have stayed home."

Me: "Wasn't the career fair today? Weren't you going to have an "unreal" time?"

J: "It was UNREAL all right. They made me a teacher! A college teacher, but still."

Me: "You're the second person today to make fun of MY career choice, J."

J.: "It's not just that, mom. I have great grades and they made me have a wife who doesn't have a job!"

The Man: (Watching me jump from my chair) "Maybe she's living off of an incredible inheritance. Maybe she put in her work years early, or maybe she's raising the kids."

J.: "That's the other thing. I have two kids! Other students get to drive fancy cars to their jobs. I have to drive a sedan. What's a sedan?". (The same kind of car your parents drove for years with three kids!)

The man and I are laughing now.

J.: "I had to choose the middle-level grocery plan and health insurance. I didn't even say I wanted kids and I didn't know you HAD to have a health plan."

The man to me after J. left. : "Wow, he learned finance, sex-ed, and disappointment in one day. Public schools are teaching the important stuff."

I'm old.

Alexandra (my eldest), has always had her own bank account and credit/debit card but realized she recently needed to order some checks. You know, the paper things we used to pay bills with. A few texts of hers from our conversation made me laugh:

A.: "I just got my first box of checks! I've never felt more adult in my life. I keep looking at them and I'm just like, 'This is it. This is the peak of adulthood greatness.'"

A: " I mean, I can pay for school pictures and lunches without envelopes full of pocket change!"

A.: "Let me get this straight. You paid credit card bills with checks?".

A.: "What happened if you lost a check?"

Me: What if I lost a check? This comes from the girl who auto-pays for everything and takes pictures to deposit their checks? Trust that you have more faith in the system than me. Now, show me how to online deposit like that."

Matte is the new black.

I thought it would be a fabulous idea to paint every one of my interior house doors black. It would be a big project so I could break it up into pieces. No big deal. I buy this creamy automotive paint because I know someone who tried it on their doors and loved it. Good enough for me. One weekend I paint 7 of the thirteen doors. I hoped I could do more, but the paint and my energy ran out. 2 weeks later I start on the rest of my doors with the second can of paint I just bought. Not only did I paint the remaining doors, I decided to do touch-ups on every other door. I was a bit upset because the newly painted doors weren't drying the same way the others had. It took my big brain another hour to realize that the paint was shiny, not wet. I had painted the second set of doors (as well as touched up the others) in a gloss, not a matte like the first can. Now I have 13 black doors. Some are shiny and the rest look like someone wiped chicken grease all over them with their greasy-arsed hands. Help me.

Grandbabies!

When little A. (age 5) was introduced to us, he was a non-verbal child. In the past year, his words have added up, but in the most meaningful ways. I love that he uses his words as he needs them. Nothing extra, just important enough to get his point across.  I was making marshmallow men with the boys and S. (age 4) was getting frustrated because his candy eyes wouldn't stick. A. took his marshmallow, got really close to S. and said, "grab it like dis," (he pinched out a piece of Marshmallow) "and push em in like diiiiiiis." (he gritted his teeth and pushed the candy really hard into the Marshmallow man's face) 

S. looked at his brother like he was freaking Mr. Wizard and the making of the Marshmallow Men commenced and were eaten.

Learning the letter M with Marshmallows.

Perfect.

Finally, Karma.

Remember the adorable story I told last week regarding the man and his queasiness for needles? Well, to make up for that, here's a pic from Monday. I was having a procedure done and the (very kind) nurse couldn't find a vein in my arm(s) for sedation. She tried my hand a few times before saying out loud, "Your skin is really tough." I tell you she said that exact sentence because it was the last thing I remember her saying before I passed out. Instead of the man laughing, he joined the nurse in waking my green self up.

I once said I'd never talk about my health. So much for that, eh? Honestly, I think at this age, I just need to see more people in backless gowns.  Let's face it. I owed this ridiculous photo to the man.

Happy Friday, friends!

-Michele

Please check out this month's participants:

             Baking in a Tornado

             Never Ever Give Up Hope

             Menopausal Mother

             Spatulas on Parade

             The Crazy Mama Llama 

             Go Mama O.

Fly On The Wall, February 2019: Say My Name

Welcome to the February Fly on the Wall Group Challenge. This month, 5 brave bloggers and I are describing what it would be like if you were to take a peek inside our homes...

Have a "look" around mine, and then go visit the other blogger's pages. There's always something fun, sentimental, or better yet, embarrassing going on. It's like your house, only we're admitting to the craziness. You have our permission. Buzz on over!

***

Since I've missed oh, 36 months of this challenge I wanted to think a bit more broadly. During my absence, A fly on the wall would have heard me get called a lot of names around my house (I'll leave that up to your imagination.)  I thought I'd share a few of my favorites:

World's Best Mom: You think I'm kidding, right?  I really do get called this by my children! I mean, it's only when they need something, but still...

Any of my children: "Would you mind babysitting/ paying for my project/ buying me a new jersey/ making me a costume/ providing this last minute ride, treats, school supplies, organ donation...etc?" 

If I say no, I might get called a different name, but I digress. If I say yes, I get a "Thanks!" and get called, "World's Best Mom". 

My response: "Well, if I am, where is my trophy?"  

It's usually followed by a chuckle. Or a "Sure mom, whatever. But you're still doing that thing for me, right?"

One day last year the UPS driver delivered this. I'm keeping it forever. (as proof). I only cried for three days months straight after receiving it. Now, if I can only figure out a way to stick it on a "Hello My Name is..." tag. I'd wear it everywhere. BTW, When I thanked the child who sent it? They told me to call them, "My favorite child".  Nothing is free, people.

I'm supposed to keep this by my front door and show EVERYBODY, right?

***

Dork: Ugh. I hate that word. I always have. Knowing this, my best friend decided all on her own that "Dork" would be my name. I affectionately call her "Loser," so I guess it all evens out. We often drop off things for each other in our mailboxes: Borrowed books, jewelry, treats or ransom notes. They're always labeled, "Dork" or "Loser."  One day  I get a mailbox emoji on my phone, and I know what that means; Loser has left me something. I finish what I'm doing and run out to open the mailbox. All that's inside is a mailer with coupons. When I call "Loser" up to ask what she meant by the emoji, she tells me she left a plate of my favorite Amish cookies for me with a note: "Hey Dork, don't eat these all at once. Love Ya!"  Yep. The mailman beat me (very legally, I know.) to the mailbox. He took the cookies. And now I know two things. (besides the fact that I missed out on cookies) My mailman thinks I think he's a dork, and apparently, I now love him! Awesome.

***

Gramma Shel: Yes, dear friends, I'm a Grandma! Last May, Alex and Micah (my daughter and her husband) adopted two perfect (my correct opinion) boys.  "A." is six and "S." is four. Did I mention they're perfect? If I taught in Elementary Education for all of those years only to collect counting bears and a million books, it was worth it just to entertain and play with these babies. Mark and I are in love with them and the best part? We can give "A." and "S." anything they want and still send them home at the end of the day.

The man and I have it made. "A." likes technology, and "S." likes reading...novels?

***

Michael: How hard is it to pronounce my name? I've mentioned this before. My name is Michele. Only one "l". Yet telemarketers and door-to-door salesmen still ask for "Michael". 
"Is Mark or Michael there?" they ask. 
"No, they're out on a lovely walk right now," I say.
"Who am I speaking to?" they continue.
"This is Michele."
"OK," they say. "Could you have Mark or Michael call/get back to us when they get home?"
"Sure thing, Jellybean." No complaints from me.

***

My first wife: My regular readers know this is what the man calls me. OK, truth be told, the exact words he uses aren't printable. But you get the gist. I get an idea about home improvement, he says we should call a professional. I say we will have fun doing it ourselves and he asks, "Who's WE?" 

Wife #2 is going to like everything just the way I made it, right?

Whatever name you go by, Have a Happy Friday, Friends!
-Michele

Please check out this month's participants:

 Baking In A Tornado

 Never Ever Give Up Hope

 Menopausal Mother

 Spatulas On Parade

 The Bergham Chronicles