Friday Funny- Happy Halloween!

So my son has been learning to tell jokes. He was making up his own, with the success rate of about .05%. We tried to explain to him things that were funny, why other ones were not funny, but he just wasn't getting it. So Dad took him to the library to get him a joke book. I bring you today's crop:

What kept Count Dracula's wife up all night?

His Coffin.

Mwwaaahahah!

Okay, okay. Why was the skeleton angry with the other skeleton?

Because he had a bone to pick!

HAAHAHAHAAA!

And here is one for the adult crowd. . . What kind of bees produce milk instead of honey?

Boobees!!!!!

Yours, hoping you have a wonderful and rainless Halloween,

Melissa

Thursday Thoughts. . . Time to Simplify

I've been thinking this for so long, I can't even tell you when I began. It seems like life is always so busy, I'm just waiting to get "through the next thing" so I can have some time to myself and yet the things keep coming one right after the other.

Yesterday, I was in the book store with Karen. We were looking at book covers and such as part of research. We are tackling a series of books to be written. We were going through the books, commenting on what we liked and didn't like. Then she stopped and looked at me and said,"Maybe we are just overthinking this. Maybe we just need to be simple."

Wow. What a relief. To think that I can start thinking simply. To be able to focus on one thing and make that the main thing. I'm going to be going through today just looking for ways that I can simplify. And if certain things don't get done today, maybe I WON'T stay up half the night trying to get them done. I'm looking at the autumn trees, watching them turn colors and I think,"Hmmmm. Maybe they've got it all figured out. They bud in the Spring. Flower. Produce berries, and when they are finished, they paint their leaves a stunning array of colors and let them go. Then they rest up so they can do it all over again come Spring." The trees are keeping the main thing the main thing.

Yours, ready to simplify,

Melissa

Wednesday Whatever- Who's Piling Now, Baby?!

It's me, Melissa, again today. I just had to post to let the record show I tackled my piles yesterday. Take a gander at these pics.  Few, IF ANY piles in the office or dining room. Happy Sigh. I'm so proud of me. Of course, it went unnoticed by the rest of the clan, but I'll give them more time. Surely they will celebrate my success, don't you think?  ;-)

Yours, thinking I'll be having a one person celebration,

Melissa

Tuesday Tidbit-The Piles

I have this habit. It's not something I love or hate about myself. I've embraced it. It's what I do. It's how I organize. And it's how I find everything.

I make piles.

 

At least, that's what my husband calls them. I don't do it everywhere. Just the dining room table. And the office desk. And my nightstand. Oh, and sometimes on the piano when it's a busy music season. Oops- the kitchen counter mail pile. I do try to keep it confined. And when he is going to use the office to do bills, I go in and move all of my neat piles off the desk and hide them under the credenza so I don't get the "Piles Lecture" (If you would just put things away when you are finished using them, blahbbity, blah, blah. . . You make so many piles! Blahbbity, blah, blah, blah. . . to which I usually just say,"Yes, I know. I'll go clean up my piles.").

Mind you, when something is "missing" (ahem, has been carelessly shoved aside by someone other than myself), I usually can tell him the exact location with the preciseness of most GPSs.

This is what I don't understand. What is the difference between my "piles" which consist of books, papers, books, receipts, mail, kidformation, more books and magazines and these other things which seemingly cannot be labeled piles like that mysterious pile of fabric that makes it TO the hamper, but not IN the hamper. Or how about the mound of breakfast dishes that make it to the sink, but not in the dishwasher?What about the tower of DVDs that never make it into their case until cleaning day? Or my fav, the stack of shoes placed in the middle of the steps RIGHT WHERE I WILL INVARIABLY TRIP OVER THEM AND FALL RIGHT INTO THE CAR even though I have repeatedly, ad nauseum, asked that they simply be placed to the side? But I'm not bitter. :-)

Hmmmmm.... I can see that discerning the difference between my "piles" and all of these other round, growing heaps may take some deep reflection and focus. Maybe even research. Anyone have any insight, I'm all ears.

Yours, tackling my Tuesday pile,

Melissa

THURSDAY THOUGHT ON FRIDAY!

Since I didn’t know that I’d be writing Friday’s post, I don’t have a funny story saved up for “Friday Funny.” But yesterday’s post was somewhat humorous (at least I thought so, but then again, I crack myself up all the time!), so it wasn’t really right for Thursday Thought.

So here it is… Thursday Thought on Friday. (Just roll with it, okay?!!)

Today I had my annual mammogram. I don’t know what all the fuss is about. It’s really not that bad. Sure, you have a stranger handling your breast, and sure it gets squished for a few seconds, but then BOOM, it’s over. And yes, I know there are incidents of false positives. But wouldn’t you rather have a false positive than a real one? Or worse yet, a false negative?

Since this is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I just want to remind you that this is one very important thing that we women over 40 must do for ourselves, so…

HAVE YOU HAD YOUR MAMMOGRAM THIS YEAR?

Karen

MY DIRTY LITTLE SECRET

I have a confession: I am absolutely, without a doubt, one of the MOST disorganized people ever. This is my dirty little secret, which hopefully my cub scout pack will never figure out, or they may wonder why I volunteered to be the pack treasurer. (Okay, I use the term “volunteer” VERY loosely since nobody else was volunteering and everyone was staring at me. I mean, really? What was I to do?)

But even worse than that, Melissa and I are writing a series of books to help folks organize different areas of their lives. How bizarre is that? I know what you’re wondering… Did Melissa know this little secret of mine before we went into business together? Well, not exactly. Okay, NO, not at all. But I don’t think it took her too long to figure it out!

Our first book is By The Book: How To Take Care of MY Kids. It’s a workbook for parents to complete with information about THEIR kids for their caregivers. It is chock full of forms to fill out, information to document, schedules to update, etc. It is the BEST way to keep all this stuff organized for your babysitter, whomever that might be. (Yes, of COURSE I use it for my own personal use. Well, okay, I use it sometimes. Um, every so often? Sigh!)

So you see my dilemma. In the business world, I give the appearance of an organized, confident business owner. But in real life, I’m really a disorganized business owner and a very confused mom!

Shhhhh, don’t tell anyone, okay?

Karen

WEDNESDAY WHATEVER: THE WASHCLOTH

We all get jokes from friends on the internet. Some are funny enough to pass along and some get deleted. But some are so funny they actually have to become a blog post! (Even though this is written in the first person, it did NOT happen to me, although it sounds like something I might do!)

THE WASHCLOTH

I was due for an appointment with the gynecologist later in the week. Early one morning, I received a call from the doctor's office to tell me that I had been rescheduled for that morning at 9:30 am. I had only just packed everyone off to work and school, and it was already around 8:45AM.

The trip to his office took about 35 minutes, so I didn't have any time to spare. As most women do, I like to take a little extra effort over hygiene when making such visits, but this time I wasn't going to be able to make the full effort. So, I rushed upstairs, threw off my pajamas, wet the washcloth that was sitting next to the sink, and gave myself a quick wash in that area to make sure I was at least presentable. I threw the washcloth in the clothes basket, donned some clothes, hopped in the car and raced to my appointment.

I was in the waiting room for only a few minutes when I was called in. Knowing the procedure, as I'm sure you do, I hopped up on the table, looked over at the other side of the room and pretended that I was in Paris or some other place a million miles away...I was a little surprised when the doctor said, “My, we have made an extra effort this morning, haven't we?'” I didn't respond.

After the appointment, I heaved a sigh of relief and went home. The rest of the day was normal ... Some shopping, cleaning, and cooking. After school when my 6 year old daughter was playing, she called out from the bathroom, 'Mommy, where's my washcloth?' I told her to get another one from the cabinet. She replied, “No, I need the one that was here by the sink, it had all my glitter and sparkles saved inside it!”

Never going back to that doctor. Ever!

Hope You Shine Today in all your Glitter and Glory!

Karen

Tuesday Tidbit-I am NOT the Maid.

Allow me to start by saying, I love my children.  I could list a million things I love about them. There are, as well, some things I do not even pretend to like. Before I became a mommy, I was determined that having children would not change my life course. (That's a whole other discussion, but, well, we'll get to that another day). By changing my life course, I simply mean that the children would not rule me. My house would be my house, not a complete toy and diaper pit. My car would be my car, not the french fry infested, cheerio smushed van.  One thing I hold fast to, even today, is that I am the mommy, not the maid. It's not that I have to be entirely militant about it. I taught them young. 

When they first understood what money was, and began getting excited over having a nickel or a quarter, I had an A-HA moment. They liked getting money, especially once they realized that you could trade said money for things they liked even more, like treats or toys. So began the process of earning money. At age four, my son could earn money by keeping his toys picked up, or going through his morning routine on his own. He could even earn extra money by doing things without being told, like putting his dishes in the sink. I would watch as he would save up his nickels and dimes and quarters and then would come Saturday. Saturday morning, we went to the dollar store to spend that money.  He would make his selection and toddle up to the register. The look of pride on his face when he paid for his toy with his OWN money was priceless. I let this happen a few times before I introduced the next concept. I wanted him to be addicted.

You see, he didn't ALWAYS pick up his toys. Some weeks were better than others.  Compliance was not complete, and I had to figure out a way to get his attention so that he would continue to want to earn the money. Enter, THE BUY BACK BIN.

Yup, you read it correctly. He had the choice. He could pick up all of his stuff and put it away. If he didn't, and mommy picked it up, it went in the BUY BACK BIN where it would cost you a nickel per item to buy it back. What if he decided he didn't want to buy it back that week? That's fine. The Goodwill would accept and appreciate that donation of his items left laying in the BUY BACK BIN. If it wasn't important enough to buy back, then it was fine to be donated.

Call me the mean mommy. That's fine. But I'm the mommy who doesn't walk around cleaning up after my kids so much anymore. Yes, we have BUY BACK BIN AMNESTY DAYS, when I just let them have whatever is in the bin. And I do warn them before I am about to make a sweep of the house. Daily. But the BUY BACK BIN certainly, certainly has cut my cleaning time in half.

Yours, wondering how I can include the DH in all this,

Melissa

MONDAY MUSING: MY A-HA MOMENT

Many of you already know that I have been working very hard this year to lose weight, and although I have lost about 28 pounds, it has been a real struggle for me. I’m now on Weight Watchers, I work out 3-4 times per week, and still the weight only s-l-o-w-l-y drops off.

Well, my A-HA moment came last week while I was having lunch with my sister, Margee, and her friend, Anne, who is a Nurse Practitioner at a Neurologist's office. (Anne was in town for their 30th high school reunion. 30th, can you believe it? And the worst thing is, I’m not far behind. Um, no, I won’t tell you how many years until mine!) I was telling Anne how tired I am all the time, so she asked what meds I am currently taking for my migraines. I told her which one I take daily to prevent them and she said (are you ready for this?), “Oh, well that’s why you’re so tired. And did you know that it makes you gain weight?”

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?????

So those 17 pounds that I gained in 2008 was NOT due to the fact that I was laid off and not working any more? And the fact that I’ve only lost 28 pounds in 9 1/2 months is because of my MEDS???

AGAIN….ARE YOU KIDDING ME????? IS THIS A CRUEL JOKE?????

Okay, sorry, I’ve regained my composure. Although it would have been nice for my doctor to have mentioned this to me, I suppose I have to own some of the responsibility since I never really read the information that came with it from the drug store.

So I went to my doctor (who, when I mentioned this, was totally nonplussed and just nodded and said “yeah, uh huh”) and we are slowly weaning me off this medicine and starting me on a different med that might help me LOSE weight (oh, yeah, and also help prevent my migraines). The first time I tried this particular medicine I didn’t like the side effects, so I’m not sure how it will work this time, but I’m determined to try it. The one side effect that I am already seeing is that I can’t stand Diet Coke anymore. No, really! It tastes flat but then my tongue burns after I swallow from the carbonation. It’s really weird. So already I’m missing my Diet Coke. I know, I know, it’s bad for me anyway. Whatever! All I know is that I WANT MY DIET COKE!!! (And yes, that was said in a VERY whiney tone!)

So wish me luck adjusting to the new medicine and getting off the old. But even more, wish me luck for getting off the Diet Coke and caffeine!

Karen

FRIDAY FUNNY: Guest Blogger Tara Leopold!

Never Challenge the Mommy Figure! We will ALWAYS find a way to educate you!

As a parent of 4 children (11 ,9, 7, 5), I don’t know why I chose to try and sneak away during the most chaotic part of the day to try and get something accomplished. You know the crazy time; right after school when the kids are starving and need to quickly finish their homework before we have to make a mad dash for all their various evening activities in exactly 22 minutes. (Oh, yeah…now I know why I chose to blog for the first time at this moment….it’s never any less chaotic.)

As I sat at the intimidating computer trying to figure out what to say as a guest blogger, I thought, “I’m such a ‘blogglehead’.  I can’t even post something, let alone write something. What am I going to do? I only have 19 minutes left to come up with something spectacular to write about and then post it.”  After numerous “I’m starving” pleas, I quickly dished out  gummy worms as a snack for the kiddos. Then I quickly retreated to the study to write.  As I became more agitated (Okay, stressed), I thought to myself, “This isn’t FAIR!  My husband’s out of town (again), and know I have to manage the household, become the computer expert, and post something in 14 minutes, and I don’t even have a clue what I’m going to write about.”

Meanwhile, the kids bickering began to escalate so I finally went in to investigate. Our 5 year old passionately stated that, “There has been a great injustice and that it wasn’t FAIR” that his siblings got more gummies than he did.  Clearly, the 5 year had more gummies than anyone else, so I took this moment to teach him about fairness, sharing and math. (Hey, being an effective mom is all about multi-tasking and real-life examples are the best way to learn addition and division…they’re called word problems.)

I explained to him that life is not fair, and from looking at his overflowing bowl it looked like he had more than anyone else who only had a few in their bowls. He was adamant that I count. I then reiterated that if he had more gummy worms he would have to give them away to his siblings because otherwise that wouldn’t be fair. He insisted we count, and sure enough he had 14, while the others had 11, 10, 9. We then added them up and divided the number evenly so that everybody ended up with 10. We then made sure each dish had the same number, and he had to give 4 of his gummies away. Needless to say, I don’t think he’ll be asking for a recount in the future. I quickly gave him a kiss on the head and said, “Thanks for giving me something to write about.”

Through this simple story there are lots of lessons to be learned: fairness doesn’t always end up like we thought, math really is applicable to everyday life, even a blogglehead like me can post something with seconds to spare.

Best Wishes,

Tara Leopold AKA Blogglehead

Thursday Thoughts- Well It's About Time!

This past Tuesday the most glorious thing happened. And I wasn't even there to witness it. I'm so bummed!  One of my most favorite shows, WHAT NOT TO WEAR, ambushed one of the adjunct faculty members. Stacey and Clinton, I love you!!!!!!!!! Seriously. The fashion status at Webster University for some of those professors is a travesty. Suits and SKECHERS? Long hippie skirts from the 60's? I mean, I love vintage, but some things were not meant to hang around. Especially if you are teaching in the school of business. Over in the music school we can get away with nearly anything, but the professional world does not tolerate this so easily.

I can hardly wait until 2010 to see the episode! And I can't believe I missed the chance to see Stacey and Clinton in action! UUUUUUGHHHHH!

Yours, thinking about WHAT NOT TO WEAR,

Melissa

BY THE BOOK IS ON SALE!!! TODAY ONLY!!!

How many times have you left tons of notes for the sitter, only to realize halfway through dinner that you forgot to tell her that ONE most important thing? You should be relaxed when you get time away from the kiddos.

Melissa and I want to help every parent out there get more organized when it comes to childcare so that you CAN be relaxed, whether you get away from your kids everyday or once a year! (Oh, but if it’s only once a year, you need to get out more, girlfriend!)

By The Book: How To Take Care of MY Kids is a workbook for parents to fill out with information about THEIR children to give to their caregiver. This could be a full time nanny, occasional babysitter or even Grandma. (Okay, let’s be honest. It could even help Daddy, right?) Having everything organized will give you peace of mind when somebody else is watching your children.

TODAY ONLY we will be selling the hardbound book at HALF PRICE! Only $9.95 plus s/h. Just go to http://www.bythebookkids.com/ and use coupon code OCTSALE for your 50% discount!

And if you don’t have small children, do you know anyone who does? Or do you know anybody who is about to be a mom for the first time? This makes a GREAT gift!

Karen

Tuesday Tidbit- Halloween List

We all know it's coming. Orange and black is everywhere. It happens the same day every single year. You would think by now I would be able to remember everything. Uh, no. Not unless I write it down. So to prevent some unwanted boo-boos and disappointments this Halloween, let's think it through while we have a few moments. And of course, I will start making the list. (What else would you expect from me?)

1. Costume-check! My kids are making something of their own from their closet this year.

2. Candy- nothin' but chocolate, baby!

3. Something to hold the candy in- a basket, a pumpkin or you can go completely old school and use a pillowcase. (Now we're talkin'!)

4. Flashlight WITH BATTERIES. It's the batteries part that usually leaves me scurrying around.

5. Camera WITH CHARGED BATTERIES. Charged would be the operative word. Yeah, I know. I will do it the night before.

6. Remembering which house to skip because it freaks out my little boy. He's never forgotten it- from three years ago. They set up their garage as a haunted house and now he won't go anywhere near that house on Halloween night.

7. An easy dinner- Doesn't have to be junky, just easy. Maybe something in the crockpot.

8. Warm shoes and coat and we are good to go.

Good thing I'm thinking about this now, while I'm not in panic mode. Let's hope I revisit this on the 29th!

Yours, trying my best to plan ahead,

Melissa

RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY

Why is it that our moods are so closely tied to the weather? If it’s sunny, we’re happy, if it’s rainy, we’re gloomy. But why? Why can’t I rejoice in the fact that it’s a rainy Monday? Or why wouldn’t it ever get me down if we have a sunny weekend?

For that matter, why do so many other things affect our moods? You’d think somebody died here in St. Louis this weekend, all because of sports. Our Cardinals were swept out of the pennant race, the Blues lost, the Rams lost (no big surprise there!) and even Mizzou lost this weekend. Really? Do we let SPORTS dictate our moods now?

I know, it’s just surface stuff. But just in case you need something to cheer you up, here are some of my favorites:

• My children laughing and giggling with each other after they go to bed.
  
• Putting something on that hasn’t fit me in a really long time, and finding that it’s even a bit loose on me.
  
• Reading a really funny comic that is SO ME!
  
• Seeing a fabulous play in a beautiful theatre. (Phantom of the Opera last night in the historical Fox Theatre. Sigh!)
  
• A great song on the radio and singing at the top of your lungs in the car.
  
• Hugs and kisses from just about anyone. (Okay, not complete strangers! But my dog qualifies!)
  

These are just a few of “my favorite things.” What are yours?

Karen

MY 100 POUND “BABY”

I know that most of you who read this blog have children. But what about your babies? You know, the furry faced, four legged babies? Here are my two:

This picture is actually a never-seen-before Kodak Moment! The cat only barely tolerates the dog, and Bismark (the black one!) is scared to death of Sophie (the gray one!). If she is on the steps, minding her own business just sitting there, he won’t pass her. He’ll stand there, waiting for her to move, or for me to move her, so he can go either up or down. (Of course, we all know that she isn’t just “minding her own business just sitting there,” don’t we? Cats can be SO mean spirited!)

But the fear of a 13 pound cat is only part of the story. Bismark is only 4 years old, and he is SCARED TO DEATH of thunder. He didn’t used to be, but over the past year or so he’s gotten worse and worse about it. So of course most thunderstorms occur at night, right? He used to just crawl into bed with us, but at our feet. Or he’d lay down next to my side of the bed, as close as he possibly could.

But that just wasn’t good enough for him. Now he climbs (and I am not making this up) ON MY HEAD! He’s somehow trying to get between the wall and my pillow, but of course there’s no space there at all. So I try to push him off, but not only is he almost 100 pounds, but he is super strong. And since it’s the middle of the night and I’ve just been woken up by a dog on my head, I don’t have a lot of strength!

So eventually I scoot my pillow down a couple of feet so he can climb up and curl around my head, so that his head is in between DH and I to get the MAXIMUM amount of comfort as possible.

Are all dogs this wussy? I seriously might have to get him some doggy downers!

Karen

HALLOWEEN: THEN AND NOW

When did Halloween become so expensive? Don’t you remember when we were kids (yes, in the “olden” days – is that even a word? Olden?) and we just found stuff around the house to use as a costume? Or at the most, Mom would sew us something. (I still remember my Greek Goddess costume that my mom made. It was a long white dress with gold ribbons sewed on to it. Sigh!) But to buy a costume? NO WAY!

But now, nobody makes costumes anymore. In fact, if a kid were to make one up, they would probably be a big ol’ nerd! The prices on these things are outrageous, especially considering they are worn only once or twice (if you’re lucky), never to be seen again. And it’s not just the costume, it’s all the accessories that go with it. You can easily spend $50 or more PER KID on Halloween. Not to mention the candy. If you live in a neighborhood with TONS of kids, like I do, the bags of candy really start adding up.

So look at this picture:

This is me with my two sisters in the 70’s (no, I don’t know what year… well maybe I do, but it’s not important). Yes, yes, I’m the cute cat in the middle! Margee is the Indian and Mindy is the Hobo. Look at these costumes. Do any of these look store-bought to you? Of course not, and half the fun was in making the costumes.

Now, take a look at my boys with a friend:

There is not even the slightest chance that I made these! And notice how they all have the mask and the gun that goes with their costume? Very coordinated!

So what will we do for Halloween this year? Perhaps make a costume to teach my boys a lesson in creativity and frugality? No, I don’t want them to be dorks so we’ll be buying something I’m sure!

Karen

Tuesday Tidbit- Junk Drawer Conquered

So I did it. I cleaned out the junk drawer. I was surprised. It only took me about 45 minutes.  I started with just opening the drawer. I tried to sort as I took things out, and that wasn't working so well. So I dumped it all out on the table. It was just plain ugly. I couldn't believe the mess of things in there. Plenty of twos- two needle nose pliers, two regular pliers- then we grew in number to 6 funky wrench pieces that you use to put furniture together to a gazillion nails, screws, receipts, wrappers, rubberbands, pencils, hair barrettes and other assorted whatnot. Weather Stripping. Water Balloons. A tiny St. Christopher- AND I'M NOT CATHOLIC. So. . . here's the breakdown, in case you are wanting to do yours too:

1. Empty the drawer and do a fifteen minute sort. This is where we put things into the big piles.

2. Next, start sorting through your piles and determine a.) what to put in it's rightful place b.) what to group together in the junk drawer and c.) what to throw away.

3.) Vacuum the drawer. I used to think wiping it out would do the trick, but the vacuum is much more effective.

4.)Put everything neatly back in. You might even try some small bins (3/$1 at Walmart!).

Once I was finished (see photos) even my family noticed. My little angelbaby Z2 took one look at it and said,"Wow. Niiiice bins. Guess that means we have to put it all back where we got it, huh."

That's right. Yes you do, if you ever want to use my junk drawer ever again. And now, on to all the other drawers. Sigh. going to be a long season of organizing!

Yours, Still feeling good that the drawer looks like the pic a week later,

M

HELP ME OUT HERE, PACKER FANS!

I know just enough about football to enjoy the game. (Well, actually, I’m not really enjoying the games right now because I live in St. Louis, and the Rams haven’t won a game in a REALLY long time. Sigh!) But I don’t get this hostility by Packer Fans towards Brett Favre. I realize that he joined another team in the same division, but so what?

Maybe Green Bay fans should take a lesson from St. Louis fans. We had a very favorite quarterback once, also. You remember Kurt Warner, don’t you? The man that took the Rams to the Superbowl twice, and won once? Well, I bet St. Louis loved Kurt as much as Green Bay loved Brett. So Kurt took a brief stint in New York (hey, didn’t Brett go to New York also? Different team, I know. Still weird, huh?) then went to the Arizona Cardinals. So not only did Kurt Warner go to a team in our division, but he went to the one team who used to actually play in St. Louis.

So what did we St. Louisans do the first time Kurt came to play in our stadium as a Cardinal? Did we BOO him? Did we throw things at him? Did we hold up ugly signs? No, we gave him a standing ovation! We clapped so loud and so long, he had to come away from his sideline and wave to all of us.

Now THAT is why St. Louis is a great sports town! Do you get it, Green Bay?

Karen

***Now, I’m pretty sure all my facts are correct in this, and I’m guessing there’s more to this Brett Favre thing that I don’t know, so forgive me, but just look for the main point here!

Technorati Tags: Brett Favre,Kurt Warner,Rams,Green Bay,Packers,Arizona Cardinals

Friday Funny- How to Show Your Kids What Policemen Do

I really do try hard to be a good parent.  Let me just make that clear upfront. I obey the law, I feed them healthy foods, I put them to bed at the same time every night, read them stories, hug them every chance I get, help them with their homework . . . you know, all those things that help set them up for a successful adulthood. However, sometimes life doesn't go as planned.

Last Saturday night, I threw my husband a small 40th birthday party. He had asked for a party with HIS closest friends. Sure, no problem. I did want to make it a special night, though, so I had a few musician friends come over and we were doing some tunes outside. Had a few tiki torches lit and some appetizer and drinks set out. A nice atmosphere. But let me back up a moment.

Earlier in the week, a friend of mine who is the wife of hubby's best friend, was helping me plan through the party. And she said,"Oh, you know, sparklers might be a fun touch to the birthday cake." And being the girl that I am, I said,"Yeah. I'll call Brad's friend and see if he will pick some up for me on his way to the party." The nearest fireworks stand is about 20 minutes from my house in the opposite direction of everything else. So it only made sense to call Hubby's Friend who was coming in from that way.

Now let me just say something about Hubby's Friend. This man LOVES fireworks. I don't mean Roman Candles and Spray Fountains, I'm talking heavy duty artillery. This man supports the Chinese Economy. Seriously. They could have a day in his honor considering how much fireworks he buys for his Fourth of July Party every year. So when I called him, he seemed a little incensed that I would ask him to bring sparklers. After a friendly chiding, he said he would bring something a little more "suitable". 

Fast forward to the party night. I am walking out with the cake, full of forty candles, and everyone is singing happy birthday. Right on cue, Hubby's Friend starts to set off the fireworks. BOOM! . . .  BA-BOOM!   One right after the other. Turns out he brought a 68 gun salute. Think tubes about two feet high tossing up municipal style fireworks. It was perfection.

Now, I had sent my children over to the neighbor's house for the evening. They were watching from the neighbor's deck with the neighbor kids and the sitter. All was beautiful and wonderful. Everyone was oohing and ahhing and finally the fireworks subsided. We all cheered and Two of Hubby's Friends began to clear the fireworks away. And that's when the police came swarming down the hill from both sides of the house. No kidding. 

We were so busted. I had no idea fireworks were illegal in my area. I guess that would be why the fireworks stands are on the other side of the county line. (Duh!) So as the police man kindly shines his flashlight at me and asks me if I am the homeowner, I suddenly hear a familiar voice, that of Z2, pierce through the darkness.

"HIIIIIIIIIII MOOOM! LOOOOOVED the FIREWOOOOOORKS! CAN WE SEEEE SOMME MOOOOOORE?"

Yep. Right there as the police are asking us all for ID.  Well, you know what they say. It's just not a party until the cops show up. Just didn't know it would take fireworks to get them here.  :-)

Yours, sure that I will check all applicable party laws next time,

M

Thursday Thoughts. . . .

Here's a SHOUT OUT to anyone who has ever worked in elementary or secondary education. This pretty much says it all!

G'Day Mate,

Melissa