Wednesday, June 25, 2008
New Photos
I just posted some new photos in my Photo Blog. They are of the memorial car show for my Uncle. Please let me know if you want access as my photo blog is private. :)
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Socks, Solved!
We have a family of six. And our family of six produces a lot of laundry...a lot of it. And a large portion of our laundry consists of white socks. Over the years I have come to despise white socks, more specifically, white children's socks!
We have a sock basket that is always over flowing with white unmatched socks. After every load of laundry (at least two a day in our house) we put the clean socks in the sock basket to wait to be matched up.
Usually once a week I sit down and begin the tedious chore of matching socks. After about an hour of sitting on the floor surrounded by white socks I give up--only having half of the socks matched. The kids' feet are growing to about the same size so all of the socks look similar and we're pretty much going by memory when deciding which socks go to which child.
We have tried various methods for making this process easier. We've given each kid one specific style of sock--that made finding the matches easier but we still had to find the matches. We tried writing initials on the feet of the socks--still had to find the matches. We tried naming wash days for each kid--that created problems in making full loads and just threw off my laundry washing altogether.
It wasn't until a
bout a month ago when we thought to get each kid a mesh sock bag. We already had one we used to store Aly's little socks so we thought we'd just expand on the idea. They keep these bags on top of their dressers. At the end of each day when they take their socks off they go into the bag. Then on Sunday they bring their full bags to the laundry room where I throw them in the wash. Once they've gone through the dryer I hand the bags, still full, back to the kids and they fold and put away their own socks!
I am not sure why it took me so long to come up with this. It's not like it's some insanely brilliant idea. None the less, I'm spending less and less time matching socks and our sock basket, MIA socks aside, is nearly empty! Not to mention having all the socks in one place make it a tiny bit easier for the kids to do the laundry!
Yep, it's the little things in life...
We have a sock basket that is always over flowing with white unmatched socks. After every load of laundry (at least two a day in our house) we put the clean socks in the sock basket to wait to be matched up.
Usually once a week I sit down and begin the tedious chore of matching socks. After about an hour of sitting on the floor surrounded by white socks I give up--only having half of the socks matched. The kids' feet are growing to about the same size so all of the socks look similar and we're pretty much going by memory when deciding which socks go to which child.
We have tried various methods for making this process easier. We've given each kid one specific style of sock--that made finding the matches easier but we still had to find the matches. We tried writing initials on the feet of the socks--still had to find the matches. We tried naming wash days for each kid--that created problems in making full loads and just threw off my laundry washing altogether.
It wasn't until a
bout a month ago when we thought to get each kid a mesh sock bag. We already had one we used to store Aly's little socks so we thought we'd just expand on the idea. They keep these bags on top of their dressers. At the end of each day when they take their socks off they go into the bag. Then on Sunday they bring their full bags to the laundry room where I throw them in the wash. Once they've gone through the dryer I hand the bags, still full, back to the kids and they fold and put away their own socks!I am not sure why it took me so long to come up with this. It's not like it's some insanely brilliant idea. None the less, I'm spending less and less time matching socks and our sock basket, MIA socks aside, is nearly empty! Not to mention having all the socks in one place make it a tiny bit easier for the kids to do the laundry!
Yep, it's the little things in life...
Monday, June 9, 2008
A Photo Blog
I began a photo blog today. Because it will contain actual photos of the kids I set it to invite only. If you want to have access you will have to ask me to add you to my list of accepted viewers.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Show Your Support
Follow this link to get your free Obama bumper sticker!
The link contains a form that asks for your mailing address and an email. Select the "1 Free Obama 08 Sticker" on the right and your order will be processed. The site will then take you to another screen that asks for a donation but this is entirely optional.
The link contains a form that asks for your mailing address and an email. Select the "1 Free Obama 08 Sticker" on the right and your order will be processed. The site will then take you to another screen that asks for a donation but this is entirely optional.
Click to get your Free Obama '08 Bumber Sticker!
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
The Microwave
Yesterday, while the kids were warming up their lunches, our microwave broke. It flat out stopped microwaving! I looked at it, called about it and finally gave up to the realization that it was indeed beyond repair. I was ticked--this microwave is less than three years old!
Yesterday evening we left to go buy a new microwave. We trekked through Target, looked at all the models and decided on a Panasonic with something called Sensor cooking...it claimed it knows how hot your food is and will respond on its own.
We decided to try it out during dinner. We put a bag of frozen green beans in it and pushed the sensor setting for frozen veggies. It began cooking, the countdown clock was blank so we had no idea how long it would take. A few minutes into the cooking the microwave beeped and displayed 5:00...the veggies had 5 minutes left. And sure enough after the 5 minutes we checked on the green beans and they were perfectly cooked! How cool!
I wanted to test it out further so late last night I grabbed some leftovers and put them in--roast beef and roasted veggies in one container. I poked the "Sensor Reheat" button and pressed "Start" and the microwave began...and in about 2 minutes I got the beep that my food was seconds away from being fully warmed. Sure enough, after the final beep my food was perfectly warmed.
I am kind of glad our microwave bit the dust--this one is so much cooler!!
Yesterday evening we left to go buy a new microwave. We trekked through Target, looked at all the models and decided on a Panasonic with something called Sensor cooking...it claimed it knows how hot your food is and will respond on its own.
We decided to try it out during dinner. We put a bag of frozen green beans in it and pushed the sensor setting for frozen veggies. It began cooking, the countdown clock was blank so we had no idea how long it would take. A few minutes into the cooking the microwave beeped and displayed 5:00...the veggies had 5 minutes left. And sure enough after the 5 minutes we checked on the green beans and they were perfectly cooked! How cool!
I wanted to test it out further so late last night I grabbed some leftovers and put them in--roast beef and roasted veggies in one container. I poked the "Sensor Reheat" button and pressed "Start" and the microwave began...and in about 2 minutes I got the beep that my food was seconds away from being fully warmed. Sure enough, after the final beep my food was perfectly warmed.
I am kind of glad our microwave bit the dust--this one is so much cooler!!
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Feeling like a little Damien Rice
This is one of my favorite songs. I have a lot of favorite songs, this one is at the top of the list.
The Blower's Daughter
The Blower's Daughter
Friday, May 30, 2008
Wii Ski!
What's better than Wii Fit?
Wii Ski!!!
It's compatible with the Wii Balance Board and I must say, tons of fun! You don't have to use the Balance Board with it if you don't have one but it's so much more fun because you get to feel like you're skiing as your Mii is swishing down the mountain or bouncing over moguls or jumping and doing air tricks!
Oh ya, tons of fun!!
Wii Ski!!!
It's compatible with the Wii Balance Board and I must say, tons of fun! You don't have to use the Balance Board with it if you don't have one but it's so much more fun because you get to feel like you're skiing as your Mii is swishing down the mountain or bouncing over moguls or jumping and doing air tricks!
Oh ya, tons of fun!!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Keith's Special Comment
This 10 minute Special Comment by MSNBC's Keith Olbermann perfectly sums up Hillary Clinton's campaign for the Democratic Nomination. I have many opinions about Hillary Clinton and none of them are good anymore. Please take the time to watch this Special Comment. I share his disgust...
Friday, May 23, 2008
Wii Fit!
I got the Wii Fit for my birthday and I just gotta say it's awesome! It really does help with fitness and the best part is it's tons of fun!
It helps you keep track of your fitness progress by tracking your weight--yep, it weighs you! It saves all of your stats so each day when you use it (and it's so much fun you do want to use it daily) you can see your changes.
It's a great addition to the awesomeness that is the Wii!
Thursday, May 22, 2008
The Last Day of School
Today was the last day of school! It's always bittersweet at the end of the year but this year was particularly tough as so many of our favorite teachers are saying goodbye.
We began with the 6th grade send-off. Most of us moms were in tears before the 6th graders came out of their classrooms to line up for their final building exit (all it took was one mom to have one tear fall and the rest of us followed her lead). It really is sweet, every class in the school lines up against the walls and the 6th grade classes walk the longest route out of the building while the Lion King theme song plays over the PA. They came out of their classrooms, most of the kids and teachers already crying as they say their final goodbyes. The music began playing and they began walking as the entire school cheered, clapped and high-fived them all. Sebastian was very excited to leave so I sent him on his way with his dad. I got pictures--though I won't be sharing many as there are other kids faces in them and I'm not at all comfortable posting someone else's' children's images on the internet. So I sat in the lobby waiting for Madison and Collin.
Collin came first, he's okay. They had a great day. He's sad about missing his teacher but we've spent a lot of time talking about positive changes and how even though it is sad to say goodbye we all have great things to look forward to. Next came Madison...
She began having a difficult time last night when she had her first meltdown. We talked her through it but we knew today was going to be difficult for her. Her class came out, everyone hugging her teacher. She tried so hard to put on the brave face and greeted me with a smile but as soon as I said "hi" her smile turned into tears--lots of them. She kept saying, "I'm okay" but kept crying. I started crying (well, fighting back tears) with her and we looked up to see her teacher crying with two other students. That made her cry even harder--it really was sad. I hugged her in the lobby for about 5 minutes as we watched students leaving most running to their parents in tears.
I'm glad this part of today is over. I really love that we have this school and are lucky the students and teachers are so connected but it sure makes it difficult when there are major changes happening.
AND I'M THE MOM OF A JUNIOR HIGH KID!!!!! I was so proud today watching Sebastian leave elementary school for the last time. He has struggled so much and worked so hard to get to this point.
We began with the 6th grade send-off. Most of us moms were in tears before the 6th graders came out of their classrooms to line up for their final building exit (all it took was one mom to have one tear fall and the rest of us followed her lead). It really is sweet, every class in the school lines up against the walls and the 6th grade classes walk the longest route out of the building while the Lion King theme song plays over the PA. They came out of their classrooms, most of the kids and teachers already crying as they say their final goodbyes. The music began playing and they began walking as the entire school cheered, clapped and high-fived them all. Sebastian was very excited to leave so I sent him on his way with his dad. I got pictures--though I won't be sharing many as there are other kids faces in them and I'm not at all comfortable posting someone else's' children's images on the internet. So I sat in the lobby waiting for Madison and Collin.
Collin came first, he's okay. They had a great day. He's sad about missing his teacher but we've spent a lot of time talking about positive changes and how even though it is sad to say goodbye we all have great things to look forward to. Next came Madison...
She began having a difficult time last night when she had her first meltdown. We talked her through it but we knew today was going to be difficult for her. Her class came out, everyone hugging her teacher. She tried so hard to put on the brave face and greeted me with a smile but as soon as I said "hi" her smile turned into tears--lots of them. She kept saying, "I'm okay" but kept crying. I started crying (well, fighting back tears) with her and we looked up to see her teacher crying with two other students. That made her cry even harder--it really was sad. I hugged her in the lobby for about 5 minutes as we watched students leaving most running to their parents in tears.
I'm glad this part of today is over. I really love that we have this school and are lucky the students and teachers are so connected but it sure makes it difficult when there are major changes happening.
AND I'M THE MOM OF A JUNIOR HIGH KID!!!!! I was so proud today watching Sebastian leave elementary school for the last time. He has struggled so much and worked so hard to get to this point.
Monday, May 19, 2008
My Name Means
What Laurie Means |
 You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow. You are light hearted and accepting. You don't get worked up easily. Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is. You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality. You are a very lucky person. Things just always seem to go your way. And because you're so lucky, you don't really have a lot of worries. You just hope for the best in life. You're sometimes a little guilty of being greedy. Spread your luck around a little to people who need it. You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something. You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense. You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun. You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing. You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long. You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start. You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together. |
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Morning News!
This is a clip from one of our local morning news broadcasts. We stopped watching this station when another began a morning news program. They wanted to show a fun opening scene with dogs at a local puppy day spa...this clip pretty much speaks for itself...
Why did the chicken cross the road?
This was posted on a political forum (within a Mom Forum) I visit and I thought it was funny so I'm passing it along...
BARACK OBAMA:
The chicken crossed the road because it was time for a CHANGE! The chicken wanted CHANGE!
JOHN MC CAIN:
My friends, that chicken crossed the road because he recognized the need to engage in cooperation and dialogue with all the chickens on the other side of the road.
HILLARY CLINTON:
When I was First Lady, I personally helped that little chicken to cross the road. This experience makes me uniquely qualified to ensure -- right from Day One! -- that every chicken in this country gets the chance it deserves to cross the road. But then, this really isn't about me.......
DR. PHIL:
The problem we have here is that this chicken won't realize that he must first deal with the problem on 'THIS' side of the road before it goes after the problem on the 'OTHER SIDE' of the road. What we need to do is help him realize how stupid he's acting by not taking on his 'CURRENT' problems before adding 'NEW' problems.
OPRAH:
Well, I understand that the chicken is having problems, which is why he wants to cross this road so bad. So instead of having the chicken learn from his mistakes and take falls, which is a part of life, I'm going to give this chicken a car so that he can just drive across the road and not live his life like the rest of the chickens.
GEORGE W. BUSH:
We don't really care why the chicken crossed the road. We just want to know if the chicken is on our side of the road, or not. The chicken is either against us, or for us. There is no middle ground here.
COLIN POWELL:
Now to the left of the screen, you can clearly see the satellite image of the chicken crossing the road...
ANDERSON COOPER - CNN:
We have reason to believe there is a chicken, but we have not yet been allowed to have access to the other side of the road.
JOHN KERRY:
Although I voted to let the chicken cross the road, I am now against it! It was the wrong road to cross, and I was misled about the chicken's intentions. I am not for it now, and will remain against it.
NANCY GRACE:
That chicken crossed the road because he's GUILTY! You can see it in his eyes and the way he walks.
PAT BUCHANAN:
To steal the job of a decent, hardworking American.
MARTHA STEWART:
No one called me to warn me which way that chicken was going. I had a standing order at the Farmer's Market to sell my eggs when the price dropped to a certain level. No little bird gave me any insider information.
DR SEUSS:
Did the chicken cross the road? Did he cross it with a toad? Yes, the chicken crossed the road, but why it crossed I've not been told.
ERNEST HEMINGWAY:
To die in the rain. Alone.
JERRY FALWELL:
Because the chicken was gay! Can't you people see the plain truth?' That's why they call it the 'other side.' Yes, my friends, that chicken is gay. And if you eat that chicken, you will become gay too. I say we boycott all chickens until we sort out this abomination that the liberal media white washes with seemingly harmless phrases like 'the other side. That chicken should not be crossing the road. It's as plain and as simple as that.
GRANDPA:
In my day we didn't ask why the chicken crossed the road. Somebody told us the chicken crossed the road, and that was good enough.
BARBARA WALTERS:
Isn't that interesting? In a few moments, we will be listening to the chicken tell, for the first time, the heart warming story of how it experienced a serious case of molting, and went on to accomplish its life long dream of crossing the road.
ARISTOTLE:
It is the nature of chickens to cross the road.
JOHN LENNON:
Imagine all the chickens in the world crossing roads together, in peace.
BILL GATES:
I have just released eChicken2007, which will not only cross roads, but will lay eggs, file your important documents, and balance your check book. Internet Explorer is an integral part of the Chicken. This new platform is much more stable and will never cra...#@&&^(C% ......... reboot.
ALBERT EINSTEIN:
Did the chicken really cross the road, or did the road move beneath the chicken?
BILL CLINTON:
I did not cross the road with THAT chicken. What is your definition of chicken?
AL GORE:
I invented the chicken!
COLONEL SANDERS:
Did I miss one?
DICK CHENEY:
Where's my gun?
AL SHARPTON:
Why are all the chickens white? We need some black chickens.
RON PAUL:
The chicken is free to cross the road and free to refrain from telling us why. We need to mind our own business.
BARACK OBAMA:
The chicken crossed the road because it was time for a CHANGE! The chicken wanted CHANGE!
JOHN MC CAIN:
My friends, that chicken crossed the road because he recognized the need to engage in cooperation and dialogue with all the chickens on the other side of the road.
HILLARY CLINTON:
When I was First Lady, I personally helped that little chicken to cross the road. This experience makes me uniquely qualified to ensure -- right from Day One! -- that every chicken in this country gets the chance it deserves to cross the road. But then, this really isn't about me.......
DR. PHIL:
The problem we have here is that this chicken won't realize that he must first deal with the problem on 'THIS' side of the road before it goes after the problem on the 'OTHER SIDE' of the road. What we need to do is help him realize how stupid he's acting by not taking on his 'CURRENT' problems before adding 'NEW' problems.
OPRAH:
Well, I understand that the chicken is having problems, which is why he wants to cross this road so bad. So instead of having the chicken learn from his mistakes and take falls, which is a part of life, I'm going to give this chicken a car so that he can just drive across the road and not live his life like the rest of the chickens.
GEORGE W. BUSH:
We don't really care why the chicken crossed the road. We just want to know if the chicken is on our side of the road, or not. The chicken is either against us, or for us. There is no middle ground here.
COLIN POWELL:
Now to the left of the screen, you can clearly see the satellite image of the chicken crossing the road...
ANDERSON COOPER - CNN:
We have reason to believe there is a chicken, but we have not yet been allowed to have access to the other side of the road.
JOHN KERRY:
Although I voted to let the chicken cross the road, I am now against it! It was the wrong road to cross, and I was misled about the chicken's intentions. I am not for it now, and will remain against it.
NANCY GRACE:
That chicken crossed the road because he's GUILTY! You can see it in his eyes and the way he walks.
PAT BUCHANAN:
To steal the job of a decent, hardworking American.
MARTHA STEWART:
No one called me to warn me which way that chicken was going. I had a standing order at the Farmer's Market to sell my eggs when the price dropped to a certain level. No little bird gave me any insider information.
DR SEUSS:
Did the chicken cross the road? Did he cross it with a toad? Yes, the chicken crossed the road, but why it crossed I've not been told.
ERNEST HEMINGWAY:
To die in the rain. Alone.
JERRY FALWELL:
Because the chicken was gay! Can't you people see the plain truth?' That's why they call it the 'other side.' Yes, my friends, that chicken is gay. And if you eat that chicken, you will become gay too. I say we boycott all chickens until we sort out this abomination that the liberal media white washes with seemingly harmless phrases like 'the other side. That chicken should not be crossing the road. It's as plain and as simple as that.
GRANDPA:
In my day we didn't ask why the chicken crossed the road. Somebody told us the chicken crossed the road, and that was good enough.
BARBARA WALTERS:
Isn't that interesting? In a few moments, we will be listening to the chicken tell, for the first time, the heart warming story of how it experienced a serious case of molting, and went on to accomplish its life long dream of crossing the road.
ARISTOTLE:
It is the nature of chickens to cross the road.
JOHN LENNON:
Imagine all the chickens in the world crossing roads together, in peace.
BILL GATES:
I have just released eChicken2007, which will not only cross roads, but will lay eggs, file your important documents, and balance your check book. Internet Explorer is an integral part of the Chicken. This new platform is much more stable and will never cra...#@&&^(C% ......... reboot.
ALBERT EINSTEIN:
Did the chicken really cross the road, or did the road move beneath the chicken?
BILL CLINTON:
I did not cross the road with THAT chicken. What is your definition of chicken?
AL GORE:
I invented the chicken!
COLONEL SANDERS:
Did I miss one?
DICK CHENEY:
Where's my gun?
AL SHARPTON:
Why are all the chickens white? We need some black chickens.
RON PAUL:
The chicken is free to cross the road and free to refrain from telling us why. We need to mind our own business.
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