March Instagram

March: In like a lion, out like a son-uv-a…

Ahem.

I’m a little annoyed with March this year.  Can you tell?  April had better be a freaking improvement.

Let’s go back in time to the beginning of March, shall we? A time when hope reigned, spirits soared, and yet another child stayed home sick from school:

First this one…

   and then this one…

and finally Ben, although Dave never got a picture of him.   And Maddie also started Easter vacation off sick, though she’s recovering.  Funny story (it’s a funny story because I look like a total dork in it so I know you sicko people will love it):  yesterday I called the Nurse Care Line that comes with our insurance, because  I wasn’t sure  if I should take Maddie to the doctor or not.  Unfortunately, the line kept cutting out, so I gave the nurse our landline instead of my cell number to call back.  After waiting for a few minutes, the nurse finally called back on my cell.  “Ma’am,” she said, ever so gently, “I think you gave me your mother’s number instead of your own.”  Yes.  That’s right.  Though I haven’t lived with my parents in about 25 years, when asked for my home phone number, that was the one I supplied.  Dork.

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Did you get your Shamrock Shake???

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A lovely weekend that was warm enough for biking + crocuses =

  +    =

SNOW!  Not a 2 Hour Delay kind of Snow.  Just slushy, cold, stupid snow. 

(Photo through my classroom window).

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Dave and I had a date night and went to see my bratty brother Dave play at The Annville Grille.  He was so great.  I really hate to admit it, but he was just so excellent and entertaining.  He’s still a brat though.

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We went to Chocolate World.

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And then it snowed AGAIN.

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Maddie had her first middle school track meet, and it was so darn cold it took me hours to warm up afterwards.  STUPID MARCH!!

Of course she and all of the other kids were wearing shorts and it was easily in the twenties counting the very brisk wind chill factor, so I guess I should stop being a whiney baby.

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I found this taped to the front door one Saturday morning:

(Beware:  Attack Guinea Pig on Duty).

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Speaking of front doors, we got another bird’s nest on our wreath!

I stood very still waiting by the door with my camera in hand to snap a picture of the returning bird and I got him!  Do you see him in the upper right part of the picture?  He’s actually coming in for a landing…not perched on the wreath.

Jack, also know as The Amazing Climber Boy of Doom, got up high for a closer look:

And then Dave removed the nest and stuck it in a bush because frankly, we don’t want the mess on the front porch again.  Jeers to us, I know.  But cheers to the happy birds who will find that nest someday and move in without having to make their own.  They will be glad we did what we did.

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Palm Sunday:  AKA Whack-Your-Sister-In Church-Day.

Maddie always makes her palm into a cross, isn’t it cool?

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I found a new recipe on Pinterest that everyone liked! 

Had I known it was going to be such a hit, I’d have taken a picture before we were almost all out.   Also, it tasted better than this picture looks.  Basically, you cube potatoes, cut up fresh (not precooked) sausage (we like Premio Sweet Sausage), chop up an onion, and throw a half a jar of banana pepper rings in there too.  Toss it all in a bowl with about  2-3 T of olive oil, some sea salt and pepper, and I threw in some Garlic Garlic too.  Then spread it all out on a baking sheet and roast it in the oven at 400 degrees for about 30-35 min.  I’m not kidding.  EVERYONE loved it.

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And finally…Easter!  But I’m not going to show you my Easter pictures yet.  So far I have the egg hunt, our yearly Candy Field Trip and the Painting of the Eggs, but we haven’t made our bunny cake yet nor have we actually had Easter, so I think I’m just going to put all of those things together for next week.  But here’s a sneak preview since I like you guys so much:

Jack with the Easter Armadillo.  What?  You’ve never heard of the Easter Armadillo? 

You people have got to get out more.

A Bad Week

I’m glad this one’s over.

All but one of Jack’s fish died this week.  After owning a fish tank since last June, Jack is no stranger to fish death.

We have a fish graveyard in the flowerbed behind our house, for goodness sake, with sweet little tombstones marked with the names of Deb, Christopher, Gibby, Mr. Fishy Wishy the First, and Molly Wolfe.

This is an old photo.  All fish mentioned above not yet represented by gravestones.

A few weeks ago Deb died, so we bought Jack a replacement fish, whom he lovingly named Sierra. 

Now we hate that hussy, Sierra, because we think she introduced some bad fish disease to the tank.  It all started with our bala shark, Hagrid.  All of a sudden he got huge, like he seriously grew an inch overnight, and then started doing a crazy swimming dance in the tank.  Mr. Fishy Wishy the Second was next, and he’s the one Jack cried the most over.

Here’s Mr. Fishy Wishy the Second watching an episode of Spongebob on Jack’s iPod:

                                        RIP, Mr. Fishy Wish…you were loved.

Then Sierra died, and Jack was kind of happy.  He hadn’t bonded with her yet, and he feels kind of bitter toward her, as you can imagine.  The only fish left is Alex, our sucker fish.  I actually kind of blame Alex for this whole mess, because, thanks to him and his excellent tank cleaning skills, I haven’t had to clean the tank for awhile, and, quite frankly, I’m worried that that is the reason they all died.  The tank looks great, but it was kind of neglected.  (Shh.  Don’t tell Jack.  I’m letting Sierra take the fall for this one).

On top of all that, my sweet, perfect Aunt Betty died last night.  I’ve mentioned her before, you can read here where I’ve linked any post that’s mentioned her…just keep scrolling down.  Aunt Betty is my mom’s sister.  My parents didn’t go out much when I was little, but when they did, and when we found out the babysitter would be Aunt Betty, I was always so happy!  Aunt Betty didn’t just plop you in front of the t.v. or act annoyed that you were there.  She pulled out the board games and the dress up box and the snacks and we played and ate up a frenzy!  Aunt Betty was the queen of games.  As adults, we all rolled our eyes when she’d get everybody involved in a game (and we rolled our eyes even more while we played because she’d be disorganized and not have everything she’d need or she’d forget the rules).  Every Christmas she’d bring a big basket with her to the Christmas party, and we’d giggle at the selections…some new things (candy bars, sticker packs, socks with labels), but you could tell she was also cleaning out her drawers with a lot of the things in there (half used candles, a  mug from her trip to Canada 20 years ago, socks without labels)!  Parties aren’t going to be the same anymore, I’ll tell you that.

Aunt Betty suffered a stroke in December, from which never really bounced back.  She never went home again, and was never really her old bubbly self again.  She asked often, “Why won’t Jesus just take me to see Henry?”  And now I think she’s probably with Uncle Henry and her granddaughter Katie, and getting the angels all involved in a crazy game, and so, so happy.

We will all miss her so much.

These Pretzels Are Making Me Crazy

I’ve been married to this guy for almost 15 years:

And after almost 15 years of (generally) wedded bliss, I feel like I know him pretty well.

For instance, I know that when he reads this post and realizes he’s the star of it, he will be frowning.  I know how he likes his coffee (a healthy dash of half and half), and that if America’s Funniest Home Videos is on…he will be watching it.  He seriously loves his AFV.  (And now he’s really frowning).  He will eat just about anything I make without complaining, but asks for a green vegetable at every meal (corn is not a green vegetable).  He doesn’t like his feet to get sweaty (hence car heating arguments because my feet are always cold), he loves the beach, he loves football, and  he loves Youtube videos of kittens looking adorable.*

He also loves a certain pretzel, and, God help me, I have failed at getting him this pretzel for nearly 15 years.  As the Head Shopper in the house, a title I take mighty seriously, I try to find little treats or favorites for everyone every week.  I know Ben likes S’mores Pop-Tarts so I try to surprise him with those every now and then.  Jack loves kefir so I make sure that’s usually on the list.  Maddie makes her own breakfast and goes through phases (Toaster Strudel, bagels, cereal, Greek yogurt) so whatever she’s into, I try to keep it stocked.  And every week, no matter which grocery store I go too, I look for Dave’s pretzels.  And then I’m confronted with so many choices, I forget what it is he wants.  What I think it is is maybe Snyder’s Olde Tyme but not the sourdough ones, or is it the Sourdough Utz Specials?  I think he likes Tom Sturgis Specials, but I’m pretty sure he doesn’t like the “artisan” ones, or maybe it is the artisan ones he likes? 

No matter what I buy, when I bring them home, I will generally get an explanation as to why it is the the wrong one (“remember…I like _________but not the ones with ________________?”) and then I know in his head he’s thinking, “seriously, it’s pretzels, not rocket science…why can’t she get this?” and I’m thinking (usually out loud) “seriously, it’s pretzels…why is he so picky?”

And I know right now YOU are thinking, “if he doesn’t like them, he should go buy his own damn pretzels!” so let me explain that he’s not rude about it, and again, as Head Shopper, I want to make people happy.   Also, he generally does end up buying his own pretzels.  He’ll bring them home and show me and say, “See…here is the brand name, see how it does not have ______________ in the name”, and I’ll nod and try to commit it all to memory but the next time I’ll shop it’ll be a giant PRETZEL FAIL once again.

So a few weeks ago, Jack and I were shopping and we were in the pretzel aisle, and I was all, “What pretzels does daddy like, Jack?” and he was all, “Let’s get Chex Mix instead!”  So I called Dave up and even though I could hear his eyes rolling in his head through the phone, he told me the name, and Jack and I found them, and I took a picture so now every time I shop, I just have to bring this picture up on my phone and I am GOLDEN, people!

That’s Olde Tyme Pretzels…non-sourdough, non-Artisan. Specials has nothing to do with it.  I don’t know why Specials is stuck in my head.

So it’s a boring story with a happy ending, even though Jack didn’t get Chex Mix and I left the store without getting the bread I was actually there for.

*HA!  Dave doesn’t actually like Youtube videos of adorable kittens.  I just put that there to get him back for fifteen years of pretzel misery.

February Instagram

So are you ready for a bunch of lame-o pictures?

Yes, please!

 

Back at the beginning of the month, as I was making deviled eggs for a Super Bowl party we attended, the movie pictured above was showing!  I loved this movie!  It came out when I was in college, and the Roxy, our only theatre in little old Lock Haven, showed this movie for three straight months.  Needless to say, my friends and I got to know it pretty well.

Whenever annoying children happened to walk into the kitchen, generally with the common goal of bugging me, I’d shush them saying things like, “Go away!  Baby’s about to get pulled out of her corner!”  or “Seriously, people, have some respect! Johnny is sooo tortured and overacting here….this is an awesome scene!” I loved Jennifer Grey’s hair most of all. It was like another character in the movie for me.  Now I follow her on Instagram:

It was a great Super Bowl party too (thank you Sue!), the food was amahzing, though I couldn’t tell you anymore who played, so hopefully you know already.

One day I opened up my Jack’s iPad and found this picture on the screen as the new background. 

Yes, I’d say he’s taken complete control of the iPad and has appointed himself President and Historian and I am just hoping I’ll be given the right to vote when the time comes.

Forge Road Elementary 5th grade held their Talent Show in February.  Ben applied to be the host, but that job was given to someone else (who was absolutely hilarious…that kid is going places!) so he decided he would be part of the stage crew.  I didn’t take my camera, knowing that he was only going to be behind the scenes, but I did snap this (bad) picture when they all gathered on the steps to pose for the crazed paparazzi (mamarazzi??)

It was a great show!  There was a lot of typical 5th grade talent-y stuff (Justin Bieber wannabes and trumpet solos), and there were a couple of amazing acts in there too.  It was a thoroughly entertaining evening!

Well, I’m almost through Season 3 of Downton Abbey, and then I will be all caught up. Which will be a darn stinkin’ shame, because I don’t think the next season will be for another year!  Boooooooooo.  Spoiler Alert….stop reading if you haven’t seen all of Season 3…  I knew to expect stuff with Sybil and Matthew because I saw they both wanted out of the show, but Sybil’s death was just heartbreaking!  Oh my gosh, I loved the take where the camera was on Mary from Sybil’s point of view and Mary was saying something like, “Sybil, Dahling, Sybil!” and then all of a sudden Mary looks shocked and she backs up in utter fear…then they show Sybil turning all white as she dies.  Good editing, Mr. Fellowes!  I haven’t seen Matthew’s death yet, but I know it’s coming.  And I know Mr. Bates is going to be set free, and I just can’t wait!  I hate him in that prison, and am glad they’re springing him out soon.  Poor Branson.  Poor Edith. Poor Ethel.   And Lord Crawley, get your head out of your privileged butt and let Matthew take reins of the estate before he dies, you dummyhead. I like him so much, but he has seemed a little bit like a bumbling idiot this season.  Enough already.  But I found this funny blog if you’re interested!

Woo hoo!  The geese are on their way home.  I cannot wait for warm weather!

Look what book I found at the library!  I’m thinking of suing the author for stealing my non-copyrighted name.  That’ll show her. 

I know I showed you photos of Maddie’s Spelling Bee Interview in my last post, but I forgot this one.  The host noticed Maddie’s swim ribbons, which she had neatly organized the weekend before, hanging in her bedroom.  She thought it would be a cute shot to have Maddie throwing them in the air, and it was, though they never used the shot.  P.S.  the ribbons are all still laying on Maddie’s floor.

Last Sunday Maddie wanted to make cupcakes.  I suggested a box mix and icing in a can because I had 5 loads of laundry on the floor, the grocery shopping to do, a geometry test and narrative dialogue essays to correct, and a house to clean, but she wanted to do homemade.  I pulled out my cookbook, said “Go for it” and then headed to the grocery store.  When I came back, she had made the cupcakes!  Now I was a little more interested.    I helped her a teeny bit with the peanut butter frosting and chocolate ganache, which we had both seen on Pinterest, and the result was these little cups of joy:

And even though I’ve been dieting, these I ate.  And they were totally delicious and worth it and I apologized to Maddie for being a grump and I’m glad she talked me into it.

This week my baby missed every single day of school.

He had a fever for over 6 days,  a little throwing up, and now some coughing.  Thank goodness Dave was home all week. I missed being able to take care of him though.

And finally, I’ll end with some happy valentines…I got my first school valentines for the first time in thirteen years!

Here’s looking forward to March…and no lions, just lambs PLEASE!