It's time again for Raven's Weekly Wordzzle (note the name change).  Like Boggle, it's meant to get our creative juices flowing. Participants are toincorporate the 10 words given in the challenge into a SHORT paragraph. Raven also offers a mini challenge for anyone opting for less words. You may also opt to use all the words in one story.

This week's 10 words are:  corner, cold-stone, rolex, sole, effortless, raindrops, eyebrow, speaker, amusing, leapt   

And for the mini: fluid, acreage, fasten, tripe, pages

I live around the corner from the newly opened ColdStone Creamery.  This ice cream joint is quite the new phenomenon around here.  As if drawn by magnets, the movie goers lineup effortlessly in a fluid line to get their share of frozen goodness.

Raindrops are no deterrent.  As the rain falls like large, fat tripe from the sky, the crowds only fuse into a tighter line, until they look like a giant unibrow fastened to the sidewalk.  The line is wrapped around the entire acreage of land that is the parlor's property all night long.

My envy knows no bounds as I push my shopping cart to and fro.  Yet not a single one turns a single eyebrow in my direction.  They are engrossed in the pages of the creamery's menu with choices that are more eclectic than the restaurant's next door.

What I wouldn't give for a decent meal these days.  In the days before the recession, things were easier.  People were less heartless.  Like the man who once gave me his Rolex in hopes that I could sell it to feed myself.  Little did he know that people like me could not step foot in a pawn shop without being frisked until even the soles of your feet were bare.  Nevertheless, as amusing as it was for me to carry around that Rolex, it finally got the better of me.  Imagine someone like me getting mugged?

Suddenly, my heart nearly leapt from my chest, as I was brought back to reality.  As I stood there in bewilderment, my eyes took on the speaker.  There she stood, no taller than four feet, with her outstretched hand and a dripping ice cream cone. 

"Here you go, Mr."  She said.  "It's for you, chocolate with Reeses in it... my favorite."

Then, as quickly as she had come, she disappeared.  As I stood on that corner, holding my beloved ice cream cone, I imagined with all my senses how my special treat would taste.  This was my chance to end it all, for I was deathly allergic to peanuts and of course I did not have an EpiPen.  

As my benefactor crossed the parking lot to her mother, I showed her my toothless grin.  She stood there waiting for me to eat it.  But I was not ready to go yet.  I still had unfinished business in this cruel world. 

Fortunately, her mother lacked her daughter's patience and dragged her away before she could see me reluctantly put that ice cream cone in the trash.  What a pity I couldn't trade it in for something less deadly.


For other Weekly Wordzzles please click here.  Have a great day!

        

How do I not play Boggle Me Thursday number 60??



You know how much I love this game!

 

see quiet tat fat vat fate zit vest tet

tie fest zee fee fees fave quit quits

Wow, that was a tough one... maybe I'm just out of practice...

Words I found after the time limit are:   zest, vee, quiz (how could I have missed quiz??), quo (which may or may not count as a word), zest (I saw it earlier but didn't write it down, I swear!!).  Okay, I guess that's it.


How'd you do?

To post your answers, click  or post them in my comments!

Like Boggle?  You might also try Raven's Saturday World Challenge!

        

The other day I decided I wanted to eat something really good for dinner.  So, I started looking through some recipe books...

I found a great one.  It was a side salad of green beans and carrots with a main course of tuna steaks.  For some reason, that just sounded sooo good.  So, I set out to the store to buy some tuna steaks.

Much to my dismay, there was no tuna, at all.  Not even a label for it.  So, if I wanted tuna, I'd have to go to another store.

Laziness won out, however, so I stayed and looked for an alternative.

I settled on scallops.  Now, I have always liked scallops but I have only ever had scallops at restaurants.  Places where they give you four or five scallops at the most with whatever other fare so as to fill up your plate.  By this standard then, the scallops I bought were the family pack.  There were about 15 or so in that pack.

I thought nothing of it.  I wanted something yummy.  So, I called up my brother-in-law, who is a chef, and asked him how to cook scallops.  He told me to use about an oz. of butter in a pan and heat it up.  Then toss the scallops in with whatever seasonings I wanted and to cook them just long enough until they got pearly colored.  He said only a few minutes was enough.

I was so happy that I thought to call him because I had been thinking to saute them in olive oil... that may have worked, I don't know, but they would NOT have tasted as heavenly!

I made my green bean and carrot salad and I served my scallops on the side.

Aside from the fact that my plate was way too big and the scallops look way too small, what my brother-in-law didn't tell me, and yes, I am placing full blame on him, is that scallops although small, are so very very filling!!

You see, no one else in the MommyWizdom household will eat seafood.  Let alone seafood that smelled so fish when being cooked (another thing my brother-in-law forgot to mention!).  So, naturally, I felt a divine duty to polish off all the scallops that came in that container. 

Way too many scallops followed by enough alcohol do not a happy woman make.  So, although I thoroughly enjoyed my meal at the time of consumption, I was pretty much miserable the rest of the night because of it.

So, the next time you go to a fine restaurant where they serve scallops and they only put four or five on your plate.  Understand that they are not being cheap with their scallops, they are merely trying to save you the misery of a massive heart-burn attack!  It was delicious though, and given the opportunity, I would absolutely do it again... except this time I would refrigerate the rest for another day!

        

I went to an all girls school and was taught that men and women are equal.  Then I had kids.

Men and women are so NOT the same.

My daughter was a needy child.  She always wanted me involved in everything.  In her play, in her potty training, in her eating.

Yet, my son, is ready and willing to do all things by himself. 

As good as that sounds though, I gotta tell you, it's not so great!

He tries to pour himself drinks and ends up dumping most of it on the table.  When he pours out cereal, it ends up all over the table and floor.  When he goes potty by himself (which is great, I know), it ends up, well, you know, everywhere!

I am so excited that he's willing to do so many things on his own.  But I am so not excited when I have to clean up after him, time and time again.

I have tried making him clean it up too and he willingly does, but it does not serve as a deterrent.

So, I've decided to make some boundaries.  He may pour himself cereal and go potty on his own (*gulp*), but he absolutely may not pour himself any liquids without asking for help.

So, today he's in the kitchen.  He's already pulled out the half empty orange juice container.  Half empty because he already emptied most of it earlier.  Suddenly, he remember the rule, so from the kitchen he yells,

"Mamma, I need some orange juice!!"  "Please..." 

I guess you had to be there, but it was funny.

I walked into the kitchen with a smile on my face.  There he stood with his plastic glass on the table, waiting to be served his OJ.

I hope this rule sticks.  Orange juice is no picnic to clean up.

        

I told BG that we would paint her room this summer before she starts kindergarten.  Right away she decided that she wanted an ocean theme... I told you about that already...

As I searched for ocean themed things, I had an amazing idea.

I thought, why don't we get BG a loft bunk bed?  Her room is small and the girl likes to keep all her crap stuff.  Damned if she got that from me... but anyway, she has no room in her room for a proper desk... and I know she'll need something when she starts school.  So, I thought, wouldn't a loft bed be the solution to our problems?  That would essentially open up her room to put a desk and her bookshelf... her room would have a little more room and what a great time to do it than now!

Who would've thought how difficult it is to shop for a loft bed?  Her room already has white furniture in it, so short of getting her an entire bedroom set, I'd like the bed to be white.  But I also need a fairly small loft bed, not a monstrosity like the stuff I keep seeing online and at the store.

But, let me tell you, white and loft and small are not easy to find.

So far, here's what I've found...


This is naturally gorgeous, but BIGGER than her room.




This one is WAY fun, but perhaps a bit young, and again, a monstrosity!



This one BG likes because of the stairs... (sorry I couldn't pull a bigger pic).

My issue with this one is it's not white and the stairs part would need to butt up against the wall in her room, therefore, defeating the purpose of the drawers... This bed would be wonderful if the drawers/stairs were on the other side and it if were a loft... which actually, I think Hubs could manage.  But I looked at the construction, he couldn't move the stairs to the other side on this one...  which stinks.

So, we are left with the continued search.  It has been a constant search on my part for about three weeks now.  And after having seen way more bunk and loft beds than is humanly possible, I have actually decided against one altogether.

See, when the kids were born, I read a book about bedroom feng shui.  I'm sure I blogged about it once...  (perhaps not, I couldn't find a previous post about it - seems odd).

Anyway, one of the things I distinctly remember about it is that you are not supposed to store ANYTHING below the bed.  It disturbs the flow, etc, etc.  Of course, you're also supposed to have two night stands, one on either side of the bed, and you're not supposed to keep anything at the foot of the bed either.   Well, the people who build our house were clearly not concerned with feng shui.  They put the doors in the wrong place and made the rooms too small etc, etc.. 

Regardless, after the debate that I've had with myself about the loft bunk bed issue, it has finally been decided.  I win.  No bunk/loft bed; at least for now.

Wasn't that productive?

I am more excited about her room than she is, anyway. I've now decided that we're going to put hardwood in there.  Not right now, but before the end of the year, there will be hardwood floor in her room.  I hate the carpet in her room and hardwood is better for allergies anyway, right?  I don't remember what feng shui says about hardwood floors in the bedroom... 

        

We've had a doozy of a week.  The kids are just growing in leaps and bounds, not just physically, but mentally too.

For some reason, and now that I think about it, I'm not sure why I haven't asked why... BG has decided that she doesn't want kids when she grows up.  A few months ago, she did want kids, but now, she doesn't.

She has said something to that fact in the recent past.  I just say okay and we move on.  But yesterday, she decided to elaborate on the topic.  She was telling me she doesn't want kids when she grows up... I was only half listening as I was doing something inane like driving or something... until she said, so how do I prevent a baby from growing inside my tummy when I grow up?

I just about busted a gut!  I wish I could have that conversation again when she's a teen.  I was actually impressed with myself though, I said,

"We can definitely talk about that when you get a little bit older."

I just think it's so interesting that she thinks a baby will just naturally grow inside of her belly...  what an interesting observation.  Makes me wonder with whom she's been talking.

And then Buddy said to me the other day,

"I cleaned up my tiny little mess, do you appreciate it Momma?"

When he says that word it just melts my heart; a four syllable word coming out of my three-year-old's mouth in context.

But today, today he topped it all off.  He was handing me his cup so I could put more juice in it.  He handed it to me and let it go, I took it from his hand but it didn't take.  So, the cup fell to the floor.  The small amount of juice that was still at the bottom went flying all over the floor.  Buddy took one look at the spill and with as much conviction as a three-year-old can muster he put his hands on his hips and said "dammit!"
I had to turn away as I couldn't contain the smile that was spreading across my face.  I got down on his level, looked him right in the eye and said,

"Buddy, that word is not for you, okay?"

And he said,

"No, it's not, it's only for you." 

To which I said yes, but again I had to turn away since I couldn't wipe the huge smile off my face.

I have told you this before, I am the potty mouth around here.  Not my husband.  So, when Hubs hears my son swear, he will know, as sure as the sun rises every day, that my son got those words from me.  And there is not one darn thing I can do about it. 

Another thing I can't do anything about is BG starting school in the fall.  I actually had a panic attack the other day about the upcoming school year.  BG is more than excited to be starting Kindergarten and Buddy is waiting to start going to pre-school in the fall.

I am so very not excited, however.  BG is such a sweet girl.  I do not want her to become jaded at school.  Kids can be so very mean and my girl is so engrossed in herself sometimes, she doesn't notice when kids are mean to her.  I don't want her to be hurt by anyone.  I don't want anyone to look at her sideways or to say something that will hurt her feelings.  I worry about her getting on that school bus and having no one to sit with.  I worry about her being at school (away from my watchful eye) all day long at school.

But what can I do?  My baby girl is growing up and she must go to school.  She must learn to fend for herself; to make friends and enemies alike, all on her own.  I can't shelter her forever.  I have seen all to well what happens to kids who are sheltered too much.  Whose parents don't ever let them go.  I don't want that for her.

But dammit, I don't have to like it , do I?  Not one little bit!

        

You ever been so physically and mentally exhausted that you can't sleep?

Well, this is one of those times.  We're on the second week of bible camp.  It's only Wednesday and I am toast.

The camp is outdoors and frankly, I am no longer used to be being outdoors.  I don't know what happened to me but it's just draining me. 

So, here I am blogging at 3am.  I have no sleep in me, yet I have to be up in a few hours to wrangle little kids through a hectic morning schedule in the great outdoors.

I'm not complaining; merely stating fact.

Since I am rambling at three am, I should add that I rented the movie "Motherhood" a week ago and really enjoyed it.  It's definitely one of those off the beaten path movies.  It has Umma Thurman and Minie Driver in it (yes, I misspelled them on purpose).  The movie is very realistic about what motherhood is like in today's world.  You know how there are cult movies - movies that people get together to watch over and over again?  Well, I think Motherhood is easily one of those movies.  A movie that mommies get together and watch over bottles of tequila and cigars!  Seriously, it's not for everyone, but it's definitely a must-see for mom's with little ones who are juggling it all.

So, I decided we're going to paint BG's room next week.  That won't be a small feat as her walls will need a coat or two of primer before painting.  I told her that we already have blue paint for the walls.  She was very excited to inform me that she would like her room to be an under the sea theme.  When she said that, I remembered the under water decoration in the movie "Mermaids."  Remember that scene, when they decorate the younger sister's room?  I know I'm not up to that!  So, I did a quick search online and found this.  Isn't it adorable?  And they're removable if and when she gets bored with it.

Now the only thing is where will she sleep while her room is being painted?  Hmn... perhaps I will need to arrange a sleep over or two somewhere...  It'd be more fun to do her room a la "while you were out," wouldn't it?  What a fun surprise that would be?  But I know it will take me a few days to get it done...

Someone please invent a sleep shot...  The worse part about insomnia is knowing that you're awake at the wee hours of the morning and have to be up and at 'em soon!!

Sweet dreams!

        

It's not working; the Calm Forte stuff... it seems to only make him fight it harder... he's more on edge now more than ever.  He has circles under his eyes to rival any raccoon and the temper tantrums are just awful.

I've instituted the "Sleep Rules."  I told him that if he fills up the chart for one week he can have a special toy but it didn't really seem to phase him.  I think I actually need to show him the toy to give him a better idea of what his prize will be.  After all, boys are different than girls; maybe he just can't visualize a prize like BG could at this same age.

That, and perhaps I need to show him what filling up a row of stickers means.  Lord, why are boys so damned literal densel?!


I met a mom today who is breastfeeding her FOUR year old.  Well, actually, I had already met her earlier in the week, at this church camp I'm working in, but she told me today.  I think she told me to test me; to see my reaction.  I know I didn't grimace or even step back in shock, but I wasn't jumping up and down congratulating her either.  I'm not sure what is the expected reaction.  And I did say that I gave "that" up as soon as the opportunity arose.  She stopped talking to me after that.  I guess I failed the test. 

I know I'm an odd duck, but there seem to be even odder ducks in the pond than me.  I'm not sure that's necessarily a good thing.

        

Since I pulled Buddy and BG out of daycare, I thought the hardest thing would be that I don't get a break from them during the day.

But it turns out that hasn't been the problem at all.  The problem has been that now Buddy is officially a sleep-deprived little booger!

I do think that some of it could be a result of such a drastic change in routine.  I mean, if I think about it, he's been going to daycare (to the same person) since he was six weeks old.  So, to suddenly pull him out of that and not have a set routine, is probably traumatic.

To add to that the change of beds from crib to big boy bed and to top it off with the pressure to potty train... just imagine the stress factor in all that!  It's no wonder he's acting out and not sleeping.  It seems to me that he's acting out because that's something he can control.

He woke up one morning asking for his crib back...  And lately he's been more attached to his blanket than ever!  At least we still live in the same house, yeah?

So, how do I alleviate his stress (which is quickly becoming my stress)??

I have no freakin' clue - any ideas?  Valium is the only thing that comes to mind... 


On a happier side note, Hubs and I watched the movie Valentine's Day the other day and we very much enjoyed it.  I recommend it!

        

The little man is now in a big boy bed.  To me, this makes it official that he's no longer a baby.  He's still my baby of course, but he's no longer a baby.

He was doing really well in his crib, but we decided that now that he's three, he should be in a bed.  And being in a bed would probably also help him potty train.  He's been doing really well on the potty; when he remembers.  But he needs to be constantly going in the potty by the time he starts camp which is in a couple of weeks - Yikes!

i signed him up for Vacation Bible Camp at a local church.  Few churches have programs for three year olds, probably because of the potty training and the attention issues.  But their only requirement was that he be potty trained.  It also turns out that he should have been three by September of last year, which he was not... so, he almost wasn't going to go.  But, the church is allowing him to stay as long as I volunteer.  So!  Instead of getting some mommy-time during the week of camp as was originally intended, I will be spending my mornings with a bunch of three-year-olds; for two weeks in a row!

So, I'm volunteering at this church for Buddy to be in VBC, and I'm also volunteering at my church by running the class for the three year olds.  I know, I'm a glutton for punishment!
Unfortunately, both camps are back to back and it's been so hot here lately, that even the weeds are drying up. 
Fortunately, the first camp will be indoors and I won't be a head person, so we could potentially take a day or two off.  Potentially...

Overall, I'm excited about being able to volunteer for these two camps.  I'm excited that the kids will get to attend two camps over the summer.  I think between camps, visiting family, and the pool, we're going to have a good summer.

I hope your summer is looking good too!  O yeah, and in between I'm also hoping to increase my Avon business, do some back-to-school shopping, and paint BG's room!!

Who said that stay-at-home was going to be boring?!!