More Masonisms

I wasn't creative enough to come up with a post title the last time I ticked off the funny stuff Mason was saying. I'm still not, so I just added "more" to the last post. I expect this to happen at least a couple more times.

This week has been so creative and so funny, this Friday I'm actually posting a Friday Five and it's "My Five Favorite Masonisms of the week".

1. "I heard a crick!" (when the crickets start chirping outside).

2. "No, I at camping." (every time I asked him to do something while we were camping--is it a destination or an activity? I think it's an excuse not to listen to mom.)

3. "Daddy wants to sing it- the itsy, itsy spider." (followed by "sing it louder!" when Alan was singing as quietly as possible so he didn't sing to our whole camp)

4. "Read it, read it, read it!" (he checked his first book out of the library--it's a Clifford the Big Red Dog reading primer, and I was driving while he was begging so)

5. "I'm gonna get Grandma!" (while running around the table at camp and wiggling his fingers like he was going to tickle her--in a perfect imitation of what we do to him.)

He has also been making up random songs about his green garbage trucks that are funny but unintelligible. Anything he hears that resembles a saw, hammer, or drill is "Kinda like Bob the Builder". And he is still talking about the time, while he was at Grandma's house, some grass fell out of the neighbor's garbage can. He insisted they go sweep it up and put it back in the garbage can so it would go in the garbage truck next time. Every now and again, he will also mention the incident with the chair and the dumpster. If I hadn't blogged about it, I may not have any idea what he was talking about because his memory for these things is much, much longer than mine.

They say the best things in life are free

So this blog title totally has me singing this song. And then I want to watch Empire Records (hey, Amber!), which might be one of the best stupid movies ever. It's a vicious cycle, isn't it? "Excuse me, ow. Excuse me, ow." Well, back to your regularly scheduled post.

I've been looking into doing my own blog background now, thanks to the fabulous birthday gift my aunt-dad gave me. As a result of this pondering, I've come across some pretty fantastic things. And guess what? They are free. This Friday, here are my Five Favorite Freebies. These things are always linked to on the right hand side of my page toward the bottom of the column.

1. Cute Handwriting and Scrapbooking Fonts- I previously posted about getting my own handwriting turned into a true type font for free. Well, the last time I looked at the fonts on Kevinandamanda.com, she had updated the fonts for peas section and you can now download my handwriting onto your own computer for free. It's one of 20 she deemed cute enough to do! I got over that quickly enough when I scrolled down and saw the others she added that are so cute they make my handwriting look like chicken scratch. If you are looking for something new and a little different, this is one freebie you must check back with often. She also posts some recipes that look wonderful.

2. Blog design tips and amazing backgrounds that go right up- this is where my current background came from. They have about 200 others and new ones all the time. They also have tips for making your own blog design. I'm trying it out. Also, I apologize for anyone who tried using the link I've had for this one recently. I just figured out the other day that I had typed it incorrectly. If you're in the market for a blog background, TheCutestBlogontheBlock is a great place to start. Also, if you're having trouble getting your background from their old link to load, check out this new one for instructions on how to change it; they've recently changed their server and promised that the new links are working much better.

3. More cute blog backgrounds- If you want a layout that is a little different from the pyzam/cutestblogontheblock, try Leelou Blogs instead. Their designs are cute, scrapbook-y, and textured. They also all have a separate design for a header if you are after that, too. This one, like the others, will do a specialized blog design for you for a price if you're interested. But this is all about the freebies, and she has plenty of those!

4. Digital scrapbooking pages and extras- I stumbled across Raspberry Road Designs while I was trying to decide if I'm creative enough to do my own blog background. The blog tips on cutestblogontheblock recommended a site that led me to here with the promise of free "paper". She frequently offers free paper; everything I found on her site is cute and even when there is a price, it's relatively cheap for the download. If you're ever in the market for this kind of thing, stop there first.

5. Drinks- This is totally unrelated to any of the digital/scrapbooking/internet universe (other than I might be drinking one while I ponder this universe), but the Jamba Juice near me recently started offering punch cards again. Words cannot express my excitement about this, considering any trip to the grocery store or the "red" store prompts nearly unlimited patience from a two-year old who knows the parking lot well enough to ask for a "treat, please... pleeeeease?" anytime we're in the vicinity. I mean, a fruit smoothie is a way healthier treat than ice cream or the suckers Kyle gives him at the credit union, so how can I resist something that allows my grocery shopping to commence in peace? Getting every 7th one for free is just icing on the cake.

Friday Fives: You're Special, Sunshine!

So Alan and I have spent an unusual amount of time together lately, what with the camping trip and ganging up on our neighbors (see a later post... I will link to it once it's posted) and all. As a result, I've noticed something about him that others might not know: he really likes to tease me. Sometimes it is to blow off steam when he's frustrated, but usually I give him enough material to keep him amused. So this Friday, I give you Five Reasons My Husband Thinks I'm "Special".

1. Cold medicine can't keep me down. He still likes to tease me about the night shortly after we were married, when I actually woke him up to advise him that "I took a bunch of cold medicine and now I can't sleep." I'm not sure what I was expecting. Maybe one of those sweet late night conversations we had when we were dating? He told me that was nice and went right on sleeping. I'm sure this particular moment is still a little fuzzy around the edges for him.

2. I can't sleep with a blanket tag by my face. The blankets must face the right direction. Also, they must be somewhat evenly distributed. I can sleep in all manner of layered clothing, but anything more than a sheet and a comforter (even when they get kicked over to me and are doubled up) drives me nuts. It should be noted Alan was the one who actually made this discovery--I was unaware of this behavior and I have unconsciously passed it on to Mason.

3. I organize by color. I get excited when there is something to organize. Our home office filing has always been color coded. When I was a bank teller, the money in my bottom vault was wrapped in color-coded rubber bands by denomination. My recipes are arranged in categories in a 5X7 binder, and each category is color-coded. I recently had to learn what kind of fire apparatus runs out of which fire station in the valley; I made flashcards and guess how they were organized? Each fire department in the valley had its own color. He brings home new multi-colored Sharpies and I actually giggle with excitement instead of groaning about the project that probably lays ahead. I also used to have an alphabetical system for DVDs and CDs, but both those have been tossed out the window since we had Mason.

4. I eat like a little kid. I love chicken fingers, macaroni and cheese, and cereal. I've been finding relatively healthy ways to enjoy these things as an adult (and a parent), but I think he's rather amused I go to all the effort. When he asks what we had for dinner while he was at work and gets a reply of "Rice Krispies and Frosted Mini Wheats mixed together", I think the only appropriate response is shaking his head. Keep in mind, I'm the same girl who went with him last summer on a wine tasting/fresh seafood eating vacation. His only stipulation was that I didn't order chicken fingers everywhere we went.

5. I have "girly" moments. I'm typically not the girl who asks for help easily or readily admits that I'm afraid of something small. Please don't confuse this for me saying I am not the mom who can conjure up all kinds of deadly and bloody what-ifs in the most simple scenario (I totally do that--maybe that could be a separate list). However, things like spiders don't usually freak me out. That is, until he has me reaching down in the sprinkler box and then announces I should wear gloves because he has seen a Black Widow down there recently. (He got to finish winterizing that year by himself and it took hours for the "creepy crawlies" to go away). If I can't reach a bowl at the top of the cupboard, I ask for his help without thinking it through (he and I are the same height, so he probably can't reach it any easier than I can). He has told me how to work our barbeque about 18 times and I don't remember so I only grill when he's home to "show me how" (take over). I can change my own tire. (Meaning I have the knowledge, but not the strength to crack the lugnuts so he ends up doing it). Oh, and don't forget the screaming when the grasshopper landed on me while we were weeding last night. At least I wasn't standing up; then there would've been dancing too, and I would have to add a #6 about my clumsiness.

Five Fun Facts About Rio

Rio was our first child in many ways. We adopted her in May 2004 when she was 8 weeks old, and just a month after we got our yard put in. She was the second puppy we had seen and was so adorable we couldn't avoid getting her that night. We went to the local grocery store (we had reached the cash limit at the ATM), each purchased a pack of gum and took the max cash out, just so we could take her home then instead of waiting for the check to clear.
She has been basically a constant delight ever since then. She is smart, sly, and can be quite funny. This Friday, I give you my Five Favorite Things About Rio.

1. She cuddles up in her kennel whenever she needs a break. I had read in dog-training books that many dogs will use their kennels as a 'den', a refuge. She's the only one I know who actually does it.

2. She hogs the cold air. She is the one who invented the concept (with Samson as her faithful follower) of laying on the AC vents in our bedroom at night. We have to turn it down to at least 64 degrees before she'll step off, and since we can't very well do that anymore with Mason to consider, she gets full reign.

3. She will bring your her bowl when she's hungry or knock the 5-gallon bottle of water off when she's finished drinking it. She very clearly communicates her needs.

4. She can intimidate you with just a glance. We once had a neighbor who flat-out refused to walk past our house because she would watch him. She never once barked at him, she would just sit in the far corner of our yard and stare when he passed.

5. One of her ears doesn't stand up correctly. Her right ear always flops. We had thought briefly about making her a show dog, because her coloring is beautiful, but the floppy ear would've ruined that. But it gives her so much personality we couldn't do the harsh ear-cutting surgery to really make her ears point. She'll cock her head and look at you with that floppy ear, as if to say "I dare you to pet me. Or give me a hot dog, your choice."

Rio, the first night we brought her home, May 2004

Rio, as a very very dirty princess on our camping trip last week, July 2008

Five Fun Facts about Samson

Samson is laying here next to me as I'm typing out some blog posts and responding to email, and it makes me think about him a little bit. When we adopted our two dogs, we invited two very distinct personalities into our lives. They make our lives richer, sometimes they make our lives more odiferous, and they never fail to provide affection when you really need it. So for the next couple weeks, I'm letting Friday Fives go to the dogs.

Five Fun Facts About Samson

1. It took us longer to name him than it did to name our son. One of the choices was acutally "Diogi". To see why that's funny, sound it out carefully. It took me several tries.

2. He howls at telephone rings. We can't change our ringtones, or many times even have an incoming call, without him letting us hear how it's affecting his day.

3. He groans when he scratches the right spot on his ear. Some dogs twitch their legs, but not Samson.

4. He likes to crawl under the back porch. This is most entertaining because he weighs about 110 lbs and often gets stuck. He also sleeps with his head and shoulders under our bed.

5. He never fails to entertain. He licks the air coming out of air vents, he tries to catch bugs in his mouth, and prefers to sleep sprawled on his back. He has tried to dive under our bed and missed because he was too big, walked into tables that haven't been moved since he lived here. He has fallen asleep having his head scratched, fallen over when he lifted his leg to go potty, and lost his balance trying to scratch his side.

Sadly, I can't find any pictures of Samson as a puppy. We didn't have many because it was so hard to get him to hold still for that long, which is sad because he was so very adorable. But here is on our camping trip, watching something out on the water.

Friday Fives : Five Great Things About Camping

I'm trying so hard to get excited about our up-coming camping trip, but I just keep thinking of all the things I really hate about camping. The place we like to go is so remote there is nothing resembling a bathroom, and the last time we went, we got stuck trying to leave and it took hours to dig ourselves and my father-in-law out. I am typically what you would call a creature of comfort. I appreciate nature, but prefer it in small doses. I like my air conditioning, my bed, my clean bathrooms, and my shower. So in an attempt to buck up and adjust my attitude, I bring you this week's Friday Five.

My Five Favorite Things About Camping

1. A campfire that comes with S'mores. There's something about fire-roasted marshmallows that can't be duplicated, no matter how many S'mores Cupcakes or Brownies I bake. And although I complain after Alan comes home from a housefire with that smell, I do enjoy the smell of the fire in the proper context.

2. All the stars. Even though our house is a little more remote now than where I grew up, and we don't have as many lights to block out the stars, you still will never see more stars at a time than when you are out camping.

3. The chance to try new things. Alan and his family have introduced me to 4-wheeling. I'm not the biggest fan of that, but I think this year he's going to teach me how to shoot a BB gun. I'm hoping I'll enjoy it and feel like there might be some adventure left in me yet.

4. The food. There is no denying it. The food at Girls' Camp was always fantastic. Roasting things over the fire makes for a good meal. But Alan's family always makes really good food while they are camping, and this year we get to make some of it, too.

5. Zip-together sleeping bags. When Mason was very small (just 6 mos. old) and we went up to this same spot, it was far too cold to leave him on his own at night, just as it will be this time. He was so snuggly and sweet, and because of his desire to keep his head at the top of the sleeping bag, I got to cuddle with my baby without a foot to the thigh or a head to the back. It's been a long time since I got to snuggle with him all night, but I'm thinking this might be the last opportunity. Plus, my husband throws off body heat like a furnace and it should be sufficient enough to keep us all warm. Note to self: pack footie pajamas or socks to avoid cold toes.

Five Small Helpful Habits

In my time being home with Mason over the last two years, I have learned a thing or two about what it takes for me to be a successful housekeeper. If only I could learn more than these five small things, my house might be in something resembling order.



1. Get out of bed in the morning and make it immediately.

For some reason, this makes me feel better about my whole house. FlyLady said so once and I thought she was full of it, but I was the one who was wrong.

2. Exercise-all the better if it's with someone.

I'm only regular about this when Alan is home and pushing me to do it. I'm trying harder to be better about it. It's a lot harder to justify eating candy and watching TV when I haven't already exercised. Here's hoping P90X doesn't kill me....

3. Listen to feel-good music during unpleasant tasks.

I super-duper hate working in the yard. If we're doing it while Mason is taking a nap, I can put on my iPod and the time flies. Same goes for dusting, but we try to make a dance party out of it every now and then.

4. Clean it up immediately.

I learned this habit years ago from my grandfather. When he was cooking, he would get everything he needed out at the beginning and then put it back where it went as soon as he had used it. Alan watched me doubtfully as I did this the first time he saw me make cookies, but it works for me. I apply it to anything. I don't leave the milk or bread out, I don't leave crumbs on the counter, and I do dishes while my treats are baking.

5. Never be afraid of a play-break.

Classifying this as helpful might be a stretch. But Mason is a whole lot more cooperative if I can find a balance between doing my housework and paying attention to him. If we just played trucks for 20 minutes, my clean laundry doesn't hit the floor before it's folded or I might get the dishwasher loaded before a monkey climbs on the open door. This is a mighty big "if" only because I know Mason won't always want to play with me, so I tend to abandon other tasks in favor of that one more often than I probably should.

Is it a fondness or an obsession?

I sometimes watch television shows that I know are wasting valuable time. It's time when I could be doing dishes or other housework or maybe practicing Lego tunnels while Mason is sleeping so I can be more proficient (that is not in my top 5 skills, for sure), and yet I can't help tuning in. Whether I like them so I can tune out for an hour or just to pretend I'm younger and hip, I don't know. Some are off the air now, but I have purchased the DVDs to keep it going.

My "Friday Five" Guilty Pleasures

1. Gilmore Girls

2. Grey's Anatomy

3. Gossip Girl

4. Felicity (have the DVDs)

5. One Tree Hill (thanks a lot, Joey!)

Just to make sure Alan feels included, I should include the ones he and I watch together sometimes when we're relaxing without the pitter patter of little feet around. We like Scrubs, Friends, and Reno 911.

Five Snarky T-Shirts

Stores lately seem to be full of all-too-appropriate, bratty yet funny t-shirts for boys. I've seen several that are perfect for Alan, but I have refrained from buying them. When it comes to Mason, though, I (and a few of my friends) just can't resist. This Friday, I give you a few of my favorites from his wardrobe.



1. I don't have an off-button. (Thanks, Bear)

2. My Parents are Exhausted (Thanks, Hez)

3. Daddy thinks HE'S in charge. (Thanks, Grandma)

4. I enjoy long walks in the playground, ice cream,

and insightful cartoons (Thanks, Jo)

5. Mr. Mischief (with a Little Mr./Little Miss character, which were my faves as a kid!)

No hints here, I swear

One of my mom's big complaints around my birthday is that I never want anything. I tend to get what I need as it comes up, like the favorite shirt with a sudden hole last week that necessitated a new shirt. Generally, I don't think about what I want much because it's more important to me that Mason has what he needs (okay, wants. I tend to spoil my kid a little).

For whatever reason, I realized my birthday was coming up, so I have tried hard not to buy anything so I would actually have something to tell in the event I was asked . However, I would like to say first that spending time with my family is always the best gift in the world and I'm not above using my birthday as an excuse to secure that time. That's important enough that it comes way before #1 on the list. This is just worldly, purely indulgent and strictly for fun. For this Friday (giving you plenty of notice before the 2-7 hits next week), I bring you Five Things I Want for My Birthday.

1. Guitar Hero Aerosmith Edition for Wii
2. The Twilight Trilogy in hardcover
3. The new CDs from Jason Mraz, Weezer, or Coldplay
4. A photo and video mixing program for the computer
5. New clothes

Summer Break Only Happens in Adolescence

I recently posted a Friday Five that included my five favorite things about summer. My least favorite thing about summer is this: adults don't get time off. When I was in school, I don't know if I properly valued the three months of down time. I don't think I really grasped how precious it was until I worked at the bank. The first summer there, I remember being so tempted by the promising view out the large, conspicuously placed and angled drive up window. I was working while all these other people were stopping by and then entering the wide world, with its endless sunshine and bright blue sky. I was stuck inside for the first time in my life, and it was hard to handle.



This year won't be much different in terms of summer vacations for us. Alan doesn't have a whole lot of seniority at the fire department yet, and so most of the summer off-time falls to people who have school aged children and trailers to take them camping in. We have a couple of things planned-- at least one camping trip over a four-day break in July, and our anniversary celebration in August (top secret for now...are we betting I can keep it secret that long? Let's not. At least he hasn't guessed yet, and he says he has no idea)--but nothing like I wish were possible. So this Friday, I give you the top five places I would like to go on summer vacation.



1. Hawaii . I'm not picky where in Hawaii. Our trip there was one of the best trips ever.

2. Highway 1 . The Pacific Northwest holds great appeal, and is the only car trip I would do.

3. Antigua. Wanted to go there. Had a baby instead. Love him, but still want to go.

4. Sonoma Valley, CA. We went there last year, and could still take another trip without doing all there is to do. It was FANTASTIC and beautiful and a hundred other things.


5. Canada. Anywhere in the country, out of the heat, and I've heard it is all so beautiful.



This is the view from our hotel room in Maui, HI, circa 2005

Five Songs for a Rainy Day

Since the weather today is (supposedly) going to be a little less than sunny, I thought an appropriate edition of the Friday Five would be songs for a rainy day. I apologize in advance because I'm far too lazy to put them up on a playlist. Maybe I'll save that for another rainy day.

1. Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley
There are many versions of this song, his was my absolute fave, but I heard
Kate Voegele sing it recently and she rocked it so it may now be a tie!
2. All I Need by Mat Kearney
3. Pass in Time by Beth Orton (feat. Terry Caller)
The very definition of 'acoustic'.
4. The Scientist by Coldplay
Especially the acoustic one--WOW.
5. Wonderwall by Ryan Adams
No, I didn't get the artist wrong--his cover is a spin on Oasis' version and it's
so much more melancholy. Say what you will about him being an idiot, I will agree, but the
man can sing.)

The Friday Five

A lot of people who blog are so good about coming up with themed posts, I thought I would take a stab at it. I don't have a cool logo designed and I'm not sure it's even an original concept. It was slightly inspired by my "Five Things I Never Thought I'd Say" post, and the fact that we haven't had a very exciting couple of weeks with various combinations of us feeling under the weather. We need some new stuff to keep this going! So every Friday, I'm going to post a list of five things under a different, random subject.

The following statement isn't a tag or anything like that, but: anyone who wants to join me in posting a Friday Five on their own blog is welcome! (and I will even try not to rip off your topics)

This week, in honor of the fact that we're (finally) supposed to hit the big 8-0 (EIGHTY degrees, my perfect outdoor temperature) today, I'm posting this:

My Five Favorite Things About Summer

1. Flip-flops (do I need to explain these? My #1 least favorite things are SOCKS, so I think there's not much more to say)
2. Smell of Suntan Lotion (I may be a pale cancer-fearing girl, but I still like the coconutty, tropical smell and it makes me think of summertime)
3. Grilling/barbecued dinners (a whole new world of dinner possibilities because you can grill almost anything and it will taste awesome)
4. S'mores (the only reason to go camping)
5. Milkshakes, smoothies and fresh limeade (can I just say beverages that make me freeze in the winter and call it a group?)