enough with the whistling!

by teresa

I took Ben out to spend his Christmas money today. He ended up only parting with $5.
What did he buy?
A whistle key finder key chain.
If you loose your keys...you whistle...the key chain then sounds an alarm to help you locate the missing keys.
Perfect for him...don't you think?

daquiri anyone?

by teresa

Smoothie maker....a good time for all.
Bought one before Christmas, to complete our perfectly planned Christmas morning breakfast of homemade waffles and smoothies. It was delish.

Ben has a friend over and we just broke it out again.
The perfect late night snack.
Strawberry, pineapple, raspberry and orange juice smoothie (with a touch of whipped cream on top).

You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them.

by teresa

The day was perfect.

Family together (from morning to night)....we laughed the day away.

"In the cradle of a family, Jesus made His introduction."

Peace on earth will come to stay, When we live Christmas every day

It's all about the manger.

Christmas Eve morning

by teresa

So excited.

Everyone is still asleep and I am up early to get my cleaning done.

I've dusted, bathrooms, mopped, scrubbed and laundered since rolling out of bed.

I will save my vacuuming for their waking hours (I'm so nice).

The rest of the day is family day.

Games, movies and the traditional Christmas eve dinner at China Garden.

This past week has been a blur of gatherings.

I am so thankful to have reconnected with my dad's side of the family.

Too many years had gone by with separate family gatherings.

Since daddy died, I feel drawn to them (they all look just like him!).

A remembered connection of secret sharing, large (and loud) family gatherings with all my cousins and playing in my Nanny Jean's yard. I will not let too much time pass between hugs again.

the countdown begins

by teresa

What a week.
*phew*
Commitments are all behind me...except for all the fun stuff.
Ben has an indoor soccer tournament this weekend.
Short, quick, exciting games.
Only two days of school left, both of which have parties, dessert day and a sing-a-long scheduled (except for poor Nick who has a project due).
I need to sneak over to mil's house to wrap gifts sometime before next Friday. Her house is our hiding place (far from prying eyes). Hey Jackie...when can I come over and escape visit?

Ben's teacher, Mr. C., went exploring the school the other night (before parents arrived for the music concert). He found a fully decorated Christmas tree in an attic and brought it down to display in his room. Ben raved about it and the kids put extra lights and garland all over it. The next morning, while Ben was on safety patrol he heard an alert over the pa system. "IF ANYONE KNOWS THE WHERE ABOUTS OF MS. BALL'S DECORATED CHRISTMAS TREE PLEASE COME TO THE OFFICE IMMEDIATELY!" Just then, Mr. Carmody came out of the men's room. He looked and Ben and said, "oh no B...we've been caught!"
He delivered it to it's rightful owner, gushing with apologies (she was snitty and it irked him).
Later in the day he announced to the class, "I don't like to lose....let's go!" So off the class snuck (the entire class). Down the halls up secret staircases (which are totally off limits to students) and into the inner sanctum of the schools storage areas. They searched high and low for another tree. They ended up finding two (one big and one little). The first they brought down was mammoth, and once put together wouldn't fit in the room. So they dragged it back and got the small one. They put it on a desk, skirted it (Ben said it looks more like a table cloth) and decorated away. But it was so much smaller than the original one, that they had an abundance of decorations leftover. What to do? They got a ladder and hung lights from the ceiling tiles and the girls strung garland everywhere. He even let B string lights out the door and down the hall.
Who knew Ben's illumination obsession would be of use in academia?

the weekend can not come soon enough

by teresa

I am always triple busy around this time of year.
No time for blogging, reading or cooking (my three favorite things).
MOPS, church functions, Christmas shop at Ben's school, band concert, board meetings, soccer practice, basketball practice, etc. All things I love, but when combined, suck the life out of me.
The end of this week will bring sweet relief.

band geeks rule

by teresa

Nick had his "winter" band concert at school tonight.
Chris was out of town until late evening, so I went solo.
It was the usual seasonal song lineup.
Jingle bells, rockin' around the Christmas tree, etc.
After each piece the crowd would give a little clap.
Then they played *get this* Jesus Loves Me.
Jesus. Loves. Me......and it was so beautiful. Soft, intimate and then building up and powerful.
I didn't breathe the entire song. People all around me were singing and humming along. I cried. I was so proud (Nick had told me the director had told them to keep the playlist a secret to surprise the parents).
When the song came to an end most of the crowd leapt to their feet, applauding and cheering.
Take Christ out of schools? Ha!!

Middle age is when you choose your cereal for the fiber, not the toy

by teresa

The cashier at the thrift store asked me if I was 55.
"There's a great discount for seniors", she said.
heifer.

give until it hurts?

by teresa

Up early this morning to get ready for the MOPS Christmas party.
I can't believe it is almost Christmas.
I have done about half of our shopping.
Just Nick and Ben left on my list.
Luckily, we (Jackie, Mom and I) go lots of things checked off in the OBX.
My theme this year?
"You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give."
It's funny, when I had the least (money), I gave the most. Towers of gifts for the kids, most of which they hardly ever used. It was space filler...."look how many gifts you have!" But, when you actually have a lot to give, you are more thoughtful about the things you buy.
Maturity, I guess.

whistle while you....

by teresa

Ben learned how to whistle this week.
*sigh*

In the car.
From his bed at night.
At the grocery store.

It annoys the dickens out of me. I lost it in Food Lion, snapped at him and scared the man walking beside us. Not one of my best parenting moments.
I'm gonna start walking around with my ipod in to save my sanity.

•"I am no bird; and no net ensnares me; I am a free human being with an independent will."

by teresa

Re-read my favorite book of all time this week.
Jane Eyre.
Funny...I was assigned this book in high school to read and write a research paper on.
I only read through the first couple of chapters (under duress) and squeaked out some generic report. Why do we only like to do things under our own free will?
I picked it up later in life and fell in love.

What is your favorite book and what age did you read it?

got socks?

by teresa

Got a call today while I was out.
It was Ben.
"Mom, can you bring me some clothes?"
At recess, he was running and slipped in the mud.
I ran up to school (with a clean outfit) and found him sitting in the office waiting.
By the looks of him, the mud puddle was 3 feet deep.
He was soaked from head to toe.
On the phone he had just said to bring pants and a shirt.
We changed in the bathroom and I felt bad because his sock were dripping...and I had not brought clean ones.
Can you imagine how uncomfortable that would be for the rest of the day?
So I did what any good mom would do. I gave him mine.
Unfortunately for Ben, I had wore my brown/green/orange argyle socks today.
He reluctantly slid them on and prayed (aloud) that there would be nothing in his teachers lesson that involved taking his shoes off for the rest of the day.

let the lights shine

by teresa

Ben has channeled his inner Clark Griswold again this year.
It clicked in as we pulled up from Thanksgiving vacation and our neighbor had put up some of her decorations. It was a slap in the face...a challenge. She was first....and he likes to be first. So he vowed to be better.
He dragged out all our decorations, with the help of big brother and so it began.
Christmas lights 2009!
He walked around muttering things like, "I have a vision" and "we need more chords!"
Eight hours, three stores (Walmart, Garden Ridge and Walgreens) and ten chords later, he was done. Well not completely, his "vision" has a Charlie Brown manger scene around our front tree. That $60 shout out to baby Jesus is still sitting at Garden Ridge (I'm so mean).
The two of us sat on the porch last night. Me, staring at the hideous spaghetti of extension chords across all parts of my front lawn....him, reveling in the glory that only proper exterior illumination can give.
A car drove by...very slowly. He squealed as they drove off and said, "they were pointing at my candy canes!".
too funny.

like a gift from God

by teresa

While cleaning out the fridge last night, I found an entire cheesecake. Apparently, Katy made a cheesecake (along with pies and spoon bread) for thanksgiving. When she arrived she must have put it in the fridge until after dinner. Once we were done eating (gorging ourselves) we shoved all the leftovers all around it. I think someone thought it was Jackie's cranberry sauce and was trying to hide it. (sorry Jackie...I couldn't resist)
When I discovered it last night, the crowds (hungry relatives coming down from their carb high) went wild.

Peace:
It does not mean to be in a place
where there is no noise, trouble
or hard work. It means to be in the
midst of all those things and still
be calm in your heart (with a huge piece a cheesecake in front of you).

make a wish...

The happiest moments of my life have been the few which I have passed at home in the bosom of my family. ~Thomas Jefferson

by teresa

Spent our evening playing foosball, Last Word, walking Shorty over the dunes and watching a Man vs. Food marathon.

We also ate 3/4 of the carrot cake mom baked for Thanksgiving tomorrow. It was just too hard to resisit it looking all yummy on the counter. She wasn't mad...it was her idea.

Tomorrow we will mutiply by 5 and cook (and eat) enough for 50.

bliss

by teresa

You know how Julie Andrews feels running to the top of the mountain, arms widespread, singing with total joy and satisfaction? That's how I feel at this exact moment. My wonderful husband (yes, he's leapt to a new level of champion in my heart) surprised me with a the new HP TouchSmart. It moved me to tears...seriously. I have been having serious blog/facebook/email withdraws. It was really bad. A & E's Intervention bad. I had replaced my usually creative outlet with cooking and baking...ten-fold. I think I gained 5 pounds this week from the cupcakes (oh...the cupcakes...two batches), london broil, gnocchi, prime rib, tilapia, chicken, pasta and more I have hashed out this week.


*pic. from the web cam*

Something About The Ted

By Chris

Computer is jacked up . . . so Teresa is severely blog handicapped for the moment. So, here goes . . .

It's college basketball season. More specifically, it's ODU Basketball season. My favorite time of year. Nick, Ben and I go to every game . . . with my old college roomies. A few weeks ago, I was telling Teresa ... "There's something special about that place . . . the boys fight everywhere else, but once we get there, they never fight. They fight at home, they fight at the football games, they fight in the car. They fight EVERYWHERE! But, not there. You would think they're best buddies. I'm telling you, it's special!" She probably thought I was over-selling. She NEVER goes to basketball games, and probably thinks my commitment to them is a bit much. She reminds me that I've missed anniversaries for them, and once went to a tournament with her still bed-resting from a baby delivery. But, she went this Saturday. The boys were giddy that mom was going to finally see how awesome it is at The Ted (she'd never seen a game there). Nick even gave up his Big Blue Club Room priveledges for the night so she could get the full experience, complete with free Diet Coke and entering through the "special door." Ben showed her "what to do." For him, that means, get one drink, sip it down while mingling, then double fist two more to take into the arena, check out the players warming up and sit down in time to see the mascot Big Blue make his grand entrance. On cue, with the car in "park" next to the arena, the fighting stopped, and Mom got to witness the "special-ness" As always, Nick scoped out courtside seats on the other side of the arena in the first half, and moved to them, texting me at halftime to send Ben over when it looked all clear (that is, nobody was showing up to throw them out). And, as usual, they sat together for the whole second half alone. I could tell she was waiting for the eruption, and thinking I had lost my mind for letting them do that sort of thing together . . . alone. It never happened . . . As always, they watched, cheered, danced and laughed together. In the car, mom looked at me, and said: "You're right. It's amazing!" In the back seat, the fighting commenced. We laughed. Now Mom's a basketball believer.

I sing because I'm happy

by teresa

We found the dog a home and I am so happy. After putting the word out on facebook, I had almost a hundred comments and emails. People praying, asking neighbors and offering support in finding her a home. What a wonderful thing.
Someone told me that God led her to our bushes, knowing we would love her and facilitate her homecoming.
If He loves a stray mutt that much...can you even fathom how much he cares for us?

Lost Dog

This dog (Ben named her Sandy) was found by the Terminix man, sleeping under our bushes after the Nor'Easter. We had seen her roaming the neighborhood before that. When KiKi would get out, this dog would come home with her. When you would go outside to see her, she would run off. She is now residing in our garage until we can find her a home (ours is full...in case your wondering:). She has a boo boo on her lip and a scratch in her ear, obviously due to riding out the storm unsheltered. She is so sweet and loving and kind to the children. If you know of anyone who can give her a loving home...please message me. I just don't have the heart to call the pound.

“Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.”

what a mess

by teresa

The rain that began Wednesday morning is still going strong.
Last night we had hurricane force wind gusts most of the night.
It sounded like the house was going to blow away and left us in the dark all night long.
Around here that translates into NO SLEEP. Gotta have the fan going to find the sandman.
I came downstairs on the couch (cause nothing is more annoying than listening to people breathe), lit a candle and read some of Nicholas Sparks new book. I dozed a minute here and there and then around 4:00am the power came back on. I was sound asleep by 4:01am.
We are all up now (Chris left for work) and I am desperate to get out of this house. If it ever stops raining, we will depart for nature walk around the neighbor and take pictures of the damage and flooding. I did stick my head out the back door and took pictures of our backyard. What a mess! There are chairs and soccer balls floating in the over full pool and our table and chairs are a mangled mess. We were so lucky though. Some of my facebook friends in the neighborhood have trees down (on their cars) and flooded garages.

Nor'easter 2009

It's so great to find that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life.

by teresa


Twenty three years later (since our first date) and I still am. (see license plate above)

Happy Anniversary!

get it, read it, love it

by teresa

A friend (thank you Jackie) dropped off a couple off books for me to read yesterday.
One of which is Mitch Albom's (Tuesday's with Morrie, The Five People you Meet in Heaven, etc.) newest book called Have a Little Faith. I started it tonight (and finished it tonight) and it was so wonderful. It is a uniquely and profoundly meditative, contemplative, stimulating and inspiring story. I highly recommend it.

rain rain go away come...blah blah blah

by teresa

When I woke this morning it was pouring and as I sit here, moments before heading to bed it is still pouring. So much so, that schools are closed tomorrow due to flooding. I have one thing to say about that....crap.
After two days (teacher workday and veterans day) of people using "my time" for "their time" I am about to go coo coo for cocoa puffs. *that actually sounds good right now*
I will borrow my in laws canoe and personally row through the neighborhood picking up children and delivering them to the school steps to get a moment of solitude tomorrow.

keep 'em busy

by teresa

The kids were off today (teacher workday), so Katy and I took them to the bowling alley, so they wouldn't tear up the house.
We had the lanes to ourselves, but that didn't mean any less work for the employees. With nine kids in tow, we had to make multiple calls for stuck balls, broken bumpers, lost money in the video games and other annoyances. I'm sure they also loved the many, many times the kids kept pushing the call button for no reason at all. We were just keeping them on their toes...right?

another one bites the dust

by teresa

Long and tiring weekend.
Ben's team won the tournament and I am hoarse from screaming my lungs out (like any good mommy would do).

what's the 'haps?

by teresa

Busy at the Green homestead.
Not a lot of blogging going on.
Yes, the kids are still doing stupid stuff...we just haven't had time to document.
Chris says facebook is killing my blog.
True...I do usually update my status instead of writing out a lengthy story.

Yesterday, on Oprah, a sweet childhood friend was selected as a finalist in her karaoke contest.
Donnie Denny, grew up across the street from us and I do not remember a time when this boy was not singing. He would bring his tape recorder to our house and belt out a tune on the spot. What kid has the guts to do that? Our family gathered around the TV and watched him...his interview was so touching and may have a brought a tear or two to those in the room. Today's Oprah will announce the top three finalist who move on. I pray he is one of them.

It is so cold outside right now. 42 degrees. I love it!
And.....I haven't turned the heat on in the house.
I try to hold out as long as possible, piling layers and thermals on the kids.
Why?
It's just a personal thing.
I feel like I use so much energy in the warm months running the ac (24/7), that I am trying to balance out. Let some frigid family use our kilowatts for a while.

This weekend...soccer tournament.
Pics. and recaps to follow.

the day has finally come!

by teresa

No more annoying phone calls at all hours of the day and night!

Rock the Vote!

off to buy ear plugs

by teresa

Apparently Nick's snoring has become a problem for Ben.

How do I know this?

I found my can of pepper spray by Ben's bedside yesterday morning.

Glad I intervened (I hid it) before Nick was gassed in his sleep.

That would not have helped with the brotherly bond very much.

the hazards of wearing an ipod

by teresa

Chris jokes me because I walk around the house, doing my "thang", listening to my ipod.
He talks to me and I either can't hear him, or I respond back with a shout (not realizing my voice is raised). He also claims to hear little bursts of singing, as I go through the house. I told him that I thought I was singing in my head. He vows to secretly record me sometime to show me how crazy I look.

I took my ipod to school during the book fair. The few times I was alone, I would crank it up and walk around straightening the books. FYI, the song Total Praise (my version is by Donnie McClurkin) makes it impossible for me to focus on anything else. It draws me in and I have to (yes, have to) close my eyes and lift my hands (the lyrics tell me to) and I am completely oblivious to all things around me. *driving is not recommended while listening to this song* That's why I had no idea that a 4th grade class had come in to shop. When the song finally ended (that is a looong song) I opened my eyes and saw twenty five 10 yr olds and a very confused teacher staring at me with concern.
I shoved the ipod in my pocket and told them I was "gettin' my praise on".
They giggled and went to shopping.
I didn't use it the rest of the week.
Wouldn't it have been funny if it was Kristian or Ben's class?

go team?

by teresa


I bought Ben a LaBron James jersey from the consignment store last month with his back to school clothes.
When his brother asked him what NBA team he was rooting for this season he said, "The Cavaliers." "I have to...cause mom bought me that shirt."
I didn't realize you had to be a fan of the team to wear their apparel.
It was just such a nice shirt, for a great price, that I couldn't pass it up.
Sorry Celtics (Ben's former NBA favorites).

warm and fuzzy

by teresa

I am completely in love with my pink polar bear pajamas.
The hubby....not so much.

conversation with a teenager

by teresa

Cut that radio off 104.5.

Why?

Cause the music on there is inappropriate.

No it's not mom....that's a gospel station now.

*both of us quiet down and listen for a moment*

Really? Then why is that guy singing...come ride my pony?

Ummm...he's talking about Jesus....and the pony he rode into Jerusalem.

Nice try Nick....now change the station now!

what are they teaching these days?

by teresa

Ben was bragging about his knowledge of elements.
"AU is gold, B is boron, HE is helium, O is oxygen".
They just started covering this in science class, but with the way Ben talks (the kid is full of himself) you would think he is a child prodigy in nuecleosynthesis.

Then he said the funniest thing. What made it funny is that he said it with total certainty and authority.

"There is a boy in my class that knows the entire PATRIOTIC TABLE by heart!" *lol*

AU America United?
AM Amber waves of grain?
IN In God we trust?

They didn't teach the patriotic table in the 80's. It must be the new science.

read the shirt

who could have forseen this?

by teresa

I hear screaming in the backyard.
I open the door and Ben is on the ground crying (his somebody just chopped off my foot, cry).
Nick is standing ten feet away with a smile on his face.

I motion for Nick to come in immediately.
Separate first....ask questions second. That's my motto.

Nick storms past me and huffs,"we were just plaaay-ing!"

Sniffing, groaning and wailing Ben limps over to me...doing that gasp for breath fake crying thing to get his brother into level four trouble.

FYI:
Level 1: brother farts on other brother, doesn't flush toilet or steals remote
Level 2: brother takes other brothers ipod, makes "that" face or tells embarrassing sibling story to outsider
Level 3: brother pinches, slaps or helps himself to other brothers money
Level 4: brother *accidentally* pushes other brother down stairs , knocks out teeth or wears dad's socks (this seriously ticks Chris off)

I ask what happened and after the first sentence I realize son #2 is really not as smart as all his stellar report cards have charted.

How did he begin his rant?

"I asked Nick to play dodge ball with me and then...blah blah blah blah"

Well duh!

let there be light

by teresa

After Ben jumped in the shower yesterday morning, I went to pick out his clothes (as I do everyday). The light bulb was burned out and it was only 6:45, so I could only see shapes...no colors. After laying it out on his bed, I came downstairs to make lunches. He came trotting down later and when he came around the corner I busted out laughing.
He had on a blue and red stripped rugby shirt with some green and black camouflage pants.
If he had gone to school like that I would have been so embarrassed.
I had Nick put in a light bulb last night.

You don't have to brush your teeth - just the ones you want to keep.

by teresa

They're everywhere lately.
Wandering inside Walgreen's, asking for money for a sick child.
Outside Target with a sign reading,"hungry...need help. God Bless."
At the pump, begging for change, enough to get them to the next town.
I give...sometimes. Do they use the cash for needs? Wants? Beer?
Mother Teresa said,"If you can't feed a hundred people...feed one."
I like that. Making a difference...little by little.
My mom is Mother Teresa x 100. The givingest giver of all the givers in Giverland.
A kind, thoughtful, sympathizer. If you see her, ask about the time she gave a homeless man a tuna fish and ketchup sandwich.
The other day she was out and about and saw a man at the traffic light. He was hungry and broke (or so his sign said). She had no cash, but looked around her car quickly before the light turned green. Aha! A box of apple jacks in the backseat! She leaned back, grabbed the box and pulled up to the beggar. Stretching out the window, no doubt with a big smile on her face, she offered the Kellogg's deliciousness. He shook his head and turned her gift down.
She was confused for a minute until he smiled and thanked her. "I have no teeth," he said.
You definitely need teeth to eat applejacks.

anybody got a balloon I can stick these kids in?

by teresa

Woke up this morning to a hot mess in the boys room.
Went to bed last night, the kids were sleeping and the room was perfection.
Eight hours later....trashed.
Apparently, the boys invited friends to a 2am rave while I was in deep REM.
Ten things that were out of place:
10. Lava lamp out of closet...and on (mood lighting)
9. Lightsaber (dork games)
8. Binoculars (note to self...tell neighbors to close blinds at night)
7. Poster off the wall (?)
6. The game Mad Gab out and open
5. Clothes on floor (strip Mad Gab)
4. Hamster cage missing from table
3. Ben in sleeping bag...Nick with blankets from both beds piled around him
2. The smell of garlic (vampires anyone?)
And the number one reason I am installing a surveillance camera in my boys room....
1. Underwear swinging from ceiling fan.

the show must go on

by teresa

I woke up sick this morning (actually I was up many times in the night).
I got the boys up and ready for school.
Once I get them out the door, I am crawling back to the bathroom and camping out for the day.
MOPS is this morning and I was really looking forward to it.
crud.

plop plop fizz fizz...

by teresa

Tailgating tonight.
Buffalo chicken dip w/ bagel chips
Pigs n blankets.
Meatballs w/chili sauce & grape jelly.
Chili-cheese-rotel dip w/blue corn chips.
Grilled burgers & dogs.

*sigh*

the days of our lives

by teresa

The "sick" has come to the Green house.
Nick stayed home from school today...he says his body aches.
I know he is really sick too, because I made eggs and bacon for breakfast his morning and he refused to eat. That's the only way to tell if he is faking or not.

Ben went to school with a sore leg. His pencil poke (accident by his bff Anthony) yesterday has his leg a bit bruised and sore. He also has a black hole, which he is convinced is filled with lead. We will keep an eye on it over the next week.

Lauren's car died the other day. She thought it was the battery (and so did Advance Auto).
They put in a new one for her and she was off for another night of friends and fun. Unfortunately, it was not the battery...it was the alternator. So her car died and her nanny went to her rescue (we were out and she didn't call us). Mom said it took them six jumps to get home. The thought of this cracks me up. Mom and Kai in the truck, Lauren and two friends in the Ford. SIX JUMPS....on one road. At one point, in the rush of things, the cables touched each other and sparked...mom said Kai jumped out of the car thinking it was going to explode. lol
After a ridiculous quote from our usual repair shop, Lauren enlisted her friend Kwadjo (mechanic and engineer) to put in an alternator she is purchasing from the auto store. I am going to make him something (cake, pie,?) to show our appreciation.

no googling

by teresa

Watching the Minnesota Twins game the other night and noticed the C on the baseball cap. What do you think it stands for?

get a life.

by teresa

The older you get the less you care about what people think of you.
Someone says something hurtful about you and you laugh. 'Cause what do they know?

I used to be happy being a follower. "Just tell me what to do and I'll do it." I am not content in that roll anymore. I like to lead...make the rules...pull the strings. Who would have thought that from me....the girl who was afraid to leave her house 10 years ago?

watch your mouth!

by teresa


It's funny to remember all those cute little phrases your kids say when they are little.

Ben would say "sassy assy" when he wanted his pacifier. He also called his blanket..."ear".

His Fisher Price Farm people were called "boo-kas".

He is ten now, so all the baby words have long been learned.

All but one.

Certificate. The boy can't say it correctly to save his life.

And somehow, it is just not as cute when your 5th grader says...

"cer-give-a-tit".

Of course Chris make him say it over and over to annoy me.

I CAN'T DO IT!!!!!

by teresa

This will boggle your mind.

If you are like me, you will keep trying at least 50 more times to see if you can outsmart your foot...but you can't!

1. While sitting at your desk, lift your right foot off the floor and make clockwise circles.

2. Now, while doing this, draw the number "6" in the air with your right hand.

Your foot will change direction.

I told you so ...And there's nothing you can do about it.

“The best gift you can give is a hug: one size fits all and no one ever minds if you return it”

by teresa

My sister always wants to give you your Christmas present early. She can never wait...excited to see you enjoy your gift.

I always like to wait. Hold out for the big surprise....I never even want a hint.

When I was younger she would tell me all my gifts...brat.

She came over the day before my birthday this week with a gift bag.

"Open your present!", she begged.

I refused and she chased me around the house trying to show it to me.

My birthday was the next day...she couldn't wait one day?

I made her go home so she wouldn't spoil my surprise.

Later that night I went next door for a few minutes.

She brought the bag over to me, obviously excited beyond control for me to see the gift she had chosen. I was in the middle of refusing again when Kaden (my 4yr old niece) walked over to us.

"There's a pwetty bwaclet in that bag for you", she giggled.

OH NO!!!!

The surprise was blown.

I looked at Katy and she looked like she was going to cry.

hahahahaha

"Good heavens...give me the dang bag", I said.

It was a pwetty braclet. A very pretty braclet.

The inscription says...Love, Sissy.

I put it on, but Katy looked deflated.

I told her that she get's it.....Kaden is HER...so how can she be mad at that?

We all laughed about it....but I guarantee Kaden will now be left out of the loop when it comes to future gift giving.

bring on 40!

by teresa

The perfect birthday.

A day that's 70 degrees and breezy.

A good hair day.

A three hour breakfast at The Broken Egg with my friend Keitha.

A two hour laze-about in the hammock with my polka dot socks, new scarf and a book.

A dinner I didn't have to cook.

A chocolate cake with only one candle.

Kid free tv night with the hubby.

A book I can't put down.

A peace that only Jesus can give.

Memories to last a lifetime.

Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter. ~Mark Twain

by teresa

It's midnight.
My birthday.
I am up...alone. Of course.
What person in their right mind would be up at this hour (especially when the alarm follows oh so quickly once my head hits the pillow)?
I spent the eve of my birthday (at least the last 2 hours since the rest of the family went to bed) in a peaceful state. Remembering my youth, my family, my motherhood, my husband and how they all together made up the last 39 years.
Lots of good times...wonderful times...the best of times.
Some bad...but who wants to remember those...right?
Mistakes made and lessons learned, disappointments and pleasures, sorrow and elation.
Life is good...no great. I am loved everyday. I laugh till I can't breathe everyday. I figure as long as you laugh as long as you breathe and love as long as you live...then your doing alright.
Happy birthday to me....and many more!

Also, happy 23rd anniversary of our first date honey...love, your gidget

he's so quirky

by teresa

Every morning Nick brews some hot chocolate and leaves for school with a travel mug. It is so funny and dorky. I love it. I giggled as he was walking in to school this morning. He looked so cute (Katy did his hair this morning) and he was sporting his new kicks (that's shoes for all you old folks) and carrying a big coffee mug. He is unique.

The reason Katy did his hair this morning is because she cut his hair like Moe (3 stooges) the other day (for picture day no less). He got joked and begged her to cut some more off. She refuses, siting his big head as a reason for not wanting to go any shorter. She explained to him that if he would just style it...the cut would be perfect. To demonstrate this, she had him come over early this morning so she could *szuzsh* it into place. I gotta admit...it looked great. The only problem is I am not into early morning szuzshing...and I don't see him doing it by himself. So she better just trim it up or I am sending him over every morning at 6:45am for hair and grooming.

Seriously...his hair looked like this...only puffy.

are you ready for some football?

by teresa

Another great day of football yesterday.

We had guests at tailgating and I made lots of goodies (to show off).

Nick and Ben played football in the parking lot and hit a golf cart riding by....oh my.

I think the drivers were too *ahem...happy* to care.

The Monarchs lost 31 to 28....boo hiss boo hiss.
Despite the loss, we had a great time.

Our pastor came and sat with us and experienced The Green Family Circus in full effect.

He will never be the same.

The silent siege

by teresa

Nick participated in another Bound For Life this morning.

Woke up at 6:00am to get ready to go.

Pretty impressive for a teenager.

He came home that afternoon with amazing news.

Two young girls came over and talked to their leader.....an left.

They left and went home instead of walking through those doors.

God is good....all the time.

6 to zero!

by teresa

Ben's soccer team played excellent this morning.

He was defense captain again and helped secure the second shut out of the season.

The game was almost perfect....omitting the coach getting thrown out in the first ten minutes of play.

It was ridiculous (on the referee's side).

Anyway...Chris grabbed the reins and guided them through the next hour with triumphant results.

Next weekend we play two games and I hope they are a bit more challenging.

“Opportunities to find deeper powers within ourselves come when life seems most challenging.”

Joseph Campbell

Jesus take the wheel

by teresa

A friend (facebook, blog and co-worker of Chris') sent out this message this morning.
Click over and read her post.
So sad.

Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society. ~Mark Twain

by teresa

I don't think a woman drives with more caution or prays so fervently, than when she drives her teenage son to school in her pajamas and realizes she left her cellphone at home.

I was in the beginning stages of getting ready this morning (after shower...before dressing) when it was time to take Nick. Ben threw my whole morning off with his extra primping for picture day. So I had to toss my pj's back on and head out...hair wet and shoeless. After turning off our street I realized I had left my cellphone on the counter. oh no! What if I wreck? What if someone hits me? What if I pop my tire in a pot hole? What if one of my headlights is out and a cop pulls me over? What if...what if...what if? All these things went threw my mind and I was in a panic. I then drove so perfectly, obeying all current and future traffic rules, so as not to have my disrobed self displayed to the neighbors and my son's classmates. And as I moved down the road (in the absolute middle of my lane I might add) I prayed. I prayed hard. I prayed powerfully. I prayed automotively.

I made it home without being exposed (except for the trashman who drove by as I was walking in my house).
I will never do that again.

tids and bits

by teresa


I can not think of what to make on Saturday night.
Tailgating with the boys.
We've done hot dogs, brats, burgers and wings.
Maybe some bbq sandwiches...I just don't know.
Any suggestions?
I am making a sweet treat I found in a new cookbook.
Marshmallows dipped in melted caramel, then rolled in rice krispies. Sounds so yummy and I know the boys will love them.
I looked at the weather channel and the HIGH for Saturday is 72. Thank you Lord. Now if the humidity is under 50% me and my hair will be in good shape.

I ran to Ben's school for a couple of things this morning. From this class to that one...the library and the office.
When I got home I realized the zipper on my pants was busted. Great. I had also wore ripped elastic band, everything else is in the wash underwear. So, not only were my pants gaped open....there were long, twisted elastic threads hanging out. Again...great. Nothing like flashing your kids friends and teachers to really seal the deal for mother of the year.

picturing everyone in their underwear only made it worse.

by teresa

I am so glad today is over.
Speaking in front of hundreds of people is just not my cup of tea.
Thank you Lord for getting me through it.

get that weak mess outa here!

by teresa

We had a great Saturday.

The weather was perfect for our soccer and baseball games.

I can't wait until that fall chill is in the air everyday.

Ben's team won 6 to 0. It was so exciting.

He is now the defense captain....and nothing gets past him.

I never thought I would get more excited about steals than scoring points.

He did get a couple of fouls...but when you are using your body to back a player down from the ball...the whistle is going to get blown a few times. There were no yellow cards, so that's good.

You wouldn't think those dimples could be so tough...but they are!

Schlameel, Schlamazel, Hassenpepper Incorporated

by teresa

Up late last night watching Happy Days.
Up early this morning for Ben's soccer game.
I wish I had clicked off the tv a little earlier....but I can't resist Richie and the gang at Arnold's.

I remember watching it as a kid.
That and Laverne & Shirley.
I wanted a poodle skirt and letterman jacket soooooo bad!

irritating

by teresa

I was just about to let a car go ahead of me while turning into Nick's school yesterday...and they sped infront of me without my go ahead (almost hitting a kid walking by). Greedy drivers irritate me.
Then to top it all off...she did not give me "the wave".

It was a huge suv with two bumper stickers...

Get in touch with your inner b***h!
and
If you're gonna ride my a** at least pull my hair.

Nice.

A young girl got dropped off and headed into the high school.

“Setting an example is not the main means of influencing another, it is the only means.”
Albert Einstein

nobody puts baby in a corner!

by teresa

I have a mosquito bite on my eyebrow. It is really aggravating me.
I wish it would get cold enough to kill all those little buggers.

My sister called the other morning in a panic.
"Has Kristian and Ben left for school yet, she asked."
I had just gotten back from taking them and when I told her she sounded very upset.
I asked her what the problem was.
"I think she took my girdle to school!"
That made me smile all day.

Tackled a new recipe last night.
Chicken puffs.
It was good, but had so many steps that I will never make it again.
And the clean up was horrible. Flour and honey all over the counters.
Tonight I am keeping it simple....turkey tacos.
A crowd pleaser that you can make ahead of time, store ingredients in separate containers and everyone can assemble their own at dinner.

Tonight is a parents meeting at Ben's school for the strings program.
And so it begins...
Thirty minutes a day of the moaning and screeching that is 5th grade violin.

Before I go I wanted to express my sadness at the death of Patrick Swayze.
Ghost is one of my all time favorite movies. When someone dies I picture the "after" happening just like the movie showed. The good...and the bad.
It also makes me want to run off to Michaels and buy a potter's wheel, some clay, put on the Righteous Brothers' "Unchained Melody" and wait for Chris to come home from work.
I'm just sayin'...it was a really good movie.
RIP Patrick Swayze.

conversation between husband and wife

by teresa

I finished cleaning the kitchen floor. I was on my hands and knees scrubbing and it is so clean.

Good. Now keep it that way.

Fine, then you're not allowed in it. That's where all the spills and messes come from anyway.

I do that so you will have something to do around here. If you didn't have something to clean you would be worthless. You should thank me.

the highlight of my night was the brawl over the foam finger in the third quarter *sarcasm*

by teresa

We had a blast at the ODU game last night.

Second game of the season..we are now 2 and 0.

It's unlike any other game I have ever been too.

Three hours of tailgating and then 20,000 other fans cheering and clapping.

Intense experience.

The boys are really enjoying it (especially the tailgating).

Grilled brats, wings, hot dogs and burgers....whats not to love?

We have a little friendly community going in our parking lot (season ticket holders were assigned certain parking lots to party in). Corn hole, football, tents, rvs, grills and coolers everywhere.

Can't wait to go back in two weeks (next week is an away game).

miss you

by teresa

This is a re-post of my entry on September 11th 2007. Little did I know how much it would mean later that day.

I can't believe six years has passed. Can you?
You never know when your time here on Earth is going to be over.
Make God first in your life.
Talk with him each morning.
Be kind to all people (even your kids...when they are being brats).
Forgive.
Be a light to all(this little light of mine...I'm going to let it shine).
Remember praise...don't pout.
Give more than you get.
Be thankful.
Make a difference.
This is the day that the Lord has made....let us REJOICE and be glad in it!

That is all I can muster up to say today.

Everybody dance now!

by teresa

Tonight is the series premiere of So You Think You Can Dance. It has a been a family favorite for years. Even the Green men get into it. When it aired during the summer our niece Kristian would come over and snuggle on the couch with me and watch. I love shows that the entire family can watch together. Today the top ten of last season were on the Ellen show. They got together and did the coolest routine. Please watch and enjoy. I SOOOO love Ellen!

PTL!

by teresa

The day after Labor day has arrived.
The showers (the actual showers and not the pool) are going early today.
I think I inhaled so much Axe this morning, it may stunt my growth.
The boys are very thorough with their body spray.
Beds and lunches are made.
I even tucked a cute lunchbox note in each bag.
Butterflies are flittin' in tummies and the momma is happy.
It's day one...the boys were up very early...bright eyed and bushy tailed (what the heck does that mean).
I bet tomorrow I am already having to drag them out of bed.
I wish it wasn't raining so we could get proper pictures under the family tree.
What will I do today?
Plan the months menu, entertain the cable guy (stupid cox), laundry and a quick meeting at Ben's school (pta stuff).

We're home

by teresa

What do I miss the most?

Fat Boyz Ice Cream's hot fudge cake sundae.

*sigh*

Don't ask me how many I had this past week.

horse and cat

by teresa

Basketball with the boys.
Chris won two games of horse...Ben won a short game of cat.
The way he is gloating you would think it was the NBA finals.

Jackie, George and Ben just left for a bike ride.
Chris, Nick and I are lazing.
Watching Reba and eating ritz and fudge.

I am actually not dreading the return home tomorrow.
Lots to do before school on Tuesday.
A few more school supplies and bookbag check.
*I am giddy just thinking about getting back to my normal schedule*
My days are MINE. A clean house and dinner menus. Shopping done without kids in tow and all beds made by 9:00am.
A perfect world.

don't get cereal in the hot tub!

by teresa

Up by 6:30am.
I have been sleeping so good here.
Once the sun peeks over the dune I am ready to start the day.

I woke Ben and his friend Joe to join me for an early morning boogie boarding session.
They whined about the cold water and only surfed a few waves.
The boards were swapped for a shovel to dig holes and write names in the sand.

Chris joined us on a walk to the end of the beach.
There is a house down there that the ocean is making claim to.
It's up on stilts...but completely surround by water.
Next year I'm sure it will be gone.

The boys greeted a few beach dogs, scooped up some sand fleas and tossed a tennis ball at some irritated sea gulls before making their way in for breakfast.
Captain Crunch and Biscuits....in the hot tub.
What a life!

After taking Joe back to his grandparents on the sound side, we took Nick and Ben go-carting. Around and around they went. Bumping and crashing into each other...even though the signs said NO BUMPING ALLOWED! Playtime immitating life.

Tonight's plans?
Who knows?
Beach life is an adventure even without planning for it.

down by the seashore...where life is a little easier

by teresa

"maggie and millie and molly and may"

maggie and millie and molly and may
went down to the beach (to play one day)

and maggie discovered a shell that sang
so sweetly she couldn't remember her troubles,

and millie befriended a stranded star
who's rays five languid fingers were;

and molly was chased by a horrible thing
which raced sideways while blowing bubbles;

and may came home with a smooth round stone
as small as a world and as large as alone.

For whatever we lose (like a you or a me)
it's always ourselves we find in the sea.”

E.E. Cummings

If you want to know how much I love you, count the waves

by teresa

Yesterday we flew a kite (or at least tried).
Nick would throw it up, it would hover for a second and then turn and beeline for our heads.

We at dinner in Big Al's diner.
Coca Cola memorabilia from floor to ceiling and a big dance floor.
Chris refused my dance requests. Wet blanket.

He made up for it by buying me a sweet little blue bird necklace.
I truly adore it!

Homemade Frappacino's in our pajamas.
So frothy and thick...and it didn't even keep me up.
Today we will pick up caramel and whip cream to add to tonight's concoction.

The weather is chilly this morning.
It's a jeans day.

George took Ben to breakfast.
He came in and asked for alka seltzer.
It must have been good.

peace, love and poker

by teresa

Our first evening in the outer banks passed with no drama (aside from a thunderstorm).
What more can a mom ask for?
We unpacked the car and got the rooms all organized (I thought I would die walking up and down all those stairs...arms piled high with toiletries and towels).
The boys were happy with their room assignments and kept running from level to level to level marking their territory.
The house is far more wonderful than I even expected.
Praise the Lord!
When you shop online (and spend that much money) it's nice to be happy with your decision.
After dinner (pizza and Stromboli's) we headed over to stock up the house with food.
I was a bit worried when we arrived at the grocery store. The boys do not enjoy going with me, so I figured we would have a few meltdowns to deal with.
Didn't happen.
Chris handled it.
He gave them a cart of their own and let them loose in the store.
I gasped....and off they went.
They returned 20 minutes later, both of them pushing the cart at the same time, laughing, side swiping displays and leaving a trail of traumatized tourists in their wake.
what did they get?
A watermelon, orange soda in glass bottles, sugar cookies, oreos, sausage biscuits and 2 limes.
In their eyes...the makings of a good time.
In my eyes...the makings of two tummy aches.
It's vacation....and what happens at the beach...stays at the beach.

The rest of the night is a blur (I was in a euphoric state).
Unpacking groceries, showers, pj's, Food Network, magazines, dig dug (yes I brought dig dug), leftover stromboli and poker (George and the boys).

OBX bound

by teresa

The Green's are unable to talk your call right now...leave a message and we will return your call as soon as possible.
Thank you and have a blessed day (week).

“Vacation is what you take when you can't take what you've been taking any longer.”

by teresa

Cleaning today.
From the hampers to the car.
OBX vacation in T-minus two days and counting.
My goal?
To have everything cleaned, packed and ready to go by Saturday afternoon.
That means all the good clothes are off limits until we reach Nags Head.
I did all the important shopping locally (Sams Club size sunflower seeds and Captain Crunch) and the rest we will buy once we have checked in.
It's noisy around here at the moment. Nick is vacuuming the car outside the office window(Sandbridge sand), my last load of beach towels is tumbling in the dryer, the dishwasher is running (chicken parmesan for dinner) and Ben's tv is up full blast (I know he will have some auditory damage it's so loud) in protest of being sent to his room for the night (fighting with his brother...of course).

And yes, they have separate rooms at the beach house.

“The Rule of Sibs: If your sibling gets something you want, you (1) try to take it; (2) break it; or (3) say it's no good”

by teresa

I spend most of my days keeping my two sons as far apart from each other as possible.

It's exhausting.

Two (of my 10) plates....spinning on opposite ends of the stage.

There I am, back and forth, back and forth....keeping them both going.

Just when I feel comfortable walking away for a moment...crash!

"You are stupid."

"Why do you always smells so bad?"

"No one likes you."

"I'm going to tell everyone you pee the bed."

"That's a lie!"

"So, they will believe me anyway."

"You are never getting a girlfriends!"

"You're teeth are yellow...butt head!"

Two minutes alone and the insults fly.

With others they are kind, thoughtful and supportive.

Every once in a while they forget the bitterness and enjoy a game of cards or toss the football. I usually grab my camera, sit and enjoy the bliss...the ticks...moments of joy, knowing it's fleeting.

And then boom, right in the middle of laughter they remember they can't stand each other.

Back to their separate corners.

I hate it.

"That's how all brothers are." I'm told.

It sucks.

Can't we all just get along?

When will it end?

In their 30's maybe?

explore the space...

by teresa

Recently Nick has become active with the youth band at church.
Although he plays the trumpet quite well...that is not what he does in the band.
He is the sound guy.
We were excited when they invited him to join in on the weekly jam sessions.
He got real into it. Throwing a lot of tech talk around, picking up new plugs and such for the board with his allowance. um...kinda geeky...but whatever.
The other day he came home and said he had joined in and played some with the guys.
We were thrilled. He played...not just pushed a button. So cool. Nick jamming out with the guys.
Then he told us what he played.
The cowbell.
Chris and I busted out laughing. (By the way...I do not recommend laughing at your children. It kinda does weird things with their self esteem.)
Nick got a bit offended, but then we told him about the SNL skit we had seen.
Will Ferrell showing off his musical skills.
Now whenever Nick goes to practice I picture this going on.

NO WIRE HANGERS!!

by teresa

The hubby cleaned out his closet the other day. With all of his work clothes rotating back and forth from the dry cleaners he had accumulated quite a stash of wire hangers. He pulled them all out and layed them in the hallway, with the intention (I assume) of taking them to the trash on his next trip downstairs.
That was Saturday morning.
*clears throat*
It is now Tuesday morning.
He has been up and down the stairs approximately 17 times (I actually calculated this amount factoring in going to bed/waking up, changing clothes after work/getting running shoes out of closet, naps and leaving his glasses and blackberry upstairs a few times).
The blessed hangers are still sitting there.
They need to reach their intended destination soon or I am going to go Mommy Dearest up in this house.

week at a glance

by teresa

My long Sunday afternoon nap has me up in the wee hours of Monday.
No biggie...I am just working on some PTA stuff for my meeting this afternoon.
I'm so excited for the school year to begin (only 14 more days). Not just to reclaim my house, but to spend time at school working on making connections between parents and teachers. I love the politics of it all.

This week I will be supply shopping and getting all the long pants and other school clothes out of the attic. Need to see what the kids have already before I go shopping. I think I'm pretty much set for Ben between consignment and thrift store shopping this summer. He may just need a pair of shoes. Chris took care of Nick's needs last week...which was a nice surprise. That boy is no fun to shop with!

I also need to pick up some supplies for next week. We are heading out Sunday for a week of fun in the sun. The beach...now that's the way to wrap up an awesome summer vacation.

Best line of the day:
Why didn't you pick up his underwear from the bathroom floor?
Because I couldn't find even a tiny spot of cloth that didn't look contaminated.
I don't think there's any hope for them...just put them in the trash.

offense sells tickets defense wins games

by teresa

Ben traveled to DC this weekend to see a professional soccer game.
DC United hosted the LA Galaxy.
The score was 0 to 0...but he didn't care.
The thrill of that huge stadium and the thousands of screaming fans was incomparable to anything he had ever experienced.
I bet he thinks one day that many people will be cheering for him.
This man (David Beckham) makes 1 million dollars a week playing soccer...

I could live with that.

“If you wish to experience peace, provide peace for another.”

by teresa

Our church hosted a Back to School Blast for a local elementary school today.
Pony rides, tractor rides, free food, music and backpacks filled with school supplies.
Over 700 people attended. It was amazing to be a part of it.
Kids squealing and rejoicing over their new backpack and parents crying from the unexpected (and much needed) gift.