Today I discovered...
Drum roll, please....
www.pbs.org
I know, I know, probably been around forever, but a new discovery to me.
There are some great articles and all kinds of useful tools on that site.
Check it out, but make sure you have time to explore, because it is addicting!
Public Frickin' ANYTHING,
Gabbi
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Let's Try Something New
Today I discovered...
Drum roll, please....
pbs.org
I know, I know, probably been around forever, but a new discovery to me.
There are some great articles and all kinds of useful tools on that site.
Check it out, but make sure you have time to explore, because it is addicting!
Public Frickin' ANYTHING,
Gabbi
Drum roll, please....
pbs.org
I know, I know, probably been around forever, but a new discovery to me.
There are some great articles and all kinds of useful tools on that site.
Check it out, but make sure you have time to explore, because it is addicting!
Public Frickin' ANYTHING,
Gabbi
Monday, December 28, 2009
Bad Sign
I seriously considered getting a colonic as a weight loss measure.
Yea, that was all I came up with.
Hey, Self, put the fries down and take a walk.
I really am not eating fries, I just typed that,
Gabbi
Yea, that was all I came up with.
Hey, Self, put the fries down and take a walk.
I really am not eating fries, I just typed that,
Gabbi
Christmas
Christmas was awesome. It was so calm and relaxing and enjoyable.
Grace loved her gifts and was super excited and appreciative.
Sam was Mr. Intense as he was opening gifts and then pure joy when he got them open and could see what they were. The big hit was a semi truck filled with cars from Grandma and the cape I had the lovely Denai sew for Sam.
Sam put his cape on right away and said "Now I can fly."
I loved it.
After everyone left and Sam was napping, Grace was at the kitchen table and I was picking up, she said this to me:
"Mom, this was your first single Christmas. You did SO GOOD. I think this was the best Christmas ever."
God bless that child. I needed to hear that. For me, this Christmas was such a mixed bag. My first year without Ted, doing things all on my own has been scary. Sometimes I doubt myself and feel afraid.
It is at those times that I need a bit of a reality check.
Grace was my reality check. I love that she told me I did good. It was so rewarding to have her just come out and praise me. I really needed that reassurance and I am so happy that she loved her Christmas.
The new year is coming and I am holding my own. I feel proud of myself. This year was super tough, but I am making it and doing pretty good. Moments of sadness are just that, moments.
Just had to share my triumph.
Pumping my fist,
Gabbi
Grace loved her gifts and was super excited and appreciative.
Sam was Mr. Intense as he was opening gifts and then pure joy when he got them open and could see what they were. The big hit was a semi truck filled with cars from Grandma and the cape I had the lovely Denai sew for Sam.
Sam put his cape on right away and said "Now I can fly."
I loved it.
After everyone left and Sam was napping, Grace was at the kitchen table and I was picking up, she said this to me:
"Mom, this was your first single Christmas. You did SO GOOD. I think this was the best Christmas ever."
God bless that child. I needed to hear that. For me, this Christmas was such a mixed bag. My first year without Ted, doing things all on my own has been scary. Sometimes I doubt myself and feel afraid.
It is at those times that I need a bit of a reality check.
Grace was my reality check. I love that she told me I did good. It was so rewarding to have her just come out and praise me. I really needed that reassurance and I am so happy that she loved her Christmas.
The new year is coming and I am holding my own. I feel proud of myself. This year was super tough, but I am making it and doing pretty good. Moments of sadness are just that, moments.
Just had to share my triumph.
Pumping my fist,
Gabbi
Seriously?
This weekend I had a coffee date. And all I can say is, "seriously?"
Here is the story:
We end up not going for coffee and go to a Chinese place instead. Dude (that is the date's new name) orders his food and conversation is flowing, not quite freely, but it is moving.
Food arrives, Dude starts eating his soup. Conversation continues, the usual, kids, Christmas, Family, Work...until...
Mid sip of soup, Dude, dramatically places his soup spoon onto the plate his soup is sitting on, looks up at me and says
Dude:I ordered a cup of soup.
Me: Uhhh, yea.
Dude: Didn't you hear me order a cup of soup?
Me, confused: I guess.
Dude: This is obviously a BOWL of soup and I specifically ordered a CUP of soup.
Me: giggling because I am sure this is some kind of an SNL skit I don't remember, but still darn funny.
Dude: Hey, I just want to make sure they do not charge me for a BOWL of soup, when I specifically stated I wanted a CUP of soup.
Me: giggling fading out as I realize DUDE is. Totally. Serious.
Oh shit.
Dude: Waiter, waiter. Excuse me, but is this a CUP of soup.
Young cool waiter: Sure.
Obnoxious Cheap Skate Dude: Well, are you sure it isn't a BOWL? Because I ordered a CUP of soup and this clearly is a BOWL of soup. I would like to be sure I am not charged for the BOWL of soup when I ordered a CUP of soup.
Young cool waiter: Oh no, that is a cup and even if it wasn't I will make sure you only get charged for a cup.
Me: eyes wide but shrinking inside myself.
Very quickly after this exchange, the conversation D.I.E.S.
You can practically hear the crickets as he slurps up the portion of his ill-gotten wonton soup that he didn't have to pay for. The whole 89 cents of it.
Thankfully, Dude is a man and inhales his food, as most men do.
As I am putting on my jacket this exchange takes place:
Jack ass Dude: So, what's up with your hair?
Me: Excuse me?
Right here I would just like to add my hair was very cutely put up into a chignon. And I felt quite proud of it, applying extra eye makeup and pulling my hair back so by beautiful blue eyes could be seen clearly. Every idiot knows the eyes are the window into the soul.
Jack ass Dude: Well, I mean it looks nice, but in photos your hair is down. And you look cuter with your hair down.
Me: Noted, thank you.
Idiot Jack ass Dude: Like I said it looks nice, but I prefer you with your hair down.
At this point, I invited him over to turn all my soup cans labels out and offered he could straighten all my hand towels.
OK, not really, but I bet he would have taken me up on it.
Can you believe the Jack-assery,
Gabbi
Here is the story:
We end up not going for coffee and go to a Chinese place instead. Dude (that is the date's new name) orders his food and conversation is flowing, not quite freely, but it is moving.
Food arrives, Dude starts eating his soup. Conversation continues, the usual, kids, Christmas, Family, Work...until...
Mid sip of soup, Dude, dramatically places his soup spoon onto the plate his soup is sitting on, looks up at me and says
Dude:I ordered a cup of soup.
Me: Uhhh, yea.
Dude: Didn't you hear me order a cup of soup?
Me, confused: I guess.
Dude: This is obviously a BOWL of soup and I specifically ordered a CUP of soup.
Me: giggling because I am sure this is some kind of an SNL skit I don't remember, but still darn funny.
Dude: Hey, I just want to make sure they do not charge me for a BOWL of soup, when I specifically stated I wanted a CUP of soup.
Me: giggling fading out as I realize DUDE is. Totally. Serious.
Oh shit.
Dude: Waiter, waiter. Excuse me, but is this a CUP of soup.
Young cool waiter: Sure.
Obnoxious Cheap Skate Dude: Well, are you sure it isn't a BOWL? Because I ordered a CUP of soup and this clearly is a BOWL of soup. I would like to be sure I am not charged for the BOWL of soup when I ordered a CUP of soup.
Young cool waiter: Oh no, that is a cup and even if it wasn't I will make sure you only get charged for a cup.
Me: eyes wide but shrinking inside myself.
Very quickly after this exchange, the conversation D.I.E.S.
You can practically hear the crickets as he slurps up the portion of his ill-gotten wonton soup that he didn't have to pay for. The whole 89 cents of it.
Thankfully, Dude is a man and inhales his food, as most men do.
As I am putting on my jacket this exchange takes place:
Jack ass Dude: So, what's up with your hair?
Me: Excuse me?
Right here I would just like to add my hair was very cutely put up into a chignon. And I felt quite proud of it, applying extra eye makeup and pulling my hair back so by beautiful blue eyes could be seen clearly. Every idiot knows the eyes are the window into the soul.
Jack ass Dude: Well, I mean it looks nice, but in photos your hair is down. And you look cuter with your hair down.
Me: Noted, thank you.
Idiot Jack ass Dude: Like I said it looks nice, but I prefer you with your hair down.
At this point, I invited him over to turn all my soup cans labels out and offered he could straighten all my hand towels.
OK, not really, but I bet he would have taken me up on it.
Can you believe the Jack-assery,
Gabbi
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Hearts Desire
Ok, super quick post...
I have a new Heart's Desire.
A Keurig
Oh yea!
I was at Danielle's (she intros me to all kinds of cool new crap)and she has a new Keurig. I swear to God, if I have to eat cereal for a month I am going to get one of those!
She also had something else I NEVER THOUGHT TO BUY...SUGAR CUBES!
OMG!
That is a darn good idea. 2 cubes in my coffee and it was perfect.
Picture me, bed head and pajamas sipping a delish cup o' joe from my new Keurig.
Ahhhh, Heaven.
Manifesting my Hearts Desire,
Gabbi
I have a new Heart's Desire.
A Keurig
Oh yea!
I was at Danielle's (she intros me to all kinds of cool new crap)and she has a new Keurig. I swear to God, if I have to eat cereal for a month I am going to get one of those!
She also had something else I NEVER THOUGHT TO BUY...SUGAR CUBES!
OMG!
That is a darn good idea. 2 cubes in my coffee and it was perfect.
Picture me, bed head and pajamas sipping a delish cup o' joe from my new Keurig.
Ahhhh, Heaven.
Manifesting my Hearts Desire,
Gabbi
Monday, December 21, 2009
The ebb and the flow
This weekend was bittersweet for me.
Sweet because I finished buying all of my stocking stuffers and gifts for Christmas.
Sweet because Sam and I spent time with Danielle and her son Dawson. The boys are so close in age and it is funny to see how they interact, even when they fight over toys. Sam went to McDonald's Playland with Dawson and they got all crazy in the tubes. That was nerve wracking at first because it was the first time Sam has gone in the tubes (at least with me there) and he disappeared for about 10 minutes. SCARY! But then his little towhead appeared whipping down a slide. All static-y hair and smiles.
Sweet because Wendy came over and helped me clean and organize my house. What a difference organization does for my outlook on life! It felt so good and cleansing to sort and throw crap away.
Sweet because Grace came home from her auntie's house super proud of all the baking they did together.
Sweet because Sam opened Christmas gifts from Auntie Suzie and Uncle Brian and he loved it. And told Suzie she was going to have a pretty baby girl. That boy melts the women like buttah!
Sweet because Grace and I sat at the table on Sunday night and she did homework while I worked on stuff from work.
Sweet because Baxter pooped OUTSIDE!!!
Bitter because I had to end a relationship that meant a lot to me, but I was not getting what I needed. I have to accept that sometimes I want what people do not have to give and I have to let them go. Made me sad and then I question myself and if it is me and then I start thinking old thoughts of "Why am I not good enough? What did I do wrong? blah blah blah".
It is at those times, that I have to stop and
PRAY.
HARD.
Part of it is that I need to be satisfied with myself. Part of it is I need to accept my limitations. Part of it is that I need to be thankful for even the relationships that are short, but sweet.
Bittersweet, that was my weekend. But, as I read back on this post, there is a lot more sweet than bitter. I have to remember that because the bitter can be overwhelming.
Tasting the sweetness,
Gabbi
Sweet because I finished buying all of my stocking stuffers and gifts for Christmas.
Sweet because Sam and I spent time with Danielle and her son Dawson. The boys are so close in age and it is funny to see how they interact, even when they fight over toys. Sam went to McDonald's Playland with Dawson and they got all crazy in the tubes. That was nerve wracking at first because it was the first time Sam has gone in the tubes (at least with me there) and he disappeared for about 10 minutes. SCARY! But then his little towhead appeared whipping down a slide. All static-y hair and smiles.
Sweet because Wendy came over and helped me clean and organize my house. What a difference organization does for my outlook on life! It felt so good and cleansing to sort and throw crap away.
Sweet because Grace came home from her auntie's house super proud of all the baking they did together.
Sweet because Sam opened Christmas gifts from Auntie Suzie and Uncle Brian and he loved it. And told Suzie she was going to have a pretty baby girl. That boy melts the women like buttah!
Sweet because Grace and I sat at the table on Sunday night and she did homework while I worked on stuff from work.
Sweet because Baxter pooped OUTSIDE!!!
Bitter because I had to end a relationship that meant a lot to me, but I was not getting what I needed. I have to accept that sometimes I want what people do not have to give and I have to let them go. Made me sad and then I question myself and if it is me and then I start thinking old thoughts of "Why am I not good enough? What did I do wrong? blah blah blah".
It is at those times, that I have to stop and
PRAY.
HARD.
Part of it is that I need to be satisfied with myself. Part of it is I need to accept my limitations. Part of it is that I need to be thankful for even the relationships that are short, but sweet.
Bittersweet, that was my weekend. But, as I read back on this post, there is a lot more sweet than bitter. I have to remember that because the bitter can be overwhelming.
Tasting the sweetness,
Gabbi
Friday, December 18, 2009
PHEW!
I think I am all done with my Christmas shopping. PHEW!
So, I try really hard not to do resolutions...BUT! I am resolving to be better about my untimely bill payments. Seriously, I forget to pay my stuff. i think I have it all under control and then..CRAP!
The lovely Bethany has created a fantabulous Excel spread sheet to keep track of her bills and has found it in her heart to make me one too. I am so blessed. So, beginning in january I have an awesome Excel spreadsheet to do my bills with and keep track of my list of bills and what is paid and what is not. Let's be honest, some months it is robbing Peter to pay Paul, but somehow it works out. (Thanks GOD!)
Another goal of mine is to get my entryway cleaned and organized. The entryway of my house is a shit hole, for lack of a better word. For some reason EVERYTHING ends up in there on the floor. It is a beautiful room, painted one fo my favorite colors, has a fabulous rug and beautiful wood work. So, why does it always look like crap? Because I have to much CRAP! The amazingly organized Denai is coming over Jan 3rd and we are tackling my entryway. And I just KNOW, that once that is done I will feel so much better. Little does Denai know, that I am hoping to con her into a once a month (or two months) organizing a small area of my home until I am as organized as she is! LOL, Poor Denai!
I am so blessed to have friends who have good skills and are willing to help me out.
Slowly but surely, I will make progress. I have already started by getting up earlier and walking our new dog Baxter. Wendy dutifully walks with me, she is a good friend!
I am back to the community of women and how we all help each other. Amanda helps me to get Grace where she needs to be after school and I try to help out with rides and such on the weekends. We all just pull to gether and help each other. I love it.
Recently, I have decided that I do not need a husband or a boyfriend. I need a WIFE!
Not quite ready to be a lesbian, but thinkin on it!
Gabbi (HA HA HA)
So, I try really hard not to do resolutions...BUT! I am resolving to be better about my untimely bill payments. Seriously, I forget to pay my stuff. i think I have it all under control and then..CRAP!
The lovely Bethany has created a fantabulous Excel spread sheet to keep track of her bills and has found it in her heart to make me one too. I am so blessed. So, beginning in january I have an awesome Excel spreadsheet to do my bills with and keep track of my list of bills and what is paid and what is not. Let's be honest, some months it is robbing Peter to pay Paul, but somehow it works out. (Thanks GOD!)
Another goal of mine is to get my entryway cleaned and organized. The entryway of my house is a shit hole, for lack of a better word. For some reason EVERYTHING ends up in there on the floor. It is a beautiful room, painted one fo my favorite colors, has a fabulous rug and beautiful wood work. So, why does it always look like crap? Because I have to much CRAP! The amazingly organized Denai is coming over Jan 3rd and we are tackling my entryway. And I just KNOW, that once that is done I will feel so much better. Little does Denai know, that I am hoping to con her into a once a month (or two months) organizing a small area of my home until I am as organized as she is! LOL, Poor Denai!
I am so blessed to have friends who have good skills and are willing to help me out.
Slowly but surely, I will make progress. I have already started by getting up earlier and walking our new dog Baxter. Wendy dutifully walks with me, she is a good friend!
I am back to the community of women and how we all help each other. Amanda helps me to get Grace where she needs to be after school and I try to help out with rides and such on the weekends. We all just pull to gether and help each other. I love it.
Recently, I have decided that I do not need a husband or a boyfriend. I need a WIFE!
Not quite ready to be a lesbian, but thinkin on it!
Gabbi (HA HA HA)
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Hello Old Friend
Sorry, it has been awhile since I have posted. Call it the Holiday Crazies. Although, I am freakishly proud that I have only gone to 2 stores 1 time each for Christmas gifts. The rest of my shopping I did on Etsy. Oh, do I love love love Etsy.
Yesterday was a snow day. Horribly unproductive on the whole, but I have found a way to make it look like I did a whole bunch of things:
1. I made pancakes for the kids for breakfast (lets not admit they were forzen and all I did was microwave them)
2. I took a nap
3. I had Grace do her chore of unloading the dishwasher, and because she complained about it, I made her load it too. (I love how this is working out! Please, PLEASE keep complaining so I can do less chores and you can do more. I love being the MOM.)
4. I did 1 load of laundry
5. Grace and I played one game of Battleship, and it was cut-throat.
6. Grace and I played 3 games of Connect Four to see who had to fold the laundry. I folded, darnnit.
7. Grace and I made shortbread cookies. They were disgusting. Really. Awful.
8. Filled out 5 Christmas Cards.
9. ok, that's about it...
But, I made it look like a lot by making a list. Effectively convincing myself that I was kind of productive.
Today I am back at work, and happy about it.
I am sick of telling Sam Little Bear stories to get him to do stuff cooperatively. Yes, I have a new technique for dealing with my son. I have made up a character named Little Bear (yea, I totally stole it) and his friend Sam (again, totally stolen) and whenever the REAL Sam is being uncooperative while trying to get him to eat, get dressed, put on snow gear, get out of bed, take a nap, pick up his toys, you get the idea, I say
"Once upon a time, there was a little boy named Sam and his good friend Little Bear..."
Then I spin a yarn about how Sam and Little Bear love doing whatever it is that I am trying to get him to do; eating, getting dressed, putting on snow gear, getting out of bed, taking a nap, picking up his toys...and magically, Sam is quiet and cooperative. FOR. REAL.
I am shocked and amazed this works, and I am sure it will only last a few more days, but I am milking it for all its worth. Trust me, milking it!
It is getting kind of bad though, because now Sam is actually starting to look for Little Bear in real life. I only hope that I am not totally screwing up his little psyche by creating a cooperative (i.e. easily manipulated) imaginary friend for him. Of course, if it continues to work, I will just make sure to pass the secret on to his lovely wife.
Wedding Day:
Me, to Bride: Ok, here is the deal, if you need Sam to take the trash out, do some errands or anything, just say "Once upon a time there was a little boy named Sam and his good friend Little Bear and together they loved to "insert chore here"...
Of course, I would only share that if I liked her. If not, well, then she wouldn't be his wife because I already would have said
"Once upon a time there was a little boy named Sam and his good friend Little Bear. Little Bear didn't like Sam's sleazy no-good girlfriend, so Sam broke up with her and found someone his mother liked instead. The end."
LOL
I am only kind of kidding.
Mama Bear,
Gabbi
Yesterday was a snow day. Horribly unproductive on the whole, but I have found a way to make it look like I did a whole bunch of things:
1. I made pancakes for the kids for breakfast (lets not admit they were forzen and all I did was microwave them)
2. I took a nap
3. I had Grace do her chore of unloading the dishwasher, and because she complained about it, I made her load it too. (I love how this is working out! Please, PLEASE keep complaining so I can do less chores and you can do more. I love being the MOM.)
4. I did 1 load of laundry
5. Grace and I played one game of Battleship, and it was cut-throat.
6. Grace and I played 3 games of Connect Four to see who had to fold the laundry. I folded, darnnit.
7. Grace and I made shortbread cookies. They were disgusting. Really. Awful.
8. Filled out 5 Christmas Cards.
9. ok, that's about it...
But, I made it look like a lot by making a list. Effectively convincing myself that I was kind of productive.
Today I am back at work, and happy about it.
I am sick of telling Sam Little Bear stories to get him to do stuff cooperatively. Yes, I have a new technique for dealing with my son. I have made up a character named Little Bear (yea, I totally stole it) and his friend Sam (again, totally stolen) and whenever the REAL Sam is being uncooperative while trying to get him to eat, get dressed, put on snow gear, get out of bed, take a nap, pick up his toys, you get the idea, I say
"Once upon a time, there was a little boy named Sam and his good friend Little Bear..."
Then I spin a yarn about how Sam and Little Bear love doing whatever it is that I am trying to get him to do; eating, getting dressed, putting on snow gear, getting out of bed, taking a nap, picking up his toys...and magically, Sam is quiet and cooperative. FOR. REAL.
I am shocked and amazed this works, and I am sure it will only last a few more days, but I am milking it for all its worth. Trust me, milking it!
It is getting kind of bad though, because now Sam is actually starting to look for Little Bear in real life. I only hope that I am not totally screwing up his little psyche by creating a cooperative (i.e. easily manipulated) imaginary friend for him. Of course, if it continues to work, I will just make sure to pass the secret on to his lovely wife.
Wedding Day:
Me, to Bride: Ok, here is the deal, if you need Sam to take the trash out, do some errands or anything, just say "Once upon a time there was a little boy named Sam and his good friend Little Bear and together they loved to "insert chore here"...
Of course, I would only share that if I liked her. If not, well, then she wouldn't be his wife because I already would have said
"Once upon a time there was a little boy named Sam and his good friend Little Bear. Little Bear didn't like Sam's sleazy no-good girlfriend, so Sam broke up with her and found someone his mother liked instead. The end."
LOL
I am only kind of kidding.
Mama Bear,
Gabbi
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