MarytheKaytheBlog

True Confessions

I thought it would be fun today to share some of my deepest, darkest secrets.

 Or maybe...share some totally unnecessary information about myself with you.

Either way--here they are!

Confessions...

1.  I know this will shock your socks off, but I like McDonald's $1 Cokes better than Sonic's.

2.  Speaking of Cokes, I bet I would lose 10 lbs. just if I stopped drinking Cokes.

3.  But I'm not ready to give them up.

4.  This heat is killing me.  I didn't run for a whole week last week, and I didn't even feel that guilty.

5.  Somewhere between home and summer camp, I lost some undies, and was completely out of clean ones last Friday morning.  I ended up "recycling" the day before's pair by the little turn 'em inside out trick.  And then raced to the laundry facility at camp to start a load of whites.  Is that TMI?  Anyone else ever done this trick?  Come on--be honest!

6.  By this time every summer, I am kind of ready to be back in my own home.  I am pretty much running out of friendly.  And patience.  And also I am kind of done with eating a nice, hot lunch in a 100-degree dining hall that is blasting rap music.  Oops, did I mention I was running out of friendly?  'Cause that all sounds pretty cranky, doesn't it?  In spite of those negative comments, I should tell you that I LOVE our staff this year.  I'm not ready for that part to be over.

7.  I am doing a very fun surprise for one of my daughters this week, and I can HARDLY WAIT to tell her!!!!  In fact, I could very easily save the surprise for next week--but am doing it this week because I can't wait ANY LONGER!!! (Yeah yeah, I'll tell ya'll about it soon!)

8.  I haven't even BOUGHT one piece of curriculum for my homeschooled 2nd grader yet.  Aahhhhh!!!  This summer has just been BUSY, and I haven't had time to research.  If any of you know good curriculum for a sweet little girl just getting over eye tracking issues (and possibly either dyslexia or processing issues), I would sure appreciate any suggestions!  She struggles a lot with spelling and handwriting.

9.  I really love popsicles.  The fresh fruit kind, and even the red, orange, or purple Twin Pops.  Summer=popsicles.

10.  The Hollywood Housewife was in our little town recently, and I got to have dinner with her and her sister.  It was 3 solid hours of talking, giggling, and "NO WAY'S!!!"  Have I told ya'll how much I love Hollywod Housewife?  Seriously, not only is she an amazing writer, but she is good people.  Hearing her talk about the Blissdom Conference has convinced me that I need to go in 2013!  Anybody want to go with me?  This year it's in Dallas!

11.  I know, I know--I never finished our Summer Camp Love Story last summer.  It has been my goal all year to finish up for our anniversary this summer...but I'm running out of time. It's just that I've gotten to the more difficult part of the story.  In fact, I could probably write a whole story about WHY it's been difficult to finish writing this part of the story.  But, maybe I should just focus my time on FINISHING the dang story, right?

What would YOU like to confess today??

Funny, Serious, Serious, Funny Linky Dinks

 This photo-shopping of celebrities made me laugh out loud!!!  I did struggle to figure out who a few were, though.  Can you figure them all out?

 

Omelet in a bag?  Um, YES M'AM, SIGN ME UP!!!  (Shh!  Don't tell anyone, but--for the life of me--I canNOT flip the dang omelet.  So this idea is PERFECT for flunkies like me!)  How fun would these be for a breakfast for dinner night?  Everyone gets to make an omelet bag!

 

Why We Need to Struggle - This post by Kristen of We are THAT Family knocked my socks off.   Warning:  It is serious, and it will make you THINK, and may be convicting...  Ouch.

 

Well, while we're on a serious note, I might as well let you read about the greatest gift you can give your child.  It's just a simple 4-letter word, yet we so often make it complicated.  I am new to Emily Wierenga's imperfect prose blog, but wow.  Her words are poetry.

 

Okay, okay, you know I can't leave you on a serious note here.  In honor of George Jefferson's movin' on up...to the everlasting, and in case my math video wasn't instructional enough for you--I give you Math: Bunker and Jefferson style!

May you rest in peace, George and Archie...

 

 Now, go ye forth and ENJOY your weekends!!!  

Goodnight, good people.

What are you up to this weekend?

How about a giggle for your day?

My friend Teshia sent this video to me recently, and I could NOT stop laughing.  

Seriously, it is one of the funniest things I've seen in a while.  And maybe...it's even funnier because...I am not quite...the math whiz that I appear to be.  (Please excuse my sisters, who are HOWLING with laughter.  Rude.)

For you married ladies--BONUS!!--this video will give you some NEW shopping conversations to have with your nosy concerned husbands.

Now, go ye forth and learn about how Shopping Math is the New Free!!

 (Click here if you cannot view the video)

 

My TOP TEN Favorite Places to Eat in Branson

 Let's talk food today, shall we?  One of my favorite subjects--and also the reason I had to take up running.  *sigh*

I get asked frequently by guests my favorite restaurant recommendations.  Just the other day I made a list for a family friend coming to town.   I thought it would be fun to tell you about my top ten favorites--and to ask YOU about your favorites when you come to Branson.  

If your answer is, "I've never been to Branson."  I would ask--"WHY the heck NOT??" Branson is such a GREAT family vacation!

Come visit!  And while you're here--here are some good vittles!  (That's Branson-talk, for you tourists!)

All right, grab a snack...'cause this list is gonna put a hankerin' in ya...

 

1.  Billy Gail's -  They serve breakfast and lunch, but eat the breakfast--which is served all day!  Hands down, this is the best Ozarks breakfast experience in town!  Their pancakes are BIGGER than your plate!   Expect to wait 20ish minutes for a table--but worth it!  While you're waiting, you'll have time to explore the antique/thrift items for sale, and there's even an area with toys for kids!

Recently, I tried Billy Gail's "Sloppy Biscuit"--which happened to include all my breakfast favorites: biscuit, fried egg over medium, sausage, shredded hashbrowns, cheese, and GRAVY.  It was AMAZING!!!

2. The Keeter Center (located on the College of the Ozarks campus) - Their Sunday brunch is pricey, but AMAZING.  Totally worth it for a special occasion!  Reservations here are helpful--especially on a busy weekend.  If you can't do the Sunday brunch, eat lunch or dinner there.  I especially like eating there when I want a quiet, non-hurried meal. Chef Stricklin's menu is creative, and is focused on using fresh, local ingredients.

3. Big Cedar Lodge- Devil's Pool Restaurant--For several years, this was my go-to place for our anniversary dinner--I'd like the prime rib with horseradish sauce, please!  Mmm, melt in your mouth good!  Reservations are nice, but not required.  LOVELY rustic atmosphere and totally worth the drive.  Be sure to walk around Big Cedar's grounds, and check out the interesting gift shop.

 

4.  Danna's BBQ - My FAVORITE BBQ in town!!!  And maybe in the whole wide world!  There are 3 locations--and all 3 share the same yummy menu--but our family prefers the out-of-the-busy-traffic one in Kirbyville.  Their burgers are the amazing old-fashioned kind that require a couple of napkins.  I'm kind of in love with their stuffed baked potato with pulled pork.  Plus, they serve Coke in a styrofoam cup:  pure perfection.

5.  Cantina Laredo - Really wonderful and fresh Mexican food on The Branson Landing.  Get the Top Shelf guacamole, made fresh at your table.  My husband and I love sharing the Botanas Platter as our entree, and saving room for an ice cream dessert (see #10 below!)  

6.  The Dixie Stampede- This is always in our TOP 5 fun things to do in Branson that we suggest to our guests.  It combines a GREAT meal and a very entertaining show--all into one AMAZING experience!  Mmm, my stomach is growling right now just thinking about their yummy food.

7. Billy Bob's Dairyland- Great place for an old fashioned burger and milkshake.  It's a small diner, but so fun with its 50's decor!  In my humble opinion, this is the best burger in Branson--with Danna's being a VERY CLOSE 2nd.

8. Panera bread- I know this is a chain, but it really is a great place for wonderful, fresh food--especially if you're in a bit of a hurry.  They serve great salads, sandwiches, soups,  and bread!  Currently, my favorites are the Asian Sesame Chicken Salad and the Bacon Turkey Bravo Sandwich.

9. Vasken's Deli- This is a local hangout, and a local's well-kept secret! They serve wonderful Greek/Mediterranean sandwiches and salads.  The chicken gyro (and add the olive relish!) is my favorite!

10.  Cold Stone - What would a list of restaurants be without DESSERT???  Boring, is what that would be!  We absolutely love the friendly and fun atmosphere at Cold Stone. My current favorite is chocolate ice cream with chocolate shavings--in a waffle bowl, please!  

 

There ya have it!  My TOP TEN favorite places to eat in Branson.

Want MORE Branson recommendations?  I have a whole category dedicated to Branson Fun:  What Happens in Branson...is Fun! 

Now--what are some of YOUR favorite places to eat?

 

Being married to the same man for 21 years

Dave and I are about to celebrate 21 years of wedded BLISS.  

(Read about our love story here)

Okay, I'm giggling at myself a little--or maybe I'm giggling about people who post chirpy-happy sentences like that on Facebook, or the like.  Maybe some people have experienced 21 entire years of bliss...but, honestly, I think those people may need to lay off the Zoloft a bit.

Because, although Dave and I have made it 21 years, I wouldn't necessarily sum it all up as "bliss."  

In fact, I'd rather NOT sum it up in one word--because it's been A LOT of words, and some of them I shouldn't say on a family-friendly blog, if ya know what I mean.

Oh, don't get me wrong.  We've had lots of good times.  But, we've also had lots of not-so-good times.

I can remember when we first got married, I always told people that my favorite thing about being married--was that we got to go home together after a date!

The main difference between that starry-eyed 21-year-old newlywed and now, is that I'm more realistic about my expectations.  Marriage is hard work--much harder than that newlywed girl expected.  I've learned that marriage isn't about the fairytale, it's more a rambling story with twists and turns of a good partnership that is both messy and complicated.  Sometimes I'm walking on the opposite side of the road as my partner, and pretending I can't hear him, and sometimes it's side-by-side carving a path through the woods.  

I've learned a few tricks along the way that I wish that newlywed girl could have known back then.  But, how could she have?  She had to walk the twisty path beside that man in order to learn them.  They had to kick up a little dust to learn those tricks...  This dusty-legged ole gal now knows which words will strike up a good fight--and avoids those words.  Well, usually.  I've learned that I know how he will react to something even before I say it.  And sometimes I get mad at him in my brain--even if I don't say the thing--but just knowing how he would react if I did.  (Poor Dave, he can't win).  I've learned that there's no sense in getting my feelings hurt--because no matter how different I get my hair cut or colored--he will NOT notice.  Oh, but if I put on a new shirt, dangit, he busts me EVERY single time, "Is that new?  Did you buy it?"  (Yeah, who's saying "Poor Dave" NOW?  How about Poor Mary Kay?!!)

It used to make me giggle every time a preacher talked about marriage within the context of the verse in Ephesians:

Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.  (Ephesians 5:33)

God wants the man to LOVE his wife--as MUCH as he loves HIMSELF...but the wife only has to "see to it" that she respects her husband.  The newlywed Mary Kay giggled that God didn't expect love from a wife--only respect.  The Mary Kay that has traveled the twisty marriage path realizes that respect for a husband is HUGE in a marriage.  Huge.  The more true respect I show that fella, the more he seems to fall in love with me.  Umm, and I call that a BONUS. 

Now, I can respect that man all the live long day, but he is STILL not going to notice a new haircut, and he still is not going to surprise me with a sparkly piece of jewelry or a new car under the Christmas tree.  And now matter how much I can wish it into being--he still cannot read my mind.  If I want him to treat me a certain way, or if I want a special gift on my birthday, I have to, you know, TELL HIM.

If you asked me what is the BIGGEST THING I've learned from being married to the same man for 21 years, I would tell you what I told a dear friend just the other day... I told her that I spent the first 10 years of my marriage begging God to change Dave.  After that, I got desperate.  I started begging God to CHANGE ME.  Change ME into the kind of wife that fits with Dave.

And God has.  And He still does, every single day.  

Some days the marriage journey feels rocky and tiring and frustrating, and I want to give up.  Some days I want to kill him.  Or hire a hit man.  (You think I'm kidding.)   And other days he makes me laugh and laugh.  Some days he brings me ice cream and I want to kiss him on the lips.  Some days I forget to take my Zoloft and I act so ugly towards him I'm embarrassed.   And, yet, he sticks with me.  Through the thick and the thin, the richer and the poorer, the sickness and the health.

That's what we do:  We stick together.  We're riding this one out to the finish.

How about you?  What tricks have you learned along the way that help you stick together?

Sometimes, the answer really is...obvious

Hanging out with my family on the boat the other day, I was reminded of a parenting truth I had to learn the hard way...

Even though kids don't come with instruction manuals (dangit), sometimes the answer is obvious.

Here's how I first learned this truth...the hard way...

 

Several years ago, when our youngest was about 2-years-old, there were several nights in a row that she was scared at bedtime.  Well, to be completely honest, we weren't sure if she was really scared--or if she had just figured out a new bedtime-postponing tactic.  She's a smart one, she is.  However, since we'd just moved out to our camp cabin for the summer, we figured she was having a difficult time adjusting to a new sleeping environment.

Because, over and over again at bedtime, she kept looking over at her bookshelf area, and saying, "No wike scawy eyes!  Scawy eyes mean!"

We'd take turns consoling her, holding her and telling her in a reassuring voice, "Sweetie, there are no scary eyes looking at you.  There's nothing scary in your room.  You are safe here with Mommy and Daddy.  Now, lie back down and go to sleep."  We'd go to that corner of the room and show her every stuffed animal that was in her toy box, and show her that it had sweet eyes.  We'd reassure her until we were exhausted.

But, this is our child who doesn't give up easily.  And that's putting it mildly.

So, for several nights, for a LONG time each night, we would reassure her that there was NOTHING scary in her room.

 And, still, she would look towards the bookshelves and tell us emphatically, "NO. WIKE. SCAWY. EYES."

I think in her limited 2-year-old language she was trying to say, "Hey, people: LISTEN TO ME.  I AM TELLING YOU THERE ARE SCARY EYES LOOKING AT ME THAT I DO NOT LIKE.  YOU ARE THE ADULTS--PLEASE TAKE CARE OF IT.  And also, I'd like some more candy from the snack jar, please."

Finally, after exhausting EVERY reassuring phrase I could possibly think of, I picked up my child, carried her across the room and flipped on the light.  Standing near the bookshelf, I said (umm, maybe in a slightly exasperated voice) "WHERE are the scary eyes, Sara Beth?  POINT to what you are talking about!"

And that sweet baby girl pointed towards the top shelf of the bookshelf--way up near the ceiling where her daddy stores some extra summer camp supplies.  

And guess what?  There were a stack of rolled up orange boat flags, with just the corner of one hanging down a little bit.  All that was really showing was the corner of the flag...with the company's logo...

Here--I'll show you:

Oh.  My.  Wow.  My sweet baby girl was right.  There WERE scawy eyes looking down at her each night.

My precious little girl had TRIED to tell me each night that she was scared of the creepy little logo man peering down at her.  And her DUMB MOM kept telling her over and over again to go to sleep, that the scary eyes didn't exist.

Sara Beth's big tall daddy took those mean ole scawy-eyed flags and GOT RID OF THEM forever and ever, amen.  

Never again will scary eyes peer down on my baby girl in our camp cabin again.

And...hopefully...never again will her mama ignore the obvious.

What we've been up to (in pictures)

Ya'll.

I know.  I've been terrible, horrible, and no good at keeping up on the blog lately.  Things have just been busy busy around here.  Okay, and maybe...just maybe...a certain person has been slightly ADDICTED to a show on Netflix at night, when she could have been blogging.  But, the good news is:  I finally finished all 4 seasons.  I loved every minute of the nail-biting suspense.  The bad news is:  My favorite guy died in the finale.  Oh, but he died so honorably--which is JUST like him.

Oh wait.  The show is make-believe.

But back to my lame excuses for why I've not been blogging much this summer.

How about I just show you?

Cousin Camp 2012 - Every summer my parents try to get all the grandkids together for several days.  My girls LOVE hanging out with their cousins.  I snapped this picture of my handsome nephews.  I seriously love these boys.

 

Sara Beth's baptism - Sara Beth has been asking for a while to get baptized.  We wanted her to wait until she was old enough to remember it someday.  Finally, we found a date that most of our family could be there.  It was such a special day--to have her Pops pray for her, and her daddy baptize her.

 

 

Speaking of Sara Beth...this has been a big month for her!  She got BRACES!!  Here is the before...

And here she is after!  Doesn't she look super cute?  I know...I am a little biased..

 

But, what about Rebecca???  What's she been up to, you ask?

AAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!  My darling girl, my first-born, my blond-haired beauty...is registering for Junior High!!!!   After homeschooling her for 7 years, it is time for my girl to spread her wings a bit.  I'm sure I'll shed some tears on the first day of school, but I just know she'll do great.

 

Lunch with an old friend - Why, oh why didn't we take a current picture at lunch?? This lovely prom picture was taken...well, quite a few years ago!!  This dear friend and I had a 4-hour lunch last week.  We chattered the time away, just like we always have.  I've probably seen Stacey only twice in the last 15 years--and she is as dear a friend now as she ever was!  

That reminds me... I first met Stacey on my very first day of Junior High.  I can only PRAY that Rebecca meets a dear friend like this on HER very first day of Junior High...  Would you pretty please join me in praying for that?  Seriously, I would be SO honored if you would.

 

Dave and Otis - I'm so glad my husband is kind, and spontaneous.  Just today, we were driving past Otis' house--way out in west Branson--and Dave said, "We should stop in real quick and see Otis!"  Even before I could say, "Let's just get on back to Kamp," Dave had pulled into the gravel driveway just off the highway.  It wasn't long before Otis came out the front door, grinning and telling stories.  Within the first 5 minutes, he had asked about all the Kamp kids he loves so much, and our girls--who he's only met once or twice--but never fails to ask about.  Otis is 81-years-old, and still works hard.  He no longer works as a night security guard at our Kamp, but he still works outside, and works his farm every day.  He said that "Just yes'terdy I walk back 'ere down 'at hill and carry't a baby calf up 'ere.  Her mama started beller'in for her, too!  She said, 'MOO!'"

That Otis, he still tells the best stories.  And he is love, poured out.  When he found out we had a guy in our van that we picked up at the airport, and we should go, so we could take him on to Kamp--Otis walked right over to the van, said, "Well, I've got to go meet the feller!"  He introduced himself, and told Anthony--"Yer headed to a good place!  These are good people.  Ya have a good time, ya hear?"

He gave Anthony a big snaggle-tooth grin, and  a firm working-man's handshake.  

And that was the best 15 minutes of my whole day.

 

That's what I've been up to!  

What about you?  What have you been up to lately?

A Very Scientific OCD Quiz

I had a fascinating conversation with one of our summer staff members the other night--about the way she ate M&Ms.  I figured she had a "system" of eating the colorful candy, but I had no idea it would be quite so interesting.  For myself, I know that I subconsciously eat 2 plain M&Ms at a time.  But, this girl--let's call her "T"--she not only eats them 2 at a time, she eats them in the ORDER of the RAINBOW.  As in "Roy G. Biv" order of the rainbow.  (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet)

Wow.  That practically knocked my socks off.

She also confessed to her system of eating Wintergreen LifeSavers:  2 in each cheek for maximum enjoyment and fresh breath!

I should tell you right now that "T" is one of my favorite summer staff.  She is not only very smart, she is very funny.  The fact that she eats her M&Ms in rainbow order only further proves to me that she is "good people."

In light of my fascinating M&M and Wintergreen LifeSaver conversation the other night, I thought it would be FUN to host a little

What is YOUR Preferred Mode of OCD?? Quiz

All very scientific, of course.  

'Cause you know--I play a scientist on the internet, I do.  I am very good with the Wikipedia and the Google.

Enough chitter chatter.  On with the quiz.  On with scientific discovery!

 

What is YOUR Preferred Mode of OCD??

1.  Do you have a special system of eating M&Ms?  Please explain.

2.  Do you have a system/order for eating the food on your plate?  Please explain.

3.  How is your clothes closet organized?

4.  How is the cash in your wallet organized?

5.  Which foot leads, as you're walking up or down stairs?

6.  Do you load or unload your shopping cart a certain way?

7.  Do you like your martini shaken or stirred?

8.  If you did not understand the reference in #7, then you obviously did not have an older brother growing up who hogged the channel changer, and made you watch James Bond instead of The Love Boat and Fantasy Island.  Meanie.

9.  Speaking of growing up, does this quiz remind you of the awesome quizzes they used to have in Young Miss or Seventeen magazines growing up?  I LOVED those quizzes.  Have you looked at those magazines lately???  Either I have become an old fogey, or those magazines are tra-shay now.

10.  Can you tell I just HAD to get to #10?  Well, duh, this IS an OCD quiz.  And only crazy people would end on an ODD number.

Now...GO!  Answer the quiz in the Comments...if you DARE!!!  

And then--just for fun--we can vote on WHO is the CRAZIEST COMMENTER!!!  

Oh shucks, ya'll know I'm just kidding! 

(or am I???)

TOP TEN reasons it *may* be time to go back on The Zoloft

image

From what I've heard, some people in their 40's start to notice a shift (translation: earthquake) in hormones and mood swings.  Women, who were formerly laid-back and pleasant, may begin to notice even the smallest things have begun to grate on their nerves.  (And we're talking sharp-commercial cheese graters--like the waiters use at Olive Garden.)  Greedy, mean doctors who want to get their grubby little manicured hands on these poor ladies' hard-earned money have even given this shift a name: peri-menopause.

Peri-menopause, my foot.  More like everyone around me just has no good sense anymore.  Have everyone's hands suddenly fallen off and they can't help themselves?  Has everyone suddenly decided that I'm the only one who can answer all of life's questions?  Or have people suddenly developed amnesia and forgotten that I can't stand whining, or loud talking, or playing music created by irritating singers with terrible grammar?  And WHO turned the DANG AIR off again??

If you find yourself asking any of these perfectly logical questions, then I suggest you grab some chocolate, lock yourself in the bathroom (preferably before your husband gets in there), and read the following list:

TOP TEN reasons it *may* be time to go back on The Zoloft

 1.  What are you, NOSY???  You clicked on this post just to see if I'm over here acting like crazy town.  You want crazy?  I'll SHOW YOU CRAZY!!!!!!!!!

2.  Trips to Crazy Town are almost better than trips to Walmart, when the poor little guy in the blue vest isn't sure where the spider traps are.  However...after a very thorough lesson in logical store organization...I bet he won't forget where those spider traps are located...ever.

3.  Your children have started getting along and whisper-playing, in order to help keep the peace around the house.

4.  Realizing that "Dinner IS when it's GONNA BE...doesn't really answer the question.  And you know what?  I. Don't. Care.

5.  When inanimate objects start conspiring to make your life miserable...like your toothbrush, your t-shirt, your rolling chair at work, the nose pieces on your glasses, the noise the ice makes in your glass, the stupid rock that got in your flip flop, the toast that wasn't crunchy enough so dangit breakfast is just RUINED AND I'M NEVER EATING AGAIN.

6.  Who are we kidding?  GET OUTTA MY WAY, CAR, I AM ABOUT TO MISS SONIC HAPPY HOURRRRR.  Horns are made to be utilized, when cars are taking longer than you deem necessary.  If the honking doesn't work, slamming both hands onto the steering wheel over and over again while yelling, "COME ON GRANNY!!!" may be effective, albeit slightly painful to the palms of the hands.

7.  You've started visualizing everyone's head as a tiny pencil eraser that you can just PINCH OFF with your two fingers.

8.  Your jaw has begun to throb...from talking through clenched teeth.  Also, WHO turned the air off again????

9.  Your husband has started thinking before speaking.

10.  And sometimes not speaking at all. Only watching.  From a distance.

Yes, if one or more of these things apply to you, it *may* be time to go back on The Zoloft.

I'm just here to help.  Consider this my public service announcement. 

P.S.  I have NO IDEA why...but my husband just thinks this list is HILARIOUS. 

Huh.  We'll see who's laughing at supper tonight.