MarytheKaytheBlog

Five Fun Facts

Okay, the real title today was supposed to be, "Five Random Facts."  But, hello, alliteration! 

I haven't written in a couple of days...because I got a little freaked/creeped out by Mother Internet and Big Sister and World Wide Web Conspiracy Theories and Mean People out in the big world finding my little ole blog.  (Mean people, I am talking to YOU.  Yes, you.  And I am dealing with the thought of you looking at my blog by praying that you will MASH your fingers, and STUB your toes, and FALL into giant holes, and become ETERNALLY INCONTINENT and have to wear DIAPERS for the rest of your LIVES.)

Thank you.  I feel so much better now getting that off my chest.

Now.  Onto Five Fun Facts.

*Insert carnival music here*

 1.  Sometimes, (cough cough understatement) I struggle with putting things away.  For example, right now, there are 2 rolls of red wrapping paper on my bedroom floor.  Yep, Christmas rolls of wrapping paper.  And, yes, it is January 31st--exactly 37 days after Christmas. 

2.  I have a terrible sense of direction.  If somebody tells me their business is on the east side of the highway, my brain goes completely BLANK.  Now, if you tell me the business is next to the yellow building with the funny looking sign, I will know exactly where it is.  But, north, south, east, west--I am lost.  My husband, who has excellent direction skills, has spent our entire marriage trying to explain direction to me.  The entire time he is explaining, my brain is saying, "La la laaaaa, la la laaaaa."

3.  I just ate 2 donuts.  And now I feel kind of sick.  Oh, how I WISH I were just speaking figureatively.

 

 

4.  My parents just got the CUTEST little puppy, and now I have puppy fever.  (Husband, are you READING THIS?  I. Have. Puppy. Fever. --Which is a heck of a lot better than having baby fever.  And cheaper.  And my BIRTHDAY is coming up!!!!)  Their precious wittle puppy is a Shih Poo, which honestly, makes me laugh in a very junior high sort of way.  'Cause I want to ask, "She did WHAT?"  But, back to my case of puppy fever.  Their little baby puppy weighs 1.8 pounds, and will fit in the palm of my hand.  Can you tell I really WANT ONE?  Me thinks me wants a baby Sheltie, though.

5.  Our house is a giant black hole for bobby pins and ponytail elastics.  Whoever is sneaking into my house and stealing all the bobby pins and elastics had better STOP.  Because it is making me crazy.  Maybe my daughters think this is like the old show Green Acres...and toss their bobby pins and ponytail elastics out the window every time they use them, just like Zsa Zsa did with dirty dishes.

Well, that's 5, and that means it's time to stop.

Your turn!  What are Five Fun Facts about YOU?  

Come on!  Play along!  Don't be a stick-in-the-mud...

What God has been Stirring in my Heart Lately...

I've felt for quite a while that God has been doing something new in my heart.  I don't even know what.  I just know that my heart has been thawing, and even sometimes yearning for change.

And change scares me to death.  So, for my heart to want change is big.  Like, God-size big.  

I have no idea what God is doing--or what He's planning for me or my family.  I just know that for now, I am supposed to keep putting one foot in front of the other, daily walking out my faith.  Putting one foot in front of the other for me right now means raising 2 sweet girls, and providing a loving and encouraging home for my husband and daughters.

Maybe God doesn't have any big changes on our horizon.  Maybe He is just working on a heart that has been a little too distant from Him.  Maybe He is working on a heart that acts like a spoiled child sometimes, comparing herself to others and whining, "Why not ME?  Why can't I do that/have that/live like that/???"

Ugh.  I cringe even having to type that out.  I can't imagine what God must think of my whining sometimes.  Yuck, yuck, yuck.  I hate whining.

But, back to the good stuff.  God is working on me.  And I'm glad.  (I'm not always glad.  Just being honest here.)

I really do long to live a life that is poured out love to others--my family, my friends, and those I come in contact with.

But, the honest truth is this:  I am selfish with my time.  I am introverted by nature, and I love living in my cozy little home, behind my curtains, and behind my phones with Caller I.D.  Living a life that is decided by ME how and when I reach out to others.

However, I have a strange feeling God may be calling me from behind my pretty red curtains, beyond my comfort zone, and beyond my control.

(Dangit, don't you hate giving up control?  Well, I sure do.)

So, what am I telling you here?  Probably a whole lot of nothing!  Just that God is working on my heart right now.  Just like a little pin my parents used to have...with the initials:

PBP,GIFWMY  (or something like that)

Please Be Patient, God Isn't Finished With Me Yet

Is God working on any of your hearts right now?

In case He is, I found these 2 recent blog posts to be JUST the kind of thing my heart is yearning for...JUST the kind of love poured out my heart is longing to do...  

I thought maybe these words would find a soft spot in your heart today, too.

Please read The One Thing That Will Change Your Life and please please please read all the way down to their commitment.  Wow, knock socks off. 

And then please read Stepping Back, Slowing Down, and Focusing Up.  Again, please please please read down to the part where she writes a letter back to "Friend."  That just knocked my socks off, too.  THAT is what life is all about.  Forget publishing a book, forget reaching #5 on Amazon, forget a fancy schmancy book tour--reaching out to others is what matters.

So, that's the state of my heart lately.

How's your heart?  What's God doing in your heart lately?

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.  -Galatians 5:13

Linky Dinks: Edition Comfort

I don't know about you--but over here in Missouri, it's COLD.  And cold weekends make me want to stay indoors by the fireplace, and wrap up in a warm blanket and read a good book while sipping hot cocoa.  

How about you?  What says "comfort" to you on a cold winter's weekend day?

Here are some fun comforting ideas I've found while surfing around the internet lately...

 

If you haven't already made the world's easiest--and yummiest--"homemade" cinnamon rolls, please go make them this weekend!!!  Seriously, they are AMAZING.  And SO EASY!

 

Mmm.  A warm mug of hot chocolate under a cozy blanket says comfort to me!  How about making these darling hot chocolate on a stick for Valentine's Day?  Or, if you're not in the mood to make them yourself, looks like you can buy them on Etsy!  Wouldn't this be a FUN GIFT IDEA for teachers on Valentine's Day?

 

Okay, now that you have a mug of hot chocolate, how about some quick and easy homemade (kind of) DONUTS???  Oh, yes, please!  I've never made these--but I've always heard you could make donuts from canned biscuit dough.  Have any of you tried these?

 

Nothing says comfort like a cozy carpeted bathroom...a blue carpeted bathroom...and carpeted toilet seat cover...and carpeted tank cover...and carpeted scale cover...and, well, you get the idea.  You HAVE to go back and visit 1971, you just have to!  (Make SURE you scroll down far enough to see the cheerful clown lamps.  I wonder how many people are still in therapy because of those frightening lamps...?)  Oh, sorry--I seem to be veering off the "comfort" path...

 

Ah.  This video has got to be the most comforting thing ever.  The only thing more comforting would be if I were IN the video--EATING that warm bread.  Does it inspire you to go put on an apron, and bake some bread?  

 

 

Okay, I'm not sure exactly how much comfort this little game will give you...but it sure is FUN.  And fun is comforting, right?

 

Wow.  I guess FOOD is what says "comfort" to me--because I am noticing that nearly every single link today is about FOOD.  Hmm...me thinks it's time to hit the ole treadmill.

Happy weekend, dearest readers!  I hope your weekend is filled with warm and cozy and lots of happy comfort!

A little giggle...for your drive-thru jiggle

I'm sorry.  I'm just feeling a little giggly today.  So, I thought I'd share.

I'd like to dedicate these videos to all my friends at the McD's drive thru windows.  They are SO NICE to me.  Every day--even before they see me--they always call out to me from the intercom and say, "Welcome back!"   I sure like a place that appreciates my business.

(Click here if you cannot view the video below)

 

 Oh snap!  What just happened?

Please please please promise me you'll watch at least until the guy at 2:47.  Please.

Okay, and one more.  Just bear with me, please.  I just find this next one so stinking funny!

(Click here if you cannot view the video below)

 

What's wrong with your cups?

What do you find funny today?

I have a dream...that my house is clean and my children get along

I have a dream...that this stupid crick in my neck would go away.

I have a dream...that I have a massage scheduled tomorrow that I didn't know about, and that somebody else paid for.

I have a dream...that there is an Icee machine in my kitchen.

I have a dream...that my bank account has an extra 3 zeros at the end.

I have a dream...that mean and rude people would have a lifelong case of gas, and canker sores all in their mouths.

I have a dream...that buttercream frosting and chocolate bon bons are actually GOOD for you.

I have a dream...that I lose calories AND gain muscle just by watching television.

I have a dream...that kind and helpful people would get $1,000 bonuses for every kindness.

I have a dream...that my maid and chauffeur and nanny have just been on vacation, but are returning tomorrow.

Do YOU have any dreams?

Today, I am dreaming impossible dreams in honor of the great Martin Luther King, Jr.  I write about him every year on this day, and our family watches his speech every year, too.  (More than once, because *somebody* always gets a little caught up in his melodious voice and masterful use of language.) Our family also likes to watch the movie about sweet little Ruby Bridges, who helped CHANGE OUR WORLD, with her little pint-size self, and giant-life courage.

 

I am proud that our daughters are growing up color-blind, and ignorant of prejudice.  I realize that some of that is because of where we live and work--and that ignorance and prejudice are still alive and well in other parts of the country and world.  

Like so many other evils in the world, we have to talk to our daughters about prejudice and hatred, so they can understand, even if they do not experience them.  We try to help them understand what the Civil Rights Movement was all about, and why it was so important for our country to change.

If we don't talk to our daughters about the true history of our country, how will they know to appreciate what we have?  

And how will they know how important it is to preserve what we have?

 

So, dream on, dear readers!!  And Happy MLK Day!

Friday Flashback: Old Pictures Make Me Sentimental

Today, because I am still hacking up a lung, and because not much exciting happens when you spend an entire week in a sick chair (other than finding a NEW SHOW to watch on Netflix...Scandal!!!), I thought it would be fun to post some old pictures.  

Pay attention...some of you older friends might even see yourselves today!

 

Let's start things off with a bang, shall we?

Oh my.  Is this not the CUTEST Kindergarten class you've EVER seen?  Looking back, I think it is amazing that I continued growing up and going to school with every single person in this picture.  Well, except for sweet Dana Blume, who moved away shortly after this picture.  Can you guess which one is Dana?  I always thought she was SO PRETTY...and I was always jealous of the beauty pageant crowns on her bookshelf.

Can you tell which one is me?  Look for the long-haired version of my Sara Beth...front row, long dress with the white shoes.

Also, one of my BEST FRIENDS through ALL of my growing up years...is Matthew.  Yeah, he's the lady-killer in the Fonzie shirt.  All the girls thought he was SO cool with that shirt, and we'd always get him to act like Fonzie.  I giggle to think...he enjoyed that attention just as much as we enjoyed giving it to him.

And, Mrs. Braswell our teacher?  She was everything you could ever want a Kindergarten teacher to be.  Soft-spoken, loving and kind, creative, and FUN.  

Okay, I'll stop talking about Kindergarten now.  As you can tell, it was a good year for me.  *grin*

 

This next picture is in honor of my little hometown, where they GOT OUT OF SCHOOL this week for SNOW!!!!!  Hooray!!!  Well, not exactly snow.... maybe just the tiniest bit of sleet.  My big sis described it as 1/100th of an inch.  

Oh boy, can I remember the days when we PRAYED for snow...we keep our noses glued to the windows, just BEGGING the snow to come down...  A snow day in my hometown was like a very happy national holiday.  

Needless to say, it did not snow often.

With those dresses and white tights, I suspect this was a Sunday.  I'm sure we couldn't WAIT to get home to sled, make snowmen, and throw snow at each other all afternoon long...or until that sad bit of snow melted.

 

This next picture is in honor of Sara Beth, who JUST THIS WEEK asked me, 

"Mom, what is a station wagon?"

I didn't find that very easy to answer...  Except to say--"It's what our family ALWAYS drove.  The Buick Electra Wagon.  Usually in baby blue."

Is this one a Buick?  I don't really remember this one...I was probably 3 in this picture.

 

My mom doesn't always like when I post pictures of her...But, I've always thought how beautiful she is in this one!  Doesn't she look just like Jackie O?

 

Okay, any Campfire Girls out there?  Did you have this Camp Fire Song Book?  This is the little navy blue song book we always took to Campfire Day Camp at Camp Wotapi.  (Does Camp Wotapi still exist?)  Ah, and Miss Shuff, still leading all her Campfire girls in her 50s and 60s, wearing summery sleeveless camp shirts and knee-length shorts and bright red lipstick, drawn just bigger than her actual lips.  She had the loveliest gravely cigarette-voice Southern drawl.  

Just seeing this book makes me think of the song, "Kookaburra."

Koo-ka-burra sits on an old gum tree...Merry, merry king of the bush is he, Laugh koo-ka-burra, laugh koo-ka-burra, Gay your life must be.  (are you singing along with me??)

 

Ah, and this next picture is in honor of one of my BEST FRIENDS all the way through junior high, high school, and college!!  We actually met on the very first day of 7th grade.  Here we are in our flag corps uniforms. (It was a little windy that day.)  Miss you, Stay-Jack!!!

 

This next (and last) one wasn't that many years ago.  This picture just makes me SMILE...because we were trying so hard to snap a decent family Christmas picture.  We were in FREEZING South Dakota, and my sweet wittle bald baby did not want to smile...  Oh, how I want to rub that little bald head and pinch those wittle cheeks!  (NO!  I am NOT talking about Dave!!!!)  And my darling little blond girl, always grinning and enjoying the fun adventures...

Okay, I'll step off Sentimental Lane now...  Thanks ever so much for indulging me!!

Happy weekend, sweet friends.  If ya need me, I'll be right where I've been all week...sitting in my pitiful sick chair.  

Anybody have more exciting weekend plans than that?

I am a terrible, terrible person...

I'm sure I've fussed on here before about my daughter that is a picky eater, a picky dresser, picky about the pillowcase and blankets she uses, picky about her toothpaste and toothbrush...  Basically, she's a girl who knows what she likes, and sticks to it.  (I mean STICKS to it.)

What I'm NOT sure if I've mentioned on here before...is about where my daughter gets her picky nature.

Or, perhaps I should call it, "Her discerning taste."  That sounds better, doesn't it?

Especially, in light of what I am about to show you.

I've been slow to realize where my daughter gets her "discerning nature."  I think the first time I really noticed was when she started stealing the pillow off my bed.  She said my pillow was much softer than hers.  I'd have to go check her bed when I was ready to lie down, and try to ease her little head off my pillow, without waking her up.

I mean, a mama needs to have her own pillow, right?  She had her own pillow, and even though it was different than mine, I felt like it was plenty soft.  Plus, I was kind of attached to my pillow.  It was just the perfect size, and, well, it was really soft. 

Well...discerning child felt my sky blue pillowcase was much softer than her pink daisy one.  And...I didn't want to trade pillows.  I could tell you that it was because the blue pillow matched our bedroom, and the pink daisy one did not.  But, to be honest, I just didn't want to trade...because the blue one was...softer!!!

(Are you noticing a theme here?)

Finally, after too many nights of this musical pillow game, my brilliant husband suggested we take discerning daughter to the store, and let her pick out the very softest pillowcases she could find.  And buy 4 of them!  She could have 1, and so could her mama!  Plus, a couple extra.

Perfect.  Problem solved.  

Two picky (discerning) people are satisfied, and everybody has a soft pillow.

Right?

Well...this morning after getting out of bed, I noticed something.  It made me giggle, and feel TERRIBLE all at the same time.

And I did what all good bloggers did:  I took a picture!

But first!  Let me preface this picture to say...I have been sick with the flu this week.  I've felt terrible, and have slept terribly!!

At least I HOPE this is not what our bed would look like on a normal day...

Can you guess which side is the "discerning mama" side?

THREE pillows to help elevate her congested head, and ONE pillow to prop under her FEET.  Do the math, people--that equals FOUR soft pillows...

And 2 folded-up towels for her poor, poor husband.

I am a terrible, pillow-hogging person!!

(Yeah, and I steal the covers, too.)

What about you?  Do you steal covers and soft pillows?

What I did all weekend long

This picture pretty much sums up what I did all weekend long.

Well, this and also hacking up my right lung.  And going to the kitchen every 4-5 hours to refill on Robitussin DM, Sudafed, and Motrin.  And freshen up my icy cold water with the bendy straw.  (Gotta have the bendy straw when you're on death's doorstep.)

I also like to call this photo:  Parenting from the sick chair.  Note Sara Beth's doll, pillow, and blankets.  That's what she did today in lieu of schoolwork.  That, and a little educational documentary viewing on Netflix.  Or maybe, not always that educational... (DC Cupcakes counts as educational, though, right?)

Before I curled up in my deathbed chair, I did go to a fun birthday party Friday night.  The highlight of the party was when I ground a chocolate cupcake into my friend's carpet.  Nice, huh?  You really can't take me anywhere.  Now, I don't know why my friend had a chocolate cupcake sitting facedown on the carpet in the first place, but leave it to me to step on it, and then proceed to leave chocolate footprints across the house all the way to the kitchen sink.  Kind of like Hansel and Gretel--leave a trail of chocolate frosting so you can find the guilty dingbat.

Oh, but wait.  Back to my infirmed state of coughing and dying and asking my children to bring me stuff to my sick chair.  I used my chair time wisely, and watched an entire miniseries in 2 days.  If you like Downton Abby, then listen up!!  I have had The Forsyte Saga in my Netflix Instant Que for ages, but never felt in the mood to watch it.  Oh boy, oh boy, was it just what the doctor ordered for a sick weekend!

Hey--and you math people, please do not add up the number of hours that are in this miniseries.  I just know I watched a LOT of episodes, and even started talking to my children in a British accent.  I also cried several times throughout.  Just in case you use my recommendation to watch it, please understand that it is PG, and I wouldn't let my 12-year-old watch some of the scenes, if ya know what I mean.  But, Mom and Dad, I totally fast-forwarded those parts.

Okay, are y'all tired of me rambling now?  I sure hope so, because it's time to get back to my sick chair.  

What are all you healthy people up to this week?  Oh, and here's my public service announcement:  If you haven't gotten your flu shot, I would suggest GETTING ONE.  This flu stuff really STINKS.

The Most Imaginative Place I've EVER Been!

Can you remember being a kid, and experiencing the thrilling wonder of exploring the woods behind your house and discovering a secret creek?...Or being allowed to explore your grandmother's chest of drawers deep inside her darkened closet, and your sheer delight of finding boxes of sparkly jewelry or stacks of old-fashioned hats nestled into colorful round boxes?

That is the BEST way I can think to describe St. Louis' City Museum.   Or, rather, the way I FELT the entire 6 hours we were there recently.

My husband Dave and I giggled when, halfway through our visit, I asked him, "How many times have I said, 'This is so AMAZING'  today?"  But, I just couldn't help myself.  The City Museum is just that:  AMAZING.

On our drive to the City Museum that morning, right after the new year, we were worried about the $12/person entry fee, and really hoped we were making the best choice for our last day in St. Louis during our quick and last-minute getaway.  After it was all said and done, Dave and I both agreed--that was $48 WELL-SPENT!  It was by-far our favorite St. Louis attraction!

From the moment we walked in, and were told by the sweet girl at the Admission window, "There aren't any maps of our facility--we invite you to explore and discover today!" I KNEW this was going to be a wonder-filled visit.

Every square inch of the City Museum is creative, thoughtful, mysterious, and artistic.

There are gorgeous mosaics on the floors and walls and columns, and all of them tell imaginative stories.

There are tunnels to explore, trees to climb, nooks and crannies to discover--a child's (and parent's!!!) imagination paradise!

 Every inch of the museum was created by a team of 20 artists, using building materials reclaimed from its city, to create a magical playground, funhouse, surrealistic pavilion, and architectural marvel--all made out of unique, and found objects.

To experience the fullness of the wonder, Dave and I had to join in, and explore right alongside our daughters.  We climbed treehouses, explored hidden caves and dark tunnels, and even slid down the 10-story slide!  I was so happy I'd changed into my tennis shoes in the parking lot.  I couldn't have explored as easily without sensible shoes.
  I felt comfortable letting our daughters explore together when the tunnels got a little too small for my taste.  I would not have felt comfortable letting my 8-year-old explore alone.  So, if you plan to go--decide ahead of time what scenario would make you most comfortable.  The City Museum is well-staffed, but we didn't always notice the staff, and there ARE a lot of dark tunnels and nooks and crannies...

I really liked the fact that a staff member was at the darkened cave area and outside play area entrances, very carefully admitting children WITH a parent.  They also made sure children were with the same parent upon exit of these areas, too.

What a delight that the cave area was completely hands-on!  In fact, I'm not sure we found ANYTHING that was hands-off or off-limits.  It was an explorer's PARADISE!

Just when we thought we'd explored every cool nook and cranny of the Museum, we climbed the stairs and found MORE whimsy and delights around every single corner!

Oh look!  The Architecture Museum was just around the corner!  Showcasing original architectural pieces from buildings of Louis Sullivan, considered the father of modern architecture, and his chief draftsman George Grant Elmslie, later an important architect in his own right.

And around another corner...a circus!  We were sad the Circus Harmony tumblers and aerialists weren't flying through the air while we were there, but one of them sure was doing some impressive yoga.

How about a huge indoor "skateless park" to run off some energy after lunch?  Yes, thank you!  I must admit...that running these bowls made a certain mama feel...a little older than she is...in her mind!

It took us a while, but we finally found the human hamster wheel!!  It did not disappoint!

I had to throw in my picture--just to show you that I WAS THERE, too!

And, of course, who could ever forget the OUTSIDE of City Museum?  The antique airplanes and connecting metal tunnels and catwalks are the first things you see when walking up.  Our girls COULDN'T WAIT to explore the dizzyingly high tunnels!  As you can tell, I watched from ground-level.  To take pictures, of course!

I could post 100 more pictures (literally) from our day of exploring St. Louis' City Museum, and I wouldn't even begin to capture its MAGIC and WONDER.  I'm sure it's why they don't issue maps of their sprawling building.  The whole experience is about hands-on exploration, and mysterious discoveries, and wonder-filled moments around every corner.

I haven't felt more like a child in a very long time.

The whole experience was amazing and thrilling and happy and smiley...and maybe the very best day our family has ever spent together.

Have you been?  What was your favorite part?

2012 Favorites

I just love a fun list!  Today, I am telling you some of my favorites from 2012.  However, I cannot take credit for the idea...Mama Kat listed the idea as one of her writing prompts for her Weekly Writer's Workshop.  She drew inspiration from MomSmack's 2012 Favorites. (Click on over and read their faves!)

Oh, and one more thing...Please do not hold me to strict rules.  I just CANNOT always pick ONE favorite.  Sometimes a girl needs 2 or 3 favorites...

Favorite 2012 Movie:  Les Miserables and call me a teenage wanna-be, but I also loved The Hunger Games!

Favorite Album:  My favorite cd to listen to while cooking and doing dishes (I lead an exciting life, don't I?) is still Chris Rice's The Living Room Sessions.  These lovely piano hymns have a way of rolling away all stress from the day.

Favorite Song:  Who are we kidding?  With 2 pre-teen daughters, I am always listening to their music.  And I have to say, a couple of the songs are pretty catchy!  I can't keep from head-bob-dancing in my minivan when One Direction's What Makes You Beautiful.  Oh yeah, I'm cool like that.

But, my OWN personal favorite song still remains this one:

 

Favorite Tweeter:  I LOVE being able to follow my teenage nephews (who live far away) on Twitter!!  Also, @HonestToddler NEVER fails to make me LAUGH!!!

Favorite Blog:  My daily must-reads (other than my close friends' blogs) are Hollywood Housewife and Young House Love

Favorite TV Show:  Downton Abbey, Parenthood, and Nashville  (I'm sorry--I just can't pick ONE!)

Favorite Instagrammer:  My cute almost-13-year-old daughter!  (No, I'm not gonna give out her Instaname!)  

Favorite Moment:  Sitting in a hotel hot-tub with my little family of 4 on a recent last-minute family getaway, and thinking contentedly, "There's nowhere I'd rather be right now... (even though there is a weird soapy foam bubbling up that I really don't want to think about...)"

Favorite Conference:  Blissdom '13, which I WAS PLANNING to attend until recently...sigh...

Favorite Viral Video:  Well, I do giggle when people now say in parody, "Ain't nobody got time for dat!"  But, honestly, my absolute favorite part of this video is when she says, "I woke up to go get me a cold pop..."  Yeah.  That is MY kind of lady!  

 

 C'mon!  Play along with me!!!  What are YOUR favorites!