As promised...The Man Rules

"At last a guy has taken the time to write all this down. Finally, it is the guy's side of the story. I must admit this is pretty good. We always hear "the rules" from the female side. Now here are the rules from the MAN'S side. These are our rules, please note these are all numbered 1 on purpose!
1. Men are not mind readers!
1. Learn to work the toilet seat! You are a big girl. If it is up, put it down. We need it up, you need it down. You don't hear us complaining that it is down!
1. Sunday sports are like the full moon or the changing of the tides...Let it be!
1. Crying is blackmail!
1. Ask for what you want! Let us be clear about this one...subtle hints do not work. Strong hints do not work. Obvious hints do not work. Just say it!
1. Yes and no are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question!
1. Come to us with a problem, only if you want help solving it! That's what we do. Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for!
1. Anything we said six months ago is inadmissable in an argument...in fact, all comments become null and void after seven days!
1. If you think you are fat, you probably are...don't ask us!
1. If something we said can be interpreted two ways and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one!
1. You can either ask us to do something or tell us how you want it done...not both! If you already know best how to do it, just do it yourself!
1. Whenever possible, please say whatever you have to say during commercials.
1. Christopher Columbus did not need directions, and neither do we.
1. All men see in only 16 colors. Like windows default settings. Peach, for example, is a fruit, not a color. Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have no idea what mauve is!
1. If it itches, it will be scratched. We do that.
1. If we ask what is wrong and you say "Nothing", we will act like nothing is wrong. We know you are lying, but it is not worth the hassle.
1. If you ask a question you do not want the answer to, expect an answer that you do not want to hear.
1. When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear is fine...REALLY!
1. Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as: baseball, football, muscle cars, or monster trucks.
1. You have enough clothes.
1. You have too many shoes.
1. I'm in shape! Round is a shape."
Ted was asked by our youth pastor's wife if he would do this reading at our Valentine banquet because "I thought of Ted when I read this". Ted wasn't convinced she "knew him well enough" at all. To that I say, "...Ha ha! It was so him...which is why we were all laughing till we were crying!" My husband could have written this word for word, but alas it came from someone over the internet who beat him to it!
And from Ted and I, for all the men helping with cleanup, we are adding another point:
1. Lightweight, plastic tableclothes are to be used once and thrown away. They make quick work of waste removal.

Laughter really does good...like a medicine!

After a really tough week, we were able to attend our all church (adults only!!) Valentine banquet on Saturday. A big thanks to auntie for watching the kiddos! The food was out of this world, the decorations cute and festive, the fellowship sweet, and the program great!
The only complaint...? Eating first...then laughing till we were crying second...indigestion! But it passed quickly! And so did all the "weights of the week that so easily beset us"!
All weekend long, we were reminded of God's love for us! And for that we are thankful! We appreciated the "extra fellowship" with Tim and Sara around a "good cup of coffee"! We needed that you two...thank you! You truly understand the demands on us...and we on you. Thanks for being the "iron that sharpens iron" and "bearing one another's burdens"!
So...we are refreshed and recharged for another week...well, I am. Ted, on the other hand, spent all day in a freezing cold shop trying to get the furnace to work correctly...so it was a seven day work week of late nights and little sleep...the "break that comes with Sunday" never came! Praying for his protection and health would be a good idea at this point! He will get a little extra spoiling this week...even after "digging a hole for himself" by reading "The Man Rules" at the banquet. I have to find his paper and I will post them for you to enjoy...our friends sure did...because it was "so Ted"!
Have a good Monday...and remember to laugh!

TGIF!!!

Today was a day that called for a little date in the midst of running some very important errands. Nothing can be sweeter than sitting across from a little guy with a buttery, chocolate-milky smile and listening to him say (around a mouthful of Panera toasted bagel), "MMM...this is really good, Mom!" Yes...it was...a cinnamon crunch bagel and cup of hazelnut coffee! It melted away the stress of the morning commute!
We saw three accidents and one lady almost pulled out into us and caused another accident...as she watched the clean-up of one! My apologies to my son for not restraining my tongue in the moment of utter fear. Idiot...is now in his vocabulary. Why is it that when I hit the steering wheel, the horn never sounds? I need to have my mechanic make it more sensitive! Why would you pull out into traffic not paying attention to the line of vehicles making their right of way?! Because her time was more valuable? Because accident scenes are so interesting that it would be fun to be in one?
I really wish I could have talked to her...she would have hit right where Teddy was sitting if I hadn't been watching and swerved...my cargo was more precious than her shiny, fancy car! Her time crunch! And her entertainment!
So...it was important to stop and enjoy the little moment with my son...and apologize for calling someone an idiot.

Perspective...

Mine...another shoveling job, wet snow clothes, cold, when is spring coming?

Kids...no school, playing in the snow, lots of hot chocolate!

Thank you, Lord, for the beauty of the snow! Thank you, Lord, for safety! And thank you, Lord, for lots of mini-marshmallows!

Our snow day...12-14 inches!

All dug out, vegged out, played out, plowed out, ate out, stamped out, baked out, movied out...back to school today! And expecting more snow off and on for the next couple days!

"If I only had a brain!"

Teddy finally was able to answer a question that we have been curious about for a long time! He was sitting on my lap this morning (because we have a snow day! with real live snow!) with his flashlight (he is a gadget man!). He was "shining" my hair, skin, ears, etc. "Mom, your ears are very clean." Well, I hope so son, I try to keep clean! Do you see anything in there? "No, Mom...nothing." Well, what about my brain? "Nope, I don't see anything!" Relief...there is a reason for some of the stupid things I do...no brain! Thanks, son!

Perspective...

Always a sink full of dishes...dry or dirty...doesn't matter! There are people in my life who need/want to eat and it is my job...so this perspective...is job security! HA

Perspective...the thought that lingers...

My cousin has a knack for making the cutest paintings using Scripture and quotes. Her most recent (check her blogspot) keeps coming to mind at the oddest times! I know my perspective gets all out of whack some days! But what person doesn't have that trouble? God knew that when He "penned" many passages of Scripture for us to meditate on!!!
I looked at my coffee cup the other day and thought about how my perspective really colors the activities of my day...and some days...it ain't pretty! Thank the Lord for bestowing on His children the Holy Spirit! It is through the little things of my day that I am being reminded to act, think, and speak as God has showed me in His Word. I am now trying to take the time to stop and look at these things (and yes, even take pictures as reminders!) and think before I ACT or REACT. Do you know? That many times I do not do it under the Holy Spirit's control!? And who are the witnesses? My children...my goodness, I wouldn't want my husband to see me not handle things right...uh, umm.
My cup is full of many things that I don't deserve...and one of those blessings is my family. I get so frustrated by the "dailyness" of being a mother, that often I don't even stop to say "Thank you for my family and the privilege of being a mother!"
Instead of seeing my cup of coffee being cold, "Thank you, Lord, for the modern convenience of a microwave to warm it up and the chance to take care of the concern of my son and daughters...because they were more important right then!"

Choir practice being held for those who desire to make a joyful noise...and can follow choir director's hand signals!

Please join us for the Saturday morning service of LGBC already in progress..

LGBC (Little Girls Baptist Church), is located in the heart of our country. All are not welcome...especially if you are a cap-gun toting little boy, pirate, indian, fireman...or other such nuisance. We practice making a joyful noise and believe in the loose translation of scripture. If you are naughty, you will be disciplined by the preacher/teacher/songleader. Services go for as long as the members see fit...interruptions can cause early dismissal. Dress is required but not mandated by fashion experts.

"Cold Day" Progress on Wednesday

Teddy helped Papa by holding the wheelbarrow while concrete was being mixed. The haze is the dust that was floating around the basement...choke, cough, gag.
"Uncle Jon"...boy, is he a good smoother!? Huh, Teddy!?
While the men work...the girls were busy doing their "usual" activities...Ash taught school to her class of babies and animals...and sister...when she wasn't busy "bothering" Chevy!

Perspective

My friend sent this to me the other day and it has had me thinking ever since:
Mud Puddles and Dandelions
When I look at a patch of dandelions, I see a bunch of weeds that are going to take over my yard. My kids see flowers for Mom and blowing white fluff you can wish on.
When I look at an old drunk and he smiles at me, I see a smelly, dirty person who probably wants money and I look away. My kids see someone smiling at them and they smile back.
When I hear music I love, I know I...can carry a tune and sit and listen and harmonize. My kids feel the beat and move to it. They sing out the words. If they don't know them, they make up their own...or hum as loud as they can.
When I feel wind on my face, I brace myself against it. I feel it messing up my hair and pulling me back when I walk. My kids close their eyes, spread their arms and fly with it, until they fall to the ground laughing.
When I pray, I say thee and thou and grant me this, give me that. My kids say, "Hi, God! Thanks for my toys and my friends. Please keep the bad dreams away tonight. Sorry, I don't want to go to Heaven yet. I would miss my Mommy and Daddy."
When I see a mud puddle, I step around it. I see muddy shoes and dirty carpets. My kids walk and jump through it...sit in it. They see dams to build, rivers to cross, and worms to play with...stick boats to float.
I wonder if we are given kids to teach or to learn from? No wonder God loves the little children!
"Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize...they were the big things!"
Just a reminder about the important things in life...I wish you mud puddles and dandelions!
(I changed a couple words to fit us and added a couple extras that they do.)