Oh my aching testicles....

Last week, after my foot diagnosis, I told the kids about it and then explained that basically it means I strained some tendons.
Today, Ladybug came home after school and had a friend in tow. They breezed in, grabbed drinks, and were heading back out the door. Walking past me, Ladybug asked, "How's your foot feeling?" and I said "About the same". Her friend asked, "What's wrong with your Mom's foot?" To which Ladybug replied.....

"Ummmm, what's it called........she sprung her testicles."

I'm pretty sure her friend now thinks I'm a drag queen.

***By the way***
If you put one of my buttons on your blog, first of all - thanks! Second, a kind reader pointed out to me that when you click on the button, it does not lead to MY blog! The code was incorrect and led to someone else's blog. I fixed it, and the code under the button is now correct.

FFFF ~ Ladybug's Birthday

Today, the Ladybug is 13 years old. She is officially a teenager, although she has acted like a teenager for at least the past year. I am now officially the mom of two teens.
I feel old.
I'm not so much into birth stories or a big long story of her past thirteen years. So I present to you a few of the reasons I'm proud of my daughter (in her favorite colors). I already had this ready for a gift I'm making for Ladybug and the other three kids for Christmas this year.

caring kind

confident friendly

loyal hardworking

stubborn devoted

We're going to have some special time together this afternoon, then my kids will be off to their Dad's until Christmas afternoon.

Happy Friday to you all!

Don't forget to check out the rest of the Fx4 posts at Candid Carrie's!

Go sell crazy somewhere else, we're all stocked up here........

It is crazy over here at the DysFUNctional House! It's a good kinda crazy, but crazy nevertheless.
The slumber party went very well. I totally expected the other three kids to drive their sister crazy, even though I threatened their lives warned them not to. But, they didn't! They did really well. The girls ate an astounding amount of food, but thankfully one of my buddies had given me that one piece of advice: have PLENTY of food, so I did, and they ate it all. Some of these girls are about as big around as my pinky, but they can pack in the groceries!
The rest of the weekend was busy, followed by a very busy week.
I know the holidays are always busy for everyone, but for me it's compounded by lots of birthdays in my immediate family. Ladybug's actual birthday is this Friday, the 19th. My sister's is the 22nd, and my mother's is Christmas Day. My nephew's is the 31st. And we already had a few earlier in the month. Insanity!
Tomorrow is the little kids' Holiday Party at school. Since I'm the homeroom mom for the Princess's class, I'll be there. Who needs sleep anyway, right? And Walgreen's is no longer selling my cinnamon bun cappucinos. I knew they were seasonal, but the season is not over yet! I think I need to send them a calendar. WTH, Walgreens?! I need my caffeine fix!
I really need to catch up here and on all of your blogs as well. I'm hoping I actually have time to do so before the New Year!

Friday Fragments 12.12.08

It's Friday again, and I've got some Fragments for ya!
Friday Fragments are courtesy of Half Past Kissin' Time.

One Dog Down

One of our fosters got picked up yesterday, and is on her way to her (hopefully) Forever Home. I say hopefully because I didn't have any communication with the adopter at all, and this is not your ordinary dog. After being with us for several months, she's still extremely timid, and scared of her own shadow. She has issues, and she's not a happy, playful dog. She's a sweet, fearful dog. I have no idea if these potentional adopters know this or anything else about her. When we started fostering for this group, we were told that we would have contact with any potential adopter of our fosters and whether or not we thought it was the right fit. I've gotten none of that this time, and I am not happy. Between that and some other things that have been bugging me, we're not going to foster for them any more. There are several local non-breed-specific rescues and we're in the process of choosing which one to volunteer with.
This is one of the first pics we took of her (on the left, with a former foster we adopted, Suzie). You can tell by her body language how frightened and defensive she is.

We sure will miss our Honey. Suzie will, too.

Slumber Party

My almost-teenager, Ladybug, is having a slumber party for her birthday tonight. She was reasonable with the invites, and then with it being holiday season, it looks like she'll have around 5 girls. That should be pretty manageable. We're planning on grilling out hot dogs and having a fire and roasting marshmallows. Then the girls are going to watch Chick Flicks all night. I think we're going to have a fun time!

Dysfunctional Family Update

So, my mom called me yesterday and was as happy and pleasant as could be. It's like a roller coaster ride, sometimes! I'm just going with the flow, for now...

Wheeeekend

We have another busy weekend coming up; Christmas Parades, church events, and another birthday party for a friend. I probably won't be around the bloggy world, so, I hope you all have a great weekend! See ya Monday.

Twilight

Last night, Ladybug, my niece, and I went to see Twilight. I refused to read any blog reviews of the movie, because I didn't want any preconceived ideas about it.
I really liked it, we all did. I'm not insanely wild about the actress who played Bella; I think she looks the part but her acting wasn't fantastic. There were SO many things from the book that I wish they could've put in the movie, but I expected that, that's what happens with nearly all books that are made into movies.
But I really did enjoy watching the book 'come to life'.
And Edward....he was yummy. I fell in love with him all over again. And Jacob is simply beautiful! I so hope that they make the other three books into movies also.
The girls and I grabbed dinner at Subway, made a Walmart run, and then came home, where the boys had been eating, watching TV, and farting all night. Good times!

If You Give a Kid a Camera 10.21.08

It's pretty bad when you suck at your own game! We were so busy today that Ladybug didn't get to take any pictures. So, my submission for today is one of my favorite pictures that she's ever taken.

This is one of my dogs, Tater, and my brother's dog, Bonnie. They're standing behind my parents' "BAD DOG" sign. My parents have no dogs, they're just weird. The 2 dogs maybe weight 20 lbs together, and that's pushing it!

Be sure to check out the other IFYAKAC particpants!

DFTF

Kelly at Song for Whoever

The Bouf Kids

This post is being typed in a whisper...

...because I have no voice. Nada, zip, zero. Just a whisper. It's really frustrating, although everyone else finds it mildly amusing.
I'm still working though, because I need the money am so dedicated.
Here are the things that made me ROFL while playing Yahtzee on Sunday night, which probably helped my voice take a vacation.

I saw a red spot on Ladybug's nose.
Me to Ladybug: Did you try to pierce your nose this weekend?!
Ladybug: (shooting me a dirty look) Mo-om! It's a ZIT!

Princess to Ladybug: Act your age, not your IQ!
Ladybug: My IQ is 20/50! (that's her vision...I guess she was thinking eye-q? She is such a blonde....)

And, the Princess's new name is Yetta....as in, Yetta Gin Misbehavin' (say it out loud)....I think that was one of those things you had to be there for.....

Here's hoping my voice returns soon. It's annoying when you want to yell at your kids, and it comes out in a whisper! The dogs give me pretty funny looks, too.

Friday Fragments

Courtesy of Half Past Kissin' Time
It's that time of the week again. It's Friday, and I have Fragments!
TGIF, for real.

Fragment Numero Uno:
A Disclaimer. I wanted to make it clear that my dream house and your dream house are probably very different houses. I have simple wants and desires. So, my new house is not some amazing home from a magazine! It's just my dream for my family. My realistic dream, even, not my "we just won the lottery and are having a house custom built", dream.

Fragment Numero Dos:
I have joined the ranks of you caffeine-crazed coffee drinkers. I have no choice! Falling asleep at a red light on your way home from work? Not a good idea. And it scares the crap out of you, just so ya know. So, coffee is my new friend. Just a little, and with the coffee taste killed as much as possible. Blech! French Vanilla Coffee Mate is my new best friend.

Fragment Numero Tres:
*This just in!* I hate when people come and read over my shoulder and ask what I'm reading or who the people are in the pictures and what's a blog? And why do you read them? Find something to do peeps, something that does NOT involve ME!

Fragment Numero Cuatro:
I don't post about politics, and I never will. But I totally support those who do. However, strongly implying that your candidate is the obvious choice and anyone who sees it differently is a moron....is a great way to lose readers and alienate friends. I'm just sayin'.

Fragment Numero Cinco:
I started Twilight. It better be as good as everyone says it is! I have high expectations, people.

Fragment Numero Seis:
Text message conversation between myself and Ladybug, my Preteen, from yesterday morning. It amused me, so I thought I'd share.
(Background: Ladybug's phone has been giving her some troubles. She texted me from school this morning, I was still at work.)
Ladybug: i hate my phone im gonna kill it
Me: I dont recommend doing that
Ladybug: Can we get me a new one
Me: Sometime
Ladybug: Like after we move
Me: (getting slightly annoyed) We'll see. Shut it off and go learn something.
Ladybug: School hasn't started
Me: Then read a book!!
Ladybug: I dont want to
Me: I dont want to buy you a phone. Ya like how that works?
Ladybug: (7 minutes later) Im reading a book

Yeah, I thought so.
Hope y'all are having a great Friday!

And the Buses Roll Again........

...although my kids won't be riding them. Budget cuts have forced them to 'streamline'. The only stops are too far away for me to let even my 7th grader walk home alone.
They also cut in half our music and art programs. Instead of having both all year, they'll have music for half of the year and art the other half.
But yet, our pro sports players make millions.
This country's value system is way screwed up.

On to happier things! Today was the kids' first day of school. The Princess was nervous but happy. She's shy until she gets to know people. The Ladybug is going into 7th grade, and therefore is way too cool to act excited.
But she was. I wanted to take more pictures of her, but she told me I was a geek and that I was embarrassing her. Mission accomplished!




The Princess had her eyes closed, but the picture was cute so I'm sharing it anyway.

Now my house is quiet. They are having fun and learning.
Nice.

Friday Two-fer

Please make sure and read the post below, too!

I couldn't just end on a negative note, because (a) that's just not my style!
and (b) I have good news to share, too.

First, doggie pictures! This is the newest foster, Kato. They said he was named after a character in The Green Hornet comic? I'm not into comics, so it makes me think of OJ Simpson's buddy. I can never remember to call him Kato and for some bizarre reason, I usually call him Lucky. He's fat and very sweet, and follows me around like a shadow. (I can't figure out why ALL of these fosters instantly attach to ME? Why can't someone else get this privilege occasionally?)

Kato/Lucky:





He actually looks just like Suzie, except twice her size. Literally.

So, the other good news is, my best friend in the whole world, since high school, is graduating from college tomorrow. I don't get to see her often but I'm NOT missing this, and I'm so excited just to see her, not to mention the graduation! AND, her daughter and my Ladybug adore each other, and consider each other their numero uno best friends, and they have been together since Wednesday and I will get Ladybug back on Saturday. She is having SO much fun over there!

I could probably think of more happiness to share, but this is pushing it considering the last couple of days I've had.
Have a great weekend!

Sweaty Hot Fun

No, not that kind. For that kind, go here.
This morning I volunteered at the Princess's school. They were having their end-of-year carnival. I had the jump rope and hula hoop station.
It actually went surprisingly well. I'm not sure if I've mentioned this before, but see....I don't like kids.
Obviously, I love my kids. They are a notable exception. And much of the time, I even like them! But Other Peoples' Kids? Notsomuch.
See, OPK? They smell. They have snotty noses. They don't listen, and they tattletale.
The only other exception is kids under 2.5 years old. I love ALL of them.
After that, only if they're mine. Or my family. Or good friends.....
OK so I guess I only don't like SOME kids.
But today? That was an amazing group of FOUR first grade classes. Not one of them was smelly or rude. I had a blast.
Then we got home, and about 3:30pm, the a/c took a big old POOP. Now, in Florida, that's not acceptable. Not at all. And nobody could come out to fix it until tomorrow.
So.NOT.Acceptable!
So we packed it up and went to my parents' house. They are out of town, otherwise I would've stayed in the heat and sucked it up. I love the parents dearly, but I can only tolerate them in small doses.
So, they are extremely paranoid about their home. They warned me about a million stupid things. So when Dysfunctional Dad was dropping me off at work, I asked Ladybug if she'd locked the back door when she came inside. She said she had, but I started thinking about how my parents would TOTALLY flip out if anything happened while we were there. I told them we'd have to join the Witness Protection Program, and make up new names.
DD said he wants to be either Hiram Boheevens, or Shalofeeus McClacken. (I have NO idea where he comes up with this stuff.)
Ladybug wants to be Carrie or Cassie (the latter of which was almost my name), and the Princess wants to be Suzanne, but called Suzie.
I think I'll be Elizabeth.
How about you? What's your Witness Protection Program name?