We noshed on the finest stadium food (nachos and hot dogs) and cheered and chanted and laughed and booed and heckled.
In sum, it was a great night.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Take Me Out to the Ballgame
Chip scored sweet tickets to the Astros game last Saturday night. We were right behind the bullpen. Unfortunately, it was the visiting team's (Cleveland Indians) bullpen, which meant we were surrounded by the opponent's fans. But we had a great time nonetheless.
We noshed on the finest stadium food (nachos and hot dogs) and cheered and chanted and laughed and booed and heckled.
In sum, it was a great night.
We noshed on the finest stadium food (nachos and hot dogs) and cheered and chanted and laughed and booed and heckled.
In sum, it was a great night.
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
A Brush with Fame
Chip gave me an awesome gift a few weeks ago: The time to go shopping at Target ALONE. It was awesome. While I was perusing the dollar section, I glanced up and saw a little person pushing a shopping cart.
My initial thought was, "There's a little person. Don't stare, don't stare... Oh, and look, he brought his daughter with him." But it wasn't his daughter; it was his wife! And it was then that it dawned on me that...
I shop at the same Target as Bill Klein and Jen Arnold, TLC's The Little Couple!
My initial thought was, "There's a little person. Don't stare, don't stare... Oh, and look, he brought his daughter with him." But it wasn't his daughter; it was his wife! And it was then that it dawned on me that...
I shop at the same Target as Bill Klein and Jen Arnold, TLC's The Little Couple!
I tried not to gawk, not at their size, but at WHO they were! After I convinced myself not to run over and ask for an autograph (only because no one else seemed to even notice them), I calmly walked to the register.
Dr. Arnold works at Texas Children's Hospital, the same one as Chip. He's told me on several occasions that he sees her riding through the hospital on her motorized chair. But what happened to Chip the morning after my star-struck shopping experience was quite serendipitous.
Chip was walking by the NICU and he saw lots of people gathered around with lights and mics and cameras. It was then that one of his attendings called him over, and lo and behold, Dr. Arnold was there talking about a patient.
Long story short, Chip was filmed talking about said patient. Then he was asked to sign lots of releases that basically said this clip could be shown in the show!
Ah! How awesome would that be? Dr. Hartin making his national TV debut...
I will certainly be watching the new season, which starts April 30.
The Time is Nearing
I've never made a countdown chain, but I was inspired to make one two weeks ago.
This time is different: Chip is almost DONE with training!
Hallelujah.
I wasn't sure what Chip would think about this chain, being it was a visual representation of how many days he had left. Would he feel excited or would he be discouraged?
He walked in the door that evening, looked at the chain, and asked, "What's that?"
I said it was a countdown chain. "Each link represents one day, and you can tear one off when you are done with that day," I said, sorta excitedly.
He looked at me, grinned like a little boy, and gave me a huge hug. He loved it.
And I can assure you he has thoroughly enjoyed removing a link each day.
Sixty-six to go...
This time is different: Chip is almost DONE with training!
Hallelujah.
I wasn't sure what Chip would think about this chain, being it was a visual representation of how many days he had left. Would he feel excited or would he be discouraged?
He walked in the door that evening, looked at the chain, and asked, "What's that?"
I said it was a countdown chain. "Each link represents one day, and you can tear one off when you are done with that day," I said, sorta excitedly.
He looked at me, grinned like a little boy, and gave me a huge hug. He loved it.
And I can assure you he has thoroughly enjoyed removing a link each day.
Sixty-six to go...
 |
| Why, yes, he IS being goofy. But he is having fun (and that's what it's all about). |
A Dab of Listerine
I remember visiting my Granny's house in, what I would later learn, "the projects," albeit the rural projects. I loved playing on the porch and sitting in the vintage metal patio furniture and playing out back on the hill, running around the clothesline. I remember the elderly neighbor who would delight in giving my sister and I quarters. I would then sneak it right back into his coin jug.
I remember the array of foods my Granny would fix EVERY time we visited (and we visited a lot). She would have a pot on every eye of the stove and her cast iron skillet in the oven, for the cornbread, of course. On the table would be pickled this or that, fares that didn't quite meet my juvenile taste buds' approval. Rutabagas were often on the menu, as was the seven layer chocolate cake, made, no less, with her homemade chocolate icing.
Naps after lunch were easy to come by, especially when the sun shone on her quilted bed. I had a hard time waking up on those sunny Sunday afternoons.
I remember my Granny's closets being packed full of yard sale items. She and her church friends were yard sale regulars, either as vendors or patrons. And we were always tempted with one of her rummage treasures, taking a doll or other sundry home with us on more than one occasion.
Perhaps one thing that sticks out above the rest is my Granny's advocation of Listerine. Got a bug bite? Rub some Listerine on it, she'd say. Have a blister? You guessed it, reach for the Listerine. It seemed there was no limit to her medicinal cure-all.
Turns out, she was onto something.
Among many others (you can do your own research), here is a list of some helpful uses for the age-old antiseptic:
Original Flavor Listerine works great as an astringent when it comes to acne. After washing your face with soap and water, saturate a cotton ball with Listerine and apply to face. Pay special attention to blemishes. Leave the antiseptic mouthwash on your face until you feel the tingling stop (usually around 10 minutes). Then rinse your face with warm water to remove the Listerine and follow up with cold water to re-close your pores.
Bee or Wasp Stings
When stung by a bee or a wasp, apply some Listerine to the stung area. It will relive the pain almost immediately.
Blisters
To keep blisters from becoming infected, dab a little bit of Listerine mouthwash on it.
Body Odor
In a pinch, Listerine works great as an under arm deodorant because the antiseptic kills the bacteria that causes perspiration odor. Simply soak a cotton ball in Listerine and dab it under your arms. (Do not use if you have just shaved, however, because it will burn.)
Canker Sores
Listerine can help canker sores heal quicker because the antiseptic it contains will kill the bacteria that irritates the sore. Simply rinse your mouth with this mouthwash whenever canker sores are a problem.
Cleaning
Listerine works great in a pinch as a household cleaner because it disinfects and deodorizes. Mix equal parts of Listerine mouthwash with equal parts water and put in a spray bottle. This mixture can be used to clean toilet bowls, floors or even as an all purpose cleaner. It works well for mold and mildew as well.
Cuts and Scrapes
Because Listerine is an antiseptic, it will prevent cuts and scrapes from getting infected. Pour a little bit of Listerine over the cuts and scraps, and dry with a clean towel.
Dandruff
Listerine actually used to advertise on its bottles that it is great for curing dandruff. While they have removed that advertisement, many people still swear by its effectiveness. After shampooing with your regular shampoo and rinsing your hair, rinse your hair with Listerine.
Hives
Listerine is great when used as an anti-itch formula. Apply the Listerine mouthwash to the hives with a saturated cotton ball to get rid of discomfort.
Lice
Another lesser known use of Listerine is to get rid of head lice. Listerine contains thymol which not only kills lice but will also prevent reinfestation. Thoroughly wet your head and scalp with Listerine and cover with a shower cap. Leave the cap on for about two hours. Then wash hair as usual. This remedy can also be used on family members as a preventative measure if they have been in close contact with someone who is infected.
Skin Rashes
Listerine is also effective in reducing the itching that is associated with skin rashes caused by such things as poison ivy, poison oak and other skin irritants.
Shingles
Listerine supposedly works wonders when it comes to the itching that is associated with Shingles. Simply use a cotton ball or cloth soaked in Listerine and apply to itchy areas.
Toothache
Listerine is also very effective in numbing the pain of a toothache, lost filling, broken tooth or exposed cavity. Because it is an analgesic, it will not only instantly relive the pain of the exposed nerve, but it will also keep the area numb for quite awhile.
I remember the array of foods my Granny would fix EVERY time we visited (and we visited a lot). She would have a pot on every eye of the stove and her cast iron skillet in the oven, for the cornbread, of course. On the table would be pickled this or that, fares that didn't quite meet my juvenile taste buds' approval. Rutabagas were often on the menu, as was the seven layer chocolate cake, made, no less, with her homemade chocolate icing.
Naps after lunch were easy to come by, especially when the sun shone on her quilted bed. I had a hard time waking up on those sunny Sunday afternoons.
I remember my Granny's closets being packed full of yard sale items. She and her church friends were yard sale regulars, either as vendors or patrons. And we were always tempted with one of her rummage treasures, taking a doll or other sundry home with us on more than one occasion.
Perhaps one thing that sticks out above the rest is my Granny's advocation of Listerine. Got a bug bite? Rub some Listerine on it, she'd say. Have a blister? You guessed it, reach for the Listerine. It seemed there was no limit to her medicinal cure-all.
Turns out, she was onto something.
Among many others (you can do your own research), here is a list of some helpful uses for the age-old antiseptic:
Uses for Listerine
AcneOriginal Flavor Listerine works great as an astringent when it comes to acne. After washing your face with soap and water, saturate a cotton ball with Listerine and apply to face. Pay special attention to blemishes. Leave the antiseptic mouthwash on your face until you feel the tingling stop (usually around 10 minutes). Then rinse your face with warm water to remove the Listerine and follow up with cold water to re-close your pores.
Bee or Wasp Stings
When stung by a bee or a wasp, apply some Listerine to the stung area. It will relive the pain almost immediately.
Blisters
To keep blisters from becoming infected, dab a little bit of Listerine mouthwash on it.
Body Odor
In a pinch, Listerine works great as an under arm deodorant because the antiseptic kills the bacteria that causes perspiration odor. Simply soak a cotton ball in Listerine and dab it under your arms. (Do not use if you have just shaved, however, because it will burn.)
Canker Sores
Listerine can help canker sores heal quicker because the antiseptic it contains will kill the bacteria that irritates the sore. Simply rinse your mouth with this mouthwash whenever canker sores are a problem.
Cleaning
Listerine works great in a pinch as a household cleaner because it disinfects and deodorizes. Mix equal parts of Listerine mouthwash with equal parts water and put in a spray bottle. This mixture can be used to clean toilet bowls, floors or even as an all purpose cleaner. It works well for mold and mildew as well.
Cuts and Scrapes
Because Listerine is an antiseptic, it will prevent cuts and scrapes from getting infected. Pour a little bit of Listerine over the cuts and scraps, and dry with a clean towel.
Dandruff
Listerine actually used to advertise on its bottles that it is great for curing dandruff. While they have removed that advertisement, many people still swear by its effectiveness. After shampooing with your regular shampoo and rinsing your hair, rinse your hair with Listerine.
Hives
Listerine is great when used as an anti-itch formula. Apply the Listerine mouthwash to the hives with a saturated cotton ball to get rid of discomfort.
Lice
Another lesser known use of Listerine is to get rid of head lice. Listerine contains thymol which not only kills lice but will also prevent reinfestation. Thoroughly wet your head and scalp with Listerine and cover with a shower cap. Leave the cap on for about two hours. Then wash hair as usual. This remedy can also be used on family members as a preventative measure if they have been in close contact with someone who is infected.
Skin Rashes
Listerine is also effective in reducing the itching that is associated with skin rashes caused by such things as poison ivy, poison oak and other skin irritants.
Shingles
Listerine supposedly works wonders when it comes to the itching that is associated with Shingles. Simply use a cotton ball or cloth soaked in Listerine and apply to itchy areas.
Toothache
Listerine is also very effective in numbing the pain of a toothache, lost filling, broken tooth or exposed cavity. Because it is an analgesic, it will not only instantly relive the pain of the exposed nerve, but it will also keep the area numb for quite awhile.
Trash Fashion
No, this isn't a post about the atrocious barely-there clothing being pushed on young girls. (I will save that for a later date.) This is, in fact, about trash fashion.
In celebration of Earth Day, the kindergartners had a fashion show at school, showing off their recycled accessories. Chip and I made glasses and a purse for Ab.
Here's our fashionably "trashy" girl.
In celebration of Earth Day, the kindergartners had a fashion show at school, showing off their recycled accessories. Chip and I made glasses and a purse for Ab.
Here's our fashionably "trashy" girl.
Just a Grillin'
I caught Maddie and Chip on our porch a few evenings ago. Chip had his radio on, and Madeline was swinging her squishy legs to the music. The smell of steak danced around them, and the beautiful blue sky smiled at the sweetness of the moment.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
My Artist
Ab's favorite center in her classroom at school is Art. Nearly every day she proudly announces that she has a present from me. Yesterday was no different. As I carefully opened the taped "envelope," she watched me with the biggest grin imaginable. When I saw the above picture and heard her description, it brought tears to my eyes.
"We are in South Carolina because we have a dog and Maddie is already walking.
And William has his green and yellow blanket with him.
We are on a walk at night."
And William has his green and yellow blanket with him.
We are on a walk at night."
My precious, thoughtful girl. To provide a little history, because we aren't allowed to have a dog in our townhouse, I told the kids we could get one when we move.
I think I might frame this one...
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