Moments
Wednesday, June 17, 2009, by Sherra
Did you hear the great economic stimulus plan for family summer vacations?
There are three free national park weekends with the first one starting this weekend, June 20th. The other weekends are July 18 and 19, and August 15 and 16.
It would be fun to be able to take advantage of one of these weekends. There’s still time to plan a semi-spontaneous family vacation! Or if you are lucky enough to live near one of the national parks, you should definitely take advantage of this opportunity!
I’d like to give a little Grand Canyon tip for anyone who is able to get there for a visit this summer. PhilBillPaul and I were lucky enough to visit in the quiet of December and it was breathtaking.
Towards the end of trip, this was really breathtaking.
In case you can’t see it, here is a close up…
An idiot who is on the WRONG side of the fence.
WHY OH WHY would you climb over a metal fence and rail to get one or two feet closer?
I couldn’t help but take a few pictures of the idiot. I like to teach the kids these little life lessons with words and pictures. It’s nice when an idiot provides you with a complete photo tutorial.
I was glad to capture this picture of him climbing back over to safety. I would not have wanted to photograph the alternative. 
I think they like to keep the number of accidents, disappearances and rescue and recovery on the down low. We don’t want to scare the tourists from visiting. Really, I just think they should work on keeping the idiots from visiting.
They do have these handy informational signs posted around the trails.
In English, “People die here falling from the edge. Do not go beyond–or climb on–walls or railings. Most who die have gone beyond walls or rails.
Seriously? Yes, idiots keep signmakers in business.
Unfortunately, most idiots can’t read. The graphic probably just confuses them even more.
Hey, one more quick tip. Don’t forget to stop at the Wendy’s just before the South Rim entrance to have a $7.00 burger. The value menu is not available at this location.
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Categories: Little Lessons, Moments, Rants
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Monday, June 8, 2009, by Sherra
Her suitcase has been packed since the day we told her she was going…
Which was last Tuesday.
She left yesterday.
But before PhilBillPaul put her on a plane on Sunday afternoon…
He took her up to the North Georgia mountains for some quality Dad/Daughter time…
Ahem. Yes, he did. On that girlfriend.
I wish I had a close-up photo of that wiener dog tattoo she plastered on her left cheek. Really a nice look.
Remember, I lost control a long time ago.
Scary Baby is now at Granny’s house in Texas.
For the record, I have never, ever sent any of my kids anywhere without one of us.
Well, the twins did get to go to Tampa on their 16th birthday which was a giant step of freedom and now looking back, may have begun the downward spiral?
Anyway, we’ve gone from six to three in a matter of two weeks.
It’s just me and PhilBillPaul and The Grunter.
It occurred to me on Sunday afternoon that we have come full circle because 18 years ago in June - at least until the 25th, The Grunter was an only child. He will get to experience that again, but only for a couple of weeks.
No…I’m actually not crying, thank you very much.
I’m quietly rejoicing in the silence in my house. I might even sneak away on a little trip myself. 
Thank you Granny for being brave enough to fly Scary Baby to your house and give us a much needed parenting break!!!!!!!!
It’s only June but this has been the longest year of my life…
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Categories: Finding the Funny, Moments, Teens, Tweens
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Monday, May 18, 2009, by Sherra
So I found out that at least one of the darling twins who shall remain nameless was telling everyone that there would be a bar at their graduation party.
This is extra funny since I don’t drink.
And do not condone minor drinking.
In spite of that…
We did have two bars at their party last Friday.
Bar #1 ~ A Taco Bar
The crockpots full of meat were shredded chicken, pork and beef. I did not want to use the oven for anything on the day of the party so this worked out well.
If you are interested in the recipes which received rave reviews, just click below:
I also made mexican rice and black beans neither of which I eat but friends said were good. Fresh tortilla chips, salsa, crispy taco shells and shredded cheese from our favorite local Mexican restaurant rounded out the taco bar.
Side note: Thank goodness for great neighbors who loaned us crockpots and great serving dishes to keep costs down.
Bar #2 ~ A Candy Bar
It seemed to be a big hit with all ages.
This kid cracks me up every time I see him.
I was pretty sure we couldn’t go wrong with a candy bar!
Even if the cute little graduation caps melted on the sticks and slid down to the bottom because it was 85 degrees that day. Let’s not talk about our air conditioning problems right now, kay?
The high school colors are maroon, navy blue and gold.
Did you know it is very hard to find navy or royal blue sugar?
I had found this cool place on the internet near us and we went last Monday - the exact same day that blogging rockstar and cake pop queen Bakerella featured the store. I think we should be friends and I really think I should have emailed her and asked begged her to come and make cake pops or cupcake bites for the party.
Because this is what my feeble attempt looked like.
Which may not look all that bad to you if you’ve never seen Bakerella’s adorable creations. I’m not encouraging you to but if you must you can click over to her site and confirm yet another calling I really didn’t miss.
We had red velvet with cream cheese frosting and lemon with lemon frosting. Everyone was fascinated that you could eat the whole thing - I should have made a tent card that said “Entirely edible” because people tried to peel the bottom like it was cupcake paper but it was actually melted white chocolate.
Or I could have just ordered a cake from Costco. Yeah, I considered that after making three test batches of cake pop blobs.
We called these Triple Chocolate Army Helmets.
Even though we made them in a truffle mold. Yeah, helmets - way more appropriate then truffles on sticks.
We added PhilBillPaul and Scary Baby’s patriotic pretzels and the candy bar served its purpose.
The party was lovely. Really it was.
Now if we can get through the graduation on Thursday…
P.S. Though there was no official *bar*, PhilBillPaul did serve a few Mexican beers to the grownups.
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Categories: Finding the Funny, Food, Friends, Milestones, Moments, Teens
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Friday, May 15, 2009, by Sherra
If you’ve emailed me and I haven’t responded…
Or you’ve called and left a message…
In the last few weeks…
I’ve been a little busy…
Supervising…
Crockpots full of meat
Meat tasters
Pretzel makers
Dividing candy up in glass containers.
And a few other odds and ends.
The last minute, no-stress “you don’t have to do anything mom” party may actually be going on as you read this.
Side note: If you are local and we forgot to invite you, please, please just drop by ~ 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm. It was truly last minute and we have plenty of meat…in crockpots.
I’ll be back on Monday with party pictures and maybe even a recipe or two (gasp) if you’re interested.
Granny arrives from Texas on Saturday.
Grandma arrives from Illinois on Tuesday.
Graduation is on Thursday.
The darling twins leave for basic training the following Wednesday.
I will email and call everyone back in June.
I promise.
I can also promise that in June I will stop talking about the darling twins graduation!
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Categories: Moments, Teens
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Monday, April 13, 2009, by Sherra
Beach
A gorgeous day at Clearwater beach. Just a wee bit more crowded than it was 20+ years ago.
Golf
Wizzy and I had a great afternoon with perfect weather while Roger Leroy and C-Mac went bike riding.
And a little philanthropic visit…
Visiting Luci’s assisted living facility is always fun. Oscar’s dancing was an absolute delight!
Back to reality…
Did you do anything fun for spring break?
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Categories: Friends, Moments, Teens
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Monday, April 6, 2009, by Sherra
Hot, sunny and having loads of fun.
Don’t worry, this was for photo shoot purposes only.
C-Mac did wear a life jacket.
The girls gave the day a perfect 10.
All thanks to “Aunt” Luci and “Aunt” Judy!
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Categories: Friends, Moments, Raves, Teens
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Friday, April 3, 2009, by Sherra
Leaving home again…
This time with the darling twin daughters…
For their last spring break as minor children in my care…
Because this summer in June, my babies will turn 18 away from our home…
And I’m really trying to savor all these last times with them…
Even when we are all very hormonal and grumpy…
Wondering how PhilBillPaul has endured…
Living with 4 females…
For all these years…
Because truly…
It occurred to me tonight that I would have run away a long time ago.
Speaking of running away…
We’re heading to Tampa.
A city I ran away to many years ago…
Fleeing from those freezing cold Midwest winters…
Trying to grow up and learn how to live on my own…
Loving the sunshine, golf and nearby beaches…
Only to discover an Indiana boy
Who taught me that home is wherever
We choose to make it
With people who love us
No matter what.
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Categories: Friends, Milestones, Moments, Teens
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Monday, March 16, 2009, by Sherra
Since the beginning of this year, we have had one, two and sometimes even three extra girls at our house every single weekend.
PhilBillPaul and I were informed that we needed to get used to it. The one-sided conversation went something like this:
You need to get used to it. This is our senior year. We’re doing this every weekend that we can. Until graduation.
Thank you, Roger Leroy.
As you can see, we are in total control here at the Humpfreeze house.
Or not.
It’s one of those pick your battle moments. And PhilBillPaul and I decided that a few extra mouths to feed are far better than not knowing where our sassy-mouthed teenagers are.
“This is a gift,” I gently remind PhilBillPaul. We really do try not to miss the gift.
The gift of knowing that they are just down the hall. In our house. Safe.
Or in my bed.
Wizzy, C-Mac & Roger Leroy plopped right down, interrupting my Tivo time to show me fascinating videos they taped and thought were hilarious. The girls are full of gifts.
This weekend was the first weekend in quite a while that this hasn’t happened. No extra teens. Just our family.
It was a rainy, quiet weekend with our three teens working all weekend.
Next weekend will be even quieter when the girls go off for their first National Guard Drill weekend.
I spent a little time counting during this quiet weekend.
Math has never been my strong suit but I still use that counting skill I learned in elementary school.
We’ve had ten consecutive weekends of extra teenagers.
See how that counting skill has come in handy?
Algebra, not so much. But counting, I find myself doing it a lot lately…
As in–coincidentally there are only ten weekends left before our teenage daughters my tiny twin babies graduate from high school.
My job is to be sure I count down these last times…these last weeks before my girls begin a new season of their lives…these weeks are flying by.
If you have a senior, I know you’re counting too.
How was your weekend?
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Categories: Finding the Funny, Friends, Milestones, Moments, Teens
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Friday, March 6, 2009, by Sherra
The shortest post ever.
Just to say thank you…
To all who left a comment here
Or sent me a private email
Or picked up the phone and called
Sending us kind words and congratulations
on the twin daughters decision.
It really means more than I’m able to put into words
right now.
P.S. I promise to catch up with everyone as soon as I can!
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Categories: Friends, Moments, Raves
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Monday, March 2, 2009, by Sherra
Last week I discovered, among other things I will get around to telling you later, that I have an unhealthy relationship with…
my laptop.
My little Mac iBook G4 was not working last week. On top of other stresses, I really needed my laptop to work.
I found myself yelling at my laptop. Which I know is not healthy or productive.
Or smart.
You may remember that I mentioned this on Friday…
…along with my record-setting Xanax week.
Sidenote: Thank you for the emails and phone calls of concern. I’m currently drug-free and hope to stay that way this week.
Anyway, back to my laptop.
Mr. Handy a.k.a. PhilBillPaul said he would try to fix it but life kept getting in the way even though he did send The Grunter to get a new part for it at the computer place.
I got a little impatient and on Friday afternoon I decided to take matters into my own hands.
Which is really very scary because I am not handy.
Thank goodness Roger Leroy helped by going to this amazing website and printing the directions plus this handy dandy guide to keep track of everything I removed…
And replace this…
And now my laptop and I have made up and we’re getting along better than ever.
Stay tuned, I might just get wild and post our BIG news tomorrow which is Tuesday and I never post on Tuesday.
I’m not purposely keeping anyone in suspense, I promise.
Until then, email me if you need your dc-in board on your laptop repaired.
I’m totally qualified.
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Categories: Finding the Funny, Moments, Raves
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