November 15, 2007

I Hate Cleaning the Refrigerator

Today is my least favorite holiday, National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day. When I was a young girl living under my parents roof, one of my chores was cleaning out the refrigerator. I don’t know why my mother would give me such a terrible job. Especially when she stored our left overs in old Cool Whip containers which were never labeled. I used to dread opening the fridge and lifting each plastic lid to see what scary thing lived inside.

My parents worked full-time, and my brothers, sister and I were latch-key kids. As a way to keep us out of trouble, we each had chores to complete before we did our homework. My brother Nathan was in charge of taking out the garbage, my sister Rachel was the Vacuum Queen, and my youngest brother Frankie was the one responsible for feeding our dog. Because I was the oldest I was stuck with doing the dishes, cleaning that damn refrigerator and cleaning the bathroom — including the toilet.

I have to say, I’d rather clean 40 disgusting toilets than one refrigerator. I know that sounds insane, but if you knew how many Tupperware containers I tossed in the garbage because I refused to wash and reuse something that smelled terrible, you’d understand my insanity.

Now as an adult, I make certain to clean the fridge at least one per week. I’ve enlisted my husband for help in honor of today’s holiday. Since I haven’t gone grocery shopping for Thanksgiving yet, I figure it’s best to clean everything out, and wash all the drawers and shelves, too.

I might even take before and after photos! Anyone care to join me?

By the way, I’m over at The Imperfect Parent today. Come over and visit me!

November 14, 2007

Toy Story

It’s mid-November and the Christmas crap is all over the internet, television and inside my Saturday paper. I think the holiday flyers began mailing in October right before Halloween. Walmart, Target, JC Penney and Fleet Farm have each sent their toy novels guides in the mail.

I haven’t even thought about what to get Dawson for Christmas, but he already knows what he wants thanks to the never ending commercials advertising the latest Nickelodeon toy sets. I can only imagine how many have been “Made in China”.

Thanksgiving is next week, yet I refuse to acknowledge the fact that millions of bargain-crazy people will camp out at Target at 3 a.m., awaiting the latest and greatest techno gadget. iPods, plasma televisions, Playstations and Nintendo Wii, all on sale for “Unbelievably Low Prices!”

I have to laugh. Three years from now, these gadgets will be obsolete when the newer and better replacements come out.

Last night we were watching Dancing With the Stars and a Target commercial was on. It featured a Christmas theme with presents and Santa Claus. Suddenly Dawson piped up, “Santa’s coming, Mumma. He bringing Dawson presents!”

A year ago Dawson was scared to death of the man in the red suit. Every “Ho! Ho! Ho!” made him cry. He wanted nothing to do with visiting Santa at the mall last Christmas. While other children sat on the jolly man’s lap, telling him what they wanted under their trees, Dawson was glued to my leg eying Santa cautiously.

I don’t think this year will be any different. I’m positive Dawson will reject a visit to the Claus because he’s still very shy.

I do know the toys I buy for Dawson will be different this year. As I was cleaning both his bedroom and his playroom, I noticed that 95% of his toys are plastic, either from Fisher-Price or Playskool and most of them he doesn’t even play with. I’m tired of the endless supply of Little People scattered across the floor.

Dawson is infatuated with all things CARS, but I’m sick of looking at five colorful variations of Ramone and Lightning McQueen. Dora and Diego our out of the question. It’s just another collection of toys to find a place for — next to every Thomas the Tank Engine and Bob the Builder toy he already owns. Don’t even get me started on SpongeBob SquarePants. I’ll cry. Really I will.

This year, I’m trying something different thanks to the moms of Cool Mom Picks. Kristen and Liz came up with the Safer Toy Guide and I’m happy to learn than every one of the featured toys is unleaded and doesn’t require batteries. I never thought I would grow to hate those adorable, plastic, noisy toys currently stored in Rubbermaid totes. But I’ve learned that bright and flashy isn’t always better.

Simple wooden toys our parents played with have become more appealing, maybe because a dose of aspirin won’t be needed to keep me content while Dawson plays with them.

Besides, I’m positive Grandma, Grandpa and Auntie Rachel have noisy toys in store. I’m saving my money for something better.

What are you buying your kids for Christmas?

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Today is Operation Room Nurse Day!

November 13, 2007

Packer Game Recap

Sunday morning I woke up early, dressed quickly, and went to my parents’ house to pick up my sister Rachel. My dad holds seasontickets for two Green Bay Packer games each year.

It had been ten years since my last Packer game and I was excited to see my favorite team play the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau field. Coincidentally, the ame I went to in 1997 was the Packers vs. Vikings at the Metrodome in Minneapolis.

Dad gave me detailed directions on the best route to take to Green Bay and where to park for the best rate.

My sister decided to spray her hair bright green and I couldn’t help but laugh when I saw it. It was Kermit the Frog green. But I loved it anyway. She offered to spray my mane, too but I settled for sparkles and glitter instead.

Little Miss Green Hair and her New Friends

We got on the road a little after 8 a.m., and we were pumped! I was talking so much I missed an exit on the highway and had to take the long way around to get back on track. It’s about an a hour and thirty-five minutes to Green Bay and half way there we found a great radio station, WIXX that was airing a pre-game show with rockin’ music and some fun “anti-Vikings” songs.

Once in Green Bay I followed my dad’s directions, but he had one of the street names incorrect and I turned onto a street that sounded similar. I think I made a mistake because the rest of the directions no longer made sense, but somehow we ended up within two blocks of the stadium and paid a very nice woman ten dollars to park on her lawn.

Rachel and I made our way to the stadium. I work my Packer sweatshirt, long underwear underneath black yoga pants and my best walking shoes, and brought an additional sweatshirt, winter coat, hat, mittens and scarf along. My mother insisted it would be very cold at the game, but the weather turned out to be 53 degrees — and the sun shone brightly over the section our seats were in.

I was warm within minutes and had to pile my extra outwear under my ass. It was a great buffer from the cold, metal bench, but as the rest of the fans made their way to the bleachers I discovered that the seating at Lambeau Field is elbow-to-elbow.

Brett Favre, The Wise Old Fox

Because my dad’s tickets are single seats three rows apart, Rachel took the top row because it was an aisle seat, and I took the row closer to the front, 11 seats in. I had the pleasure of sitting next to a very nice Packer fan to my right; he snagged tickets from his brother. To my left were four very hilarious Viking fans. They were very amicable and didn’t get up set at the gentle ribbing by the many, many Packer fans surrounding them in the stands.

Sullen Viking Fan

The game itself was fabulous. Green Bay shut out the Vikings 34-0. Our seating was in section 108, and we saw the touchdown that Ruvell Martin made — the one in which the football was tipped by the Vikings and caught by Martin. It was so awesome to see Martin jump in the stands.

The fans of the Packers are unique. The team spirit is exceptional. Complete strangers come together to share their love of the game. Football is one of my favorite sports to watch. Attending a live game is 1,000 times better, of course.

I loved the football action of course, but the feeling of camaraderie with the people sitting next to me was amazing. The rush I felt, giving hi-fives to fellow GBP fans is something I’ll cherish for the rest of my life.

I enjoyed talking to the woman in front of me, she and her husband attend nearly every home game at Lambeau. She mentioned how nice it was that my dad gave Rachel and me the tickets. “It’s awesome to have the ladies in the stands!” she exclaimed.

I agree. It was awesome. I can’t wait to attend another game!

But the best part of my day was during the National Anthem. I can’t remember the name of the woman who sang, but after she finished, four military choppers flew over the field. It was a beautiful tribute to Veterans Day and I’ll remember the day always.

A Beautiful Photo

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Today is National Indian Pudding Day. That doesn’t sound very appetizing!

November 12, 2007

Catching Up…

Last Thursday I had some troubles with dizziness and I felt sick to my stomach all day. I passed out and spent my evening in the emergency room and missed work the next day because my doctor wanted to keep me for observation. It seems my blood pressure is still not under control, at least not like he expected.

My blood pressure dipped too low which may have caused the fainting spell, and driving was out of the question for two days until I was feeling well enough and able to turn my head without having the urge to throw-up.

Initially, we thought I could be pregnant, but that was quickly ruled out with a second negative blood test. My doctor really isn’t certain what happened, but to be safe I had to see a neurologist to make sure things were okay. A cat scan proved there is nothing in my head to cause concern. Ha ha ha. I know it’s not funny, but the literal sense of those words is quite humorous. At least to me.

I spent Friday resting and Saturday was my day to catch up on work and rest some more. I went to a friend’s Tastefully Simple party later in the afternoon and then a friend and I went out for awhile sans kids. It was nice to speak to another mom about the chaos of child rearing. I was very glad I made it out.

I have the day off and I’m trying to write a post about my experience at the Packer game yesterday. So many things to get done today. Like taking a walk since it’s 50 degrees outside. I’ll try to post Packer highlights tomorrow!

And today is National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day!  I think I might dial Pizza Hut tonight.