tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-327900802012-01-28T10:11:56.809-07:00Wife, mother of two, Diet Pepsi addict and collector of OPI nailpolish....oh, and I really do want world peace.Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.comBlogger11741100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-72870244398436480052012-01-28T09:46:00.000-07:002012-01-28T10:11:56.818-07:00

It was a year ago, today, that we lost Gilligan. We still miss him but, Finnigan has been a great comfort to us in our grief. When he isn't gnawing on my ankles or using me as a human pin cushion for his claws, that is. Although he is now about five months old, Finn has retained some of his more kitten-like qualities, specifically, his desire to nurse. He's pretty particular about what he

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-11754720534399504652012-01-26T10:24:00.002-07:002012-01-26T10:26:43.819-07:00

I have a cold and it is making me miserable. I have no desire to do much of anything except to snuggle under a blanket on my couch, watching episodes of ABC's Once Upon a Time, which; has been the inspiration for the following thoughts (although you could also blame the Nyquil. Your call): -The seven dwarfs have got nothing on me; I am currently Sleepy, Sneezy, Grumpy and Dopey. - I probably

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-7365861234130152022012-01-24T13:47:00.000-07:002012-01-24T19:50:08.230-07:00

After my women's club meeting today, one of my fellow members complimented me on my appearance. She suggested that I was pretty enough to be a movie star attending the Sundance Film Festival. I've never wanted to kiss another woman before in my life, but; I think I might have had she let me. Not that I tried. I'm just saying.

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-71771513718800591822012-01-23T16:49:00.005-07:002012-01-24T19:50:38.235-07:00

Friday night, when I should have been organizing the food for the weekend volleyball tournament, Hugh and I were, instead, out late; watching our local community theater's production of Whose Life is it, Anyway? However, the play was so awesomely done that, when five o'clock rolled around the following morning, I couldn't complain too much about being tired; it was totally worth the lack of sleep

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-90376841465550619202012-01-20T14:42:00.000-07:002012-01-20T18:18:50.873-07:00

We are doing some remodeling at the hardware store and today's chores included some minor rewiring. Unfortunately, the rewiring required Hugh to lower himself into the crawlspace below the store; a space crawling with bugs and spiders and God knows what else. Because I am a supportive wife, I held the trap door open for him while spouting such entertaining gems as "It puts the lotion in the

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-58971271279931391312012-01-19T09:02:00.001-07:002012-01-24T19:46:50.280-07:00

This morning The Teenager and I went to the High School at an ungodly hour to attend a meeting of our service club and, my co-sponsor failed to show up. Actually, that's inaccurate; she showed up four minutes before the first bell rang. Had The Teenager hung around, she would have been late for her first class and that didn't sit well with me. Tomorrow night, we are supposed to host an

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-4083317303882950442012-01-18T09:45:00.002-07:002012-01-18T09:45:46.956-07:00

I'm betting on freight train. Things here in Petticoat Junction are...worrisome. There. I said it. The economy is kicking our asses, people who are normally upbeat and optimistic are suddenly downbeat and despairing and news of bad things happening to really good people keeps hitting us where it hurts. It's the trifecta of shitholedom. It is too a word, look it up on Wikipedia. Oh, wait, you

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-25233726386966616992012-01-17T08:00:00.000-07:002012-01-17T08:02:31.936-07:00

Yep. I started exercising again. Two miles on the treadmill followed by ten minutes on a stepmill is about all I can take without wanting to puke. Wait, that's not quite right; I want to puke, I just...don't. Or, I haven't...yet. The stepmill is new for me and, while I ran a good "old-fashioned" Stairmaster into the ground back in the day, the stepmill is kicking my ass. Seriously, it's like the

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-9455951987063788242012-01-14T11:40:00.000-07:002012-01-14T11:42:33.323-07:00

Worst. Blog. Title. EVER. But! The sentiment holds true; the Man-Cub attended yesterday's ski trip and returned home to us without injury. In fact, he reported that he only fell four times and he now owns the jumps. I'm proud. Really. Today, we are attending The Teenager's volleyball team's 4 on 4 volleyball tournament. The tourny is a fundraiser for the team and it sounds like it will be a

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-90687840036915022472012-01-12T17:45:00.001-07:002012-01-12T17:45:37.515-07:00

The Man-Cub had an appointment with the orthopedist today and the news was good; his arm is not broken, per se. Instead, he has what the doctor called a compression fracture involving the cartilage between his wrist and ulna. I was relieved to hear that he would not need a cast but somewhat confused by the diagnosis since I thought that cartilage could not be fractured being as it isn’t actual

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-13509519797419146852012-01-11T08:43:00.000-07:002012-01-11T08:43:31.313-07:00

So, after putting some serious thought into what could be causing my random allergic reactions, I arrived at the conclusion that I am allergic to Finnigan. Or, more accurately, to Finnigan's dander in my mouth. And, how does cat dander get into one's mouth? I assume by eating something by hand after touching either the cat or something that the cat has touched. This makes sense to me because,

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-53624258168137599672012-01-10T08:29:00.001-07:002012-01-10T08:30:24.487-07:00

SILENCE. The kids started back to school today. It feels really strange to have them start back this late into the new year but at least they are gone. Wait, that sounds terrible, doesn't it? What I meant to say was; it feels really nice to have the house to myself this morning and I am going to take full advantage of my quiet time, probably by taking a nap because, shitdamn, I am tired.

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-38324049757351636002012-01-06T17:46:00.001-07:002012-01-06T19:16:47.453-07:00

The good news is; my laundry is done. The bad news is; the part for my washing machine won't be in for another week so, I had to do the laundry at the laundromat. The good news is; I didn't kill one of the rude motherf*&%ers with whom I had to share said laundromat. The bad news is; I had to share the laundromat with a slew of rude motherf*&%ers. The good news is; Hugh visited me a the

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-54655097510131126542012-01-05T08:50:00.002-07:002012-01-05T09:22:19.675-07:00

The Christmas decorations have been put away for another year (except for the porch decorations, because I am waiting for the weekend to tackle that chore. And, you know, because I am lazy). My mud room is still a giant mess but; I can close the door and, look at that! Problem fixed! I'm lying, of course; that mess buzzes around my psyche like a fly over a fresh turd, but! I can pretend. Plus,

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-15137168238533483422012-01-03T08:30:00.000-07:002012-01-03T08:30:48.205-07:00

I started taking down the Christmas decorations yesterday. This required me to climb the ladder to the attic approximately three hundred times, one hundred and fifty of those times carrying empty boxes and the other one hundred and fifty carrying boxes full of holiday cheer; who knew holiday cheer weighed so much? I wish I could say that I was done with the chore but, yeah, not so much. I still

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-86046421282513283752012-01-02T09:12:00.003-07:002012-01-03T14:16:33.852-07:00

2011 went out with a bang, taking our furnace, my washing machine, my vacuum cleaner, two car batteries (mine and Hugh's), our instant hot water dispenser, and three of my fingernails with her. She was kind of a destructive bitch, that one. It's all good, we have managed to fix or replace almost everything (sadly, my fingernails will require a bit more time and the washing machine, another part

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-75431395181903378382011-12-31T08:20:00.004-07:002011-12-31T13:03:14.861-07:00

My washer has recently decided to skip the spin cycle which makes doing the laundry a bit of a challenge. In addition to that; the dryer started making a metal-on-metal grinding sound, forcing Hugh to pull the entire thing apart to replace belts and pads and some other parts. The good news is; the dryer works better. The bad news being, of course, that the washer won't spin and soggy clothing

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-41832281595384288222011-12-27T08:37:00.000-07:002011-12-27T08:37:27.096-07:00

We got home from Mayberry yesterday and, despite my worst fears, Finnigan had failed to destroy the Christmas tree. Oh, I'm sure he tried to destroy it but, he was unsuccessful. Best. Present. Ever. Ok, maybe not the best present, but, a nice surprise. In addition to not trashing the house in our absence (although, he did manage to pull off his own collar, which apparently presented a challenge

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-65850459464296113282011-12-25T16:33:00.003-07:002012-01-03T18:28:09.619-07:00

Merry Christmas from our home to yours. I hope Santa brought you everything you wished for, that you are surrounded by loved ones, that your blessings far outweigh your troubles and that you revel in at least one family tradition this season; this is one of ours. Popcorn Balls 1 c. sugar 1 c. corn syrup 1 small piece of butter 1 Tbsp. white vinegar ¼ tsp. baking soda  2 gallons popped corn

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-52024756322212784282011-12-24T10:13:00.005-07:002011-12-24T18:56:09.508-07:00

Greetings from Mayberry where the temperature hovers at 10 below zero, snow drifts cover the streets, and twelve of the jolliest people you ever met are dining on eggnog french toast, eggs and bacon that have been short-order cooked by the best grandma ever to wield a spatula. A multitude of packages encircle a festively decorated tree, angels and Santa figurines adorn every available surface, a

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-82760746836425962132011-12-23T08:23:00.002-07:002012-01-07T17:12:18.569-07:00

Yesterday I delivered goody trays around town; that's approximately ten billion calories that I won't be consuming which makes it the gift that keeps on giving. For me, anyway. In just a few hours we leave for Mayberry (that's right, criminal types; we will be away for a few days. Please be aware that, in addition to the state-of-the-art alarm system, we also have three pit bulls and we

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-46343102597873642152011-12-22T08:19:00.005-07:002012-01-07T17:10:38.764-07:00

A number of years ago I received a set of cast iron sucker molds as a gift and I fell in love with the idea of making suckers for Christmas every year. For the first couple of years, I did just that. Then, we moved and I lost the molds in the vast expanse of storage boxes we kept in the garage, awaiting the day that we would remodel the new  house, allowing me kitchen space in which to bake and "

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-76123941350403592792011-12-21T09:17:00.002-07:002012-01-07T17:11:29.957-07:00

I don't think I've mentioned it, but; my kids are still in school. Christmas is five days away and my kids are still in school. This irritates me for a variety of reasons, the main one being that; had we wished to take a fantastic Christmas getaway to a tropical island, we would be forced to travel on the day before Christmas Eve. And, ok, we aren't taking a tropical vacation but, we are driving

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-43528415265344509922011-12-20T08:38:00.001-07:002011-12-29T10:11:37.437-07:00

Only four days until Christmas and my baking is winding down. I do have a few more things to make but, they aren't critical to my enjoyment of the season so, I'm in no huge rush. Time is of the essence if I am going to deliver goody trays, however, so; I will be putting one together to deliver to the girls at the bank as well as one for the employees and customers at the hardware store. If I

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-69594676524295697532011-12-19T08:40:00.003-07:002011-12-19T08:46:09.960-07:00

Our employee Christmas party went really well; the food was good and we played a rousing game of Dirty Santa before Hugh and the kids broke out Just Dance for the Wii, shaming almost every person in attendance into performing at least one dance. For the record, I rocked Walk Like an Egyptian despite losing to The Teenager (I'm pretty sure she cheated). Although the dancing heated up the room and

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-36423564653091038462011-12-18T08:45:00.001-07:002011-12-18T08:46:12.993-07:00

I managed to finish all my Christmas shopping yesterday despite being overwhelmed by the crowds and distracted by the millions of shiny, happy things lining the store shelves. Seriously, at one point I had to clap my hands in front of my own face and command myself to "focus!". It worked, as I said; I am officially done, now. I'm also done with all my wrapping, having spent the better part of

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-88286939678923351922011-12-17T08:37:00.005-07:002012-01-07T17:13:27.244-07:00

We decorated our sugar cookies last night. I had intended to do it today, but; I have a full schedule of errands to run and both children had made "social plans" so, last night seemed like the better option. In order to get into full cookie decorating mode, we popped National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation into the dvd player and, I must say; there is nothing quite like decorating cookies while

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-87176321350218003472011-12-16T08:48:00.002-07:002011-12-16T08:51:46.743-07:00

My Altrusa Christmas party last night was wonderful; there is just something especially nice about spending a relaxing evening with women you love and respect while dining on a meal that you didn't have to prepare. The beautiful Christmas decorations and chocolate fondue bar didn't hurt, either. Speaking of Christmas decorations, do you know what every yard needs at Christmastime? A ginormous

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-36871128873149670472011-12-15T08:49:00.000-07:002011-12-15T08:49:54.532-07:00

My womans' club Christmas party is tonight. As a member of the planning committee for this blessed event, I have been assigned to decorate a table, to provide background music in the form of a holiday playlist on my iPod and to accompany my fellow committee members in a holiday rap. Yes, a holiday rap, not to be confused with holiday wrap which, reminds me; I need to buy some more wrapping paper

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-58127602906785700912011-12-14T09:48:00.001-07:002011-12-14T09:51:48.478-07:00

We awoke this morning to this... After spending half an hour shoveling the back porch, and an additional ten minutes contemplating just how long it would take to shovel the sidewalk and driveway;  Hugh disappeared. He returned with this... It....wasn't cheap. Also, merely purchasing the gizmo practically guarantees that we will have a dry rest of the winter. Actually, if it never snows in

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-32223319226962906032011-12-13T08:50:00.000-07:002011-12-13T08:50:09.867-07:00

Christmas is less than two weeks away. Less than two weeks. This is stressful for me for a variety of reasons, not the very least being the fact that I'm not exactly done with my preparations. Like, at all. This is highly unusual for me as I used to take great pride in having all of my shopping/wrapping/package mailing/card sending/ etc. done by Thanksgiving, allowing me the entire month of

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-83872770905671939112011-12-12T08:59:00.000-07:002011-12-12T08:59:57.926-07:00

I spent yet another day in Neighboring City, yesterday; the Man-Cub had been invited to a party at an amusement park there and I had agreed to drive him well before Hugh and I made plans to shop on Saturday. It's all good, though; I managed to wrap up a few more items on my holiday To Do list while I was there, including a trip to Sam's for bulk items for our employee Christmas party this coming

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-42667986435134676942011-12-11T08:49:00.000-07:002011-12-11T08:49:39.137-07:00

Our shopping excursion to Neighboring City went better than I expected. Hugh and I managed to get most of the things that were on our list with an unexpected bonus. While Hugh was perusing the merchandise in a jewelry store that he frequents, one of the cashiers asked him if he was interested in purchasing a teddy bear, proceeds of which go to support St. Jude's hospital. Because the search for

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-58698206977379388052011-12-10T08:23:00.001-07:002011-12-10T08:36:00.074-07:00

Hugh and I are off to Neighboring City to buy more Christmas presents than you can shake a stick at, and, if you want a really yummy stick to shake at those presents; these dipped pretzel rods are the perfect thing. Just be really careful not to shake them too hard, they are somewhat delicate after all. Caramel & Chocolate Dipped Pretzels 1 pkg. Kraft caramel bits (or, a package of unwrapped

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-88818231990461068862011-12-09T08:56:00.002-07:002011-12-09T09:38:57.139-07:00

I am so glad that today is Friday as I am woefully behind on my Christmas shopping and need a weekend to catch up. In order to do so in the most painful way possible, I have invited Hugh to accompany me to Neighboring Town, tomorrow. Painful, you say? What could possibly be painful about dragging a man who hates to shop on a shopping spree? Well, for starters; read that last sentence. Also, he

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-35229892614899107022011-12-08T08:55:00.001-07:002011-12-08T08:56:56.882-07:00

Have I mentioned lately how much I am enjoying my teenage daughter? No? That's a crying shame because, I totally am. The child makes me laugh like nobody's business on an almost daily basis. She has her Diva moments, as all teenagers do, but; for the most part she is a joy to be around and I'm almost 100% positive that she's not just going the extra mile during the holiday season just to ensure

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-12570015673835334592011-12-07T08:49:00.000-07:002011-12-07T08:49:45.499-07:00

I have no facial swelling to report, today. I am congested and suffering from minor sinus pressure, however so; I think the swelling might have been connected with this cold. Or, I am incubating a demon in my face. Either way, I'm ramping up on the Dayquil and should have some relief, soon. Yesterday, I baked M&M cookies while the Man-Cub and a couple of his friends played on the Wii; I cannot

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-11840660433535497642011-12-06T13:23:00.001-07:002011-12-06T17:29:21.411-07:00

This recipe would be called Banana Nut bread if I didn't live with Hugh, the Nut Nazi. According to the Nut Nazi, nothing good ever came from adding nuts to baked goods. Nuts are perfectly fine when eaten separately from other food groups but, never the two shall meet. For the record, however, if you like nuts; go nuts. Speaking of nuts, you know how some kids are super-allergic to nuts and,

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-32913973117819280592011-12-05T08:37:00.000-07:002011-12-05T08:37:16.421-07:00

The Teenager started volleyball practice yesterday and, today, she's fairly sore. So sore that I doubt she will be of any help with tonight's holiday baking; stirring is hard, yo. Speaking of stirring, yesterday I made my niece's favorite fudge despite being in the throes of some wierd and unexplained facial swelling. The swelling started Saturday night, out of nowhere, while I was reading posts

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-5185149106471613912011-12-04T10:51:00.003-07:002011-12-04T11:16:59.245-07:00

Yesterday's snow made for a chilly tree-selling experience for The Teenager. She was a total Popsicle by the time I picked her up from her two-hour shift despite the numerous cups of hot cocoa I provided throughout those two hours. The Man-Cub's trip to his basketball league tournament was fraught with tension and worry (me) and with excitement and fun (him) as the bus the boys were riding in

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-6902874591228439992011-12-03T09:02:00.001-07:002011-12-03T09:05:48.982-07:00

It snowed six inches last night; I officially feel like the holiday season is upon us. Unfortunately, while the snow looks super-pretty and goes a long way in melting my cold Grinch heart; the Man-Cub's basketball team is traveling in it to a ski town several hours away for their league tournament; I'm never comfortable with my kids being on snowy roads, especially not in crappy little school

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-37840885208678109782011-12-02T08:21:00.003-07:002011-12-03T09:11:14.713-07:00

My mom discovered this recipe some time back and quickly added the cookie to her holiday repertoire. When you love something, you want the people you love to also love that thing. Unfortunately for my mother; my sisters and I were never huge fans of oatmeal raisin cookies so, you can imagine her delight when her son-in-laws both embraced the cookie with the fervor of a rabid Beiber fan, at long

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-75654503240991560362011-12-01T08:40:00.002-07:002011-12-01T08:45:08.968-07:00

The Teenager's volleyball team is trying to raise funds for their travels this winter and, yesterday, the group trouped through a tree farm, selecting trees to sell. The girls were more enthusiastic about the chore than I would have expected them to be and we now have an inventory of twenty Colorado Blue Spruce trees ($25 and up, you know, if you're in the market for a tree). Also, the girls

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-28885796957634456742011-11-30T09:42:00.000-07:002011-11-30T09:42:47.755-07:00

Ok, so that didn't happen. The beginning of the baking, I mean. Despite my careful planning, the inventorying of the necessary ingredients and the liberal application of the mental coaching required to get the baking juices flowing, I neglected to factor in one very important thing when coordinating The Start of the Holiday Baking Extravaganza: the fact that I had a fundraising dinner to attend

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-65017008203291612142011-11-29T14:37:00.003-07:002011-11-29T16:20:03.290-07:00

Or, you know, the holiday baking, same diff. So, yeah, I'm starting my baking this evening and, before you say that it is too early to start baking for Christmas, allow me to remind you that I traditionally make eight varieties of cookies, two types of sweet breads (not to be confused with sweetbreads because...no...just...NO) and four or five varieties of candy, so; the earlier I start, the

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-47249099064497265532011-11-28T09:25:00.003-07:002011-11-28T09:40:24.575-07:00

My Christmas cards are on order, following another epic battle for the perfect picture; this particular battle took a good year off my life, easily. That's ok, though, because today is my birthday so; I get a new year. I mean, that's how that works, right? I gain a year? That's why they add up, right? That's actually sort of backwards, if you think about it; one year older is technically one

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-58580103949930759242011-11-25T18:33:00.002-07:002011-11-25T18:37:42.359-07:00

Happy belated Thanksgiving! I would have posted earlier but I was busy recovering from a turkey coma, battling the crowds on Black Friday and decorating my front porch for Christmas; I've been busy, is what I'm saying. Let's start with that turkey coma; caused by possibly the best damn turkey I have ever cooked. Actually, I"m blowing my own horn a bit here but; the entire meal was fabulous,

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-67506536866704884472011-11-23T08:32:00.001-07:002011-11-23T08:34:26.818-07:00

This year's organic free range sacrifice to the masses, also known as my Thanksgiving turkey, arrived Saturday. This morning, I removed the neck and giblet sack from his body cavities to simmer on the stove top for broth for my stuffing. I'm not sure how the turkey felt about having his personal space invaded like that but I'm really looking forward to that stuffing. Last night, the Man-Cub and

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-63702623673070121652011-11-22T08:15:00.003-07:002011-11-22T08:21:34.639-07:00

My parents celebrate their 49th wedding anniversary, today. That's like ten million in dog years and something to be proud of, for sure. I know I'm proud of them; not too many people marry right out of high school and are able to weather the many storms that life throws at them. Not very many couples can survive raising three daughters, what with all the eye-rolling, temper tantrums,

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-64098877701719679652011-11-21T08:09:00.002-07:002011-11-21T08:16:13.864-07:00

We were fortunate to have my parents visit this weekend; Dad is just a few weeks past shoulder surgery and I am amazed at how well he is doing. Actually, considering that he also had surgery on his neck back in August; I am doubly amazed and; was really happy to have them here. They made the trip primarily to watch the Man-Cub play basketball, which he did on Thursday and Saturday but, while

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-80048720682066653802011-11-17T12:18:00.004-07:002011-11-17T12:21:49.889-07:00

Last year, The Teenager played volleyball on a competitive traveling team and she loved it. Although her teammates attended high school in Hooterville instead of here in Petticoat Junction; she fit right in and even made some pretty good friends. Unfortunately, because the team was based in Hooterville, we had to make the drive into town twice a week for practices which, was sort of inconvenient,

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-89555039401574522602011-11-16T08:16:00.001-07:002011-11-16T08:20:57.313-07:00

Thanksgiving is a week from tomorrow; how did that happen? I'm usually so much better about my holiday planning but turkey day snuck up on me like a mugger in an alley in a bad part of town. Luckily, I did pre-order my turkey which should be delivered early in the week but, otherwise; my planning is way behind. This does not bode well for Christmas, me thinks. Also, since we are planning to be

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-79753270547933293862011-11-14T16:53:00.001-07:002011-11-14T17:00:54.967-07:00

I'm afraid Finnigan has entered the Terrible Two's, or the kitten equivilant of them, anyway. Lately, his favorite pastime is stalking us, ninja-like, before leaping out and trying to trip us. If he should happen to succeed, he then proceeds to gnaw on the closest body part, sinking his claws in for good measure. We are currently administering a spray of water from a bottle to discipline him, it

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-78720066464762795302011-11-11T08:21:00.002-07:002011-11-11T08:57:52.836-07:00

While waiting for the Man-Cub's basketball game to start yesterday, the Fearsome Foursome managed to disperse the fans from an entire section of the bleachers just by taking off their shoes. There was an actual green cloud emanating from their feet, I swear. Gagging ensued. The boys thought the whole thing was hilarious, of course, which led the father of one of them to lean over to me and

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-52457255969373268722011-11-10T09:00:00.004-07:002011-11-10T09:07:39.999-07:00

According to my StatCounter, someone from the Department of Homeland Security visited my blog yesterday. I'm guessing it was a bored employee searching for pictures of Ryan Reynolds' ass since, also according to my StatCounter; that is what most people are searching for when they land here. Or, it could have been a frantic parent, searching for Toothfairy letterhead which is also a very popular

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-39503785497648862162011-11-09T09:33:00.003-07:002011-11-09T13:21:23.471-07:00

I am incubating my first cold of the winter season which makes perfect sense because, yesterday, I renewed my gym membership; I always get sick just as I rededicate myself to my health and fitness. It's a conspiracy, I'm certain. Thankfully, I am sleeping quite well. The secret appears to be having a small, warm, purring machine tucked under my chin which, is Finnigan's favorite place to sleep.

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-4946240726054228502011-11-08T16:25:00.001-07:002011-11-08T16:52:36.992-07:00

Not to be confused with a belieber because; I can't stand that kid. Nooo, I'm a believer in salon quality hair dye. Because, I'm one day short of a week in and I've noticed not one bit of fading nor have my roots made a reappearance which, with store dye; they totally would have, by now. And, please, oh, please, oh, please, Gods of Hair Dye; don't strike me down with gray roots for saying this,

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-81040046653703446602011-11-07T08:17:00.000-07:002011-11-07T08:17:09.895-07:00

My weekend went exactly as planned; scrapbooking, reading, movie viewing and relaxing. The same could not be said of my husband's weekend, however; he and the Man-Cub went hunting yesterday and found themselves stranded in the foothills when Hugh's truck refused to start. Luckily, they were hunting with friends so Hugh sent the Cub home with one of them while he stayed behind until a tow truck

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-52948888643769102422011-11-04T14:31:00.003-06:002011-11-04T18:36:16.001-06:00

Any damn thing I want. Seriously, though, I can't even remember the last time I had a free weekend but I'm guessing that I spent it cleaning the house. Not this weekend, though, instead; I fully intend to take advantage of my free time by catching up on my Kindle downloads, Netflix queue, and scrapbooks; all of which have been terribly neglected of late. I also plan to treat myself to an

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-19502589211666347072011-11-03T09:49:00.002-06:002011-11-03T13:13:56.770-06:00

I realized something about myself at the hair salon, yesterday; I like having someone else do the heavy lifting involved in dying my roots. I was afraid that might happen. Not only did I not have to engage in the mental and physical gymnastics required to see the back of my head (Mirror in the left hand, dye wand in the right, comb clenched between the teeth, rotate to the left, rotate to the

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-73753238577870931992011-11-02T10:49:00.001-06:002011-11-02T10:52:11.555-06:00

Yesterday, I gathered up all of my Halloween decorations and stored them away for another year. While I was in the attic, storing the boxes, I got a wild hair to organize and now my holiday boxes are in pristine order; I even sorted through ten years of Halloween costumes, bagging and tagging as I went and, people? We have a lot of really cute costumes. You know, if you're ever in need or

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-5471459850904418432011-11-01T09:30:00.000-06:002011-11-01T09:30:46.937-06:00

No, not that friend... You don't realize how lucky you are to have good friends until those friends spend their Halloween helping you scare the beejeezus out of small children. Thankfully, I have very good friends. Yes, this friend Hugh spent several hours yesterday, setting up his haunted porch for the neighborhood Trick-or-Treaters. It would have taken him even longer and he would have been

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-10589536678947743912011-10-31T08:52:00.000-06:002011-10-31T08:52:54.524-06:00

We are coming off a very busy weekend and I am almost too exhausted to give Halloween my usual degree of energy. Of course, I have part of the day left in which to recuperate so; I'm sure I'll come through. Just how busy was our weekend, you ask? Well, Friday, following a full day of work, I spent four hours at the elementary school, helping the P.E. teacher set up for the annual Halloween

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-85227467130007845022011-10-28T14:25:00.002-06:002011-10-28T14:32:32.422-06:00

The Teenager's arm is not broken, after all. The bone is probably just deeply bruised (gross!). While I realize that my parenting could still be called into question due to the amount of time that it took me to get her to a doctor for a diagnosis; I'm still calling this one a win. Until we get the radiology bill, of course. Also, since I was willing to bet cash money on the arm being fractured;

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-53166029319649396162011-10-28T09:19:00.001-06:002011-10-28T09:22:04.196-06:00

Sometime in the past month, The Teenager "did something weird" to her left wrist and forearm during a volleyball game. She recollects that the "something weird" happened during a dive for the ball and she remembers feeling a jolt to the wrist which resulted in it feeling like it needed to be popped back into place. When her trainers looked at it, however; they could see no obvious problem so they

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-7262376403770827762011-10-27T09:34:00.000-06:002011-10-27T09:34:46.183-06:00

I have recently arrived at the conclusion that my gray hair is beyond home intervention. There is no dye on the market that will cover my silver roots for longer than a week and I am sick to death of wasting time, money, energy and emotion over it. That said, I have no desire to sport a head full of granny hair so, with much trepidation; I have scheduled an appointment to have an actual

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-89822499418607951312011-10-26T08:58:00.000-06:002011-10-26T08:58:57.706-06:00

I slept through my alarm this morning and would have missed my whole day had it not been for Finnigan waking me with a kiss and, by kiss, I mean; by licking my face with his fishy-smelling tongue until I awoke from annoyance. Despite the fact that he has become somewhat nocturnal, lately and is doing his level best to make my nights a waking nightmare, full of nips at my ears and increasingly 

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-70929198070802183922011-10-25T15:57:00.002-06:002011-10-25T15:59:31.012-06:00

Snow. This brings to mind a few other four-letter words, most of which can't be spoken in polite company. Hugh is currently in the yard, blowing out our sprinkler system in preparation for the storm that is predicted to move through the area tonight. In the distance, I can see snow already capping the mountain range and, there is a definite bite to the breeze so; I'm going to give the

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-53026678058718534182011-10-23T10:17:00.001-06:002011-10-23T10:20:18.031-06:00

Yesterday was jam-packed with fun fall favorites (say that ten times fast, go ahead; I'll wait); as planned, we visited the local corn maze and pumpkin patch where, for the low, low price of $48 we were entitled to lose ourselves amongst the corn stalks before picking our own pumpkins from the million-and-ten pumpkins available in the patch. For $48, I could have purchased 12 pumpkins from the

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-42531957882153035022011-10-21T09:32:00.000-06:002011-10-21T09:32:34.322-06:00

The kids got out of school at noon yesterday and are out all day, today. When they were younger and I was working at Old Job, this would have meant additional daycare costs and fretting over what everyone was doing while I was at work. Now and days, however, it means that, with the exception of an hour or two that the Man-Cub and I will spend at the store,  I am home with my babies, making plans

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-47142595105472143562011-10-19T10:14:00.001-06:002011-10-19T10:17:11.490-06:00

What can I say? My kids are getting older, I'm lacking for blog content. On the other hand, I do still have some degree of pride so, a quick update on the kitten's progress of assimilation into our family will have to do: At just under eight weeks and one pound, Finnigan is the picture of good health. He's mastered the fine art of climbing onto the couch, is completely litter box-trained, and,

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-46887282517916954832011-10-18T07:42:00.001-06:002011-10-18T07:44:17.371-06:00

-10 pounds of taco meat. -60 taco shells. -48 tortillas. -3 large cans of refried beans. -2 containers of sour cream. -1 1/2 pounds of shredded cheese. -2 heads of lettuce. -4 large tomatoes. -1 economy-sized container of salsa. -2 bottles of extra hot taco sauce. -1 bottle of mild taco sauce. -3 "Fiesta sized" bags of chips. -1 large 7-layer dip. -3 dozen sugar cookies. -4 1/2

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-13837850684198358352011-10-17T08:33:00.001-06:002011-10-17T08:34:11.048-06:00

The Teenager's team dinner is tonight. I'm planning a fairly low-stress menu featuring the ever-popular taco bar and a 7-layer dip that has proven to be quite well-liked at numerous Porch Nights. The house is clean, the tables on the porch have been prepped, the promise of a houseful of girls inspired the Man-Cub to shower and The Teenager helped me decorate three dozen sugar cookies last night

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-73002121179623494782011-10-13T14:13:00.004-06:002011-10-13T14:25:41.502-06:00

Yesterday, in yet another vain attempt to break out of my usual exercise routine, I popped an old DVD  into the player. I hadn't used that particular DVD recently and, it didn't take long to remember why I hadn't used it. The DVD is Carmen Electra’s Aerobic Striptease and It. Is. BAD. Or, I'm bad at it, either way. The good news is, I'm not any more bad at it than I was the last time I attempted

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-79735675703280219142011-10-11T19:37:00.003-06:002011-10-12T08:14:51.777-06:00

The team lunch this weekend is going to be a relatively simple affair; mini-submarine sandwiches, string cheese, grapes, individual packages of trail mix and bottled water. Organizing the thing should be easy-peasy except; I suck at asking people for help. I mean, I really suck at it. So, what should have been a relatively simple matter of making a few phone calls has turned into making

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-38298333272302127962011-10-10T13:52:00.003-06:002011-10-11T09:14:00.455-06:00

It was a bloody good weekend at Casa de Chelle and, not just because the Man-Cub shot and killed his first doe, although, he did. It was a clean kill and the kid could not have been more tickled. His dad was more than a bit proud as well and, while I'm not a huge fan of the venison; I do believe that learning to hunt is good for a boy. Or, for a girl, even. Someone's going to have to provide

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-1509702945816233222011-10-07T08:39:00.001-06:002011-10-07T08:40:10.635-06:00

We introduced Finnigan to Rowdie last night. The introduction went better than one might expect when placing a kitten weighing less than one pound in the path of a one-hundred-and-five-pound Labrador with boundary issues. Rowdie was as well-behaved as he knows how to be which is to say; he kept the slobbering to a minimum and was careful not to roll over on top of the kitten, squishing him into

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-32072052147084514662011-10-06T09:12:00.003-06:002011-10-06T09:16:00.260-06:00

It's been almost nine months since we lost our sweet Gilligan. Sometimes, in the kitchen, I see something out of the corner of my eye and my brain automatically tells my legs to move; to side-step the cat, sleeping on the rug in front of the stove. It takes my heart a split second to remind my brain that there is no sleeping kitty, only the space where that sweet ball of fur used to be.

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-72571365649410030722011-10-04T09:02:00.004-06:002011-10-04T09:13:32.549-06:00

Sometimes I feel like Superwoman; like I can tackle any set of chores and finish them off without breaking a sweat. This is not one of those times. I've got quite a bit on plate for this week and I am feeling fairly overwhelmed by it all. Today, for instance, I have to do the following: -Fill out paperwork for the rental of the local Community Center for an upcoming ASTRA initiation ceremony.

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-10826745396263025372011-10-02T21:07:00.002-06:002011-10-02T21:12:35.616-06:00

The Man-Cub's football season comes to an end this Thursday and, while it would be a stretch to say that it was a winning season, I can say that the Man-Cub has enjoyed some success. He had an especially good game on Saturday, catching a pass in the end zone for the team's first touchdown, making several critical tackles, making an interception and, in one of the most exciting moments of the game

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-29081491066580089402011-09-29T08:42:00.001-06:002011-09-29T08:43:32.999-06:00

-Take a culinary tour of Italy (this is vastly different from EATING one at Olive Garden). -Plant and nurture a beautiful Victorian garden (as opposed to planting and KILLING a beautiful Victorian garden). -Learn how to make Rice Krispie treats that don’t taste like marshmallow-flavored hockey pucks. -Scuba dive off the Great Barrier Reef. -Own an authentic Epiphanie camera bag. -Conquer my

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-27969550659803193882011-09-27T08:59:00.001-06:002011-09-27T09:00:29.402-06:00

Nothing Gold Can Stay Nature's first green is gold, Her hardest hue to hold. Her early leaf's a flower; But only so an hour. Then leaf subsides to leaf. So Eden sank to grief, So dawn goes down to day. Nothing gold can stay. This tree in my front yard is always the first tree to change into its' autumn finery; I don't know why. It is also the first to drop its' leaves and, it manages to do

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-81462077285082104122011-09-25T10:33:00.010-06:002011-09-25T18:45:06.581-06:00

The Man-Cub is officially a teenager, another Homecoming is finally over, and I kept my sanity through both events. Go me. As I mentioned previously, the Man-Cub requested a simple sleepover with four of his buddies for his birthday celebration. Since all five boys are football fanatics, an evening at the Homecoming football game provided more than enough entertainment. Combine that with pizza,

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-18202221768123048652011-09-23T08:44:00.000-06:002011-09-23T08:44:31.344-06:00

Someone help me. All kidding aside, I am finding it really difficult to believe that I am now the parent of teenagers. I was perfectly content to be the mother of an infant and a toddler. A toddler and a pre-schooler. A pre-schooler and an elementary schooler. Two elementary schoolers. A pre-teen and a teen...you get the picture, but; two teenagers? Not quite sure I'm ready for that. On the

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-35949009334685795822011-09-21T16:35:00.006-06:002011-09-21T16:57:40.599-06:00

From the moment the plus sign appears on a pee stick, people come out of the woodwork with stories about what to expect from parenting. They tell of sleepless nights, diaper blow-outs to rival the worst industrial accidents and colicky cry-fests that test even the most patient of parents. What they don't tell you is that you will often find yourself in the most ridiculous situations, all on

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-89220556978466143352011-09-20T21:38:00.004-06:002011-09-20T22:34:40.122-06:00

The annual Homecoming Powderpuff Football game pitting the Senior/Sophomore team against the Junior/Freshman team took place under the lights of the High School football field this evening. Despite getting a late start due to the misplacement of some vital equipment (flags and the football), it was a helluva game; with the Senior/Sophomore team taking an early lead, a lead they would retain

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-21768807602535672102011-09-19T08:40:00.003-06:002011-09-19T13:50:54.020-06:00

It's Homecoming week here in Petticoat Junction, also known as Spirit! Week and you can bet The Teenager is raring to go. Today, she donned board shorts, a rash guard and a colorful lei in honor of Beach Day She looked precious and was just so excited; her delight almost made it possible for me to forgive her when she asked if she could raid my closet for tomorrow's theme which is Fashion

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-65404721182756770242011-09-15T20:54:00.000-06:002011-09-15T20:54:13.561-06:00

My son, when hit by an outside tackle who outweighs him by about fifty pounds. I'm not so much liking this football business.

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-80498912723256436412011-09-14T16:36:00.004-06:002011-09-15T13:40:17.332-06:00

As one does. Because, it's now the middle of September which naturally means that it's time to get ready for Halloween. At least, that is what it means to retailers and, I'm not complaining; I loves me some Halloween. Also, what red-blooded American family doesn't need an animatronic zombie for their front lawn? I mean, what would our other animatronic zombie do for company? Yeah, Hugh wasn't

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-75317033516178035642011-09-12T09:26:00.003-06:002011-09-12T09:35:25.208-06:00

Quite some time ago, Hugh was the winning bidder on a wine tour excursion for up to twenty people. Now,  Hugh doesn't drink wine and would just as soon send his tongue through a paper shredder as board a bus with a group of wine enthusiasts but; he bid on that excursion with the intensity of a man fighting for tickets to the Super Bowl. The fact that he was at a table surrounded by slightly

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-67087412670269745132011-09-11T11:41:00.002-06:002011-09-11T13:13:40.709-06:00

10 years ago today, I was conducting my first Board meeting as the Executive Director of the Hooterville Tourism Bureau. I had been promoted from Assistant to the Director to Executive Director when the prior Director lost her shit and went crazy on the Board. It was not an ideal way to obtain a position and I don't recommend it but; there it was. The job was slightly intimidating, the Board

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-77467460039374200532011-09-09T09:49:00.003-06:002011-09-09T09:58:23.461-06:00

I am. Well, I am as long as it involves these kids... ...and, yes, my son is the smallest kid in the group. He is not, however, the smallest kid on the team, in fact, he actually falls in the middle of the group as far as size goes; his closest friends just happen to be giants. And, in the case of two-out-of the-three of them, a full year older. There's hope is what I'm saying. Also, puberty

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-60557981438139562732011-09-08T09:05:00.004-06:002011-09-08T09:58:25.462-06:00

Remember all those sunflowers that I didn't plant this year? Yeah, those sunflowers. Well, those sunflowers are now heavy with seeds, seeds that cause the sunflowers to hang their heads low and seeds that I fully intend to brine and roast for next year's baseball season because; I may not have planted them but I am not above enjoying the bounty of their crop. Unfortunately, I am not the only

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-80674694984500898222011-09-07T09:33:00.001-06:002011-09-07T14:27:44.453-06:00

Last night, The Teenager's volleyball team played the Pixler Panthers in what was one of the most heated competitions we have seen to date. The Teenager and her teammates went into the game fully aware of the abilities of the other team's players and, while being slightly nervous about the outcome; looked forward to the challenge. And, it was a challenge; the Freshman team lost its' game in

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-22238459021558884992011-09-05T22:08:00.005-06:002011-09-07T08:23:43.807-06:00

I love this time of year. I love how the days are still long enough for all the activities that I want to cram into them and yet the temperature is cool enough that I don't feel like I am walking into an incinerator the second I step out the door. I took advantage of that particular phenomenon this weekend when I used every bit of Friday's daylight to clean and redecorate the front porch. Now,  

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-30909885393110313852011-09-02T08:36:00.003-06:002011-09-03T14:17:41.567-06:00

Yesterday Hugh and I split the cheering duties for the kids' sporting events; Hugh took the town 40 miles to the northeast while I took the town 40 miles to the southeast. This means that Hugh was present at the Man-Cub's football game when the Cub made an interception and ran for a gain of 20 yards (before accidentally tripping over the cleats of his teammate who was blocking for him) while I

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-27571117186618701322011-08-31T08:10:00.004-06:002011-08-31T13:25:58.995-06:00

Problem 1. Child A has a volleyball game in a town 45 miles Southeast of Petticoat Junction. Child B has a football game 45 miles Northeast of Petticoat Junction. The towns are 40 miles apart. Game B starts at 4:00. Game A starts at 5:00. How much hair will the Parents of Children A & B pull out while attempting to make it to both games? Problem 2. Chelle needs to make Gatorade Knox Blox for

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-35177924426799092122011-08-29T08:21:00.002-06:002011-08-29T15:41:47.347-06:00

A while back, a meme made it's way around Facebook; the meme asked whom on your Friends list you had known the longest and, blood relations didn't count. I didn't participate in the game because I'm not cool like that. Also, I couldn't decide which of two of my friends deserved the designation, Phoebe or Melis, both of whom I have known since grade school. This weekend, I had the pleasure of

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-22983338830284415932011-08-25T15:50:00.002-06:002011-08-25T15:53:58.290-06:00

During my run in the park yesterday, a snake slithered across my path and, I would dearly love to tell you that, when faced with the snake, I calmly slowed my pace and changed direction in order to avoid said reptile. In reality, I screamed at a volume not heard since the Von Trapp family yodeled it's way over the Swiss Alps, increased my speed and hurdled the snake in what could hardly be

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32790080.post-33929079895327774352011-08-24T07:54:00.002-06:002011-08-24T07:58:11.681-06:00

Geometry is the Kryptonite to my super hero powers and, just between you and me; I don't think The Teenager will even use the knowledge gained from learning the cross sections of a cube for any purpose in her adult life. Except for the inevitable day that her teenager begs for help with his/her geometry homework, I mean, obviously. It's insane. (Unless of course, the cross sections of a cube are

Chellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08600513358054517533noreply@blogger.com1