February 29

Thirty days hath September,
April, June, and November;
All the rest have thirty-one,
Save February, with twenty-eight days clear,
And twenty-nine each leap year.

It's been a dreary, rainy day here with not much going on, but I could not resist having a post stamped with today's special date.

Hmmm...I wonder...if you were born on this day would you celebrate on the 28th or March 1? I don't think I would like it so much as a child, but there is something to be said for only growing older once every four years once reach a certain age.

Happy Leap Year Day, my friends!

Image via

A Realization

If I had five bucks for each and every time my daughter has made it known that she can’t wait to be out of this house I would be a millionaire. Well, maybe not a millionaire, but I definitely could have paid cash for her braces.

Like all teens she is very public about looking forward to growing up and gaining independence and, behind the rose-colored glasses of youth, she can get a little cocky about it at times, too.

A few nights ago, a day after registering for her final year of high school, I think the reality of growing up and what it means to be independent finally began to hit home, and my daughter, who can be a pretty relaxed, why-worry-about-it kind of girl, was scared.

Sitting in complete safety and comfort between her dad and me in bed, the questions, accompanied by very wet eyes, started…What if I don’t know for certain what I want to do? What if the job I think I would like to do takes me out of state? What if you change your mind once you’ve already taken several college classes? How do you even start going to college?

For each of us there is always that first time our glasses get a little cloudy. For Ren, it was Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 9:00 p.m.

A Boy Named Tommy

I normally don't post twice in one day but I just remembered this and wanted to write it down before it's forgotten forever. I thought you might enjoy it, too.

This morning, upon putting on the shirt I had laid out for him John-Heath says, "Mom, I don't think I should wear this shirt. What if Tommy thinks it's his?" Evidently, there is a boy in his room/grade with that name, and he became quite insistent on not wearing it - you know in that whiney, first-grade kind of tone that went something like this...but mahhhhhhm...Tommy will get mad.

Finally, and slightly frustrated I might add, I had to say, "John-Heath, is your friend's last name Hilfiger? No? Then you can wear that shirt...because that shirt belonged to a boy name Tommy Hilfiger... and he doesn't go to your school."

A Hint of Spring

Today, the weather in my neck of the woods has been absolutely fabulous, like 73 or so. It's a good thing I had my back to the window during a librarians' meeting at our district's central office or else I'm sure I would have been busy daydreaming instead of concentrating on the topics at hand - common core, research, summer reading and internet safety.

This afternoon, John and I took a little walk around our yard, Ren took a little run around the farm and John-Heath took a little walk upstairs for more conquests, via his computer game "Age of Empires". Even though I love snowy winter days it's obvious Snow Bird has overlooked us this year, so I'm ready for spring and summer to go ahead and get started. Speaking of summer, wouldn't it be nice if the temps would float around the mid-seventies during J, J, and A?

Of course, the downside to such a lovely February day is the possibility of storms when a cold front inevitably moves in. Here's hoping for a peaceful night.

Countdown to Prom

My how things can change. Only a month or so ago Ren was absolutely dead set against going to her prom. Words like stupid, ridiculous, and should be just for seniors were commonplace anytime I approached the subject of it with her. But let a girl find a nice guy to go with and just the right dress and she's now singing a different tune, albeit in her normal laid back way.

Now the hair appointment is made and the "make-up artist" (cousin Meg) is lined up and today we will return to The White Room to pick up her dress, which was purchased a couple weeks ago but had to be ordered to get a size that is a better fit (plus, it'll be new and not one that was tried on by two hundred other girls and their deodorants).

After trying on about a gazillion dresses, Ren, along with her entourage of three, decided upon a Sherri Hill. You can see a bit of it above. It is a lovely dress, and one just a little different than the others she's owned. I have to say, and forgive me while I brag a bit, I thought my daughter was absolutely beautiful in it, even if she wasn't wearing any makeup that day and had her hair just thrown up in a messy bun.

Another great thing about this dress...she already has the shoes and earrings to match, which made her dad very happy.

A Close Call or Two

Last night turned out to be an evening of close calls.

First, our boys basketball team won an exciting game over a private school I have long detested by one point with a last second shot in the first round of the district tournament. Now, I'm just a fan and I really know next to nothing about the game, but I think it's the best I've seen our guys play all year. Oh, I do know one thing, though...Bye Bye, Cougars!

While at the game, John-Heath, returning from one of his many trips to the bathroom, lobby, and/or hospitality room (being the kid of an AP has its perks), shows up with a box of popcorn from the concession stand (he had no money) and proclaims (in a tone reminiscent of Delmar at his baptism in O, Brother Where Art Thou), "The concession stand is closed and the popcorn is free."

Turns out, there were free boxes of popcorn on a table as we left. So, John-Heath grabbed another to take to Ma-Ma and Pa Gene.

Now, my mother is very impressed with how well John-Heath is reading to be only six and while at her house (dropping off the free popcorn) she wanted him to demonstrate for my sister who had arrived shortly after us.

"He can read anything. Just listen. John-Heath, read this to Sissy." At which point, she picks up a local paper that she had not yet read herself and hands it to him to read, pointing at the headline.

He begins..."Man accused of watching wife have..." and that was all he got out before, luckily, my mother realized the error of her way and snatched it away from him. She was mortified, John-Heath was intrigued by the commotion and tried to get the paper back, and the rest of had a good laugh at mom's expense.

Considering what the headline turned out to be, it was a very close call, indeed.

Chocolate Dump Cake

I found this recipe over at Eat, Live, Run and thought, despite what it’s called and the images one could conjure up from such a name, I would give it a whirl. I would have taken pictures but that would have taken time away from the actual eating process. Besides, ELR has photos on her page. Why re-invent the wheel, right?

Chocolate Pudding Dump Cake

Ingredients:

1 chocolate boxed cake mix

(I used Duncan Hines Chocolate Fudge)

1 small package chocolate pudding

(again, I used the chocolate fudge flavor)

1 1/2 cups milk

1 1/2 cups (large handful) chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Prepare the pudding with the milk according to package directions. Add the cake mix and stir well to combine

(the batter will be thick. I had to pull out my mixer for a bit on this one).

Smooth batter into a greased 9 x 13-inch pan. Scatter chocolate chips on top.

Bake for 30 minutes, or until edges pull away from sides.

Time: 40 minutes

Folks, this was one easy little cake, and good too. It was all puddiny (not a real word, but somehow it fits). And the best part to me, at least, is that it included no eggs or oil. With no eggs I was free to fearlessly enjoy bites of the batter scraped from the sides of the bowl. My dad got in on the action, too, and told of how Mammy Sophia would let him lick the spoon when he was little.

Now, be sure to eat it while it’s still all warm and gooey, and a generous scoop of vanilla bean ice-cream on the side doesn’t take anything away from it either. I packed the one piece that was left over in my lunch for the next day and, while it was still good, it just wasn’t as good. This is a something that is definitely best right out of the oven.

That Man Does Make Me Swoon

If you are a close, personal friend or even a Facebook friend then you probably already know what an awesome, romantic fool I’m married to but if you’re not, let me tell you…HE ROCKS!

Do you remember the getting-my-car-stuck-in-the-mud-because-of-the-stupid-pool-cover fiasco of just a few weeks ago? Well, after months (and months and months) of nagging humble beseeching, my husband went outside on a cold, drizzly Valentine’s Day, hooked up an uber-masculine chain to the pool cover and hauled that sucker to the trash pickup point, and then came inside the house and lovingly proclaimed, “Happy Valentine’s Day”. He knows just how to make a girl go weak in the knees, doesn’t he?

The grandparents with the kiddos.

Now, even though that’s a true story I shouldn’t give him too much grief about it. After all, because it was a school night, we had already decided to stay in anyway, so I wasn’t expecting a night on the town. He has promised a date night soon and I intend to hold him to it.

Ren with her gift from John and me.

Our night consisted of a big pot of homemade vegetable beef soup shared with my parents, who came bearing gifts, and a pretty darn good, warm chocolate cake topped off with some vanilla bean ice-cream for dessert. I’ll get you that recipe tomorrow.

John-Heath reading the Valentines he received from classmates to Ma-Ma.

In hindsight, it was the best kind of Valentine’s Day, spent with those I love unconditionally and those who unconditionally love me.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

School kids everywhere will be passing out their Valentines to friends today.

There will be the cartoon cards…

the sport cards…

the princess cards…

the modes of transportation cards…

the awww, isn’t it cute? cards…

and even cards picturing food.

And in some corners of the world there may even be scary cards…

Ahhh, nothing says I love you in Hungarian quite like “Welcome to the devil’s playground”.

Here’s hoping my kid, and yours, will come home with a backpack full of Barbie, monster trucks, and asparagus!

Valentine Cards

Last year, we did store bought (gasp!) Toy Story valentine cards. This year, thanks to Pinterest and Google, John-Heath will be giving out photo Valentines to his classmates and family. I don’t remember where I first saw this but I have since seen it A LOT! I wish I were creative and could be the originator of such ideas, but I’m nothing if not a great imitator. Really, though, is this not just one of the cutest ideas you’ve ever seen? Simple and fast. Two of my favorite features of any idea.

I actually took the picture in our front yard yesterday after church while he was in his festive red sweater vest. It was cold so we had to act fast, no time for retakes. After a little editing on Picasa, I just saved it to a flash drive and developed it while shopping in Wal-Mart late yesterday afternoon. By the by, there are times I really hate Wal-Mart, but that’s another story and will have to wait its turn.

John-Heath’s class has been learning about letter writing lately and each student has his/her own little box in which mail can be delivered. So, on each envelope he wrote a friend’s name and box number. I hope he can read his own writing well enough to get the cards into their correct places tomorrow. I hate to say it but my son has horrible handwriting. He is a lefty (and this is a right-handed person’s world), plus he has little to no patience, which means he will not slow down long enough to write neatly. My only consolation is that most doctors also have horrible penmanship. Fingers crossed.

Lucille

I thought I would show you a corner of Ren's room. If you'll remember, we're almost finished redecorating it. This shows you her new wall color. We got rid of the Chocolate Mousse and opted for a shade or purple, Ren's favorite color. I can't remember off-hand the exact color, but it's from Lowe's. You can't see it in the picture but her ceiling is also a very, very light shade of the color.

This dress form was one of the first things we purchased to go in her room after we finished building the house. Ren's older cousin/childhood idol had one and you know how that goes. I think I found this one at Home Goods, but as it's been almost five years ago, I can't remember.

I have heard that, especially in Canada, dress forms are nicknamed "Judy". Ren calls hers "Lucille". Can you take a wild guess as to one of her favorite old television series? Here's a hint...if she had a male dress form she would call him Desi.


As you can see, Lucille's main job, other than occupying the the corner between the third and fourth window (yes, that fourth window, the very one), is chief necklace holder. Doesn't she look like she's ready for Mardi Gras?

Linking up to

The Polka Dot Closet's Dress Form Ball.

It’s a Gift…and a Curse.

I’m talking about my son’s iPod. Santa brought him one for Christmas to bring peace to the family. Ren has had one for a while -she’s a teen and uses hers mostly for music and texting/messaging/emailing/whatever you want to call it – and for the past couple years John-Heath has thought he should be entitled to one, too.

Truthfully, car trips had become stressful. Ren would brings hers. John-Heath would want hers. Now, I’m a teacher and, as such, a fairly educated person. I knooooow there are better ways to handle situations like this but, frankly, it was just easier to say, “let him play with it for a while, Ren.” Well, actually, more times than not I was probably shouting something like FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS GOOD AND HOLY, REN, JUST GIVE IT TO HIM! Yeah, that sounds more like it.

Anyway, Santa came to our rescue and now my son has one of his very own. I can see right now he has the makings to be the “gamer” of the family. He always outscores me in Temple Run.

The bad thing about my six-year-old having his own is that on some days there are long chunks of time when the device becomes glued to his hand. When this happens all else in his life seemingly ceases to exist. Dinner? Who needs to eat. Mommy’s kisses? Too busy for that. SpongeBob? SpongeBob who?

The good thing about him having his own is that it can be a wonderful leveraging tool. Wanna play with your iPod… do your homework/clean your room/get in the shower/eat your dinner/watch SpongeBob for old time’s sake/or just give your mommy a kiss.

Yes, as Monk use to say, “It’s a gift…and a curse.”

29 Days, 29 Photos

First of all, can someone please tell me where January went? One day we’re celebrating the new year, the next shopping for Valentine cards. Did we take a shortcut somewhere?

So, lately I have seen several blogs, Facebook posts, etc. which mention some type of photo-a-day challenge and thought I might get in on the action. Now, you know me, the moment it begins to feel too much like a resolution I’ll probably throw in the towel, but I would like to at least attempt it.

The one I like best I think is over at the Nest of Posies. Each month she hosts a link party where you can share your monthly photos. It’s actually a yearly challenge but, as usual, I am in a day late, dollar short situation.

Truthfully, I’m kind of excited about it. It puts me in mind a bit of a scavenger hunt and I lovvvve scavenger hunts. Want to join in? If so, take a look at the list for February and grab your camera or, if you’re really artsy, I guess you could grab your sketch pad and pencil.

Even though I’ll be taking a picture a day I think I’ll post them once a week, maybe each Saturday.

Okay, I’m off to grab my camera and snap a picture of “my view today”, which is going to be gloomy because the weather here stinks!

Blast from the Past

Mom and I at the K-mart, circa 1981, during what must have surely been a “blue light special” on Kodak Colorburst Instant cameras.

A Sample Post

Hello, all. This is my first time using Live Writer and, as such, this is a sample post. Never will these words see the light of day. Well, I guess they’ll get a little glimpse of it.

Ohhh, I think I’m going to like this.

Yesterday, on Tire Swings...

...As I was saying, this rain is making me miserable and causing problems all around. Our drive (which is the fine, sifted brown creek gravel I just had to have because you know gray limestone would just clash with the color of my brick) is almost non-exsistent anymore. I am two rains at most from knowing how my ancestors must have felt as they crossed the Appalachian Mountains in their bid to settle the west. You know, the first thing I would do if I found out some long lost uncle had died and left me a bunch of money would be to concrete my drive. And I wouldn't give one hoot that concrete is gray.

I don't know about you but I hate how my yard looks during the winter, especially during an overly wet winter. One of the biggest eyesores in my backyard is our pool. You'll remember that we opted for one of the above-ground variety that could be more easily removed should we ever tire of it. Well, there it sets...in all its round glory. There is a deck around much of it but we have yet to put any lattice, etc. underneath to actually hide the darn thing. I had also hoped that we would have added some plants to further soften the look of it by now. In the summer it doesn't look bad at all, what with all the trees around in just the right spots, but during the barren winter...well, it's pretty bad.

When we opened the pool last year we found the cover was in rough shape, as it had been wind-whipped throughout the months it was in use, so John rolled it up and laid it in a nearby tree line. He told me at the time he would put it in the trash as soon as we ordered a new one, which we did within a week or two.

Almost nine months later and after a ridiculous number of requests from me for him to remove it, the cover was still there - staring at me like some stalker every single time I looked in its direction. I was always most aggravated whenever I was driving home and would come around a certain bend in the road from which my whole back yard seemed to be laid out for all to see thanks to the leafless trees. Rarely a time have I seen it that I haven't thought There it is.

Well, Wednesday while I was home with a sick child I decided I was going to do something about it. It was trash day and I was going to accomplish what I had been seeking all these past months. Really, I was just as guilty as John for it being there so long. Am I not an able-bodied adult capable of doing a little manual labor? I think so.

Now, I knew there was no way I could pick it up and carry it all the way to the end of the drive. Being able-bodied doesn't always mean one is strong. I would need my car.

My plan was brilliantly simple. I would drive my car over to the cover, reach down and take hold of it with my hand. Then using the horsepower of my automobile, drive back down the drive and dump the cover amongst the waiting trashbags.

What is it that Burns wrote of plans? The best laid schemes of mice and men often go askew.

I learned a few things that day.

1.) Pool covers are heavy, especially those that are waterlogged.

2.) I am more out of shape than originally thought.

3.) My car is not a 4-wheel drive.

4.) It is not a good idea to drive in certain areas of our yard during a wet January.

5.) Mud, under the tires of a stuck vehicle, reproduces faster than rabbits.

6.) Our truck is a 4-wheel drive.

7.) A trailer hitch and chain are good things to have around.

"Mono y Mono"

Hello there, friends. I thought I would check in with you just so you’ll know I haven’t fallen from the face of the earth or been thrown in jail. Considering my clumsiness and oft short temper John would be quick to point out both those scenarios could be completely plausible.

So, here’s a brief recap of what we’ve been up to at the Tire Swings hacienda.

Ren has mono, as in nucleosis. She has been one sick puppy this week, and as of this writing still is. Poor thing, she can’t even blame it on a kiss from some sweet boyfriend (she’s stubbornly single). Being sick because of love could be tolerable in a romantic sort of way - think Marianne and Willoughby in Sense and Sensibility - but being sick because someone sneezed all over a door knob, etc. just stinks.

According to our in-house specialist Dr. John-Heath, her outlook is bleak. For evidence he produced a Weekly Reader brought home from school showing how germs are spread. He described each step as he pointed to the pictures in the article and concluded with ..."and then, Ren, you die."

Speaking of John-Heath, he is still loving the iPod Santa brought him for Christmas. His favorite games are Angry Birds, Temple Run, and Cars 2. Cars 2 frustrates him to no end and, if it continues to produce the weeping and wailing we hear coming from his bedroom, may soon be accidentally deleted from his menu.

As for me, I stayed home with Ren Tuesday and Wednesday and went back to work for part of the day today. Now, I cannot pretend I don’t like being home from work (high pitched squeals of delight have been known to be produced at the very thought of it), though naturally I would rather it be under better circumstances. I also wish it were drier weather. It seems like it has rained in Middle Tennessee for a solid month. My driveway, what’s left of it, is proof.

I blame that rain, along with my husband and the fact that yesterday was trash day for the minor fiasco I got myself into. TBC...

Chocolate Gravy

Every so often I will surprise myself and cook breakfast. We're mostly a cereal and pastery family even on weekends. However, for the past few days I have been thinking it might be nice to get up one morning and make some chocolate gravy.

I remember my mother making it for me from time to time growing up and also having it at my grandparent's. I have to say I was not a huge fan of it as a child. To me, there was something a little wrong in taking a commodity as great as chocolate and putting it on an ol' biscuit.

Like many things from childhood, though, it becomes more well loved as it becomes more nostalgic.

While it's not something we would want to eat (or could eat) every weekend, we like to have it three or four times a year. So, this morning I made my family chocolate gravy. You all know there's no way I could do it any other morning of the week. I'm late to work and church everyday as it is...throw in something like cooking breakfast and I wouldn't be able to show up until noon.

Now, many of you have probably had this kind of gravy before, especially if you were raised in the south. However, if you haven't you should try it one day.

CHOCOLATE GRAVY

1/2 stick of butter

2/3 cup sugar

2 tablespoons all purpose flour

1/3 cocoa

2 cups milk

Heat butter in skillet over medium heat.

Add the sugar, flour, & cocoa in a little bowl and whisk to blend.

Then add the dry ingredients to the butter and stir. Will be clumpy.

Slowly, add the milk. Whisk to remove lumps.

Bring to a boil for just a minute, stirring constantly so it won't stick.

Remove from heat and pour over hot, buttered biscuits.

Enjoy!

Have a great weekend, y'all!

image via

because I was too busy eating my breakfast to take pictures of it. ;)

An Unusual Field Trip

A Facebook friend posted the other night about how the highlight of a grandson's trip to the zoo was being able to see the city's landfill. I am assuming it was viewed from the car on the way to or from the zoo. Let me tell ya, I could sure relate to that.

As the mom to both a daughter and son I can attest to the fact that it is much easier and requires little effort (at least at this age) to fascinate boys. You know how babies/toddlers will play with the box a toy comes in more than the actual toy? Well, that's kind of what it's like raising John-Heath.

My friend's post reminded me of a day we spent in Nashville over Christmas break. We were there to do a little furniture shopping for a new sofa and chairs. Now, if you'll allow me to bird walk a bit here, I have a confession to make. I am NOT a shopaholic. My sister received all the shopping genes and there just weren't any left for me. She loves to shop and can spend hours doing so. Not me. I want to go in, find something I like, buy it, and be done with it. Of course, when you're shopping for furniture it's more prudent to shop around and put a little more thought into the purchase.

Anyhoo, I was afraid John-Heath would just be bored out of his mind, but to my surprise he very much enjoyed the day. By the time we left Sprintz, empty-handed I might add, he was familiar with every nook and cranny of the place. He loves to explore...anywhere and anything. He also loves to ask questions.

As we headed home and because he is interested in all things that deal with the criminal justice profession, John mentioned to him that we would pass close by the old Tennessee State Penitentiary on our way home. Well, he was full of even more questions and persuaded his dad to take a detour, so we ended up taking a little driving tour of the grounds. John was pretty sure we would not be allowed on the grounds due to the checkpoint, but as no one was manning it we made it through just fine.

I must say, it was quite an eerie place, especially in the rear. If it looks familiar to you, it may be that you have seen it as the setting in a movie or two...The Green Mile, The Last Castle, the horror flick Furnace, Ernest Goes to Jail, and a few more.

Afterwards, John and I joked about how a back to school, post-Christmas writing assignment might read written by our son...On my Christmas vacation I visited the state pen.