Michael is a constant comedian. His teacher from first grade just knows he will be famous someday and the school councilor is convinced he will be like Jim Carey.
Most of the time, Michael knows he is being funny and can always be counted on to cheer your up. However, there are times, my favorite ones, where it just happens and you about wet your pants with laughter.
On our "Circus Trip", he had a couple
On the way up, Michael asked if we were still in "Iahoe". He said this with all seriousness. Sean said that there is an Iowa, an Ohio and an Idaho, but not "Iahoe". Thinking we misunderstood, Michael said "nnnnooo, IaHOE", I said they are only on the street. Sean started laughing and Michael said "what, I didn't hear you". I know, bad mommy!!!
We explained again we were in Iowa, long silence "oh".
On our way home, Sean had gotten off at an exit for KFC. We were driving along not finding KFC when Sean saw a place called "The USA Steak Buffet". He asks if that's ok and at this point in our journey, I really don't care. Michael yells from the back of the van, "man, this place looks FANCY". Again, he has Sean and me laughing as we pull up to park. You can see the neon signs that are inside and Michael says, "I told you it was fancy, look at the words". Now, we are really laughing and he just looks at us, straight faced and innocent and says "what, it is" while doing the palms up arms out straight body motion.
I wonder if he'll take me to the Oscars?
Sunday, October 29, 2006
The Traveling Circus
Yes, that is what we are. I am talking about not just the four of us, but my sister and parents as well.
We were on the road, again, on our way to South Dakota for a grave side service.
Before we left, our extremely spoiled children, were surprised with their own DVD player for the long ride. There were on clearance at Wal*Mart. This was a very wonderful investment as we heard nothing from the back of the van except for the occasional "can I have a Capri Sun" or "I have to go to the bathroom".
No fighting, no "it's my turn to pick the movie", nothing. It was wonderful. Michael sat in the very back and Noelle sat in the middle.
Mom, Amy and one of the twins, Jack, had left about an hour before us. They were going only as far as Sioux City and then traveling the rest of the way Friday morning.
I started driving until my back started to hurt and Sean took over and I slept. We grabbed dinner at Perkins and I started to drive. I kept in contact with dad along the way.
Circus Part I: Dad was renting a cargo van to bring back some things left at Grampa and Lucille's in Minnesota on his way to South Dakota. He had made a reservation with a rental company, (who shall remain nameless, but it starts with an "E") and they didn't have the van. Mom had asked if he needed a confirmation number or anything and he said "I've never had problems with Enter....". Well, he did on Thursday. It was 11:30 before he was on the road.
Anyhoo, I was talking with dad and we figured we would be getting in to Watertown about an hour apart. As soon as I hang up, I look down to see the needle on the gas gauge is below the "E". I let Sean know we need some gas and we keep our eyes peeled.
Circus Part II: One mile after I alert Sean of the need for gas, we run out. We are out in the middle of no where at mile marker 66, 14 miles from Watertown. After several questions like "why didn't you notice we were low", "why didn't you fill up when we stopped" and so on, I called my dad who was 40 miles behind us. He will stop and get some gas and will rescue us in about 30 minutes. ***As a side note, this is not the first time I have run out of gas in the van. The first time I was two houses from my own. I called Sean and when he asked where I was, I said "come out the front door".***
Now, back to the story. Dad brings the gas we check in to the hotel and crash. The kids and I wake up at 9:25 and head down to have the free breakfast that closes at 9:30. We look like death because we jumped out of bed, pj's on and ran down the hall. The lady cleaning up must have felt sorry for us because she told us to take our time.
Circus Part III: We get back to the room and everyone takes a shower. I start to iron our clothes for the service and suddenly realize that the iron is leaking all over the clothes! By this time Sean has left with my dad and I am stuck trying to dress two kids, find an iron that won't leak and get ready myself. I put on my pj's, (because I don't think I should go to the front desk in my bra and underpants with a towel on my head) and go to the front desk with Noelle's pants to explain my need for a new iron. They happen to have one iron that is not attached to an ironing board and will bring it to the room.
We finally pull ourselves together and make it to the cemetery on time with about three minutes to spare, which for me means I was about 15 minutes early. We have a few things to do before we all go to Perkins, (there is not much in Watertown) for dinner. Sean, the kids, gramma and I are all in our van, behind us are Amy, mom and Jack in Amy's car and last are dad and Ronnie in the cargo van.
Circus Part IV: Before mom and Amy left Friday morning they heard a "thump" of some sort. A while later, they had a low tire. It was checked by a "professional" whose expert opinion was something like "Sh**, tain't nothin wrong wit that", or something long those lines.
Fast forward several hours, (and hundreds of miles) and you will find mom and Amy on the side of the road. Ronnie and dad head to town to get a tank of air (it was a makeshift tank made out of an old fire extinguisher) and the five of us in the van sit behind Amy's car.
Dad shows up, fills the tire, tells Amy to stop at the little place a half mile up the road to top off her tire and meet at Perkins (where else). Dad leaves to return the tank, mom and Amy head for the shop with us behind them. As they turn in, the back tire blows! (if you recall, last time we went to South Dakota, my van had a tire issue)
It's off to Wal*Mart for tires for Amy and we end up eating at some place other than Perkins.
Next time, we are packing our clown suits.
We were on the road, again, on our way to South Dakota for a grave side service.
Before we left, our extremely spoiled children, were surprised with their own DVD player for the long ride. There were on clearance at Wal*Mart. This was a very wonderful investment as we heard nothing from the back of the van except for the occasional "can I have a Capri Sun" or "I have to go to the bathroom".
No fighting, no "it's my turn to pick the movie", nothing. It was wonderful. Michael sat in the very back and Noelle sat in the middle.
Mom, Amy and one of the twins, Jack, had left about an hour before us. They were going only as far as Sioux City and then traveling the rest of the way Friday morning.
I started driving until my back started to hurt and Sean took over and I slept. We grabbed dinner at Perkins and I started to drive. I kept in contact with dad along the way.
Circus Part I: Dad was renting a cargo van to bring back some things left at Grampa and Lucille's in Minnesota on his way to South Dakota. He had made a reservation with a rental company, (who shall remain nameless, but it starts with an "E") and they didn't have the van. Mom had asked if he needed a confirmation number or anything and he said "I've never had problems with Enter....". Well, he did on Thursday. It was 11:30 before he was on the road.
Anyhoo, I was talking with dad and we figured we would be getting in to Watertown about an hour apart. As soon as I hang up, I look down to see the needle on the gas gauge is below the "E". I let Sean know we need some gas and we keep our eyes peeled.
Circus Part II: One mile after I alert Sean of the need for gas, we run out. We are out in the middle of no where at mile marker 66, 14 miles from Watertown. After several questions like "why didn't you notice we were low", "why didn't you fill up when we stopped" and so on, I called my dad who was 40 miles behind us. He will stop and get some gas and will rescue us in about 30 minutes. ***As a side note, this is not the first time I have run out of gas in the van. The first time I was two houses from my own. I called Sean and when he asked where I was, I said "come out the front door".***
Now, back to the story. Dad brings the gas we check in to the hotel and crash. The kids and I wake up at 9:25 and head down to have the free breakfast that closes at 9:30. We look like death because we jumped out of bed, pj's on and ran down the hall. The lady cleaning up must have felt sorry for us because she told us to take our time.
Circus Part III: We get back to the room and everyone takes a shower. I start to iron our clothes for the service and suddenly realize that the iron is leaking all over the clothes! By this time Sean has left with my dad and I am stuck trying to dress two kids, find an iron that won't leak and get ready myself. I put on my pj's, (because I don't think I should go to the front desk in my bra and underpants with a towel on my head) and go to the front desk with Noelle's pants to explain my need for a new iron. They happen to have one iron that is not attached to an ironing board and will bring it to the room.
We finally pull ourselves together and make it to the cemetery on time with about three minutes to spare, which for me means I was about 15 minutes early. We have a few things to do before we all go to Perkins, (there is not much in Watertown) for dinner. Sean, the kids, gramma and I are all in our van, behind us are Amy, mom and Jack in Amy's car and last are dad and Ronnie in the cargo van.
Circus Part IV: Before mom and Amy left Friday morning they heard a "thump" of some sort. A while later, they had a low tire. It was checked by a "professional" whose expert opinion was something like "Sh**, tain't nothin wrong wit that", or something long those lines.
Fast forward several hours, (and hundreds of miles) and you will find mom and Amy on the side of the road. Ronnie and dad head to town to get a tank of air (it was a makeshift tank made out of an old fire extinguisher) and the five of us in the van sit behind Amy's car.
Dad shows up, fills the tire, tells Amy to stop at the little place a half mile up the road to top off her tire and meet at Perkins (where else). Dad leaves to return the tank, mom and Amy head for the shop with us behind them. As they turn in, the back tire blows! (if you recall, last time we went to South Dakota, my van had a tire issue)
It's off to Wal*Mart for tires for Amy and we end up eating at some place other than Perkins.
Next time, we are packing our clown suits.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Fun With Sandy
My parents have an old farm dog named Sandy. She originally belonged to my gramma and uncle Ronnie when they lived on the farm in South Dakota. This is the second Sandy they have had. I once asked my mom why it was Sandy and she said that because of Little Orphan Annie, my gramma thought all dogs should be named Sandy. That would be confusing at my house since we have three dogs!
Last year, the farm was sold and my gramma and Ronnie moved into an apartment in town and could not keep the dog. My parents, out of the goodness of their heart, adopted this loving brown eyed dog.
This dog is one of the most loving dogs I have ever known. All she wants is for you to give her some love and attention. Sandy's only problem is that she feels that anything that is non-human must die.
Having been a farm dog for 10 or so years, her job was to keep every animal off the property. She was very good at her job. However, she has yet to figure out that she is now retired and is to just sit back and enjoy life and let bunnies and such live and be free.
She had no trouble adapting to life indoors after surviving outdoors through the winters of South Dakota. She just goes outside, does her business and wants right back in.
Doing her business is what led to a fun evening tonight.
Due to a death in the family, my parents are out of town and I am dog sitting for a couple of days. I came in the garage, turned off the alarm and was greeted by those big brown eyes. She did her usual, "oh I'm so happy to see a human" dance and headed for the back door. She instantly sat to have her collar put on and I opened the door. Immediately we hear the "whoop, whoop, whoop" of the alarm.
I obviously didn't get it shut off. It takes about 30 seconds for it to register what is happening. I shut the door and turn for the garage to shut off the alarm. Sandy, ears flat, tail between legs heads for the basement, her "safe" place. The only problem is, she has her leash on and it is wrapped around my wrist.
Sandy is a big, strong powerful dog, especially if there is an alarm going off. I'm yelling at Sandy to come with me while trying to pull her towards the garage door, (a door she knows she is NOT to go out) she is pulling me towards the basement, I grab my cell phone to call my parents and now the house phone is ringing. I know it is the alarm company.
I get the alarm off, my mom answers her cell phone and I tell her the alarm company will be calling soon because the phone is ringing once and then there is no one there. She tells me she is getting another call I laugh and hang up. I then call Sean to tell him what has happened. My loving husband says "why didn't you let go of the leash"? I don't even know how to answer that question.
When I get off the phone with Sean, Sandy is sitting next to me looking up as if to say, "can I please go outside now".
Last year, the farm was sold and my gramma and Ronnie moved into an apartment in town and could not keep the dog. My parents, out of the goodness of their heart, adopted this loving brown eyed dog.
This dog is one of the most loving dogs I have ever known. All she wants is for you to give her some love and attention. Sandy's only problem is that she feels that anything that is non-human must die.
Having been a farm dog for 10 or so years, her job was to keep every animal off the property. She was very good at her job. However, she has yet to figure out that she is now retired and is to just sit back and enjoy life and let bunnies and such live and be free.
She had no trouble adapting to life indoors after surviving outdoors through the winters of South Dakota. She just goes outside, does her business and wants right back in.
Doing her business is what led to a fun evening tonight.
Due to a death in the family, my parents are out of town and I am dog sitting for a couple of days. I came in the garage, turned off the alarm and was greeted by those big brown eyes. She did her usual, "oh I'm so happy to see a human" dance and headed for the back door. She instantly sat to have her collar put on and I opened the door. Immediately we hear the "whoop, whoop, whoop" of the alarm.
I obviously didn't get it shut off. It takes about 30 seconds for it to register what is happening. I shut the door and turn for the garage to shut off the alarm. Sandy, ears flat, tail between legs heads for the basement, her "safe" place. The only problem is, she has her leash on and it is wrapped around my wrist.
Sandy is a big, strong powerful dog, especially if there is an alarm going off. I'm yelling at Sandy to come with me while trying to pull her towards the garage door, (a door she knows she is NOT to go out) she is pulling me towards the basement, I grab my cell phone to call my parents and now the house phone is ringing. I know it is the alarm company.
I get the alarm off, my mom answers her cell phone and I tell her the alarm company will be calling soon because the phone is ringing once and then there is no one there. She tells me she is getting another call I laugh and hang up. I then call Sean to tell him what has happened. My loving husband says "why didn't you let go of the leash"? I don't even know how to answer that question.
When I get off the phone with Sean, Sandy is sitting next to me looking up as if to say, "can I please go outside now".
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
He Shoots, He Scores!!!
While his team still has yet to win a game, Monday night, Michael scored his first goal!!! Once again, he played the whole game. The goal was just what he needed. He was kind of getting down about his team not winning any games.
Not only did he score a goal, (the only one for his team that night), but he came close to scoring two others. The whole game his coach is telling the kids, "pass the ball to Michael". There is a little boy on his team named Jeremy whose dad is always telling him, "Jeremy, get up there and help Michael" or "Jeremy, stay with Michael". I really need to look and see about indoor soccer for him.
After the game, Michael came running across the field yelling "mommy, mommy, mommy" and jumped into my arms. He was talking 100 miles a minute, but the gist was "did you see me score". He gave me a big hug and one of the other mom's not too far from me said to the person standing next to her, "I wish I had that kind of relationship with my son". I'm thinking, uh he's eight, how can you not have this kind of relationship with your son. I guess it pays to tell you kids you love them 100 or more times a day.
Michael says he likes to hear me cheering on the sidelines because I'm not yelling "mean". I am amazed at how many parents are really putting pressure on their kids at this young of an age. I have always told both Noelle and Michael that it does not matter if you win or loose, the important thing is to have fun. As soon as they no longer desire to do what ever activity it is, they can stop, but they must finish out the season.
While other parents are yelling "mean" or not even paying attention to what their child is doing, I'm yelling "you can do it Michael" or saying "good job" to whom ever did well on his team. I may be yelling "good save number 14", but at least it's something positive.
Not only did he score a goal, (the only one for his team that night), but he came close to scoring two others. The whole game his coach is telling the kids, "pass the ball to Michael". There is a little boy on his team named Jeremy whose dad is always telling him, "Jeremy, get up there and help Michael" or "Jeremy, stay with Michael". I really need to look and see about indoor soccer for him.
After the game, Michael came running across the field yelling "mommy, mommy, mommy" and jumped into my arms. He was talking 100 miles a minute, but the gist was "did you see me score". He gave me a big hug and one of the other mom's not too far from me said to the person standing next to her, "I wish I had that kind of relationship with my son". I'm thinking, uh he's eight, how can you not have this kind of relationship with your son. I guess it pays to tell you kids you love them 100 or more times a day.
Michael says he likes to hear me cheering on the sidelines because I'm not yelling "mean". I am amazed at how many parents are really putting pressure on their kids at this young of an age. I have always told both Noelle and Michael that it does not matter if you win or loose, the important thing is to have fun. As soon as they no longer desire to do what ever activity it is, they can stop, but they must finish out the season.
While other parents are yelling "mean" or not even paying attention to what their child is doing, I'm yelling "you can do it Michael" or saying "good job" to whom ever did well on his team. I may be yelling "good save number 14", but at least it's something positive.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Time Flies...(when you're me)
Holy cow it's October! I've been in school for two months now. The middle of December, I'm off for a month. I can't wait. I can enjoy the holidays.
I had an exciting week last week for clinicals. I was in the OR and I got to see a...
Michaels team has yet to win a soccer game. He got sick at school today and couldn't play, so I don't know if they are now 0-4. We'll find out Saturday at practice.
I had an exciting week last week for clinicals. I was in the OR and I got to see a...
CRANIOTOMY!!!
It was pretty cool. The surgeon was using a microscope for the procedure and said that a TV could hooked up to it and said "you don't want to watch this on a TV do you?". I asked him if he was kidding and he said that most students don't want to see that. WELL, I told him that I'm an ER girl and that after working in there, not much bothers me anymore. (well, I can't stand any kind of thing to do with mucus and I don't care much for my kids puke)
They wheeled in the TV and it was awesome!! I then saw a procedure that I really could have lived the rest of my life without seeing (or hearing for that matter). It was not a pretty site and involved the other end of the body. Enough said.
This week I was back on the oncology floor. My day didn't start off well. But nobody died so it could have been worse.
Michaels team has yet to win a soccer game. He got sick at school today and couldn't play, so I don't know if they are now 0-4. We'll find out Saturday at practice.
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