Funny Story...

With all this "Royal Wedding" talk going on, I was reminded of something silly...

(And, PS...I totally thought I didn't give two hoots about the wedding, turns out I did! We don't have TV--well, we have A TV, just no channels--so I didn't watch anything live, but holy smokers, have I been YouTubing things like crazy!)

Anyway, on my first date with Mr. Wonderful, we were saying our goodbyes...I was shuffling my feet, hoping for a goodnight kiss but trying not to make it look that I was too hopeful, when my handsome suitor said something that still cracks me up to this day.

He said (all cute and charming and silly), and I quote: "If you play your cards right, maybe someday you'll be a princess...I'm royalty of an island off the coast of England." And I burst out laughing!

Totally cheesy...but it made me smile.

On a side note--is anyone else amazed by the love Britain has for the monarchy? (Should that be capitalized?!) Makes me want to live there. No, scratch that...it makes me want to be part of the Royal Family! ;)

Oh, and on another side note...Prince Harry? Wowzers. He looked so dashing and devilish in that uniform. And, I'm DYING to know what he whispered to William as Kate was walking down the aisle...JUST DYING!!!

Five Question Friday! 4/29/11

Looking forward to having coffee and catching up with a good friend later this morning! It's been too long, and the 12 children between us keep us much too busy!

Hoping for a relaxing weekend...with some housekeeping thrown in! Today it's supposed to be in the mid 60's, which is gonna feel heavenly to us! Then, within a few days, there is snow in the forecast again. :(

It's weird, too...when I wake up, sweet little Prince William will be a married man. Craziness.

Okay, onto 5QF!!

If you are new to Five Question Friday, WELCOME!! I hope you enjoy yourself!

Rules for 5QF: Copy and paste the following questions to your blog post, answer them, then watch for the linky post to appear Friday morning! And (and this is the most important one) it is imperative that you HAVE FUN!! ;)

Questions for Friday, April 29th: (Special thanks to @gasfamily, Rachel, Lorilynne, Pam, and Sandy for their question suggestions! If YOU would like to be linked in a future 5QF, leave me a question suggestion over at my community, or shout it out to me on Twitter [@5crookedhalos]!)

1. If you could buy any car, money not an option, what would it be?

2. What was your worst first date ever?

3. How old were you when you fell in love for the first time?

4. When was the last time you reconciled your checkbook?

5. If you were going to fashion a "Wanted" Ad for a best friend, how would you word it?

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1. If you could buy any car, money not an option, what would it be?

Your gonna think I'm the world's biggest lame-o.

I, me, the epitome of "cool" *giggle*, would buy a Toyota Sienna. Or, a Honda Odyssey.

Totally decked out with all the bells and whistles, of course.

Yes, I am a minivan mom.

I scoff in the face of the sorry suckers who stuff their families into too small vehicles while scoffing at me and my minivan.

Sorry suckas, minivans are hot.

And, totally practical whether you have one child or 5.

I *heart* minivans.

2. What was your worst first date ever?

Well...once upon a time, a darling young man asked me out on a date. I didn't really want to go.

In fact, I'm not really sure why I even said yes...it's the "people pleaser" in me, I suppose.

Anyway, while the date itself wasn't so horribly awful...all I could think of on the way home was how I avoid what I was sure was going to be a "good night" kiss. I tucked my hands tight into my lap, avoiding holding his...and devised ways in which I could nonchalantly bow out of a kiss I did not want.

Well...suffice it to say, that the car had barely slowed to, oh, I dunno, 30 mph, when I said, "Seeyoulater,thanksfordinner!" and tucked and rolled right out of the car.

Okay...so, it probably wasn't that dramatic...but man did I bolt out of that car quickly!

Turns out...that this young man went on to have some small success with a professional baseball team's farm team. When the Pal got wind that I dated this guy, he said, "Whoa. You shoulda stuck with him."

I think he thought it would be cool to have connections or something...what I didn't tell him was it was "pre-him". There would be no Pal if I had "stuck with him"!

And Praise the Lord I didn't!!

3. How old were you when you fell in love for the first time?

Well, once, when I was in 6th grade, I was "in love" with Michael. I had been "in love" with Michael for, like, ever.

He was adorable...I think he peaked in 6th grade tho.

Anyway, after years of me chasing him (literally...'cuz that's what you do in elementary school), I think he finally said he'd "go with" me just to get me off my back.

A few days later one of his friends told me Michael wanted to break up with me. I was sad.

So sad I went home and watched Sesame Street and declared it the best remedy to a broken heart.

Elmo...he makes a heart happy!

4. When was the last time you reconciled your checkbook?

Ahem.

Um...never?

Yeah. For real. Well...maybe I did back when I first got it. But, not since.

The Mr. was pretty good about reconciling our checkbook after we first got married. Then he got behind.

And that was, oh, probably about 96 months ago.

And I'm not even joking.

5. If you were going to fashion a "Wanted" Ad for a best friend, how would you word it?

It would say something like this:

Wanted: Best Friend.

:p

Okay, okay...how's this: Totally cool, hip, mother of five (who really doesn't have much time for friends) is looking for a kind soul, who is entirely understanding of her lack of time, forgetfulness, and chaotic life, to be her best friend. Understanding, loyalty, and a good sense of humor are a must. Please contact me at 867-5309 and don't be surprised if I forget to call you back the first 87 times you leave a message.

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Enjoy your weekend, my friends! Thanks for joining in!

Thursday Night 5QF Sneak Peek!!

Happy almost Friday! I am rushing here and there and everywhere today, so let's just get right down to business!

Welcome to the Thursday Night Five Question Friday Sneak Peek! This is not the "real" 5QF post...that one will be up tomorrow, with the linky attached!

Rules for 5QF: Copy and paste the following questions to your blog post, answer them, then watch for the linky post to appear Friday morning! And (and this is the most important one) it is imperative that you HAVE FUN!! ;)

Questions for Friday, April 29th: (Special thanks to @gasfamily, Rachel, Lorilynne, Pam, and Sandy for their question suggestions! If YOU would like to be linked in a future 5QF, leave me a question suggestion over at my community, or shout it out to me on Twitter [@5crookedhalos]!)

1. If you could buy any car, money not an option, what would it be?

2. What was your worst first date ever?

3. How old were you when you fell in love for the first time?

4. When was the last time you reconciled your checkbook?

5. If you were going to fashion a "Wanted" Ad for a best friend, how would you word it?

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And now, I'm off again! See ya in the am!

Deep Conversations with Baby Girl:

Let me set the scene...I had walked away from my Babe, leaving her playing her bedroom, to dig through the massive mound of clean socks, in the living room, for a matching pair.

She, noticing I left, came in search of me...and this is how it went:

BG, from her room: "Mama?"

Me, down the hall, digging for socks: "What, baby?"

BG, from her doorway: "Mama?"

Me, still digging: "What, baby?"

BG, in the hallway: "Mama?"

Me, digging and digging: "What, baby?"

BG, from the kitchen: "Mama?"

Me...still digging: "What, baby?"

BG, farther into kitchen: "Mama? Where are you?"

Me...uh huh, still digging: "In here, baby."

BG, finding me in the living room: "Mama?"

Me...sweating, digging, cursing those blasted socks: "What, baby?"

BG: (big, long, puzzled, "I forgot what I was gonna say" pause) "Um...I love you!"

Me, beaming: "I love you too, baby."

Priceless.

60 minute use of an operating room: $10,687.00.

Eight day "room and board" for a hospital room: $14,976.00.

9 "pokes" by the lab: $2,200.00.

Knowing my little girl is healed and healthy: Priceless.

Grandpa Update...

Visited with my grandpa for a bit tonight and I was so relieved to see a change in him.

I don't think I really let on to how worried about him I was, but he was not well last night.

There was mention of infection in his brain causing the bleeding, he is a complicated patient with heart issues and prior strokes, so taking him off his coumadin (which they had to do because of the bleeding) presented it's own risks.

Because the coumadin is still in his system, they are kind of in a holding pattern. Unable to do a spinal tap (or "LP" for "lumbar puncture") or surgery to relieve the pressure, they are blasting him with antibiotics. Which appear to be working!

Last night, it was obvious to me that he wasn't recognizing me. He would barely nod "yes" or "no" to direct questions, looked confused, was agitated, slow to follow commands, and not answering questions appropriately.

Today, tho? While he is still FAR from himself, he is SO much better! He was talking, giving direct answers to questions, and was less agitated. Still complaining of a headache, still weak, still unable to eat or drink...but better.

And "better" is such a relief to see! Thank you for your prayers!

The Elusive "Easter Photo"...

*Sigh*

All I wanted was to get a photo of my nicely dressed kids on Easter (minus their biggest bro, who was at his dad's for the holiday). Is that too much to ask?

Apparently it is...just take a look:

I wanted a photo of my kids all together...only Baby Girl wasn't having anything to do with it.

But, WAIT!! If you look close, there she is:

My efforts were futile, and I gave up as soon as this happened (dang baby bros, always gotta be goofy...but I think it's kinda cute! And, I think they are too...):

Then, Uncle J joined in the fun (i.e. torture) and mercilessly teased Belle (but, as you can see, she didn't really mind too much!):

At long last, I attempted to stage a family photo:

*Groan* I give up.

Not quite what I planned for today.

Today started out just like any other..."Mama, can you make me eggies?", you know, the usual.

My grandpa had been in the hospital since Saturday with a temp, some confusion, and symptoms of what might be a stroke, so after a lunch out with my mama and my kiddos, we planned to stop up at the hospital for a quick 10 minute visit.

10 HOURS later, I just got home.

I arrived at the hospital with my 4 crazy kids in tow (remember, this was just gonna be a "quick" visit...we didn't want to overwhelm grandpa) and learned from my grandma that she had been told that grandpa had an "intraventricular bleed"...bleeding into the ventricles in his brain.

Our small town hospital is just like any other (most other?) small town hospitals...decent enough care, but lacking the resources of a larger hospital. After talking with my grandma and my aunt, we had decided that grandpa needed to be transferred.

I dashed out to get the Pal, who had been golfing for the afternoon, called the Mr., dropped my brood off at home, and went back to the hospital to wait with my grandma and aunt for the ambulance to come pick up my grandpa.

They arrived, and my aunt and I took off to meet them (grandma rode in the ambulance) at the hospital.

My poor grandpa (who is normally VERY "with it", very sharp, at 82) was so confused and disoriented. So hard to see him acting so unlike himself. A CT scan was repeated at the new hospital, and the radiologist reports that there might be some inflammation (possibly infection) in the brain (along with finding a pretty substantial sinus infection).

Sounds like they are planning on doing a spinal tap tonight, but the nurse practitioner who saw grandpa first (FINALLY! At about 11pm!) needed to talk to the doc she works with to devise a plan. My aunt and I decided that we had done all we could, and took off.

Hoping for more info tomorrow...my grandpa could definitely use your prayers.

Thanks!

Seeking Your Help

As most of you all know, my amazing brother-in-law, Verd, died in a tragic accident on January 31st.

The support from our community has been incredible. They are putting on a Benefit for his wife and 7 kids. A silent auction will be held during the benefit...and here's where I need your help. (And here's where I step out of my "comfort zone" to ask you for something...)

I am looking for anyone who would be willing to donate a fabulous product for the silent auction, all of the proceeds will go directly to Verd's family.

Thank you so much for considering this...feel free to contact me at: fivecrookedhalos (at) gmail (dot) com.

Here is a link to the flyer for the benefit, with contact info for people who are "in charge" of the benefit and silent auction, if you would rather go that route!

In Real Time...

Just finished watching Shrek 4 with my Baby Girl...she was incredibly snuggly, and I soaked it up!!

Feeling blessed...had a wonderful Easter with family. A gorgeous day (with plenty of pics tomorrow), amazing food, and incredible company.

I'm waiting for my Benadryl to kick in...slept like poo last night, so hoping that I get in a good night's sleep tonight. Completely DREADING my disaster of a home and what I need to do to get it back in order.

Oh dear. I do believe the Benadryl is kicking in...I can't form a coherent thought anymore!

I do have one last thing...my grandpa was admitted to the hospital yesterday (no, not the "Pot Plant" grandpa). Not sure what's wrong with him; fevers, disoriented, weak...he could definitely use some prayers!

God Bless you all on this joyful Easter Sunday!!

Five Question Friday! 4/22/11

It's Good Friday...a day that always makes me emotional. And, always reminds me of when my Belle piped up, "If Jesus died today, why do they call it 'Good Friday'? Shouldn't it be 'Bad Friday'?"

Love the innocence of children!

Anyway...I'm tappin' this out late on Thursday, just got home from work, and need to get some shut eye, so let's get down to business!

Rules for Five Question Friday: Copy and paste the following questions to your blog post, answer them, then watch for my linky post to appear tomorrow and LINK UP! Oh, yeah...and most importantly, have fun!!

Questions for Friday, April 22nd: (Special thanks to @TylerH2102, @jengacek, Pam,Rachel, and Sandy for their question suggestions! I'd LOVE to link YOU in a future 5QF, just c'mon over to my community and offer up your best question suggestions! It's getting a little sparse over there, so I'd LOVE some more questions to choose from! Also, watch for my weekly Thursday shout out for questions on Twitter [@5crookedhalos]!!)

1. What is your favorite Easter tradition?

2. Are you a "shower" or a "long, hot bath" kind of person?

3. Can you parallel park and if so when is the last time you did it?

4. What is your favorite Easter candy?

5. Easter: do you go all out with the Easter Bunny or focus on the religious part of the holiday?

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1. What is your favorite Easter tradition?

Mmmmmm...soft boiled eggs and carmel rolls and orange rolls and sausage!! My Gram's tradition, and it is SO good!

But, I also LOVE Easter mass. So happy and joyful and springy and fresh after the heavy dark Holy Days preceding it.

I think Easter mass is my favorite...although, it's a toss up between Easter and Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve!

2. Are you a "shower" or a "long, hot bath" kind of person?

Well, if we had a comfortable tub in our house, I would say "long, hot bath". My big brother used to tease me, because whenever we were at my parents and everyone else got in the hot tub, I would go crawl into their jacuzzi tub and soak. All. By. Myself.

Bliss.

Plus, I just can't stand hot tubs. Too hot, too humid, too chemically...and I always feel like a need a bath (or shower) after being in a hot tub. So, let's cut out the middle man and just go straight for the tub!

As it stands, in our "crappy tubbed" house, showers reign. In our crappy showers. Seriously...you should see our showers. They are like what you see at campgrounds. Honestly, who would've put these in a house to begin with?!

Bathrooms: First up on our way to remodeling this old house!

3. Can you parallel park and if so when is the last time you did it?

Er...no.

I nailed in on my driver's test...then haven't done it since. I can't remember what I'm supposed to watch for in the mirrors and when to turn and when to straighten and I just can't ever do it without hitting the curb and parking all kiddywhompus.

So, I just drive around and around until someone leaves an open spot that I can easily pull into. Less stress that way!

4. What is your favorite Easter candy?

Well, this year, it happens to be Sixlets. But most years, it's those yummy SweetTart Chicks and Bunnies. Oh my heavens, those are the best!

Oh, and SweetTart Jelly Beans are fabulous too! And those Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs? *swoon*

Ugh...I've gotta stop! I'm getting hungry and thinking about tearing into the treats I bought!!

5. Easter: do you go all out with the Easter Bunny or focus on the religious part of the holiday?

You know...I'm happy to say that we do focus on the religious part of this holiday. The Easter Bunny comes, and the kids love it, but we don't make a HUGE deal out of the good ol' EB.

It's more about going to church and celebrating with family...hmmmm, know what? I'm really proud that I can say that!!

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Okay, this Mama is totally tuckered out...but, l'm looking forward to reading what YOU have to say! Have a fabulous Easter and a wonderful weekend!