Author: Lily Faust
Age: 6
"Mom, if you were lost in the middle of the woods, who would you call first, your family or the police?"
This came out of no where. We were just chilling around the house on Monday. It can't be traced to a movie, show or book. I asked her twenty different ways how she came up with that question, her reply, "I was just thinking, like in my brain with pictures".
My reply, "I would call my family and have them call the police". She was fine with that answer and went on playing drawing on her dry erase board.
It was so obviously pointed out to me today that if I was in the middle of the woods with a cell phone....I'm probably not lost.
Since her brain has such an imagination, I should have elaborated and made up a good story. Ah...they'll be a next time.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Monday, February 20, 2012
Built in revamp
Lily's room has built in book cases that take up an entire wall. The builder of these units (I am assuming the previous owner) also put a nice uneven coat of a dark oily stain. The sides connecting to the walls were left undone (I think a measurement problem occurred) and the top piece of molding had nails hanging out of it along with an odd jagged piece hanging.
The time came to paint the unit.
As you can see with the amount of clutter on there...the prep was going to take a while. Not so bad though. I put everything on her desk and bed.
Look what treasure I found behind the heater....lovely wallpaper. I also found the most terrible smell that I cleaned and then painted with Kilz. Jojo is getting the last bit of sun in the window time before I keep her out of the room for the day.
So as noted above the unit was painted with a dark oily stain and I am used two coats of Kilz to prime everything. The oil stain on the doors ate through three coats of Kilz and one coat of semi-gloss until I gave up. They will be sanded and I will start over on them.
For less than six dollars I was able to get two pieces of wood to finish off the sides of the unit Finished. Took the nails and and jagged edges out of the top piece of molding...much cleaner look.
Although the dolls are on top, they are played with, it is the only shelf that is tall enough for them.
Off to do some clean up of all the extra clutter that needs to be organized. By organized, I mean put in the trash can outside at the curb. What she doesn't know won't hurt her.
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The time came to paint the unit.
Although the dolls are on top, they are played with, it is the only shelf that is tall enough for them.
Off to do some clean up of all the extra clutter that needs to be organized. By organized, I mean put in the trash can outside at the curb. What she doesn't know won't hurt her.
Please sign up to get email alerts so you can see my future projects, what we're up to and general blipes.
New word alert (qualifies if I don't find it on dictionary.com)
Blipes: a blog that is about a specific gripe
Monday, February 13, 2012
parenting mistake
Lily and I traveled to her PCP's office this afternoon for sick visit. Of course we don't mind waiting in the lobby for our turn (very thankful for being squeezed in) but the loud gum smacking person had my last nerve for about an hour. Finally Lily and I go to see the Doctor and after a diagnosis of another respiratory infection, I left just so frustrated. I just wanted to get in the car and chill out to some music on the way home. Lily had other ideas. MOM, IF WE TAKE OUR FEET OFF THE EARTH ARE WE IN OUTER SPACE?
no, outer space is far away
ARE WE JUST IN SPACE THEN, SINCE WE AREN'T ON EARTH?
we are in the air, space is what you see in the sky and outer space is stuff farther than that
HOW FAR IS THAT LIKE TWO INCHES OR AS TALL AS ME?
miles and miles
DOES OUR POOP AND PEE NEED CHEMICALS WHEN IT GOES IN THE TANK IN RHODE ISLAND?
i'm not sure but i think so.
LIKE WINDEX OR CAR SOAP
probably like Windex (i thought maybe some sort of vinegar)
BLUE WINDEX?
i really don't know but we'll ask plumber
At this point I thought I was done for the night.......so wrong.
IF ALIENS COME DOWN ON EARTH, ARE THEY NICE?
i imagine since we are nice aliens would be nice
IF ALIENS COME DOWN DO THEY COME AT NIGHT OR DAY?
i am not sure, i haven't run into one
REALLY, THAT IS WEIRD
I have no interest in aliens, if they watch us on earth, captured people or even if we live amongst them. I am not being ignorant. There are only some many things that I let in my head, aliens aren't one that I ever made room for. I am not going to get a book from the library or amazon on this because I believe I'll be added to the national weirdo list. So I am not sure what the correct answer is. Big parenting mistake coming up. Wait for it....
Our discussion continued...
lily do you think there are aliens?
OF COURSE!
do you think they are nice?
MOM, THERE ARE NICE ONES AND BAD ONES AND ONES THAT DON'T BRUSH THEIR TEETH AND ONES THAT TAKE MY STUFFIES. THEY COME ALL DAY AND ALL NIGHT AND WATCH PEOPLE ON EARTH. THEY ARE GOING TO TAKE SOME OF US BACK TO THEIR PLANET AND MAKE US SHOW THEM HOW TO USE IPADS AND IPHONES. SO THIS IS WHY I NEED TO BE A TEENAGER NOW SO I CAN GET AN IPHONE AND A WHITE CLEAN CAR AND SHOW THE ALIENS....
she said more...I had to tune her out to not freak out. At this point I am beginning to learn I can't blame her curious mind on her being sick. I can't blame it on a long day at Kindergarten. I think I need to embrace it but I am uneducated in the world of outer space, poop chemicals and aliens.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Looking back and planning ahead
The above picture is of last summer at Capron Park Zoo. Lily was having fun but she feels this is an appropriate pose for pictures. When she is 30 she is going to look back and think, "was I a sad child?"
I try to do a lot of out doors stuff because she loves nature and physical activity but I work for a skin cancer surgeon so I can't be a tan or burned. Not so kosher. I know she's wearing a hat in the above picture but it is a struggle every time to tell her how important it is.
So I am thinking a summer of hiking. Great at getting the energy out. Great excerise. Great bonding time. Ahh..and it is cheap if not free. You can do it in the evening before sunset (no sunburns), it will give us time to chat and explore. Hopefully Grammy will join us. Here is my bucket list for the summer:
Cliff walk
Diamond Hill Park
Chafee Nature Preserve
Norman Bird Sanctuary
Purgatory Chasm (repeat...love it)
Rodmans Hollow
Sachuest Point
Now I must buy both of us decent hiking shoes that deal with sand, water and rough hiking trails. So excited just getting this out of my head and thinking about all the fun we'll have.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Lottery
What would you do if you won the lottery? We often joke about it with family or friends but when it happens I think you need to be prepared or you'll end up like a majority those people on the TLC show that are bankrupt with five years. I am writing this as a manual for myself.
1. Once notified that you have won, tell no one besides people living inside your house. If a child is in the house and can't keep a secret then don't tell them. Family will come out the the woodwork for money. I guess you could base it on how many times they "liked" a post on facebook to see if they are worthy of money. If I based it on followers of this blog....only one person would get money. HINT
2. Call a lawyer. Specifically a tax lawyer that helps out the filthy rich. The first thing the lawyer needs to do is protect your privacy. You don't want a newspaper or TV talking about your win. Then people are going to be at your door for their different charities. Of course money will be given to a charity....but you don't want to have to say no to any ones face.
3. Now, this is when it is time to freak out. Scream, yell, laugh, cry and run in circles.
4. Carry on a normal life until you get the money. Work. You don't want something to happen and you don't get the money. I imagine Publishers Clearing House coming to my door and three days later saying, "whoops it was your neighbor we were looking for". Don't count your chickens before they hatch.
Now assuming the money is in your account you have to have a different manual depending on the quantities of money you have won.
1,000,000= Not much is going to change after paying taxes and paying off the mortgage. You'll have more monthly money for vacations and nice clothes. Maybe your child can go to a private school. You might upgrade your car. I would make a mental note to save money for taxes on your land and house that you have to pay every year. This is where people fail, according to TLC.
1,000,000 a year for life= Um, you are pretty set to do what you want. It might be better to try to get a lump sum if you believe in the Mayan calendar.
How would I spend the money? I haven't a clue on the responsible way to do it. I imagine I'd want to pay off things off but maybe that would hurt your credit if you don't have any debt. Do you need "Credit" if you are rich? This is where I would invest in a very good financial advisor. I googled and Gregory Vaughan is #1 on Barron's top 100, Karen McDonald is number 100, she probably is just as good and doesn't charge as much.
On February 29th Publishers Clearing House said they are giving away money in my zip code. I really should have read the "*" at the bottom because how do they know that if the drawing is that day and do they have a prize list I can check the accuracy of this information on March 1st.
I am doubtful that I will win but I play the game. I don't buy lottery tickets (except for once a year..if I remember), I like scratch off's but I don't go into gas stations enough to buy them on a frequency. I like the thrill of what if. I don't believe that money buys happiness. Money can get rid of financial stresses but I am sure it brings on a whole lot of other stresses. Of course, I am willing to explore those other stresses if I won.
Comment back on what luxury you would buy with your winnings.
1. Once notified that you have won, tell no one besides people living inside your house. If a child is in the house and can't keep a secret then don't tell them. Family will come out the the woodwork for money. I guess you could base it on how many times they "liked" a post on facebook to see if they are worthy of money. If I based it on followers of this blog....only one person would get money. HINT
2. Call a lawyer. Specifically a tax lawyer that helps out the filthy rich. The first thing the lawyer needs to do is protect your privacy. You don't want a newspaper or TV talking about your win. Then people are going to be at your door for their different charities. Of course money will be given to a charity....but you don't want to have to say no to any ones face.
3. Now, this is when it is time to freak out. Scream, yell, laugh, cry and run in circles.
4. Carry on a normal life until you get the money. Work. You don't want something to happen and you don't get the money. I imagine Publishers Clearing House coming to my door and three days later saying, "whoops it was your neighbor we were looking for". Don't count your chickens before they hatch.
Now assuming the money is in your account you have to have a different manual depending on the quantities of money you have won.
1,000,000= Not much is going to change after paying taxes and paying off the mortgage. You'll have more monthly money for vacations and nice clothes. Maybe your child can go to a private school. You might upgrade your car. I would make a mental note to save money for taxes on your land and house that you have to pay every year. This is where people fail, according to TLC.
1,000,000 a year for life= Um, you are pretty set to do what you want. It might be better to try to get a lump sum if you believe in the Mayan calendar.
How would I spend the money? I haven't a clue on the responsible way to do it. I imagine I'd want to pay off things off but maybe that would hurt your credit if you don't have any debt. Do you need "Credit" if you are rich? This is where I would invest in a very good financial advisor. I googled and Gregory Vaughan is #1 on Barron's top 100, Karen McDonald is number 100, she probably is just as good and doesn't charge as much.
On February 29th Publishers Clearing House said they are giving away money in my zip code. I really should have read the "*" at the bottom because how do they know that if the drawing is that day and do they have a prize list I can check the accuracy of this information on March 1st.
I am doubtful that I will win but I play the game. I don't buy lottery tickets (except for once a year..if I remember), I like scratch off's but I don't go into gas stations enough to buy them on a frequency. I like the thrill of what if. I don't believe that money buys happiness. Money can get rid of financial stresses but I am sure it brings on a whole lot of other stresses. Of course, I am willing to explore those other stresses if I won.
Comment back on what luxury you would buy with your winnings.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
catch phrases
I remember being in junior high and struggling to find ways to fit the popular phrases in my vocabulary. Back then it was, "gag me with a spoon, where's the beef, I've fallen and can't get up". I know now that when I used those phrases it was obvious that I was trying to hard but I felt cool in that moment. A catch phrase needs to me spontaneous and appropriate for a multitude of situations.
Yesterday I took my daughter and her friend to get ice cream. When we got into the car they started discussing how they got this special occasion because they were BFF's. I felt the need to make they elaborate on their feelings of trust and respect for each other and that is makes them "BFF's". I didn't.
When we got to the ice cream store the waitress was struggling with the lemonade dispenser. Of course we were sitting at the counter so we had a prime view of her frustration. My daughter looks at me and says loudly, "this is awk----ward" and rolled her eyes halfway then put her hand over her eyes like a shield and looked down. What the h-e double hockey sticks. The waitress thought it was funny. I was mortified and felt the need to have her apologize. I didn't.
My child's friend got a huge ice cream sandwich and when it was in front of her she said, "OMG, this is like totally the biggest ice cream sandwich ev-a". I felt like I was with two teenagers. I wouldn't have had an issue if they didn't use the phrases correctly or weren't so darn cute.
If a strung out drug addict madam using person like Charlie Sheen can have a catch phrase like "winning" I want one. I recently started doing high kicks at work and saying "ca-ching". But "ca-ching" is an already established catch phrase and doing high kicks in public (which I am not afraid to do) may be dangerous to those around me. I should also mention that only one person at work played along with my high kick-ca-ching, the rest rolled their eyes. So I accept the failure.
It is too easy to bring back an old saying. I am going to start a new catch phrase within my blogs and in my everyday life and see if anyone can get it or more importantly if I can get it to "go viral". So if you read it or hear me say, pay it forward....pass it on or start your own.
Yesterday I took my daughter and her friend to get ice cream. When we got into the car they started discussing how they got this special occasion because they were BFF's. I felt the need to make they elaborate on their feelings of trust and respect for each other and that is makes them "BFF's". I didn't.
When we got to the ice cream store the waitress was struggling with the lemonade dispenser. Of course we were sitting at the counter so we had a prime view of her frustration. My daughter looks at me and says loudly, "this is awk----ward" and rolled her eyes halfway then put her hand over her eyes like a shield and looked down. What the h-e double hockey sticks. The waitress thought it was funny. I was mortified and felt the need to have her apologize. I didn't.
My child's friend got a huge ice cream sandwich and when it was in front of her she said, "OMG, this is like totally the biggest ice cream sandwich ev-a". I felt like I was with two teenagers. I wouldn't have had an issue if they didn't use the phrases correctly or weren't so darn cute.
If a strung out drug addict madam using person like Charlie Sheen can have a catch phrase like "winning" I want one. I recently started doing high kicks at work and saying "ca-ching". But "ca-ching" is an already established catch phrase and doing high kicks in public (which I am not afraid to do) may be dangerous to those around me. I should also mention that only one person at work played along with my high kick-ca-ching, the rest rolled their eyes. So I accept the failure.
It is too easy to bring back an old saying. I am going to start a new catch phrase within my blogs and in my everyday life and see if anyone can get it or more importantly if I can get it to "go viral". So if you read it or hear me say, pay it forward....pass it on or start your own.
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