My new site is currently under construction! Please visit
www.lulalola.wordpress.com
to view my current posts.
Dumpster Diving Goes Coastal
April 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment
We’ve got a place in Surfside Beach, SC. And we spend most of our summers there. I grew up spending my summers at the beach, then my best friend and I lived there while we were in college. It’s a great place. It’s changed so much over the years. It used to be all dirt roads and families that I knew. But, in the past ten or fifteen years, it has really developed a lot. There aren’t many hotels in Surfside, there are some condos and lots of rental houses. The houses rent from Saturday to Saturday. Most of the rental agencies require the renter to be out by 11:00 a.m. on Saturday morning. So, it’s tourist turn over day.
Lots of people fly in, or drive in with cars packed to overflowing. They buy boogie boards, floats, beach toys, beach chairs, hibachi grills, noodles, coolers, charcoal, umbrellas. You name it, if you need it at the beach, they buy it. And it’s just not practical to pack it and take it all home, so they pile it beside their trash cans.
So, my fellows and I get up on Saturday morning and have a good scavenge. I am driving my husband stark raving mad with this obsession hobby. He swears we have nowhere to store all of this stuff. He’d be right. But, it’s just going to be thrown away. And I feel like I’m doing my part for the environment. I’m keeping it out of land fills, you know? And the kids LOVE it.
We get up and ride around the neighborhood, stalking unsuspecting tourists. As they pack their cars, we see what’s getting put out beside the road. We try and estimate how long before they pull out. You see, we aren’t the only locals who do this, you gotta be fast. We circle the block, and circle the block and as soon as they pull out, we pounce. Fill the car up as quick as lightning, giggling the whole time. And kind of feeling like an ass, all the same.
But, we never spend a dime on anything beach related. Next time I’m down, I’ll take pictures of the whole “lot” of what I’ve scavenged. It’s a hoot!
These pictures are from last summer, and they were taken with my phone, so forgive the poor quality. I just thought you’d get a kick out of them!
Here's the car loaded down, that small head in the backseat belongs to Mack.
The booty from one morning of dumpster diving!
That’s Adam doing the Vanna White impression. And Sam in the background, for once not interested in having his picture made. He’s laying claim to a new bucket and shovel! Mack is perhaps still buried in the car. :0
The fact that I take joy in this, probably screams latent hoarding issues. But, I love it! My husband on the other hand thinks that if you can give everyone on the block a chair, umbrella, boogie board, and sand toy, that it’s time to stop.
We’ll have to agree to disagree, I guess!
Do you any of you do this? Or am I crazy, for real?
Happy Dumpster Diving,
Five Question Friday! April 30!
April 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment
The lovely Mama M. has handed down the five questions, and I for one can’t wait to answer them! Link up and answer them too!
So, here goes!
1. If you could, would you go back to high school?
No way! I loved hanging out with my friends. I was quite the party girl and really had lots of fun. But, being on someone else’s schedule just does not appeal to me at all! I hate living by a calendar and a clock. Getting my kids where they need to be, with what they’re supposed to have sometimes proves too much for me. I’d never want to do that again!
2. If a genie appeared and granted you two wishes, what would they be? (And, no saying “more wishes”.)
To live in good health long enough to be a great, great, great-grandmother with my husband right beside me.
Wish number two would be that money was not ever an issue for anyone in my family. I’d like for them to be able to make every decision without thinking about finances. From the little things, like vacations, to the big things, like career choices, and how many kids they’d like to have. The reality of money sometimes makes us limit our dreams. And I’d like to take that out of the equation.
3. What kids show do you secretly like?
I NEVER watch television. Ever. So, I can’t really answer this one. And my kids don’t watch a whole lot of tv either, so I have no answer for this one.
4. What is your beverage of choice?
Non alcoholic, I really like a coke in one of the little glass bottles! So, good!
If I’m talking alcoholic beverages, I really like an ice-cold beer. Like, so cold that you feel that first swallow as it goes down. Love it!
I’m also a fan of a well made mojito. And I make a really good one! 
I wouldn’t turn down a margarita either. Lots of salt!
5. What is something that you would change about yourself (or are working to change in yourself)?
I’d have a flat stomach. Shoulda put that in the two wish category, because I am not currently working on it. That’s for sure! I am thinking of starting a weight loss thingy next week. Ugh!
I also wish I was more organized. I’m a mess in this department. Probably why I don’t enjoy calendars and clocks! I’m doing nothing in this department either.
I’m feeling like a lazy slug just typing this. Perhaps a little self-improvement is needed!
Now, your turn!
The Brothers Edition of Before and After
April 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Pixel Perfect hosts this fun blog hop! You post a photo straight out of your camera. And then you show the edited version.
This photo of Mack and Sam was taken in our front yard before a baseball game. It’s not the greatest picture. The color and the exposure are kinda weird. But I love the way Sam looks up to Mack. You can tell just how cool he thinks his big brother is!
I edited it in Lightroom and Photoshop Elements. I took the picture with my Nikon D5000.
SOOC
Edited version
To see some really cool edits or to link up, hop on over!
Meet My Future Daughter-In-Law
April 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment
I promise after this post, that I’m giving Sam a rest. It looks like I’ve only got the one kid sometimes. He’s so tolerant of me and my camera. And his brothers are just done with having their pictures taken. And top that with all the recent Sam drama, and it looks like I’m all about him. I am all about him, but I’m all about the other two just as much!
But, here we go, the last Sam post for a day or two. Or at least the last exclusively Sam post!
Caroline is Sam’s oldest friend. She’s five. She was at the hospital the day he was born, so I think that constitutes calling her his oldest friend. She happens to belong to one of my closest friends. And we’ve had the good luck that they love each other as much as we do. Her mom is a stay at home mom as well, and together, we’ve been raising kids for a lot of years. Since we’re always doing things together, the kids are naturally together and it’s our good fortune that they actually look forward to it.
Now, not to paint an unrealistically rosy picture, they don’t always get along. They’ve ridden down the road in car seats side by side trading licks with Golden Books. But, for the most part, they are inseparable. They go to preschool together three days a week. And though they allow a select few to join them, they are mostly a duo. And woe to you if you get in the way.
His teachers tell us funny and at the same time, horrifying stories about them. One of our favorites is when Sam, who does love the ladies, wants to play with some of the other little girls. Caroline is not a fan. And if he dares make this mistake, we’ve been told that Caroline acts very sad and stands near her cubby looking hurt. When Sam catches on, he spends the rest of the day, “petting” her. Or so we’ve been told. We’ve not seen the “petting,” but have seen them together enough to imagine it. It cracks me up that even at an early age, she’s figured out how to work the fellows! Or at least my little fellow.
They ask to see each other every single day. And on days they don’t see each other, they end the day asking about the next. We consider her our daughter in law! And if they could make the call on stuff like this right now, they’d most certainly tie the knot! I know someday they’ll outgrow each other, and when that day comes, I’ll be really sad! They’ve adored each other for so long and it’ll be like a piece of their childhood drifting away.
Here’s a picture from Sam’s preschool birthday party. I told them to let me take their picture. Immediately, they assume prom picture pose. What the heck? Every time I get out the camera, they strike a pose that can perhaps, someday, be recreated by their wedding photographer! We’ve certainly never posed them like this, it’s all of their own doing! 
Next year, they start kindergarten. Our last babies, leaving the nest. The idea that they’d have each other as they started school is kind of tempting. But, we’ve decided that if we ever want them to make other friends that they really don’t need to be together. So, we’re requesting that they not be in the same class. They’d be furious is they knew. But, it seems like the only way they’ll spread their wings. We’ll see. Hope we’re doing the right thing.
Because, one day, they’ll surely find other friends and probably won’t need each other nearly as much. And that makes me kinda sad. When that happens, I’ll realize that they are outgrowing a major part of their childhoods. And since they are the babies, it’s going to be that much sadder.
But, for now, it’s Sam and Caroline all the way!
Wouldn’t she make the cutest daughter in law?
Three Guesses What My Problem Is…..
April 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment
I’m planning on going on a diet, or at least a watch what I’m eating streak. After today. That’s what I’ve told myself. Then I went to the grocery store. Impulse buys all the way.
Look at what I bought. Maybe tomorrow isn’t the best day to start my new eating plan!
Pray for my kids if they get between me and this pile!
You Know You're a Mom When-sdaze
April 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment
This is my first time getting to participate in this meme! And I think it’s a great idea. There are tons of things that we catch ourselves saying or doing once we’re moms that really define the whole experience. Here’s a chance to share some of those oddities with others! And if you’re a mom, you’ll feel better because you’re not alone!!
I checked out a lot of them last week, and they were a hoot! You should hop over to Arizona Mamma’s blog and join in. She’s precious, you’ll enjoy her stuff! And I’d love to hear what craziness makes you a mom!
So, here goes,
- You know you’re a mom when you call the police when your kid takes a nap!</li>
- You know you’re a mom when you spend half of your time at a ball field and the other half washing clothes. I’m obviously failing miserably at the laundry part, my kids never have on shirts in any of their pictures!
- You know you’re a mom when you have regular conversations before, during and after ball games, about how itchy your son’s “cup” is.
- You know you’re a mom when you have to convince your five-year old son that it’s not going to be okay to wear a size 2T Christmas sweater, baseball pants, and pink high heels to preschool.
- You know you’re a mom when you have double bagged stinking little boy shoes in your freezer.
- You know you’re a mom when you are counting the days until summer vacation and you are not currently enrolled in school!
- You know you’re a mom when you’re cracking crab legs or peeling shrimp as fast as you can but never seem to get a bite.
- You know you’re a mom when you catch this scene going down in your kitchen and you grab your camera instead of the kid.
Once again, no shirt! Geesh, I never noticed that my kids were nudists until I started this blog. When you’re sharing pictures, it sure makes you aware of how crazy your family looks!
Happy Wednesday!
My very own "Kissing Hand"
April 25, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Friday, I had the complete devil scared out of me. I wrote about it here.
All weekend long, I’ve had some serious anxiety issues. I honestly feel like I’ve got some post traumatic stress stuff going on. I’m jumpy and nervous and don’t want my kids out of my sight. As I was telling Sam good night tonight, I told him how glad I was to have him here with me. And I told him how scared I’d been and how thankful I was for his sweet, sweet face.
He said, “Give me your hand, Mamma.” I did, and he opened it up and kissed my palm. And then put it on my cheek and said, “Sam loves you, Sam loves you, Sam loves you.”
I’m tearing up writing this.
Have you ever read the book, The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn? It’s about a little raccoon who’s scared to start school. His mom gives him a “Kissing Hand,” to remind him how much she loves him. She kisses his palm and tells him when he feels scared that all he has to do is put it on his cheek and ”that very kiss will jump to your face and fill you with warm and toasty thoughts.”
When he puts his hand to his face, he hears, “Mommy Loves me, Mommy loves me, Mommy loves me.”
It’s been a while since we’ve read that book, but it was just what I needed tonight.
My very own “Kissing Hand.”
The Easter Bunny, The Zipline and a Future in the ER
April 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Well, the Easter Bunny, in all his infinite wisdom, decided that a Zip Line was a good idea for my three boys. And really, what’s not to love? Three boys, 11, 7 and almost 5, climbing a rickety ladder, holding on to a handle and zooming through the air. It’s a good time!
We’ve yet to build the platform, but it’s coming. It’s got to be if they think I’ll ever attempt it again. I’m a little scared-ish when it comes to heights. And, I have the “voice.”
Tell me that you have it too. I’d be okay with you lying to me, just to allow me to hold on to the idea that I’m not a complete nut job. My “voice” tells me to do things that are dangerous, or just plain crazy. I’ve had the urge to say inappropriate things in church, or during funerals and weddings. I’ve been tempted to jump out of ski lifts, high above the trees. Since I’ve had kids, it’s so noisy that I don’t hear the voice all that often. It’s quieted down, or either, I just ignore it now. But, I always wonder when it’s prodding me to do some dangerous thing, if this is the time that I’m going to be temporarily insane and I’m going to act on it. One of my son’s teachers had the voice and we became great friends. Good times! Crazy finds crazy.
Anyway, I sat down on the ground yesterday and watched my children fly through the air. My husband caught the little ones at the other end so the jolt didn’t send them tumbling. I watched my husband sail by in front of me. And soon, the peer pressure began. No matter how old I get, it seems I don’t outgrow it. Aren’t we all really 13 years-old, no matter how old the calendar says we are?
Well, I couldn’t wait to give it a try anyway, so I climbed up the ladder. Ten feet into the air. Didn’t realize how rickety the ladder was until then. The whole thing seemed a little more dangerous than it did five minutes ago from my seat on the grass. I’m thinking the Easter Bunny has mental issues. He wants to hurt my children. What’s wrong with him? He has the “voice.”
So, the issue is, turning around on the ladder and grabbing the handle on the line, all the while dealing with sweaty hands, terminal clumsiness and heart palpitations. The end of the zip line is close enough to the ground that the kids could do it by themselves and not be left dangling high in the air.
As soon as I kicked off, I was careening towards the ground. Graceful, it was not. My husband is yelling at me to hold my legs up, he didn’t want me to cut them off at the knee or anything. But, I didn’t really have time to process what he was saying. I was too busy freaking out, and screaming. And by the time my brain took his audible message and translated it into something I could understand, my legs had already dragged the ground as I thudded along. My kids and husband were falling all over themselves with laughter. I was quite the spectacle. Peer pressure, grrr!
No pictures of me zipping, the laughter and jeering was keeping them too occupied. Here are some pictures. It’s still pretty primitive. Hopefully soon, this little spot will be cleared and mulched, and the scary ladder will be replaced with a platform. But, for now, we’re like one of those crazy traveling circus families. Not one of the big circuses either, we’d be the ones that failed to meet code, are making the kids share a car with the elephants, and have shoddy equipment. It’s unfortunate, but true. I can face the truth though. As well as fight the urge to shout, “Dont’ do it!” during weddings, by golly!
Rickety ladder, Dad assisting
And if the "Redneck Trampoline" didn't convince you that we were nuts......
Notice the lack of shirt and shoes, paired with the camo shorts. My family seems crazier now that I’m sharing these photos!
Sorry if the editing is a little weird on these. I have not got the energy to fix the green in the one above!
Or maybe he really is green. I’m thinking I turned a similar shade myself!
And finally, what the heck?
This face brought to you by "The Voice" and that psychopath, fondly known as the Easter Bunny
Sorry about how weird the last two pictures look! Hopefully, I’ll be more on my game tomorrow! The losing Sam thing has really done a number on me!
Signing off !
Love,
