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12 Reasons I Love My Boy

Sunday was my son’s birthday.

 

In this whirlwind of a weekend, we threw him a party on Saturday and went into NYC to visit my uncle, Wayne the Pain on Sunday.

Late on Saturday night, I handed my son a card.  aghast, my daughter exclaimed, “You didn’t get him a present?”

“It’s ok.”  FringeBoy said.

My son is superdy-duperdy.  If he didn’t get a gift, it would be ok.  He’s amazing like that.

The card read…

Hope you love this card

(open the card)

because it’s all you’re getting!

We all had a good laugh and then went to bed.  Seriously.  I did not redeem myself and give him a present.

His birthday was on Sunday people, not Saturday!

The moment he woke up on Sunday, I handed him his present, the 50th Anniversary edition of the Lord of The Rings, the complete series.  He was happy, because he loves to read, and because the card was not the only thing I gave him.

Now my baby, my firstborn, the child who made me unrecognizable to people who knew me, is twelve.

TWELVE

That’s one year away from being a teenager!  I’m already getting more gray hairs just thinking about it.

Twelve things I love about FringeBoy:

1.  He is compassionate.  To everyone.

2.  He is so responsible that I never worry he’ll oversleep and not wake up on-time for school.  I worry I’ll oversleep.

3.  He loves us.  For reals.

4.  He remembered the one thing I really, really wanted for Christmas and made sure he bought it for me.  It’s one of those candle warmer thingies where you melt the wax in the little plate.  I adore it, and think thankful thoughts every time I look at it, or smell it.  It’s a small example of how he cares about his family.

5.  He’s way smarter than me.  Enough said.

6.  He loves to read and he enjoys reading with me.  We each make camp on one side of the couch and read page and after page after page.  We are mother and son nerds.

7.  He lets me cut his hair even though I sometimes mess it up.

8.  He wants his friends to know about God, so he tells them.

9.  He’s witty.

10.  He’s a hugger.

11.  He told his Awana leaders that I make really good pizza and cake.  That earned him an extra-large slice of pizza and cake.

12.  He is the most loving, caring, and intelligent child I know.

FringeBoy, twelve years ago, God blessed us with you.  Although our first year together was sleepless and bit strained due to utter exhaustion, I’m glad we didn’t give up on understanding each other.

God answered my first prayer for you – “Please let him sleep tonight.  Please, please, PLEASE!”

As you grow, my prayers for you have changed, but God continues to answer them.  I am proud of the young man you are becoming.  I am a blessed mother.

I love you, today and always.

Your sometimes pesky mommy,

American Print Media Obsessed

I have no right to be a critic.  I am under skilled and over (or is that overly?) opinionated; however, my love for print media sometimes leaves me longing.

America obsesses with cutting fat and self-help.  Don’t worry ladies, I’m not even hinting at cutting out chocolate and potato chips.  I’m talking about fat in writing.

I’ve sat through all the college classes that taught me to cut unnecessary words (obviously I pay no mind to those rules) and eliminate ‘fat’ from our articles.  Heaven forbid our story is a size 14 instead of a size 4.

Most editors would die of fright if they were assigned my blog or yours.  They like neat little concise gifts of journalism in 500 words or less.

We’re losing something.  As we cut fat, slivers of meat follow.  Suddenly our writing is skin and bones, absolutely boring to look at and tiring to read.

Magazines are filled with countless self-help articles.

How My Woodstove Ruined My Nails in 300 Words

Help Johnny Overcome His Fear of The Toilet in 5 Flushes

10 Ways to Say I Love You, but I Hate Your Dog

Be Bikini Ready in Time for Your Grave

Don’t even tell me you only read Christian literature, because it’s just as bad.

Knowing God’s Will in Ninety Days

7 Ways to Raise Kids Who Will Attend Church

12 Envelopes to Financial Freedom

How To Masquerade as a Proverbs 31 Woman in 31 Days

We’re obsessed with these heartless, but neatly wrapped articles that help us do everything from birth a baby in a bathtub to walk the streets of gold in stilettos.

Is anyone else tired of reading this gibberish?

Maybe it’s just me.  I kind of long for the days when slighty wordy short stories, written by aspiring writers, appeared in monthly magazines.  I’d like for people to stop fixing me and start entertaining me with words, or challenging my depth of knowledge without planning my next 10, 30, or 90 days.

I honestly do not think most magazines are worth the $4.95 we are asked to pay for them.

Don’t even get me started on newspapers!

I’m always amazed when I read an article, glom all kinds of superficial facts and have no idea what is really going on or why the article was written in the first place.

Most of our print news media is self-help or tabloid, and I include CNN in that tabloid lot.  Take a gander at the headlines.

Come to think of it, I should have written this article in the format of –

8 Ways The Media Failed Me and My Fat

Alas, my rant is over in less than 500 words.  My editor will be pleased.

Thoughts and comments welcome, as long as they are in 3 Easy Steps or Less. 😉

Just so you know I didn’t jump off a bridge…

Ok, last post was pretty depressing.  Sorry about that.  I’m taking full liberty with my calendar and blaming it on January, but I have birthday party for my son this weekend and there’s no time to be sad and moody.

This may be the most random post in the history of the fringe, but work with me people.  The last post had me giving up on life.  This has to be an improvement.

*  I’ve discovered the cure for stomach problems that have plagued me for years.  I have what they term IBS.  I won’t get into it, because it would be like discussions around a holiday table with my family.

Just know that heartburn and other issues plague me, no matter what I eat; however, I started a diet on January 2.  Don’t get excited, because I’ve only lost 4 pounds.  You can tell I cheat a lot.

image via Pinterest

My point is that on the days I’m on my diet, I eat about 6 times throughout the course of the day, but I only consume about 1400-1500 calories.  That means I eat really low-calorie, but filling things in small portions.  It totally cures my stomach ills.  The moment I over-eat or just eat 3 normal size portions, I’m sick.  It’s incredible.

Who knew I would have to become a bird after I turned thirty.  No one told me!

image via Pinterest

* I really am trying to stick to my diet, but it’s hard.  You know?  I’m more like a turkey than I am a parakeet.  FringeMan wishes I was more of a love bird, but that’s another story.

* I’m thinking all “love” posts for February.  Now don’t get panicky and jump ship (no offense Mr. Italian Captain), because I’m not going mushy for a whole month.  There’s lots to love in this world, and I’m trying to tap my elusive creative side.

* I’ve decided that I want a really cute new pair of shoes and a new bag for my birthday.  My birthday is in February, but I’ll probably shop in April or so.  That’s what happens when your birthday is after Christmas and both your children’s birthdays.  It’s all good with me though.  I think it prolongs the aging process.  I gain a few months, because a birthday isn’t a birthday until you’ve bought yourself a present.

Someone needs to write that down and claim it.

*  I don’t know where to shop for cute shoes and a bag.  I’m looking for stylin’, groovin’, chic, classy, comfortable, cute, trendy shoes.  I’m thinking Anthropologie on a Payless budget.

Help a girl out.  Suggest a few places please.

I know Payless has some cute shoes.  I’ve seen them on bloggers, but my Payless pretty much specializes in sneakers and lame-oh shoes.  Sorry Payless.  I know you purchase especially for the clientele you sell to, but there are a few of us who don’t where our pajamas grocery shopping.

Maybe that was mean, but I’ve taken to counting how many people I see in pj’s in Wal-Mart.  Is that snobby of me?

I simply have a difficult time understanding why people want to be seen in public looking like that.  I hide from mirrors in my own home when I look like that.

* I bought a box of ‘Cuties’ at the grocery store today.  Everyone’s been raving about them.  So far they live up to their name, but I haven’t eaten one yet.  I’ll let you know.

Now it’s your turn – What’s the random in your life?

And, don’t tell me if you wear pajamas to the grocery store.

Ok, you can tell me, but I’m adding another check mark to my list and you’ll end up in my total number of pj wearers.  Just a warning. 😉

Thank you all for your kind comments yesterday.  I appreciate each of you.

Focusing on the Positives

My life is crumbling to teeny-tiny pieces around me, and I made waffles for dinner last night.

Ok, so maybe I’m exaggerating, but I did make waffles last night and they weren’t even that good.  I ran out of white flour and used all whole wheat.  I like to split my flour, half white and half whole wheat; otherwise, I think they are too dense.

Sorry all you healthy eating people, but I’m just not that good of a mom.  I continue to give my children white flour, knowing full well it is a simple carb.

Tie me to the simple woman stake and burn me.

I bet you can’t tell I’m trying to focus on the positive side of things.

No, I didn’t think you could, but I am.

That’s why I haven’t been writing anything on this here blog.  My mama always said, “If you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”

I am silent.

For how long, I know not.  I may continue my vow of silence until the sun shines again or my hormones go on an upswing.  It’s hard to tell.

In the meantime, I wish you all well.  Live fully and don’t eat too much white flour.  I hear it’s bad for you. 😉

Love you all,

Brownie Pops for January’s Germs

Since February is the month of love, January must be the month of germs.  Viruses are tearing through our home faster than I can call in sick for my kids.  When the nurse from my daughter’s school called this morning to say she had thrown-up and needed to go home, I almost cried.

The only place I’ve been in weeks is the doctor’s office and the post office.  Tonight was going to be a date night.  A church in a nearby town was hosting ‘Parent’s Night Out’, and FringeMan and I had a gift card to a local burger joint.

Going out tonight is the carrot I dangled in front of my nose all week long.

I guess I don’t really like carrots anyway.

I do like cake pops though.

Last week when we were going to the cancer center to visit my uncle, I made a batch of brownie cake pops for my aunt.  My uncle cannot eat, but I though she would enjoy a treat.

Here’s how I made them…

Ingredients:

1 box brownie mix

1 tub chocolate frosting

1-2 bags melting candy chips

Cake pop sticks

Instructions:

Prepare brownies according to box.  Bake and let cool.  Crumble up the entire pan of brownies in a large bowl.  Really dig in and use your fingers and pulverize the brownies.  Add 3/4 can of frosting and mix thoroughly.  Shape into balls and refrigerate for about 30 minutes.  Melt candy pieces in the microwave.  Dip stick into candy and then into the center of the brownie ball (be sure not to make the brownie balls too large because they are heavy and will fall off the stick).  Coat entire brownie ball in melted candy and let dry.

Pop these guys into the fridge for a day or two and then enjoy.  They taste better after they’ve sat for a day or two.

I thought they’d be good for Valentine’s Day with a red candy coating and maybe a little candy heart sprinkle on them.

Hope you all enjoy a great weekend!

 

 

Grump to Queen in One Wet Day

I was grumpy yesterday.  That’s all there is to it.

The day began with snow, progressed to rain, and ended with hurricane force winds.  It was not a fun day.

Every drop of rain mixed with the snow on the ground and turned into ice. On the roads, it was a slippery slush.  Normally I would stay in my pajamas on days like this and hide in the bathroom from visitors, but yesterday, I went out.

I went to buy a card for my uncle and mail the cards and pictures my children made him.

Driving in the slush made me frown.

Buying a card that said something like, “sometimes life hands you a lemon….then a rake scratches across your butt and someone pours lemon juice all over it…” made me smile.  It’s the perfect card for my uncle.  I haven’t seen anything more encouraging.

Walking a block and half through snow, sleet, and sludge to the post office, because snow piles take up most parking spaces made me mad.

And, shoveling/scraping my porch, front steps, and sidewalk made me wish I lived south of the border.

I was so out of sorts with the bottom six inches of my jeans soaked through, I took the kids to McDonald’s for dinner.  I simply could not face my stove last night.

When we got home and I changed into my fury pink robe and sat at my kitchen island ready to succumb to vitamin D deprivation, my daughter put her arms around me and said, “It’s ok mom.  We all have a bad day sometimes.”

Somehow God saw fit to bless me with a child whose cup is always filled to overflowing.  She doesn’t have bad days.  She always sees the bright side and convinces everyone around her that there is good in the world, even when she gets a 71% on her Math test.  It’s incredible.  I want her filled up cup and goodwill toward men and snow.

By golly, she makes smiley faces out of her breakfast!

With boogers running out of Smiley's nose, she said.

By the time the chairs on my porch blew into the road and my blue ‘recycle’ trash can disappeared from the neighborhood on the wings of a snowy tornado wind, I clopped up the stairs to bed, and found this on my pillow.

My cup is full.

My heart overflows.

I may be a queen in her eyes, but she is the most beautiful princess to walk the earth in my eyes.

Hoping on a Monday

I’m saying Good Morning to Monday with Lisa Leonard and praying that this week will be better than the last.  I wish I had photos to share, but if I did, they would be of tissues and blankets.   Despite the flu shot my doctor insisted I get because of my asthma, I spent a week cuddled up with a fever and cough, also known as the flu.

So while I’m saying Good Morning to Monday, I’m saying good-bye to the flu and hoping it doesn’t return anytime soon.  I’m also willing myself to feel better, even though I kinda do not.  Just don’t tell anyone I do not feel better.  It’s our secret.

I also shared with my son.  That’s a mom fail.  Sorry FringeBoy.

On this Monday, I am also praying for my Uncle Wayne, aka Wayne The Pain.  If you think of him at all, please pray for physical strength to make it through treatments, mental strength to keep fighting, and encouragement for his spirit.  I know he and everyone in my family will be very grateful for every prayer said.

via Pinterest

If I hadn’t gotten sick this week, we were going to visit him in the Hope Lodge.  I made around 4-500 cookies and we have collected bags of donations for the Hope Lodge.  My uncle cannot eat anything.  He has throat cancer, and no, he never did smoke.  He asked me to bake cookies though, for everyone else.  He thought it would help cheer them up.  So I baked, and my aunt traveled up from Georgia, and then I got the flu.  My timing really sucks.  And I reserve the word “sucks” for only the worst of times.

So, good morning to Monday, a new week with new possibilities and a fresh hope.

Romans 5:1-5  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

When it says that the love of God is “shed abroad” in our hearts, that means poured out.  Don’t lose hope on this new Monday in the beginning of this new year.  God wants to pour his love all over your heart.

Good morning Monday.