Okay, since everyone is talking about the Toyota Highlander commercial I thought I would jump on the band wagon and weigh in too, although I appear to be in the minority and an _________ (insert insult here) person.
This commercial CRACKS ME UP!!! I find it utterly hilarious. And for various reasons. I laugh at the dad washing the wood-grain panel van in cut off shorts and knee high socks (before I was born my dad dressed like that). I laugh that the kid is dressed like an 80's punk rocker. I laugh that his parents apparently use the kid as a mop because why else would his hair be that long? I laugh that he says something along the lines of "nice ride Mrs. whatever" a. like he's trying to hit on her; and b. like she actually cares what he thinks. I also laugh at the one where the kid is stuck in the back while his parents sing some 80's hit on repeat. For the life of me I cannot remember what song it is and it is killing me.
I guess I don't see it as they are saying the parent is lame for what kind of car they drive but for what they are doing/wearing. Even though I know that's what the point is. Because you don't see the parent with the van or station wagon dressed like they belong in this decade like you do the lady driving the Highlander.
When I was growing up my mother had a wood-grain panel van. SUPER LAME. But did I think it was still super lame when I got my license and was allowed to take it wherever I wanted. Nope. It was awesome. I could cart a zillion friends in that thing. And it was durable. I even put it in the ditch one snowy night, a guy with a tractor pulled it out. NOT A SCRATCH ON IT!! WOOT WOOT! Now I didn't have to tell my mom; and I didn't until years later. To which I got a "Becca Kaye!" and an eye roll.
When I was, like, 14 my dad had a Mustang. It was awesome. My dad, Kris, Rufus, Kim, and I were out shopping and my dad had parked on a side street. I got to the car before everyone else. There were some boys hanging out on a bench. I thought I would be cool and lean up against the hood like it was my car (even though it was abundantly obvious that I was nowhere near driving age). My dad saw what I was doing and set off the car alarm. LAMEO McLAMERSON My face was sooo red. I coulda killed him. And my dad wore MC Hammer pants like it was a fashion statement. Ummm, no Dad.
People are saying a lot of negative stuff about these ads. But try to think back when you were that age or 13. Did you really think your parents were "cool"? Ummm, no. It doesn't matter what parents have or don't have.... your kids are going to think you are lame regardless.
My boys currently think I am lame for: not buying new halloween costumes when we got ones from the cousins that were perfectly fine; going to the bus stop with them every morning; not letting them stay up as late as they want on a school night; still making them go to bed at a decent time on weekends; making them clean their room, brush their teeth, and take showers; making Andrew bring home his math book; making them do homework; caring about their school grades..... Oh, the list goes on and on.....
And just for the record, I think the Highlander is LAME, cause it's not American. As my father-in-law is retired from GM American cars are all we buy. The GM Family discount helps out too.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Monday, November 1, 2010
Staples & Halloween
What an eventful weekend.....
Saturday Andrew had a friend ("C") over for a few hours. At one point Annabelle, Andrew, C, Nathan and I were all outside. My heavy front door was open and the screen was closed. Nathan somehow locked the screen door and shut it. Leaving us all outside. We were all on the front porch.... "Andrew watch your sister make sure she doesn't fall". Sure enough while I'm trying to jimmy the door back open she falls down the porch stairs. There are only 3 so it wasn't too bad. But she cried and now has
a scraped up eye. My princess is damaged :( Jerry got home shortly after. Jerry went outside to play football with Andrew, C, and Nathan. "Honey - no tackle someone will get hurt and I would prefer it not to be C". "Oh, their just fine!" says Jerry. I go to the neighbor's house so Annabelle can climb on their playset and play with the two girls. Jerry screams "BECCA NOW" and I look over to see him carrying Nathan and Nathan is screaming. "Whatever Jerry" because I just assume Nathan is throwing a temper tantrum (this happens often lol) "HE'S BLEEDING EVERYWHERE!" Jerry yells back. Ummm, yeah - so I snatch up Annabelle and run back home. Poor baby girl her little head was bouncing everywhere but she was laughing. I get on the porch Nathan & Jerry both are covered in blood and it is spewing from everywhere off Nathan's head. I run inside grab a towel and have Jerry apply pressure. Andrew & C get in the car to go back to C's house (they were going to a Halloween party); Jerry changes clothes; we get clean clothes on Nathan; everyone get in the car. 3 staples to the melon for Nate :( but he's okay
a scraped up eye. My princess is damaged :( Jerry got home shortly after. Jerry went outside to play football with Andrew, C, and Nathan. "Honey - no tackle someone will get hurt and I would prefer it not to be C". "Oh, their just fine!" says Jerry. I go to the neighbor's house so Annabelle can climb on their playset and play with the two girls. Jerry screams "BECCA NOW" and I look over to see him carrying Nathan and Nathan is screaming. "Whatever Jerry" because I just assume Nathan is throwing a temper tantrum (this happens often lol) "HE'S BLEEDING EVERYWHERE!" Jerry yells back. Ummm, yeah - so I snatch up Annabelle and run back home. Poor baby girl her little head was bouncing everywhere but she was laughing. I get on the porch Nathan & Jerry both are covered in blood and it is spewing from everywhere off Nathan's head. I run inside grab a towel and have Jerry apply pressure. Andrew & C get in the car to go back to C's house (they were going to a Halloween party); Jerry changes clothes; we get clean clothes on Nathan; everyone get in the car. 3 staples to the melon for Nate :( but he's okay
Sunday at 6pm I took the kids trick-or-treating. Daddy was at home passing out the candy. Annabelle only went one street and we brought her back home. Andrew, Nathan and I walked 3 streets. Then we broke down and came home to get the car. Good thing trick-or-treating lasts for 2 hours here! The kids ended up with some good loot but are not really all about sharing.J: "Does this make us bad parents?" As he's digging through Andrew's candy bag
B: "Ummm, no. It makes us like every other parent out there." As I'm digging through Nate's bag. *giggle giggle*
J: "You think our parents did this when we were growing up?"
B: "I don't know about your parents but I know mine did!"
Good thing they got so much to share with us! lol
Monday, October 25, 2010
The Salmon's Have a New Addition!
Hahahahaha who thought I was pregnant by that title??? Hehe NO WAY
It was a very exciting Friday for Jerry and I! We bought a brand new 2010 Chevy Impala.
It was a very exciting Friday for Jerry and I! We bought a brand new 2010 Chevy Impala.
We are really happy with our purchase. It is everything Jerry wanted. And the best part is we aren't paying any more for this every month than we were for the minivan I haven't been able to drive since November 6, 2009. We all remember this.....
Friday, October 15, 2010
Pumpkin Cookies
Wow look 2 posts in one week. I'm putting up my* Pumpkin Cookie recipe for those that keep asking me for it I can just refer them here. :)
PUMPKIN COOKIES
1 c white sugar
1 egg
1 c shortening (or margarine)
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 c flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1 c canned pumpkin (pumpkin puree - not pie mix)
Icing (recipe to follow)
Preheat oven to 350. Grease cookie sheets (I usually use my baking stone - no grease required).
Cream sugar, egg, shortening, and vanilla. Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Stir into creamed mixure. Stir in pumpkin. Spoon dough onto cookie sheet**. Bake for ~12 minutes. Ice when cool.
**Rather than spoon the cookies I put them in a pastry bag or huge ziploc and make dollups on the cookie sheet.
Icing
1c powdered sugar
1TBS margarine
1tsp vanilla
2-4 TBS milk
Mix powdered sugar, margarine, and vanilla. Add milk a tablespoon at a time. Mix until desired consistency.
I put the icing in a ziploc bag and just do squiggles back and forth over all the cookies.
*I didn't come up with this recipe. I think I got it from Martha Stewart.
PUMPKIN COOKIES
1 c white sugar
1 egg
1 c shortening (or margarine)
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 c flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1 c canned pumpkin (pumpkin puree - not pie mix)
Icing (recipe to follow)
Preheat oven to 350. Grease cookie sheets (I usually use my baking stone - no grease required).
Cream sugar, egg, shortening, and vanilla. Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Stir into creamed mixure. Stir in pumpkin. Spoon dough onto cookie sheet**. Bake for ~12 minutes. Ice when cool.
**Rather than spoon the cookies I put them in a pastry bag or huge ziploc and make dollups on the cookie sheet.
Icing
1c powdered sugar
1TBS margarine
1tsp vanilla
2-4 TBS milk
Mix powdered sugar, margarine, and vanilla. Add milk a tablespoon at a time. Mix until desired consistency.
I put the icing in a ziploc bag and just do squiggles back and forth over all the cookies.
*I didn't come up with this recipe. I think I got it from Martha Stewart.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
"Reviving Ophelia"
Last night I watched a movie on Lifetime called "Reviving Ophelia". All I can say is wow.
The premise for this movie was about teen dating/abusive relationships and one family's struggle to help their daughter realize this is not how life should be.
I have so much built up to say about this I don't even know where to start. Domestic violence is NOT acceptable under any circumstances. It is never deserved. Abusive relationships are not always just about the physical. There are other signs of abuse.
I only hope when my daughter gets to the dating age that she does not have to deal with a man like that. And I hope that I recognize these warning signs. But more importantly I hope that her father and I have instilled in her the value of her worth. That no one should treat her that way; that she is worth more; and that she feels she can come to her father and I should she encounter a man like this.
And I hope, as the mother of two boys, that we have instilled in them that that is not how you treat a lady.
The premise for this movie was about teen dating/abusive relationships and one family's struggle to help their daughter realize this is not how life should be.
I have so much built up to say about this I don't even know where to start. Domestic violence is NOT acceptable under any circumstances. It is never deserved. Abusive relationships are not always just about the physical. There are other signs of abuse.
I only hope when my daughter gets to the dating age that she does not have to deal with a man like that. And I hope that I recognize these warning signs. But more importantly I hope that her father and I have instilled in her the value of her worth. That no one should treat her that way; that she is worth more; and that she feels she can come to her father and I should she encounter a man like this.
And I hope, as the mother of two boys, that we have instilled in them that that is not how you treat a lady.
Pieces
As the princess is sleeping I thought I would update a little bit. Thanks, Kelly for reminding me to write.
Obviously it was a failed mission to blog once a week. Sucktastic. I have so much to say that you would think I would be on here all the time. Umm, no. I want to be witty and fun. But it appears that these things come on a whim and not upon direction. And how to do you make funny and witty that I have no privacy and have to poop with the baby on my lap? Brittany at barefootfoodie makes this shit HIL-AR-I-OUS!
Jerry played in a flag football tournament Columbus Day weekend Saturday. His team went 2-2. They were actually pretty good until their QB got hurt. And by got hurt I mean he fractured his ankle, tore ligiments in his ankle, and did something else bad (can't remember cause I didn't hear everything first hand).
Andrew and I threw the football back and forth this past Sunday cause:
-Andrew: Guess what Mommy
-Me: What baby?
-Andrew: Playing football is really good exercise for you. That's why you should play all the time.
-Me: Oh, I need exercise?
-Andrew: Yeah - So you can get skinny again.
-Me: Oh, Mommy's not skinny anymore?
-Andrew: *shrugs* Not really.
-Me: Thanks baby. Mommy loves you too.
*HEAVY SIGH* So, my baby (that I gave birth to, and gave up my glorious figure for) thinks his momma is a fatty. AWESOME. Looks like I need to start that diet sooner than I thought. Only, I can't diet. No diet I know of allows me to eat a 9x13 pan of brownies. That's the diet I need. As I approach ahem*30*ahem things are going down hill. Ugh. Sucktastic.
Andrew is struggling with math. Which is FRUSTRATING for me. I am super fab at math. I don't know how to help him more. It's frustrating for us both actually. I can't make him understand and he can't articulate why he doesn't understand. He just guesses the answers and waits for my response. I have learned not to say anything. Just to ask him if he is sure and why he picked that answer. Hopefully something turns around soon. Any suggestions, please help us. But he is loving school this year, which makes me tremendously happy. Sunday, he came up to me and gave me a hug for no reason. It was like Mother's Day all over again. I love that baby.
Nathan is doing okay in school. He is still struggling with sitting still and doing his best work. He want quantity of work; we (Mommy, Daddy & teacher) want quality work. We are trying to figure out how to meet in the middle. We are reading 20 minutes or more every night and he is LOVING it. He makes sure to ask just before bed time for his book. That makes me smile. He is enjoying school this year, this too makes me tremendously happy. He brings a smile to my face like no other.
Annabelle is growing by leaps and bounds. She is running everywhere and into EVERYTHING. Subsequently she has a bruise in the middle of her forehead from running into the door jams all the time. She loves her big brothers so much and gets super excited when they pay attention to her. When we go to pick the boys up from the bus stop she starts yelling "Bubba" until Andrew gets off the bus. We are trying to teach her to say Tater but we aren't having much luck. Soon, it will happen. I love the time I get to spend with her everyday.
Jerry keeps working a lot and his store is prospering because of it. If they keep on this track we will win the trip to Puerto Rico this April. YEA!! Some place warm with no snow! I'm excited. I am unbelievably greatful to my dear husband that works so hard that I can stay home with my kids. Because of him I can be the mommy I want to be. I <3 you so much honey.
Well. That's all for now. Maybe I can post more frequently and not just stuff about my family. There is so much room for discussion I can't wait!
xoxo
Obviously it was a failed mission to blog once a week. Sucktastic. I have so much to say that you would think I would be on here all the time. Umm, no. I want to be witty and fun. But it appears that these things come on a whim and not upon direction. And how to do you make funny and witty that I have no privacy and have to poop with the baby on my lap? Brittany at barefootfoodie makes this shit HIL-AR-I-OUS!
Jerry played in a flag football tournament Columbus Day weekend Saturday. His team went 2-2. They were actually pretty good until their QB got hurt. And by got hurt I mean he fractured his ankle, tore ligiments in his ankle, and did something else bad (can't remember cause I didn't hear everything first hand).
Andrew and I threw the football back and forth this past Sunday cause:
-Andrew: Guess what Mommy
-Me: What baby?
-Andrew: Playing football is really good exercise for you. That's why you should play all the time.
-Me: Oh, I need exercise?
-Andrew: Yeah - So you can get skinny again.
-Me: Oh, Mommy's not skinny anymore?
-Andrew: *shrugs* Not really.
-Me: Thanks baby. Mommy loves you too.
*HEAVY SIGH* So, my baby (that I gave birth to, and gave up my glorious figure for) thinks his momma is a fatty. AWESOME. Looks like I need to start that diet sooner than I thought. Only, I can't diet. No diet I know of allows me to eat a 9x13 pan of brownies. That's the diet I need. As I approach ahem*30*ahem things are going down hill. Ugh. Sucktastic.
Andrew is struggling with math. Which is FRUSTRATING for me. I am super fab at math. I don't know how to help him more. It's frustrating for us both actually. I can't make him understand and he can't articulate why he doesn't understand. He just guesses the answers and waits for my response. I have learned not to say anything. Just to ask him if he is sure and why he picked that answer. Hopefully something turns around soon. Any suggestions, please help us. But he is loving school this year, which makes me tremendously happy. Sunday, he came up to me and gave me a hug for no reason. It was like Mother's Day all over again. I love that baby.
Nathan is doing okay in school. He is still struggling with sitting still and doing his best work. He want quantity of work; we (Mommy, Daddy & teacher) want quality work. We are trying to figure out how to meet in the middle. We are reading 20 minutes or more every night and he is LOVING it. He makes sure to ask just before bed time for his book. That makes me smile. He is enjoying school this year, this too makes me tremendously happy. He brings a smile to my face like no other.
Annabelle is growing by leaps and bounds. She is running everywhere and into EVERYTHING. Subsequently she has a bruise in the middle of her forehead from running into the door jams all the time. She loves her big brothers so much and gets super excited when they pay attention to her. When we go to pick the boys up from the bus stop she starts yelling "Bubba" until Andrew gets off the bus. We are trying to teach her to say Tater but we aren't having much luck. Soon, it will happen. I love the time I get to spend with her everyday.
Jerry keeps working a lot and his store is prospering because of it. If they keep on this track we will win the trip to Puerto Rico this April. YEA!! Some place warm with no snow! I'm excited. I am unbelievably greatful to my dear husband that works so hard that I can stay home with my kids. Because of him I can be the mommy I want to be. I <3 you so much honey.
Well. That's all for now. Maybe I can post more frequently and not just stuff about my family. There is so much room for discussion I can't wait!
xoxo
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Princess Annabelle Turns 1!
My dearest princess turned one today. It's amazing to me where the time has gone. It seems like it was just yesterday that she graced her daddy and I with her presence. Our hearts are over joyed with every moment of her life. She's been walking for almost 2 months now. And blows kisses. It's amazing.
We have finished nursing. I'm glad we stuck with it for this year. I feel like I have done something fabulous for my little girl.
My wonderful baby girl: Mommy and Daddy love you and are so happy you are here. We can't imagine our lives without you. You have completed our family. We love you more with every passing moment.
We have finished nursing. I'm glad we stuck with it for this year. I feel like I have done something fabulous for my little girl.
My wonderful baby girl: Mommy and Daddy love you and are so happy you are here. We can't imagine our lives without you. You have completed our family. We love you more with every passing moment.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)