Sherry Ellis's Blog, page 109
July 1, 2012
Bubba's Tree House
Today I took my kids to Lowes to get some building supplies. They've suddenly expressed an interest in wood working. Even my daughter told me that she wants to be a carpenter. I don't know what brought that on, but I'm going with the flow.
We walked up and down through the lumber section.
"Mama, I need this," my son said pulling out a large plywood board.
"Dude, there's no way I'm fitting that into my car. Pick something smaller."
He frowned and picked something else.
To make a long story short, we left Lowes with a toolbox, a tool set, nails, and some wood boards. I couldn't wait to see what kind of concoction they were going to come up with.
When we got home, my kids went to work. A short while later, my son called me over to inspect his creation. "Mama, look at my tree house."
The boy had balanced a plywood board over a tree branch in such a way that it was sturdy enough to sit on. He arranged another one so that it looked like a roof.
"How do you like it?' he asked.
"Pretty impressive. You have a future as an architect."
We walked up and down through the lumber section.
"Mama, I need this," my son said pulling out a large plywood board.
"Dude, there's no way I'm fitting that into my car. Pick something smaller."
He frowned and picked something else.
To make a long story short, we left Lowes with a toolbox, a tool set, nails, and some wood boards. I couldn't wait to see what kind of concoction they were going to come up with.
When we got home, my kids went to work. A short while later, my son called me over to inspect his creation. "Mama, look at my tree house."
The boy had balanced a plywood board over a tree branch in such a way that it was sturdy enough to sit on. He arranged another one so that it looked like a roof.
"How do you like it?' he asked.
"Pretty impressive. You have a future as an architect."
June 30, 2012
Cup Collector
My son likes to collect cups. When we went to the orthodontist today, he took a cup from the sink.
"Bubba," I said. "Those are for the people who are having work done on their teeth. You're not having anything done today, so you shouldn't take one." (We were there for his sister.)
"But Mama, I like cups."
The nice worker there let him take the cup.
A little while later, we were at United Dairy Farmers, getting ice cream. The boy spotted styrofoam coffee cups. Naturally, he took one.
"Bubba, what did I say about cups?"
He looked at me. Then he looked at the cashier. The cashier let him have the cup.
When we got home, he added them to his growing collection.
"Dude," I said. "What are you going to do with those cups?"
He looked out the window. A big storm was rolling in, and it was getting dark. "I'm going to make a flashlight."
I watched him carve out the bottom of the small cup and place it into the larger cup.
"Mama, do you have one of those tea-lights?"
I fetched him one of those. He turned it on, and put it in between the two cups so it held in place.
"Ta dah! Do you like my flashlight?"
I sure did! Then we sat by the light of his invention, and waited for the storm to pass.
"Bubba," I said. "Those are for the people who are having work done on their teeth. You're not having anything done today, so you shouldn't take one." (We were there for his sister.)
"But Mama, I like cups."
The nice worker there let him take the cup.
A little while later, we were at United Dairy Farmers, getting ice cream. The boy spotted styrofoam coffee cups. Naturally, he took one.
"Bubba, what did I say about cups?"
He looked at me. Then he looked at the cashier. The cashier let him have the cup.
When we got home, he added them to his growing collection.
"Dude," I said. "What are you going to do with those cups?"
He looked out the window. A big storm was rolling in, and it was getting dark. "I'm going to make a flashlight."
I watched him carve out the bottom of the small cup and place it into the larger cup.
"Mama, do you have one of those tea-lights?"
I fetched him one of those. He turned it on, and put it in between the two cups so it held in place.
"Ta dah! Do you like my flashlight?"
I sure did! Then we sat by the light of his invention, and waited for the storm to pass.
June 29, 2012
Ice Vest
It was a balmy 102 degrees here in Cincinnati. I think you could literally fry an egg on the sidewalk. This didn't stop my intrepid son from playing out in the heat.
"Bubba," I said. "Don't you think it's a little hot out there?"
"Yeah," he said. "But I have a solution."
I couldn't wait to hear about this. "What's your solution?"
"An ice vest."
"An ice vest?"
"Here, let me show you." The boy took a few plastic bags and went to the freezer. He scooped handfuls of ice from the ice maker and loaded up the bags. Then he tied them together and somehow managed to make that thing look like a piece of clothing. He put it on. "Ta dah!"
Pretty impressive. (Of course two minutes after going outside, he was covered in water, but at least he was cool.)
I have one little advertisement before I end this post. My book, That Mama is a Grouch, is now available for iPad, and iPods (and whatever other iDevices are out there). There's a pretty cool feature on it, where you can actually hear me read the story. If you want to check it out, click this link
"Bubba," I said. "Don't you think it's a little hot out there?"
"Yeah," he said. "But I have a solution."
I couldn't wait to hear about this. "What's your solution?"
"An ice vest."
"An ice vest?"
"Here, let me show you." The boy took a few plastic bags and went to the freezer. He scooped handfuls of ice from the ice maker and loaded up the bags. Then he tied them together and somehow managed to make that thing look like a piece of clothing. He put it on. "Ta dah!"
Pretty impressive. (Of course two minutes after going outside, he was covered in water, but at least he was cool.)
I have one little advertisement before I end this post. My book, That Mama is a Grouch, is now available for iPad, and iPods (and whatever other iDevices are out there). There's a pretty cool feature on it, where you can actually hear me read the story. If you want to check it out, click this link
June 27, 2012
I'm It. Again!
Guess what? I was tagged again. Yep, the eleven-question tagger got me again. This time is was Melanie over at Mel: The Positive Pessimist. I love the name of that blog! It must be a good trick to be a positive pessimist. Be sure to visit Melanie's blog to find out how she does it.
Okay, so the real rules are that I'm supposed to share 11 things about myself. Then I'm supposed to answer 11 questions, and then I'm supposed to tag 11 other bloggers. But you know me. I don't follow the rules. I'm going to skip the first part, because I think you all know enough random facts about me, and if you read these questions I have to answer, you're going to learn even more (probably more than you want to know). I'm also going to skip the tagging 11 bloggers, since I've been tagging a lot of you folks with stuff like this. If you have a burning desire to do this, go ahead and tag yourself. You can answer these questions and then make up your own. Enough said.
Here we go:
1.Would you travel to outer space if you could? Why or why not? Absolutely! I love exploring new things. If that Virgin Atlantic space tour wasn't so expensive, I would've signed up long ago!
2.Are you as happy in your current relationship as you could be? What could make you happier? I am very happy. I have a wonderful husband who is a good person, dependable, honest, and has a great sense of humor. I couldn't ask for anything more.
3.If you could have any animal as a pet (and the accommodations for this pet were included) what would it be? Oh man, I have way too many pets! I don't want any more. Please! But I know my son would love to have a turtle. Grandpa wants to get him one for his birthday, but daddy says no way!
4.If you could find out the day you were going to die and how, would you want to know? No, I wouldn't want to know. I'd end up spending the rest of my life worrying about it, counting down the days.
5.Would you rather jump out of an airplane with a parachute or jump off a cliff into deep water?
Jump out of an airplane with a parachute. In fact, that's on my bucket list. I would not want to jump off a cliff into deep water. I'd be afraid of hitting some unseen rock and killing myself.
6.What event or events in your life helped build your belief system (religion)? Wow. Now that's a deep question. I was raised as a Christian, but I've always been one to question things and learn about other ways of thinking. So, I have spent a lot of time studying other religions. I have concluded, that while I believe in "God" and a life after this, I do not know the exact nature of God, nor do I know what will happen after I die. I just live each day, the best I can, and hope that my being here helps make the world a better place.
7.What is your biggest regret in life? Would you change it or has it helped you become a better person? Another deep question! I honestly don' t have any regrets. Yes, I've made mistakes, but I don't regret making them. I've learned from them, and I think they've made me a better person.
8.What is your best quality that other people notice, remark on, obviously enjoy, or say defines you? Why is it so important to you and do you work on it or is it natural (examples: humor, sexiness, easy to talk to, verbally astute, etc.)? To answer this legnthy question, let me tell you a story that happened just today.
"Mama, I wish we had my buddy's babysitter," my son said.
"Oh yeah?" I asked. "Why?"
"Because she's just like you."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"She plays the violin, and she has a good temper."
Yeah, I have a good temper. LOL! What the boy was trying to say, was that I have an easy-going temperment. Not too many things ruffle my feathers (except for Schultz). I've been told that I have a lot of patience, and that I'm a good listener. No, I don't work at these things. It's just how I am.
9.If you could re-live one full day of your life, what day would it be and why? Goodness. One full day? There are lots of moments I'd like to relive. But I guess if I had to pick a day, it would have to be my wedding day. I was surrounded by family and friends, and I married a wonderful man.
10.If you could visit with one deceased person (that you actually knew), who would it be and what would you talk about? Another tough question. I guess I'd talk to my grandfather who died a few years ago. I'd ask him what it is like on the other side, and reminisce about when we were younger.
11.Would you rather debate religion or politics and why? Neither, thank you very much. I try not to rock the boat. But if I had to, I would go with politics, because one's views could be supported by facts. I like dealing with facts.
How was that? I'd say those were some pretty tough, thought-provoking questions. Thanks Melanie, for sending them my way!
Okay, so the real rules are that I'm supposed to share 11 things about myself. Then I'm supposed to answer 11 questions, and then I'm supposed to tag 11 other bloggers. But you know me. I don't follow the rules. I'm going to skip the first part, because I think you all know enough random facts about me, and if you read these questions I have to answer, you're going to learn even more (probably more than you want to know). I'm also going to skip the tagging 11 bloggers, since I've been tagging a lot of you folks with stuff like this. If you have a burning desire to do this, go ahead and tag yourself. You can answer these questions and then make up your own. Enough said.
Here we go:
1.Would you travel to outer space if you could? Why or why not? Absolutely! I love exploring new things. If that Virgin Atlantic space tour wasn't so expensive, I would've signed up long ago!
2.Are you as happy in your current relationship as you could be? What could make you happier? I am very happy. I have a wonderful husband who is a good person, dependable, honest, and has a great sense of humor. I couldn't ask for anything more.
3.If you could have any animal as a pet (and the accommodations for this pet were included) what would it be? Oh man, I have way too many pets! I don't want any more. Please! But I know my son would love to have a turtle. Grandpa wants to get him one for his birthday, but daddy says no way!
4.If you could find out the day you were going to die and how, would you want to know? No, I wouldn't want to know. I'd end up spending the rest of my life worrying about it, counting down the days.
5.Would you rather jump out of an airplane with a parachute or jump off a cliff into deep water?
Jump out of an airplane with a parachute. In fact, that's on my bucket list. I would not want to jump off a cliff into deep water. I'd be afraid of hitting some unseen rock and killing myself.
6.What event or events in your life helped build your belief system (religion)? Wow. Now that's a deep question. I was raised as a Christian, but I've always been one to question things and learn about other ways of thinking. So, I have spent a lot of time studying other religions. I have concluded, that while I believe in "God" and a life after this, I do not know the exact nature of God, nor do I know what will happen after I die. I just live each day, the best I can, and hope that my being here helps make the world a better place.
7.What is your biggest regret in life? Would you change it or has it helped you become a better person? Another deep question! I honestly don' t have any regrets. Yes, I've made mistakes, but I don't regret making them. I've learned from them, and I think they've made me a better person.
8.What is your best quality that other people notice, remark on, obviously enjoy, or say defines you? Why is it so important to you and do you work on it or is it natural (examples: humor, sexiness, easy to talk to, verbally astute, etc.)? To answer this legnthy question, let me tell you a story that happened just today.
"Mama, I wish we had my buddy's babysitter," my son said.
"Oh yeah?" I asked. "Why?"
"Because she's just like you."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"She plays the violin, and she has a good temper."
Yeah, I have a good temper. LOL! What the boy was trying to say, was that I have an easy-going temperment. Not too many things ruffle my feathers (except for Schultz). I've been told that I have a lot of patience, and that I'm a good listener. No, I don't work at these things. It's just how I am.
9.If you could re-live one full day of your life, what day would it be and why? Goodness. One full day? There are lots of moments I'd like to relive. But I guess if I had to pick a day, it would have to be my wedding day. I was surrounded by family and friends, and I married a wonderful man.
10.If you could visit with one deceased person (that you actually knew), who would it be and what would you talk about? Another tough question. I guess I'd talk to my grandfather who died a few years ago. I'd ask him what it is like on the other side, and reminisce about when we were younger.
11.Would you rather debate religion or politics and why? Neither, thank you very much. I try not to rock the boat. But if I had to, I would go with politics, because one's views could be supported by facts. I like dealing with facts.
How was that? I'd say those were some pretty tough, thought-provoking questions. Thanks Melanie, for sending them my way!
June 26, 2012
Bubbles
"Mama," my seven-year-old son said. "Can I have a bubble bath?"
"Sure," I said. I didn't see any harm in that.
A little while later my son came out of the bathroom with a big grin on his face.
"Why are you smiling?" I asked.
"Oh nothing," he said. "I just had a nice bubble bath."
Hmmm.
My daughter went into the bathroom immediately after my son. Two seconds later: "Mom!!!"
Uh oh.
"There are bubbles all over the place in here, and there are no more bubbles in the bottle!"
"Bubba," I said. "Did you dump the entire bottle into the bath water?"
He grinned sheepishly. "Yeah."
All I could do is shake my head at that one. I bet it was quite a bubble bath!
"Sure," I said. I didn't see any harm in that.
A little while later my son came out of the bathroom with a big grin on his face.
"Why are you smiling?" I asked.
"Oh nothing," he said. "I just had a nice bubble bath."
Hmmm.
My daughter went into the bathroom immediately after my son. Two seconds later: "Mom!!!"
Uh oh.
"There are bubbles all over the place in here, and there are no more bubbles in the bottle!"
"Bubba," I said. "Did you dump the entire bottle into the bath water?"
He grinned sheepishly. "Yeah."
All I could do is shake my head at that one. I bet it was quite a bubble bath!
June 25, 2012
Stupidity
This is so ridiculous, I just don't know what else to call it. So here's the story. My dumb German Shepherd loves to run along our fence line, chasing our neighbor's Husky. The neighbors got sick of their white dog coming inside with a dirty undercoat after these berserks, so they purchased a few rose bushes and planted them along the fence. Their dog learned right away not to trample the rose bushes. Roses have thorns, and thorns hurt. Okay. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out.
My husband had the brilliant idea to get a few rose bushes of our own and plant them along the fence. "It'll stop him from getting all muddy out there when it rains."
Yeah, right.
The plants sat in their pots for a couple of days. I knew I had to be the one to plant them, or they would be staying there for a couple of years. I got out the shovel and went to work. It was 89 degrees, and the dirt was as hard as a rock. (This was in the evening - the cool part of the day.)
There I was, sweating away. Then my daughter let the dog out. What was she thinking? Duffus charged straight at me and my holes. Dust went flying.
"Schultz!" I yelled. "Get out of the way!"
He didn't listen. He decided that digging holes looked like great fun. So he started digging. And digging.
"Fine, dog. You can help."
There we were, the beast and I, sweating and digging.
Then my husband came over. "You should've put the holes a little further out."
"Do you want to dig?" I asked.
He walked away.
Finally, the holes were done. I put the rose bushes in the the holes, just in time for the Husky to come out. And guess what those dogs did? Yep. They went berserk along the fence line. And guess what happened? Schultz busted the rose bushes. Branches snapped off. Blooms fell to the ground. Do you think Schultz cared? Not one stinkin' bit! He just kept running, bustin' up my newly-planted rose bushes.
"Schultz!" I hollared, completely furious.
And then guess what happened?
As I tried to get out of the way, I felt my shoe land on something soft. Yep. I stepped in dog poo!
Arghh! I'm going back on vacation!
My husband had the brilliant idea to get a few rose bushes of our own and plant them along the fence. "It'll stop him from getting all muddy out there when it rains."
Yeah, right.
The plants sat in their pots for a couple of days. I knew I had to be the one to plant them, or they would be staying there for a couple of years. I got out the shovel and went to work. It was 89 degrees, and the dirt was as hard as a rock. (This was in the evening - the cool part of the day.)
There I was, sweating away. Then my daughter let the dog out. What was she thinking? Duffus charged straight at me and my holes. Dust went flying.
"Schultz!" I yelled. "Get out of the way!"
He didn't listen. He decided that digging holes looked like great fun. So he started digging. And digging.
"Fine, dog. You can help."
There we were, the beast and I, sweating and digging.
Then my husband came over. "You should've put the holes a little further out."
"Do you want to dig?" I asked.
He walked away.
Finally, the holes were done. I put the rose bushes in the the holes, just in time for the Husky to come out. And guess what those dogs did? Yep. They went berserk along the fence line. And guess what happened? Schultz busted the rose bushes. Branches snapped off. Blooms fell to the ground. Do you think Schultz cared? Not one stinkin' bit! He just kept running, bustin' up my newly-planted rose bushes.
"Schultz!" I hollared, completely furious.
And then guess what happened?
As I tried to get out of the way, I felt my shoe land on something soft. Yep. I stepped in dog poo!
Arghh! I'm going back on vacation!
June 24, 2012
That Mama Messed Up, AGAIN!
The problem with being a mom is that moms have to keep track of too many things. If I don't look at the calendar at least four times every day, I miss something.
So today in my walnut-sized brain, I had this thought that it was family picture day. (I had been telling myself this bit of information all vacation, because I didn't want to forget .) I woke everyone up nice and early. "Get dressed. It's picture day."
I heard lots of groaning and grumbling about that.
After everyone was dressed and ready,we hustled into the car and drove off. I was quite pleased that we arrived at the studio on time. As I walked into the studio, I had this vague feeling that something wasn't right. I didn't know what it was. Maybe it was the fact that there were two doggies in the studio getting ready to have their picture taken. Or maybe it was the look the person behind the desk gave me when I walked in.
"Can I help you?" the lady asked.
"Um, I think we have an appointment for our family picture today."
The lady looked at me like I had three heads. "No, I don't think so. Let me check the schedule." She asked for my name and then looked at her computer. "I'm sorry. Your appointment is next week. Same time."
My husband and kids were not pleased. "WOMAN!!!"
Oops.
So today in my walnut-sized brain, I had this thought that it was family picture day. (I had been telling myself this bit of information all vacation, because I didn't want to forget .) I woke everyone up nice and early. "Get dressed. It's picture day."
I heard lots of groaning and grumbling about that.
After everyone was dressed and ready,we hustled into the car and drove off. I was quite pleased that we arrived at the studio on time. As I walked into the studio, I had this vague feeling that something wasn't right. I didn't know what it was. Maybe it was the fact that there were two doggies in the studio getting ready to have their picture taken. Or maybe it was the look the person behind the desk gave me when I walked in.
"Can I help you?" the lady asked.
"Um, I think we have an appointment for our family picture today."
The lady looked at me like I had three heads. "No, I don't think so. Let me check the schedule." She asked for my name and then looked at her computer. "I'm sorry. Your appointment is next week. Same time."
My husband and kids were not pleased. "WOMAN!!!"
Oops.
June 23, 2012
A Fabulous Present
When I came home yesterday, I found this wonderful little surprise from Precy Larkins. Isn't it just lovely? Thanks, Precy! Be sure to check out her blog.
I supposed to answer some questions, and then pass this thing on to five other bloggers. So here goes:
Name five of your most fabulous moments, either in real life or in the blogosphere
1. The day I got married. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day!
2. The day each of my children were born. It was so amazing to hold them and see what they looked like for the first time.
3. Celebrating the New Years Eve 2000 in Bonaire. What a cool place to be! The fireworks over the ocean were amazing.
4. First time performing as a soloist in Germany. It was nerve wracking and exciting at the same time - a major andrenoline rush!
5. First time SCUBA diving. I did it in the Florida Keys, and it was just beautiful!
Name five things you love
1. My family
2. My pets. Yes, I admit it, even Schultz.
3. Playing and teaching the violin and viola. It's my passion.
4. Beautiful sunsets (really, seeing anything beautiful in nature)
5. Honesty
6. The sound of the ocean. (Okay, I know that's more than five, but how can I stop at just five when there are so many things I love?)
Name five things you hate
1. Rude, disrespectful people
2. Bullies
3. Liars
4. Sauerkraut (Sorry, I know that doesn't go with the previous three, but I really do not like sauerkraut!)
5. Putrid body odor
Five other bloggers:
1. Alexia
2. Ella
3. Daisy
4. Jaycee
5. Dawn
I hope you have the chance to visit these other fine bloggers. Thanks, again Precy!
June 22, 2012
The Potion
I'm back. Did you miss me? Schultz did. He went bonker bananas when I came home, but that's another story.
Today's story involves a scientific experiment. "Mama," my seven-year-old son said. "I'm going to make an experiment."
Uh oh. Those things are usually scary. "What are are you going to do?" I asked.
"You'll see." The boy grabbed an old Snapple bottle and filled it with water. Then he went to the refrigerator and took out some milk. And cool whip. He added the milk and the cool whip to the bottle of water. Then he went in the pantry and grabbed a bottle of honey.
"Are you trying to see how disgusting you can make that water?" I asked.
He grinned. "No, Mama. I'm going to see how yummy I can make this water."
I shook my head. "You're not seriously going to drink that, are you?"
"Yes, Mama, I'm going to drink this." He put the cap on the bottle and headed out the door.
"Wait," I said. "Where are you going with that?"
"To the woods. I don't want anyone to see me if my potion experiment doesn't work."
Today's story involves a scientific experiment. "Mama," my seven-year-old son said. "I'm going to make an experiment."
Uh oh. Those things are usually scary. "What are are you going to do?" I asked.
"You'll see." The boy grabbed an old Snapple bottle and filled it with water. Then he went to the refrigerator and took out some milk. And cool whip. He added the milk and the cool whip to the bottle of water. Then he went in the pantry and grabbed a bottle of honey.
"Are you trying to see how disgusting you can make that water?" I asked.
He grinned. "No, Mama. I'm going to see how yummy I can make this water."
I shook my head. "You're not seriously going to drink that, are you?"
"Yes, Mama, I'm going to drink this." He put the cap on the bottle and headed out the door.
"Wait," I said. "Where are you going with that?"
"To the woods. I don't want anyone to see me if my potion experiment doesn't work."
June 17, 2012
Combat Dog
First of all, Happy Father's Day to all dads out there. I hope you all enjoy your day!
Now let me tell you about the battle scene last night. It was about midnight. We let our giant German Shepherd out to do his business. Little did we know that four raccoons had invaded our yard and were stealing food from the bird feeder. Our ferocious beast attacked. He charged at them, barking and growling. You'd think that would scare them off. But no. They wanted to fight. So fight they did.
You should've heard the hissing and growling. Wow! Four nasty coons verses one large dog. The battle ensued for several minutes. Apparently Schultz won, because the furry bandits took off over the fence. Schultz practically jumped over too, trying to chase them. He was one mad dog!
Victorius, he pranced into the house. I don't know how he managed it, but he didn't even have one scratch.
"Good boy, Schultz!"
We gave him a treat and sent him to bed. It's so nice to know we have a capable guard dog living under our roof. Note to all: don't mess with Schultz!
Okay, one news announcement for regular followers: I'll be stepping out of the office for a few days. But I'll be back!
Now let me tell you about the battle scene last night. It was about midnight. We let our giant German Shepherd out to do his business. Little did we know that four raccoons had invaded our yard and were stealing food from the bird feeder. Our ferocious beast attacked. He charged at them, barking and growling. You'd think that would scare them off. But no. They wanted to fight. So fight they did.
You should've heard the hissing and growling. Wow! Four nasty coons verses one large dog. The battle ensued for several minutes. Apparently Schultz won, because the furry bandits took off over the fence. Schultz practically jumped over too, trying to chase them. He was one mad dog!
Victorius, he pranced into the house. I don't know how he managed it, but he didn't even have one scratch.
"Good boy, Schultz!"
We gave him a treat and sent him to bed. It's so nice to know we have a capable guard dog living under our roof. Note to all: don't mess with Schultz!
Okay, one news announcement for regular followers: I'll be stepping out of the office for a few days. But I'll be back!
