10 posts tagged “tall”
I've given it a good deal of thought lately, and I've concluded that I don't live what I'd describe as a highly bloggable life. And I couldn't be happier about it.
I am content. My life is noteworthy for its lack of conflict. (Unless you count near-daily scuffles with the teenagers, but really...) I am happy in the relationships that I have, and those that I've left behind. All childhood traumas were effectively examined and put to rest long ago. I share my life with a wonderful man and a couple of kids I genuinely like and enjoy spending time with. I'm fortunate in my family and friends. I'm well suited to the work I do. I have the time and the opportunity to pursue my hobbies.
I almost hate to spell it out like this for fear of bringing down a curse.
At any rate, none of this makes for riveting blog posts. My day-to-day existence is quite lacking in drama, chaos, and adventure. And while there are many fine writers who can post on just about anything and make it interesting, I'm not among them. (Note to self: is there any possible way to add interest to this post about being basically uninteresting?)
This is what I'm sure of: if a boring blog is the price to be paid for the life I live, I'll gladly pay it.
Do you have a green thumb?
OMG, no! I'm cursed. Seriously. I've tried, at various times in my life, to grow vegetables, plants, and/or flowers, both indoors and out. I've yet to succeed. I think of myself as a 'black thumb' who can bring blight to the hardiest plants. For a long time now, I've simply flown the white flag of surrender. However, I think I've worked up the nerve to give it another go. I'm strongly considering ordering and planting this garden:
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I was discussing this idea with Tall during dinner, and my darling Antic piped up with this:
"Whaaaaaat?! You're going to plant a garden, mom? Are you serious?"
"Well, I think so. It's supposed to be a very hardy and easy-care collection of plants. I thought I'd give it a try."
"Um, are they plastic flowers? Cuz, really, I think if they're not, you're gonna kill them."
Ah, the vote of confidence. Needless to say, I feel very encouraged. :0
"Hey, Tall. Look at this book I borrowed from the library. I was thinking we could give some of these recipes a try. What do you think?"
"But I like meat."
"I know. But it wouldn't hurt to cut back. Maybe two or three times a week we could try meals without meat? Or I could, anyway. You guys don't have to."
Tall flips idly through the recipes. "You know the problem with vegetarian meals?"
"No. What?"
"Beans. I don't like beans."
"Not really my favorite either. But there's other stuff besides beans. Just not tofu. I don't like tofu."
"Yuck."
"Hmmm. Eggplant. I like eggplant."
"Blech."
"Tempeh? I've never tried that. I wonder how it tastes."
Antic walks in.
"Is mom trying to turn us into vegetarians? I don't wanna be a vegetarian."
"I'm not trying to turn you into anything, Antic. It's not a big deal. I'm just suggesting we cut back on meat. That's all."
"But I like meat. Why would anybody want to give up meat? It's good."
Well, there are actually a lot of good reasons. Environmental concerns. Animal welfare. Better health. Food safety issues. When we watched Fast Food Nation, you said it grossed you out."
"I'm over it. I want a big juicy steak, right now."
::sigh::
Tall and I are in the midst of choosing a destination for our next family vacation. We have a handful of places in mind, and had this discussion as we waited in the car during Antic's music lesson:
"It seems to me," I said, "that X and Y are really the best options. You know what we could do?"
"What?"
"We could get online and compare the accommodations and amenities line by line, check out reviews on TripAdvisor, look at the activities available within a certain radius of the hotels, compare weather averages during the time of year we'd be visiting, and so on. We'll compare pros and cons, and pick the best one. Sound good?"
"Sounds like a lot of work," Tall replied as he reached into the ashtray and grabbed a quarter. "We could do that, or we could just flip a coin. Best three out of five?"
Ack. It's funny how different we are. There's no way I could make a major decision that way. I guess I'll stick with my original plan. Something tells me he'll be happy with whatever I choose.
Somehow, blogging and AKAs came up at home the other day. The conversation went something like this:
Me: "You're all practically famous on my blog, you know. Especially you."
Antic: "Whaaaat? Why am I famous?"
Me: "Mostly for using your cell phone from the bathroom to let me know you needed toilet paper."
Antic: "Great. Thanks, Mom. I guess it WAS pretty funny, though."
Me: "It was. And don't worry, hon, it's not like people actually know you: I've given you each an alias. Dad's is Tall, yours is Antic, and your brother's is Sleeper."
Tall: "Ha. I think you should've called us Fat Ass, Rebel, and Gamer."
Me: "Ooooh, you're mean. Funny, but mean. I think I'll stick with what I've got."
Sleeper: "What do you call him?" (pointing to the cat)
Me: "Um. Well, just 'the cat', actually. I haven't given him a name."
Sleeper: "You should call him Karl. Yeah, Karl. That's so cool. Hey! We should change his name to Karl, for real."
Antic: "Yeah. Karl's an awesome name for a cat!"
Me: "You can't change his name! He knows his name, you guys."
Sleeper: "Nah. We can change it. Watch!"
He goes and gets a package of cat treats.
"C'mere, Karl. Want a treat? Mmmmm......"
Guess who runs right over for a treat? Yup. Meow. Everyone cracks up.
Me: "Stop! You're going to confuse the poor guy."
Sleeper: "Nah. Karl, want to play? Here's your ball. Go get it, Karl."
Naturally, the insouciant critter bounds off after it. (It's his favorite game - he'll chase and fetch his bouncy ball until he's exhausted.) Tall is busting a gut. I don't think it's healthy to laugh that hard.
Antic: "See, Mom, we can change his name."
Poor Karl.
Antic's 'girlfriend' got mad at him for flirting with other girls. I asked him if she was still upset.
"Nah. She can't stay mad at me."
"You sound just like your dad." Tall is grinning at this, because it's true.
"Yeah. She was like 'I'm really mad at you' and then 5 minutes later everything was fine. I'm irresistible."
"And humble. In fact, I think humility is one of your best qualities."
"I think sarcasm is one of your best qualities, Mom."
"Damn," Sleeper says, "I was just going to say that."
What's one of your favorite quotes?
Submitted by Georgie-boy.
I love quotations and have been collecting them for years. So many wise, funny, and inspirational things have been said over the ages. At first, I was sure I'd never be able to choose one; however, after giving it some thought, I realized there is a saying that I've tried to incorporate into my daily life.
"Never sacrifice your principles for convenience."
I honestly don't know where it came from, but I heard it first from my husband.
*In more ways than one.
We're sitting and chatting at the table, just after finishing dinner. Tall leans back in his chair and belches, loudly and with gusto.
"My hell, Tall! Disgusting."
He starts to laugh, and it quickly turns into a full-on, can't-stop-laughing fit. He's practically crying, he's laughing so hard. Sleeper is laughing his head off, too. I'm just looking at them. I seriously don't get it.
"I don't get it. What's so funny?"
Between laughs and gasps: "You're. killing. me. Stop!" Still laughing.
So I wait. When he finally gets control of himself, I ask again.
"Okay, what was so funny about that?"
"Your reaction was just classic woman."
"No, I think my reaction was classic anyone-with-manners."
Sleeper pipes in. "AKA, woman."
They're off again.
Audio: Share a song that reminds you of a current or past relationship.
The scene: It's dinnertime. Antic is getting a drink from the refrigerator.
"Why is there a bottle of champagne in here?"
I know why. There's no way I'm commenting. Let Tall field it.
"It's for celebrating when I win the lottery."
Yeah, I married the eternal optimist. (Opposites attract.) He knows the odds.
He's mostly kidding.
"Whoa. Dad. Does champagne go bad?"
Smart kid. I thought it was nice he didn't just blurt out, "Dad, you're crazy!" And yet...
Of course I wouldn't mind winning the lottery, but honestly, I'd be willing to pop that cork over a much smaller miracle. Maybe some warm weather.
