Showing posts with label Grandkids. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Grandkids. Show all posts

Friday, November 21, 2025

Fly On The Wall With A Trash Bin Brain

Welcome to another edition of Fly On The Wall group blog postings hosted by Karen of Baking In A Tornado. Today, three of us are welcoming you into our homes to see what a fly might see (or overhear). 


Now that the weather is cooler, the fly is recovering after last month's crazy events in the October FOW post (birthdays and flappers and campers, oh my!) No flies means I can eat outdoors again without the pesky insects. However, I couldn't let October slip by without mentioning the hilarious Halloween party we went to. As promised in my last blog post, I have pictures of hubs in his lobster outfit, and guess what? He won 1st place for the funniest costume! He got up during the contest and danced to the B-52's "Rock Lobster" song while tossing empty butter cartons out to the audience. Classic Mac!!


We were fortunate enough to have 300+ trick-or-treaters this year at our house — we went through 14 bags of candy (well, I probably consumed an entire bag of miniature Reese's myself). It does my heart good to see the wee ones all dressed up! Adorable kids this year, and they were all super polite!



We just came back from our 17th RV camping trip. We stayed at a KOA campground, and it was NICE! We had a lake view with stunning sunsets. They also had a "heated" pool on the grounds, but the water was 75 degrees---that is NOT heated enough for this Florida girl!  BRRRRR! But we did warm up every night around the campsite fire pit and had some funny conversations... 



"Man, you and the dog were snoring like crazy last night in bed."
"Yes, we've been practicing synchronized snoring."
"I'd say you nailed it."



"Thanks for helping me chop the onions--I know they're a bit strong! I'm going to throw them in a pan with some butter now to saute them. It's called 'caramelizing' them."
"Well, chopping them has caramelized my eyes."



"That linebaker is.....fat."
"Yeah, they have to bulk up like that for their position. That's why they're linebackers."
"Then I missed my calling because I could have applied for that job with the way I eat!"


"I can't get this annoying song out of my head. Let me sing it for you so that we can share the earworm."
"No thanks----I don't have any space left in my brain. It's already too cluttered. You know how you delete spam from your computer, and it goes into the trash bin? My brain is that trash bin full of unwanted junk emails." 



"I know what you can do with my ashes after I'm cremated."
"Can't wait to hear this...what am I doing with your ashes?"
"Hold my funeral at a catholic church, then have the cardinal carry my ashes smoking in the thurible with the incense----that way, when he walks down the aisle waving it to sanctify the congregation, a little bit of me will pass over every guest."
"Your brain really is a trash bin of useless information, isn't it?"

"Trimming your nose hairs again, I see. About time!"
"Yeah, but it's like going through a dense forest with a chainsaw."



"Honey, you don't have to spoil me with fancy jewelry, five-star restaurants, or luxury travel. I like the simple things in life."
"Obviously, because you married me."



"I hate having to use all of these different reader glasses. Even my doctor said my eyesight is bad."
"This also explains why you married me...."



"Why is the toilet paper so low in the bathroom? Don't you ever refill it?"
"Hey, I never signed on for the role of the toilet paper changer for your poop throne."



I'd better stop blogging now, since Hubs reads this stuff — and, as you know, he has a trash bin brain that cannot handle any more nonsense. Hopefully my blog post won't end up in YOUR trash bin!


***WANT MORE MENO MAMA? I wrote an emotional essay for AARP recently about unpacking my past through a pile of forgotten diaries. It was an eye-opening life review, and it seems I owe a few apologies. ***UPDATE: For some reason, I cannot post the link to the essay. Go to AARP/Members Only and then add the essay title My High School Journals Helped Me Unpack My Past---into the search bar. Sorry about that! https://www.aarp.org/family-relationships/ethels-tell-all-childhood-diary/ I have another article on AARP/The Girlfriend about the one thing that can quickly kill a friendship, which you can read HERE  And then another on easy skillet meals you can read HERE

Hop on over to Karen and Diane's house to see what the nosy fly has been up to over there!


Baking In A Tornado                                https://www.BakingInATornado.com

                               

On the Border                                         https://dlt-lifeontheranch.blogspot.com/








Friday, January 19, 2024

Fly On The Wall In The Year Of The Wood Dragon

Welcome to another edition of Fly On The Wall group blog postings hosted by Karen of Baking In A Tornado. Today, Karen and I are opening our doors so that you can see what has been going on in our homes this past month.


I'm not a huge fan of January....I always get a little moody once the holidays are over. Taking down my Christmas tree and the house decorations always makes me sad. Time is passing by so quickly, but it reinforces my belief that every moment we have on this planet should be cherished....even the mundane stuff. Hey, at least in Florida I'm not dealing with snow-mageddon like most of my northern friends. Last month, we had our share of the Kringlecane experience. 

I really enjoyed my 2 weeks off during the holidays when I didn't have to worry about deadlines---the only thing on my mind was eating cookies and visiting friends. But here we are, back to counting calories and writing assignments. HOWEVER, something pretty cool happened right after the Chinese "Year Of The Wood Dragon" started: I was approached by the head editor of Yahoo Life who found my work recently on several websites and asked if I'd like a part-time job writing an advice column for grandparents! Say WHAAAA? It won't interfere with my job writing for AARP, either, as I have the freedom to pick my own hours. So of course, I said YES, because this is yet another dream job! My first column will appear later this month and I am so stoked (but also bracing myself for internet trolls who will undoubtedly disagree with some of the things I say.) 

Anyhoo.... I haven't had a chance to let the pesky fly eavesdrop on funny conversations with the family, but I do have holiday photos to share. Please indulge me while I relive the holidays...and beyond.....


Three of my sweet grandbabies on Christmas morning

Stealing snuggles from my oldest son

Poppi giving grandson Sage a big smooch
...also having him watch a Chief's game. GO CHIEFS!

Look what Santa brought me! For years I've wanted a tandem bike to ride with Mac! Off we goooooo!!!

My adorables on Christmas morning!

Spiderman in the house!


Celebrating Christmas morning with the entire family--my
youngest boy arrived first.

My 4th grandbaby just turned 2 months old. Sweet boy!

In my happy place.......

New Year's Eve celebration at our favorite restaurant. Happy Year Of The Wood Dragon!!!

***Want more Meno Mama? Check out my latest for AARP/The Ethel---it's all about my special soup recipes to warm you up this winter! You can read it HERE 

Be sure and check out what the fly has been doing at Karen's house at BAKING IN A TORNADO to see what she has been up to this month!

Friday, March 18, 2022

Fly On The Wall With A Human Cheeseball

     Welcome to another edition of Fly On The Wall group blog postings hosted by Karen of Baking In A Tornado. Today, there are three of us inviting you into our homes for a closer look at what goes on behind closed doors.  

     The fly has been enjoying himself in my house this month because my husband stinks....like seriously, he smells after days of working outdoors in the South Florida heat. It also doesn't help that lately I've really been into cooking and eating cabbage (what?? It's good for you!). So just use your imagination...our house gets.....smelly. Come to think of it, the dogs could use a bath, too.  Anyway, here are some snippets of conversation that nosy fly has overheard in my house of (smelly) horrors: 




"Stop adding drama to the situation. You're acting out just to stir the pot." 
"Yep and at this rate, I'm going to need a bigger ladle, too."



"If you need to poop, eat this breakfast bar---it's loaded with fiber and artificial stuff that will make you go." 
"Sounds like crap to me...."



"Why are you snacking again? I thought you were going to sleep."
"I am, but first, I need a  slumber snack."


"Did you just fart again??"
"Those are just little baby farts, They don't count."
"Well, as much as you've been farting tonight, I'd say you have a whole nursery up in there."


"I don't get it; first, you spoil our kids. Then, you spoil our dogs. The amount of spoiling around here is ridiculous."
"What's the matter...are you mad because you're still waiting in line for your turn?"



"I've been so busy, I haven't showered in four days."
"Oh, so THAT'S why the house smells like someone opened a can of cheese balls!!"


"Come on Honey, show the grandkids how to twerk!"
"No thanks---I'll end up in traction if I try."




So weird----I keep getting ads for corsets. Ha-ha, I don't need one of those."
"Uh......"
"Okay, so maybe I do....." 



"What are you staring at in the fridge?"
"A package of buttery croissants."
"Damn, the way you're looking at it, you'd think it was the Holy Grail."
"Anything slathered in butter is the Holy Grail."



"Geez, I feel like a dumpster teddy bear."
"Huh? What?" 
"Like an immortal jellyfish."
"What does that even mean??"
"It means that I'm worn out like a used teddy bear.....so bone-tired I can't even stand up--like a jellyfish. 
"No, it means you're ready for a dirt nap." 

     Okay, ladies, I know you're jealous...because doesn't every woman want a dumpster teddy bear that smells like cheeseballs and believes butter is the Holy Grail? 

**Want more Meno Mama? Check out my latest article about exotic pets for Always Pets HERE, and some great keto soup recipes I have featured on Family Minded HERE

Check out these other bloggers participating in the Fly On The Wall group blog postings:

 Baking In A Tornado  https://www.BakingInATornado.com

                                

The Diary of an Alzheimer’s Caregiver         https://thediaryofanalzheimerscaregiver.com/blog.html/










Friday, December 24, 2021

Fly On The Wall Captured In Holiday Photos

Welcome to another edition of Fly On The Wall group blog postings hosted by Karen of Baking In Tornado. Today, three bloggers are bravely inviting you into their homes to see what goes on behind closed doors. 



The fly buzzing around my home cannot keep up with me this month. It has been a whirlwind of holiday parties, boat parades, decorating the outside of the house with a gazillion lights (yes, we still have enough for NASA to see our yard), trimming the tree (over 300 ornaments and counting) wrapping presents for 12 family members (it took a week and I lost count after some 75 gifts---yikes!), and baking.... baking..... baking. 


I've been bogged down with work, too, but I'm determined to make this a great holiday despite the threat of Omicron invading our country. So..... rather than share snippets of weird family conversations for this FOTW post, I'm going to share a collection of photos to express my joy for the holiday season. 



 










MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

***WANT MORE MENO MAMA? Check out my latest for AARP (holiday drink recipes) HERE  You can also find my first article about holiday cookies for FamilyMinded HERE and my other articles for Always Pets HERE and HERE and HERE and HERE (See! I told you I've been busy!!!)

Buzz around these other homes and see what you think! 

 

Baking In A Tornado                  https://www.BakingInATornado.com

Menopausal Mother                   http://www.menopausalmom.com/

Wandering Web Designer      https://wanderingwebdesigner.com/blog


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