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You are here: Home / Another day / Sometimes I feel like no one is listening

Sometimes I feel like no one is listening

March 8, 2011 ·

Well.

So that’s what I had to say about that.

And I cannot thank y’all enough for your kind words and encouragement. Seriously.

Honestly, now I feel a little bit like George Costanza. Like I may just need to say “I’M OUT!” and shut down the blog forever.

But I think we all know that I have way too many words stored inside my head to really do that. Plus, what would become of poor P if I didn’t get out at least 1,000 of my words here every day? He’d be forced to listen to my thoughts on The Bachelor and why I never pay full price at Gap and how I saw this product called Easy Feet on sale at HEB yesterday and am so confused how people who can’t manage to wash their own feet could get their feet so dirty that they’d need special shoes in their shower.

It would really only be a matter of days before he’d move out to the back house and just visit us at mealtimes.

(I know this because he’s sitting right next to me and I went into great detail explaining why I don’t believe we should even have Daylight Savings Time because they’ve monkeyed around with the dates to the point that it’s not worth losing an hour of my life every spring. And he looked at me and said “Hmm.” Clearly he is very passionate about the whole thing.)

(Also, to add insult to injury, I just tried to save this lame post while I went and grabbed the camera so I could download pictures from Caroline’s soccer game this past weekend. But my blog broke and the whole bottom half of what used to be this post disappeared. I was grieving my loss when P asked what I’d written about and I said, “The fact that you had no interest in my thoughts on Daylight Savings Time”. To which he replied, “When were you talking about Daylight Savings Time?” I KID YOU NOT.)

Anyway, I guess I’ll assume that no one wants to hear my thoughts on Daylight Savings Time so I’ll tell you about our weekend instead. It was unremarkable.

Unless you count the fact that we all almost froze to death at Caroline’s soccer game on Saturday morning. I realize that many of y’all are hardy Northern stock that laugh in the face of temps in the mid-50’s and north winds gusting up to 30 miles an hour, but we’ve been in flip-flops and shorts for over a month now and it came as a complete shock.

Note to self: Watch the weather forecast the night before a soccer game. Don’t assume it will be warm just because it’s been warm for the last thirty-two days. Also, don’t judge the temperature and windchill factor by standing on your covered back porch on the south side of your house.

The good news is that the frigid temps and gusting winds allowed P the chance to give our team of seven-year-old girls a lecture on mental toughness. A lecture they really seemed to take to heart while they huddled together under an assortment of quilts and blankets.

I’m just so glad that some of the other mothers had the good sense to bring some blankets because you know what I brought? A beach towel.

And if I’m being completely honest, I didn’t even bring the beach towel for Caroline. I brought it for myself because I thought the field might not have bleachers. Mother of the year.

After the soccer game, P and Caroline headed down to the ranch to burn a bunch of brush because a good burn makes the land healthy. I know that because I listen to P when he talks.

(Y’all aren’t going to believe that I just asked him if he took any pictures of the fires while they were there and he asked, “Did I have the camera?” Yes. That’s what I meant when I put it in your ranch bag and said, “I’m packing the camera in your bag. Take some pictures.”)

So, no pictures of the fires to show but let’s believe they were impressive because Caroline came home and announced her new favorite ranch activity is “BURNING THINGS”. Bless her little pyromaniac heart.

Meanwhile, I spent a large chunk of my free Saturday afternoon watching a remake of Ice Castles. I would like to mock it endlessly and talk about how you know you’re watching quality programming when the commercials are infomercials for a knock-off of Kate Middleton’s sapphire engagement ring for only $19.95, but since I cried at the end of it I feel that I’ve lost my right to act like I’m too good for a remake of one of the schmalziest movies of all time.

Saturday night we ate dinner with some friends and Caroline’s friend, Sadie, came home to spend the night with us and ended up spending most of the day on Sunday with us. I took the girls up to the ballpark to watch Gulley’s oldest, Jackson, play in his first baseball game of the season. He got a base hit on his first at-bat and Gulley got teary and then I got teary watching Gulley get teary. I realize it’s not as emotional as skating in the nationals after a career-ending injury while Robbie Benson looks on and “Through The Eyes of Love” plays in the background, but still, it was a big moment for him. We were so proud.

Then after that Caroline decided to go to choir practice with Sadie. I thought this might give her a chance to see if she enjoys singing, but she came home and announced that choir is boring because all they do is sing.

So that’s probably the end of that.

And this should probably be the end of this post. If you didn’t make it to the end or can’t remember anything I said, don’t feel bad. I seem to have that effect on people. Especially people I’ve been married to for 13 1/2 years.

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  1. Erin

    March 8, 2011 at 7:01 am

    Sometimes, the long rambly posts are the best kind. I’m glad to know that the fact that my husband absolutely tunes me out is not a product of being married for a paltry 2 years, but of being married in general. Le sigh.

  2. Melissa

    March 8, 2011 at 7:02 am

    Can I just say that I hate Daylight Savings? JUST when I’m getting CLOSE to being able to wake up my babies for school in something other than pitch-black-middle-of-the-night, the clocks go back and it’s drive to school in the dark again. At least it happens during spring break this year so maybe we can ease into it! And Melanie, can you talk about how insane it is that the entire State of Texas has Spring Break at the same time? The zoo, aquarium, museum and theme park crowds are so crazy! It’s not even fun to go anywhere in-state!

  3. angela

    March 8, 2011 at 7:26 am

    Too funny……..they SING too much in choir! Baahaa!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Hubs doesn’t HEAR me either…seriously, I think he might be deaf! You don’t have to HEAR to play golf or ride a bike!

  4. Laura

    March 8, 2011 at 7:28 am

    I also hate Daylight savings time…when I mentioned this to my husband he argued with me and told me I was crazy! So there you go take your pick…not listen or argue (Ha) . I am new here brought by a link to your post yesterday which I really appreciated. Wonderful words…Thank You for them. I will be back for you 1000 words a day…

  5. Lu

    March 8, 2011 at 7:29 am

    Chances are, I believe, P probably hears and takes to heart everything you have to say. It’s just ‘their’ processing of the information ( filing it away in the proper drawer, so to speak) that seems to take forever, no?

  6. Karen

    March 8, 2011 at 7:37 am

    Sounds like P has listening skills like my husband! Too funny!

    • Karen

      March 8, 2011 at 12:31 pm

      HA!! Mine too!

    • AngAK

      March 8, 2011 at 4:13 pm

      I’m getting married in July. Should I get in all the important conversations of a lifetime now??

  7. Linda

    March 8, 2011 at 7:40 am

    This is why I love your blog. One day you’re preaching and the next you have me laughing.

    Oh, and we’re getting close to burning season here. I love it except when my neighbors burn their pasture which is across from my house.

  8. sue.g

    March 8, 2011 at 7:43 am

    Ok listen sister! Don’t even KID about not writing this blog. I look forward to you everyday and discuss your crazy life at least once a week with my daughter. You’ve even (almost) made me like Aggies.

    Don’t concern yourself with P not listening, he’s a guy. If you have something important to say make sure he is looking you in the eyes, like when C was 3, remember?

  9. Carissa

    March 8, 2011 at 8:06 am

    Thank you for that Easy Feet link. I clicked on it to open in a new tab. I didn’t know the sound was so loud on the computer.
    Clicking+Simultaneous coffee drinking= Hysterical laughter and coffee coming out my nose.
    When it said “HOW DO YOU CLEAN YOUR FEET!!” My husband and I were both scared by how loud the sound was and how random the phrase. So funny.

  10. Amanda @ Serenity Now

    March 8, 2011 at 8:19 am

    I pretty much started a blog for the same reasons you keep yours going. I have no one to discuss The Bachelor with at home. 😉 (PS Did you watch the “tell all” last night?!)

    I’d love to send my 5 year old out to “fire camp” with P and Caroline some day…I think I have a little pyro on my hands as well.

    • April Queen

      March 8, 2011 at 4:41 pm

      I watched it! (By the way, I was a stay at home mom for 14 1/2 years and have been divorced for 3. I have a 17, 14, and 12 year old and work at home for my dad. I have NO ONE to talk to either! This computer IS my social life!)
      I couldn’t help but feel sorry for Melissa. Those other girls were just mean! I like both girls left, but being a single mom, I am kind of pulling for Emily. Wonder if Ashley could come back at the end like the guy did on Jillian’s season when he couldn’t tell her how he felt before? She has to be kicking herself.

  11. Dawn W

    March 8, 2011 at 8:37 am

    The conversation between you and your hubby sounds exactly like the ones we have in this house. {Sigh…}

    And daylight savings time? Seriously! We just had a discussion about it because we have those clocks that automatically keep time based on some big “master atomic clock” (supposedly located somewhere in CO). The genius of them is that they automatically reset to the correct time if the power goes out (it’s saved out behinds on many a morning after storms) AND at the start and end of Daylight Savings time. Completely a genius idea! Until congress decided to mess with the dates for Daylight Savings time. Now, the clock resets on the day it “should” and not on the actual day it occurs.

    See? You and I could totally have a complete conversation about Daylight Savings Time. Want to meet for coffee? Austin isn’t that far. LOL

  12. Vicki B

    March 8, 2011 at 8:37 am

    Oh heavens, you got me laughing today! ” I know that because I listen to P when he talks.” What is up with this phenomena with men’s ears? Sometimes I feel like I’m talking to a wall. What I want to know is who are all these men that write tunes on the radio about wanting to hear everything their beloved has to say so they know her heart and soul? Hmmm? And Daylight Savings Time, y’all speak the truth, sister! It is EVIL. EVIL EVIL EVIL.

  13. Angie

    March 8, 2011 at 9:00 am

    Daylight Savings time if from the Devil himself. And this year to celebrate we are waking up at 4 am -so really 3 am to drive to Texas to spend Spring Break with the Hubs Momma and family. Hello 10 hours in the car with cranky kids and equally as cranky mom.
    Oh, and I often get the Nod of “I’ll nod and pretend I’m listening.”

  14. Nancy D

    March 8, 2011 at 9:01 am

    You get extra credit today for using the word “schmalziest” in a sentence.

  15. Memaw

    March 8, 2011 at 9:05 am

    I know what you mean about the weather.

    We had winds at 45 mph with gusts up to 90 mph.
    We had brown out conditions on some roads.

    So I guess March really comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb

  16. Julie Dyer

    March 8, 2011 at 9:25 am

    I am so happy to know that I was not the only one who sat through the remake of Ice Castles and the original. Not only did I watch it but sent out a mass text that it was on and tweeted also. I downloaded “Through the Eyes of Love” too. I think I may have a problem. =D

    • MaryBeth

      March 8, 2011 at 8:03 pm

      I watched both versions too–I have always loved the original Ice Castles. Parts of the original were filmed in Minnesota and I had several friends who were in the audience during the filming of the skating competition scenes. I was so jealous.

      I didn’t think the line, “we forgot about the bears” had the same emotional impact for me as Robbie Benson’s “we forgot about the flowers”. Just my opinion.

  17. Heather

    March 8, 2011 at 9:26 am

    My son saw a commercial for Easy Feet the other day. Keep in mind he is only 4. He watched it and then turned to me and said, “Momma, we have GOT to get one of those!” He was quite impressed. Apparently, dirty feet are something that has been troubling him for some time…

    I love your blog and read it every day. All the way up here in New England. Glad you are still posting.

  18. Colorado

    March 8, 2011 at 9:31 am

    Now you’ve got me dreaming of shorts and flip-flops — thanks!

    Seriously now, I think a lot of people were listening to you yesterday.

  19. zoom

    March 8, 2011 at 9:33 am

    Having been married for 27 years, I can tell you they will never get us. Which is probably a good thing, and why we need girlfriends to share our opinions about all manner of things. And you are right, never, ever pay full price at the GAP

  20. Brittany

    March 8, 2011 at 9:34 am

    I have a confession. At Target yesterday I purchased Easy Feet for my husband. Yes – he is only 37. I even took a picture of it and texted it to my mother to inform her that it is NOW IN STORES. Have pity on me!!!!!!

  21. Beth

    March 8, 2011 at 9:36 am

    About the husband not listening thing, may I share a trick I’ve learned after nearly 20 years of marriage? email with bulleted points works for relaying important information that needs to be retained (such as cameras, time changes, etc.). This way you also have proof that you did indeed tell him (and more than once if you’ve had to forward it again and again for it to sink in!)

    • Kimberly

      March 8, 2011 at 9:42 am

      Beth, sooo great! You have got to try that, Melanie, and let us know how it works out…:)

  22. Beth W.

    March 8, 2011 at 9:44 am

    One night I fell asleep on the couch, and when I woke up, the Easy Feet infomercial was playing on the tv. I was intrigued. If you are working so hard that your feet need that much scrubbing, shouldn’t you be physically able to wash your own feet?! Every infomercial makes it look like the regular way of doing things is incredibly impossible. Ironing? Cooking spaghetti? Putting toothpaste on your toothbrush? They are all so complicated and frustrating!!! AAAHHHHH!!!

    By the way, I’m pretty sure I played the theme to Ice Castles in a piano recital, and I can still sing the entire song. If only there was an outlet for this kind of talent. . .

  23. Melissa

    March 8, 2011 at 9:46 am

    Ohhhh, I love you! You are so funny – and i needed a laugh this morning. What was best, I can’t even tell…P not listening – got that here too, pyromania – I LOVE to burn things. My best friend and I used to practice a lot more when going through divorce at the same time. It was quite theraputic. And soccer in spring…eeks – I learned that from my daughter – no matter what the weather during the week, even in Northern US, come Saturday soccer, it will feel like January in Iowa!

  24. Valerie @ Life 4 me by me

    March 8, 2011 at 9:52 am

    I love a good long rambling post! If you are the beach towel mom, then I am the one that remembers the big puffy coat, even a blanket for the track meet but then absentmindedly throws on flip flops.

  25. mk

    March 8, 2011 at 9:56 am

    I, too started my blog to talk about the things that interested me but would put the members of my family on snooze. I don’t quite have the following you do, but at least I get my thoughts out there.

    I hate Daylight Savings Time too.

  26. momof8

    March 8, 2011 at 10:12 am

    You have been wearing flops and shorts for a month? I knew lots of places were enjoying spring, but summer?! I feel like we have been stuck on ground hog day for about 6 years. It has only been 6 months, but we are still looking out of the window at feet of snow. I definitely live in the wrong place. I think it is great you had a beach towel! Better than nothin’!

  27. Brickhouse

    March 8, 2011 at 10:20 am

    Tell Gulley to save this post in order to remember that moment. Now that Jared is 12, I sit in the stands rocking nervously back and forth when he is called in to pitch. And don’t get me started on how nerve-wracking it is when he is at-bat after he had what we call “the slump that could send your mother to Rusk” last year. For some reason, he doesn’t seem to share in my nervous breakdown. It’s FUN to him. Really? All of that pressure is FUN? Having everyone stare at you while you wind up and deliver a pitch that you hope makes it into a very narrow strike path is FUN? I mean, I feel like I’m in the hot seat and I’m not even on the field! But bless his heart…he can strike out twice and after the game say, “Did you see my hit in the 6th inning?” You mean your only hit? Nope, I missed it because my eyes were closed after the first two strikeouts, and I felt like the other parents were staring holes into the back of my head.

    I miss T-Ball. I loved it when we didn’t keep score and we were ALWAYS winners!

    • Laura

      March 8, 2011 at 6:55 pm

      So true!

  28. Susan

    March 8, 2011 at 10:24 am

    Next time you want to tell P about the camera (because you’re probably not going to attempt a discourse on Daylight Savings Time with him again any time soon) try to make it as short as possible: ” Camera. Ranch bag. Pictures of fire.” **grunt**. Men are not as highly evolved when it comes to listening past 10 words. It’s not you at all. It’s Darwinian.
    I’m convinced.

    I’m so glad to know that I am not the only one who has clocks that reset themselves on the former DST date instead of the government’s new date. That means I paid extra money to have almost instantly obsolete technology and now have to manually set four clock radios, twice each, twice a year. Grrrrrrr.

  29. Rachel

    March 8, 2011 at 10:49 am

    Ok… SO much to talk about with this one…
    1. I would be so very sad if I could not read your blog everyday so please ignore you inner Costanza and just say you’re in. My stalker like tendencies would have to find a new release and I just don’t know if I could stand to follow a blog written Charlie Sheen (my teenage obsession) or that I have enough energy to find a new blogger to stalk. Just saying.
    2. My 90 year old grandma sends me to CVS every week to check out the Easy Feet and see if they are marked down yet. Because LORD KNOWS she needs them but she just cannot pay full price for them. I am not buying them for her strictly on principle because my goodness how dirty can a 90 year old’s feet really be?
    3. I could really do without the spring forward but I LOVE me some fall back.
    4. I am not sure if I am ready to give up my mother of the year award for just not bringing a blanket to a soccer game. The fact that Caroline is in sports makes you FAR superior to me. The only thing my kids do for extra curricular activities is church and let’s just face it they are already in the building so it really doesn’t take much effort on my part.
    5. Your post yesterday spoke to my heart! I was so glad to see so many wonderful comments about it. You have a very valuable ministry and I pray that you will continue to reach people in your sweet humorous way.
    Much Love From Your Friendly Neighborhood (or across the country) Blogstalker!

  30. Marla Taviano

    March 8, 2011 at 11:04 am

    I have that same effect on Gabe.

  31. Haley

    March 8, 2011 at 11:10 am

    Hate DST!!! As if I haven’t lost enough sleep already thanks to my newborn!

    My dad always does the “hmmm” thing when he’s not listening. It’s become a family joke that when he does that we start talking about random things like flying elephants. Eventually he clues in, but sometimes not until I start laughing.

  32. The Mommy Therapy

    March 8, 2011 at 11:19 am

    I honestly feel like I can only talk to my husband when he is staring at me, otherwise he has no clue what I am saying.

    I do a lot of sticky notes and annoying texts to try to assure he has heard me.

    Men.

  33. Rena

    March 8, 2011 at 11:42 am

    I, for one, am proud to be part of the Big Mama club. I feel vindicated. I feel like I can rant right along with you about the weather and the absurdity that is Daylight Saving’s Time. Weather is bad enough without our nation’s so-called leaders messing around with changing time. Who do they think they are?

    I’m trying hard not to complain about the spring tease. Really. I am. But my middle child is graduating in just a couple of months and we STILL have not had her senior photo session. I’m ignoring the box of invitations on the floor next to me because we need pictures and that means we need beautiful weather! But I’m not supposed to be griping about all of that, remember? I know you do because you’re not like P.

    I’m reading Ann’s book and determined to be thankful even if it’s through gritted teeth. But I am truly grateful for this little slot that I hog up to vent right back like you asked us to do that or something. You’re not gonna’ block me, are you? Is that possible? Like on facebook or cell phone? 😉

  34. Rena

    March 8, 2011 at 11:43 am

    This is totally off subject and I probably should just stop hogging up comment space but dang it I tried to change that Avatar a zillion times to, you know, a REAL photo and apparently MY BLOG BROKE, TOO!

  35. Sarah at themommylogues

    March 8, 2011 at 11:50 am

    Can I just say that this is honestly a huge relief to me? I’m riding the horrific post-baby hormones, and I was all worried that I am just so incredibly uninteresting that my husband has no desire to hear all of my stories about other people’s lives that I don’t know because I read them on a blog.

    I feel sorry for the people I freelance for who actually call me. {a real live person on the phone!} All they want is a couple of changes on a brochure and they also get a detailed rundown of how the baby slept last night, the latest cute 7 or 5 yr old’s story, me debating whether to go see Elton John when he comes to town because don’t you think a person should see Elton John even if you don’t actually own any of his music, followed by me wondering if I should dye my hair darker red or brown, and finally I AM SO SICK OF SNOW. I’m not sure if I should be comforted and flattered, or disturbed that they call me when they’re out on the road and falling asleep in late afternoon, because they know I’ll chat them awake.

  36. Erin Ward

    March 8, 2011 at 12:09 pm

    The fact that you cried at the end of the movie you were making fun of makes me so happy. Because I’ve totally done that. On several occasions.

  37. Julie

    March 8, 2011 at 12:17 pm

    Me: I am having trouble getting a babysitter for Saturday night.
    Tripp: What?
    Me: A B-A-B-Y-S-I-T-T-E-R. You know? For that dinner party on Sat pm.
    Tripp: What are you talking about?
    Me: (trying not to snap since he has cancer and all) Sweetie, we have talked about it every week for like 4 weeks. Dinner at Ocean. People I went to college with. Best Friends.
    Tripp: (crickets) I don’t think you told me about it.
    Me: Well its been on the refrigerator calender for-EVAH and I am going. You are welcome to join me. But I need to know so I can continue to try to find the one person not going out of town for spring break.
    Tripp: We have a calender?
    Me: For the love of the Lord.

  38. Jen L.

    March 8, 2011 at 12:40 pm

    First off, I love daylight savings. I love the extra few hours of daylight! Second, last week I thanked you for enlightening me on the Couch to 5K program. I ran my first 5K Saturday and finished! My time was not great but that is because the last 1/2 mile was all uphill and I thought I was going to die. Loved your post yesterday too. 🙂

  39. Holly @ MooBee

    March 8, 2011 at 1:03 pm

    YES! You do need to write a post about daylight savings time. In fact, all of us should, and then we should start a twitter revolution where everyone refuses to change their clocks and that would be the end of the silliness also known as Daylight Savings.

    • AngAK

      March 8, 2011 at 4:33 pm

      You just may have the answer to abolish DST!! We have no use for it up here in Alaska. It does no good, what-so-ever!! still lots-o-dark in winter and lots-o-light in summer. saves us nothing, but we still do it.

  40. Amy

    March 8, 2011 at 1:06 pm

    This is what I love about your blog – your everyday schpill about the daily stuff we all experience – infomercials, tuned-out husbands, the nerve of Daylight Savings Time, and our various brushes with Mother of the Year.
    This was great. And my kids think we need Easy Feet along with the AlumaWallet – “cause Mama – you can run over it and it’ll still be ok!”
    They know their Mama may or may not have run over the camera a while back.

  41. Laura

    March 8, 2011 at 1:47 pm

    Ok, I’m so thankful that the Easy Feet thing came up. This phenomenon has me completely perplexed, and I’m someone who is admittedly often fascinated by infomercial products. Every time the Easy Feet ad comes on, though, I spend the whole time going back-and-forth between laughing out loud and staring at the television in utter confusion. Why, oh WHY is it so hard for these people to wash their feet???

  42. angie

    March 8, 2011 at 1:57 pm

    I’m so glad you wrote about Daylight Savings Time…I’m really hoping this will make it easier to get out of bed!!!:)))

  43. Heather

    March 8, 2011 at 2:08 pm

    I have two favorite parts to the East Feet commercial. First is how MUCH soap those people put on that Easy Feet contraption. I mean, it is seriously soap overload. Second, I love when they show that lady with white hair swiping at her feet with a wash cloth – and she just can’t reach! Should she really be doing moves like that if she is so fragile in the shower?? By the way, I am 38 and have white hair and dye it brown. So there really is no telling how old that “old white haired lady” really is…. Just saying….

  44. Susan

    March 8, 2011 at 2:15 pm

    Thank you because the Easy Feet site gave me the best laugh I have had in awhile! There are no words.

  45. Jennifer

    March 8, 2011 at 2:36 pm

    Sad to say that not only did I watch the remake of Ice Castles, but I watched most of the original that came on afterwards. Oh my. And THEN I googled it to see who the actresses were in both movies (real ice skaters, BTW) and proceeded to tell my husband all about my findings. To which he replied, huh?

  46. Megan @ Red Dirt and Crazy

    March 8, 2011 at 3:10 pm

    Daylight savings time is ridiculous! I wish they would do away with it too!

    Don’t worry…my husband hardly listens to me either. And I never thought about the fact that with my blog he is probably spared from some of my ramblings. I’ll have to tell him that next time he complains about me getting on the computer to blog. Not that he hever does because I do it during naptime while he’s at work. But just in case.

    🙂

    Megan

  47. BraydenandBodiesmama

    March 8, 2011 at 4:05 pm

    Can I just tell you how much I HATE daylight savings time? My mom will tell you that when I was little I cried every single year when we had to change the clocks in the Spring. I don’t mind the Fall… the extra hour of sleep wins bonus points with me! But take that hour away? UG!!!! I get cranky just thinking about it!!!!!!!
    Kelly

  48. Rosemary

    March 8, 2011 at 4:18 pm

    Just stopping by to tell you how much I looooooove your blog.. I don’t think I’ve told you that in the last few weeks. You make me laugh out loud, and I don’t frequently do that while reading (but I do it alot while talking!)… ANYWAY. Thanks for always making my day!! I haven’t seen you mention the Real Housewives (my guilty pleasure show)… you still watching? FNL will be on NBC soon, and as sad as I am that it’s the last season I cannot wait for some Tammy and the coach. Love love love that show. And your blog.

    that is all.

  49. Marissa

    March 8, 2011 at 7:28 pm

    Just had to say I love the George Costanza reference– I have been known to say “I’m leaving on a high note!” on occasion, and it always cracks me up to think of that episode. 🙂

  50. Muddy

    March 8, 2011 at 8:03 pm

    I kind of get the whole “Easy Feet” thing. Taking a shower in a standard tub is awkward at times….and it can be a challenge to twist and turn enough to get the wash cloth down to my toes and feet in order to exfoliate them. It’s not really because they are dirty in the every day sense. That’s my take on it anyway.

    With that, I doubt I’d buy one. While it may be difficult to wash feet-I am not to the point of needing special shoes to assist at 44. Ask my again though in a few months….I may be broken down by then as I make my way down the other side of the hill 😉

  51. pendy

    March 8, 2011 at 8:14 pm

    Men lack a listening gene.
    Daylight savings time – dislike.
    I wouldn’t have brought a blanket for a soccer player, either.

  52. Melanie

    March 8, 2011 at 8:51 pm

    Remake of Ice Castles? How did I not know this? Just made hubby watch the original on Netflix a few weeks back. (I know. He’s a keeper.) Gonna have to find the newer version soon.

  53. Karate Mom

    March 8, 2011 at 9:10 pm

    You know who needs Easy Feet? Stinky little eight-year-old boys who run around outside barefoot and then aren’t very flexible so they have trouble getting their feet completely clean in the shower, that’s who! I saw that commercial and IMMEDIATELY thought of my son! (I think he was a little offended when I suggested it, though…)

  54. Milk & Cookie Party

    March 8, 2011 at 9:36 pm

    Don’t ever stop blogging. I need to read those spare 1000 words in your brain as they relate so well to the spare 1000 in my head.

  55. BFM

    March 8, 2011 at 10:04 pm

    I read your last post and love when people write with honesty. As I read it I wondered why you deleted my comment once about letting you and your readers know about a ministry on my site that is trying to help those who are hurting, and I just wanted to say that I did not write that comment to try to steer your readers away from you or your wonderful site – ever. And I am 100% not trying to follow in your foot steps with my “big fat mama” blogging name. My son called me that when I was pregnant with my 4th child, and I didn’t know there was another “big mama” out there! 🙂

    This may sound silly since I don’t even know you, but I have prayed for you, and just think God has created some real beauty in you and your words! 🙂

    • BFM

      March 8, 2011 at 10:09 pm

      Oh, dear…I just re-read my comment and hope it didn’t come across in a way I didn’t mean it to, and I could be very mistaken and maybe the comment I left once about the ministry was never even reached by you! My apology for any misunderstanding!!

    • Big Mama

      March 9, 2011 at 3:33 pm

      Hi BFM-

      Just wanted to let you know that I don’t remember the comment you’re referring to. I never delete comments unless they are mean-spirited and directed at someone other than me. Of course I can’t speak for my spam filter. It has a tendency to eat comments every now and then!

      Thanks for your prayers and thanks for reading!

  56. Keyona

    March 8, 2011 at 10:35 pm

    My husband says he only listens to me for 20 seconds then spaces out. 😉

  57. robin

    March 19, 2011 at 3:27 pm

    I am way behind, but I have to say that this post had me rolling on the floor with laughter. I even made my husband put down his book, so I could read the daylight savings part. He asked me why I don’t laugh that hard when he is funny.

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Who is Melanie?

Melanie ShankleMy name is Melanie and, in some strange twist of fate, I’m also known as Big Mama because I started this blog in July of 2006 when my daughter, Caroline, was not quite three years old and I was in the process of convincing her that BIG girls use the potty and BIG girls don’t have pacifiers, thus she thought BIG was the highest compliment in the land and began referring to me as BIG MAMA.Read More

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Happy 19th Birthday to my American beauty. ⁣ ⁣ Happy 19th Birthday to my American beauty. ⁣
⁣
💕 Nineteen years ago today you changed our world forever. You showed up two weeks ahead of schedule and spent the next six months staring us all down. I’m not sure you ever smiled until you were a year old. And now I know that’s your personality. You are full of surprises, a little unpredictable and evaluate everything very carefully before you jump in with your whole heart. ⁣
⁣
But once you do? You’re all in. You are loyal, you love your people fiercely, and you aren’t afraid to speak the truth to bring out the best in yourself and others. You are also the funniest person I know. In short, you have been our dream come true for nineteen years and we couldn’t be more proud of the woman you have become. ⁣
⁣
Last year on this day you were a camper at Impact about to start your freshman year. This year you’re back at Impact as a counselor. I can’t think of a better way to bookend what has been a truly great year. ⁣
⁣
Keep shining, keep your eyes on Jesus and keep surprising us. You, Caroline Shankle, are a fire that burns bright. Dad and I pray your 19th year is full of joy, laughter and God’s blessings in your life. I Peter 1:6-8 💕
It is no secret that I love college football, so s It is no secret that I love college football, so spending the last four days working at SEC Football Media Days has been a dream. Because as much as I love watching the actual game, I also love all the off the field dynamics…the personalities, the drama, the rivalries, the days before the season actually starts where everyone believes this may be THE YEAR for their team. ⁣
⁣
This week has been full of all of those things, plus I met so many delightful young people, from football players to graphic designers to photographers to sports media, who are just incredibly talented at what they do. I’ve learned new music, received an entire doctorate education in various sneaker styles, and discovered some football players and coaches who were so kind and charming that I’ll be secretly cheering for them this year when they aren’t playing Texas A&M. ⁣
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And was the moment I photobombed Jimbo one of the highlights of my life? One hundred percent yes. Thanks and Gig’em.
A few of you (at least two) have asked if I’d po A few of you (at least two) have asked if I’d post some pics of my bedroom makeover by @kimspradlinwolfe here so you can come back to reference them. I’m also going to make a permanent highlight. ⁣
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My personal favorite parts of the room are all from @arhaus ⁣
⁣
I totally left the furniture details up to Kim and her choice of @arhaus was spot on. Our bed is the Rigby bed in nomad snow. I was initially afraid of the light color because you know I don’t want to be precious about furniture. But @arhaus uses @cryptonfabric which is durable, odor and stain resistant and built to last. This is crucial when you have dogs that may get up on the bed even if they aren’t technically allowed to. ⁣
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The nightstands are the Helen two drawer nightstands. I initially fell in love with the light, hand-stained finish and roomy drawers, but then I noticed the marble and brass pulls and they had my heart forever. ⁣
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And, finally, the Amelie floor mirror. It’s the mirror I’ve always dreamed of and the perfect finishing touch to the room. Best of all, @arhaus offers white glove delivery which means they deliver and assemble it all for you which is really a service to your marriage and your sanity.
Had the best time celebrating these birthday girls Had the best time celebrating these birthday girls last night. They make 50 and 70 look good. 💕
The best bedroom makeover by @kimspradlinwolfe It The best bedroom makeover by @kimspradlinwolfe It finally feels like we have a grown up bedroom after 25 years of marriage and not a deer mount in sight. 😂
⁣
I’ll be posting links and more pics in my stories and on my feed, but love the gorgeous furniture from @arhaus and the stunning light fixtures from @shadesoflight⁣ 💕
Happy Father’s Day to the one who believes anyth Happy Father’s Day to the one who believes anything less than a half tank of gas is basically playing with fire and traveling without a flashlight is a fool’s errand. ⁣
⁣
You keep us prepared, you make us laugh and you lead us so well. Your girls love you. ❤️

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