resume schmesume

Once upon a time, I went to college for 5 years. And I wrote resumes and cover letters like it was my life. And then I got my first big girl job. I loved it. And I vowed I'd stay there forever so that I'd never have to write another cover letter and resume in my life.

And then I quit my job.

And now I'm student teaching.

And soon I'll be looking for a job.

And that means I'll have to write more resumes and cover letters.

And because I loathe technology, I don't think I've saved my resume anywhere, which is incredibly smart, I know. So I'm starting from scratch and drawing a huge blank.

I have never been good at writing those things. I hate having to try to 'sell myself'. I get all awkward and clammy and repetitive and awkward and repetitive.

This week, I'm burying myself in resumes and cover letters and trying to come up with something that doesn't make me sound like I'm begging and pleading for a job (which, by the way, I am doing).

So do y'all have any resume/cover letter writing tips? Have any good advice to share when it comes to selling yourself on paper? I can use all of the help I can get ;)

Have a blessed Tuesday :)

girl time....

A couple of nights ago, Ben wanted to take PB to a basketball game. I didn't feel like going, so I told him to go on without me and have a 'boy's night'. Ben was excited.

I packed up the diaper bag, kissed the boys, and shut the door.

I'm not gonna lie, I could hardly contain my excitement. I love, love, love having a son. I really do. And I might be a little biased, but I think boys are just the most fun. But every once in a while, I need like a 1 hour break from boys. From the trucks. And the tractors. And the footballs. And the gas. And the mischievous smiles.

I didn't know what to do first. The house was a wreck, as it stays 99.9999999% of the time now, but somehow, I just wasn't bothered by that. I started making a mental list of things I would do during my 'girl time'.

1. Put my fuzzy socks on.
2. Plop my fat rear on the couch.
3. Eat a huge bowl of chocolate ice cream covered in milk (p.s. does anybody else do that?)
4. Put on my new Golden Girls DVD.
5. Take a bubble bath.
6. Pluck my eyebrows.
7. Shave my legs.
8. Do some sit-ups.
9. Eat another bowl of chocolate ice cream?

I ran and grabbed my fuzzy socks. Then, I made the biggest bowl of chocolate ice cream that I could possibly fit in my dish. I put in season 7 of the Golden Girls and made myself comfortable on the couch. I had not even finished my bowl when I heard the car pull up.

Are you serious!?

Yep. They were back. Ben had gotten his wires crossed and they got to the game late. They stayed for a few minutes, and came on back.

PB came running in the house, tracking in mud everywhere. Ben came in right behind him, dropping jackets and bags everywhere.

Sigh.

I'm outnumbered now.

And the older PB gets, the more outnumbered I feel.

He's just like his daddy.

It's like having two Bens in the house.

So much for girl time...............

Have a blessed Monday :)

11 things

I'm terrible at blogging things. And I'm terrible at following directions. And I'm terrible at playing games. I'm just terrible I guess.

Anyway, Aryn tagged me a while back for this 11 things about you thingamajig. I've procrastinated. I've forgot about it. And I'm sorry, Aryn!

You're supposed to post the rules, so here they are:

Here are the rules:

1. You must post the rules. (And link up who tagged you.)

2. Post eleven fun facts about yourself on the blog post.

 3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, and then create eleven new questions to ask the people you've tagged.

4. Tag eleven people and link them on your post.

                                                  5. Let them know you've tagged them!

So, to follow through with Aryn's tag, here are 11 things about myself.

1. I smell clothes before I buy them. Actually, I smell most things (housewares, shoes, towels, etc.) before I buy them. I've got the nose of a bloodhound.
2. I now have the complete Golden Girls DVD set. Up next, the Andy Griffith Show, and then Friends. After that, I might as well cut my cable off.
3. I hate tea and coffee.
4. I'm a homebody (not to be confused with a homeboy). I would rather stay at home than anything else.
5. I don't let my feet touch the bottom of the ocean. Once I go out in the ocean past my knees, I tread water because I can't stand for my feet to touch the unknown!
6. I wash my hair every 3 days. Is that nasty?
7. I write with my right hand. I do everything else with my left hand.
8. I wore a size 8 1/2 shoe in high school. Now I wear a 7 1/2. Explain that one.
9. Denzel Washington is my favorite actor.
10. I have lots of gray hair.
11. I annoy Ben to death by popping his bumps. That's nasty too, right?

So there's 11 'fun' things about me. Actually, they're weird and strange, and if you never read my blog again after this, I totally understand.

And here's answers to Aryn's 11 questions to me:

1. Who is your favorite person in the world?  That's a trick question, but it's gotta be my boys, PB and Ben.
2. If you could take an all expenses paid vacation anywhere in the world, where would it be? The French Polynesia
3. If you could have the leading role in any major movie, which movie would it be? Under Seige, but then I guess that would make me a man. 
4. What do you consider to be your biggest accomplishment so far in your life? Motherhood!
5. What show/movie are you most embarassed to admit that you love? Most of the stuff I watch is old stuff, so really anything that I still watch...Golden Girls, Fresh Prince, Andy Griffith, etc....
6. What is one goal that you have for 2012? Focus more on what matters most: Christ and family
7. If you were a superhero, which one would you be? I don't know any superheroes except Superman...
8. Name one thing that you cannot live without. Food. period.
9. You're going to the beach for the day but only have room in your bag for three things, what three items do you take? Sunscreen, cause I'm pasty, water cause I get thirsty, and Rosebud salve cause I'm addicted (thanks, Kathy!)
10. What is your best tip for living on a budget/living thrifty? Get creative!
11. If you could spend endless amounts of money on one thing, what would it be? Old furniture.


Most of the bloggers I follow have already participated in this, or have been tagged already, so I'm not going to tag anymore people :(  But thanks for thinking of me, Aryn! 


Anybody else not wash their hair for 3 days? Pop your husbands bumps? Have gray hair yet? After I read my list of '11 fun things about myself', I realize that I'm not that fun at all actually. More like awkward. Or weird. Or homebodyish. Or just plain awkward.


Have a blessed Wednesday!

snow day.

Yesterday was a treat.

We got our first decent snow on Sunday evening. Yes, you heard that correctly. February 19th was our first measurable snow all year. It has been the stinkiest winter I've ever experienced. I live for winter. It's my favorite season (second to fall, of course). And I love winter because of the snow. It has done nothing this winter except rain, and I've not liked it one single bit.

Mother nature decided to try and make amends with me on Sunday night, and she gave us about 3-4 inches of snow. The school system I work for was off on Monday for a built-in snow day, and Ben's school system got out for the snow, so we had a snow day!

This was PB's first experience with the snow, and he didn't quite know what to think.

He was really frustrated with his gloves because he couldn't grab ahold of anything. He tried to pick up a broom (a boy after his momma's heart) and couldn't, so he got mad and pouted. Ben took him on the sled a couple of times, but by this point, he was just mad and tired.

All in all, it was a good day to be at home with my favorite boys. It was a much needed day of extra rest for us all. Ben and I were lazy and it felt good. I loved having snow days growing up. I ate like a pig, played out in the snow until I was numb, and watched old reruns. Today was much of the same and it didn't disappoint!

What about y'all? Have you had a lacking winter this year? Any 'snow days' yet? Hopeful for any more snow?

Have a blessed Tuesday :)

where i am.

This time last week, I was driving home in tears. We had just got over a long weekend with a sick boy and a sick husband. I had a meeting after school, and Ben called to tell me about PB's doctor visit, which included a stomach virus, walking pneumonia, a double ear infection, and a referral to an allergist. I could barely get out of the school before I broke down in tears. I cried the whole way home. I pulled over at one point and really just got hysterical.

Now before you think I'm a drama queen, this was one of those cries that had been brewing for about 6 weeks. I had been holding alot of things in, and PB's sickness was just the straw that broke the camel's back. I was worried. Scared. I felt helpless. I was stressed and overwhelmed.


I usually don't let much get to me. And it takes alot for me to get stressed and overwhelmed. But I was there, and it stunk.

Let me tell you where I'm coming from.

I'm frustrated with myself. Mad at myself, really.

Student teaching is much harder than I thought it would be. Not the teaching/planning part, but the whole 'I quit my good, stable job to go be an unpaid intern with no promise of a job' part. I take my son to daycare while I go intern for free, and he picks up germs and stays sick for a month. And then my gracious family takes time off from their jobs to stay with my son because I can't miss too many days, or I won't get my hours in. And then I feel like a big terd.

Back when Ben and I were talking about me going back to school and getting my teaching licensure, I didn't think twice about the fact that I would eventually have to quit my job to student teach. I was so ready to do it that I didn't care. I would cross that bridge when I got there. And then back in November, when I finally quit my job, I was still fine with it, and excited about the new opportunities ahead of me. I told myself that I was stepping out on faith.

And don't you know, when things started getting a little tough, I fell. I lost sight of my faith. I started letting worry consume me. I started wondering if I'd made the right decision. I started missing my paycheck and second guessing my sanity for leaving my old job. I love teaching and I know that's where my heart is. But I'm letting the devil get the best of me right now.

So anyway, back to my drive home last Monday. I was a screaming, crying mess. Praying for God to forgive me for losing sight of Him and His promises for me. Praying for God to have mercy on my son and heal his little body. Praying for guidance and praying for His wisdom and understanding. It felt good to just cry and pray and pray and cry and just let it all out. I got home and talked to Ben and he reassured me. He wiped my tears and I felt better about everything.

And then I puked for 2 days. And I spent 3 days on the commode. And then I got walking pneumonia, too. And then I missed 3 days of school because I was sick. And then PB was sick off and on all week. I felt like the walls were closing in on me.

I felt really sorry for myself. I felt like I was responsible for everything that was happening to us. I went to bed Friday night second-guessing everything that I was doing. And then Saturday morning came, the sun was shining, and it was a new day. I can choose to focus on the things that I can't change, or I can make the best of our situation right now. I would prefer the latter.

There is no purpose whatsoever to this post, other than for me to remind myself that God is there, I am blessed, and this too, shall pass!

Amen.

By the way, thanks for your prayers and kind words! We are feeling MUCH better now. I'm happy to report I've gained back all 6.5 pounds that I lost last week. Or maybe unhappy to report that?!

Have a blessed Monday :)

the valentine's saga, continued....

Shall we pick up where I left off?

Let's see.....

Oh yes, Saturday night. PB puked all night long. For my friends who didn't see the first post, Ben had walking pneumonia and an ear infection Friday. I had a sinus infection. PB had a cold. A fun time was had by all.

Sunday, my savior of a mother came and got PB so Ben and I could scrub the house down. We cleaned for 3 hours, scouring every single thing in the house and washing at least 75 loads of laundry. My stomach felt a little funky Sunday morning, but I thought nothing of it. We went to pick up PB from my parents house and thought he looked much better. He was playing around and acting his usual self.

And then he threw up again.

So all Sunday night, he was feeling pretty icky. Ben took him to the doctor on Monday morning, to find out he had a double ear infection, walking pneumonia (just like dad!), and a stomach virus. At this point, Ben and I expected our roof to collapse or our floors to fall out from under us. After literally a whole month of sickness shared in our house, we were starting to feel defeated. Doesn't it always seem that when it rains, it pours? Though I will say this, I am blessed, blessed, blessed that this is all we are dealing with. I know my little problems are trivial compared to what others go through. I am so thankful for stupid ole' viruses and ear infections. I know it could be so much worse.

Anyway, we were sitting on the couch Monday night, playing with our sweet boy (who was feeling a tad better), when I simply looked at Ben and said, "I think I'm going to puke".

And sure enough, that's what I did. ALLLLLLLLLLLLL night long.

So instead of boring you with traditional Valentine's things, like flowers and candy and notes to my honey, I'm gonna get real and share our Valentine's Day in numbers.

4 - the number of consecutive weeks that someone in our house has been sick.
24 - the number of times I puked
4 - the number of toilet paper rolls I went through (because, you know, a stomach virus isn't a stomach virus unless you're crapping all over yourself)
57320405 - the number of minutes I spent on the commode, with my head hanging in the trash can
24 - the number of hours it's been since I slept
2 - the number of sweet, sweet, parents I have, who are taking care of my baby boy while our house is a war zone
5 - the number of pounds I've lost so far (hmmmm, a stomach virus as a weight loss tool??)
7 - the number of Sprites and Gatorades I've had in the last 18 hours
3948173419347 - the number of times Ben and I have laughed at our current situation. It's funny, the first Valentine's Day that Ben and I spent together, we cooked a nice meal together, held hands, and exchanged sappy Valentine's cards. We said all kinds of sweet things to each other, because we were so much in love, you know. The flowers, the cards, the candies, it was just a little frickin' storybook day. I probably posted some crap on Facebook about how lucky I was to have him as my boyfriend. I probably called him sexy and said that he was so romantic.

I had no idea.

You know what, I am a stinkin' lucky girl. I really feel like the luckiest girl in the world this Valentine's Day. I got more than roses or diamonds or candies. I got a good man who takes care of his family. He takes such good care of our baby when I can't help at all. He waits on me hand and foot. He holds my head over the commode so I won't bust it on the lid while I puke. He cleans the vomit on the bathroom floor. He wipes the puke from my face.

Now, that's sexy. And romantic.

This year's V-day card. It only seemed appropriate.

This will probably go down as one of the most memorable Valentine's Days, for all the right reasons, of course.

What has been your most memorable Valentine's Day?

Happy Valentine's Day, friends! I hope you have a wonderful day, free of vomit, and full of lots of sweet things. Eat some chocolate for me!

Have a blessed Tuesday :)

the valentine's day weekend.

This past weekend, Ben and I planned to celebrate Valentine's Day. We'd planned to go out to eat, and to go see 'Safehouse'. Is it just me or does that movie look so bad to the bone? I could already taste the popcorn and that large coke.

But.....

Things didn't go exactly like we planned.

Friday night we had an incredibly romantic date on the couch. PB went to bed a little early, so we had the night alllll to ourselves ;) I laid on the left side of the couch, with toilet paper stuck up my nose to stop the drip. Ben laid on the right side of the couch wrapped up in 14 blankets. I had a sinus infection, and Ben had walking pneumonia and an ear infection.

Saturday, it got even better.

Ben and I divided our time between the couch and the bathroom. As we sat on the couch, eating leftover Chili, toilet paper sticking out of our noses, Ben looked at me and laughed and said, "Happy Valentine's Day, momma". I rolled my eyes.

Later that night, we put PB to bed, and, as I was feeling a little better, I treated myself to a nice long bubble bath. It was 10:12 p.m. (a late night for me, I might add) I was smelling fresh and clean, and just getting ready to dry my hair when I heard an odd noise coming from PB's room. We walked in to find PB standing in his crib, drenched in puke. He had thrown up all over himself, his bed, and his carpet. We were up with him all night. I think he managed to puke on every rug/couch/chair we owned.

At 2:14 a.m., as we were rocking him to sleep on the couch, covered in puke ourselves, watching reruns of 'Friends', I looked over at Ben and said, "Happy Valentine's Day to you, too, daddio!"

What else can you do but laugh?

Have a blessed Monday :)

a boy in the bath.

A couple of nights ago, I was in the bathroom plucking my eyebrows. Can I just say that I really hate to pluck my eyebrows? It stinkin' hurts. And no matter how gently I do it, or how many prayers I say, it always causes me to have a sneezing, screaming, eye-watering fit. I'm a weenie. 

Okay, I just needed to throw that out there. It really has nothing to do with the story, but I thought I would vocally proclaim my detest for plucking my eyebrows. Maybe I'm not alone?!?

Anyway, it was time for PB's bath, so I had started the bath water. At the time I thought Ben and PB were playing in his room, so I walked back over to the mirror to continue the torture.

2.73 seconds later, I turned around and saw this:

PB has learned to climb in and out of the tub, and on this particular day, he thought he would rather just climb on in with his clothes on.

All the more reason to never ever pluck my eyebrows again. 

Have a blessed Wednesday :)

the cleaning post

A couple of months ago when I took a good look at our family budget and expenses, I almost peed my pants when I realized how much money I was spending on 'products' (cleaning supplies, toiletries, etc.). And while I've not figured out how to make my own toothpaste or deodorant (not that I would want to, either), I did take some time and experiment with different DIY cleaning solutions.

I started researching the internet and found several different recipes for cleaning supplies. I tried some and I tweaked others. I really like some of the solutions I made, and I found that others didn't work so well for me. I've been using my DIY solutions for about 3 months now. I don't use DIY solutions exclusively, but I do use it for most of my cleaning. The only store bought cleaner I use now is window cleaner, Lysol wipes (for big jobs), and laundry/dish detergent. I would eventually like to make my own mixes of these cleaners, but my name is not June Cleaver.

I get everything I need to make my mixes at Dollar General. It's simple stuff and easy to find. Now that I make my own cleaners, I'll never go back to the store bought stuff. I save SO much money making it myself, and, I feel about 183717 times better about using it in my house around PB.

Here's the rundown of what I use/do:

'All-purpose' cleaner

1 cup white vinegar
1 cup water
1/2 cup lemon juice

Mix together and store in a spray bottle.


Tub cleaner


all-purpose cleaner (see above)
baking soda

I spray my all-purpose cleaner in my tub, and I sprinkle baking soda (you can get 2 for $1 at DG) around the tub. Let it sit for a few minutes and scrub. When the baking soda and the all-purpose cleaner meet, it makes a fizzling noise and good things happen. The nerd in me really gets a kick out of this. (Use vinegar sparingly in a tile tub, as it can irritate grout).


Toilet cleaner


all-purpose cleaner (see above)
baking soda

Spray the sides of the toilet and the toilet bowl with all-purpose cleaner. Then sprinkle baking soda in the  toilet. Okay, can I just call it a commode? Because that's what I call it. So anyway, sprinkle baking soda in the commode and let it sit for a couple of minutes, then scrub with a commode brush.


All-purpose kitchen cleaner


1 cup white vinegar
1 cup water
1/3 cup lemon juice
1 tsp. castille soap or dishwashing soap (I just use my regular Dawn dish detergent)

Mix and store in a spray bottle.


Wood cleaner


1 cup olive oil
1/4 cup white vinegar

Mix and store in a spray bottle. Wipe wood with a microfiber cloth.


For my Swiffer


I use my all-purpose cleaner and a microfiber cloth, cut in half. I got my microfiber cloth at DG, too. Wet your microfiber cloth with warm water, and then liberally spray the microfiber cloth with all-purpose cleaner. Remoisten as necessary. Toss the microfiber cloth in the wash and reuse!

Dryer Sheets


When I get a new box of dryer sheets, I cut them in half and double the use!


Carpet Odor


Wash the area with warm soapy water and a rag. Then lightly sprinkle with baking soda and let it sit for a minute or two. Then wipe the area again. PB has a target when he pukes, and that target is any rug in the house. I've tried a blue million cleaning supplies, but every one still leaves a little lingering puke smell. So far, this combination is the only thing that completely takes the smell out!

**As with any new cleaning product, you should always test a small, inconspicuous area first to make sure it doesn't cause any reaction or issues.

For more cleaning supplies, check out Aryn's guest post here. 

What about y'all? Do you have any good DIY cleaners? And good cleaning tricks?

Have a blessed Tuesday :)

the best years of your life.

A couple of days ago, I ran into an old friend from high school. He was a few years older than me, but we have known each other for a while. We started with the small talk 'how are yous' and the 'what have you been up tos'. He was with his cousin, so I spoke to her, too. I asked how she was doing. Rolling her eyes, she said that she was in high school now, but that she couldn't wait to get out.

At that moment, the old friend said something that I've thought about for a few days now.

He said, "Oh, don't say that. You're going to miss high school. Those times are the best years of your life."

As he kept talking about all the trouble and fun he had in high school, I couldn't pay attention. My mind was stuck on that phrase, the best years of your life.

We engaged in a little more small talk and then said our goodbyes and parted ways.

Later that night as I was laying in bed, I started thinking about that conversation again. The best years of your life. High school? The very best years? It doesn't get any better than high school?

Let me stop here and say that I had an unbelievable high school experience. I went to a small high school   with few students. It was the kind of place where everybody knew everybody. And I loved it. I had terrific teachers, coaches, and friends. Looking back, I can't find anything negative to say about my time in school. I had an awesome experience and cherish all of the friends and memories that I made there. In fact, my very best friends from high school are still my very best friends today. I wouldn't trade those days for anything.

But.

Those days are nowhere near the best years of my life. As I laid in bed thinking about what that old friend had said, I imagined my high school self laying in my high school bed 10 years ago. I was probably thinking about what I would wear to school tomorrow, or what time I would get out of practice, or how in the world I was going to pass Ms. Holland's math test when I had no clue how to even use my TI-83 calculator. The thought of those carefree days does sound appealing. No bills, no 9-5 job, no worries.

But 10 years ago, there was no Ben. No PB. No sound of little feet pitter pattering on these old floors. No husband to snuggle up with every night. No little boy to rock to sleep. No lazy Friday nights at home with my best friend. No Saturday morning pancakes with my boys.

And while those old days were fun and unique, and I'll cherish them forever, they could never fulfill my heart the way these days do. As I watch my favorite boys chasing each other around the house, I wonder how I could have ever been without them. I have been so blessed.

High school is meant to be enjoyed. It's fun. It's challenging. It's exciting. You feel like you're on top of the world. And to some extent, you are. But I have to agree with Brad Paisley on this one, those are nowhere near the best days of your life.

Have a blessed Friday :)

thankful thursday: a couple of things.

1. PB is feeling better! After being sick for over a week, he's finally getting back to his old self. This was probably the sickest I've seen him. He ran a fever for 6 straight days and a few times it got a little to high for comfort. After two visits to the doctor, she confirmed that it was probably just a wicked virus. Saturday, he seemed to be on the mend, and then on Sunday, it hit again. After doctor visit # 3 on Monday, we found that as soon as he had gotten over the virus, he got his first ear infection. Fun times were had by all. But I'm happy to report that he's running wild again. He's even playing with that boy who lives in the mirror again.

2. As I'm entering month #4 of no paycheck, I'm thankful for God's provisions. It is scary to quit your job. It's even scarier to quit with no promise of a job at the end of the tunnel. Right now, I'm working 40 + hours a week and not getting paid for it. It's kinda not cool. But, God has provided for us, and I know that He'll continue to take care of us. Sometimes, particularly like today when I paid the daycare bill for the month of January, I freak out. And I start panicking wondering how we'll make it and if I'll ever find a teaching job in this strapped economy. But then I remember that God has led me to this, and I know He'll lead me through it. He provides for me, what I like to call, airplane peace.

I know this probably sounds crazy, but many times in the past six years, I've prayed for God's airplane peace. I've even slipped up and said it in a public prayer before. Yeah, I got a lot of looks after that. Anyway, airplane peace is what I like to describe that feeling of amazing peace and comfort that can only come from the Lord.

I've flown 3 times in my life. And if I have anything to do with it, I'll never do it again. I'll have to tell you more about my flying experiences later. But I'll leave it at this. I'm terrified of flying. In my sane mind, I would never ever ever ever never never voluntarily board an airplane. I can't believe Ben talked me in to go to Hawaii on our honeymoon. In my right mind, I would have never did that, but when I got on that plane, all of my anxiety disappeared and this incredible peace and comfort filled my body. I had been praying about flying for a long time. I had prayed for peace and comfort so that I wouldn't get 32,000 feet above the earth and have a massive panic attack and try to jump out of the plane. I'm happy to report that didn't happen, but what did happen was God showed me what it feels like when He is in complete control. He wipes the worry from our hearts and comforts and holds us like only He can.

and finally,

3. Sleep! After a little over a week of ZERO sleep with a sick baby, my first night of straight sleep felt unbelievable. I contemplated peeing in the bed so I wouldn't have to get up and disrupt such a glorious thing. As I like to say, I slept like a unicorn on a cloud :)

What about y'all? Does anyone else have an irrational fear of flying? Have you ever been so sleep deprived that you've thought of peeing in the bed so you wouldn't disrupt your precious sleep? No? Just me? Okay.

Have a blessed Thursday :)

i'm a woman. i never say what i mean.

Ben plays in a recreational basketball league.

The games are in the afternoons after work, and I usually don't mind if he plays. He just gets home a little later and we adjust our routine a little.

But last night, I cared.

And I did what any crazy woman would do.

I lied and told him it was fine.

And here's the deal. It wasn't fine with me, dangit. I had a butt load of lesson plans to write. I wasn't feeling very good. And the house still hasn't recuperated from PB's sickness. So I called Ben after work and the conversation went a little something like this:

"Hey".

"Hey".

"What time will you be home?"

"Well I'm playing ball this afternoon, so I'll be home a little later".

"What? I didn't know you were playing ball tonight. You didn't tell me this morning".

"Yes I did. You said that was fine".

"Well......(insert a realllllly long sigh here)....... I'm going to need you to hurry home because I've got a ton of stuff to do tonight. I've got observations and everything tomorrow. I'm still going to have to cook supper, too. I don't feel good, either. And, my pets' heads are falling off (okay, I didn't say that, but it seems like a natural progression). So, you'll need to hurry up so I can have some help".

"Okay, that's fine. I'll be home as soon as I can".

Let's stop here for a second. Look at the second to last paragraph. Can you tell that I'm basically screaming in, ALL CAPS, THAT IF BEN KNOWS WHAT'S GOOD FOR HIM, HE'LL KEEP HIS BUTT AT HOME TONIGHT? Because, actually, that's what I'm saying to him.

But somehow, this is what he heard, "Okay, sweetie, have fun at your game tonight. I hope you play good. Hurry home so I can give you a big kiss!"

Instead of coming straight out with what I want or don't want, I like to leave it up to interpretation. The problem is, a man never interprets it the way I intend for it to be interpreted. In this case, I'm telling Ben not to go to the stinkin' ballgame in the most 'please feel sorry for me' kind of way. I'm doing this because I'm a woman and what I say is never really what I mean.

Can I get even a little amen?

Oh, I'm so bad for this when it comes to my marriage. I'm the queen of mind games. And now I've met my match.

So when I say, "Sure, go to your ballgame, but please hurry home because I have so much to do", I really mean "Don't you dare go to your ballgame, you terd".

And this is what Ben hears, "Why yes, sweetie! Please have a wonderful time! I hope you score a bunch of points and have a marvelous time bonding with your male companions."

I'm a woman and I never say what I really mean.

Amen.

Am I alone? Anyone else out there guilty of the interpretive speaking? Anybody else's husband have hearing similar to Ben's?

Have a blessed Wednesday :)