My Tree Hugger

Awww, a true fondness for the natural world...

Well, upon closer inspection...

Happy Birthday, America!

Did He Really Just Wash My Underwear?!

Ahh, the joys of a restless night waking up thinking about our impending reduction of income. It is scary. So what do you think we did last night to prepare for it? Went out to dinner of course. Why is it so hard to make changes before you actually have to?! I guess we'll start today--ha!

But on the good and very interesting side of things, the shift in our roles began yesterday. Let me say that Kyle' s role with the boys has always been a very hands-on, front and center one when he is not working and that I have seen that side taken to the next level ever since I started job hunting. Afterall, as any mom can attest, it is no small thing to know that your children's behavoir is a reflection of you and your parenting style--especially if you stay at home with them. And I think that has really sunk in with dear old dad.

BUT onto the shocking part of the shift, yesterday the house was cleaned AND it wasn't by me AND I didn't have to pay for it. I was finishing up two of final deadlines in my freelance life and having a butt-in-the-chair day when I heard familiar but startling sounds, such as the floor being swept, the laundry being started and the general complaining of three 50-pounders having to put their clothes and toys and flotsam away. I just sat in my office as silently as I possibly could, not wanting to spook my husband for fear that whatever had come over him would suddenly slip away. It was not unlike trying to stay perfectly still when you spot wildlife up close.

For richer for poorer, for cleaner or messier, for nervous about the future but happier.

Redneck Advice #27: Never Own a Dog that Looks Like a Rat

It must be said that if you do not live with or have a close relationship with at least one redneck, you are missing out. 'Necks have a fantastically down-to-earth view of the world that is just damn hillarious. Kyle was driving in the middle of nowhere Texas on a rig-move passing through a shotgun town with only a beer store/gas station and one other place of business. It wasn't until the 3rd pass through that he realized the other business was a hair salon called "Curl Up and Dye". AWESOME!!!!!

The night before he was drinking beer with the other hands (he'll be so mad at me for calling them that, ha!) on the motel balconey--in yet another Bumble town--when he saw a shadow of a bird or bat on the wall. In his tipsy state it startled the hell out of him, enough to make him duck. Good thing too, because just then an owl swooped down barely missing him. This incident launched crazy owl and bird stories, cuz if you live in the country everyone has at least a few of those. The funniest, or really the most awful story, was from his buddy who was outside with his dogs, one of which was a chihuahua. WARNING: Stop reading now if this is going to be too much for you...One minute walking along and sniffing the grass, next minute snatched up by a hungry barn owl who mistook him for a rat.
Cue music, "Ooooohhhh, I wish I was in the land of cotton. Old times they are not forgotten..."

THE BEST American Idol Moment EVER

Last night watching American Idol.
Me: "Seriously, it's impossible not to like Ryan Seacrest."
Kyle: [Silence.] (Sidenote-Good thing, too, because really there is no appropriate way for a man to respond to that quip without outing himself as a total sissy--unless you are Mike Tyson.)

Man-pause here.

Kyle: "Hey, do remember that dork that co-hosted American Idol the first season, but left the show because he wanted more money?" Scoff/laugh...
Me: "Oh yeah! What an idiot."
Kyle: "Do you know, I think I recognized him on TV the other day."
Me: "Shut up. On what?"
Kyle: "I think he's the Burger King dude with the small hands."
Sound of size 6 1/2 feet running down the hall because I am about to pee myself from laughing so hard.

Crickets? Seriously?


You had to be there.


VH1's "Where are they now?"

Then. (Brian Dunkelman, if you must know.)

And now, Burger King guy with little hands.