white teeth and perfect everything

Why do those people in the 'you need to whiten your teeth!!' commercials have flippin' perfect teeth?  It's annoying.  And that skinny lady who's eating Special K to lose that pesky holiday weight?  Go eat some cheeseburgers already.

It was in the news recently that social media is depressing some people.  Something about it being good to be in contact w/people but we can get jealous of others' success.  Having to read all about your sibling's new BMW, or co-worker's promotion, or seeing the Glamour Shots of some wanna-be model on Facebook, etc. I guess it hits us more when our friends and family have it good than those strangers on TV (though that seems messed up).  Not sure where I'm going with this.  I guess you gotta count your blessings.  Appreciate what you've got.  From now on, I choose to be happy for those people with freakishly white teeth and sleek shiny hair.

Anyway, it made me wonder if I've ever inadvertently caused grief to either of my Crayziee Life readers.  Looking back, I suppose someone could have envied my righteous pumpkin carving skills, or that Snuggie we bought, or how our Christmas trees are so sparkly.

new kid on the block

We only made it one week without feline companionship.  On Saturday we adopted a new kitty from Last Hope, Inc.  He's a playful eight month old gray & white goofball.  No name yet, but we're workin' on it.  He seems to want to be around us, but hasn't sat in our laps yet.  I miss Bruiser.

He's got a 'beauty mark' by his nose, which I 'spose is a bit weird...so he fits into our family well.

Bruiser 2004-2011

One of my favorite kitty pics - Nicky at 15 mos. old with his buddy

We lost our first and only family pet this weekend.  Bruiser died on Saturday after a lengthy illness.  He was only 7, so he should have had many more years with us.  He was 11 months old when we got him from the Humane Society in March of '05, just after Nicky turned one.  They were good pals right from the start.

I will miss how the little weirdo would jump into the bathtub and watch me brush my teeth.  It was annoying how he would always get underfoot.  I will miss how he was usually waiting for us at the door when we'd get home.  It was annoying how he'd chew on plastic bags and snoop around for crumbs under the table.  I will miss racing him up the stairs.  I will miss how all 7 of us would watch movies together in the basement.

Bruiser was a ridiculously social and friendly kitty.  More than just tolerating the kids and their kiddish antics, he truly liked to be around them.  He never hissed or bit or scratched.  He'd sit in your lap all day if you let him.

He rests down by the pond now.  So long furry friend.

 

Michael, Adrienne, and Nicky's first pics with Bruiser

with Zach last month

T-minus one year and counting

...until we have a teenager.  Yikes.  Yesterday Michael turned 12.  My 'lil baby is all grown up and wears AXE deodorant & boxers and wanted techno gadget gifts for his birthday.

Also found out yesterday that he was nominated for honor band again this year.  Way to go, Michael!

So I guess we'll have at least one teenager from 2012 till Zach turns 20 in 2027.  Calgon, take me away!

Friday Photo Fun

I let the kids monkey around with the camera on Friday night.  They were bowled over by my facial gymnastic skills.  Nicky in particular got some good belly laughs out of it.  Dunno why I hadn't thought of this cheap entertainment before.

Not exactly a Beach Boys fan...

...but it's cool that they're headlining the 2nd annual Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Concert.  Randy Travis did it last year.

Go away old man winter

This is gettin' ridiculous.  After lots of nice melting and getting woken up twice overnight recently by booming thunderstorms, it got cold enough to put a fresh layer of white everywhere.  Barf.

Average winter snowfall here is 55.9."  That sounds fabulous right about now.  With 84.7", we have now crept into the spot for 5th snowiest winter of all time (since record keeping began, anyway).  It's been 27 years since we had more snow than this year.

These stats are from Paul Douglas at the Star Trib:

84.6" snow so far this winter in the Twin Cities (average winter snowfall is 55.9").

4.5" official snowfall from our most recent storm at MSP International. Downtowns saw closer to 6".

5th snowiest winter season on record in the Twin Cities.

1983-84 the last winter we had more snow than we're having this winter.

4" on the ground as of Wednesday evening.

1.48" precipitation fell on the Twin Cities from March 22-23 (rain, ice and melted snow).

4.07" precipitation since January 1 (.94" more than average, to date).

March 29-30 (next Tuesday/Wednesday): projected NOAA crest of the Mississippi River in St. Paul (4 feet above major flood stage).

58 F. predicted high in the Twin Cities on Sunday, April 3.

On the other hand, here are the stats for the 10 least snowy winters.  Crazy how much it can vary year to year.  Lets have one 'o these next winter.  (courtesy of this site)

10 Least Snowy Winters in the Twin Cities
1930-31	14.2
1894-95	16.2
1986-87	17.4
1967-68	17.5
1958-59	19.1
1920-21	20.6
1980-81	21.1
1957-58	21.2
1901-02	22.4
1913-14	22.5

a b-day weekend

The kids had Friday off for a teacher workshop day or whatever they call it, so we hung out at MoA for Nicky's birthday.  But first I'll post a pick of Adrienne, who's 4th grade class had their "wax museum" presentation on Thursday before break.  They all dressed up as an important person in history and memorized a small speech.  The parents wandered around pushing kids' "buttons" to start their speeches.  Adrienne picked Harriet Tubman. 

It was kind of neat.  Einstein and George Washington had cool wigs.  But for the most part, I don't think the kids wanted you to pick them.  Especially the kid who mouthed "don't pick me don't pick me" as I walked by. 

So anyway, we milled around Legoland and Nick Universe for a while on Friday.  Michael was pretty smitten with the whole Lego scene.

I like Zach's goofy mouth.

We bought some of those darn expensive points to go on rides.  Nicky was all gung-ho and went on this mini version of Power Tower, got freaked out, and didn't go on any more.

Zach and A really liked the kid coaster:

Nicky chose Slime Cake for his birthday treat on Saturday.

Kid #3 is 7 years old...yowsa.

And finally, had to post this pick of Zach.  The goober slept in this morning and when I ran upstairs to check on him at about 8:15, I freaked out for a second 'cuz I didn't see him.  Then I saw the 'lil feet.

fish breath

The older I get, the more I enjoy lent.  Er, not enjoy exactly.  I just 'get it' more.  Time to work on being a less selfish oaf and be more charitable.  And filet-o-fishes ain't too bad once in a while (minus the cheese - eww).

Little Princess Bride revisited

Remember this?  It has over 4,000 views now.  Hmm, how can I get it to go viral and get on the Today Show like those other Minnesotans with their funky wedding entrance....?