Minnesota Mom

Random ramblings from a wife and mother born and raised in the great state of Minnesota

Three Random Things April 30, 2008

Filed under: Friends, How Awkward, Writing Takes Up Time — minnesotamom @ 11:05 pm

Veronica at Toddled Dredge tagged me for a “Three Random Things” meme a few days ago.  Late one night in bed, I remember thinking, “Aha!  If ever I get tagged for a ‘randomness of me’ meme, this is JUST the thing to put on it!”  Of course, I can’t recall what that thing was, so here are three not-as-fabulous random things about me:

1. When I was in 3rd grade, I was convinced by one of my classmates that a pervert was a fruit. This later got me in trouble when I called him a pervert in gym class.

2. This week I attempted to wash my dishes in Tang. It didn’t work.

3. I have never smoked a cigarette. Never even held one in my mouth.

 

Q & A - Part One April 23, 2008

Filed under: Christianity, Friends, How Awkward, Husband, Mothering, Politics, Writing Takes Up Time — minnesotamom @ 2:44 pm

Aw, you guys are so nice. I have so many questions I’m going to have to break this into sections…

Paula asked, What do you want to do when the active mothering is done — when you’re kid(s) are launched and on their own?”

Wellp…that’s a good question. Haven’t thought that far ahead, actually. I have a lot of things that I’m mediocre at, but I’m still figuring out what I’m good at. When I figure it out, I’ll probably do that. J

Erica asked, “Your writing is really good. Was there ever a time that you considered writing for a living?”

Thank you for the compliment. Have I mentioned that I just love you guys? It’s one of those things that I still consider myself to be mediocre at. I wrote and illustrated children’s books when I was a child, but they are nothing I would consider publishing now that I’m beyond age eleven. Dear Husband encourages me in my writing frequently. A couple of years ago he bought me the most beautiful journal (with refills), some neat pens and a writing exercise book. He’s also the one who suggested I start a blog, though he probably didn’t anticipate the amount of time I would spend reading other people’s blogs…

Anyway, it’s something I’ll probably still keep in the back of my mind, should I ever be inspired.

“I love Anja’s name. What’s the origin of her name?”

It’s actually the Swedish version of the name Anna. Here’s a post about it from when I first started blogging.

“I liked your religion question on my blog, so what is your religion and why?”

My religion is Christian. I grew up in the Covenant Church (similar to Evangelical Free in its style and doctrines). When Husband and I moved to the Twin Cities, we tried quite a few different churches, but none could rival the Biblical teaching (this answers the “why” part of the question) at Bethlehem Baptist, which is part of the Baptist General Conference. I have friends that range from Catholic to Methodist to AG to Lutheran, and I’ve learned things about Christ from all of them.

“With Ron Paul pretty much out of the game, who will earn your vote in November?”

You know, I’m not yet sure. At this point, Ron still has my vote. Many people reason that the only way to “make your vote count” is to vote for the front-runner in one of the two major parties, but I disagree. If the Republican party keeps getting the message from voters that it can become more and more liberal and we’ll keep voting for whatever candidates they put before us, there will become less and less of a divide between the two parties. John McCain is a liberal in many areas, and to cast my vote for him would go against many things I believe in. I am not only accountable to my country, I am accountable before God. By casting my vote, I say, “This is the person I would trust to run our country. This is the person I believe will stick to the constitution our forefathers wrote.” Ron Paul is the only guy who I think will do that.

There are also people who say, “Just like Reagan needed a Carter, the next Republican in office needs a Hillary or an Obama to make a royal mess of things.” I see the value in that line of thinking, but another part of me thinks that a person in such a powerful position can do a WHOLE lot of damage in four years time that would then need undoing.

That’s enough for today—I’ll answer more tomorrow, Lord-willing. Oh, and if you wrote in a question, consider yourself tagged to do the same on your blog (if you want to).

 

Who’s Got A Nickel? April 21, 2008

Filed under: How Awkward, Writing Takes Up Time — minnesotamom @ 8:49 pm

Erica tagged me to do something that makes me nervous. I don’t even know if I should do it. I’m that fearful. Because I have a fragile ego? Probably. I like to be liked more than I put out there. I’m not easily offended, but I’ve been hurt a time or eleventy-million. Usually I assume people find me annoying or abrasive or (this one makes my husband laugh, but I think it’s true in relation to others) intimidating. I have few close friends, and they take a while to get that way.

Anyway, what I’m supposed to do is open up for questions. Yup. You got any for me that I haven’t already posted about? Then fire away. And even if you don’t have one or you don’t care, maybe you could ask one to be nice? I’m not ever going to be a P-Dub or a BooMama who will get 349 questions in response to a request like this, I realize. But I’d be happy with three. Or five.

Okay, enough groveling. This is your chance. No question is too dumb or too bold (I can always be discreet or refuse to answer—heck, it’s my blog!). But beware—if you ask a question, I’ll probably tag you to do the same thing on your blog!

**********

Edited to add: Hey Mom, this would be a great time for you to figure out how to comment and leave a BURNING question.  Heh heh.

 

Betcha Bite a Chip April 6, 2008

Filed under: Bad Guy, How Awkward, Husband, I'm a Foodie! — minnesotamom @ 7:03 pm

I met my husband coming down the hallway with a drink in his hand and a cookie in his mouth last night. I was carrying my laptop, but I drew toward him and tried to take a bit of the cookie. He stretched his neck out so I couldn’t reach him. I backed him completely against the wall and said, “I want you,” and started licking his neck like a dog. He was laughing/crying at this point, so I was able to snatch a bite of the cookie.

He scampered off, whimpering, and said, “You raped my cookie!”

 

April Fools gone Awry April 1, 2008

Filed under: Holidays, How Awkward, Husband, Working Class — minnesotamom @ 4:34 pm

Every year I try to pull off a really good April fool on someone.  This year it was the work folks.  See, I get into work a couple hours before everyone else, so I had some time.

Fool #1: Unplug the receiver from everyone’s phone

Fool #2: Rename a folder on a computer drive (one everyone uses on a daily basis) so that no one can find it

All was going well until a co-worker came and exploded at us (me and two other women who perform the same duties) because one of us (me) “corrupted all the files.”

Me: “I did it.  April fool’s!  Can’t I just change the name back and they’ll be fine?”

Co-worker: “No.  Nothing will link right and R’s having to fix it.”

Me: “I’m sorry.  Very sorry.  I’m going to go call her and apologize.”

She was snotty on the phone, too.  “I hope everyone’s estimates will work.”

I apologized again and again, hung up, and proceeded to get emotional.  After about 45 minutes of tearing up, fighting it off, and tearing up again, I’d had it.

I was down using the personal room (nursing moms who work can pump in there) and called my husband.  “They completely overreacted,” he said.  “All you could have done by renaming a file is screw up the mapping, which takes like 1 minute to fix.  Tell them they’re d-bags.”

While I didn’t do that, I felt a little better.  And I got reassuring emails from a couple of nice co-workers (including the one who blew up–he apologized) telling me that they thought I played good jokes.

Nevertheless, I think I’ll stick to fooling Husband next year.

 

The LifeTech Center March 15, 2008

Filed under: How Awkward, Mothering, Sportness — minnesotamom @ 5:45 pm

My mom wasn’t really here to visit ME this past week.  She was here to watch my alma mater (can one say that about a high school?  Or just a college?) play in the state basketball tournament.  We ventured such fun places as Williams Arena and the Target Center.

Yesterday’s game was at the Target Center.  I don’t believe I’ve ever been there, so I was excited to accompany her.  Plus I love me some basketball!  Anyway, I checked out their website to see what is considered contraband and noticed that they have a “Parents’ Room.” Great, I thought, now I won’t have to nurse Anja in the car!  Since it was merely a high school tournament and not a big concert or a Timberwolves’ game, I decided to call ahead to ensure that the room would be available.  Unfortunately, they told me, it would not be open.  But, the lady continued, if I would stop by Guest Services, they would direct me to the LifeTech Center, and I could nurse her there.

Satisfied, I hung up the phone and packed up my mom (she doesn’t require much packing) and Anja (she requires quite a bit of packing).  We arrived downtown with little hassle, parked in a ramp and made our way through the skyways (God love ‘em) to the Target Center.  Mom got us some tickets, we found seats and got settled in, and I took Anja with me up to Guest Services.

“Go down the hall to Section 116, and it will be on your left,” said the cheerful GS lady.

Section 116 was on exactly the opposite end of the stadium, close to where I had come from.  I trekked over there and could find nothing labeled “LifeTech Center,” but I did see a First Aid station with two guys eating at a table.  I asked one of them if they could point me in the right direction.  The guy closest to me gave a quick glance to the other guy and said, “Oh, yeah, um…just let me grab a key.  It’s actually right here.”  He walked out of the First Aid room and took a couple of steps to the left, unlocked a door, and led me inside.  Apparently LifeTech Center is another name for a dirty.   handicapped.   men’s.   bathroom.

I must have been looking around in a bit of shock, because he mumbled, “Uh, let me get you a chair.”  THANKS, kind sir!  Because where was I supposed to sit?  On the filthy toilet?  He returned shortly with a chair.  I found a semi-clean spot to set the diaper bag: on top of the paper towel dispenser.  Anja, in her curious way, was trying to reach out and touch everything, which frightened me, the fairly germ-conscious mother.

I nursed as quickly as possible and managed to get out of there having only touched the door lock.  Hopefully it’s the only time in my life that I’ll have to nurse a baby in a room with a urinal.

 

My 100th Post February 23, 2008

Filed under: How Awkward, Writing Takes Up Time — minnesotamom @ 9:50 pm

In bloggy tradition, I am posting “My 100 Things” because this is my 100th post. To me, this seems a bit narcissistic. It took me a looooong time to even think of 100 things about myself to write down. Husband had to help. I am going to slide it in here quickly and go on to another post in hopes that you won’t think me completely self-absorbed. But I have to admit, it was fun for about this first 38…after that, I was scrounging. So here it is!

My 100 Things

If you don’t read it, I will not feel bad.

 

Still Searching… February 12, 2008

Filed under: How Awkward, Minnesota, The Internets, Writing Takes Up Time — minnesotamom @ 11:19 pm

 

Back by popular demand (does my own thrill at what people type in to find my blog count as “demand”?), answers to those of you who found my blog by searching for the following:

 

Depraved mom

Yes, yes I am.

when apple computers were made

I do not know. But many early MECC games were made in Minnesota!

substitute mother issues

Again with the substitute mother. Perhaps the fact that she’s a substitute is contributing to your “issues”?

rad apple

From a gnarly tree.

Stirrup pants soccer

If this is a new sport, please don’t sign me up. I have had enough of stirrup pants, and I never want to see them again.

Girbaud taped jeans

Now that was a fad that never made it to MN – taped jeans.

I WONDER HOW COME WE ARE FRIENDS

ME TOO, BECAUSE ALL YOU DO IS SHOUT AT ME!

pressure on holidays and moms

More on moms than on the holidays themselves…

myspace graphics that say sweet pea

I do not, I will not belong to myspace. But I have a sweet pea. Her name is Anja.

“naked” joshua tree

Why would you want to see them naked? They belong to the plant kingdom.

daddy why will you not spend time with u

Here could be a reason…

 

 

Who Dares Me to Do This at Work? January 29, 2008

Filed under: How Awkward, I'm a Foodie!, Leisure, Soooo in Style — minnesotamom @ 11:28 pm

Cuz I totally will.  Pull that baby out in a meeting and start crunching away…

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=21061966

 

Searching… January 25, 2008

Filed under: How Awkward, Minnesota, The Internets — minnesotamom @ 11:02 pm

I was checking through the search terms people have typed in to find my blog.  In case any of them are you, I thought I’d try and be helpful by answering back:

Red Apple, poison

            I don’t recall writing about this…

Owe friend money

            Why would someone be searching for this online?  Go talk to your friend, man.

December Minnesota valentine

            Valentine’s Day happens in ALL the states, and it’s in February, moron.

mother kills postpartum Minnesota

            Minnesota gave birth?  And someone killed it?  A mother, no less…how sad.

my car my car tan sierra tan sierra

            WHAT?

alternate names for substitute mother

            Hmm…I have a few suggestions: Fraud Broad, Proxy Mom, or simply “The Replacement”

any program help mom car sit free

            I doubt your mom will car-sit for you for free.  You’ll probably have to pay her at least a dollar.

what does “how far we’ve come” mean

            I’m not sure myself, friend.

owe in money in Minnesota

            You owe me money?  Awesome—fork it over.  I hope it’s a lot…

poems of bad friends

            Oh yes, they are bad friends, because they never leave any poems in the comments!