It's a Bad Day Archives - Trinkets of Thought

A Shout-Out to My Stink-Eye Friend

May 17, 2011 by Maren 2 Comments

The night before we left for Connecticut was (until this point) the worst day of my parenting life. Thus, it resulted in an equally rough flight.

With faces like this…

and this….

one could surmise that our trip to Connecticut was smooth ~~sailing~~ flying.

Hardly. My little munchkins morphed into Gremlins the second we stepped onto the airplane. And in an instant, we became that family.

I’m thankful for a safe trip and for my 2 healthy boys (and their ability to cry…loudly.)

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I’m not thankful for the lady who gave me the stink-eye once we arrived to our final destination as if I had pinched my children the entire flight.

I apologize to the world for my children who cried 98.3% of the trip. The percentages are accurate. I counted every minute. From now until forever, I hereby vow to show grace and mercy to any parent on an airplane with a crying baby.

And wherever you may be in this world, my little stink-eye friend…Go ye and do likewise!

The Great Mom Award

August 28, 2010 by Maren 4 Comments

Today, I’m in the running for “World’s Best Mom” award. Reason: As you may know, it’s every little boy’s dream to see a fire truck up close and personal. Today, I made that dream come alive for Pierson.

We returned some library books then stopped by our new house (which is currently a work in progress) to visit Michael. I stepped out of the car, unlocked the doors (or so I thought), shut mine, and went to get Pierson. I had actually LOCKED the doors with our only key and Pierson inside.

A quick call to the police, a visit from the firemen, and in 10 minutes, Pierson was freed.

I choose to think that I win the “BEST MOM AWARD” because when Pierson got out, he was very excited to see the fire truck and the police car. So, we’re planning another firemen date next month. I just have to figure out what scheme I’ll use to get them to our house next time. I wonder if they’ll catch on….

Kidding. I’m only kidding.

***the above post was written tongue-in-cheek because I feel like a total moron as every neighbor within sight was peeking out their windows to see why the new folk had the fire department at their house… Just another day in my life, folks. Just another day.

It was the best of Jokes…It was the worst of Jokes

May 7, 2010 by Maren 4 Comments

For the past couple of weeks, I have worn my wedding ring with a slit in the shank. My ring has recently had a one-on-one with the jeweler and as a result, I’m now ‘in-the-know’ about all things ring related.

Less than one month after we were married, my husband and I took our church’s youth group on a missions trip. While there, the love-struck teenage girls fancied that one of the youth sponsors had struck up a relationship with a man she had just met. I brilliantly(?) concocted a plan for a little practical joke. I lent the lady my engagement ring with hopes of announcing to the the googly-eyed teens, in grandiose fashion, that the man had proposed! And she had accepted! It was a great joke. The girls bought the story hook, line, and sinker–and screamed as only as high school girls have the capability of screaming.

Well, then the joke was on us. It got stuck on her finger. Nothing would get that thing off…we tried soap, oil, string tourniquet, water, ice, elevation, a night’s sleep, YOU NAME IT. That ring was not budging and the lady wanted the ring off of her finger! A trip to the emergency room and a little snip snip, and my ring looked like something like you’d buy out of a $.25 machine–A ring with a slit right down the backside.

And, LOVE HIS SOUL… Wanna know my patient husband’s response to the whole fiasco:? “I understand Maren. It’s just you.” Probably one of the first few clues as to the extent of the mess (me) he’d gotten himself into. And one of my first clues to the extent of my dear husband’s patience.

Thankfully, the jeweler appreciated my joke and soldered my ring for free. And for nine years, I’ve enjoyed a good story and life’s merriment. Until last week. I suppose 9 years of abuse caused it to split again, and so I hiked my split shank and little ‘ole me back to a jeweler. In 30 minutes, the ring was fixed, polished, and once again pretty! Special thanks to Fast-fix in Louisville, KY for helping me (and my ring) feel whole again! WHOOTWOOT!

*Object in the picture is smaller than it appears. 🙂
** Before you ask, I have large knuckles and those balls are ‘ring sizing balls,’ sit in the fat of my finger and keep it in place.

It’s a Barbie Thursday

March 18, 2010 by Maren 9 Comments

Today, I feel like a Barbie. And believe me—It’s NOT because of my measurements!

I’m confident that someone stole my little leather bag of makeup. (Or, I’ve misplaced it.) But saying that someone stole it makes me feel better about myself. I hope the burglar got their heyday of makeup surprises, seeing how I’m el cheapo when it comes to makeup! Case in point: my blush. Several months ago I dropped it, causing it to shatter to smithereens. Instead of going out and buying new blush, my solution was to pour all the powdery goodness into a Ziploc bag. When needed, I’d dip a brush or finger into the powdery mess and apply. (It actually saved space and got my invention wheels turning…) Keep in mind that the repurposed blush was originally a $2.00 ditty of Wet-n-Wild love. Need I mention once again that I’m CHEAP??? (I know. I know…Your thoughts are confirmed: I’m either pathetic or a tight wad. Both are accurate.)

Yeah, I don’t think the thief got what they were hoping.

Tuesday & Wednesday, I did without, except for the emergency tube of mascara I keep in my work drawer for dramatic times such as these. It’s been a life saver because who wants to be seen without MASCARA? It’s on the short list of a woman’s foundational needs! What a tragedy! Today, before leaving for work, I scrounged in the medicine cabinet for any makeup related items I could find. Somehow I found foundation, lip-stay color, eye liner and BLUE eye shadow. I’ll try everything once…or twice…or use it until it’s gone so I don’t waste it. So, I gathered up the make-do makeup and came into work.

I applied the makeshift cosmetics, including the blue eye shadow. Somehow wearing blue eyeshadow made me instantly feel like Barbie, except I’m about 4x times bigger (in all the wrong places). So, Happy Barbie Thursday. And if you see someone wearing blue eye shadow today, don’t judge. Someone may have stolen their makeup.