What happened with that? Volume 3
I’m sure you remember the guy with the tic from church. Last week I narrowed it down to one of two people — Yellow Cardigan and Salt and Pepper. This week I made sure to arrive just before Mass started so I could find the perfect seat to observe both of them.
Success! I slipped in two rows behind them and to the far left so I had a side view of both of them. They were sitting one row apart and about three people apart so I could see the side of each one’s face. I settled in and was so excited to finally get to the bottom of it.
And there was silence.
I actually looked at my watch at 10:20 am because it had been 20 minutes and there was no sound from either one. Not a peep and no tsking sound at all. For a minute I was gonna be really pissed off if I heard it behind me. But I didn’t.
Neither one of them made a peep the entire time!
It’s not Yellow Cardigan or Salt and Pepper. So whoever it was either had a massive turn around in one week’s time or the actual person who does it did not attend church this week.
Gah!
This is probably God’s way of telling me to pay more attention at church.
I was finally able to renew my prescription for Drysol. Praise be. And you can bet I threw that shitty applicator cap away as soon as I opened the package. I now have a full bottle that should last well past the next renewal date.
However I am not above hoarding and will probably refill it three more times until the prescription runs out. I’m also going to buy some Secret Clinical Strength Sport today so I have a one-two punch against the sweat rings under my arms.
While I was at the site I learned that this antiperspirant is available at various drugstores but it can also be found at Toys “R” Us!
Either there are a bunch of sweaty toddlers out there or a mother’s job does not leave her feeling fresh as a daisy.
Lastly, I’ve been working on my desire to become a sidewalk chalk artist. The following is not my best work by far, but it’s the only stuff I have a picture of. Naturally they are portraits of my kids, in chronological order.
I tried to get all artistic on Emily’s picture, but it didn’t really pan out. I do like the color choices and the stars around her, but I need to keep working on that.
I do draw a mean butterfly and ladybug, but as I mentioned, I haven’t taken any pictures. And now that fall is coming with its rainy season and leaves I only have a few weeks left to perfect my craft. But I’ll soldier on and I will report back later since I know you all relish these updates.
The art is beautiful. Things made with love always are.
Oh Solomon. You’re very sweet and I have to say your comment made me choke up a tiny bit. It could be because today is the first day that all three of them will be at school all day long. It’s going to be weird for sure to be home alone for seven hours.
But I know I’ll adjust somehow :) Maybe I’ll make some more chalk drawings!
My grandmother always said that about the biscuits she made every day.
I bet the kids would like that. Coming home to pictures of rainbows on the driveway (or whatever) would be pretty cool. :)
@Liz SpongeBob’s grandma also says that regarding the sweater she knitted for SB. “There’s love in every stitch.” Incidentally her voice is done by Marion Ross — Mrs.C from Happy Days.
I cannot think of that line without hearing her voice.
@Solomon They do notice everything and comment on it which is actually fun.
I think you’re a fabulous chalk artiste. The only thing I ever drew was an outline around The Hummingbird on a dare from Suzi….
Oh I love the idea of being an artiste — pronounced ar-teest — rather than a plain old starving artist. Well, I’ll remain starving, but I’ll be a starving artiste which is much, much better.
We can’t do sidewalk chalk here. Hubby has a mortal fit about chalk on cement. I have no idea why.
So I didn’t understand – you were in maintenance mode? Or you didn’t get that far because of losing half the bottle, or to maintain you still have to keep using it?
I feel like this since we moved to a swamp. I lived near here in college & got used to it. I guess I sort of am. But I almost had a heat stroke the other day. Anyway, I go to pick up the kids at school, where you have to stand around forever outside. The other moms are all cool cucumbers, standing around. I look like Cousin It fell in the pool. Rivers of sweat, from the top of my head to my toes. Not to mention the other moms are all coiffed and makeup perfect and have all had plastic surgery of some sort (or many sorts) and wearing designer flipflops. Then it’s me, just plain old me, melting into a little puddle.
Wait a minute. I thought your husband was gone for long chunks of time (more than just 8am til 5pm each day) because he works on an oil rig. You could have some chalk-gone-wild days while he’s gone and then spray it away with the hose right before he gets back.
Then you could mess with his head and tell him it rained just in front of your house.
I was in maintenance mode. I had just enough, after spilling most of the first bottle, to use it once a week for four weeks. However, I actually need to use it maybe twice a week to maintain the lack of sweat circles under my arms.
So now that I have a new bottle that’s full to the rim I don’t have to ration it out.
However! I just got back from the store and I have — in my hands — Secret Clinical Strength Sport. It cost ten bucks, it better be worth it. I’ll let you know how that works out.
Lastly, at this school I can actually stay in the car for drop off and pick up so I can avoid the other mothers (yay!) and I can sit inside an air conditioned car. It’s awesome!
“I look like Cousin It fell in the pool.” OMG, I LOVE that!
So other mothers hate other mothers too? Interesting…
(whispers) Yes Liz. It can feel like high school or junior high, even, when you’re hanging out waiting for your kid.
That’s frightening…
Hi CG :)
Those chalk drawings are masterpieces, the colors are just lovely. From one starving artiste to another. I’m betting your daughters really liked them too.
I have one child that started school today and one that starts next week, cheers to all of our new freedom during the day. It’s gonna take me a few days to get used to this I think I’m a little overwhelmed with all the possibility of a new schedule and wow, a little less cleaning during the day.
No joke, sister. The whole day open and in front of me is actually sort of daunting, if not unbelievable. I know I’ll get used to it and eventually I will complain that the school day is not long enough.
But for now it’s great. And they did love their portraits. It’s like I can’t draw fast enough when I’m making them. When I work on the first one the other two are antsy for me to get to the next one.
But it is fun.
Oh, I can’t even imagine having seven hours in front of me with no dictates as to how I spend it. Sadly, I doubt that will ever happen. Hubby will insist that I get a job. I do know that I do better when I have a job and a specific schedule. Oh well.
Still, I’m happy for you that the girls are finally back in school and routine has been reestablished in your life.
Love your chalk drawings. I barely ever attempt anything with the chalk. Thankfully, the boys are content to draw for themselves (perhaps they realize my skills are lacking).
I know, it’s awesome! But I don’t mean that in a in-your-face kind of way, just that I’ve been looking forward to it and am enjoying it. Even if it’s only been one day.
I’ve wondered if boys like to draw with chalk. For some reason it seems like a girly activity like jumping rope. Are those two things gender neutral? Obviously I have no experience with that and I know you’re an expert on all things boy.
My boys never jump rope, but they do enjoy drawing with chalk (and yeah, jumping rope does seem to have a gender tendency). My oldest one used to write witty long messages against smoking on our driveway back in IL. Trevor draws lots of snakes, spiders and Halloween characters. Sean scribbles (of course).
Have you ever seen that one British guy’s chalk drawings? Julian Beever. He’s an awesome chalk artist.
I’m a bit spacey this morning. Just realized that you already mentioned and referenced Julian Beever.
That Mr. Beever is talented, isn’t he? I really wish I could watch him create a drawing.
Great drawings!
Thanks Buf. I haven’t even looked at the drawing website that I’m supposed to be studying in an attempt to compete with you. But! I now have some free time on my hands so things are looking up.
My chalk was for hopscotch and that’s about it. I’m horrible at drawing anything besides calendars and schedules. They’re very whimsical, your drawings that is.
Have you tried mens’ deodorant? I use my husband’s from time to time, especially on the bottoms of my feet where I tend to get blisters. I hope your Secret is strong enough for a man… And I hoard certain prescriptions, just in case.
It’s funny but the hopscotch grid is rarely featured at Casa de Cardiogirl. Not sure why that is but it seems to be as elusive as a funky jackalope ’round these parts.
I love the idea of a whimsical schedule! Even though that’s not what you meant.
I have tried deodorant for men. I use my husband’s which has morphed from Old Spice — I liked that scent — to Gillette something or other. Sadly, that deodorant might be strong enough for a man but not for a Cardiogirl.
But let’s hold up for a sec here. Why do you use deodorant on the bottoms of your feet? Do they sweat and then the sweat causes blisters?
Yes, that’s exactly why I put it on my feet, especially before a long night or with a cheaper pair of heels.
Paint a closet in your house with blackboard chalk and you can practice no matter the weather!
I’ve seen that paint on many home improvement shows and I’m always so thrilled by it. One of these days I might have to give it a whirl. I guess I could actually purchase a chalkboard, too. But that doesn’t seem as fun as painting a chalkboard on the wall, you know?
Our old church in IL used to have a whole wall in the toddler room painted with chalkboard paint. It was great fun (though messy).
That would be fun. But I can also see how it would be messy especially in your Sunday finest.
Great sidewalk drawings. I love the Emily one the best. My daughter and my wife make sidewalk drawings all the time. This is what greets me when I come home from work :)
Funny about the guy from church. We made it to church for the first time in a while and it was my daughter’s first communion (we Methodist’s don’t do communion all that often, and especially during the late service). It was a challenge explaining to a 3 year old why we were eating bread and drinking grape juice. I told her it was to remember Jesus. She got that, I think.
That’s so funny, sw, because Mr. C said the same thing about a week ago. I always joke around and tell him he’ll miss my annoying habits when I’m dead.
So he told me, “I’m not going to miss the way you leave rotting bananas on the counter for two weeks thinking you’re going to make banana bread only to throw them away. But I will miss the chalk drawings on the sidewalk when you’re dead.”
Somehow that sounded better in person.
I’m so impressed that you take the wine/grape juice at Communion. I cannot make myself do it because all I see is backwash and homey cannot do backwash. Even for Jesus.
Oh no. Us Methodists do it differently. We all get individual little shot glasses of grape juice.
I prefer the chalice, those little plastic things are weird, especially when there’s no way to dispose of said tiny shot glass.
Do you get nervous taking communion in a church you’ve never been to before? I about knocked myself and the guy beside me down because the kneeler was lower than my normal church and I landed with a very ungraceful thud and the priest had to stifle a laugh while distributing the blood and body of Christ. And of course it was the old cathedral where the acoustics are loud by the altar. I don’t embarrass easily, but that ruined my moment with Jesus that Sunday.
CG, your germaphobia cracks me up. It’s the blood of Christ, but you won’t drink after Mr. C either… If it’s not too sensitive, I’d enjoy a post about that. I let my dogs lick my nose, so I’m curious.
@sw A shot glass you say? I could totally get behind that, but of course I have more questions. Is it wine or actually grape juice?
Do they say, “Blood of Christ” to which you reply, “Amen” when you receive Communion?
And more importantly what do you do with the glass when you’re done?
@Liz Ugh, you’re a better man than me regarding the Most Holy Chalice o’ Bacteria.
I do get a bit nervous in a new church.
And I most certainly will work on an explanatory post just for you chica.
It’s grape juice. Different Protestant denominations do communion completely differently. I think the Lutheran’s drink wine, and I obviously know Episcopalians do. Actually, they’re all just very different, church to church. I can think of at least ten different ways I’ve had it over the years. You know Protestants don’t believe in Transubstantiation, right?
Some pews have little slots to put the glass in, some pass the tray the holds them back around. It’s a lot to describe.
Great start on the sidewalk art. Perhaps you’ll develop into the next Julian Beever:
http://users.skynet.be/J.Beever/pave.htm
You might hear some “tsking” when your church begins its stewardship campaign in the fall. I’m already writing about it on my blog.
He’s the guy who inspired me, SPG! I actually linked to his site and posted a picture on my original post. His stuff is so amazing.
Yeah, that stewardship campaign is a bitch. Like the Catholics of the 1950s I just want to attend Mass and then ignore everyone in the parking lot.
Hola Cardio,
I think the sidewalk art is fantabulous….I used to do the same when I lived home with Wander but now I live in an apartment and I don’t think the neighbors would appreciate it.
Also I believe that the total lack of the tsk noise is The Big Guy’s way of saying hey this is service pay attention. Of course during service I notice a whole lot of things I probably shouldn’t. Side note, It’s so interesting that this is today’s post. I mean something random about church when I decided to go to service this past weekend….interesting. Side note’s side note I think it’s Salt and Pepper trying to screw with you.
During service I notice when the people reading the announcements mess up in particular when they’re reading telephone numbers, this irritates me just a little I don’t know why. I also noticed that the security guard for the paster is H.O.T! Oh and that is definitely not what I should be thinking about in service. It’s a good thing I was there praying for my soul.
pray for me then too faith, k? uh make that a double.
@Faith It is hard, sometimes, to focus on what the priest is saying rather than what’s silently going on around me. And I have to admit the silence was actually distracting me!
So thankful God is merciful and forgiving.
@Natural What’s with you and your changing gravatars, chica? Are you keeping me on my toes?
Quick side note: Katie saw your other gravatar and excitedly pointed to the monitor while she said, “That’s a Meez Mom! That’s cool!”
And I told her, sagely, “Indeed it is cool. That’s why she’s my friend.”
Oh, right. I’ll take some extra prayers too, please.
Your sidewalk art is lovely! I especially love Emily’s wings. (Are they wings? They look like wings…) I really should get out there more and do that with Grace. We even have 3-D chalk — no lie! Kurt saw it at Michael’s and he just had to try it. Of course, I have no idea where the 3-D glasses are… which is sort of par for the course for anything that has more than one part.
Yes ma’am those are wings. That’s actually a fairy and it is on a quilt on Allison’s bed. I thought I could recreate it so I drew it on a piece of paper on the house and then used that as a guide.
I’m not very creative with free thought stuff. But if I have something to copy I’m okay. I’ve seen commercials for that chalk, it looks so cool!
they can feel your eyes on the back of their heads. they’re on to you, cg. watch, next sunday sit in the front and the tsk will be back.
now for some reason i assumed that katie, allison and emily were your offsprings faux pas names or rather their internet name. then i said no, i don’t think it is, but heck, it’s been etched in stone. so i have my answer. i think.
I think they are on to me. I was so disappointed. I really had high hopes of getting to the bottom of this.
Yes, those are their real names. Initially Mr. C was like, “WTF? You’re giving me and you pseudonyms but you’re putting our kid’s real names out there?”
Yes. Yes I am. It’s hard to write about them while remembering a new name, you know? And it’s all about my comfort when I’m writing in this here space.
I am the Queen of Playdoh and Lego designs. I cannot touch chalk with my bare hands, so I am very impressed with your sidewalk art.
That’s right, you told me you are the Queen of the Diorama. So you’re into 3-D stuff, eh? I might have to call on your expertise in a few years as my kids progress in school.
[...] mean to fully obsess on Salt and Pepper — the suspect at church with the tic — since I started out with him last time, but we’re starting out with him [...]