Sunday, September 11, 2016

Cookies, Furniture Markers, Calming Cats and Carline Horror Stories

Hello all! 

We're finally getting back into the swing of things now that school is back in session again. The great thing is that my youngest son is a senior in high school and has an off period this year. This means he doesn't have to go in until second period. It's great because instead of getting up at 5:45 like I have for years, I can now sleep in until 7. It's glorious, I tell ya! :) He's also driving himself, so no more car lines for me. Yippee! I've done car lines for the last 17 years!!! And for 7 of those years, my boys were in two different schools, so I was making 4 trips a day to two schools. Glad that phase is over. :) Oh, and I could tell you horror stories about the car line at schools... 

For those of you that don't know, they have a special line for "car riders" at school. Ours is a horseshoe shaped drive that goes in front of the school and it's for morning drop offs and afternoon pick ups. The morning car line is usually pretty smooth, but the afternoon...well, it gets tricky.

The rules state that you have to pull all the way up to the front of the car line (they usually have a sign on the ground telling you where to pull up to) Then you turn your car off, roll your windows down and wait it out until the bell rings for dismissal. 

Sounds easy, right? Well, the thing is that the pick up driveway isn't very long. Meaning that only a dozen or so cars can fit. In order to fit into the actual drive, you have to get there about 45 minutes before the bell rings and sweat it out in your car the whole time waiting. If you're not there that early, the line will already be out into the street. It's a busy street and you have to pull over to the side and wait while cars go whizzing by. It's not enjoyable, to say the least. 

So because of this, I would always try to get there early. Also, a lot of years, I had another child to pick up at another school after that, so I had to get child number one pretty quickly in order to get to child number two. The closer you are to the front of the line, the faster you get your child.

It usually works pretty well. Usually. Now keep in mind that a lot of times I would have to wake my sleeping toddler from his nap in order to get there that early, then we'd wait it out in 95 degree weather while I tried to entertain him in the car. Not fun.

So imagine how I felt one day when the PRESIDENT OF OUR PTA pulled into the car line 5 minutes before dismissal to pick up her child, bypassed all of us that had been sitting there for almost an hour in the heat, and drove to the FRONT of the pick up line and BACKED HER CAR INTO A SPOT IN FRONT OF THE FIRST PERSON IN LINE!!! 

Oh yes she did! She totally cheated! She got there at the last minute, skipped to the front of the line and squished her car into a spot in front of the person who had been there for almost an hour. What?! And it wasn't even once...she did this all the time! Can you imagine the hatred boiling up inside all the moms behind her, including me? Oh man. 

She eventually quit doing it, thank goodness. I mean, who did she think she was? And the worst part was that her kids witnessed her doing this and then they thought you didn't have to take rules seriously. A vicious circle, I tell ya. 

Now, let me just say this happened back in 1999, and it STILL bothers me to this day! Ha! That woman sure created some bad karma for herself. ;) Oh, and since I know someone is going to ask, yes, we could keep our cars running with the a/c on, but I never did because I would just be wasting gas for 45 minutes while sitting there. 

So tell me...do you have any car line horror stories to share? I'd love to hear them! 


So first up, I wanted to share these delicious cookies with you. They're more like a meal replacement and they're really good. 


Lenny & Larry's The Complete Cookie

They're huge! Just be careful because the nutrition facts state that there are 2 servings in a package. So the calories, fat, etc. are for HALF a cookie. If you eat the whole thing, you have to double everything. I sometimes eat half for breakfast and then break up the other half into a couple of snacks. With 16 grams of protein, they keep me full for a long time. They're very soft and moist. So good!





These would be so good to keep in your purse or your kid's backpack for a quick protein boost. They're very filling, easy to pack, and not messy, so they're perfect for an after school snack. These would also be great if your child is in extra curricular activities and doesn't have time to come home for a snack first. 

Here are some more flavors they carry...


Peanut Butter, Snickerdoodle, and Chocolate Chip. They have lots of other flavors too. I just tried the Birthday Cake version and it's my favorite so far.


Sprinkles, y'all! :)


My store even has a pumpkin spice version right now. I got these at HEB, but they're also available at Walmart, Target, Academy, Amazon and other grocery and health food stores. I got some at GNC recently. They sell for about $1.50 each.

In other news, I've had this big scratch on my dining room table for years now and I finally took the time to fill it in with one of those furniture markers. 



I just used this very old one that came with a really cheap desk we bought once...



You can see below how it covered it up pretty well...



You really can't tell from a distance...




But now they have newer versions like these...


Home Depot

 Just look at all the shades they come in now!

These filler sticks would come in handy too...


Bed Bath and Beyond

I can't imagine how much better the coverage is with the new ones. At around $6 a pack, I think I might need to buy some. You can get them at places like Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes and Bed Bath and Beyond (don't forget your 20% coupon) 

Y'all remember my mom's "twins" right? 


So cute!!!

Well, they are a little over a year old now and they can be very rambunctious. Like, they will literally leap over my mom's head when she's on the sofa. Lol. They also like to jump on top of the fridge and mantel. She recently bought this product and it helped tremendously to calm them down.




Here's a link to the website that explains how it works.

Feliway Diffuser

It's basically a plug in diffuser that helps to calm cats and curb unwanted behavior. My mom is very pleased with the results. Trixie and Cecil are a lot calmer now. :) She bought it on Amazon.

And now I'll leave you with a little funny to make you laugh. I saw this on The Today Show the other day. Just look at how this plumber painted his truck...


Is that perfect for a plumber's work truck, or what?!

So funny! 

Hope y'all have a great day and tell me your carline horror stories! :)

~Lisa 


14 comments:

  1. When my boys were in elementary school, I was waiting in that line you speak of...because all schools have them. Suddenly I was bumped from behind. When I walked back there I realized the lady behind me had a small tv that he was watching and didn't even know she had hit me. Thankfully the car wasn't hurt so it didn't bother me too much.

    Those cookies look amazing!

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  2. I was steaming just hearing about that pta mom jumping to the front of the line. I have spent a number of years in the carpool line and still have a few more to go. This year we are in two schools that release at the same time, so it makes things a little hectic. Have a good weekend!

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  3. Lisa, I am still laughing about that truck. LOL. Cookie servings are laughable too. I think a serving of cookies should be 6. :):) I know you are thrilled about your son being a senior and driving himself. I loved when my oldest could drive her sisters at times. I used to give the second daughter r a blank check and grocery list and she did the shopping. That was great help. Blessings to you, xoxo, Susie

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  4. Lisa- I am grinning like an idiot thinking about your dislike of that prig of a woman that bypassed the line of cars that had been patiently waiting. There is one of those in every group...crowding lines--sneaking an extra dessert onto their tray...etc. lol

    I take my grandkids and pick them up all the time. There is a very small parking lot off to one side that no one likes to use and I always park there for pickup. It is just getting someone to let you into the lane to get out..and someone usually does take pity on me and let me out. lol

    I have never heard of those cookies but those would be a great 'snack' for the grands that have to go from school classes to volleyball practice and/or dance classes. I will look fo rthem.

    Hope yuo are doing well= xo Diana

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  5. Those cookies look good. I have not seen those by us. OMG the line story. Talk about someone thinking she is entitled!!!! Too bad they cannot figure out some other system to pick your kids up that you would not have to sit there for so long before the kids get out. Have a good week.
    Kris

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  6. I only had to do the car line for a few years when my youngest didn't want to ride the bus. After that, I let him ride the bus and didn't have to fool with it anymore. I HATED it too! I've never seen that nutritious cookie before. I can see why it would be a good one. That plumber truck is funny! It would take some bravery to ride around in that though. I wish they made something to make dogs behave better like they do for cats. I've never heard of that product before. My dog goes on barking tangents when he wants you play with him. It drives us crazy!

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  7. I only had to do the carpool-thing for a few years when our children were in a parochial school, but there was just a large parking lot, and everyone managed without any hard and fast rules. I do see the lineup at the two grade schools here in our neighborhood....pretty glad I missed that one!

    I've never seen or heard of those cookies, but they sound delicious!

    The twins are so adorable! Maybe that Feliway is like "kitty prozac!"

    Okay, I'm cracking up over the plumber....I have no words!

    Have a great week, Lisa!
    Carol

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  9. I did the car line thing in the afternoons a lot when Alex & Abby were in elementary school. We actually found a place I could park, away from the line, and they could walk to me. I could watch them so all was good! I would NOT have been one to keep my mouth shut with that PTA woman! There seems to be a lot of people who believe that rules are for others, not them.

    I haven't seen those cookies but will look for them. I've seen that plumber photo before ~ so funny!

    Have a great week ~
    xo
    Pat

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  10. I have been "the bus" since my kids started school. I have always driven them and am very familiar with the infamous line. I have to say that since our district is very small, the wait time is really short. In the little grades (up until middle school) I had to park and go into school to get them. In the older grades I wait in the car, outside of that horseshoe loop, since that is for the buses. We wait in the lot, jockeying for position and dodging cars that are parked in spaces and need to leave the lot...very tricky business at the high school with a lot full of brand new, inexperienced drivers. I have to say I do love driving though. I get to hear about everyone's day hot off the presses. For some reason, everyone speaks in the car!!! ;)

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  11. Loved your story, Lisa! It would've frustrated me sooo much too!! I don't have any horror stories as I usually park behind the school and go in a different entrance... totally avoid the crazy crowds out front! I have a US shopping trip planned and will have to look for these cookies! Thanks for sharing... love these fun updates!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Kendra! You're lucky you can park behind the school and not deal with all the craziness. :) Have a great week!

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  12. That car story had my blood boiling too! How dare her! I hope someone told her head off at some point! LOL! No car horror stories for me, but I'm glad the cookies are making you happy, and that filler too!

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  13. Love the tidbits you share! Always interesting and the food items sound really yummy!

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