Crazy hat day

Hubby decided that he needed to go through a bunch of his old hats for a "crazy hat day" at school. Grad school. Anyway, we had a great time trying on the hats, and he finally found the one he wanted to wear on our first date. I told him that if he had worn it, I wouldn't have left the apartment with him. Good thing he couldn't find it, huh? 

E had to switch it up, since he couldn't see out of his first one!

Put it in your "Gee Whiz" file

Have you ever used common colloquialisms then thought, "Did I just use that right? What does that even really mean?" and feel a little self conscious afterward? I just did that last night, and it inspired me to try and understand some weird old sayings a little better and pass them on to others. Hopefully after this post, you too can talk like a funny 80 year old with your homespun wisdom and country ways. See? I'm a giver. So let's begin:

Run Roughshod
(From Websters and dictionary.com)

Verb
1. Treat inconsiderately or harshly.

Example: Those dog owners allow their dog to run roughshod over them.

There are many different versions of this saying but after a few different searches and explanations, I'm pretty sure "roughshod" is the correct term. I found this explanation of the origin and different versions on a site called eggcorns:
"To “run roughshod over” means to treat with brutal force. (Roughshod is defined in reference to horseshoes with projecting nails for gripping). 

Colder than a witch's teat (or cold as a witch's teat) etc.
(from Wikepedia, http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/12/messages/583.html)

The "witch's teat" has been adapted to mean something of a cold or foreboding nature. A common function of the word as slang is used as a representation of cold temperatures. 

Example: It's colder than a witch's teat out here!

Origin: witch's tit (or witch's teat, to use the older spelling) supposedly left a marking that witch hunters and courts would look for on the body of an accused person. Supposedly, witches would suckle their familiars, and sometimes the Devil himself, from this "unholy" body part. To find these marks, as well as insensitive spots on the skin called devil's marks--caused by the Devil's claws or teeth--the suspects were stripped, shaven, then closely examined for any blemishes, moles, or even scars that could be labeled as diabolical. To find marks invisible to the eye, the examiner would poke the victim inch by inch with a blunt needle (called a bodkin) until they found a spot that didn't feel pain or bled. Discovery of these marks or spots--one supposes they would be considered cold since they were a sign of communion with the Devil--would be "proof" of the person's dealings with Scratch, so they would be shown in full court before the execution.

Note: My friend says that someone she knows says "witch's cauldron." You could use that as a substitute if you are offended by the original saying.

short shrift
(from The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.)

Noun
1. Summary, careless treatment; scant attention 2. Quick work. 3a. A short respite, as from death. b. The brief time before execution granted a condemned prisoner for confession and absolution.

Example: These annoying memos will get short shrift from the boss.

Origin: To be given short shrift is not the blessing it once was. The source of our verb shrive noun shrift, which is Classical Latin scrbere, “to write.” Shrive comes from the Old English verb scrfan, “to decree, decree after judgment, impose a penance upon (a penitent), hear the confession of.”
The noun shrift, “penance; absolution,” comes from Old English scrift which comes from scrptus, and means “what is written,” or, to use the Latin word, “what is prescribed.”
Theologians and confessors viewed the sacrament of penance as a prescription that cured a moral illness. In early medieval times penances were long and arduous—lengthy pilgrimages and even lifelong exile were not uncommon—and had to be performed before absolution, not after as today. However, less demanding penances could be given in extreme situations; short shrift was a brief penance given to a person condemned to death so that absolution could be granted before execution.

Safe as houses (many variations--one being "safe as coutt's")
(http://www.randomhouse.com/wotd/index.pperl?date=20010611 random house website)

(this is more of a British saying--but I was still curious)

This expression means 'perfectly safe', but some of the variants refer to physical safety, whereas others are used in the context of 'a sure bet'.

Example: Don't worry, I've locked your bicycle in the shed - it's as safe as houses.

As safe as houses, first recorded in 1859, has endured in both meanings (physical safety and a safe bet) to the present day. For safe as coutt's: Coutt's & Co. is Britain's oldest private bank, distinguished by the fact that it's where the Royal Family stashes its hoard (a bit smaller these days, one presumes, now that they've got to pay taxes like the commoners). Coutt's is regarded as an exceedingly safe place to store one's money.
For the general saying: Partridge quotes Hotten's A Slang Dictionary as an explanation of its origin, saying that the meaning may have arisen "when the railway bubbles began to burst and speculation again favoured houses."

I can't think of anymore quirky sayings right now. If you think of one, leave me a comment and I'll check it out for you. Again, see the giving?!

Like Father, Like Son

Remember this?

His father has taught him well. 

Karate...Chop Chop!

Self Portrait

E and I decided that we needed some more pictures of us together. Isn't he wonderful?


It reminds me...

When I was a freshman in college I found this artist/writer who I loved. Since then I had forgotten his name and had fruitlessly searched for his work on the internet. Miraculously, i found his site the other day. His name is Brian Andreas and you should check out his website (just link through clicking on his name). 

Here is one of his "stories" that completely captures my feelings as a mom:

No Regret

I sometimes wake in the early morning & listen to the soft breathing of my children & I think to myself, this is one thing I will never regret & I carry that quiet with me all day long.

Big Stuff

Oh the things we are doing at our house, big news!

TA DAH!!


(E rolling over!)

And just for Sister Pottymouth...

Remember how I was telling you in church yesterday that we lost an easter egg a year ago and still hadn't found it? Guess what appeared last night?!




Also, because I know you are all wondering, it did not smell. Truly.

It did, however, feel very light. (I'm assuming from extreme atrophy. We didn't break it open to check.)

Happy Valentines Day!

It's the holiday of L O V E and we are having fun celebrating it!

Grandma and Grandpa sent us a package that included matching P.J.'s for G and E.

We made (and ate) so many cookies that I think I'm sick!

And I made the best Valentine ever for Hubby!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Random photos from the other camera

For Christmas last year I received an AWESOME digital SLR from my husband. Since then our other camera (which is 4 years old and a dinosaur in digital camera land) has become our backup camera. Tonight we downloaded some of our recent pictures for everyone's viewing enjoyment. 

All of G's pajamas were dirty last night, so I told him he could wear one of my old t-shirts. As soon as he put it on he proclaimed, "I'm an ANGEL!" This morning angel G came running into our room, complete with his tinsel halo from the Primary Christmas lesson.  (Isn't that the first thing you do in the morning? Sheesh.)

As I was walking through our bedroom the other day, I looked at the space heater only to be rewarded with this odd scene. My first thought? Suicide pact. Hubby thought they were being punished. 

After this close-up on their precarious positioning I think everyone will agree with my assessment.

A couple of days ago G started talking to me about face shapes. "Our faces are circles," he explained. I responded that faces are more like ovals. After looking at this picture, I clearly stand corrected. 

We decided to do a little photo-shoot yesterday, here we all are at our finest...

after which I became the paparazzi. 

And those, my friends, are the pictures from our old camera. (Minus the 10 that G took of his "**jewels" given to him courtesy of a the Primary president's children.)

**fake gemstone

Valentines Blocks

G and I decided that we needed to make a Valentines craft today to help decorate our house. Since we are 1. homebound, and 2. living off of a hobo's budget, this craft had to be free. This is what we came up with.

 

The blocks are made out of left-over pieces of 2x4's from our basement. (I cut them myself, it was scary!) We mixed the paint ourselves which is why it is kind of a Pepto-Bismol color. I still like it, but it might have been nice to just pick out a pre-mixed pink.

Here is a zoomed in shot of the letters, I printed off this paper from a digital scrapbook site and blew up the letters on Microsoft Word. 

This is what E looked like the whole time. I think that I can also safely say that the letters have not stayed in a L O V E configuration since they have been completed. Ahhh, gotta love kids!

Quotable Quotes

At dinner the other day we were having a talk about what our favorite things were...

G: "Mom, I have a question for you."

Me: "Ok, what?"

G: "What is your favorite color?"

Me: "Oh, well I really like green and blue..."

G: "AND PINK!"

Me: "Sure, and pink and yellow."

G: "That is correct, sir."

In the car on the way home from dropping me off at school (as told to me by hubby)...

Hubby: "Should we go home and make some dinner?"

G: "Yeah, I guess I'll just swallow my gum."

H: "Oh, well you can just spit it out at home or save it on your plate."

G: "Blah, blah, blah. I guess I'll just keep chewing my gum."

While I scarfed down cookies...

G: "Alright, mom, I think you've had enough. 

Randomly in the day...

G: "I sure love you, kid!"

A few seconds ago...

G: "Ok, ok, quiet everyone I'm trying to read." (inspecting a little tube of lotion.) "I'm reading the instructions." 

Me: "Oh, what do they say?"

G: "Dear Grandma, thanks for giving this to my mom, and thanks for the pink lotion for mom."

And not to be forgotten, E would like a quote of his own. 

E: "Naa naa, ahhhh. Rahhhh. Mememememe. Nnn, mememe. 

Did you catch all of the times he said my name? Clearly he adores me, what more could a mother ask for?