MOMZA'S HOUSE: When You Mess with the Bull, You get the Horns OR How to Mess with Your Teenagers!

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

When You Mess with the Bull, You get the Horns OR How to Mess with Your Teenagers!

Dear 14-going-on-15-year-old aka Daisie:
You have a habit
that drives us C R A Z Y --
you "borrow" things without asking.
ALL THE STINKIN' TIME...

So, after much warning:
"How would you like it if I just went into your room
and took what I like without asking?"--
I joined forces with Nana
and we are exacting revenge
on you today.

We had a planning meeting
at breakfast--
WHAT we wanted to "BORROW" for sure
and
for how long
and
where would we hide the contraband.

For all those times you've "borrowed" clothing
from Nana
without asking,
Nana has her own list of things she's "borrowing"...
like

Your favorite shoes....can I just say the "YESSSSS!!" that Nana yelped when she saw these shoes in the shoe basket this morning, made me jump! She was delighted that you didn't wear them this morning!

Your camera--You're always stealing batteries for it from MY camera, or the TV remote, or wherever--even though yours came with a battery recharger!!! USE IT!

Hairspray: Afte you used all of Nana's, you bought your own. So Nana felt this was fair.

Mascara: Did you freak-out when you couldn't find it for school? I'm gonna feel real bad about this tomorrow. Probably. Possibly. Maybe. not.

Your blowdryer: Just knowing you're not gonna notice it's missing until you need it makes me joyous.

I did leave your curling iron tho.

Had to. You said you are in the middle of reading it for the 12th time. I didn't plan on taking it,

it just felt right tho. Like it spoke to me from your bookshelf: "Take me, Take me."

Your empty sock drawer: Nana's idea. Unfortunately, the only socks there weren't yours, but mostly the Caboose's, a couple of the Boofus', four of Nana's and one of mine. Where are your socks? In that overfull, stuffed laundry basket in your room? Coming up empty-handed with that was very sad for us.

So we looked around your room, and thought

WHAT ELSE???

Nana grabbed these...butterfly wings that hang above your bed.

No reason.

just cuz.

I took the calendar...why?

I have no idea.

But it made me laugh at the thought of it.
Women of the Old Testament--
like Leah "borrowed" Rachel's husband for 7 years?
or was it the other way around?

So I had to take that.

Daisie,

You will recieve your belongings in due time.

When we've used them up,

worn them out

loaned them to friends

or gotten bored with them.

Except for the blowdryer...

I think we can work out a deal with that...

but I do plan on taking it again

whenever the mood strikes

until you learn your lesson here.

And what is that???

ASK for permission to borrow things

and return them in as good or better shape

in a prompt and purposeful manner.

LOVE,

Momza and Nana

p.s. love yer guts.

pps ( I wonder how long before she figures to look here for the clues as to what is missing?? mwahahaha)

13 comments:

ConnieMarch 10, 2010 at 12:46 PM
You know how to play hardball don't ya. You should get MOTY (mother of the year) for this one. Still gigglin', tee hee.
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NatMarch 10, 2010 at 1:15 PM
Momza, I love you and your spunk! I shoulda done this very thing to my sister-she was always "borrowing" things, and it drove us crazy!
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Nan JonesMarch 10, 2010 at 1:37 PM
I need hairspray and the butterfly would look good in my house... ha ha Can't wait to know her reaction... NAN
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MomzaMarch 10, 2010 at 1:57 PM
@Nan: Wanna borrow any of her stuff? Let me know, no problem.
@Connie: Thanks for the Nomination. Think this'll get her attention??
@Nat: I will let you know if this method workds--nothin else has so far.
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Susan AndersonMarch 10, 2010 at 2:14 PM
Keep us posted on the developments. I need the entertainment!

=)
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CBMarch 10, 2010 at 2:32 PM
This absolutely made me belly laugh because I have been through this with my girls when they were teenagers! Oh boy NOTHING was off limits.
I don't know how many mornings I had to go looking for my hairdryer or some other thing that should have been in my bathroom.
It is just so familiar!!

You'll have to tell us how she reacts to this!
I am giggling with you:D
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Eternal LizdomMarch 10, 2010 at 7:09 PM
This is FANTASTIC! Another gem to tuck away for when my kids are older...
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PrairiemaidMarch 11, 2010 at 1:06 AM
Poor Daisie! LOL

We lived close to my folks, my sister however moved off to Illinois. She was home right after I had Jenny, our oldest. We ran into town one afternoon and Jenny had spit up a little, so Bobbie (sis) was going through my bad and pulled out a washcloth to do the job.

When I saw what she had in her hand, I said "oh, no....don't pull that out once we get to Mom's." Bobbie asked, "Why?" "Because it's her's." Bobbie, "Don't worry, I've got the towel that matches it at my house."

She had been living in Chicago for four years/married for six. Some habits are hard to break. LOL
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A Daft Scots LassMarch 11, 2010 at 1:11 AM
I'm using this one with Megan at the moment. It works a charm. Way to go...great parenting.

By the way, love yer guts. Priceless!!!!
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CharlotteMarch 12, 2010 at 8:27 PM
You are my hero. I'm tucking this idea away, but not for long. I was in my daughter's bedroom yesterday and noticed all the things she's "borrowed" from me. I might need to use this idea TOMORROW.
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MomzaMarch 13, 2010 at 6:36 AM
@Charlotte: GO FOR IT!
@Gillian: It does work, doesn't it?!
@Prairiemaid: I hope that's not in my future!
@Liz: We gotta do what we gotta do, eh?!
@Cherie: Exactly...I got tired of looking for my stuff!
@Sue: Will do! Sometimes teens are very entertaining!
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AmyMarch 13, 2010 at 8:52 PM
It's Saturday night and I'm just on to this saga. Wish I'd read it earlier this week -- I could have used the laugh. You go, Momza!
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MomzaMarch 13, 2010 at 9:49 PM
@Amy: It is never boring around here! lol
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SAY WHAT?? Board

Ari showed me her math assignment: "Have you seen this before?"

Me: "Um, yeah. Not since I was in school though."

Ari: "OK. So it's a legitimate thing. I just wanted to make sure my teachers weren't lying to me."

Bee: "I thought it was 'Tequila Mockingbird', not "To Kill a Mockingbird."

From the wedding:

Jud's oldest brother: Tell Mom not to come up to see you while on your honeymoon.

Jud: What? She came to see you?

Brother, laughing: Yeah.

Jud to his Mom: "I don't care if I've been mauled by a bear; do NOT come see me."

***

Dani to Isaac: "Tell Gramma 'bye' n; you love her, Isaac."

Isaac: "Bye! Butt-face Gramma!"

****

Boofus to Momza: "I have black hair in my armpits! Just on this one arm though. I WISH I could move some on the other arm!"

Momza: You're ridiculous. {laughing}

Boofus: "I also have hair growing on my chest. Twelve hairs! I counted!"

***

Arianna: "Mom, can I borrow one of your sweaters?"

Momza: "One of my sweaters? Why?"

Arianna: "It's Ugly Sweater Day at school."

Momza to Joseph, as he's getting ready for school:

"Hey, didn't you wear that shirt yesterday?--It's dirty, go put on a clean one."

Joseph: "It's not dirty. SMELL me!"

Momza: "I am not smelling you. It is too dirty--go put on a clean shirt. You're not wearing that to school."

Joseph, chuckling: "Aww...you're ruining my life."

Momza to 10 yr old Primary boy who wouldn't stop leaning back in his chair:

"I think you should know that I get queasy at the sight of blood. If you lean back in your chair and get hurt, after I've told you not to, I'll probably vomit--and if I do, it'll probably get on you."

Ari, after overhearing what I said, whispered, "Mom, you're a doula, you see blood all the time. It doesn't make you sick."

Momza: He doesn't know that.

****

Two little neighborhood boys knocked on the door:

"Is the Master here?"

Daisie: "What? Who?"

Boofus, from upstairs: "I can't play until my room is clean!"

Momza, to Boofus: "They call you 'Master'?"

Boofus: "Yeah, they do everything I say. I'm their Master."

***

Daisie, from the backseat of the car, while Diana is changing up the radio station:

"No country please. You're destroying my brain."

Diana: "You're welcome."

******

Valentines Day Dinner. Boofus to Dad, while eating the chocolate fish I gave him:

"This was the worst Valentine's ever. Mom KISSED me in front of Nathan!" (N. is his best friend who happened to be standing there when I gave B. his chocolate gift.)

Momza at the dinner table: "So, at work today, I was talking to Juan..."

Boofus, interrupts: "Who?"

Momza: "Juan. Juan--he's a young man I work with."

Boofus: "Who? I mean, WHO were you talking to?"

Caboose, chiming in: "The Chinese-Mexican, Wong!"

The Caboose to Momza: "If you won't get me a cellphone, then you can just send me to a foster home."

Momza:"Hold on while I GOOGLE foster homes in Colorado. N' while I do that, you should go ask Daddy if it's ok to send you away."

The Caboose returns: "Daddy said 'No'."

The Caboose to Mom: I can’t wait until I’m 11. “Cuz eleven is next to twelve and twelve is next to thirteen, and thirteen has the word “teen” in it n’ I can’t wait to be a teenager!

Boofus, pinching his fingers together, showing them to me:

"I just pulled a hair out of my NOSE! I AM A MAN!"

Momza: "Pick up your room, then brush your teeth, and don't forget to pack your lunch."

The Caboose: "You sound just like my mother!"

The Caboose: How do you spell "diary"?

Boofus: "D-A-I-R-Y."

Dad: That's dairy. You need to switch the "a" and the "i".

Caboose: I'm writing in pen here, people.

Dani to Boofus:

"You need to wash your hands before you touch the baby."

Boofus: "I did. I licked them twice."

Diana, who has just spent 45 minutes with Daisie, who'd been chewed out by Momza earlier:

"OH. MY. GOSH. MOM! How do you stand it? She drives me crazy! She acts like she's the only one whose ever been almost 15 years old! She made me so angry! All of her freaking whining! How do you stand it?! --Wait?--Is that what I sound like to you? Ohhhh Mommmm, (laying her head on my shoulder), I AM SO SORRY!!!"

Dad to Boofus, who asked him to do something he didn't want to do:

"What? Do you have a piano tied to your butt?"

Boofus: "Yes, it's small but very heavy."

Boofus, who was pestering the Caboose:

"You're nuthin' but a penny-loafin' Democrat."

Dara to Bee, after she threatened to tell on her for something:

"You think I care if you tell Dad on me? I get in trouble on a daily basis."

Joseph to Momza:

"What do you mean when you say 'think about the words you say'? I never think about what I'm saying."

Walking thru Walmart, the Caboose says:

"Mom, what's Pole dancing?"

"Ask your Dad."

Ari to Momza after seeing a personalized ornament with Joseph's name on it:

"Why does Joe get one and I don't?"

Momza: "Because there wasn't one with your name on it."

Ari: "Ugh. Why couldn't you name me Samantha, Rachel or somebody?"

Ari: Mommmm! Joseph is making me mad!

Momza: He's pushin' your buttons?

Ari: I don't have any buttons. I don't collect buttons.

Joseph to the dog: "C'mon girl--shake what your momma gave you!"

The Caboose, while I am fixing her hair for school:

"I don't want my ponytails braided."

Momza: "Why not?"

"Because it shows my inner beauty."

The Caboose: "I don't like my middle name. It's embarassing, it's not cool. It makes me awkward."

Momza: "Really? Hmmm, well what name do you like?"

The Caboose: "Something cool, like 'Madeline'."

Momza: "Okay you can change your name. What would you like to be called?'

The Caboose: "Arianna Madeline Hope A."

Momza: "Done!"

Momza to Boofus, after he'd spilled some hot cocoa on the counter:

"Hey, what do you do when you accidentally make a mess?"

Boofus: "You lie. And blame it on the dog."

Boofus: "Mom! Ari's bleeding!"

"Where?"

Boofus, pointing: "Over there."

"No, where on her body is she bleeding?"

Boofus: "Oh, on her knee."

Diana's heading downstairs, as the kids are leaving for school:

"Bye Bee, have a great day!"

"Wait! Where am I going?"

Diana, laughing, "You're not going anywhere right now,

I'm going down to take a shower and I won't see you before you leave for school!"

Bee: "Oh yeah."

Diana, after reading the headline, "Gaining Weight is All in Your Head"--

"Of course it's all in your head, that's where your mouth is."

At dinner, Momza to Boofus:

"Okay, when we get home, you need to take a bath."

"I don't wanna take a bath. You sit in your own FILTH!"

Driving in the car:

Dad: why do girls always have to change the radio?"

Bee: "Because we have the Authority. Boys just run red lights and drink beer."

Boofus to the Caboose, when she asked him to bring her more water to the table:

"You're Not Roll-a-tee...get it yourself."

Momza to kids, arguing in backseat on way to school:

"It's a good thing you guys are going to school today, otherwise I'd have to sell you on Ebay or to the Circus.

The Caboose: "What? You're going to get rid of me?"

Momza: "Well, you guys could swing on the trapeze, feed the lions..."

The Caboose: " You know I'm afaid of heights! and lions!"

Boofus, at the sink, rinsing dishes, discovers the water to be too hot. He decides to blame Dad who used the water last.

"Dad! It's your fault!"

"No, it's not-- you're running the water. That's your responsibility. It's your fault--just like the war in Iraq. It's because of your failed policies!"

"HA! YOU'RE the reason we went to War!"

(All this while Pres. Obama's speech is on in the background)

13 yo Daisie to Mom in car:

"Ohhh the boy I like asked another girl out today. Her name is Suzie."

"SuzieQ, hunh?"

"I don't know her last name."

"Do you love me?"

"I've never wanted to hit you. But someday I might."

"Gee, thanks."

"No problem, Babyhead."

Boofus: "I'm never dating. And I'm not gettin' married.Women are nothin' but trouble. And they squeeze your pressure points!"

Mr. W., laughing: "Yeah they sure do know how to squeeze your pressure points, Boof."

Caboose, yelling: "Mom, Joseph hit me!"

Momza: "Joseph, keep your hands to yourself."

Boofus: "I used a spoon. It was a spoon."

Momza: "Keep your hands to yourself."

Boofus: "It wasn't my hands! It was a S-P-O-O-N!"

Momza: "Well you and your spoon are about to get timed out in your bedroom."

Mr. W: "I would like to bear my testimony. I have a testimony of bears. They're true."

Momza: "Did you eat breakfast yet?"

Boofus: "No, there's nothin' good."

Momza:"Well, there's cereal, a bagel, fruit...I could make you some eggs?"

Boofus: "None of that sounds good."

Momza:' Well, if you could have anything you wanted, what would it be?"

Boofus: "I dunno."

Daisie: "The Best of EFY is this weekend! Can I go?"

Momza: "Sure--wait, you're not 14 yet. I dunno."

Daisie: "I'll be 14 in [x-amount] of Days!"

Br. Malley, our HT pipes in, to her: "Shhhh...just go and don't say anything." to me:"But probably not the dance later."

Momza:"Oh right--okay, Daise, you can go for the talks but not the dance."

Daisie: "Nevermind."

The Caboose, as we're on the elevator in the Doc's ofc:

"When they look at your throat, do they have to cut it open?"

Momza:"What??--of course not! Where'd you come up with that?"

" I dunno. "

It was then I realized, the Caboose hasn't ever been sick enough to go to a medical doctor. Bless her heart.

Ari talking to Dani on the phone about caring for the new dog:

"I'll be in charge of walking him, because you know how I feel about picking up poop. YOU KNOW HOW I FEEL ABOUT THAT!"

Boofus insisted he pick out his own shirt for school...comes to me and says, "Someone took off all the buttons on this shirt!"

I flipped the placket over to reveal otherwise.

"Whew!" no button thieves in our house!"

Its lunch time, what does everyone feel like throwing up?

A sleep-deprived Momza to Mr W:

"you better take it easy and get some rest today, cuz you're headed for a ..uh..a collap-sa-tion."

"Ari, you sure want a peice of pie? You're just gonna throw it up in a bit."

"I don't care."

::::sittin' around the table, we're talking about which temples the girls would like to be married in someday::::

Nana: "Portland."

Daisie: "Mesa, definitely."

Boofus, who'd been quiet thru most of the convo:"Well, if I ever decide to like

girls--and I don't now cause I hate them, and they're jerks!! --[his finger pointing to his sisters]--I want to

go to the Hawaii temple."

Boofus: "Mom, when you weren't here, Dad said the "S-word. He's a cusser."

Dad, sheepishly: “No, I don’t think so.”

Boofus: “ Yeah he did. Mom tell him.”

Boofus to Dad: You can hit me as hard you want for ten bucks.

Dad: Can I draw blood?

Boofus: It’s fifteen for blood.

Dad: How about a ping with a baseball bat, how much then?

Boofus: Twenty-two fifty.