I Left My Brain At The Car Rental Counter!!! …Gina’s Favorites

By Gina Valley

I’m traveling this week & this timely topic came to mind. Laugh along with this Gina’s Favorites post.

I Left My Brain At The Car Rental Counter!!!

I rent cars frequently, so you’d think I’d be good at figuring out how to use the gadgets in an unfamiliar vehicle. But, you’d be wrong.

Generally, I muddle through as I meet each new set of wheels. Occasionally, I’m briefly baffled, but usually I figure most everything out.

This time, though, I was nearly inept.

Maybe it was because I’ve never rented this brand (I think the proper term is “make” of car, but we use the word “make” to tell our puppies it’s time for them to poop, so I have trouble using “make” to describe a car without giggling. I’m giggling now) of car before.

Maybe it was because I didn’t get the usual 30 second run down on the car’s quirks from the rental car agent.

Maybe it was because I only slept 3 hours the night before.

But, whatever it was, clearly, my brain was slipping a gear. Maybe two.

I could not turn off the blinker.

I pushed the turn signal bar down to signal a left side lane change, and then pushed it back up to turn it off. But, that did not turn it off. It, instead, turned on the right side turn indicator. I assumed I had pushed it up too far, so I pushed it down a tad. This, of course, turned the left side signal back on.

I repeated this futile exercise 6 or 8 times, convincing the drivers around me that I had completely lost my mind or was harboring battling personalities, before I accidentally pushed the bar forward, turning off the signal the way many cars activate their high beams.

Then, I panicked, worrying about a possible high beam emergency ensuing any second, because I realized I had no idea how to turn on the high beams. I never did figure out how to activate the high beams. Fortunately, there were no high beam-necessitating emergencies.

I was blasting the radio, which I love to do when driving alone. But, when I needed to turn down the volume, I kept reaching for the knob in the place it is in most cars. Turns out that is the fan speed controller in that car, and it didn’t work well at all to turn down the radio volume.

I repeated this feat of brilliance at least a dozen times during the drive. Each time I was surprised the volume was unchanged, and each time I was then immediately thankful my thoughts were not broadcast over the internet for all to share in my stupidity. Especially for that 12th time.

Not only was I volume-control-impaired, I was also sound-direction-impaired. All of the radio sound was coming from the right side speakers. I couldn’t figure out how to change that, even after I parked the car and closely examined the controls.

My right ear was the only one processing the sound, and that made it feel like my left ear had gone deaf. I briefly wondered if I could somehow manage to drive while seated backwards so as to give my left ear a chance at some action, but decided against it when I realized I still needed to figure out how to turn on the windshield wipers.

Just getting out of the car I somehow activated the hazard lights.

And, search as I did, I could not find a button to push inside of the car to pop open the trunk. Thankfully, there was an icon on the key fob that popped that puppy open after only 25 different tries. I was glad I didn’t have to try to explain to everyone at the meeting that my notes were locked in a car with an unopenable trunk & vertigo-inducing speakers.

By the time I walked into the conference room, I felt like I was rapidly morphing into an idiot (I might or might not have gotten off on the wrong floor on the way up. Seven and five are very similar, you know).

Then, as I waited for the meeting to begin, I remembered I never turned off the car’s hazard lights, and realized my transformation was complete.

I had, obviously, left my brain at the rental car counter.

Or, maybe I locked it in the trunk.

Laugh Out Loud!

-gina

Do you ever feel like your IQ has fallen out your ear? Do you adapt quickly to driving an unfamiliar vehicle, or do you find yourself unable to unlock the doors? I’m looking forward to hearing what you have to say. Luckily, there’s a handy “comment” button right on this page!

Photos courtesy of Stock.xchng – Used with permission.

I’m NOT A Modern Woman!…Gina’s Favorites

**I’m NOT A Modern Woman! …Gina’s Favorites**

by Gina Valley

Laugh along with this Gina’s Favorites post.

I’m NOT A Modern Woman!

I’ve been trying to buy some matte eye shadow.

I’m happy to have a glowing personality, but I don’t want to have it on my eyelids, in the middle of the day, when I’m working hard to stay awake during a staff meeting or the PTA election speeches.

I think the sparkles make my eyes tired. All that glitter must weigh a ton. And, I certainly don’t need any help getting my eyes to droop.

Matte eye shadow. Eye shadow, no sparkles. Sounds simple enough.

Heck, I’m pretty sure that if I rub my thumb over the top of our refrigerator it’d come up with the perfect mix of dust and grease I could rub on my eyelids for that sultry, smoky look. It might be more a sooty look, though, due to the burned toast crumbs. But, it’d be trendsetting either way, and organic and gluten-free. Perhaps, I have the makings of a new business.

I mentioned this to my friend, Joan, who’s been providing me with sage advice since the third grade. Joan told me that I do not have the makings of a new business, that rubbing refrigerator dirt on my eyelids was not an acceptable option for eye shadow, and that maybe I should clean off the top of the refrigerator.

I told Joan that I thought it would be easier to get a new refrigerator, and that I’d been to 4 stores searching for matte eye shadow. And, none of them had any.

Joan told me that was because two of the stores I went to were grocery stores, and the other two were the blue and the red big box stores. I told Joan that I was already heading to those stores for errands, and I didn’t have time to be making special trips to the make-up counter at our local department store – Condescending R Us – every time I decided to try to look like a grown up.

Joan told me that maintaining our appearance is as important as going to the doctor. I told Joan that I didn’t think we could be friends anymore.

Nonetheless, I found myself standing at one of the makeup counters at Condescending R Us.

I picked this particular counter over the other half dozen options, because the person working behind it had on a lab coat. I figured that was a good sign. After all, the associate at one of the other counters seemed to be wearing some sort of smock made out of cobwebs, and another was wearing what can only be accurately described as a Slutty Candy Striper costume.

I reasoned that this person in the lab coat was likely to take a scientific approach to facial decoration issues. Obviously, I had sniffed too much complementary perfume on the way in.

The lab-coated person smiled, and floated over to me. I’ve always admired people who can “float” when they walk. I can barely pull off not tripping while I walk.

She introduced herself to me as “Lawn, your cosmetics concierge.” I didn’t even know I needed a cosmetics concierge, much less had one. She then told me that it was her goal to make this the best day ever for me.

She looked a bit confused when I pointed out that I’d need her to do all of our laundry and to make dinner for that to happen.

I told Lawn that I wanted to buy some matte eye shadow.

Lawn shook her head, clearly pitying me. She steered me toward a tall stool at her makeup counter, and draped a prickly towel around my neck. She told me that it was vital to have a solid base for my beauty routine.

I contemplated explaining to her that the base of my “beauty routine” is hitting enough red lights while driving carpool to have time to fish my mascara out from the bottom of my purse. And, that I have to hit that one really long light near the high school, if I want even a chance at swiping a little across my lashes.

Lawn explained to me that matte is not en vogue. Sparkly is. So, they have “shimmer” (a little sparkly) eye shadow or “shine” (super sparkly) eye shadow. She didn’t mention “Strobe” or “Laser,” but I’m sure they have those, too. You probably need a special “Paint & Carry” permit before you’re allowed to apply them to your face. Safety first.

“This,” the 20-something (I assume she wasn’t still a teen, even though she looked like one, as it was 10am on a school day) 96 pound make-up concierge, explained to me, as she held out a giant palette of eye shadow, “is the way we modern women highlight our eyes.” I noticed her eyes were “highlighted” with orange sparkly eye shadow and purple liner, both above and below. It looked as though a pair of Elton John’s eye glasses had somehow melted onto her face.

After she swept a gob of blue “shine” eye shadow across my eyelids (isn’t blue eye shadow illegal?), Lawn quickly outlined my eyes with blue “shimmer” eye liner. She then explained to me that this shimmer with the shine is what all the modern women are wearing, and it’s “a very subtle, sexy look.”

I looked in the mirror. Neither subtle nor sexy sprang to mind.

Creepy clown in a horror show, maybe. Three year old, who got into her mother’s make up, possibly. I hope this washes off, definitely.

I guess I’m just not a modern woman.

Laugh Out Loud!

-gina

Are you a modern woman? Do you trip the light fantastic across your lids? Or, do you prefer the natural look? Do you shimmer or shine? Shoot me a comment. I’m looking forward to hearing what you have to say.

Photos courtesy of Stock.xchng – Used with permission.

They’re NOT GROSS – They’re Activists …Gina’s Favorites

**They’re NOT GROSS – They’re Activists …Gina’s Favorites**

by Gina Valley

This post came to mind today when I found the package of chocolate chips in the bathroom. Again. Laugh along with this Gina’s Favorites post.

They’re NOT GROSS – They’re Activists

My friend DeAnne and I were discussing our children the other day, and we had an epiphany.

Kids are gross.

They are. They really, really are.

I know it. You know it. We all know it.

After our chat, I felt like I should immediately call my mom, and apologize for any and all grossness I perpetuated on her while growing up.

I was slowed in my attempt at the belated apology, because our phone was cemented to our kitchen counter by a puddle of maple syrup and a pancake, with two bites missing and 3 finger holes pushed through it.

Gross.

But, the more I thought about our kids’ anti-hygienic behavior, the more I wondered if perhaps we were overlooking the true cause of their grossness.

What if we’re wrong? What if we’re all wrong?

What if it’s not that our children are gross, but rather that they’re misunderstood?

What if what appears to be slovenly ways is actually them answering a higher calling?

What if they’re not fungus-spreading, bacteria-building urchins re-wearing yesterday’s dirty garments because they’re too lazy to put on new clothes? What if they’re thoughtfully attempting to reduce the mountain of laundry produced by our household, thereby saving me work and reducing the strain on the environment?

What if they did not bring the giant package of chocolate chips, the bag of Cheez Doodles, and the jug of Gatorade into the bathroom to input while they…output? What if they were stocking the room that has easy to access fresh water with food, so we’d all be well fed in the event of an earthquake?

What if they’re not stinky, self-absorbed people who refuse to take my advice, much less follow my instructions, to apply deodorant at least once a day? What if they’re protecting our family from the ever present and growing encroachment into our lives, and their armpits, by complicated chemical compounds?

What if they’re not mess-blind to the nacho cheese sauce they dribbled from the kitchen through the dining room, and halfway up the stairs? What if they’re instead working to provide a welcoming environment for any endangered species of ants that might, perchance, be living nearby?

What if they have not been trying to reschedule their daily shower into a biweekly event because they’re anti-shower-ite, caked-on crud lovers? What if they’re choosing to conserve water to save us from our giant SoCal water bill, and to ensure the next generation of Californians has a shot at a green lawn?

What if they’re not too lazy to throw away the sticky, stinky paper plate they used while eating their peanut butter and pickle sandwich? What if by leaving it on the kitchen counter, right next to where the garbage bin is, they’re instead attempting to save the next hungry family member from the time and trouble of having to open the cupboard to retrieve a paper plate for him or herself?

What if they’re not filthy, dirt hoarders hell-bent on hanging onto every molecule of mulch they’ve ever come into contact with, in order to blend in with the mess that is their bedroom? What if they’re ever so politely saving the soap and shampoo for other members of our household, lest we be caught unprepared in the event of a sudden soap or shampoo dependent emergency?

What if they’re givers?

Nah.

They’re just gross.

Laugh Out Loud!

-gina

Any activists in your household? Were you neat and tidy when you were a kid? Shoot me a comment. I’m looking forward to hearing from you.

Photos courtesy of Stock.xchng – Used with permission.

There’s NO Sleep In Sleep-Over

by Gina Valley

I didn’t realize a person could wear a dress shirt inside out.

But, The Professor did it today.

I think he gained that super power sometime around 3:31am when the fifth loud crash, followed by peals of laughter, echoed up from our family room. He rolled over and asked me if I thought it was too late to return our children to the hospital.

I giggled at my sleep-deprived husband. We could never return our children. I have no idea where the receipts are.

Our 14 year old and 5 of his friends camped out in our family room last night. Our son said it was a sleepover. I’m not sure what it was, but it was definitely not a sleepover.

No one slept. No one.

No one downstairs slept.

No one upstairs slept.

I don’t even think anyone in the yard slept, because I’m pretty sure the raccoon that lives in the tree in our backyard flipped me off while I was taking out the trash after breakfast.

I tried to sleep, but each time my total exhaustion overcame the noise and I started to doze off, my daughters burst into our bedroom and demanded that I “Tell the boys to ‘Shut up!’”

I did not “tell the boys to ‘Shut up!’” although I might have, if I hadn’t been too exhausted to get out of bed.

So, my eyes are bloodshot, and I accidentally brushed my teeth with wrinkle cream this morning.

My daughters are frighteningly grumpy, and thankfully, refusing to get out of their beds.

The 14 year olds encamped in our family room only opened their eyes long enough this morning to find the Capt’n Crunch and M&M’s they’d requested for breakfast (I know. I was grossed out, too). Then, they all collapsed back onto the floor, snoring with their pillows and video game controllers.

Even our dogs have bags under their eyes, and are too sleepy to wag their tails.

And, I think I saw our XBox yawn.

I could tell The Professor was too sleep-deprived to think, because he patted me on the head and kissed our dog goodbye on his way out the door. He was off to deliver a lecture on snail teeth, or some such vital topic. I wondered how he’d remember what he was supposed to say.

I also wondered about his unusual fashion choice.

“Hey,” I queried. “What’s up with your shirt?”

“I had a lot trouble buttoning it,” he answered, after draining his coffee mug.

I refilled it for him. “I think that’s ‘cause…uh…it’s inside-out,” I answered.

I decided not to mention he was wearing two different shoes.

After all, who was I to criticize? I’d just gargled with my contact lens solution.

Laugh Out Loud!

-gina

Do your kids sleep at sleep-overs? Did you, when you were a child? Do my shoes match? Shoot me a comment. I’m looking forward to hearing what you think.

Photos courtesy of Dreamstime.com – Used with permission.

Top 10 Reasons Daylight Savings Time Is The Devil …Gina’s Favorites

By Gina Valley

Laugh along with this timely Gina’s Favorites post.

Top 10 Reasons Daylight Savings Time Is The Devil

There are few things that draw people together like the near universal hatred of the “Spring forward!” part of Daylight Savings Time.

I’m told that when Daylight Savings Time was first instituted oh so many decades ago that there were many benefits to the average person.

Be that as it may, I’m not seeing the benefits at this point, and I think we need to band together to get rid of the whole thing (and that one super nasty, taste-of-death candy they hide amongst all the good ones in every box of Sees’ candy. What flavor is that supposed to be anyway? Rotting dirt?).

Besides not seeing the benefits, I’m seeing lots of problems. It’s bad enough trying to figure out what time it is here, trying to figure out what time it is in other parts of the world to time communication correctly is really tough. And, getting my kids up in time for school is near impossible. Truly, Daylight Savings Time is the devil.

Top 10 Reasons Daylight Savings Time Is The Devil

#10. It forces us to grudgingly use our interpersonal skills, as we, as a group, wander around the week before we change the clocks asking each other, “Is it ‘Spring forward’? It’s ‘Spring forward,’ right? Are you sure it’s not ‘Spring back?’”

#9. Even as we are in the midst of the sleep deprivation it has wrought, we must exhibit extra coordination as we attempt to adjust our car dashboard clock, while at the same time trying to avoid oncoming cars careening in our direction, piloted by others who are both sleep deprived and trying to figure out how to change their dashboard clocks.

#8. We run the risk of a cardiac event when we’re staring at our phone at 1:59am and it suddenly switches to 3am, causing us to panic, as we wonder whether we have just time experienced time travel or a black out.

#7. It brings out extra personality in our children on Monday morning, and causes shoes, backpacks, and homework to disappear at near-double the normal rate.

#6. It turns adults into children, as we attempt to grasp any reason, no matter how flimsy, as to why we must remain in bed for another hour, and probably for the rest of the week.

#5. It causes the phrase “I’m not tired!” to be uttered angrily, forcefully, and a near-world-record-setting number of times for the entire week after we “Spring forward!”

#4. None of us “Spring forward!” We all barely stumble forward, and the whole “Spring forward!” and its cheerful tone is just mocking us.

#3. It makes everyone arrive 30 minutes early for the second service at church on Sunday morning, when we were in fact all shooting for the first service, but forgot to adjust our clocks.

#2. It turns our co-workers into seeming philosophers or heroin addicts, as they wander from cubicle to cubicle, muttering “What time is it? Does anyone know what time it is?”

#1. It’s just another way to torture parents of small children, because small children neither know nor care what Daylight Savings Time is, and see no reason to go to bed an hour before they did last week, yet somehow manage to get up an hour earlier each morning.

It’s time to stop the madness!

At least I think it is.

Does anyone know what time it is?

Laugh Out Loud!

-gina

Do you love or hate Daylight Savings Time? Do they follow Daylight Savings Time where you live? Why do they put that one nasty candy in with the good candy? Shoot me a comment. I’m looking forward to hearing all about it.

Top 10 Stupid Complaints About Valentine’s Day …Gina’s Favorites

by Gina Valley

I’m sure you heard them! Laugh along with this timely Gina’s Favorites post.

Top 10 Stupid Complaints About Valentine’s Day

You know what I hate about Valentine’s Day? I hate all the whining and complaining about Valentine’s Day.

Oh. My. Gosh.

People. Settle down.

You’re protesting candy hearts and giggles.

You’re not Ghandi.

You’re rioting against a fake holiday, sucking the fun out of it for those of us who enjoy it, and making excuses for the inconsiderate, selfish people in your life. Knock it off.

In other words, shut up shut up shut up.

Can’t let go of your Anti V-Day Attitude? Here’s some help with that:

Top 10 Stupid Complaints About Valentine’s Day

#10. It’s too commercial – Really? That’s the best you’ve got? It’s too commercial? Well then, I guess you also ignore Christmas, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, St Patrick’s Day, the Olympics, the Royal Baby’s birth, children’s birthday parties & every other conceivable opportunity for the big box stores and those evil greeting card peddlers to make a buck. It’s too commercialized? Of course it’s too commercialized. So is every other thing on the planet.

You don’t have to ignore the whole concept to avoid commercialization of Valentine’s pure intentions any more than you have to do so for Christmas or Hanukkah. Plan ahead. Use your brain. This is an occasion when the thought really does matter much more than anything else.

#9. Everything is too expensive. They jack up the prices. – You think? They raise the prices on limited stuff around a popular time? Gee, seems like that comes up at every holiday. It’s only a problem for those who fail to plan ahead. Don’t spend more. Think more. Be more creative.

One of my favorite gifts from my husband is a bouquet of red, duct tape roses he made me one year. It took him nearly a week to make, and he had his students work on group projects so he could make the whole thing at work to surprise me. The planning and the effort make me smile every time I see them.

#8. It encourages obesity. – If this is your beef (no pun intended), you need a reality check. Yes, chocolate is often a symbol of Valentine’s Day, but that doesn’t mean it’s encouraging anyone to dump the clean eating, and switch to an all-candy diet. If all the talk about chocolate and those little hearts with messages encourages obesity, what does that freaky little cupid guy encourage? Naked archery? We don’t hear much whining about that being an issue, and, what with it being an Olympic year, seems like we would.

#7. Our relationship is in a bad place. – That stinks any day, even more so on Valentine’s Day. But, don’t you think your efforts would be better spent thinking of something to celebrate about this person you’re still attached to, rather than complaining about the whole idea of a “Love Holiday”? Surely there is something good there. Run with that. Even if all you can see through the hurt today is that her meatloaf rocks and she can juggle, or he always hits play at just the right moment while fast forwarding through commercials on the DVR and can ride a unicycle, you’ve got something to jot down on a paper heart.

#6. You should show people you love them every day, not just on some day they tell you to. – Well, duh! Of course you should! Celebrating Valentine’s Day doesn’t mean you get a “be self-centered the rest of the year” pass. Celebrating Valentine’s Day is an extension of your everyday caring and loving attitude toward the important people in your life, particularly your significant other. If celebrating how you feel about each other isn’t fun and natural, ask yourself if you are doing that enough on other days. If not maybe your problem is not the day, but the state of your relationship.

#5. I don’t even like candy or flowers. – Oh my gosh! Really? I’m not sure we can be friends. How about just telling people you care about them? Are you ok with that? Because that is the whole point of the Valentine’s hubaloo.

#4. Someone broke up with me on Valentine’s Day and I’ve hated it ever since. – That sucks, but get over it. It’s not a bad holiday. You had a bad significant other. Send the jerk a beautiful Valentine’s Day card, thanking the individual for getting out of your life, and move the heck on. The best revenge is being happy. Choose that.

#3. Gifts are so hard to get right. – Well then, talk to your significant other. You know, communicate. If you didn’t like the carton of Marlboros Bubba got you last year, mention directly to him that you would prefer a necklace or flowers or whatever it is you actually want. There’s nothing wrong with slipping a URL to a gift-buying-impaired loved one, either. If you don’t find the Valentine’s sweater your wife knits for your each year to be a particularly stimulating gift, give her some ideas for less time consuming ways to put a smile on your face.

#2. I absolutely refuse to have anything to do with Valentine’s Day no matter what. – Fine. Your call. But, shut up about it. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to rain on everybody else’s parade just because you’ve decided not to march. You can be a vegan without telling everyone. You can go to the gym without posting about it on Facebook. And, you can skip out of Valentine’s Day without giving every person who mentions it a lecture about your non-interest. More power to you. And, more candy left for the rest of us.

#1½. It’s just for couples anyway, and I’m not part of a couple. – Part of a couple or not, you should have people you care about in your life. A significant other should not be your only other. Surely you have friends and family who would love to be reminded that you care about them. If you don’t, your problem is neither lacking a better half, nor Valentine’s Day.

#1. It’s so fake to have a particular day to tell people you love them. – That’s like saying you don’t wish someone a Happy Birthday on their birthday, because you’re always happy they were born. Or, refusing to say something you are thankful for on Thanksgiving because you are thankful for it every day. Ridiculous.

Valentine’s Day isn’t brain surgery or mid-east peace negotiations. It’s supposed to be fun.

So, lighten up.

Pass out some heart shaped candy.

And, smile.

Who knows, maybe you’ll impress that fat, naked, flying archer guy and he’ll help you out.

Laugh Out Loud!

-gina

Got anything I should I add to my list? Are you a V-Day hater or lover? Shoot me a comment. I’m looking forward to hearing what you have to say.

Photos courtesy of Stock.xchng – Used with permission

Oh To Be Young Again…Or Godzilla!!!

by Gina Valley

Laugh along with this Gina’s Favorites post.

Oh To Be Young…Or Godzilla!!!

I took two of my sons with me to the gym today.

They wanted to go. I should have realized that was a bad sign.

I’ve been wanting to take them with me for a while now, so I could teach them how to use the equipment correctly.

So they would be safe.

So they would be knowledgeable.

So they would not need to go to the Emergency Room.

It seemed like a good idea.

The only problem was they didn’t seem to realize what a truly horrible place the gym is.

They had a great time.

I tried to explain to them that it was not a fun playground, no matter how much fun they thought they were having. I reminded them that gyms are such accursed places that they put them in prisons.

They are, apparently, too young to realize that the elliptical trainer is not a fun racing simulator, but actually punishment for years of starting dinner with Oreo’s instead of salads.

They thought weighing themselves on the super accurate, right-there-in-front-of-everyone scale was a hoot. They even tried standing on it in different ways in an effort to make themselves heavier. Heavier.

I wouldn’t weigh myself on that scale even if there was a blackout and everyone in the gym was blind.

They weren’t the least bit self-conscious or uncomfortable, as they climbed onto the leg press machine, despite needing to contort themselves into what appears to be a gynecological exam position, with their knees nearly in their ears.

I blush every time I use that machine. They laughed and discussed whether tooting would provide them with enough jet propulsion to lift another 20 pounds (I’ve been victim to their tooting. It could easily lift another 40).

I came home feeling like I was dying and wishing I could take a nap. I wondered if I could just melt into our sofa.

They came home energized and ready to go for a run. They jogged around our block twice before coming into our house.

I was too tired to even mix my protein drink.

They made it for me, and then dashed out to re-arrange our garage. They were excited about doing some more lifting.

I could hear them laughing and joking as they moved around the heavy boxes and tools.

When they came in, they asked me if we could go to the gym again tomorrow.

Before school.

When it opens.

At 5:30 AM.

I think this is why Godzilla steps on young people.

Laugh Out Loud!

-gina

Do you have any overly enthusiastic gym-mates? Do your children like to work out? Does lifting a fork full of food to your mouth really burn calories? Shoot me a comment. I’m looking forward to hearing all about it. And, I can’t get off of the sofa.

Photos courtesy of Dreamstime.com – Used with permission.

Top 10 Reasons To Stay Home On Not-So-Super Monday

by Gina Valley

Super Bowl Sunday is all fun, frolic, and food. It’s full of cheering and eating and drinking. And, some football.

The Monday after, on the other hand, not so much.

Let’s face it, the day after Super Bowl Sunday is really Not-So-Super Monday.

Not-So-Super Monday is the ugly twin to Super Bowl Sunday. It’s filled with exhaustion, upset stomachs, and headaches. It’s not a super day.

The orthodox way to celebrate Not-So-Super Monday is to burrow deep under the covers, and sleep all day in the dark. Not an easy thing to do in your cubicle at work.

This year alone, it’s estimated nearly 7 million people will stay home from work to celebrate Not-So-Super Monday.

Perhaps, you’d like to join in on this Monday morning after-party party, but you’re way too tired from running back and forth to the kitchen for more hot wings to come up with a great excuse to give your boss.

No problem. I’ve got your back.

**Top 10 Reasons To Stay Home On Not-So-Super Monday:**

#10. You’re still waiting for the avocados to ripen, so you can make guacamole.

#9. You have to take Great Aunt Bessie to the chiropractor because she threw her back out while she was gawking at the “boys in them thar tight, stretchy pants!” Again.

#8. You have to wait around for the plumber to show up, because, apparently, your college roommate’s research into “Whether One Can Successfully Flush A 40 ounce” is still on-going.

#7. You smacked you head on the patio table when you tried to “fly” like Jonathan Stewart did when he snagged that touch down by propelling himself over the pile of players stacked up on the goal line, so you aren’t allowed to drive or think for at least a week.

#6. You’re rechecking your computations to be sure the 50 million cases of beer supposedly consumed in the US on Super Bowl Sunday does in fact equal more than 5 bottles per adult, and wondering if you were supposed to have 10 since your neighbor didn’t have any.

#5. Your cat is a huge Carolina Panthers fan, so you can’t possibly leave her home alone at a time like this.

#4. The “Why is it called football when they don’t use their feet?” discussion with your know-it-all cousin from Caracas turned a bit physical after you screamed, “How’s this for using my foot?!?!” And, long story short, you agreed to drive your cousin’s pizza delivery route for him until he can comfortably sit down again.

#3. You were up all night having nightmares about that puppymonkeybaby in the Mountain Dew commercial. What the heck, Mountain Dew? What the heck?!?!

#2. All those giant flowers in the halftime show set off your allergies, and you’re out of Benadryl.

#1. You tried a bottle of your brother’s bathtub brew, and you’re not yet prepared to be out of visual contact with the loo and its “Super Bowl.”

I’ll be happy to write you a note for the week.

Laugh Out Loud!

-gina

Did you watch the Broncos and the Panthers gridiron battle? Which was your favorite commercial? What’s your favorite snack? Or, did you do something else you enjoyed this weekend? Shoot me a comment. I’m looking forward to hearing all about it.

Photo courtesy of Dreamstime.com – Used with permission.

Is There A 15 Yard Penalty If I Stab The Announcer?

by Gina Valley

I’m a hockey fan. Huge fan. Love it.

Actually, I love all sports. Any sport.

I love to go to the games. Pro, college, minor league – I love them all. Naturally, my favorites to spectate at are my kids’ games.

I love to play, too, although my enthusiasm far out distances my skill level. I stink at pretty much every sport equally, although I have achieved particularly awesome results at badness in some.

And, I love to watch sports on TV, even if all I can manage is to have a game on in the background, to catch a glimpse of with one eye while I’m editing something or folding laundry.

BUT,

Sometimes I want to stab the announcers.

I have all kinds of pet peeves with the things sports announcers say. One of my favorites is “What do you think your team needs to do to win today?” Here’s a thought – score more than the other team, Sherlock!

Or how about, “You have Joe Pro Quarterback in the starting lineup today. Do you think he’s healthy enough to handle the job?” No, they don’t think he can handle it. They’re just putting him in to boost his self-esteem. Coaches aren’t so much worried about who wins.

And, don’t get me started on the stupid questions they often ask during postgame interviews. “You just lost 48 to 0. What happened out there today?” What happened out there? What? Weren’t you watching the game? Obviously they ran all over them. They got smashed, dragged, and taken to the dumpster. Pay attention, Fool!

When I scream, I mean chat, at hockey games on TV, I am helping the players. They can hear me. I don’t care what you say.

But, when I scream at football games on TV, I am yelling at the announcers. They drive me bananas.

I know they have to fill the air time, and all sports announcers have their mush brain moments (don’t we all, really?), but football announcers have made stating the obvious and stupid into, for lack of a better, non-four letter word, art.

“The pylon in the end zone is put there to indicate where the end zone is.”

Really? Thanks! I’m sure none of us fans at home had figured that one out. What are the yard markers for?

“His foot didn’t come down in the zone, so it was out of the zone.”

Wait a minute. I want to write that gem down.

“If he didn’t have control of the ball, than he didn’t have it under control.”

Hold the phone. Do the coaches know that?

But, there’s one thing they consistently do that causes me to want to rip off my arm to smack them around with. While I’m watching a football game, they constantly tell me I’m watching a football game.

We have a large screen, HDTV, but even if I was watching it on a 4” fuzzy, battery-powered, car TV in the woods, I’m relatively sure I would be aware that the game I’m watching is a football game. I can’t remember the last time I tried to tune into the Rose Bowl, and round about 3rd quarter suddenly realized I had been watching a Yahtzee game the whole time.

Nonetheless, the announcers feel the need to remind me that it is, in fact, a football game I’m viewing.

Last week I found myself yelling at the screen during the playoff games, which would be par for the course if I was yelling at the coaches or the players or the refs. I help them like that. But, I was yelling, “Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!’ at the announcers.

“He needs to throw the football more. He’s hanging onto the football too long. He is gonna lose that football if he doesn’t pass that football soon. Did you see what happened to the football? They stripped the football right away from him.”

Football? Really? I thought he was holding a tennis ball that had lost its fuzz, and been horribly disfigured in a freak racquet accident. Good thing he brought that to my attention.

Just say “ball,” Fool.

“There is a lot at stake in this football game. People are focused on the outcome of this football game. The coach told me that they are prepared for today’s football game. It is very important for the QB to have his head in this football game.”

You mean this isn’t pickle ball? Well, that explains the lack of paddles and nets. I was wondering what the deal was. Thank you, Mr. Announcer, for clarifying that for me,56,000 times during the first half alone.

Just say “game,” Fool.

Don’t make me come down there!

I have a fork ready in my purse.

Laugh Out Loud!

-gina

Do TV sports announcers drive you crazy? When was the last time you yelled at your TV screen? Is it just me? Shoot me a comment. I’m looking forward to hearing all about it.

And, hook up with me on Facebook and Twitter so we can laugh together even more.

Photos courtesy of Stock.xchng – Used with permission.

Amazon Ships Water Buffalos, Right?

by Gina Valley

Laugh along with this Gina’s Favorites post.

Does Amazon Ship Water Buffalos?

There are a lot of different answers I expect to hear when I ask one of my children “What do you still need to do to be ready for our trip?

“Just pack and shower and find the bag of hamster food.” Isn’t that all you needed to do in the first place?

“Do I have to bring underwear and socks?” No, but you’ll have to ride in a trash bag, strapped to the roof of the plane.

“I don’t see why I have to go. I’m missing the party of the year.” That’s another reason you have to come with us.

“I can’t find any of my left shoes.” How are your hopping skills?

“What trip?” The one we have been discussing in secret family meetings for the last 3 months, so we could keep it from you, just to mess you up.

These are but a few of the multitude of variations I’ve heard. In fact, I think the only answer I have never heard to the question “What do you still need to do to be ready for our trip?” is “Nothing. I’m all ready to go.” I haven’t even heard that when we are on the plane at 25000 feet halfway to our destination. We usually get home from a trip before we’re all ready to go.

But, of all the answers my pack has given me, I realized there was one other answer none of them had ever given me before. Until last night:

I said to Son#1, my eldest, most organized, best shot at being ready-to-go offspring, “What do you still need to do to be ready for our trip?”

And, he said, “Find my pet snake.”

Find my pet snake?

I opened my eyes wider than I thought was possible. “Find her? When did you lose her?” I asked in what was not a completely calm voice.

“Four days ago. She was there when I went to bed, but she was gone when I woke up,” Son#1 answered way too calmly. “I kind of forgot to lock her tank. But, just that one time. I always lock it.”

Son#1 had been asking for a pet snake for…I don’t know exactly how long… I think since he learned how to talk.

He is, in general, very responsible and careful with pets. His dog, Trixie passed away recently, and he gently cared for her through the end. He has a pet catfish that he got several years ago when it was 1 ½ inches long. It’s now nearly 2 ½ feet long, and eats fish that are 5 or 6 inches long for lunch. When I was a kid I couldn’t keep a fish alive long enough to get it home from the store.

So, he’s good with pets. Usually. Excluding this “left the tank unlocked just this one time” thing.

“Four days ago?” I asked, remembering all of the guests and pop-in holiday visitors we’d hosted over the past 4 days. I thought about what would have happened if the snake had shown up in the bathroom while my mother-in-law was in there…processing. It wouldn’t have been pretty. She’s from the Old Country. She’d have made us Snake Stew without batting an eye.

“When,” I asked, “were you planning to tell me this?”

“After I found her,” Son#1 answered. “That’s why I cleaned out my whole room yesterday.”

Great. Another myth shattered. First, I find out this Santa thing is a farce. Now the Tale of the Cleans His Room For No Reason Kid is debunked. What’s next? Is someone gonna tell me that chocolate doesn’t burn calories? Oh the humanity!

I stood there wondering where the snake was, and blaming my sister.

This reptile was just the latest in a string of critters she’s added to our family. I remember the ducklings she’d delivered one Easter, and the water turtle that showed up for a birthday. Of course, there was the time 2 baby hamsters traveled the skies in Son#2’s back pack on his return flight from visiting with her. I can hardly believe the TSA x-ray guy didn’t even say anything about them. She’d sent the snake home with Son#1 after our last visit.

How was I supposed to explain to our house sitter, who had already expressed less than great joy at the prospect of living in the same house as the snake for a week, that she might want to double check under the covers before climbing into the guest room bed each night? I shuddered at the thought that I should have been doing that the last 3 nights and didn’t know it.

Clearly, I’d need to mention a bonus first, then tell our house sitter about the free-range reptile. Hopefully, she’d still be willing to take the job. Otherwise, I hated to think what the odds were of coming up with a good house sitter at the last minute the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day.

But, there was no time to panic.

So, I decided to handle this like the mature adult I am.

I’ll get out our Maglite and start searching the house.

And, I’m shipping a pregnant water buffalo to my sister.

Laugh Out Loud!

-gina

Had any pet trouble? How did you handle it? How do you feel about snakes? Shoot me a comment. I’m looking forward to hearing all about it.

Photos courtesy of Stock.xchng – Used with permission

The Glamorous Life Of The Modern Day Soccer Mom

Tag: Funny

I Left My Brain At The Car Rental Counter!!! …Gina’s Favorites

By Gina Valley

I Left My Brain At The Car Rental Counter!!!

Laugh Out Loud!

-gina

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I’m NOT A Modern Woman! …Gina’s Favorites

by Gina Valley

I’m NOT A Modern Woman!

Laugh Out Loud!

-gina

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They’re NOT GROSS – They’re Activists …Gina’s Favorites

by Gina Valley

They’re NOT GROSS – They’re Activists

Laugh Out Loud!

-gina

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There’s NO Sleep In Sleep-Over

by Gina Valley

Laugh Out Loud!

-gina

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Top 10 Reasons Daylight Savings Time Is The Devil …Gina’s Favorites

By Gina Valley

Top 10 Reasons Daylight Savings Time Is The Devil

Top 10 Reasons Daylight Savings Time Is The Devil

Laugh Out Loud!

-gina

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Top 10 Stupid Complaints About Valentine’s Day …Gina’s Favorites

by Gina Valley

Top 10 Stupid Complaints About Valentine’s Day

Top 10 Stupid Complaints About Valentine’s Day

Laugh Out Loud!

-gina

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Oh To Be Young Again…Or Godzilla!!!

by Gina Valley

Oh To Be Young…Or Godzilla!!!

Laugh Out Loud!

-gina

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Top 10 Reasons To Stay Home On Not-So-Super Monday

by Gina Valley

Top 10 Reasons To Stay Home On Not-So-Super Monday:

Laugh Out Loud!

-gina

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Is There A 15 Yard Penalty If I Stab The Announcer?

by Gina Valley

Laugh Out Loud!

-gina

Share this:

Amazon Ships Water Buffalos, Right?

by Gina Valley

Does Amazon Ship Water Buffalos?

Laugh Out Loud!

-gina

Share this:

**I’m NOT A Modern Woman! …Gina’s Favorites**

**They’re NOT GROSS – They’re Activists …Gina’s Favorites**

**Top 10 Reasons To Stay Home On Not-So-Super Monday:**