Growing up I spent a lot of time at the Great Lakes. My grandparents lived a mile from the shore. We loved to go hiking, visit the lighthouse, which had been turned into a museum, go boating and fishing with our uncles, get ice cream (fireball ice cream!), popcorn, and go see a drive-in movie.
We relived all those memories this past weekend, and I captured this gorgeous sunset as our family young and old gathered at the quiet shoreline and skipped rocks. Our family is changing and growing and welcoming new spouses and babies to share in all this, but peaceful sunsets at the lake will forever be a constant. Happy summer and Fourth of July week.
306 sediments (sic) from readers:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 306 of 306 Newer› Newest»Gosselin8ComeFirst - I, too, have great memories of spending family getaways at a cabin near a lake in the Poconos. On the drive there, we would always stop at a high rock wall on the side of the road to look for fossils. Then we would keep an eye out for the big tree growing up through a boulder, and we knew we were close to the cabin.
We spent lazy days hiking and swinging on vines and building forts from rocks we collected from a long rock wall at the edge of the property.
We made home-made ice cream, and sat around the kitchen table at night playing Hearts or Pinochle.
The lake had a small beach and a swimming area that was roped off to show where it started to get deep. When I was about 6 or 7, I was floating on a blow-up raft and didn't notice that I had floated just barely beyond the rope. I could easily have paddled the few feet back, but when I realized where I was, I panicked and started screaming. My mom and dad were sitting on the beach, and my mom yelled for my dad to get me. Now, my dad is the stereotypical nerdy engineer, but he strode valiantly to the water's edge. Unfortunately, he was still wearing his shoes and nerdy black socks, and he froze. I can still see my very pregnant mom hiking her dress way up to her chest, wading into the water, and reaching out to grab the corner of the raft and pull me back inside the roped area!
Thanks, everyone, for sharing all your memories. It has been really great reading how truly special and wonderful mediocre can be.
Have a great 4th of July.
I have been a longtime lurker to this blog, but my first post is triggered by enjoying everyone's memories of summer days spent at the beach. My mom hated going to the beach, but she was a trooper and would go along with the family. But it was my dad, who grew up in Los Angeles, who really loved it and made it fun for all of us. When we were little girls, he'd hold both our hands and lift us up over each incoming wave as we'd scream as it "almost got us!" There were 8 kids in our family, so we rarely had vacations, but we did get in at least one trip to the beach each summer.
I live within a 25 minute scenic drive of some wonderful beach areas in northern California. When my son was younger, it was so nice on hot summer days to pack some snacks and drinks, sunscreen, towels and beach chair in the car and head over to the cooler coastline. He loved to dig holes - so he would set to work when we arrived and dig, dig, dig until only his head showed. Then we'd work together to fill the hole back in, play in the water, look for cool shells, and finally, wet and sticking with sand, return to our car and head home. Ah, those were such fun times for me. He's a teenager now and so going to the beach with mom is not his cup of tea. But I hope he will look back as a grown up and have good memories of the times we spent out there on peaceful summer Saturdays.
Admin: What I think happened to the TLC specials: is Kate wanted BIG BUCKS,more than they paid her for K8 And more perks, bigger vacation trips, TLC said no!.Plus, they might not want to get into a legal fight with Jon, over the filming of the kids. And, TLC did not want to deal with Kate period! The monster they made.
I like the jello poke cake, idea. Sounds, yummmy!!! Now see, this is when Kate should know the difference in what is yummy and what is edible. I really hate when she uses yum and the food she is pushing, sound mediocre, not even edible.
kateplusmy8
Just made an S.O.S call 2 another HOM mom who's having bedX issues...can't believe it's been so long since my 6 were babies-had2think hard!
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You took time from an SOS emergency situation to tweet this? Well, aren't you the world's greatest humanitarian Super Mom, but why in the heck do we care?
This woman is pathetic.
Aw, Nurse Kate is making SOS calls. Wonder if part of that call included making grifting lists while one is on bed rest? Or perhaps she suggested a Gosselin DVD marathon. PIA.
Just made an S.O.S call 2 another HOM mom who's having bedX issues...can't believe it's been so long since my 6 were babies-had2think hard! 44 minutes ago
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Obviously she's having trouble accepting that she doesn't have babies/toddlers any more. That was quite evident from the fact that she kept them in high chairs until they were SEVEN YEARS OLD, for heaven's sake.
I also remember sippy cups and bibs used far past the appropriate age. This is demeaning to a child and sends the message that "I don't trust you to use a cup appropriately, nor do I believe you can eat without making a mess."
Not allowing children to wear lace-up shoes when they want to is another example of what educational researcher Robert Marzano calls a "prohibition". It essentially says to a child that the parent doesn't believe the child has the skills to achieve a task. This is the opposite of an "affirmation", where a parent gives a child lace up shoes, teaches the child how to tie, and encourages him/her to try to tie them, giving support as needed. If you have a lot of kids, and you're frustrated because you're on a tight schedule, well, deal with it. Allow extra time. Have the older children help.
Children need a lot of affirmations throughout childhood to achieve a strong self concept and a sense of self efficacy: "This task may be hard, but I can do it and be successful if I work at it and try." As a parent, you must sacrifice your time,energy, and patience with young children, because the development of their self esteem is so critical.
Kate uses an authoritarian approach to discipline and child rearing, versus an authoritative approach. This is going to backfire on her, times eight. I don't believe she is qualified to give advice to another mom of HOMs, because I've seen her parenting style too many times recorded on film.
Kate is a twit said... 195
Once a parasite, always a parasite. Age 10 is NOT and adult. Her NPD will not her warped mind to stop with the kids' pictures, updates, etc.. as she has nothing to offer. And she knows it.
Kate- Please get a job, and set a good example for your kids regarding a work ethic. You are a has been, and using 8 and 10 year olds is not flattering or okay at all. It is actually pathetic. Get a clue. Your fleeting fame is over.
What parent uses their kids for years to make a living? Parasite much?
Yes, it was Tim Dorsey, thanks! I have read Carl Hiasen's book Hoot to my girls and they loved it (and the movie).
In my opinion, that "positive mention" of Jon was only because she was fondly remembering WINNING and the ATTENTION the twins got them. It had nothing to do with being nice to Jon.
As for shared memories, after my ex left me for another woman, and told me he'd wanted to leave for a long time and wished the kids and I never existed, it tainted every single memory I have with him. All the time I thought we were happy he was pretending and lying. Half my life was fake. It's been 8 years and it still brings me to tears to think about it. He's got a wonderful life now, with a new wife, new baby, new house, in a new state, while I'm still left behind struggling to give our 4 kids a decent life.
Yes, I'm bitter. And I wish I wasn't.
Jon posted a picture of he and Liz at a concert this past weekend. Jon calls the picture 'great'.
pic.twitter.com/EBCe82k1
Ellie said: "It wasn't until I was much older that I realized how fortunate we were to have parents who played and laughed with us."
*****
This is the common theme running through almost all of the memories everyone here has been sharing. I read your stories and smile and sometimes get a bit teary-eyed, because the remembered joy comes shining through. This is what family and "making memories" should be about - simply spending time together enjoying each other's company, having fun, laughing, doing activities without constantly being yelled at or criticized.
Lining a driveway with flags is Kate's idea of making great family memories. Somehow, I don't picture the Gosselin children, all grown up, sitting around fondly reminiscing about how many flags lined their driveway every 4th of July. I can see them, however, swapping survivor stories along the lines of "remember that time Mom freaked out when we got ice cream on our shirts at Disneyland?" and "Remember how mom freaked out when I blew that whistle one time?" or "Remember how I wanted to help make a cake with you girls and Mom, and she told me to go away?"
Yeah, those are the kind of memories Kate has built with her children. Apparently to her, these are gold-plated memories.
I gladly take my inexpensive but invaluable memories of growing up with two parents who loved all their children unconditionally, and showed each of us how to be good parents when our time came. Thank you Mom and Dad, for being truly good people. And may the fates please shine down on the Gosselin children and I hope they at least have happy memories of times spent with their dad and his family.
Andy Griffith has died. He lived in the little town of Manteo on Roanoke Island in nc where The Lost Colony its still performed. Andy performed in that show over 50 years ago. People in the town all know him and speak highly of him. Ron Howard who played Opie said he was professional but fun and always had a love of creating. he had a small but pivotal role in the movie Waitress in 2007. If you have never seen that movie, check it out, its very good, enchanting and fun and has yummy Nathan Filion in it.
Hey admin, what about poorest about Ron Howard and memories of growing up on Andy Griffith show?
Why is there a pop-up at the top of the page (at least on my screen) that reads Kate Gosselin with a link to this week's People magazine? She is not on the cover because TomKat is--does this mean she has an interview ala Jon but didn't get the cover? Hmmm, Tom and Katie Irene, that would be interesting. It'd be a race to see who could control who or jump ship first.
I think she is waiting for her "dream job". I know it sounds ridiculous at this point....I don't think she's allowing herself to "go there" and never get that Dream T.V. show. As long as she can survive on the money she has left she still has hope. Yes, she's delusional in her thinking, but thats her problem. I guess she feels like she has time before she has to come to that conclusion. Yes, she also feels like she's still too above a regular job. I think slowly but surely she is realizing it. She's very stubborn, but she will have no choice but to face it.....
Bubbles@197....Wow...to read that was heartbreaking....I hope you and your 4 kids succeed in life and find happiness. I know you will...everyone has something to overcome. We all have no choice but to go foward and survive..
Thanks for all the lovely summertime stories. Such a pleasure and memories for me too.
I agree since the Gosselinbook mess something is up with her Twitter silence. Glad for it, though, because it seems her sheeple and fans are moving on. Must be killing her to not be so vocal. She is ridiculous to think that she could possibly keep every single person silent on her atrocious behavior.
I'm carrying this over from the last thread for Jessica.
i have been out of town for the long weekend and am trying to get caught up here, but you all have been busy bloggers!
Anyway, Jessica, I quit smoking 21 months ago after my best friend died of a massive aortic aneurysm and my DH's best friend was diagnosed with COPD. Both DH and I quit cold turkey and what was key for me was this article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/13/opinion/13iht-edmatthews.html?_r=1&src=sch&pagewanted=all
The hardest part is re-training your brain how to react to stress. You know, when your boss piles more work on right before the holiday, or someone cuts you off in traffic, etc.. Those were the times I wanted a smoke. You can do it, just keep busy. I ate a lot of pretzels and drank a lot of water and I knitted non-stop for months (or so it seems)!
She can't keep every person quiet....but she also can't keep them "interested" in her either. Her mediocre life is putting her sheep to sleep. B-O-R-I-N-G.....I don't know about you all, but I can't wait for another installment of what she's making for lunch or the newest inspirational retweet!!!!!! Ha Ha ....made myself laugh..
I agree with Heather. My problem with the idea of Jon flat out publicly lying by saying Khate is a GREAT mom, is that while it may hurt the kids when Khate throws Jon under the bus, be it obviously or in a backhand way, it hurts them so much more to see their dad tell the world that their pain was all on them. Khate being a GREAT mom equals G's being BAD kids.
Dwindle@159 - Thanks. I'm going to try the poke cake.
The money woes for Kate haven't really started yet. There must be plenty of money in the bank to support their lifestyle or wouldn't she be forced to look for serious work? Most of the public has caught on to her grifting. Not the best way to try to support the family. I, too, believe she was angry about sharing money with Beth, who wrote their first book. Kate doesn't share well. Remember her reaction to TLC wanting to pay Jodi? Sick and selfish, really.
It's been over 10 years since my DH and I took a vacation. It was on the beach at Gulf Shores, Alabama. We spent more time in the beautiful pool (had it all to ourselves) cause the beach was very crowded. The next year or so was the horrible hurricane that devastated the area. I treasure the pictures from that vacation and the area.
I meant to ask, in my last post, admin, how about a POST about Ron Howard and growing up on the Andy Griffith show set?
Silly auto correct!
I grew up going to the Jersey shore, or "down the shore". My family used to stay at the southern beaches such as Ocean City and Cape May. Still go to Cape May each year. It's never a long enough visit ;-)
DH and I go to the Outer Banks too now. We just love it so much and are fortunate to be able to take our dogs down for a week, so we can all stretch out, tuck in and enjoy. You know, fully unwind and be a real pesky tourist!
Growing up my family did a couple days at the beach here and there, but we sure did enjoy our time, even having to cram into one hotel room. Occasionally, we'd visit friends and family who lived down there. I remember thinking how lucky they were to have a summer house and not have to go back home for weeks or months at time.
And yes, I remember the feel of the ocean rocking as I lied in bed. That and my usual sunburns ;-(
And yes, I remember the feel of the ocean rocking as I lied in bed. That and my usual sunburns ;-( 22
And oh, the smell of Noxema. :)
Does anyone have an update on the Gosselinbook that was suppose to come out a week or so ago? The last entry on the Gosselinbook blog was June 25th by Robert, the author.
"I made some positive legal progress this past weekend so that encourages me and I hope this doesn't drag out any longer than it has to."
Kate's a good mother-
Jon if you don't have something truthful to say to don't say nothing-lol
OrangeCrush said... 163
Kristine, my husband grew up in the 50's/60's in Monterey Park, and we lived there for a few years in the 80's - he has great memories of growing up in a pokey suburb, way different from the city today. Hope you have found the great little wood burning pizza place near the 60 Fwy.
_______________________________________________
OMG ORANGE!! !!!!!! (signature 8!s)
You must be speaking of Monterey Park's own... "BOLLINI'S PIZZERIA NAPOLITANA".
The Owners are my neighbors, a few homes down and make the BEST authentic Italian wood-fired Pizza in L.A. County... Small world, indeed!
They mansion they live in, is larger square-footage-wise than Katie's pad too- so they must be doing something right. Another place I love to frequent is called The Venice Room. Old dive Bar (again, know owners)... still offers delish Cook-Your-Own-Steaks. Tell your husband he comes from one cool place in Cali. He might even know the family members I came here to take care of. Step-MIL went to Schurr School, and grew up in the 50's/60's all here in lil' Monterey Park, CA! I love the local stories I'm seeing here. I got so nostalgic, we are now going fishing at Redondo Beach Pier tomorrow to celebrate the 4th at Fisherman's Wharf. (Come 'n get it Sheeple-- I pack a mean pole & bait my own hook!) Have a great holiday 15'ers.
-South Bayer-
reader lady- that's the author the Bones TV series is based on- I like
the show so maybe I will try the novels. Thanks. 102
You should know that while the main character is a forensic anthropologist, the settings and stories in the books and on tv are very different. I enjoy them both though.
May I recommend Dana Stabenow - 2 series set in Alaska. I have not read her sci fi books.
For what it's worth. This was mentioned sometime before, but maybe another reminder wouldn't hurt. Given the sheeple and their activities, perhaps it isn't the best idea to put out too much personal information/location on a blog.
I'm TEAM BUBBLES!
Bubbles I would like to say, if it's okay, your ex is an ass! I think that's why I get
so disgusted with Kate. She has so much and it's never enough! The fact that so many people struggle just to survive and she is such an ungrateful bitch!!
I once told a teacher I worked with " oh, that's not fair and she said" who ever told you life is fair"! But in spite of that, I do believe in staying positive !
I never got to go to the beach as a child even though I lived only 3 hours away but when I was in college a group of students went to Santa Cruz for a camp out!
I saw the Pacific Ocean for the first time and one of the guys who went with us would be my future hubby! Things always seem to work out! Nice!!
Kate doesn't even make her own ix for her cake she uses a box mix.
Why did she buy the huge sack of flour for then?
Moose Mania said... 187
That's wonderful Pity! Your statement reminded me of one of my favorite hymns, How Great Thou Art.
". . . I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, Thy power throughout the universe displayed."
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
No one sang it like my father's good friend, George Beverly Shea, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award last year at the Grammmys, at age 102!
####
Moose Mania~ What a cool connection! That's the kind of fame I can get behind. Wondering...Did GBS visit your house when you were younger? I'd love to hear his rumbly voice up close.
I don't think her webmeister fixed the Kateplusmy8 site meter yet.
Why so, you ask?
I visited her site to check out the flag cake recipe, and guess what? Each time I hit 'refresh,' the # on the site counter increased by 10...
OMG! What are we children?? A five year old can follow that flag cake recipe!
Ok! I just got a cramp on my foot and I'm not in a good mood! More than children does she think her followers are morons!! Please Kate, don't underestimate their intelligence! Kate followers go to the Food Network web site they sent me a yummy,yummy flag cake recipe and once you go there they will send you tons of recipes everyday. And you don't have to try to cook her gross looking dishes!! Yea do your family a favor and stay away from her recipes!!!!
Got to go and walk this foot cramp away! Ouch!!
Have a wonderful 4th of July!!!!!!
Amy2 said... 24
Does anyone have an update on the Gosselinbook that was suppose to come out a week or so ago? The last entry on the Gosselinbook blog was June 25th by Robert, the author.
"I made some positive legal progress this past weekend so that encourages me and I hope this doesn't drag out any longer than it has to."
__________________________________________
The last public utterance from Rob Hoffman was a tweet to Kate four or so days ago:
"Kate, you really are Super Woman."
I believe a few tweeters asked him questions but he didn't answer, then he made his Twitter account private.
Sometimes get irritated when I think people are nit-picking on something Kate did or said.
But now I feel the need to nit-pick :)
I just went to her blog to look at the famous flag cake, which according to one of her tweeties, became so much more popular after she made it on the show. (Whatever..)
First of all she says you need a pound of strawberries, sliced thin, and a "box" of blueberries. Correct me if I'm wrong, but where I live, strawberries are sold in quarts containers, and blueberries in pints or half pints.
She was oh so helpful and posted a picture, and the strawberries appeared to me to be just cut in half.
I can see her tweeties now, they are going to be so confused!! They will be searching high and low for a one pound container of strawberries, and won't be able to figure out where in the world to get a box of blueberries because all they can find are those small clear containers. And that won't do, because Kate the Great uses a BOX of berries for her cake, and they have to be just like her!
I know it's silly, but it irks me! Don't try to sell yourself as a great cook and cookbook author, then put out something so ridiculous.
The recipe itself is fine, but to me it just makes her look ridiculous. Pioneer Woman she is not!
Rhymes -- I like Dana Stabenow. Especially the Kate Shugak series. Another Alaska writer I love is Sue Henry. She has 2 series also. My favorite is the Jessie Arnold series. Jessie is a dog sled racer and husky breeder/trainer. She's involved with a State Trooper named Alex. The other series -- Maxi and Stretch -- is fun. Maxi is a Senior Citizen who bought an RV and goes traveling around the country with her companion, stretch, who is a dachshund. All you Doxie fans here take note, LOL!. There's some crossover with the Jessie Arnold books.
Another vinegar tip I don't think I mentioned earlier. For those of you who are owned by cats, a few spritzes of vinegar in the litter pan when you clean it helps keep it fresh.
Have a Happy 4th everyone. Enjoy your picnics, family gatherings and fireworks.
RATS!! I keep hitting publish too quickly.
Bluebird -- Wonderful news that your grandbaby is home and doing well. Enjoy spoiling her.
Betsy said... 6
Just made an S.O.S call 2 another HOM mom who's having bedX issues...can't believe it's been so long since my 6 were babies-had2think hard! 44 minutes ago
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
..."Kate uses an authoritarian approach to discipline and child rearing, versus an authoritative approach. This is going to backfire on her, times eight. I don't believe she is qualified to give advice to another mom of HOMs, because I've seen her parenting style too many times recorded on film."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Betsy, I couldn't agree with you more.
It's completely scary that someone would ask Kate "four hour daily nap warden" Gosselin for sleeping advice. I hope Kate was just fibbing about the SOS call (as usual) lol.
As a mom of 3 teenagers as well as being an educator, I see all too well the sad effects of authoritarian parenting. I see why certain kids are mean, arrogant bullies after I witness the parent and child in action in a meeting. I see really good kids turn to illegal substances, because they cannot live up to the extreme expectations their parents have for them and they just want to be numb.
When the expel-gate was going on, some 'insider' claimed that Kate told the two tups that "they were embarrassing her." Don't know if that was true or not, but it is classic authoritarian parent behavior. The fact that the kids were having problems was of little concern to her, just don't make me look bad. I'm also betting that at some point she pulled the "do you know how much tuition I pay yearly" card. Again, authoritarians don't want to deal with or acknowlege unpleasantries that do not bode with the perfect image. Like a cornered animal, they start spewing threats to make the problem go away. In Kate's mind, it was more important for her image to be protected than it was for the other children and adults to be safe. F'd up, isn't it?
I have really REALLY been enjoying reading everyone's memories of summertime & vacations.
I had fun picking blueberries/huckleberries & having BUCKETS of them in our family's second refrigerator. We got to eat bowls of them for breakfast with fresh farm milk.
We would have to weed LONG LONG rows in our garden & we fed all the weeds to the chickens - they LOVED them!! After we were done with all our chores we could go swimming in our pond.
I didn't get to go on "vacations" really, when I was growing up, but enjoyed the times spent with cousins & swimming down at the river by my Grandma's. We would also slide on a piece of cardboard on the pine needles in the woods behind my Grandma's house.
I liked picking meadow flower bouquets and still enjoy the unique smell of the hayfields whenever I go back home. They almost have a "sweet" smell.
Loved picking the teeny tiny wild strawberries in our fields (80+ acres) and making (from SCRATCH - for real) cake for strawberry shortcake & making real whip cream from the cream skimmed off the top of the raw farm milk.
I feel like I grew up in a different time than alot of people my age. I can remember being little and having a bath in a metal tub in my grandma's kitchen. There was an outhouse out back. We had a bathroom at our house, but we also had the old outhouse in the backyard. We cut the hay in our fields, but didn't have a bailer, so we had to load it with pitchforks on a wagon hooked up to the tractor (a REAL tractor with a bouncy metal seat) and then unload it into the haymow. (Which wasn't bad until there was so much hay that it was over our heads, then we had to climb up the hay hill in the haymow and sort of throw it over our heads. Fun times. But there was always the pond to jump in afterwards!
Orange Crush & So Cal...
I forgot to mention- my husband grew up in El Monte, CA-- the neighboring town to the East of Monterey Park. He was one of only three blondie & blue-eyed kids in the city. The other two were his sisters.
I can't wait for our trip to Fisherman's Wharf in South Bay tomorrow. We just threw the entire fishing voyage together, with a little advice taken from this Blog, packed up our 'Lunch Picnic' (thanks, Jon!), and filled the old tank with the gas money we made from recycling.
See, super easy Kate! I'll let you all know if I catch her a Chilean Sea Bass in the Pacific tomorrow... haa. I know it's her "favoritest fish in the whole entire World". (Shove HIM right in her American Pie-Hole!! !!!!!!)
______________________________________________
A Few Facts (courtesy Wiki):
Also called a Patagonian toothfish. Chilean sea bass is a deep-water species, caught in southern ocean waters near and around Antarctica.
Chileans were first to market it commercially in United States, and it's really not a bass.
It was put on the endangered species list and not available for around 7 years (1999), but was recently re-introduced to US.
** ******
(Leave it to Kate to favorite-ish an endangered FAKER-FISH!)
The Gosselinbook twitter has been protected. It is not longer public which is a good move.
I didn't know Bethenny Frankel got her own talk show. Boy does she have the career Kate wanted. And Kate has no one to fault but herself for not getting it. She was stupid enough to think she could get paid to take trips with her kids until they were 18. She could have worked so hard on her image and talking/interviewing skills. She had far more publicity than Bethenny at her peak.
Talk about crash and burn. She could have built an amazing career with some effort and introspection.
From Kate's blog..."Oh, and DON’T FORGET to sing (obnoxiously) the song “You’re a Grand Old Flag” as you present it! :) That’s the thing my kids remember MORE than the cake! :)
Oh, Kate, have some respect. George M. Cohan, who wrote the song, was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by FDR (NOT TEDDY!). Patriotic songs are NOT sung obnoxiously. If the kids remember that more than the cake, then perhaps you should take some time to educate them about that song and other songs written by perhaps the greatest composer, playwright, actor, and producer on Broadway who is commemorated with a bronze statue on Times Square.
On second thought, perhaps Kate can't help it. Everything she does is obnoxious and if she didn't know whose faces were on Mt. Rushmore, she probably has no idea who wrote the song.
Bubbles, I'm so sorry to hear of the difficulties you and your children have endured. Please, hon, as hard as it is, please let go of the bitterness. If you don't, it will continue to weigh you down, possibly corrupt your outlook on the good things in life, and may affect your kids.
Please understand that I honestly do not intend to make this sound as a lecture, because I truly don't. I just know from my past experiences with child abuse, that I really move on until I let go of the bitterness and anger. I know it's easier said than done, but I know you can overcome it for your own wellbeing. Take care, Sweetie, and God's blessings to you and your children always.
Love,
Grandsons
Not many comments here today. I assume you are all baking your flag cakes using a cake mix or, as Kate would say "from scratch".
bm
Betsy you said it so well earlier explaining why it's so bad to "baby" kids. It's not just about, oh she'll raise a mama's boy. It goes so much deeper than that, striking at the heart of a kid's very confidence. Kids are born to branch out and learn to take on the world as they prepare step by step to be adults. Standing in the way of that strikes at the very instincts of a child. Awful.
Funny kate seems to do both, baby them and yet often parentify them too. Odd.
I just saw the picture Jon posted. My goodness. If he thinks that picture is great he needs to think again.
No flag cake here LOL. We are having blueberry cobbler and peach ice cream.
hmmm, we saw film of the cake but it didn't include the singing. Just another of her usual exaggerations about the g family traditions. And she stilllll hasn't gotten it that doing things that one time for filming purposes does NOT a tradition make.
personally, I think blondie looks a little pregnant in this great picture. Wouldn't THAT be funny!
Kate - Yankee Doodle Dandy is on tomorrow (after 1776) and maybe you should sit down and watch it with the kids. James Cagney does a wonderful job as George M. Cohan. Maybe after watching this classic you won't sing You're A Grand Old Flag "obnoxiously" any more and will show a little respect for a great song and understand why he wrote it. When the Army Bands play it at 4th of July ceremonies across the country tomorrow they will play it "enthusiastically" for all to enjoy and I can guarantee that everyone will sing along and we will sing "enthusiastically".
"Once cake cools, spread cool whip as icing and line strawberries and blueberries to form a flag. I’ve included a picture to help you!"
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Yeah.... a picture you swiped off the Kraft website.
Hey Kate? Why can't your sheeple use your stupid cliched sayings which are trademarked BY NO ONE "without permission"... but you can just klomp right over to Kraft's website and lift a picture right off it?
credit to Preesi for discovering this f-ery
Bubbles: I am sorry that you and your kiddos were treated so badly by your ex...I will pray for blessings to be poured upon all of you.
Admin said...Funny kate seems to do both, baby them and yet often parentify them too.
*****
'Tis a puzzlement! The same child she told to "man up" in his ill-fitting shoes is the same child who had eaten his breakfast that morning in a high chair. I'm sure I could come up with more examples of her confusing style of parenting, but I'm too busy getting ready for some holiday fun. Ice cream is on its way!
Happy Independence Day to all that live in this great country.
God bless the U.S.A.
I'm sure I could come up with more examples of her confusing style of parenting, but I'm too busy getting ready for some holiday fun.
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What she does is leave the kids in a constant state of confusion. Am I a baby, am I an adult, what am I? In a way it's worse than parenting one style or the other.
I think she just likes to keep the pot all stirred up keep the kids confused and on their toes because the more confused the kids are the less likely they are to get some firm footing and figure out how to rebel.
OrangeCrush said... 34
No flag cake here LOL. We are having blueberry cobbler and peach ice cream.
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I'm salivating like Pavlov's Dog now, at all of the shared holiday recipes! I detest the Red, White & Blueberry Flag Cake... mostly because of K.I.K. and her endless fake tradition(s). I'm making a Greek Pasta Salad, w/Kalamata Olives now. We travel with culinary style- yes, even when fishing.
I'm not really big on fly the flag and you've done your part of be patriotic. It's just about so much more than that. Hopefully the kids are learning what it truly mean to be an American, the sacrifices so many have made before us, the sacrifices people continue to make, the beauty of this country and all the freedoms we have, the generosity of kind hearted Americans who gave them the benefit of the doubt and have virtually funded their lifestyle through ratings and actual freebies for so many years, and yet how far we still have to go.
If Kate thinks this 6-pack money making scheme would fly in ANY other country in this entire world, she's dreaming.
I just want to wish everyone a very patriotic and happy 4th of July.
By the way I have a family member who parents like this, always leaving their kids confused. I've believed for a long time they are mentally ill, possibly bipolar.
For instance this holiday weekend they made guacamole and virtually ruined it with a bunch of cheap hot sauce. Kids number 1 tried to gently, respectfully suggest that maybe next batch try it without the hot sauce. Their mother threw an absolute FIT and felt so insulted.
Fifteen minutes later, Mom was joking about how she used too much hot sauce and will try it without it next time. So which is it, are you mad about the hot sauce or not? And if you're not mad why freak out on someone who is just trying to help?
Leaves kids constantly confused.
By the way I have a family member who parents like this, always leaving their kids confused. I've believed for a long time they are mentally ill, possibly bipolar.
For instance this holiday weekend they made guacamole and virtually ruined it with a bunch of cheap hot sauce. Kids number 1 tried to gently, respectfully suggest that maybe next batch try it without the hot sauce. Their mother threw an absolute FIT and felt so insulted.
Fifteen minutes later, Mom was joking about how she used too much hot sauce and will try it without it next time. So which is it, are you mad about the hot sauce or not? And if you're not mad why freak out on someone who is just trying to help?
Leaves kids constantly confused.
By the way I have a family member who parents like this, always leaving their kids confused. I've believed for a long time they are mentally ill, possibly bipolar.
For instance this holiday weekend they made guacamole and virtually ruined it with a bunch of cheap hot sauce. Kids number 1 tried to gently, respectfully suggest that maybe next batch try it without the hot sauce. Their mother threw an absolute FIT and felt so insulted.
Fifteen minutes later, Mom was joking about how she used too much hot sauce and will try it without it next time. So which is it, are you mad about the hot sauce or not? And if you're not mad why freak out on someone who is just trying to help?
Leaves kids constantly confused.
Wow she's right Kate really did just swipe the flag cake pic straight from Kraft.com. LOL.
Somehow I doubt she had a business meeting with Kraft in which they agree to allow her to use their flag pic. The least she could do is give them a little credit in the corner.
Kate - Yankee Doodle Dandy is on tomorrow (after 1776) and maybe you should sit down and watch it with the kids. James Cagney does a wonderful job as George M. Cohan.
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Thanks for posting this. I was checking to see if it's on tonight but I couldn't find it. It's one of my favorite movies (I'm a bit biased -- I was in the musical. Not with Cagney!).
Trivia -- Cohan saw the movie in 1942 in a private screening in his home where he was recuperating from an operation. He died in November of the same year. After seeing the movie, he commented on Cagney's performance, "My God, what an act to follow!"
Why do I have such a craving for a slice of flag cake?
OK, so here's my question. If it's a Gosselin tradition to make this Flag Cake, why didn't Kate and the kids make one and send out a picture of THAT? Maybe they're still too busy covering the countertops with garbage bags to have the cake made yet.
God bless this great country tomorrow and always. May He also bless the selfless people who have fought for our freedom, and their families. God Bless America always and forever!
I was looking cockeyed at that Kraft flag cake pic at first because it just didn't align with Kate's instructions. And apparently, that's because once again, Kate pilfered a photo from the internet and used it without permission or credit.
Allegedly.
Not allegedly is that it is not from scratch, not even close and hey, that's ok. I take some help now and then when baking, but I freely admit it. Some days, a Genoise whipped to airy perfection just isn't in the cards.
If she makes the flag cake, why doesn't she include a pic of her OWN cake?
I also think it's funny that picture doesn't line up with her instructions. She says slice the strawberries thing. And underneath it looks like there are a bunch of strawberries in the cake batter, instead of white cake mix.
It sounds like she typed in flag cake into google and grabbed the first pic that came up.
I don't think she's getting a lot of help with this blog. A real web designer would have at least credited the picture and would have made it a lot bigger. Pioneer woman she is not.
Speaking of which the PW has an awesome post about shooting portraits at sunset. It's great for how clear and simple the instructions are. Love her or hate her, she knows how to do a teach-'em blog post.
I submitted a post that didn't get published. I don't think I broke any rules. Maybe because I said that sometimes I feel like some of the things Kate says or does get nit-picked. Then I proceeded to say that I was going to nit-pick her pathetic blog post about her famous flag cake. Maybe if I would've left that part out and just got to my point, it would've been posted? Oh well, I'll just shut up and lurk from now on.
Sweet Tart said... 2
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I am too grossed out by the Freak Katie Irene tonight to post much, but wanted to say WELCOME to you! I am glad you shared your memories of vacation with your group here!
Lauren I published that post, is it not showing up?
Please everyone, don't assume there was something wrong with your post if it didn't go through and storm off. I rarely delete posts so usually it's stupid blogger being glitchy.
Realitytvkids.com (Administrator) said... 62
Wow she's right Kate really did just swipe the flag cake pic straight from Kraft.com. LOL.
Somehow I doubt she had a business meeting with Kraft in which they agree to allow her to use their flag pic. The least she could do is give them a little credit in the corner.
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hey this might be a thing now with KRAFT. After all, she is making Cool Whip from scratch now!!!
Lauren, 68...your comment is posted. I read it earlier. Just checked -- you are 38. Keep sharing with us, please.
ancasterCountyMom said... 38
I have really REALLY been enjoying reading everyone's memories of summertime & vacations.
I had fun picking blueberries/huckleberries & having BUCKETS of them in our family's second refrigerator. We got to eat bowls of them for breakfast with fresh farm milk....
I liked picking meadow flower bouquets and still enjoy the unique smell of the hayfields whenever I go back home. They almost have a "sweet" smell.
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No matter to anyone but me, but you just gave me wonderful loving memories of my DEAREST aunt, now deceased.
She was my mother's best high school girlfriend, who started writing letters to my mother's brother while he was stationed overseas. They became engaged that way. My dear aunt used to tell the story that she slipped a ring on her finger that she recieved in the US Mail and said "oh look, I'm engaged."
OK you had to be there.
But your post brought me back to her love and my summers with her. Thank you.
LoveMyGrandsons said... 43
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Such kind words. xoxo
Moose - Yankee Doodle Dandy is also one of my all time favorite movies and if I could have one wish granted it would be to tap dance down the stairs of the White House a la James Cagney at the end of the movie. I was in a school production of "George M" and didn't need to learn the music because I already knew it!
Another bit of trivia...when James Cagney did a cmeo as George M. In "The Seven Little Foys" he reportedly did not take any payment because he said it was an honor to play him again.
Lauren -- sorry, you are number 34. Didn't intend to add to the confusion.
I didn't even realize Kate's (stolen recipe) traditional Flag Cake, was being displayed on Greedy Keidy's "mine-all-mine" countertop. The lady that "Freebied" that new kitchen, was not her friend. Kate said "Nice to meet you!", when they arrived to demo the already gourmet space.
Admin.- Thank you for this website! But I won't look, and I have not read her psychotic Tweets in weeks... perhaps months. I used to read her feed quite often, for amusement (a lot of people do, because it's RAW like her slimy BBQ chicken)-- so funny.
Wayward, ah! Thanks for posting about the picture. I was wondering why her "recipe" didn't include any jello but the cake picture definitely has jello in it!
She totally did. If you google "flag cake" that picture pops right up. She grabbed it to stick it on her page. Seriously doubt she is making one. And she doesn't even notice that the cake picture that she steals is for a JELLO FLAG CAKE!
She drives me crazy!
When Kate and the GIRLS ONLY decorated the Flag cake down on Bald Head Island she did have the strawberries sliced very thin. The real (Kraft) recipe has always called for halved strawberries laid cut side down. This makes the red stripes redder. The ones Kate and the GIRLS ONLY put on the cake looked pink because all the insides of the strawberries were showing. It looked kind of, well, like Kate had decorated it.
That episode was one of the saddest ever. The kids were body painting with chocolate pudding and did not look like they were enjoying it at all, they got screamed at for eating those little slivers of strawberry, and poor Joel with his sad face as he left while his sisters got to decorate a cake. Sad, sad, sad.
I guess Kate feels that rules don't apply to her and she can just grab any picture and call it her own. I googled it and the picture of "her" flag cake is the Kraft "Wave Your Flag" cake. Damn Kate, if you're going to steal a picture and claim it as your own at least look for one that lines up with your recipe! Maybe this is why you'll never have that cookbook Kate. People don't take kindly to plagerization. This is as bad as those Halloween apple teeth that she also grabbed a picture of and claimed as her own. I know you read here Kate and we're calling you out on this one.
And for some reason stealing receipts and other people's food pics is a pretty big no-no on the internet. For instance say I swiped the sunset pic from someone else instead of using my own. Okay so you should credit it if you do that at least, but most people wouldn't care that much as long as you amend it to give credit. But steal someone's recipe and pic especially without credit and people go nuts. People are sensitive about cooking for some reason and want credit where credit is due, and also want to know if something is your idea or found in a magazine or book from the 80's.
One of Pioneer Woman's biggest scandals was when she was caught lifting recipes out of an old church recipe book. You can swipe a lot of things on the internet, but boy do people go nuts when you don't give credit where credit is due when it comes to food.
Maybe it's a woman thing, so many woman have their identity wrapped up in their favorite recipes. Stealing them as your own is insulting.
LOL I thought that might be jello, it looks so red. Sounds gross to me but I digress. What a lazy POS. She can't even spend 30 seconds to find a pic that matches up with what she's instructing. The strawberries ANd the filling were wrong haha.
I don't think anyone is helping her with this blog, I think she was taught how to post and she's on her own. She puts these posts together in five minutes and then does whatever else she does the rest of the time, lay out by the pool, give instructions to the nanny, things like that.
Moose - Yankee Doodle Dandy is also one of my all time favorite movies
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They don't make them like that anymore. Of course, they don't make Cohans or Cagneys anymore either!
"My mother thanks you, my father thanks you, my sister thanks you, and I thank you."
Is that the episode where they made the kids fly kites in Hurricane force winds and they were miserable?
And then at the end of it all Kate throws the kite in the trash in disgust. What a perfect example of her complete lack of respect of property and sense of holding onto things and keeping them nice. Kate? It wasn't the KITE that was the problem, it was the wind. The kite was fine and could have been saved for another day. But I guess when TLC buys all your kites what does she care.
So this is Kate flag cake
http://www.kateplusmy8.com/happy-fourth-of-july-2/
Looks a lot like this
http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/wave-your-flag-cake-50205.aspx
Thief lol.
Lauren, please don't get discoureged posting here. Sometimes my posts have been"eaten" and I've had to repost them, only to see the original one show up later! Welcome and don't be just a lurker, we always love to have new bloggers and opinions!
Admin said....I don't think anyone is helping her with this blog, I think she was taught how to post and she's on her own.
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Add this person to the list of people who don't understand how she learns.
I can see her at her desk, throwing her hands up in the air and crying "Teach me how I can learn it. You don't know how to teach me!"
Oh Kristine, I love Kalamato olives. Do you mind posting the Greek Pasta recipe. Thanks so much.
Realitytvkids.com (Administrator) said... 85
Is that the episode where they made the kids fly kites in Hurricane force winds and they were miserable?
And then at the end of it all Kate throws the kite in the trash in disgust. What a perfect example of her complete lack of respect of property and sense of holding onto things and keeping them nice. Kate? It wasn't the KITE that was the problem, it was the wind.
******
But Admin, the Kate Calendar said there would be kite flying on Friday between 2 and 2:30.
Scheduling is what keeps a household running.
If the wind isn't good on Friday between 2 and 2:30 then all chances for kite flying are gone.
It is now 2:35. Time to body paint with chocolate pudding and then hose down on the balcony. OK kids, raise your spoons. 1,2,3 start smearing. Mommy will be back in 15 minutes with your next fun activity. It's for girls only. Boys can go sit quietly outside.
And NO EATING!
And then at the end of it all Kate throws the kite in the trash in disgust. What a perfect example of her complete lack of respect of property and sense of holding onto things and keeping them nice. Kate? It wasn't the KITE that was the problem, it was the wind. The kite was fine and could have been saved for another day. But I guess when TLC buys all your kites what does she care.
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Besides the fact that our Katie Irene can't handle her own children by herself, that does explain part of the problem of going on a day trip to the beach. There is no equipment. They flew to the beach and everything was there to use and then left there. There are no boogie boards, no sand toys, no shovels, no balls, no kites to pack. She's got nothing to entertain her kids with. Katie would have no clue how to pack the car, let alone what to pack.
By the way, stuff like a private surf lesson where the instructor (baby sitter) holds the board in the shore break and pushes it at just the right moment for a kid to hop on so the moment can be filmed, if it exists at all, would cost at least $100 all in. I frequently ride my bike by a surf rental shop on the boardwalk in a NJ shore town and I've never seen the instructors holding a board in the shore break for a kid. That's Daddy's job.
Anonymous please email me if you have concerns. I never said Lauren stormed off (although, she did), I said there is no need to storm off because nine times out of ten it's a blogger glitch. I am ALWAYS willing to talk to people about posting here but doing it through the blog isn't appropriate. You are extremely insulting in your tone and calling me "bitchy" does not win me over nor does talking about how wonderful some other blog is. Email me, we'll talk about your concerns about the blog, and then I'd love to have you join us.
Thanks for the kind words. I shouldn't have vented that here. Our marriage fell apart on the 4th of July so I struggle with my emotions around this holiday. I want to get rid of the bitterness but I don't know how. I've tried counseling, and prayer. I know the desire to see someone get what they deserve is largely why I follow Kate's drama, since my ex seems to have been rewarded for his bad behavior just like Kate always is. Baffling!
What role did Andy Griffith play in Ron Howard turning out so well? Apparently a big one, in Ron's own words. NEW POST!
ancasterCountyMom said... 38
I have really REALLY been enjoying reading everyone's memories of summertime & vacations.
I had fun picking blueberries/huckleberries & having BUCKETS of them in our family's second refrigerator. We got to eat bowls of them for breakfast with fresh farm milk....
I liked picking meadow flower bouquets and still enjoy the unique smell of the hayfields whenever I go back home. They almost have a "sweet" smell.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
No matter to anyone but me, but you just gave me wonderful loving memories of my DEAREST aunt, now deceased.
She was my mother's best high school girlfriend, who started writing letters to my mother's brother while he was stationed overseas. They became engaged that way. My dear aunt used to tell the story that she slipped a ring on her finger that she recieved in the US Mail and said "oh look, I'm engaged."
OK you had to be there.
But your post brought me back to her love and my summers with her. Thank you.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Aw, Dwindle - you're welcome!! I wasn't going to post anything at first, but then took some time to think of some things from when I was a kid after all. I'm so glad what I posted triggered some good memories for you of your Aunt!! What part reminded you of her? :)
Velvet2012 - thanks for the encouragement about my cats. It's still the hardest thing EVER!
Everyone's stories are just lovely. For some reason most of my childhood memories are gone, but in reading your memories I've remembered a few bits and pieces of my own.
And yes, I remember the feel of the ocean rocking as I lied in bed. That and my usual sunburns ;-( 22
And oh, the smell of Noxema. :)
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Noxema! Now that's the smell of summers past. And we always watched Yankee Doodle Dandy, I can almost do it from memory.
Have a safe and wonderful 4th of July.
Lauren,
I have posts eaten by blogger from time to time. Sometimes they show up mysteriously the next day, other times they just are g o n e.......
Oh............
Noxema, Solarcaine and Coppertone - the scents of summer at the beach............. memories are such comforting things!
Damn you autocorrect (or fat fingers) @81...Plagiarism!
I posted yesterday too and it didn't show up...it happens. I will try again. I did watch the 4th of July episode as well just to see what everyone was talking about. My first observation was holy crap are Kate's boobs small....good bra indeed! More like a "miracle bra" now I would say. Also, she is screaming NO EATING to the kids with the strawberries, which obviously made them sad and then BAM she tells them to line up for a picture and smile?!? Wtf? When they don't perform on command with smiling, what does she do? Bribes them with strawberries!! She let's them smear pudding all over each other, but then they have to wear bibs to eat their crab dinner?? She didn't miss her glass o' wine at dinner though...the kids probably wished they had one too. Kate is nuts! I get anxiety just watching her in the episodes. I can't imagine what those kids feel.
I remember Kate having a *huge* bowl of thinly sliced strawberries in that episode. And freaking cuz the kids kept eating them.
I remember thinking that there was no way she stood there and sliced all those strawberries. There were LOTS of them! Probably would have taken an hour to cut all those up....while the kids ran around and fought with each other.
Nope. Some intern at TLC cut those up, or the food service people, or TLC bought them that way.
Blogger does indeed eat posts. Plus it posts them in a very weird order. Posts will show up way back there 2-3 hours later. You can always do a search for your name. If something doesn't show up, eh, that's how it goes.
The picture Katw swiped from Kraft is the jello version of it, she could have at least pointed that out as well.
The picture Katw swiped from Kraft is the jello version of it, she could have at least pointed that out as well.
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Is she smart enough to know that it's the jello version? She probably looked at the photo, thought that it looked like "her" cake, and used it.
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