Here's Ten on Tuesday... from preggo Chelsea...
1. What television character do you identify with?
Squidward from Spongebob Squarepants. And often times, little ol' Spongebob himself. Hey, gimme a break. I live with a 10 year old. (But I do love Spongebob.)
2. Describe your morning routine.
I... hear the alarm, hit snooze, hear the alarm, hit snooze, hear the alarm, stagger to the potty, shower if it's a non-go-walking day, don't shower if it's a walking day, get the boy out of bed, get dressed, feed the boy, take the boy to school, come home, eat something, check emails and Facebook and blogs, and figure out what needs to be done that day.
3. How do you do lunch? Bring from home or dine out? Same thing every day or mix it up?
I do like to "mix it up." Sometimes I grab lunch out with a friend, and sometimes I eat lunch by myself at home. I have been known to eat a real meal, but sometimes PB&J or cheese and crackers is lunch.
4. What is one moment that, although seemingly trivial at the time, changed your life?
The boy, who was 4 at the time, telling me his "foot hurt." It was the beginning of a nightmare for us as a family. It was a flesh eating bacteria that almost took his life. It's an amazing story, and it undoubtedly changed us all. I should tell it sometime.
5. Name your top three beauty products.
1. Clinique moisturizer (the yellow stuff)
2. sunscreen
3. some form of lip gloss, chapstick, etc. (not lipstick)
I guess I'm kinda low maintenance. Kinda.
6. What do you do when you’re alone in the car?
I sing loudly or pray... whatever is necessary at the moment. But I do a lot of thinking, too.
7. What is the ideal city for you to live in? If you can, take this survey (< that’s a link) and tell us the results. Do you agree with them?
Hmmm. I took the survey, and it put me in Tennessee, Kentucky, or South Carolina. Interesting. I would have chosen Charleston, South Carolina as my city to live in. But, I do love Tennessee.
8. Are you waiting for something?
Yes! The return of Dan/Daddy... our preacher soldier who is due home very soon.
9. What was the last shocking news you heard?
That a dear friend was having emergency medical testing done.
10. What are three things you wouldn’t do for a million dollars?
1. Own a snake.
2. Hurt someone I love.
3. Be naked in public.
PS... I just realized the link for the quiz in #7 isn't working... sorry!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Come For The Pizza... Stay For The Fun
Ever have one of those conversations about "going back in time" with someone?
Those moments of:
"Remember when we were 11?"
"What was the name of that song we liked?"
"Who was our 5th grade teacher?"
"What were we wearing?"
Well I put on my time traveling shoes last weekend.
And went straight back to 1983. Or somewhere close to that...
Hello Showbiz Pizza!
Remember me?
In case you're confused... This is NOT Chuck E Cheese. I repeat. This is NOT Chuck E Cheese.
Showbiz Pizza Place was here on Earth first. Chuck and his big mouse self came later. And brought despair and eye-twitches to the world that we knew as pizza, games, and a show.
Do you sense any resentment?
When my brother and I were kids, we had the awesome privilege of dining at the local Showbiz Pizza Place. There was pizza, salad, beer for the grown-ups, video games, skee ball, and a show with singing animals.
I know, I know... It sounds like Chuck E Cheese.
Again... this was NOT Chuck E Cheese.
There is a long and twisted tale of bankruptcy and dueling characters... the two places were actually owned by one company. But alas, in the late 80's (early 90's?), the Showbiz characters went away and Chuck was made the main focus of the company.
The Showbiz characters were very different. Not only were there more of them, they sang current and past hits (hello Beatles!), and they did little comedy routines. I remember the adults even laughing. (Something that does not happen at Chuck's. Adults only cry and beg for mercy at Chuck's place.)
So... On with the story.
My brother somehow found out about a guy in Alabama who purchased and refurbished a set of long-forgotten Showbiz characters. (Apparently my brother has WAY too much time on his hands.) Anywho... It was a lifelong dream of this guy to own and operate a Showbiz. He, too, had loved it as a child.
Well, this guy made his dream come true. And my brother, knowing we would be close while visiting the Wild Animal Safari, made plans for us to go.
Yes. We KNOW how to have a good time.
We dusted off our booties from the safari and drove a few extra minutes and found ourselves at a real-life (resurrected) Showbiz Pizza.
All the gang was there...
Fatz and Dook and Beach Bear and Mitzi... The "Rockafire Explosion" (or as we like to call them... "The Band")
Then there's Billy Bob and Loony Bird...
And don't forget Rolfe and Earl (in his stylin' Pepsi hat)...
We had such a fun time...
My brother and the boy even got a "backstage" tour from the owner. More good times.
As a child growing up, I adored Showbiz Pizza. But, to be fair, I've spent more than my share of time in the other place. I can't even begin to count how many afternoons and evenings I've wasted away in Chuck's place over the last 10.5 years. Enough times to need medication.
So I can be an honest and unbiased judge.
And...
My heart will always belong to Billy Bob. And 1983.
Those moments of:
"Remember when we were 11?"
"What was the name of that song we liked?"
"Who was our 5th grade teacher?"
"What were we wearing?"
Well I put on my time traveling shoes last weekend.
And went straight back to 1983. Or somewhere close to that...
Hello Showbiz Pizza!
Remember me?
In case you're confused... This is NOT Chuck E Cheese. I repeat. This is NOT Chuck E Cheese.
Showbiz Pizza Place was here on Earth first. Chuck and his big mouse self came later. And brought despair and eye-twitches to the world that we knew as pizza, games, and a show.
Do you sense any resentment?
When my brother and I were kids, we had the awesome privilege of dining at the local Showbiz Pizza Place. There was pizza, salad, beer for the grown-ups, video games, skee ball, and a show with singing animals.
I know, I know... It sounds like Chuck E Cheese.
Again... this was NOT Chuck E Cheese.
There is a long and twisted tale of bankruptcy and dueling characters... the two places were actually owned by one company. But alas, in the late 80's (early 90's?), the Showbiz characters went away and Chuck was made the main focus of the company.
The Showbiz characters were very different. Not only were there more of them, they sang current and past hits (hello Beatles!), and they did little comedy routines. I remember the adults even laughing. (Something that does not happen at Chuck's. Adults only cry and beg for mercy at Chuck's place.)
So... On with the story.
My brother somehow found out about a guy in Alabama who purchased and refurbished a set of long-forgotten Showbiz characters. (Apparently my brother has WAY too much time on his hands.) Anywho... It was a lifelong dream of this guy to own and operate a Showbiz. He, too, had loved it as a child.
Well, this guy made his dream come true. And my brother, knowing we would be close while visiting the Wild Animal Safari, made plans for us to go.
Yes. We KNOW how to have a good time.
We dusted off our booties from the safari and drove a few extra minutes and found ourselves at a real-life (resurrected) Showbiz Pizza.
All the gang was there...
Fatz and Dook and Beach Bear and Mitzi... The "Rockafire Explosion" (or as we like to call them... "The Band")
Then there's Billy Bob and Loony Bird...
And don't forget Rolfe and Earl (in his stylin' Pepsi hat)...
We had such a fun time...
My brother and the boy even got a "backstage" tour from the owner. More good times.
As a child growing up, I adored Showbiz Pizza. But, to be fair, I've spent more than my share of time in the other place. I can't even begin to count how many afternoons and evenings I've wasted away in Chuck's place over the last 10.5 years. Enough times to need medication.
So I can be an honest and unbiased judge.
And...
My heart will always belong to Billy Bob. And 1983.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Africa, It Ain't...
Pine Mountain, Georgia... it is.
That's where we spent last Friday with my brother, sis-in-law, and nephew. We loaded everyone into the car that morning and headed on over to the Wild Animal Safari.
I don't know if you've heard of it.
I don't know if you've been.
I do know most of you would run in the opposite direction.
This is technically our second visit (hang head in mock shame). We went when the boy was only 4, and Aunt April couldn't make it then. So we knew...
Well. We HAD to go again.
When you arrive and pay for the tickets, you can choose to drive your own vehicle through the safari or rent one of their vehicles.
Driving your own involves signing a 12 page waiver that uses words like "gore" and "irreparable damage."
Renting and driving their vehicle means burying any dignity you have and spending the next hour in this sweet ride...
Our side door didn't work, so we all had to climb in through the front. Nice.
Read just a bit further, and you will see why this tail light is broken out. (It wasn't my brother's driving... that's another whole post.)
The basic concept of the "Wild Animal Safari" is to ride through their park and see the animals in a "natural" setting. Nice concept.
In truth, you ride through their park and get accosted, molested, roughed-up, and harassed by some pretty big creatures who want the tasty(?) food you purchased at the ticket counter.
NOT buying a bag of food isn't a wise choice. Heck... we had food, and the giraffe tried to eat part of our cool minivan.
Good times.
Since most of the van's windows are broken, the animals poke their heads (horns and all) INTO the window. INTO your face.
And just so you know, most of these guys are BIG . And smelly. And covered in mud. And DRIPPING with slobber. Dripping. Did I mention the slobber? Cause the fancy word, saliva, just doesn't cut it here, folks. It's slobber.
Told ya they got close.
That's the boy's head in the pictures... he was in the front seat with his uncle. Screaming and laughing and having the best time.
I don't know where he is in this picture... perhaps the floor?
Or it's possible they ate him.
It's not all giant beastly things. There are about a million cute little deer, turtles, donkeys, zebras, and even pigs. We got to pet a giraffe. Who was much more interested in chewing up our van.
Little Noah wasn't quite as scared as his big cousin was 6 years ago (the first time he went through the park). He just kept changing the lap he was sitting in... depending on whose window had the biggest nastiest head in it at the moment.
Good times.
If you have a few more minutes, go over to Rogersland.
(Scroll down a bit past my cute nephew hunting Easter eggs...)
There's video. I think I laughed harder at the video then I did when I was actually there. Maybe I was dodging a big slobbery bison at the time.
That's where we spent last Friday with my brother, sis-in-law, and nephew. We loaded everyone into the car that morning and headed on over to the Wild Animal Safari.
I don't know if you've heard of it.
I don't know if you've been.
I do know most of you would run in the opposite direction.
This is technically our second visit (hang head in mock shame). We went when the boy was only 4, and Aunt April couldn't make it then. So we knew...
Well. We HAD to go again.
When you arrive and pay for the tickets, you can choose to drive your own vehicle through the safari or rent one of their vehicles.
Driving your own involves signing a 12 page waiver that uses words like "gore" and "irreparable damage."
Renting and driving their vehicle means burying any dignity you have and spending the next hour in this sweet ride...
Our side door didn't work, so we all had to climb in through the front. Nice.
Read just a bit further, and you will see why this tail light is broken out. (It wasn't my brother's driving... that's another whole post.)
The basic concept of the "Wild Animal Safari" is to ride through their park and see the animals in a "natural" setting. Nice concept.
In truth, you ride through their park and get accosted, molested, roughed-up, and harassed by some pretty big creatures who want the tasty(?) food you purchased at the ticket counter.
NOT buying a bag of food isn't a wise choice. Heck... we had food, and the giraffe tried to eat part of our cool minivan.
Good times.
Since most of the van's windows are broken, the animals poke their heads (horns and all) INTO the window. INTO your face.
And just so you know, most of these guys are BIG . And smelly. And covered in mud. And DRIPPING with slobber. Dripping. Did I mention the slobber? Cause the fancy word, saliva, just doesn't cut it here, folks. It's slobber.
Told ya they got close.
That's the boy's head in the pictures... he was in the front seat with his uncle. Screaming and laughing and having the best time.
I don't know where he is in this picture... perhaps the floor?
Or it's possible they ate him.
It's not all giant beastly things. There are about a million cute little deer, turtles, donkeys, zebras, and even pigs. We got to pet a giraffe. Who was much more interested in chewing up our van.
Little Noah wasn't quite as scared as his big cousin was 6 years ago (the first time he went through the park). He just kept changing the lap he was sitting in... depending on whose window had the biggest nastiest head in it at the moment.
Good times.
If you have a few more minutes, go over to Rogersland.
(Scroll down a bit past my cute nephew hunting Easter eggs...)
There's video. I think I laughed harder at the video then I did when I was actually there. Maybe I was dodging a big slobbery bison at the time.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Recovering is Hard to Do
Is it a sign of old age when you need a week to recuperate from your weekend?
Or is it a sign of a good time?
I didn't "see ya'll on Monday" or participate in "Ten on Tuesday." I'm lame like that.
The big city of Atlanta was a hoot of a good time. So much of a hoot that it's Wednesday already. Almost a week since the good time.
We traveled on last Thursday afternoon in hopes of making it there for dinner and before Noah went to bed. So we had to snack on the road.
Nothing but the finest for me.
We did make it by dinner and before bedtime.
At approximately 7:45 pm on Thursday night, the boy and his cousin began the wild rumpus that was their weekend.
Laughing, screaming, laughing at nothing, yelling, running, more laughing at absolutely nothing, more running, spitting, getting in trouble for spitting, laughing at spitting, and then a little more laughing.
And that was just Thursday night before bed.
I promised pictures and stories of the good times, and I have SO much to share...
It's gonna take a few days.
We'll start nice and slow and sweet...
The boy taught his little cousin how to make "soup" in the yard. From sand and leaves and Lord only knows what else. We wanted to make sure my brother and sis-in-law knew how to dial Poison Control before he's 3. We did.
There was a dress rehearsal egg hunt to get us all prepped and ready for the big day. They hid, and I had to find. Sadly, there's no candy involved in rehearsal.
There was plenty of lounging around and snuggling, too. Personally my favorite thing to do with my two favorite boys.
Rest assured, it gets much more interesting. There are even giraffes and singing gorillas involved. You have at least 3 more days of our family's stories to look forward to. Try and contain the excitement.
Or is it a sign of a good time?
I didn't "see ya'll on Monday" or participate in "Ten on Tuesday." I'm lame like that.
The big city of Atlanta was a hoot of a good time. So much of a hoot that it's Wednesday already. Almost a week since the good time.
We traveled on last Thursday afternoon in hopes of making it there for dinner and before Noah went to bed. So we had to snack on the road.
Nothing but the finest for me.
We did make it by dinner and before bedtime.
At approximately 7:45 pm on Thursday night, the boy and his cousin began the wild rumpus that was their weekend.
Laughing, screaming, laughing at nothing, yelling, running, more laughing at absolutely nothing, more running, spitting, getting in trouble for spitting, laughing at spitting, and then a little more laughing.
And that was just Thursday night before bed.
I promised pictures and stories of the good times, and I have SO much to share...
It's gonna take a few days.
We'll start nice and slow and sweet...
The boy taught his little cousin how to make "soup" in the yard. From sand and leaves and Lord only knows what else. We wanted to make sure my brother and sis-in-law knew how to dial Poison Control before he's 3. We did.
There was a dress rehearsal egg hunt to get us all prepped and ready for the big day. They hid, and I had to find. Sadly, there's no candy involved in rehearsal.
There was plenty of lounging around and snuggling, too. Personally my favorite thing to do with my two favorite boys.
Rest assured, it gets much more interesting. There are even giraffes and singing gorillas involved. You have at least 3 more days of our family's stories to look forward to. Try and contain the excitement.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Nothing Like a Good Road Trip
We are headed out the door. Headed over to Rogers Land. This will probably be our last adventure as "Mom and Son" in the Great Deployment of '09-10. Pretty soon we will be a family of 3 again, and I get to pass off the driving to someone else! Woo hoo!
I mean, I just got up and going, and I am already dreading it. Not dreading the trip... Been looking forward to it. Not dreading seeing my brother and sis-in-law.. I wish we lived closer. Surely not dreading kissing this face...
Just dreading the driving. I am not a patient car person. After about 2-3 hours, I'm done.
I will promise you that this trip will be blog worthy when it's all said and done. There are certain activities in the works that just give me shivers of excitement. And I am not joking.
Have a wonderful weekend, folks.
See ya'll on Monday.
I mean, I just got up and going, and I am already dreading it. Not dreading the trip... Been looking forward to it. Not dreading seeing my brother and sis-in-law.. I wish we lived closer. Surely not dreading kissing this face...
Just dreading the driving. I am not a patient car person. After about 2-3 hours, I'm done.
I will promise you that this trip will be blog worthy when it's all said and done. There are certain activities in the works that just give me shivers of excitement. And I am not joking.
Have a wonderful weekend, folks.
See ya'll on Monday.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Attack of the Zombies
Consider yourself warned.
These were some kooky questions... but I loved them!
Here's Ten on Tuesday
1. Quick! Zombies are coming!! What do you do?
Scream. 'Cause screaming makes everything better. Then, I would run. I am NOT a runner, and I hate exercise. But, I've always said, "I don't run unless something is chasing me." Zombies would qualify.
2. Whew, that was a close one. …I think your phone is ringing. Oh, it’s your best friend! She thinks she’s been bitten by a zombie. What advice do you give her?
Put some Neosporin on it. And meet me at Starbucks.
3. You realize it’s time to leave your current location because it’s clearly not safe anymore. Are you going to move at night or day? Defend your reasoning.
I would go during the day. I like to be able to see what's going on. I don't think Zombies like the light. Oh, that's vampires, isn't it?
4. During your relocation, you come across a weapon superstore. My, that’s convenient. What kind of weaponry do you choose?
Yeah baby. A flame thrower-gun thing. That IS the correct terminology. 'Cause I have seen movies where they burn Zombies, and it works.
5. As you leave, an old lady on the side of the street begs you to help her. Do you? Why or why not?
Well my first instinct is YES! Help the old lady! But... what if she's a zombie?!? I would have to get a little closer to her and look into her eyes to SEE if she's really an innocent old lady. I think Zombies have weird eyes.
6. Good choice, you’re clearly a good person to have around in a zombie apocalypse. Oh hey, there’s a wifi signal here! You can’t stay long but this is your chance to gather some intel on the current situation. What’s the first website you check?
Whew... Glad I thought about the old lady being a zombie...
Umm... I would check CNN first. (I know it's not part of the question, but then I'd check Facebook. To make sure my family and friends are ok.)
7. SHH! What was that noise?!
The sound of me gasping for air and my heart beating out of my chest 'cause I had to run.
8. I think it’s time to get out of here. I hope you have a plan. Where are you going now?
I have no idea. Honestly, they probably would have caught me by now.
9. Wait a minute, that looks like a bite mark on your arm… You may be infected too! Will you tell other people?
Told you they'd catch me. I will tell them to join me in my Zombie Army. (I don't want to be alone.)
10. How does this story end?
With me having nightmares. I can't even watch "crime" TV without dreaming something is after me. Now it'll be Zombies.
These were some kooky questions... but I loved them!
Here's Ten on Tuesday
1. Quick! Zombies are coming!! What do you do?
Scream. 'Cause screaming makes everything better. Then, I would run. I am NOT a runner, and I hate exercise. But, I've always said, "I don't run unless something is chasing me." Zombies would qualify.
2. Whew, that was a close one. …I think your phone is ringing. Oh, it’s your best friend! She thinks she’s been bitten by a zombie. What advice do you give her?
Put some Neosporin on it. And meet me at Starbucks.
3. You realize it’s time to leave your current location because it’s clearly not safe anymore. Are you going to move at night or day? Defend your reasoning.
I would go during the day. I like to be able to see what's going on. I don't think Zombies like the light. Oh, that's vampires, isn't it?
4. During your relocation, you come across a weapon superstore. My, that’s convenient. What kind of weaponry do you choose?
Yeah baby. A flame thrower-gun thing. That IS the correct terminology. 'Cause I have seen movies where they burn Zombies, and it works.
5. As you leave, an old lady on the side of the street begs you to help her. Do you? Why or why not?
Well my first instinct is YES! Help the old lady! But... what if she's a zombie?!? I would have to get a little closer to her and look into her eyes to SEE if she's really an innocent old lady. I think Zombies have weird eyes.
6. Good choice, you’re clearly a good person to have around in a zombie apocalypse. Oh hey, there’s a wifi signal here! You can’t stay long but this is your chance to gather some intel on the current situation. What’s the first website you check?
Whew... Glad I thought about the old lady being a zombie...
Umm... I would check CNN first. (I know it's not part of the question, but then I'd check Facebook. To make sure my family and friends are ok.)
7. SHH! What was that noise?!
The sound of me gasping for air and my heart beating out of my chest 'cause I had to run.
8. I think it’s time to get out of here. I hope you have a plan. Where are you going now?
I have no idea. Honestly, they probably would have caught me by now.
9. Wait a minute, that looks like a bite mark on your arm… You may be infected too! Will you tell other people?
Told you they'd catch me. I will tell them to join me in my Zombie Army. (I don't want to be alone.)
10. How does this story end?
With me having nightmares. I can't even watch "crime" TV without dreaming something is after me. Now it'll be Zombies.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Ya'll KNOW I Hate This Time Change...
... So I won't go on and on and on. (Maybe.)
I'll just say that I am one tired old lady. TIRED.
And to make matters worse, I keep reminding myself about what time it REALLY is. Or what time it would be if we hadn't set the stupid clocks forward.
Please don't call me a complainer. I love love love the fact that it stays light later. I just hate the fact that it's dark when we get up, and I lost an hour of my day.
It messes with my brain.
And that is dangerous.
Now on to much more important things.
For almost a week I've had something on my mind.
Urgency.
The need to live with intention and purpose, while keeping in mind that none of us is promised tomorrow.
As opposed to living like I'm "running around like a chicken with my head cut off." (Which I DO.)
Pretty deep thoughts for a girl who can't get over Daylight Savings Time.
Someone in my Bible study last week told us about the feeling she had when her daughter was about to go away to college. It wasn't a feeling of "I don't want her to go." It was a feeling of "I hope I've done what I was supposed to do to make sure she's ready for the realities of this life." That thought has stuck with me all week.
Have I said and done the things that matter? That really matter?
Have I thanked people?
Have I treated people with respect?
Have I made certain my son knows why we do and say the things we do and say?
Have I been the example I need to be? In EVERY situation?
So many days I feel like I'm just "going through the motions." And I don't want that to be reality.
Now. I need a nap.
I'll just say that I am one tired old lady. TIRED.
And to make matters worse, I keep reminding myself about what time it REALLY is. Or what time it would be if we hadn't set the stupid clocks forward.
Please don't call me a complainer. I love love love the fact that it stays light later. I just hate the fact that it's dark when we get up, and I lost an hour of my day.
It messes with my brain.
And that is dangerous.
Now on to much more important things.
For almost a week I've had something on my mind.
Urgency.
The need to live with intention and purpose, while keeping in mind that none of us is promised tomorrow.
As opposed to living like I'm "running around like a chicken with my head cut off." (Which I DO.)
Pretty deep thoughts for a girl who can't get over Daylight Savings Time.
Someone in my Bible study last week told us about the feeling she had when her daughter was about to go away to college. It wasn't a feeling of "I don't want her to go." It was a feeling of "I hope I've done what I was supposed to do to make sure she's ready for the realities of this life." That thought has stuck with me all week.
Have I said and done the things that matter? That really matter?
Have I thanked people?
Have I treated people with respect?
Have I made certain my son knows why we do and say the things we do and say?
Have I been the example I need to be? In EVERY situation?
So many days I feel like I'm just "going through the motions." And I don't want that to be reality.
Now. I need a nap.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
My Bench Buddy
If I had the time and sense enough to do it, I would write a tribute to each of my most favorite friends.
They all are such blessings to me, and they each one make my life better in some way.
But today, it's all about Amy...
Amy and I met in California; we were residents together of the Army's beautiful post in the middle of the Mojave Desert.
She was my neighbor, and we became instant friends.
We spent HOURS sitting on the park bench at the playground, watching our kids play in the sand. Some of the best times of my life, girl!
Anywho... Amy is creative. I mean CREATIVE. The girl has talent. She makes Martha jealous. She can decorate and craft and sew and paint like nobody's business. And... she re-upholsters furniture! I told you she was good.
All this week, she's giving a "tutorial" on her blog.
If you feel inspired to re-cover something, go visit.
I always felt inspired to be more creative and crafty around Amy. I guess I should have used (abused) her talents when we lived closer...
Her hubby is also currently deployed, and she's done 348,572 projects. They're on her blog, too.
Maybe if I still lived next door to her, I would have accomplished more during this deployment. Maybe I would have decorated and sewn and re-upholstered furniture.
Or maybe... I would be sitting on the park bench with Amy and SHE'D be doing nothing with me!
They all are such blessings to me, and they each one make my life better in some way.
But today, it's all about Amy...
Amy and I met in California; we were residents together of the Army's beautiful post in the middle of the Mojave Desert.
She was my neighbor, and we became instant friends.
We spent HOURS sitting on the park bench at the playground, watching our kids play in the sand. Some of the best times of my life, girl!
Anywho... Amy is creative. I mean CREATIVE. The girl has talent. She makes Martha jealous. She can decorate and craft and sew and paint like nobody's business. And... she re-upholsters furniture! I told you she was good.
All this week, she's giving a "tutorial" on her blog.
If you feel inspired to re-cover something, go visit.
I always felt inspired to be more creative and crafty around Amy. I guess I should have used (abused) her talents when we lived closer...
Her hubby is also currently deployed, and she's done 348,572 projects. They're on her blog, too.
Maybe if I still lived next door to her, I would have accomplished more during this deployment. Maybe I would have decorated and sewn and re-upholstered furniture.
Or maybe... I would be sitting on the park bench with Amy and SHE'D be doing nothing with me!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Ten on Tuesday with a Headache
I don't know how coherent and thought-provoking any of this is gonna be. I have been battling a raging headache most of the live long day.
I made the mistake of sweeping off the porches yesterday. Months worth of dust and the beginnings of some pollen, I'm sure.
I can hear the song playing in my hurtin' brain right now...
"It's the most wonderful time of the year...."
No. Not the Christmas version. My version. The one abut Spring time and Zyrtec and trips to the doctor. What? You don't know that version. I promise to fill you in someday.
But not today. Today belongs to Ten on Tuesday. And I am glad. My aching skull can't come up with too much.
I think Chelsea said these questions came from her hubby.
1. Of your current hobbies, which would you choose to spend more time, money, and effort on? Why?
Easy peasy. My scrapbooking. It is a LOVE that I have let die.
2. List the two other hobbies/habitual activities (not chores) besides the one listed above that you regularly do now and didn’t choose in question one.
Blogging and reading. But... there are WAY too many chores in there.
3. Why are you spending time on the above two hobbies/habitual activities at all if you really wanted to spend your time on the first one you chose? …or to put it another way, what are these two hobbies/habitual activities fulfilling that the first one doesn’t if you don’t want to put all your effort into the first hobby?
Ouch. The main reason? I am a perfectionist. If I feel like I can't sit down and churn out years worth of beautifully scrapped photos... Then I just don't sit down and do it. The other 2 require less effort and are a little more "instant gratification." I also know I'll be interrupted in my scrapping, and that irritates me, too. Gosh... They're terrible reasons.
4. Ready John 3:16 in the bible… In what way does this passage affect you? What are your feelings towards these words, positively or negatively?
Love it. Love it. Love it. Can I say it again? It is the reason I get up in the mornings and the hope I have when I don't feel like getting up in the mornings. It humbles me and makes me so very grateful. I do not deserve love like that.
5. M&M’s: nuts, no nuts, or peanut butter?
With peanuts. 100%. Although, that peanut butter kind is pretty tasty. 2 flavors that God meant to go together... peanut and chocolate.
6. Putting away the feeling of pride being a bad thing; what secretly/openly are you proud about yourself?
I am organized. I don't know if I can be proud about that, though, because of my motivation. I am only organized because I'd probably kill somebody if I weren't. I hate chaos.
7. Given one room in the house to do with what you want, not changing the actual size of the room and with all the money you would need, what would you do, and be specific? (this can range from bouncy floor,walls & ceilings; to hard wood floor with wood paneling and purple ceiling with a chair; to nothing)
Another easy peasy. The Den or Living Room. I don't know what you call it, but it's where we LIVE. I want new furniture... sofa, chairs, loveseats, ottomans, rugs. I'd love to paint (boo, ARMY housing). Hardwoods would be great. So would a new TV, as long as I'm dreaming.
8. What’s the next movie you’re going to see? Not what you’d LIKE to GO see, but the next movie you realistically are going to watch.
Probably the Netflix one that's been lying on the coffee table for 2 weeks... it's "G.I. Joe", I think. (Come on now, I live with a 10 year-old boy.) OR... I will take that boy with me this weekend to see Johnny Depp. I mean "Alice in Wonderland."
9. Use the keyboard only and make your best smiley/funny/cool face –> like this! 8^)
:^O I am not good at that. I like my email with the real little faces you just put in.
10. What makes you cry? What makes you pray? What makes you laugh?
You make think I'm making this up, but the same answer applies to all three. Everything! I cry at the drop of a hat (everything), I TRY to pray all the time (for everything), and (ask my friends and family) I laugh at everything. Even the stuff that nobody else is laughing at. Or, I make up something to laugh about.
I made the mistake of sweeping off the porches yesterday. Months worth of dust and the beginnings of some pollen, I'm sure.
I can hear the song playing in my hurtin' brain right now...
"It's the most wonderful time of the year...."
No. Not the Christmas version. My version. The one abut Spring time and Zyrtec and trips to the doctor. What? You don't know that version. I promise to fill you in someday.
But not today. Today belongs to Ten on Tuesday. And I am glad. My aching skull can't come up with too much.
I think Chelsea said these questions came from her hubby.
1. Of your current hobbies, which would you choose to spend more time, money, and effort on? Why?
Easy peasy. My scrapbooking. It is a LOVE that I have let die.
2. List the two other hobbies/habitual activities (not chores) besides the one listed above that you regularly do now and didn’t choose in question one.
Blogging and reading. But... there are WAY too many chores in there.
3. Why are you spending time on the above two hobbies/habitual activities at all if you really wanted to spend your time on the first one you chose? …or to put it another way, what are these two hobbies/habitual activities fulfilling that the first one doesn’t if you don’t want to put all your effort into the first hobby?
Ouch. The main reason? I am a perfectionist. If I feel like I can't sit down and churn out years worth of beautifully scrapped photos... Then I just don't sit down and do it. The other 2 require less effort and are a little more "instant gratification." I also know I'll be interrupted in my scrapping, and that irritates me, too. Gosh... They're terrible reasons.
4. Ready John 3:16 in the bible… In what way does this passage affect you? What are your feelings towards these words, positively or negatively?
Love it. Love it. Love it. Can I say it again? It is the reason I get up in the mornings and the hope I have when I don't feel like getting up in the mornings. It humbles me and makes me so very grateful. I do not deserve love like that.
5. M&M’s: nuts, no nuts, or peanut butter?
With peanuts. 100%. Although, that peanut butter kind is pretty tasty. 2 flavors that God meant to go together... peanut and chocolate.
6. Putting away the feeling of pride being a bad thing; what secretly/openly are you proud about yourself?
I am organized. I don't know if I can be proud about that, though, because of my motivation. I am only organized because I'd probably kill somebody if I weren't. I hate chaos.
7. Given one room in the house to do with what you want, not changing the actual size of the room and with all the money you would need, what would you do, and be specific? (this can range from bouncy floor,walls & ceilings; to hard wood floor with wood paneling and purple ceiling with a chair; to nothing)
Another easy peasy. The Den or Living Room. I don't know what you call it, but it's where we LIVE. I want new furniture... sofa, chairs, loveseats, ottomans, rugs. I'd love to paint (boo, ARMY housing). Hardwoods would be great. So would a new TV, as long as I'm dreaming.
8. What’s the next movie you’re going to see? Not what you’d LIKE to GO see, but the next movie you realistically are going to watch.
Probably the Netflix one that's been lying on the coffee table for 2 weeks... it's "G.I. Joe", I think. (Come on now, I live with a 10 year-old boy.) OR... I will take that boy with me this weekend to see Johnny Depp. I mean "Alice in Wonderland."
9. Use the keyboard only and make your best smiley/funny/cool face –> like this! 8^)
:^O I am not good at that. I like my email with the real little faces you just put in.
10. What makes you cry? What makes you pray? What makes you laugh?
You make think I'm making this up, but the same answer applies to all three. Everything! I cry at the drop of a hat (everything), I TRY to pray all the time (for everything), and (ask my friends and family) I laugh at everything. Even the stuff that nobody else is laughing at. Or, I make up something to laugh about.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Cheese Puffs on My Head... And Other Stuff That Happened
Is it really Monday morning already?
What a weekend-y weekend.
So for your Monday morning blog reading pleasure, I bring you...
Our weekend:
We had friends over for dinner on Friday night.
The boy had a basketball game on Saturday.
I took the Boy and his buddy to the bookstore after the game, and they both picked out huge stacks of new books. I may not be the world's greatest momma, but when my boy gets excited about books, then I am a happy momma. (My friend was happy about her son's reading excitement too... just not thrilled with the receipt!)
We had lunch with our book-loving friends... at a new place we've been wanting to try.
We spent the afternoon doing absolutely nothing. Ahhh...
We made up for that bliss by going back out Saturday night with 3 friends and their kids. There were 4 of us grown-ups, and there were 12 kids. Yep. 12. You read that right. Let it be known that I contributed one to the party. We had dinner, then we took the little people to an arcade. If we weren't smoking something before, we wanted to by the time we left. I love the treasures that hard earned money gets you at an arcade. And the stomach virus we probably picked up while there.
Sunday's weather made us feel human again. I think we made it out of the 50's. We went to Sunday School... which we'd been ditching while Dan/Daddy was home. Yep. You read that right too. The CHAPLAIN'S family ditched Sunday School. Don't tell my Mamaw.
After church, we came home to another afternoon of nothing. Ahhh...
Until the firetruck showed up and had to put out a fire in the woods near our house. The entire neighborhood stood outside for the excitement. Everyone except the boy, who was HIGHLY annoyed at me for making him stay inside. He has asthma, and smoke and asthma just don't mix. Try telling that to a 10 year-old whose friends are all outside chatting it up with the fireman.
Sunday night was AWANAS (Bible Club for kids). During game time, my sweet friend (the game leader) asked for adult volunteers. Then she smiled and handed me a shower cap. The 4 "adults" had to wear the shower cap and have our heads COVERED in shaving cream. Then, our team of kids lined up and threw cheese puffs at our capped and creamed heads. 'Cause cheese puffs stick to shaving cream, in case you were wondering. There is photographic evidence, but it's on my phone... and I am trying to get it on the computer.
Have you ever smelled the combined smell of cheese puffs and shaving cream? With a hint of sweaty kid in the background? Good times.
That's it. That's all I've got. Besides some bright orange food dye powder in my ears.
What a weekend-y weekend.
So for your Monday morning blog reading pleasure, I bring you...
Our weekend:
We had friends over for dinner on Friday night.
The boy had a basketball game on Saturday.
I took the Boy and his buddy to the bookstore after the game, and they both picked out huge stacks of new books. I may not be the world's greatest momma, but when my boy gets excited about books, then I am a happy momma. (My friend was happy about her son's reading excitement too... just not thrilled with the receipt!)
We had lunch with our book-loving friends... at a new place we've been wanting to try.
We spent the afternoon doing absolutely nothing. Ahhh...
We made up for that bliss by going back out Saturday night with 3 friends and their kids. There were 4 of us grown-ups, and there were 12 kids. Yep. 12. You read that right. Let it be known that I contributed one to the party. We had dinner, then we took the little people to an arcade. If we weren't smoking something before, we wanted to by the time we left. I love the treasures that hard earned money gets you at an arcade. And the stomach virus we probably picked up while there.
Sunday's weather made us feel human again. I think we made it out of the 50's. We went to Sunday School... which we'd been ditching while Dan/Daddy was home. Yep. You read that right too. The CHAPLAIN'S family ditched Sunday School. Don't tell my Mamaw.
After church, we came home to another afternoon of nothing. Ahhh...
Until the firetruck showed up and had to put out a fire in the woods near our house. The entire neighborhood stood outside for the excitement. Everyone except the boy, who was HIGHLY annoyed at me for making him stay inside. He has asthma, and smoke and asthma just don't mix. Try telling that to a 10 year-old whose friends are all outside chatting it up with the fireman.
Sunday night was AWANAS (Bible Club for kids). During game time, my sweet friend (the game leader) asked for adult volunteers. Then she smiled and handed me a shower cap. The 4 "adults" had to wear the shower cap and have our heads COVERED in shaving cream. Then, our team of kids lined up and threw cheese puffs at our capped and creamed heads. 'Cause cheese puffs stick to shaving cream, in case you were wondering. There is photographic evidence, but it's on my phone... and I am trying to get it on the computer.
Have you ever smelled the combined smell of cheese puffs and shaving cream? With a hint of sweaty kid in the background? Good times.
That's it. That's all I've got. Besides some bright orange food dye powder in my ears.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Willy Nilly and His Idiom Friends
While I was driving the boy and his buddy home from basketball practice this week, we had the most entertaining of conversations. The boy and his buddy are 10 and 11 years old... almost 11 and 12 years old... pretty much EVERY conversation with them is entertaining. If not, educational. Often times, hilarious. Occasionally, inappropriate.
I was spouting off words of wisdom and talking about old wives tales without actually using the word "idiom." My smarty pants boy said,
"Oh. You mean 'idioms' don't you?"
Well yes I did, but I didn't want to show off in front of you and your friend here, thanks.
Idioms... those funny little sayings that everyone knows and uses. By my definition, idioms have a different meaning than the obvious.
Like:
Don't count your chickens before they hatch. ('Cause nothing's worse than a stinky unhatched egg.)
Hold your horses. (I use this one ALL the time. People in my house are SO patient.)
He's sitting on the fence. (Ouch.)
Don't put all your eggs in one basket. (Again with the eggs.)
Actions speak louder than words. (Unless I'm using my redneck mama voice.)
She got a taste of her own medicine. (Well why would she taste anyone else's medicine if it's not prescribed for her?)
I could go on and on. There are about a zillion, and I use a half zillion every day.
This week, I have been getting back to square one(idiom alert).
We put Dan/Daddy back on a plane for the Middle East, and we began the process of restoring "normal" around here.
I know you might be thinking, "WHAT?!? Normal shouldn't be when he's GONE. It should be when he's home."
And you're right. Partly. You know what vacations are like? You know how the whole family gets kinda out-of-whack after just a few days off their routine? Everyone is off schedule, no one is eating properly, no one is sleeping properly, etc., etc.
Well, that's what it was like around here... except it was 2 weeks. It was a regular field day(idiom alert). The folks at Krispy Kreme knew us by our first names. The cats couldn't find anywhere to rest. Even the Wii and the Playstation were tired.
Now Dan/Daddy has been greatly missed, and we'll be glad when he's home for good, but that chaos was driving me up the wall(idiom alert).
So all this week, I have been catching up on MOUNTAINS of laundry, re-stocking the fridge, getting the boy back into bed at a respectable hour, running errands that didn't get run, catching up on my Bible study, and making sure we eat at least one vegetable.
No more running around all "willy-nilly." Is that an idiom? Just who is Willy-Nilly? And why is he associated with mayhem? Poor Willy. Maybe he's been on R&R, too.
I was spouting off words of wisdom and talking about old wives tales without actually using the word "idiom." My smarty pants boy said,
"Oh. You mean 'idioms' don't you?"
Well yes I did, but I didn't want to show off in front of you and your friend here, thanks.
Idioms... those funny little sayings that everyone knows and uses. By my definition, idioms have a different meaning than the obvious.
Like:
Don't count your chickens before they hatch. ('Cause nothing's worse than a stinky unhatched egg.)
Hold your horses. (I use this one ALL the time. People in my house are SO patient.)
He's sitting on the fence. (Ouch.)
Don't put all your eggs in one basket. (Again with the eggs.)
Actions speak louder than words. (Unless I'm using my redneck mama voice.)
She got a taste of her own medicine. (Well why would she taste anyone else's medicine if it's not prescribed for her?)
I could go on and on. There are about a zillion, and I use a half zillion every day.
This week, I have been getting back to square one(idiom alert).
We put Dan/Daddy back on a plane for the Middle East, and we began the process of restoring "normal" around here.
I know you might be thinking, "WHAT?!? Normal shouldn't be when he's GONE. It should be when he's home."
And you're right. Partly. You know what vacations are like? You know how the whole family gets kinda out-of-whack after just a few days off their routine? Everyone is off schedule, no one is eating properly, no one is sleeping properly, etc., etc.
Well, that's what it was like around here... except it was 2 weeks. It was a regular field day(idiom alert). The folks at Krispy Kreme knew us by our first names. The cats couldn't find anywhere to rest. Even the Wii and the Playstation were tired.
Now Dan/Daddy has been greatly missed, and we'll be glad when he's home for good, but that chaos was driving me up the wall(idiom alert).
So all this week, I have been catching up on MOUNTAINS of laundry, re-stocking the fridge, getting the boy back into bed at a respectable hour, running errands that didn't get run, catching up on my Bible study, and making sure we eat at least one vegetable.
No more running around all "willy-nilly." Is that an idiom? Just who is Willy-Nilly? And why is he associated with mayhem? Poor Willy. Maybe he's been on R&R, too.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
First let me say that I love Girl Scout Cookies. Love in a bad kinda way.
Now, here's Ten on Tuesday from Chelsea!
1. If you were given an hour to use a $200 Amazon gift card, what would you buy?
I don't have the foggiest idea. But trust me.. I WOULD spend it.
2. Are there any fairly common foods that you’ve never had?
Nope. None that I know of. I will eat almost anything, and even if I don't like it, I've probably tried it. Thanks, Mom.
3. What was your favorite way to use your imagination as a kid?
Standing on my bed, looking in the mirror, and singing into a hairbrush for a microphone. Except at my Granny's house. She had a 4 poster bed whose finials popped off and made EXCELLENT microphones. Or... swinging in my swing and pretending I was a trapeze artist in the circus.
4. What’s your favorite state? Why?
Well, South Carolina, of course. It has mountains, beaches, and the city of Charleston. And I'm from there!
5. If it was our culture to have our parents choose our spouses, do you think yours would make a good choice?
I'm sure they would have. Although I may have argued with them at some point in the process!
6. What’s your favorite herb?
Cilantro.
7. If you could have dinner with one celebrity, who would you choose?
Johnny Depp. You can tell my husband. He already knows.
8. What’s your favorite Disney movie?
Beauty and the Beast.
9. If you had to listen to the same song over and over for 24 hours, what song would you choose?
Ugh. Sorry, but this isn't gonnna happen. I HATE it when songs get stuck in my head. Especially because it never seems to be a good one. So why would I CHOOSE to listen to one.
10. How do you order your steak?
I used to be a Medium Well chic, but lately I've been leaning towards Medium. They just taste better when they're not grey and cardboardy. Mooooo....
Now, here's Ten on Tuesday from Chelsea!
1. If you were given an hour to use a $200 Amazon gift card, what would you buy?
I don't have the foggiest idea. But trust me.. I WOULD spend it.
2. Are there any fairly common foods that you’ve never had?
Nope. None that I know of. I will eat almost anything, and even if I don't like it, I've probably tried it. Thanks, Mom.
3. What was your favorite way to use your imagination as a kid?
Standing on my bed, looking in the mirror, and singing into a hairbrush for a microphone. Except at my Granny's house. She had a 4 poster bed whose finials popped off and made EXCELLENT microphones. Or... swinging in my swing and pretending I was a trapeze artist in the circus.
4. What’s your favorite state? Why?
Well, South Carolina, of course. It has mountains, beaches, and the city of Charleston. And I'm from there!
5. If it was our culture to have our parents choose our spouses, do you think yours would make a good choice?
I'm sure they would have. Although I may have argued with them at some point in the process!
6. What’s your favorite herb?
Cilantro.
7. If you could have dinner with one celebrity, who would you choose?
Johnny Depp. You can tell my husband. He already knows.
8. What’s your favorite Disney movie?
Beauty and the Beast.
9. If you had to listen to the same song over and over for 24 hours, what song would you choose?
Ugh. Sorry, but this isn't gonnna happen. I HATE it when songs get stuck in my head. Especially because it never seems to be a good one. So why would I CHOOSE to listen to one.
10. How do you order your steak?
I used to be a Medium Well chic, but lately I've been leaning towards Medium. They just taste better when they're not grey and cardboardy. Mooooo....
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