If you haven't clicked on over to Roots and Rings by now, then shame on you. The host of our Tuesday fun is so cute with her little pregnant belly.
I am glad to be back to Ten on Tuesday after last week's brush with the Grim Reaper.
1. What book, movie or song has made you want to travel to a particular place? (eg. I went to Prince Edward Island because I was such a Anne of Green Gables fan)
I tried and tried to think of a specific place or song, but I got nothin' folks. All I keep coming up with are Jimmy Buffet and James Taylor songs that make me want to be at the beach.
2. Aside from your significant other, who would you want to take with you on a dream trip?
Well I wouldn't leave the boy at home; we'd never hear the end of it. I would probably take my parents... they deserve a dream trip after raising me.
3. Where would said dream trip be to?
Pardon my dementia, but have I answered this before? An African safari. An African safari where no one gets eaten by a jaguar or mauled by a chimp... I watch Animal Planet... these things happen.
4. If you were hosting guests or providing tips, what three things would you show visitors to your hometown? (be it where you live now or where you grew up)
Despite LOVING the little town where I grew up, we don't have any "can't miss" landmarks. Where I live now? Probably a museum, maybe the river, and of course the home of the All American 82nd.
5. If you had a long weekend ahead of you, where you head – beach, city or country/mountains?
Please. Again? The beach.
6. Do you have a passport? If so, did you get it for a particular trip or just to have, in case?
Nope. Haven't had a need yet. Almost got one last year "just in case."
7. Are there any travel souvenirs you collect? If not, is there something else you collect?
I usually try to pick up something that kinda represents the place we've seen. Something "local" I guess. But not one type of thing in particular. This question makes me think of little souvenir shot glasses and those state magnets...
8. If you could name a paint colour, what colour would it be and what would you call it?
"Autumn Beach." Do I really need to explain?
9. If you were heading away for a weekend citybreak solo, where would you go? (forget about practicality here and flight times, assume you can get to any city in the world for the weekend)
If we are forgetting about practicality, then I am going to Paris, baby. And while we are being impractical, someone else is footing the bill. And I can speak fluent French.
10. Is there a song or a smell or something that you strongly associate with a particular holiday/place/time, such that it always takes you back?
LOVE this question. This is a little personal obsession of mine... the way smells trigger memories...
grass and/or hay = home when I was a child
Windsong perfume and/or Jergan's lotion = my Granny
plough mud and marsh = Charleston
charcoal burning = the 4th of July cookout that my church had every year growing up
Bonnie Bell lip gloss = the skating rink from my childhood
I could go on, but I'll spare you. And as far as songs go... I really don't think this is the time or place to re-visit "Hits of the 80's."
Happy Tuesday!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
Boy Oh Boy... Do I Know How To Throw a Welcome Home Party!?!
Would you all like to see some pictures of our Spring Break?
How about some pictures from all the fun family bonding we did when Dan/Daddy got home?
Well...
I hope not, 'cause there are none. Zilch. Zippo. Nada.
The first 3 days that Dan/Daddy was home, he avoided me like the plague.
'Cause I think I HAD the plague.
Headache, fever, chills, nausea, body aches (like I'd been hit by a car body aches), and about 4,975 trips to the bathroom. Too much information?
I managed to make it through the official "Welcome Home" ceremony (sorta), and then I crawled into the bed. I didn't crawl out until Wednesday night. Good times.
The boy and his newly-home daddy had to fend for themselves.
And they weren't complaining.
They played outside, they rode bikes, and they fished... a lot.
They also celebrated the lack of mommy-control.
The boy's lunch on Tuesday consisted of a Blow Pop and Doritos.
When I fussed about the lack of nutritional content in their meals, they told me he'd had a grape soda... and that was a fruit.
Needless to say, sick time was over.
By the end of the week, I was a lot better, and we had a house full of company.
My parents and Dan's parents came into town to see him, and we all had a big 11th Birthday party for the boy.
Then, last night, I took the boy and myself to see our favorite band in the whole widest wide world... Daughtry!
Whew.
I do have pictures of the party, of the grandparents, and even from the concert.
Just none of the boy and his dad enjoying their Spring Break. I was too busy knocking on death's door to harass them with the camera.
They did seem unusually happy...
How about some pictures from all the fun family bonding we did when Dan/Daddy got home?
Well...
I hope not, 'cause there are none. Zilch. Zippo. Nada.
The first 3 days that Dan/Daddy was home, he avoided me like the plague.
'Cause I think I HAD the plague.
Headache, fever, chills, nausea, body aches (like I'd been hit by a car body aches), and about 4,975 trips to the bathroom. Too much information?
I managed to make it through the official "Welcome Home" ceremony (sorta), and then I crawled into the bed. I didn't crawl out until Wednesday night. Good times.
The boy and his newly-home daddy had to fend for themselves.
And they weren't complaining.
They played outside, they rode bikes, and they fished... a lot.
They also celebrated the lack of mommy-control.
The boy's lunch on Tuesday consisted of a Blow Pop and Doritos.
When I fussed about the lack of nutritional content in their meals, they told me he'd had a grape soda... and that was a fruit.
Needless to say, sick time was over.
By the end of the week, I was a lot better, and we had a house full of company.
My parents and Dan's parents came into town to see him, and we all had a big 11th Birthday party for the boy.
Then, last night, I took the boy and myself to see our favorite band in the whole widest wide world... Daughtry!
Whew.
I do have pictures of the party, of the grandparents, and even from the concert.
Just none of the boy and his dad enjoying their Spring Break. I was too busy knocking on death's door to harass them with the camera.
They did seem unusually happy...
Monday, April 5, 2010
And Then There Were Three... Again
Today is the first day of the boy's Spring Break.
Woo hoo! Oh how I love Spring Break. Minus the green haze of pollen that's taken over our land.
But there was no sleeping in or going on vacation for us...
Nope.
We had other business to attend to...
We got up at the crack of dawn to get this guy...
I don't think the boy minded starting off his Spring Break by getting up so early...
Welcome home Dan/Daddy!
Woo hoo! Oh how I love Spring Break. Minus the green haze of pollen that's taken over our land.
But there was no sleeping in or going on vacation for us...
Nope.
We had other business to attend to...
We got up at the crack of dawn to get this guy...
I don't think the boy minded starting off his Spring Break by getting up so early...
Welcome home Dan/Daddy!
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Friday, April 2, 2010
11 Years Ago Today...
... this face came into our world...
Well... He didn't really look like that eleven years ago today.
He was a tiny bit smaller and had a very red and angry face.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BIG E!!!!
A.k.a... "the boy"
A.k.a.... "Destructo"
A.k.a... "the naked ninja" (Don't ask.)
You are the best son anyone could ever ask for. We love your sense of humor, your kind heart, your desire to learn, and most of all... your need to conquer everything. Never change!
You are a blessing to us and a gift to the world!
We LOVE you.
Well... He didn't really look like that eleven years ago today.
He was a tiny bit smaller and had a very red and angry face.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BIG E!!!!
A.k.a... "the boy"
A.k.a.... "Destructo"
A.k.a... "the naked ninja" (Don't ask.)
You are the best son anyone could ever ask for. We love your sense of humor, your kind heart, your desire to learn, and most of all... your need to conquer everything. Never change!
You are a blessing to us and a gift to the world!
We LOVE you.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Ten On Tuesday
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!
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!
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.
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