The Lessons I've Learned during NaBloPoMo

Well, the end is here my friends. This is the last day of NaBloPoMo for 2008. I was really unsure if I could/would make it to the end, and am honestly surprised that I made it. I know that there were a few posts in there that may not have been the greatest, but of those that I read that were doing it there were a few fluff posts thrown in. All in all, I don't think that I did too bad considering what we had going on this month. Surgery, holiday, out-of-town visitors, the works.

Now, for what I've learned:

• Any random memory can be turned into a blog post.
• Pictures can spawn a thousand words, although I'm pretty sure that you're glad I kept them to around 200 or so.
• It is fun to have "play along" questions-especially when people answer!
• People read even when I'm verbose. Well, at least a few of you do.
• No matter how much you're posting you can't make traffic go UP on Thanksgiving week.
• Although rolling titles on BlogHer Ads can help. Thank goodness!
  
• Blogging Carnivals really help with getting posts up. Especially when you post for one each week (see BFL).
• Guest posting is hard-and I probably really sucked at it-thus the reason I haven't linked to it. I don't know if it will even be published. Probably better if it isn't.
• I relied way too much this month on lists. I really, really didn't plan on doing it that way but now that I'm going through my month of posts I see that I used them too much. Oh well. Deal.
• Answering questions is good-and I'm actually going to get back to those this week. I have a few left and don't want to leave anyone out.
• I really should write more, regularly.
  
• Getting ahead at the beginning of the month was good-then I just finished and edited before posting. I was only about a day or so ahead but it was helpful to have ideas in the draft folder for when I got too tired or uninspired. I need to do that more often!

Well, thanks to all of you for hanging out with me this month. And a special thanks to Eden for organizing all of this-she is one crazy busy woman-especially tomorrow when she has to check everyone for full participation! I'd have to gouge my eyes out with a fork, thankyouverymuch. Here's to December!

Just Curious-Christmas Decorations

Quick! What is the ONE Christmas decoration that you must have out every year, or it just isn't Christmas? A Santa figurine? The tree? An angel? The stockings? What is it? Play along with us!

Thanks for your participation last week. Many of us had lots of the same favorite shows. I laughed remembering HR Puffinstuff, The Electric Company (Bernadette rules!), and The Cosby Show (really well done. Not much of that any more, eh?) My fave that wasn't mentioned was Friends (what were you people thinking?) I also loved West Wing (in the beginning,) and Crossing Jordan (before it was canceled. Tragic.) I still watch Days of Our Lives-since the '70's, I might add. I also currently love Grey's Anatomy, and American Idol, (in the spring), Biggest Loser, and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (when I can catch it.) But, my favorite show of all time is ER. I am dying a slow death until the end of the season. I don't know what I'm going to do. I remember watching the 2 hour pilot in my apartment in Columbia, South Carolina. I was also reading a novel by Michael Crichton at the same time, during the commercials. I'm so sad that he died before he was able to see the end of such an amazing project.

(photo courtesy NBC/ER)

Thank you Cast, Crew, Writers, Creators, NBC, everyone! for this fabulous show. My Thursdays will never be the same. (I even got 9 out of 10 on this quiz about ER-What's your score?)

Don't forget to tell me about your favorite decoration!

Nine

HB1 is nine today. What more does a nine year old want than a BB gun? He has been obsessed lately with all things 'gun' but I don't think he even had entertained the possibility of actually getting one this soon. (Maybe it was really Dad that wanted it?) Anyway, since I'm not a gun girl the biggest rule is that he can only use it when HD is with him. He also got a chess set, 2 t-shirts, a new, fancy bible, and many Target gift cards. Those things are gold in this house, I tell ya.

Happy Birthday, my oldest son. You are, I think, the most kind and tender hearted person I've ever met. Enjoy the ride of nine!

*****

After HB1 opened the Nerf machine gun (compliments of BIL) and 2 name-brand shirts, HB2 said "He's gonna kill me AND, he out-cooled me!"

*****

HB2: "I'm always gonna be uglier than you."
HB1: "Yes, you are!"

Thankful (Also Known as Fat and Happy)

I am thankful for Robin and her perfect apple pie recipe. (And yes, that is a champagne cork thankyouverymuch. Mimosas while we cook.)

I am thankful for a BIL that has a rockin' rotisserie oven that can cook a 19 lb. turkey to perfection.

I am thankful for more side dishes than should be legally allowed. (Clockwise from the roll: Gulliver's creamed corn, Baked Pineapple, Green Bean Casserole, rudebagas, Squash Casserole, mashed potatoes, turkey and gravy; center: homemade cranberries and stuffing/dressing/whatever-you-call-it. And red wine. Of course.)

I couldn't let it go-the perfect apple pie-and it's beautiful, too, if I do say so myself.

So, I'm off to eat some of this beautiful pie. Before I go though I want to thank each one of you for coming by, for taking time out of your week to spend a little time with me and reading about my crazy life. I'm thankful for the friendships that we've made here and I pray that you have a bountiful holiday season filled with joy. God bless you all.

BFL-Are you freezing yet?

Tennessee @ Detroit
Seattle @ Dallas
Arizona @ Philadelphia
San Francisco @ Buffalo
Baltimore @ Cincinnati
Indianapolis @ Cleveland
Carolina @ Green Bay
Miami @ St. Louis
New Orleans @ Tampa Bay
NY Giants @ Washington
Atlanta @ San Diego
Denver @ NY Jets
Pittsburgh @ New England
Kansas City @ Oakland
Chicago @ Minnesota
Jacksonville @ Houston-MNF tiebreaker 38

Ok, I flunked formatting. Deal.

Congrats to Middle-Aged-Woman for beating me last week. I was biting my nails for the first quarter, then I resigned myself to 2nd place. Damn Packers.

If you're cold, it is because of me. Notice my picks. Hell has frozen over. Damn Packers lost it for me last week. Packers I quit you, well except for this week, you'd better beat Carolina or I'll really quit you. Denver-You lost to Oakland. That hasn't happened in years and I'm so mad I could spit. That is just WRONG!!! However, I chose Denver to lose and Oakland to win this week so, see? Hell hath frozen. Wear a sweater.

And go on over to Insta-mom's place for more BFL picks. One of these days I'll win. *sigh*

A Kid With Allergies

When Headless Boy 2 was about 6 months old his doctor diagnosed him with asthma. We had a nebulizer machine delivered and we pretty much forgot about it.

For the next year or two I would have to pull it out once or twice a year or so, but started noticing a pattern. Fall was the worst, with Christmas being a close second, tapering off until mid January or so. Loratadine helped, but not much. Benadryl would help for a really bad episode, but considering that it is so strong we couldn't use it often.

Two years ago, in October, it got really bad. He was "on the machine" several times a day, and sometimes through the night. We were back and forth to the doctor. We couldn't seem to get it under control at all. It was excruciating watching my little guy and not be able to get on top of it.

One weekend Headless Dad was called out on an emergency for work and was gone overnight on a Saturday. HB2 had a particularly bad night-I don't really remember how that day was, but the night was the worst. By 2 in the morning he was on the machine every 2 hours, and getting no relief in between. After the 4am treatment I knew I couldn't wait any longer. I woke up Headless Girl and told her what was going on and that I had to take her brother to the ER. Because HB1 was asleep and still prone to wandering at night, she moved to my room and went back to sleep.

We arrived at the hospital around 5am and were almost immediately taken back to a curtain area. Doctors, nurses, and pulmonary specialists were in and out of the room for the next 5 hours or so, and he was on the machine there for much of the time. Watching his little body finally able to relax was the best moment for me. Knowing that he was getting help, and that his body was responding was just so amazing.

I did know that we weren't out of the woods, though. That was about the time that the doctor told me that they wanted to admit him until at least Monday. My heart hit the floor. I knew that I had 2 children and no husband at home. Luckily he was responding well to the treatment so I was able to convince the doctor to send us home-with a promise to bring him back if there was even the HINT of a problem.

Luckily, for the next few days there no problems, and thanks to the prednisone he was better than he had been all of the fall. By amazing coincidence we had a scheduled appointment with the allergist for that week to go over test results and get further recommendations for his continuing treatment. Without a doubt that was the best $10 copay we have ever spent. I finally understood the triggers for him. I finally understood how each medication worked and how to formulate a 'cocktail' when things got bad. I finally understood the asthma and allergies that my child had. I finally understood what it took to manage the life of a kid with allergies.

Day 24-Decisions

1. NaBloPoMo-Writing exercise or Torture device?
2. Thanksgiving-Turkey, Ham or Other?
3. Sides: Too many or just two?
   
4. Football or Basketball?
5. Date night or Girl's night?
6. Wine, cocktails, or Beer?
7. Peanut butter or lunch meat?
8. Mc Dreamy or Mc Steamy?
9. Coffee or Tea?
10. Rain or Snow?

{1-torture, 2-turkey, 3-too many, 4-football, 5-date night, 6-wine, 7-neither, 8-both, 9-coffee, 10-snow.}

The Big Girls Have a Slumber Party!

So yesterday Kelly came to visit. (I'm purposely not reading her post from today so that I can just say what I want. I guess bloggers hanging out can be weird when it comes to posting. Wonder what she said...We were sitting here with football on, laptops on, chatting, laughing. Blogger heaven, I say.) (She's on the right above.)

Anyway, she came to town to have a couple of parties (one in another city) and got to hang out here for a little while. She came in around 2pm, we talked and laughed with everyone here (my parents are in town, too.) Last week when we were cleaning out the garage I found a bunch of letters from her from Junior High School. I saved them for her to read-so hilarious! We had dinner-homemade burgers-Yum! HD is quite the trooper-he made my friend dinner, feeling crappy, on our anniversary, and let me go to a girl's night out party. (I keep telling you that he's a gem-I'm not kidding!) We left at about 6pm to go to the party at one of my friends house down the street, and the 3 of us (Kelly, Mom and I,) didn't get home until almost midnight.

[BTW-if you need a fun girl's night go to Kelly's site and email her. She'll hook you up. There will be laughing. Guaranteed.]

Anyway, she got to come to church with us this morning. Now that was cool. Our worship team even played one of her favorite songs. She also got to meet Dana and Carrie-Talk about all of my worlds colliding! We ate again-breakfast. Kelly napped; I tried to clear my reader. Then it was time to cook and eat again. Really! We're big on food around here, could you tell?

HD cooked again. Prime rib. (See what you get when you come to visit me?) It was really awesome-and better when you know it was his first attempt. Should have gotten a picture of that too. Oh well! My contribution was potatoes and green beans.

She had to leave too soon. Isn't that always how it is?

Thanks for coming, Kel. I had a great time, and as usual, it wasn't long enough. See you next summer!

Eleven Years Ago Today...

...the love of my life and I said "I do."

...we embarked on the greatest journey either of us had ever had.

...we promised to love and to cherish, til death do us part.

...we ate and drank with our friends and family. The we went to the Little Bear to drink more. Klassy, but that's how we roll.

It was a really wonderful day, made perfect by the joining of us.

Happy Anniversary, Honey. I love you more and more each day.

Just Curious-TV

I thought I would bring back Just Curious for the holidays. Or, well, at least this week. Hey, it's my blog-I make the rules here.

If you're new around these parts, the Just Curious series is where I ask a question. Usually it is a short answer question, sometimes even one word. Audience participation, people. I ask this week, you answer, and I chime in next week. You in?

OK. So our question this week is about you favorite TV shows. What was your favorite show as a kid? As a teen? As a college student? Now? What about your all-time favorite show-the one that you'll watch on TNT, USA or Nick At Night whenever you happen upon it? Answer all or just one. I'm Just Curious!

To read more in the Just Curious series click here.

BFL-WEEK 12

CIN @ PIT
PHI @ BAL
CHI @ STL
NYJ @ TEN
NE @ MIA
HOU @ CLE
TB @ DET
MIN @ JAC
BUF @ KC
SF @ DAL
OAK @ DEN
CAR @ ATL
NYG @ ARI
WAS @ SEA
IND @ SD
GB @ NO-Tie breaker-52

I'm with Amy-busy! And for the second time this month you get 2 posts in a day. Suppose by the end of the season I'll remember to post on Thursday? Go check out everyone's picks at Insta-Mom's place, or even join us this week. Or next, if you're like me and can't remember to do this early. Wish me luck-that badge should be mine at least once this season!

Surgery (Because I'm so brain-dead I can't come up with anything better.)

Thank you for your kind words about Headless Dad's surgery. He went in to the OR about 10, I spoke with the surgeon at 1, I finally saw him at 3:30 and we didn't leave the hospital until 6:30. Yeah, that was fun. Thanks goodness for my parents that were here with the boys after school and able to cook dinner. They rock.

Sitting at a hospital for 10 hours is not really my idea of fun. I even got bored with the book that I was reading.

I highly suggest an exciting, engaging book for the hospital waiting room. Could someone have told me that before 8 am yesterday? And the glasses that I ordered last week would have been a great help. There's nothing like ending a long day with a splitting, eye-strain headache. Woo Hoo!

So I'll be around for the next few days waiting on the guy that is jacked up on REALLY GOOD painkillers.

Don't you want to be me?

Oh, and I forgot to mention that I'm still around reading all of you but if I don't comment please don't flog me, OK? I've got to get through one thing at a time.

WFMW- Preparing for Surgery

The last couple of times that my husband has gone in to the hospital we have had no time to prepare. This time is different. Let me take you back...

Seven years ago, right around Septeember 11th, Headless Dad had gone golfing with some friends. While looking for a ball, he slipped and fell, putting his arm down to break the fall. Bad idea. He severed his rotator cuff (tendon in his shoulder.) I was 8 1/2 months pregnant with Headless Boy 2 and had a toddler and a 10 year old at home. Really not the best scenario to be ushering your husband into surgery. After an unexpected overnight stay at the hospital (due to an emergency surgery that went ahead of him,) he was in a sling for a month (more?) and couldn't pick up our infant son when he was born. (Granted, he was a huge baby at 11 lb., but I've told that story before here.)

This time is different from my point of view. I am not caring for 2 small children. My parents have come into town to help with the kids. I know what to expect in caring for my husband-it is the exact same surgery except that he only has a tear this time, (different shoulder.) And I have had time to prepare. Headless Dad goes into surgery today and here are some of the things that I have tried to take care of before hand:

• I have told all of the teachers/bible study leaders/etc. that I volunteer with that I will not be helping for the remainder of the week.
• I planned ahead and chose to donate juice to a class party instead of volunteering time.
• I planned a menu and shopped on Sunday.
• I did laundry over the weekend.
• I've been ironing button-up shirts for HD so he will actually have clothes to wear. No putting his arm over his head for a while.
• I've been cleaning so that I don't have to worry about it for a few days. Mostly just the stuff that drives me crazy so I won't be psycho while trying to keep HD comfortable. He really won't care-he'll have too many good drugs to care about anything.
• I arranged with the neighbor that I share driving with for her to take the kids to and from school tomorrow. We'll play the rest of the week by ear.

While I'm sure there will be things that come up that I'm not expecting this will greatly reduce my stress for the next few days. Wish us luck!

Oh, and if you think of anything that I've forgotten let me know in the comments so everyone else here for Works for Me Wednesday can reap the benefits, too. Then go over to Shannon's and get more great ideas!

Crock Pot Italian Soup

I made this last night for dinner. I thought it was yummy but no one else did so if I can't enjoy it maybe you can. I served it with french bread. (Recipe from the Better Homes and Gardens Biggest Book of Slow Cooker Recipies, 2002)

Pesto, Tomato, and Rice Soup
1 cup chopped onions
1 cup shredded carrots (I just chopped them small. It was fine.)
1 1/2 cups chopped celery (about 3-4 stalks, leaves and all.)
1 14 oz can Italian-style stewed tomatoes
1 6oz can Italian-style tomato paste (I couldn't find Italian-style. It was fine.)
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
1/4 tsp. pepper
3 cups water
1 14 oz. can chicken or vegetable broth (I didn't have any so I just used extra water. It was fine.)
1 cup quick cooking rice (I used regular and added it about an hour before serving. It was fine.)
1/4 cup pesto (I used a little more-fresh from our garden- that was left over from this weekend. This was especially fine!) (You can find my pesto recipe here. Except I half it. Or something like that.)

Add all ingredients (celery through broth) to your large crock pot. Cook low 8-10 hours or High 4-5 hours. (Or if you have a psycho crock pot like mine put it on at around noon and monitor it for too much boiling and lift the lid as necessary.) If you are using quick cook rice: turn off pot, add rice and pesto, let stand 7-10 minutes until rice is tender, then serve. If you are using regular rice do not forget to add to pot about an hour before you want to serve, then add pesto 5-10 minutes before you serve. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

Let me know how you like it, since we won't be having it again! *humph*

I Love Peyton Manning

This made me fall over. Good thing I wasn't drinking something, I may have ruined my keyboard. I could watch it again and again....

Hey, it counts!

List

• Day 16 of NaBloPoMo. Kicking my butt right now!
• Can't think in complete sentences-so tired from the garage sale.
• $100. Not bad, not great. (Usually $400+) But at least all the miscellaneous stuff is gone.
• Even took the leftovers to Goodwill.
• Need to write a guest post and can't come up with a topic.
• My love of football is great.
  
• Homemade macaroni and cheese rocks. Especially with a yummy salad.
• Must bathe children. Then myself, because, eew!
• Praying for Marcy and others in SoCal. The fires are really bad in a couple of areas right now.
• Oh yeah, and for RAIN!
• Cleaning like a mad woman-holiday guests and surgery (Headless Dad's, not mine.)
• Mmmmm, ice cream sandwiches later.
• Um, some rain would be nice. My skin is so dry that my fingers feel like they will fall off.
  
• Found the funniest letters today from Kelly, and others. Jr. High, people. Thought I was going to pee my pants. Saved some of them for her visit next week. If you're lucky I might share them with you, too.
• Did I mention that I was tired?

Accents

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The West Your accent is the lowest common denominator of American speech. Unless you're a SoCal surfer, no one thinks you have an accent. And really, you may not even be from the West at all, you could easily be from Florida or one of those big Southern cities like Dallas or Atlanta.
The Midland
North Central
Boston
The South
The Inland North
Philadelphia
The Northeast
What American accent do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

The funny part about this is that if I were sitting in Memphis today, with my extended family, eating Chicken and Dumplins or Red Beans and Rice I most definitely would have gotten a different answer. Does it come out accurate for you? Leave me a comment and let me know!

Thanks to Dana for posting this first!

Oh, and since we're having a garage sale today this was a great post to fill in while I haggle with all of my non-english speaking fellow southern Californians so they will take our stuff off of my hands so I won't have to leave the house to get rid of it. Just doing my part for the Mexican economy.

*Cue Cheesy Birthday Music Now*

Happy Birthday to my pal, Carmen. Cupcakes just for you, although the ones in SF were probably better than my mess. Love you, Girl! You inspire me every day-whether it's to get more done or just get off of my butt. Thanks for blogging-if you didn't I'd have never found you as a friend.

And if you're not Carmen-Go on over and shower her with kisses comments for her day. She needs some happy right now, and we're just the people to give it to her.

BFL-WEEK 11

You're kidding, right? Last week I was *this.close* to winning. Who knew that San Fransisco and Arizona had it in them to score a combined 53 points. Kudos to Insta-Mom for winning, and Amazing Greis for helping me make her sweat. I'm out for (proverbial) blood now, folks. I must have that badge at least once this year!

Thursday:
NYJets at New England

Sunday:
Denver at Atlanta
Philadelphia at Cincinnati
Chicago at Green Bay
Houston at Indianapolis
New Orelans at Kansas City
Oakland at Miami
Baltimore at NYGiants
Minnesota at Tampa Bay
Detroit at Carolina
St Louis at San Fransisco
Arizona at Seattle
Tennessee at Jacksonville
San Diego at Pittsburgh
Dallas at Washington

Monday:
Cleveland at Buffalo
Tie Break*Combined Score-42

Bring it on BFLers!

Open Letter to the Trolls:

Why do you comment on blogs that you don't like? Why do you even read them? There are eleventy billion other blogs out there-go find one that you do like and leave my friends alone.

They are strong women. They are trying to make it through each day, with the cards that they've been dealt. This season, this economy, this life is hard sometimes and no one needs criticism from strangers that have no vested interest in their lives and don't care if their feelings are hurt.

If you want to be a part of this blogging community then remember the golden rule:

If you can't say anything nice then don't say anything at all.

There is no reason to click on the comment box if you are not going to be positive, or at least constructive. Being hateful and/or 'superior' is unacceptable. Say it with love, respect and humility and you will be welcomed into this community. We're not interested in the rest.

Oh, and come to think of it this goes for the hateful stuff that is going around politically as well. Everyone has an opinion and if someone voices theirs in a polite, respectful, non-threatening way, there should be no repercussions or ugliness, regardless of what their opinion is.

The Windy City

The location for BlogHer '09 was announced yesterday.

Chicago, July 23-25.

Damn. I can't commit yet, probably not until after the first of the year. Maybe not at all.

I am probably going to have to decide between BlogHer and SheSpeaks-I don't know if I can reasonably do both in one summer from Southern California. The airfare for one will probably do me in, then I have to figure out hotel too.

Who is planning on going? BlogHer or SheSpeaks? Both? Is anyone pairing up for rooms yet?

Damn, damn, damn.

And this is the summer that my kids have a short summer due to a change in the district schedule-2 weeks shorter! That would mean that I'd be away for 2 of the last 3 or 4 weekends. Is that a good idea, even?

Gah! I don't dig this at all.

Does anyone have a money tree that I can borrow? The California winters are mild and I swear it wouldn't die. I'll take excellent care of it for you as long as I'd get several hundred dollars off of it in the next few months. Anyone?

150

Way back in January, (when only about 3 people read this blog,) I wrote about my resolutions for this year. Hey, all the cool kids were doing it, so I thought I would too. (Insert cliche about jumping off bridge here.)

One of my resolutions was to lose a few more pounds, ten to be exact. I had worked really hard changing eating habits and basically getting off of my butt for the previous six months, and I saw great results. But I think I really underestimated how hard it would be to lose ten more.

For the majority of the year I have kept up a decent level of exercise-I walk at least 3-4 days a week. I sometimes even run for part of it. I do "floor work" (push ups, sit ups, etc.), although on an increasingly sporadic schedule. (Remember my quest for 100 pushups this summer? My arms rocked for BlogHer but then, meh.) I looked decent in a bathing suit in Hawaii (= knew no one except family=forgiving,) and didn't even put one on for the cruise. (I know! On a cruise! Crazy!)

Now we are creeping (ok, barreling) toward the end of the year and it is normal to look back and reflect on the things that we wanted to accomplish this year. I think that I was naive to think that I would find, or even make the time to get this done. As much as I love some exercise, I get sucked into other things, and don't have an 'exercise partner' that would help keep me motivated. (Any takers?)

Should I be able to motivate myself? Yes. Do I let myself off of the hook more often than I should? Yes. Am I going to beat myself up about it?

Absolutely not.

While I haven't lost any more in the last 10 months, I also haven't gained. Through vacations and parties, and eating crappy at times, I have not gained.

I see this as a victory of sorts. See, the fact that I still lace up my walking shoes on a regular basis means that I have made a lifestyle change that is for the long haul. The fact that most of the time (current week notwithstanding) we, as a family, eat really well is a nutritional victory for all of us. And it shows on my scale that my body can roll with a few punches and maintain my only-slightly-less-than-perfect figure. I'm ok with that.

Well, unless Carmen moves to my neighborhood. I have a feeling she'd kick my butt all over the martial arts studio and I'd lose those last few pounds.

The best thing that I've gotten out of this journey is that I love my body more and more, even in it's imperfection. I feel stronger, my skin is clearer; my mind is clearer.

And that's a great place to be, no matter what the scale says.

Random Christmas Memory

So, you know how you have random memories that you always think, "Hey, I should post that!" Well, this is one of those things. Is it funny or blog worthy? You be the judge.

I remember a Christmas when I was a kid, maybe 8 or 9?, when my brother and I had both asked for skateboards. The tradition at our house was for Santa to leave our 'big' present in one of the wing back chairs in our living room. We usually got an outfit too, I think.

Well, this particular Christmas we both got the skateboards that we had asked for. They were plastic-I think one was red and the other yellow- not quite the 'cool' boards of today, but cool enough. I was also into ballet at the time so Santa also brought me a tutu.

After the madness of all of the presents my brother and I headed outside to ride our new skateboards. We lived on a cul-de-sac and my best friend was our next-door neighbor so I had to go see what she got.

The most vivid memory I have of that day is riding my yellow skateboard up the front walk to her house.

In my tutu.

The Answers You Seek

The next two questions go together quite well:

Kathy said... Before anyone takes mine...

Define and describe in detail your perfect day from sun up to sun down, from food to activities.

And-

meandmom said...

What is your favorite way to end the day?

I have hesitated to answer these questions. Mostly because I think that I'll sound selfish if I answer honestly. Mom's sometimes get in trouble for wanting things for themselves, even though it can be the best thing for their family in the long run. A whole day to myself? Now that would be a gift.

Anyway, as for Kathy's question...

My perfect day would begin with sleeping in-no waking up to screaming children. Although come to think of it I wouldn't sleep too long lest I get too lazy and groggy. My darling husband would have already made the coffee-just like every day. (He's a gem, that one.) I would go for a long walk-about 5 miles.

I would then have something yummy for breakfast-eggs benedict sounds good since I just burned those calories! And maybe a mimosa, just because.

For activities it would depend on a few things-who was around to do something with! I love spending the day playing with the kids at the beach. Ooh-I know! Reading a great book on the beach with a pool boy to bring me fruity drinks! That would be a great day. If my mom, aunt, and Alice were around I would love to pick through a large craft show or a really good antique shop finding perfect *stuff*. If Headless Girl was around, and there were no limits on the budget, I would love to take her shopping. Well, that is if she was actually in the mood to buy something.

Probably the greatest day, though, would be to spend it with Headless Dad. We get very few days together that don't involve some sort of housework, yard work, kid work, etc. that it would be a real treat. Wine tasting, maybe? He's not so much for the shopping so I don't really know what we would do but it would be great to just be able to BE, together.

As for dinner I would probably want to just eat in. HD makes a mean filet and then if we weren't out I could drink lots of some red wine. Yum. Although, I do love to go to this place in the OC. For those of you that are in the area it is worth every penny and you will never forget the experience.

My favorite way to end the day? Well, when HD is working I love to read in bed, watching the news, maybe with a small, yummy treat. Blogging is a viable alternative in that scenario. Alas, that happens all of about 3 times a year.

The absolute best way to end the day? To crawl in bed, next to the love of my life, snuggle in, and know that I am the luckiest woman in the world to be blessed with amazing kids, and a husband who loves me beyond my wildest dreams.

Who's Got Your Back?

All creatures,

Great and small,

The good Lord

Loves

Them all.

25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life^[a]?(Matthew 6: 25-27)

(All pictures are mine. From the top: 1)Red bird, Hawaii '08, 2) and 3) Headless Boys with tiny frogs, Hawaii '08, 4) Pelicans over San Clemente, Aug. '08, 5) Gecko, Hawaii '08)

BFL- Week 10

(This is my second post of the day for those of you who are keeping track. NaBloPoMo says nothing about posting twice in a day, right? I can't let my BFL peeps down, now can I?) THU, NOV 6 Denver at Cleveland SUN, NOV 9 New Orleans at Atlanta Tennessee at Chicago Jacksonville at Detroit Seattle at Miami Green Bay at Minnesota Buffalo at New England St. Louis at NY Jets Baltimore at Houston Carolina at Oakland Indianapolis at Pittsburgh Kansas City at San Diego NY Giants at Philadelphia MON, NOV 10 San Francisco at Arizona Combined total score- 28 ·Bye: Cincinnati,Dallas,TampaBay, Washington
Holy cow these are hard games to pick this week, but I'll go for it. I have to stand by my Broncos, thank goodness it's only Cleveland. Anyway, head on over to Insta-mom's place for the rest of the action. And maybe I can fix this formatting problem before I have to post my winner's badge!

Ravioli with Asparagus

This is one of my easy, go-to dinners for busy weeknights. And my family loves it.

I have a steamer that I use several times a week-you can prepare the asparagus ahead of time and then turn on the steamer about 10 minutes before you're ready to sit down. You could also use zucchini, that is, if your children will eat it.

I keep a large bag of ravioli in the freezer (bought at Costco)-these are cheese and spinach, but you can use your favorite. The sauce is jarred-just heat in a sauce pan while the ravioli is cooking-and spoon over asparagus and ravioli to taste.

Easy, fast, and looks fancy too!

Do you have a favorite and quick weeknight dinner?

Oh! Don't forget to go read the Compassion Blog today, and click through to the individual bloggers. I can't believe some of these stories-- truly moving.

Randomocity

Wow. I'm only 5 days in and I've got nothing. NaBloPoMo is already kicking my butt. Partially because I'm tired, but also because I'm sick, sick, sick of the election, the ads, the mudslinging, and I will not give in and post about it. Only a few hours to go-hopefully.

*****

I haven't done a random update on things around here lately (and I know that you are dying to know the minutae,) so here we go. Randomocity at it's finest.

• Fall has finally arrived in Southern California. We have rain, cool breezes, sweatshirts, and jeans. I am a happy camper.
• It also makes me very, very tired. The desire to crawl into bed is strong, my friends.
  
• The whining during homework is of epic proportions from one child. Every day. So capable, JUST DO IT, already! (And you people wonder why I drink wine...)(Mmmm, think I'll go pour a glass, come to think of it!)
  
• HG came home to vote and they had run out of stickers. I think that was the only reason she wanted to vote-the sticker and Starbucks. (Just kidding, but she was disappointed.)
• Headless Dad is having shoulder surgery later in the month. About a week before Thanksgiving. That ought to be fun. He's had shoulder surgery once before so at least we know what we are in for. It's not pretty.
  
• I am thoroughly disappointed with my football teams this year. Rumor has it that Fullmer (UT head coach) will resign after the season is over. I've been a loyal fan, but it is time I think. I just want to win, Vols, and so far it ain't happenin' much this year. Let's not even talk about the Broncos. It's just too painful.
• I can't wait for my pal Kelly to come to visit! We always laugh a lot when we're together. I'm going to have to make time to blog while she's here but hopefully the laughter will make for some good blog fodder.
• I love that even though we don't agree on much politically, AmyinOhio and I can agree on this. Any one listening? There ARE things to agree on around here!
  
• Does anyone else want to pull out their eyelashes one by one when they have to do flash cards with their kids? My new favorite thing to hate.
• I am having a really hard time remembering some things. For instance, I really need to make an appointment with the eye doctor but I always forget during the day. I remember when I'm in the middle of cooking. Or sleeping. Not so conducive to list making.
• I am really looking forward to hearing where BlogHer '09 is going to be. I'm really hoping to go, but it's all about location, location, location.
• I also really, really want to go to this speaker/writers conference. I don't know how I'll swing both.
• I also really want to spend a big chunk of time in Colorado this summer. That, I can do. All I have to do is get there-stay with Mom and Dad, make a few phone calls to line up some 'entertainment', and-done. I really can't wait. It's been 2 years since I've been there and I'm going through serious withdraw.
• I really think that it is time for a strong, viable third party to emerge. (See, even I can't leave the politics alone.) Neither party seems to be doing so well in really representing the people. I hope everyone reading this voted, but there needs to be more choices in candidates-for all levels of government, but especially for national offices.
• This list is too long. If you promise to go visit the Compassion Blogs, I'll call it a day. OK?

I promised mediocrity, and I have delivered.

The Old School Try...

meandmom said...

I LOVE this idea! What did you study in Tennessee?

(Sidenote- The Mom from meandmom or I'm OK, You're OK, is the coolest. She is a hard working single mom of two delightful, insightful, smart girls. Although I would love to see her post more often, I totally know that I could never do what she does, and I'm in awe of the fact that she even blogs at all.)

When I was in high school I thought that I wanted to go to the University of New Mexico. It was far enough away from my home town that I could "start anew", but still less than a days' drive. I even applied early so I could qualify for a reciprical agreement between Colorado and New Mexico that would make me elligible for instate tuition. I think that I knew where I was going before Christmas of my senior year. I chose New Mexico because I wanted to be a deaf ed/elementary school teacher, and UNM was the closest school that had both.

Up until the spring of my senior year I had never been to New Mexico, much less the university. All of my university visits, or drive-bys, had been at U of Colorado, Boulder, or Memphis State University (where my parents went,) read=old, ivy-covered brick. Traditional-looking colleges.

(Tracey is now laughing-possibly even squirting liquid out of her nose. She knows where I'm going with this, I'm sure.)

One three day weekend in February we left on a Friday afternoon to drive to Albuquerque to do the full-on college weekend: tour the campus, see what we could see, and explore the city. Of course we arrived late in the evening to our hotel so we would have to wait until morning to see what we could see.

Industrial adobe.

On Saturday we went to the university to take the tour. We saw the 8 story adobe, or 'southwest style' library, and the less-than-desirable neighborhoods surrounding the university, and decided that we'd had enough of Albuquerque and headed back to Denver. Yes, less than 24 hours into a 3 day weekend, and we were headed home.

(My apologies to Albuquerque and those of you that live there. I have since been there and really enjoyed my stay, and I'm sure that there have been great changes since I was there. Remember I was a young and stupid 17 year old.)

For those of you that are still with me, you'll remember that I said that it was February. Now, after seeing and not liking UNM at all I was in a quandry. I had applied at one in-state school that I really didn't want to go to but I was resigned to go there since I hadn't applied any where else.

In the middle of all of this my mom went to visit an old friend in Knoxville, Tennessee. She returned home raving about how beautiful the city was, and that the university was "old school" like I was expecting. If you have ever been in east Tennessee in April you know what she means. Blooming dogwoods, sunny skies, mild temperatures. What's not to like?

So, off went my application.

I was accepted.

I committed, sight unseen. (You see the pattern, right?)

Well, I went to orientation and it was ok-save for the dreadful July heat. The university was beautiful, and I was ready for my adventure.

I arrived on campus, moved into my dorm, and started sorority recruitment. I don't remember much about my first roommate-she moved out pretty quickly-and I was alone for the rest of the semester. I did join a sorority, dove headfirst into greek life, and all that it has to offer. Oh, I guess I went to classes because I didn't fail anything (that I remember.) As a freshman I pretty much studied general ed-english, history, that kind of stuff. I also took a gymnastics class. I remember that because when all of my friends were complaining about gaining the freshman 15 I had lost it. I was working out, and not eating much, and drinking A LOT.

I know that my parents must have known that I was unhappy there-my 'emergency' credit card had lots of emergencies on it. You know, the emergency outfit, the emergency dinner at Copper Cellar, complete with cocktails. There were also the calls home at times that I should have been out having fun-Friday night, anyone? During the football games? What was I thinking? Anyway, yes, I was pretty unhappy.

I returned after Christmas vacation to winter in east Tennessee. Gray, gray, and more gray. My mom remembers me calling home one time saying that I hadn't seen the sun in over 2 weeks. Sunshine is a must in my life, no matter what the temperature is I really need the sun.

By spring break, I had had it. I was going home. (UT was on the quarter system at the time so I had finished 2 quarters.) I spent the week deciding what to do with my parents, then going back to the dorm to pack and then driving home.

So, the short answer to "What did you study at Tennessee?" is sorority, drinking, consumerism, depression, and knowing myself well enough to know that I'd had enough.

P.S. I will answer the second half of your question in another post.

P.P.S. Have you checked out the Compassion Blogs today? You really need to!

How Far Would You Go For A Child?

Today the following group of bloggers will wake up in the Dominican Republic. That's pretty far.

• Melanie - BigMama
• Jennifer Donovan - 5 Minutes for Mom
• Mary Ostyn - Owlhaven.net
• Tim Challies - Challies.com
• Shaun Groves - Shlog
• Brian Seay - A Simple Journey
• Marlboro Man, from ThePioneerWoman.com

I have been reading Mary and Melanie for a long time now and they are mighty women of God and have hearts for children in need. You can click on their stories by clicking on these links all week long-all 7 of them will be liveblogging their trip and will have incredible stories to tell.

[Earlier this year Compassion took another trip-to Uganda. I read the stories each day and was truly moved. Shannon and Sophie were a part of that trip, among others, and you can find their stories in their archives. Worth the dig.]

They are traveling for Compassion International to bring attention to the need of the children there. There are currently 493 children there that need sponsors. For $32 a month you can sponsor one of these children, or one from anywhere around the world. Compassion truly helps children and their families make it through the poverty that surrounds them.

On the Compassion website you can sponsor a child, donate to a number of special funds, and find out more about what they do.

I'm praying for their trip- for safe travel, for lives to be changed, and for a mighty number of blog readers to be moved to help. Will you help?

Get this widget!

I'm adding this to Kelly's Word of Mouth Monday because I can't think of a better thing to spread around. After you check out Compassion's site go see Kelly and find out what she has to say today-you won't be disappointed!

Sunday

On Sunday, two weeks ago, my boys were baptized. For many of you this may not sound like a big deal, but for us it is.

It is my belief that when you ask Jesus to guide your life, you should also then be baptized in water as an outward admission of sin, repentance, and desire to have the Holy Spirit guide your life. Jesus did it, even though he was perfect, and so should we.

We have never pushed them to make this decision. Yes, we go to church each week. We pray together, and talk about the things of God, the Bible, and what it means to be a Christian, but we have never pushed our children to make that decision. It is one of the heart, one of an individual being drawn to God and the things of His Kingdom.

When our children (or yours, or me, or you) make this decision it is a glorious day. It means that they can live a free life, knowing that God is with them even when you can't be. It means that they, in their own heart, have asked Jesus to live with them, guide them, protect them, forgive them. We all fall short in some area, but having Jesus is having life, for eternity.

Baptism is a choice. A choice to follow God. A choice to be led by the Holy Spirit. A choice for freedom from this world forever, and I'm proud that my children have chosen to follow God.

Am I Crazy?

Hey! You'll notice a new little gadget over there to the left... Yes, I'm taking the plunge. Join me here each day this month for National Blog Posting Month-30 posts in 30 days. I hope I can do it because I'm hoping for more discipline for writing. At the very least you might get to see more pictures, at the most I might get really verbose on you.

So really? Expect mediocracy. You won't be disappointed.