#1 Songs

So this was actually an email forward thing. But I don't feel like forwarding. So I made it a blog tag. Check it out!

Do you know the #1 song the day you were born? Go to THIS WEBSITE and look up the number one song for your birth date.

Carolyn: "Sugar, Sugar" by The Archies

BAM's First Christmas

Little One Christmas

All in One Place

Decorating the tree was an over and over again activity. Little one likes to take them off and put them all back on. Usually on the same branch.

Peek A Boo

Christmas Anxiety

I'm glad to know that my Christmas anxiety isn't anything new. And I just need to remember that I don't have to be anxious.

Christmas story teaches us not to be afraid

Published Date: 24 December 2008
By Andrew Anderson

The Christmas story of the birth of Jesus is a story with a powerful and enduring
appeal. Each year we gladly celebrate it in the cards we send and receive, in
the carols we sing, in our Christmas decorations, in school nativity plays, and
in church services.

Joseph and Mary going to Bethlehem, the birth of Jesus in the stable, the
baby laid in a manger, the angels' appearance to the shepherds, the wise men
following the star and coming to worship Jesus with their gifts.We love the
story! It has warmth and a comfort that perhaps reminds us of the time when we
celebrated Christmas as little children in our families, and which remain as
especially happy memories for many of us.

But closer examination of the story in the Bible shows us that it was for
those involved a time of anxiety, and even great fear. The words "do not be
afraid" run throughout the narrative.

When the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary to tell her that she would give
birth to Jesus his first words were "do not be afraid, Mary". The angel who
appeared to Joseph to tell him about the child Mary was carrying says to him "do
not be afraid". When the angel appeared to the shepherds to tell them of Jesus'
birth his first words were also "do not be afraid". We need to hear this because
we are anxious and fearful and there is much we find threatening. Our personal
circumstances this Christmas may be difficult. The credit crunch is bringing
misery to many. Terrorism is rarely out of the news. Many live as victims of
injustice and cruelty.

But the message of that first Christmas at Bethlehem still has power to
change lives and renew our world for the better – "a Saviour has been born to
you", "peace on earth and goodwill towards all people".

If we can open our lives and accept the loving invitation of God for us in
Jesus Christ, and if we can share that love in our care for others, then the
Christmas message will lessen our fears and bring us all comfort and joy.

Andrew Anderson is Minister at Greenside Parish Church and Moderator of the
Presbytery of Edinburgh

Less than 48 hours

I think I may be in trouble. I'm not done Christmas shopping. I am watching BAM tonight. I am NOT dragging a baby and a 2 year old out shopping. Maybe I can get it done tomorrow in the 2 or 3 hours I have between when I get done with our 1:30 appointment and when we have plans?

Criminy. How do I do I manage to do this to myself each year.

Blessed Solstice Happy Winter

Well here we find ourselves in the first day of winter. The shortest day of the year. So far it has brought bitter cold. It's not supposed to make it above zero today. Wind chills in the negative 20s. Which really just means you could freeze to death on the way to the car from the house. And here I agreed to run to the store for new mama so she doesn't have to drag Baby BAM out. Not to mention the work Christmas party at 4:00 this afternoon. Thank you to Mother Nature.

But on the solstice note. May you find this Winter season one of rest and rejuvenation. It's all longer days from here!

Blessed Be.

Humpity Hump Hump Humpity Hump Hump

Humpity Hump Hump Humpity Hump Hump. Look at the week go. Humpity Hump Hump Humpity Hump Hump over the freakin cold!

Happy Wednesday.

we have a week more or less until Christmas. I am soooo not ready. so here is what I am doing in a 24 hour period to feel a little more Christmasy.

• Went to Target last night and bought a few odds and ends and stocking stuffers. I love me that dollar spot section!
• Little one and I ordered a gift or two online to send to some people that live a little ways a way.
• Made up gift bags for people at work and delivered them this a.m.
• This morning's coffee was a Christmas type ground.
• Bought a gift card for someone when we went to lunch.
• Going to put the little one in a festive outfit and take her to the care center to meet some of her sister's favorite residents.
• try and get the tree and the nativity put up.
• the diet coke can has snowflakes on it.
• wore my Season's Greetings sweater.
• RSVP'd to a holiday party I hadn't planned on going to but changed my mind.

This is my attempt at today's ho ho ho activities. I'll let you know how it works out!

You have to admit. I'm doing much better than last year. And WAY better than the years before that. I might just manage this festive thing yet.

Naked Baby Pictures

Baby BAM likes taking baths. :) He especially likes being naked!

Seeing Santa part 2

Just a bigger version of the group picture. Don't they look cute?

Seeing Santa

These are pics from a couple of weekends ago. Every day since Bray wants to go see Santa.

It's been a week since I blogged

I have been informed that I am neglecting my blog. This is me updating my blog. I'll get back to you with the rest of the update.

{{ insert cynical laugh here }}

Can you actually "be in love" with a song?

If you can be, I am. With this one. Right now. Downloaded the whole album from Amazon. LOVING IT!

Note: before you play this feed, you'll have to go over there ------->>>>>> and push pause on the player.

Ok, it kind of doesn't like me I guess. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn't. CLICK HERE if it isn't playing for you.

Muuuusic Professor!

Our cheeks are nice and rosy. Baby, it's cold outside. It's Christmas time in the city. I'm trying not to be a grinch. Figured music might put me in the mood. So, I've collected 50 odd songs on my playlist. Do you mind? Do you want me to ditch it? Just make it not auto play? Happy with the way it is? Have a request? Feedback people. I need feedback.

Hang out for a while. I'd love to share my favorite Christmas songs with you!

Out of order posts

I wrote this post and then saved it as a draft instead of posting it. The post that is out of order. if you read these chronologically, I am sorry. if you haven't been here in more than a week. first - where the heck have you been? second - you don't care so ignore this post.

Advent Conspiracy

Great idea don't you think? And every big thing has always started with an idea. Stay tuned. I have a way to make this a big idea from the little group we have here. I'll fill ya in. In the meantime....

I don't often discuss things like this publicly

Let's just suffice it to say that I could stand to lose more than a few pounds. I've lost a couple of pants sizes worth since spring. But I still have a long ways to go. And after the mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie last weekend, it's probably one or two pounds more than it was a week ago. Anybody else? I hate the numbers that stare back at me from the scale. So I avoid it most of the time. In fact there isn't one even in my house. So I was intrigued by this new product. And I entered a contest to win one.

I entered the Mary Lou's Weigh Platform Giveaway!
Check out Roni’s Weight Loss Blog for more information.

And no. This isn't a Christmas wish list item. If you give me a scale for Christmas we may never speak again. j/k

I have a Clementine addiction

I don't particularly like Country music. But I know this band. They call themselves country. I think they rock. And I can't get enough of them. They are good friends. They are my friends. And it sucks that I only get to see them a couple of times a year.

Check them out. I think you just might like them. Stay For the Ride.

Go Elf Yourself. It's freakin hysterical.

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

The Day After The Day They Stuffed Themselves Volume 2

I spent a good deal of time on Thursday night going over the ads with New Mom. We didn't find anything we absolutely HAD to have. Except of course the Wii. Which she is obsessed with. And which she is convinced that someone is going to put one under her tree this year. So not finding much, we decided that we were probably not going to go shopping. Then the stamp pusher called. She wanted to go to Penney's at 4 am. I said no way. She said she was going anyway and then wanted to be at Target when they opened at 6. Thinking 6 sounded more reasonable, I agreed to meet her at her house for the 6 am leg of her shopping adventure.

So off to Target we went. At 6 AM. There was a line outside. Target. you know. the store with no "doorbuster" deals. they had a line outside. probably 200+ people were waiting outside for I never did figure out what. Me, I bought quite a few $4 & $6 DVDs.

Then, not finding that we HAD to have anything else at any other store.... the stamp pusher and I made the absolutely mind numbing choice to go home. At 7 am.

I went shopping the day after Thanksgiving aka Black Friday and I was home by 7 am. Mark this down. I was proud. not of the 7 am thing. but of the $$ I didn't spend thing. It was remarkable. for me at least.

went home. hung out with the little one and the hubby. cleaned the kitchen from the chaos the day before. took a nap. then the new mama called. she wanted to go shopping. for scrubs at garden ridge. they were $4 today after all. so I agreed. maybe we'll stop at halfprice books after and raid the Dr Seuss stash. no big deal.

right? right.

Then there I was. standing in Garden Ridge. Where Christmas had exploded and left a zillion Christmas trees and ornaments and home decorating ideas all over the place. There I was. with my lovely new mama daughter. and my beautiful BAM grandson. And the little one. the one that is two. and all of a sudden my 19 year old daughter and my 2 year old daughter saw this Christmas decoration explosion. and I saw the looks in their eyes. and then the two had this little subliminal plotting conversation. and the next thing I know, I have a 6 ft blow up santa to go next to the 6 foot sized snowman that we already have at home. and we have a new seasonal welcome mat. and we have the cutest little hoho hat for little one. she tried on several I am here to tell you. and something else. what was that other thing. I may have to check my receipt. but there was something else.

and then we went to half price books. Don't ever take a 2 year old to half price books. especially one that lives to be read to. it was worse than the trip to the library. because I limited her to two. mommy however didn't have a limit and numerous Christmas presents were purchased.

then we went to burlington coat factory. where they have a baby depot. dang that big baby section. new mama and I had to talk each other out of MANY purchases.

then to Target. it was supposed to be for diapers and frozen pizza. um. yeah. that's what we went for. and then it was all over but the crying.

so much for being proud of the little bit of $$ I spent the day after Thanksgiving. note to self. Next year: leave the girls at home. LOL

Hope you had a more economical day than I. all is well though. I didn't charge anything so we are still good. :)

"40 things to be Thankful for" Part IV

31. Health insurance.
32. Greatest Hits compilations CDs.
33. Jim Henson and his Sesame Street creations.
34. Massage.
35. Scissors.
36. Having choices as to what to do for Thanksgiving.
37. Email.
38. Copy machines.
39. The color Blue.
40. Sunshine.

"40 things to be Thankful for" Part III

21. Friends that remind me that I am supposed to be thankful.
22. Legal drugs.
23. My grandma's recipes.
24. Library books.
25. Generous supporters for programs.
26. Healthy children.
27. Prayer.
28. A running vehicle.
29. Crocs.
30. Pizza Delivery.

Google searches that will lead you here

The analytics tool for blogger.com tells you how people using search engines find my blog. Searching for selsun blue is still the most popular way to get here. Now we can add the following to the search list:

how to kill the people you work with

I is scared. how did that make them find me?

9 things I found on Etsy that I think I can't live without

1. This is Kelly Rae. I hope to one day shake her hand and tell her that her art makes me feel good. She is truly inspired and inspiring.
2. Boys are Blockheads prints from this guy will TOTALLY be going into my house.
3. This illustrator will most likely be making an appearance in the little one's room.
4. It's not so much what this says that makes me giggle. It's what the seller says. in the description. I mean "for this price you can get whatever size you want" I know that's not what it says. but I read it like "if you are wacked enough to pay $10 you can have whatever size you want". Don't ask. too many drugs today I think.
5. $60,000 for a cell phone photo. It made me laugh. It was supposed to. I hope.
6. I love coffee. I used to love, Elsie scrapbook stuff too. but now I just love her etsy stuff
7. Jaw Dropping Vegan Soap. This makes me laugh. I wish I had an extra bathroom to put this soap in. It would clash with the current decor. But it'd be damn funny.
8. Felt veggies. playing with your food has never been so fun.
9. This isn't on etsy. But it's my friend Candice's online store. She's way cooler than etsy. And she's by far and away the one that will get the most of my holiday shopping money this year.

Buy handmade!

10 Random Things for a Friday

1. Thanksgiving is one week from yesterday. We still haven't decided what we are doing for the holiday weekend. Is that sad or what?
2. I just finished a can of NUTrition South Beach Mix. I saved a macadamia for last.
3. We are doing a food pantry drive at work. We sent information out in the newsletter to all of our program participants. The same people who probably use the pantry the most. I have been amazed at the number of people who have brought food in. It's cool to see.
4. I am roughly two weeks behind on everything. How did that happen?
5. My mom is coming this weekend for some quality grandchildren time. Maybe I can get my porch cleaned up!
6. It was 13 degrees when I got in the car to go to work today. I can't find my hat and mitten box. Yet another reason to clean up the porch. I think they might be out there somewhere.
7. I want a sake bomb.
8. Little one would live on Yogurt Burst Cheerios this week if you let her. She sits there and picks out all of the pink ones first. It's funny to watch.
9. I cancelled my subscription to thegrocerygame.com. It was good deals but I just wasn't using it every week. That and I have a 2 year old that obsessively recycles every newspaper thing she finds. Including the pile of coupon flyers.
10. TNT is running Season 1 of Las Vegas. I'm loving it!

Happy weekend everyone!

There you go Ms Tasteful Stamp Pusher. There is your Friday 10. :)

"40 things to be Thankful for" Part II

11. To live in a country with quality medical care.
12. co-workers that bring the best they have to the job.
13. My garden.
14. Diet Coke.
15. Serenity.
16. Professional MnM throwing.
17. my dogs.
18. Jack.
19. The hens that give us eggs every day.
20. Laughter

Keep in mind these are in no particular order. :)

Sending out some blogging love

crowdSPRING, hire Kelly Purkey for your new Community Marketing Manager!

"40 Things to be Thankful for" Part I

Did this last year. Want to do it again. Encourage you to make a list of your own. Share if you like!

1. The opportunity to be a parent.
2. Two beautiful and healthy grandsons.
3. My husband.
4. Parents that love me unconditionally.
5. Friends that stand by me no matter what.
6. A stronger "network" than I had a year ago.
7. Employment that is recession proof.
8. A roof over my head.
9. People that look for Erin.
10. Music.

What a Depression would look like

I'm glad I have a job that is pretty much recession/depression proof. And we have the land to raise what we need. I'm lucky that way.

I know this is a pessimistic view on the direction of all things financial. But this article is an interesting view on the way that things "could look like" if we were to have another depression. Scary as it is, we are closer to it than at any other time in our lifetimes. Boston Globe Article

That said - I feel for those that have lost their homes. I feel the impact of those who have lost their jobs. I feel for those that have lost 50 - 60% of their retirement and are living off of that money. And I know based upon what we are seeing at my job that it is only getting worse. Are we headed for a depression?

Food for thought I guess.

Me, I'm going to keep looking for ways to cut costs. And still eat something other than beans and rice.

10 Random Things for a Friday

1. I lost my point and shoot camera last Wednesday. With my driver's license and debit card in it. I had to be on a plane on Thursday morning at 6:00 am. With no driver's license. It was fun. You thought going through normal level security was a pain. Let me introduce you to "selectee security screening". Yikes.
2. My pictures from our NYC trip last fall were on the camera. That makes me sad.
3. I have had something from Starbucks three of the last 7 days. And they have all been really darn good. :)
4. I am going to the stamp pusher's house to drink wine and play with paper tonight.
5. This week's three day work week has put me REALLY behind. I am going to have to work a good part of the weekend.
6. They are starting to put up the fences and lights for a couple of the Christmas Tree stands. Which seems too soon and then I realized... only 3 more paychecks until Christmas.
7. My BFTCMHBFTLFA (best friend that calls me her best friend that lives far away for those of you that dont' want to search to find out what that means. LOL) Anyway... she was here with her daughter on Wednesday night. They went to their 2nd of 2 NKOTB concerts at the Qwest Center. Their visit was much too short but fun was had by all and I am still recovering from the lack of sleep that comes with going to bed at 2:30 am on school night.
8. The super cool desk chair is starting to squeak. It's annoying.
9. I'm frustrated with people that say they will do something and then don't follow through. I am even more frustrated when that person is me.
10. Prince - The Hits 1 is in my CD player right now.

Happy random 10! Now - go figure out what you are going to make for Thanksgiving Dinner. It's only 2 weeks away you know.

Need a Dream Analyzer

Do you analyze dreams? If so, run this one through your analyzing tool.

Night before last -- I had a dream that we woke up in the morning and "they" had disconnected our water for non-payment. There was even a notice posted on the bathroom door telling me as much.

Sad I tell you. What does it mean? What is my subconcious trying to tell me? The obvious would of course be that it is telling me to make sure I have paid the water bill. Which I haven't. But I don't have to. You see, we have a well and a septic. And therefore there is no proverbial "they" to shut off the water.

Struck me as pretty darn funny. Probably not you. But it did me. And it did Mistry. Because when I told her about it last night she laughed with me. Or at me. Not sure which now that I think about it. It could be the large quantity of alcohol that she had injested though. We never know with her.

Your analysis?

Thank you to KWWL

Erin's Story on KWWL If you click the little camera link on the left hand column you can view the story.

This is by far the best story that has ever been done. I can not express my gratitude enough.

Thanks Nate. You rock.

Erin's story - If you live in CR

For those of you who read this and live in the Cedar Rapids area.....

KWWL (Channel 7) is airing Erin's story tonight on the 10 pm news.

For everyone else... They tell me they'll have the story on the website later tonight. I'll link to it when available.

Now just cross your fingers and toes and say a prayer or two that the someones that know where she is will spill their guts after they see it on the TV again tonight.

10 Random Things for a Friday

So I finally figured out how to set posts to post in the future. So here is your random 10 even though I didn't write it on Friday. :)

1. Shout out to my tasteful friend the stamp pusher. She got herself a cool new job at a company that I would love to work for. I love it when people say, "I'm sick of my job. It's time to move on." and then they actually go do something about it.
2. Little one is obsessed with the Elmo's Potty Time dvd. She won't sit still for 15 minutes about anything else in her life but she'll sit for 45 minutes and watch this. And then demand to watch it again. and again. and again. and again. What does something that exceeds an obsession become?
3. Me - I like this video with Elmo and the Goo Goo Dolls. I love them. :)
4. My BFTCMHBFTLFA is coming to visit next week.
5. I ate grocery store sushi again this week. Ick. Why do I keep doing this to myself? I think I have learned my lesson though. Good sushi or no sushi. No more mediocre sushi.
6. Realized that posting pictures on here has fallen to the wayside. I need to work on that.
7. My beautiful tree in the front yard is in full glory. It's the same one that is in the blog header. See - I am no longer 3 seasons behind. I'm current. LOL
8. Son2 voted for the first time this week. I am so proud.
9. I decided 2 months ago to finish some of last year's holiday projects to give as presents this year. So far I have finished exactly zero of those projects.
10. Hopefully by the time you are reading this, I have eaten dinner at Razoo's in Dallas. Fried pickles and alligator tail. yummmmmmm.

Be grateful. Be well. See you on Monday!

Hair we go

I just came back from the hair place. As my dear friend Elvis put it, "It was time to give up the hippy chick." I actually have a "style". :)

that and I took 14 inches off.

Pics tomorrow after I make my sister take one.

hope your hump day is all it's cracked up to be. Me, it's a friday because I start a 6 day weekend in about an hour.

love to all!

Did you vote yet?

Did you vote yet? You did? Good for you. Isn't it wonderful to live in a country where we get to vote without fear of persecution and violence?

You didn't? Go vote. Go now. You vote DOES count. How many votes did Gore lose by last election? If those 400+ people hadn't gone to vote. Imagine how different things might be.

Off to obsess over election results. Catch ya later.

Vote. Otherwise you have to shut up.

www.maps.google.com/vote - If you don't know where to go. No matter which side you are on. Just make sure you make time on Tuesday to go.

10 Random Things for a Friday

1. Most everyone around me calls me a vegetarian. I'm not. Never claimed to be. I'm actually a Pescetarian. I never knew that is what it was called until I read something else this week. Then I read this other webpage and now I feel bad about eating fish. Not that I ever gave up land animals because of an ethical reason. Just because I feel better when I don't eat the stuff. Will she give up sushi? Criminy that's a tough one.
2. I'm going to Dallas next weekend for a training/retreat for Team Hope. And I get to my sister and her family so that is a bonus.
3. Our interview with KWWL last weekend went really well. (thanks Nate!) I'm really excited about the story they are doing. It's not an Erin story. It's a missing person's story. And that is way cooler than any Erin story could ever be. Not that an Erin story is bad and I'd never turn one down (ok, once I did) but it gets attention for the WHOLE PROBLEM of missing persons. Not just Erin. There are 329 more missing kids in Iowa. They deserve attention too.
4. I lost the Halloween battle at my house. I kind of caved. We did get a costume for little one. She's going to be an angel. Ok, she already is an angel. Now she's just getting the real fake wings. Can't believe how expensive costumes are. It's insane I tell you. And I feel like a sell out for caving. But I might get over it. Maybe. But she's dressing up like an angel and that's pretty fitting. Cripes, this shouldn't be eating at me so bad!
5. We installed a new furnace at work Wednesday. I've had a headache ever since. Don't know if it's the PVC glue or the oil burning off the inside but I've spent most of the rest of the week with the doors and windows open and the fan on.
6. I "googled" myself yesterday. It's amazing the things you can learn. Even searched by my maiden name. That was a trip.
7. Remember the PANIC POST from earlier this month? Well it is now the end of the month and I didn't get it all done. And I have to just be OK with that and let it go.
8. I need a vacation. Somewhere with water you can snorkel in. Anybody got a lot of frequent flyer miles they want to donate to the cause?
9. I think we might take little one to Dallas for Thanksgiving. It's a long drive though so it's hard telling.
10. I'm making pumpkin puree this weekend. And some pumpkin bread and roasting pumpkin seeds. Fun will be had by all.

Happy day my friends! Be well and be safe.

10 Random Things for a Friday

1. A 10.5 oz bag of MM Mars Mini Mix has 1400 calories if you were to eat the entire bag. Not that I did that nor would even think about doing something like that. Ick. You'd be sick for days. I just thought it was good random information to have. Would be one heck of a sugar high though wouldn't it?
2. My laptop is sick. :( Too sllllooooowwwww. It was at the computer guru's house for most of the week. I was having serious internet withdrawl. Husband laughed at me. Then he's asked me about 50 times this week to go look something up. So he's having internet withdrawl too. Not so funny now is it Husband?
3. It is 36 steps round trip from my desk to my printer. It is 40 steps round trip to the copier. If I make 31 trips an hour to one or the other, I'll have my 10,000 steps in for the day.
4. I keep crashing my work email. It might be time to clean out some old emails. Can't decided what really doesn't need to be saved. Is there such a thing as email hoarding?
5. Little one is in the other room making this sit and spin toy sing over and over and over and over and over. It'll be stuck in my head for the rest of the day. "Simon says Spin!"
6. I know the doodlebops song. Sad I tell you. Just plain sad.
7. I get to spend the day with my mom! yeah!
8. I sing Neil Young to little one every night.
9. We had pumpkin bars for breakfast. LOL. Good nutrition don't you think?
10. I went to bed too late and got up too early. It's only 11 and I need a nap.

10 Random Things for a Friday

1. What a freakin week. I'm still in one piece. So that's a plus.
2. Planters NUT-rition South Beach Mix rocks! Cashews, Almonds, & Macadamias. How can you go wrong?
3. Pumpkin patch trip is planned for the weekend. woo hoo! Which reminds me, I need to call Wendy.
4. All of the applesauce we made last weekend is still in the fridge. I haven't found the time to can it. I should probably get on that tonight. Or I can just leave it for another week. Little one and I may have it all eaten by then.
5. My collarbone hurts and I have no idea what I did to it.
6. I want sushi and sake bombs but I'm broke so THAT won't be happening.
7. We are being interviewed next weekend for a story that the NBC affiliate in CR is doing. Glad for the exposure. Even more happy that they are doing the story with the focus that they are. On that note: There are currently over 420 persons listed as missing in Iowa. Why do I still feel like we are the only ones? (ok, us and one psycho mom, but I stay far away from her)
8. I bought a pint of half and half earlier this week to make something. Now I can't remember what I was going to make. And I have no idea what I am going to do with the half and half.
9. I think I am going to try and make Butternut Squash Risotto this weekend. Wish me luck. My last risotto making that wasn't from a box, didn't go so well. I should probably stick with the 4 cheese Risotto from Target that is so good. But this is me. I have to try other things. I have commitment issues.
10. There is not a single day on my calendar for the rest of the month that has nothing on it. It is madness I tell you. Pure madness!

Edited - Goodness gracious. I just re-read this. There are 5 things about food! Guess my ramen noodle lunch is catching up. LOL

Panic Button

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! I know it isn't the end of the world and when put into perspective it won't even be a blip but I have so much to get done between now and the end of the month that there is no possible way that I can do it all and maintain anything that even comes close to a ray of sanity and what was I thinking taking all weekend off to hang out and play and have mommy toddler book reading sessions and go to the farmer's market and cook applesauce and pretend there was nothing going on at work that justified going in on the first real fall weekend? AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

10 Random Things for a Friday

Thought I'd jump in here real quick and give you a random 10. Since I'm not getting anything done here at work today. See, I'm the only one here. Some goober boss gave everybody else the Friday off. And the boss wasn't on the ball enough to close the office and is now sitting here by herself answering phones and helping the random person that walks in the door. On to the 10.

1. Finger puppet presidential hopefuls. Who knew? And who had the spare time to do such a thing? And does it strike anyone else as ironic that they are finger "puppets"? And who is the real puppeteer?
2. I've had a cup of tea at least twice a day this week. I think this means my mind has wrapped itself around the fact that it is fall. I didn't have the same kind of tea twice. I think that means that I have way too many kinds of tea in the cupboard here at work.
3. I've given apples to about anyone that will take them. Tonight little one and I are picking more and using them for applesauce extravaganza this weekend. yum!!
4. Tomorrow is the last farmer's market of the season. :( I see lots of canning in my weekend.
5. Baby BAM spent the night last night. Love having him in the cradle.
6. The chickens are up to 7 or 8 eggs a day between them. Have you ever heard a hen when she is laying an egg? It's insanely loud and obnoxious. Poor girls. I can't imagine having something proportionally the same size come out of me once a day!
7. Have I told you yet about Pandora? LOVING IT!! What company was it that used to say "your music your way"? That's what Pandora is. I'd love to hear your channel?
8. THIS POST on Pioneer Woman makes me want to go take close up pictures of my dog's nose. Or flowers. Not sure what. But I want to take close up pictures of something. Wonder if I still have any flowers left in the front yard....
9. Still haven't found my wedding ring. {{insert big wailing face here}}
10. Sometimes the hardest thing and the right thing are the same.

Happy Friday y'all. Find a fun fall thing to do this weekend and then come report back. Can't wait to see what you come up with. toodles!

6 things meme

Why do they call these things a meme? I don't get it. I'm sure it's obvious and I'm sure one of you wonderous peeps will tell me.

Anyway, Lanel tagged me to do one where I tell you 6 things you probably don't know about me. Considering that I have pretty much been an open book on this blog and that several of you fine readers know nearly everything there is to know about me...... I'm not sure I can come up with 6. But I'll try.

1. My first personal email was a rocketmail.com address. I just checked and I can still get email at it. But there were 8661 new emails. That's a heck of a lot of spam.
2. My first car was a 1979 Subaru GL.
3. I am allergic to mustard and horseradish. Not quit breathing allergic. Just break out in big red splotches kind of allergic.
4. I have never been downhill skiing.
5. I have significant hearing loss in my left ear.
6. There are way too many pieces of scrapbook paper in the closet in the back room.

There you go. 6! I am sure that each of you already knew at least one of them. But it's harder than it looks.

I'm not much for tagging so feel free! And then leave a comment to let me know that you did it and I'll send you some linky love. :)

Pictures from the weekend

This is what it looks like when you cram 3 car seats in the back of a VW Passat.
And this is what it looks like when your best friend takes off with your daughter and your niece and expects you and the monster stroller to keep up.
Little one wouldn't leave Gracie's side. She followed her everywhere.
And this is what the 3 muskateers look like when you run them ragged all day.

1st sleepover. Cute, huh?

It's Monday not Friday

I missed Friday's random 10. We left town. Sorry. :) I wouldn't really mention it except there is a certain someone that will remind me today that I didn't post the 10. So this is really just for her. I'll try and post pics tonight of this weekend. We'll see how the homefront goes.

Happy Monday!

Searching for Gold

I have lost my wedding ring.

I was cutting the hollyhocks last night and went to throw some to the pile I had made that was 10 feet away. When I tossed the handful my ring flew off too. Bought a metal detector at Bass Pro. Jim spent most of the afternoon looking and I looked when I got home. We found lots of nails and caps and aluminum foil pieces.

But no ring.

Just praying that we find it tomorrow when we go back out.

But on an up note, the flower bed is pretty much clear for fall. small things, right?

I dare you not to tear up.

I needed a brain break. So I went to Dooce.com like I sometimes do. And Heather told me to go read THIS.

Go read it. The cab ride We'll talk about it later.

Not a political post

Remember when I told you that Roger Ebert had a blog? Does anybody else read it? I found this blog entry to be very interesting. It's about the candidates and their favorite movies. What do you wish you could ask the candidates? And not the normal foreign policy or economics questions. What do YOU want to know?

10 Random Things for a Friday

1. Roosters do not crow just in the morning. Either that or mine is confused.


2. Kashi is giving away free cookies! Dark chocolate. yummm.


3. I dyed new mom's hair this week. (at her request) It was supposed to be a strawberry blonde. It's more of a dark auburn. I think she wanted something brighter.


4. I put away the last of the citronella candles yesterday. Yet another sign of fall.


5. We have a volunteer squash plant growing near (and on) our heat pump. It's from one that didn't get picked up after the wedding last October. Little one keeps checking every day for ones that are big enough to pick.


6. Hubby and Son2 cleaned up volunteer trees from the fence line yesterday. They completely filled the dump cart. Twice. See. Told you we were behind on yard work.


7. Little one and I have eaten an apple directly off of the tree 4 times this week. Maybe this weekend I'll make applesauce. Hubby has ordered apple crisp as well.


8. Little one is sick. Today is day 5 of an unexplained fever. Took her for a couple of diagnostic things at the hospital yesterday. I just wish they'd find something so she can take something and feel better. And so we can all sleep straight through the night.


9. We moved the dune buggys. They still don't run. Apparently they can't find the right parts. I am sad. I want to ride the dunes. And I want them out of my yard. :)


10. Last weekend was the 5th annual family walk and bike ride event for Project Jason. We walked. Until little one would walk no more. and it then became the 1st annual carry your child for more than a mile event. Next time I need bring a stroller. Somebody remind me, OK? Thanks.

Check back later tonight. I'll try to get pictures uploaded after little one goes to bed. Kisses!

Things I'm currently infatuated with

• This gal's paintings. You need to buy her book.
• Soft Fuzzy Yarn - I want to learn to knit again. Maybe I can get the gauge right this time.
• Throwing out Jim's clothes that don't fit or are just trashed. He said I could.
• Pick Stitch quilts from Pottery Barn. They remind me of my great-grandma's house. I want a green one. Or maybe I should just make one. Yeah, right, like that'll happen.
• Skype. Do you have it? I need to go buy a webcam.
• This gal's blog and videos. KWerner design. I know. I've liked her for a while. I think it's the music.
• Pumpkins and funny looking squash.
• Old cookbooks. Sad that I threw away the Betty Crocker one at some point. Probably in a move.
• Vintage Hawaii travel posters. I'm looking for original ads and posters. Not that I have the money to buy any right now. I just want to get the bedroom decorated. We've lived here for more than a year!
• Window shopping for new living room furniture.
• Dried fruit and roasted almonds.
• Disney movies I haven't seen in a long time.
• Sunflowers.
• Las Vegas reruns.
• Watching a video of Lucas that my dad emailed me.

What are you infatuated with at the moment?

Hope all is well with you and yours. Happy Tuesday!

Should'ves Could'ves and Would'ves

Should'ves Could'ves and Would'ves won't get me anywhere. In other words I can't do a darned thing about it now so why worry about it.

I know this.
In my head.
I forget this quite often.

The speaker I heard this morning put it in another way that has been making me laugh all day. Finding me here. Sharing the same great wisdom with you.

"Don't should on yourself. Don't should on other people." -- MK Mueller

That is all.
Now go back to whatever fun and exciting thing you were doing before.

10 Random Things for a Friday

So here we are on another Friday. Amazing isn't it? Where the heck did the week go?

1. Spent most of the week at a work related conference. Learned quite a bit but I am now WAY behind at work.
2. I got several nice cards and phone calls and emails on my birthday. Even got flowers from a friend. It was a good birthday.
3. Need to spend the weekend working on the house and the yard. Both look like we had a tornado.
4. Went to the aquarium at the zoo last night. It was for an adult type social thing. I took Bray anyway. She spent the entire time oohing and awwing over the sharks and turtles. It was an incredible way to spend the evening.
5. My niece Ella sprained/broke her ankle this week. I feel her pain.
6. Heard a great motivational speaker this morning. http://www.mkmueller.com/ Check her out. It was a really good couple of hours.
7. I'm in love with a big blue frog.
8. Scrapfest was Awesome!
9. The chickens are laying a good 1/2 dozen eggs a day. It's pretty cool. Can't get over how orange the yolks are.
10. I have to work for a good part of tomorrow. :(

Take it easy. Play it safe and be careful.

Political quizzes are for the birds

You are a ....... I took this quiz. Link: The Politics Test on Ok Cupid I think the questions are skewed. I don't think I am really what it said I am. Take the quiz. Does it come out like you think it should? I think it's the questions. Maybe it's me. It's usually me. Let's just go on that theory. But now I have something to consider..... Still don't think I am what it says I am. Damn quizzes.

Hello Hamburg!

:)

I love the blog feed that tells me where people are from.

Hello Hamburg Iowa!

Wordle

You HAVE to check this out. It is the coolest. www.wordle.net Try and make one of your own. When I have some time, I'm going to make a list of huge proportions to make one with all of the important things in my life. Keep in mind that there isn't a way to edit the words once you post them.

10 Random Things for a Friday

Yes. I know it's really Wednesday. But it's MY Friday. Because you see, I'm going to SCRAPFEST and have no intention of getting online on Friday. I'll be way to busy doing make and takes and what not. So here you go.

10 Random Things for a Friday (even though it is really Wednesday)

1. I took more than 200 pictures in the last week. Granted only about 30 of those are one "to keep" but I took a lot. I'm proud of myself. And have I mentioned how much I LOVE digital photography? 200 standard film photos would just be insanely expensive to develop.
2. I hate everything in my closet. I'm sick of the clothes that I have. But I hate shopping and I have no available clothing budget. Bray needs fall clothes worse than I do. So I am stuck with what I have for the foreseeable future.
3. I've been nursing a Blue Monster this morning. The sugar-free energy drink, not Grover or Cookie Monster. I am now experiencing a wicked Taurine and Caffeine high.
4. I am way overdue on doing employee evaluations. I think I'm going to just give them all a copy of last year's eval and their respective raises. Do you think anyone will notice?
5. In case you missed it before... I'm going with two girl friends to Minneapolis this weekend for Scrapfest . I'm a little excited. Can you tell?
6. One of my tax clients is driving me insane. It's only September and they have called 5 times this week to ask questions about this year's return. Aye Ca rumba.
7. I miss baby Lucas. and his dad. I want to see them. But Jr. says they are doing well so for that I am glad.
8. Baby BAM and his momma have been at our house every day this week so far. I LOVE it!
9. Son2 has an interview for a cool new job on Thursday. Not a "career" job, but it's out of restaurant work so he's excited.
10. Does anybody own a juicer that they just LOVE? I am wanting to buy one. And the Juiceman juicer we used to have sucks to clean. I don't really want another one like it. Anybody have any suggestions?

Happy Wednesday! Celebrate Hump day in whatever way suits you best. Just make sure if makes you smile.

OK, now pretend it is Friday. HAPPY Friday! Have a great weekend!

Weekend photos part 3

This is the sunflower that it took Amber 5 minutes to get off the stalk.







This is the garlic that I helped hang for storage.















See how busy I was Sunday? Potatoes and sunflowers and garlic and chasing chickens and running with the dogs. It was a busy day.

Weekend photos part 2

I helped Daddy dig the last of the potatoes.

See! I helped get these out of the ground!

That weed we thought was Jack's beanstalk? It turns out it is pretty sunflowers.

Last weekend's photos

Ignore the hair. We'd done alot this Sunday.

And don't mess with the juice. It goes where I go.

Willy was exhausted as well. See. He wouldn't even look up for a picture.

I spent last weekend making Brandon laugh.

Countdown

hey sharon. guess what?

2 Days until we leave for Scrapfest!!

10 Random Things for a Friday

1. Last Saturday I bought a 2 pound Brandywine tomato at the farmer's market. (yes, it really was 2 pounds, to tomato selling dude weighed it while I was standing there.) It was the best tomato I think I have ever eaten. OK, maybe not the best. The best would be the first tomato from the garden each spring. But this was close to the best. When sliced, the slices were bigger than the bread on which the tomato sandwich was made. mmmm. I used the other half to make a Caprese salad. Love me some fresh mozzarella.
2. Tomorrow I am going to farmer's market to buy another perfect tomato.
3. Baby BAM is growing like a weed! He is starting to look less like a xerox copy of his mom and more like his own little self. I know that makes no sense but you know what I mean.
4. I was planning on going to see Baby Lucas this weekend. But I need to save money so I'm not going now. This makes me sad.
5. Jr. is back in school this semester. He's got a full workload but he seems to be handling it all in stride. I am so proud of him. And not just because he is going to be a 4 star chef.
6. Son2 is looking at college and better jobs and what not. He is such a different place than a year ago. It's amazing.
7. My niece Rachel started walking this week! So sad that we are missing it.
8. What is the best housewarming gift you have ever received and/or given?
9. I know I've said it before but I really want an Ipod. Or something similar. I also want to win the lottery so we'll see how that all works out.
10. I am making it my mission this weekend to document as many things as possible with the camera. I've been a little lax in the photo department lately.

Hope that all is well with you and yours. If you are local, give a ring. I have some bookkeeping to do but other than that we are plan-less for the weekend!

Today is September 4th

How the heck did this happen? September? and the 4th of it at that. What happened to my summer? Did it really ever get hot? OK, that one week, but you can't count that one as a whole summer's heat. Why are we not having the Indian Summer we've had almost every year since we moved to this lovely end of the Midwest. I don't get it.

School has started. Football games have commenced in our backyard. And at night we have to put on shirt sleeves to sit on the deck. I have sorely missed summer. Even the tomatoes are confused and never did put out anything that can even remotely be called a summer's bounty. And Halloween stuff was being stocked at Target today when I went there to pick up more Fiber One bars and dried fruit at lunchtime. What is this "bring on fall" conspiracy?

But it does come with some niceties.

• We can sit on the back deck in shirt sleeves and maybe a light jacket
• The marching band is sounding better.
• Last night was the freshman football game at the high school. When we first got outside, the announcer was yelling, "Touchdown Thunderbirds!" I repeated the TOUCHDOWN and put my arms up in the air like the refs do. The little one thought it was hilarious and started laughing and copied me. Then every time she heard the announcer she'd say again, "TOUCHDOWN" and put her arms up. It was a good 15 minutes worth of entertainment.
• The mosquitoes have all but gone away.
• The leaves on my gorgeous burning bush are starting to change.
• We turned off the air and have opened all of the windows. LOVE IT!
• Apple and Pears will be appearing soon.
• My birthday is in 12 days. (HINT HINT!!) Somebody remind hubby.
• SCRAPFEST!!
• Camping is bearable.

Still can't believe it is September. But it is. And other than the fact that we are one month closer to snow.... I guess it isn't so bad. Guess I better drag out my favorite sweatshirt.

FINDING GINA

Here is an excerpt from the Finding GINA tour from last year and the television show that they are putting together from the tour footage. Erin is the one featured in this video. Ignore the insane woman giving the interview.

whispering in her ear

psst..... hey you... yeah you... you know who you are..... come here... I have something to tell you....

9 days until Scrapfest!!

10 Random Things for a Friday

1. Still don't know why this list shows up as bullets when it looks like numbers when I am drafting it. Anybody know enough about blogger to know how to change it?
2. Do you know how hard it is to find a camping spot to reserve when your husband decides at the last minute that he wants to go camping this weekend? Labor Day weekend. ugh.
3. Do you know how hard it is to find a toddler sized life jacket in late August?
4. Son2 got us lunch today. We had King Kong. YUMM! Love me some greek food!
5. Farmer's market is in the AM. Can't wait to get some huge heirloom tomatoes. Since my tomatoes flopped this year. :( I am seriously craving a tomato sandwich.
6. I hate fiscal year end stuff at work. It consumes too much time. I am therefore behind on the regular stuff. Which seriously stresses me out.
7. I haven't spent anywhere near enough time with baby BAM and his mom the last few weeks. It makes me sad. They move closer and we see less of them. It makes no sense.
8. I have a "40% off your entire order" coupon from Michael's that expires Sunday. And I have no crafting stuff budget this month. Don't you feel sorry for me?
9. Scrapfest is only 2 weekends away! (thus where my crafting budget went.) I'm getting seriously excited! But then I remember that I am leaving a 2 year old and her daddy for 3 days. And then I have pangs of guilt but then I remember that I only do stuff like this a couple of times a year so it is OK. :)
10. My entire thought patterns this week have been random so finding 10 random things is TOTALLY not a problem today.

Bob Nelson on Football

This is one of the BEST comedy skits EVER!!

A mind is a terrible thing.

What would you do?

I have two places to be tomorrow at the same time. Both have been framed as mandatory. One requires getting up at the bum crack of dawn and driving 3 hours to KC. The other is local. Local option will however be available via webcast later this week.

carp. I just answered my own question. bum crack of dawn wake up it is.

10 Random Things for a Friday

1. I forgot how tired having a little one around can make you. Was I this tired with the big ones? I am guessing I am showing my age on this one. :)
2. Little One's favorite source of protein is dairy. Unfortunately it has been her main source of protein as well for most of the week. That and an occasional bean or chicken. What's a mom to do?
3. Went to the chiro for the first time in forever today.
4. I am going to indulge in large quantities of heirloom tomatoes and kale and eggplant this weekend. I can't wait!
5. The POS van is still in the back yard. I am feeling rather redneckish at the moment.
6. I am going out with friends tonight. Hoping we figure out how to incorporate sushi into the evening somehow. LOL
7. I took today off from work but then went in for 2 hours anyway. See how I am?
8. This weekend we are being lumber jacks and taking down a mostly fallen tree. Wish us luck. Will work on the yard as well. The poor place has been seriously neglected as of late.
9. My brother has officially relocated to Tulsa. It makes me sad.
10. My mom gets to spend tomorrow with Lucas! I am very jealous.

and there you have it folks. 10 random for 8/22/08. Boring isn't it. But if I didn't do something I'd never hear the end of it from a couple of friends. OK, off to Target to get diapers!

Thought for a Thursday

Has anything REALLY memorable ever happened to you on a Thursday?

This is the big announcement

Are you sitting down? I know you probably are because most people don't hang out on the internet while they are standing up. But trust me. You'll want to sit down about now.


See the little one on the left? That is the Babe. Isn't she the cutest little two year old ever? Ok, she's tied with her cousin Emma on the right. She's two too. She's just as cute so we'll have to call it a tie for the cutest two year old. But here's the thing. The Babe? She's the cutest two year old that I have the pleasure as introducing the newest member of our household. Yes, you read that right. She's ours. We get to keep her. :) We are adopting a two year old. Are we crazy or what? Me thinks not.

This is the Babe and Lucas. They love the blocks. Babe can stack them. Lucas can knock them over.

And this is Grandpa Doug reading to the Babe and Emma. Don't they all look happy? I think so.

Which is good. Because right now, I am the happiest new mommy of a two year old there ever was.

Hey Jude

:)

Atmosphere - Always Coming Back Home To You

These guys were on Letterman last night. Minneapolis Hip-Hop. Who would have thought?

10 Random Things for a Friday

1. Still have big news. Still can't tell you. Not a tease, just can't say anything yet. But I am just busting! Check back Monday or Tuesday. I'll let you in on the blockbuster news. You won't believe it I tell you. You just won't. Not sure that I believe it.
2. Have I told you about Fiber One Chewy Bars yet? OMG they are incredible! Definitely more of a dessert bar than a breakfast type granola bar. 35% of the Daily Fiber you need. only 140 calories. Rockin! You have to try them! The Oats and Caramel tastes just like Oatmeal Scotchie cookies! Go HERE and get a free sample and a coupon so you can indulge too. Target even has them on sale this week.
3. Spent most of the week working on a huge project. Finished it this am. So glad it's over. Hopefully it is the last of it's kind.
4. I was honored to spend a great deal of time last weekend with my niece Emma and baby Lucas. It was the best weekend in a long time. Amazing what a little kid energy will do for you. :)
5. I strongly dislike black licorice flavored anything. And when you eat something that you dislike by accident, it is rather disgusting.
6. Jim's uncle died a week ago today. We went to the funeral on Tuesday. His aunt was happy to see him. Not so true of the cousins. With one or two exceptions, they were actually pretty rude. And we have no idea why.
7. I need to go to the bank.
8. Son2 is working at my office for about 6 weeks. He's all happy. Paid him today. He's now ecstatic and loves the job and never wants to leave.
9. Baby BAM loves the same songs his mom used to love. Love is a rose (Neal Young) and Barges are his favorites. And I love singing them to him.
10. This weekend is the airshow at the Air Force base. Hubby is all bumming because we made other plans and won't be able to go. But the plans trump.

Have a rockin' weekend. Catch ya' on the flipside!

10 Random Things for a Friday

1. I can't figure out why when I make this a list of numbered items (in blogger) and it shows numbers in the preview but when it posts it changes to bullets. Anybody got a clue?
2. My brother is moving to Tulsa today. It makes me sad. It makes my mom even sadder.
3. My sister is moving to Dallas on the 18th. This makes me sad. It makes my mom EVEN sadder. Poor lady. All of her baby grandchildren are moving in the same 2 week period.
4. I get to see Lucas this weekend! Oh yeah, and his mommy and daddy. LOL
5. I registered for Scrapfest in September in Minneapolis. I am excited!
6. I have a hugely cumbersome grant to finish for work by next Friday. There is so much backup that you send with it that it's ridiculous. Stupid thing.
7. We rehomed Taz on Wednesday. He came back on Thursday. Apparently the dad is allergic. I am changing his name to Boomerang. (the dog not the dad)
8. Tomorrow Elvis and I are getting pedicures. Wonder if they'll have Route Beer Float. I love that color.
9. Big News is on the Horizon. But I can't tell you yet. It's still not a given.
10. Family pictures flopped. I can't seem to get everyone together to save my life!

Saving big bucks and having lots of cereal

Do you know about The Grocery Game?

Thanks to http://www.grocerygame.com/ and a $5 off email coupon, I spent $27.53 at Walgreens yesterday and got $105 worth of stuff. I spent $65.00 at Baker's and saved (according to my receipt) $73.00. SWEET!! Son2 was excited because it means we have name brand cereal in the house. A stockpile of it actually. Cheerios or Fruity Pebbles anyone?

They have a trial period if you want to see what stores are in your area with a list. Clipping coupons and watching sales really does add up! If you decide to try it out, use my email address as a referral. I'd appreciate it! candlesandbath at Yahoo.com

10 Random Things for Friday

1. I fell off the cutting back on Diet Coke wagon. And this week I have had one just about every day. I know, I'm bad. But since when did lack of chemical sweetners and a little caffeine really make anyone sick. (don't answer that or I'll send a nasty chemical and lack of caffeine headache your way)
2. My mom was here last weekend. I get to see Jr and Luke in a couple of weeks. Elvis and the girls are coming a week or so after that. Now if I could just get a trip to see BFTSIHBFTLFA all would be right in the world.
3. We got Rox's brother back. They decided that it was not fair for him to be spending all of his time in the crate as they are just too busy to have a dog. So now we have 4. Ad going in the paper this weekend. But he and Rox have so much fun together that it'll be hard to see him go. I do NOT need 4 dogs.
4. It's supposed to be 110 degrees tomorrow. ouch. I'll be getting up early for gardening and farmer's market run but other than that, it'll be an all indoor weekend. Better stock up on movies.
5. I'm on a mission to get $1500 as fast as possible. Any suggestions? Ok, I know there's that but that isn't exactly legal so we'll be foregoing it for now. Any legal suggestions?
6. still haven't put a CD in my car's CD player. how sad is that?
7. baby BAM has a new apartment. It's insanely closer to us. And they have a pool. YEAH!!
8. Splitting Irises next week. Want to buy some? Shoot me an email at candlesandbath at yahoo.com
9. I want to ride a Merry Go Round. Not sure why. But I do.
10. Our wedding anniversary is in 10 days. Think we'll remember it this year?

Rock the weekend friends!

Alexander Supertramp

We watched "Into the Wild" Monday night. ever since, I keep wondering the same thing.

I wonder if Erin is in Alaska.

I asked Jim last night. He said she wasn't exactly the wilderness type. I reminded him that she loved camping and didn't mind getting dirty. He said that I was probably wrong. He's probably right.

But I can't help but wonder. Is she out there having her own adventures? Has she changed her name to Alexandra? More probably it is Destiny. She loves that name. She is going to name her first daughter that name. Maybe she took it on for herself.

There is a quote in the movie where the sister says that her parents are in a state of suspended animation. How true it is.

But I will keep wondering. Suspended animation wonder.

What is it about Selsun Blue

One page on this blog receives more hits than any other. It's the Story about Sally and the Skunk. And the most common reason it gets found? Dog and Selsun Blue. I mean, who searches for that?

My LOL for the day

first - my apologies for no 10 random things Friday. My mom was here. That's my excuse. I promise to do better this week.

This is an excerpt from an email from a friend today. I seriously laughed out loud. Hard. Hope you get a giggle out of it as well. (names have been changed to protect the not so innocent. )

I am doing okay, been a rough weekend. I was sick with stomach issues all weekend and of course by Saturday evening hubby said he was ill so he could not do anything of course this was after he went out the night before stayed out until the wee hours, worked all day on Saturday and then was two hours late to what we had planned for Saturday evening.... Boys are wimps.

Here is the difference between men and women when they are ill.

I mowed the backyard puking in between dumping bags of grass, did four loads of laundry folding and putting them away, did two loads of dishes, and made meals for the kids. Plus did two hours worth of work on the laptop.

Hubby watched TV and watched the kids. Who still managed in their father's care to dump a bag of sugar on the floor as well as a plate of ribs. Pulled out two puzzles and threw them all over the house and dumped three drawers of clothes in their bedroom. Yes, I cleaned all this up. However, In his defense he did run to the grocery store and grabbed dinner because he wanted the paper and gave the kids baths after I told him he had too. He left the room to check on something which ended up taking longer so the little one pooped in the tub so I told him happy scrubbing.

The bib says it all

Lucas James - July 12th

Rock A Bye Baby

This is the cradle that my Grandpa Jack made for me. I don't know if I was the first baby to sleep in it or if my cousin Mitch was. But pretty close to every grandchild, great granchild, and now great great grandchild in the Miller lineage has slept in this cradle. Brandon sleeps so soundly in it. And it makes me happy just to watch him there. I know my Grandpa is happy to see yet another babe in the cradle.

I love you Grandpa. And it is times like this that make me miss you all the more.