This Is Me

Bad Blogger

2012-01-26T17:28:00.002-06:00

I am. Really. Sigh.
There's no excuse for it.
I'm going to be better.
I promise.
It's my Resolution this year.

Blog More.

(confession.... the pictures are from November.... Meep!)

Dragon Child

2011-12-02T10:06:00.004-06:00

So, I have a confession. For most of my sweet little life I have had a wee (read:massive) battle that I have waged with myself. At different points of my life I've been better (and worse) at battling this particular dragon.

My Temper. Oh, dear Lordy, my temper. I hate it. I really do.
It has really, never served me well. Truth me told, I have been the servant of my temper. Because once my temper is unleashed- I am a slave to it. It just rolls off of me. Like some kind of crazy hot steam off a mountain.

It's a flashpoint. An ugly. Nasty flashpoint. And it shames me.

Why am I writing about this today? Because I failed epically last night in controlling my temper. Oh yes, the dragon child came out the play. Much to my shame. Words have power. The words that were spoken to me- the built up the my frustration. And the words that I hurled in my anger... that I should not have said.

I know better than to let my mouth control my actions. And it hurts my heart that I failed another person so dreadfully.

Sigh.

The Potty & the Training

2011-11-30T11:16:00.003-06:00

(note: if a blog post about potties... or pee. or poop... or any of that business bugs you... You would do well to move along.)

It might really be happening, yall.

I'm kinda (like) totally afraid to jinx it in anyway by getting to excited... but... I think the Boy is well on his way to being potty-trained.

Praise the Lord. Pass the tax rebate & Amen. Hallelujah. and Cheers.

Seriously.

After the spring & summer (and partial fall) of "no-I-don't-think-I-need-to-poop-EVER-again-thank-u-very-much"..... I was starting to have my doubts. Needless to say, we were NOT potty trained when the 1st day of playschool rolled around in September.

So, we had to be demoted down from the 3year old class (J is 3) and into the 2/3 year old class.

(I had many dark thoughts about this. Really. Can anyone tell me why the push to get the kids potty-trained *COMPLETELY* by the age of 3? Or they can't go into the "regular" class? I don't get it. Didn't then. Still don't now.)

Anyway. Moving on.

Sometime in the last month or so, the light just clicked on. The child is pee'ing in the potty. And wearing 'unnawears'. He trots his little self into the bathroom & sits on his little Elmo potty.... usually after looking at me and saying, "I'll be right back Mommy. Just a minute."

Biggidy Butt.
... my one concern- getting him to remember to actually *tell* people that he has to go the potty. We are a shade on the independent side around here. And it might kinda, sorta bug us when we aren't able to do everything by ourselves when we think we should. (we're working on that)

So proud of him. And he's proud of his Thomas the Train Underwear.
~now, if I can just get him to poop in the potty instead of Pull-ups.... which, right now is what he's insisting is the only right & honorable receptacle that poop can go into. (we're working on that too)

Thanks for the Memories

2011-11-29T15:29:00.003-06:00

Peace out, Aggs.
Love, The Mighty Texas Longhorns.
:-)

(I have never loved field goals more than I did this past Thanksgiving.)

She Knew What She Wants...

2011-11-18T15:18:00.007-06:00

And she wanted to go to the Fair and see the Bangles.

And a very sweet guy took her. Hee! God Bless my sweet 80's childhood and God Bless sweet E, who doesn't mock (too much).

The Bangles were great. Check it off my bucket-list, thank you very much. And the crowd. Oh, bless my heart- the crowd. The women, my age- who were little girls when the Bangles were at the top of their popularity... the women who were a weee bit older.... and the little girls in the audience who weren't even born. Oh, my.

I have rarely felt so young and so old at the same time. (and I think that's the first of many, many times in the future.)

me and E... and Big Tex

waiting on the Bangles. one of us is way more excited than the other.

(this has nothing to do with the Bangles. It's the Fried S'more.... my fav Fair food. And deserving of a yearly picture.)

The Bangles!!!

Running from Zombies

2011-11-16T11:15:00.003-06:00

So.

Yeah, bad Bloggergirl. I know. I know. It's been a crazy month. I promise to get back on the blogging band waggon. Really!

Did I mention that I am signed up to run in a 1/2 marathon in March? No? Well, yeah. I am. Why? cause I am totally insane. There's officially no doubt. Listen, yall- I am NOT a runner. My thought & theory behind running has always gone something like this, "I'll start running when the zombies start chasing after me."

Well.

I'm running for them.
There are real-life zombies who chase after people every day.
If you want to help- strap on your running shoes! Just kidding! (sort of.) Feel free to donate on-line. I'll be throwing up a button on my blog soon & shamelessly begging people for sponsorship in the next few weeks.

Everyone have a wonderful Wednesday! I'll see yall tomorrow! Same bat-time! Same, sometimes, batty-channel!

To Recap

2011-09-28T11:11:00.005-05:00

It's been an eventful spring, summer and fall around Bloggergirl Inc. And, while I try to keep things light and upbeat around here- as we all know, sometimes life gets in my way

We shall start with the bad news, my Grandma passed away in July. I am still grieving. I have been blessed and spoiled by being 30 and (as of July) still having 3 of my grandparents. And I was keenly aware of that. Those were some of the hardest days of my life, thus far. And... that's saying something. My Grandma was human. She was flawed. But Eleanor Pentino knew how to LOVE. And she taught her family how to love. We're all still trying to grapple with her last few months of life (they sucked). Trying to focus on the greater-than 80 years prior to those months. And, trying to figure out what life without her means now.

For me- it means, back to school. Yea. Lot's of time in the kitchen as well. I am on a mission to immerse myself in my Grandma's recipe's. Cooking. It's how I cope. There's something therapeutic in chopping and stirring and tasting and standing over a hot stove. Hitting the Italian Rosseta Stone lessons harder. I am determined to go to Rome & go to Mass for my Grandma... she wanted to go but didn't get to. And I want to go to the homeland. And teaching the little dude all of these things- and more.

Some good news? (please, oh please? you say) I have been keeping company with another J as of late. How do you like that turn of phrase? For the purposes of this blog, we shall call him "E". Just because having to "J"'s is waaaaay too confusing. I suppose I could call Jacob "little J" and the other, "big J".... but that's a little silly. And there is logic to my "E"- last name. :-)

Let's see, a little about E. He likes sushi. Me. Books. He's wicked funny. Darned handsome. Will read anything... no really, I mean it (I have the saved, emailed news articles to prove it... wait is that weird?... hmmm). And I think I've got him convinced that taking your intrepid Bloggergirl to the Great State Fair of Texas to see the Bangles (yea!) is a great idea.
He'll be thrilled, he got props on my blog.

Somewhat off the wall question that will make sense in a moment- are there any scifi cool kid geeks out there? Yes? Great. Are you reading Jim Butcher's Dresden Files? No? Then get thee to the book store or to the internet book supplier of your choice and start reading. Just sayin'.

Okay people- happy Wednesday.
Oh, before I forget! I joined twitter! Join me there!
And come back tomorrow to here my rant about facebook, twitter & my newest bit of crack, pinterest!
Peace out!

Oh, Yes I Did

2011-09-20T16:14:00.002-05:00

I admit it.

I watched the premiere of Two & a Half Men last night.... with my dad. Why? Obviously I have no shame when it comes to television & my viewing habits are questionable. But, hey- at least I draw my line at reality tv...

Anyway. Back on point. Ah, yes. Ashton Kutcher's bare tushy.

What? there was pixelation. (pixleling? pixels?)

I laughed. I did. There, I said it. My daddy laughed. We burst out loud laughing. Evidently we have the comic maturity of 13 year olds- what can I say... I am my father's daughter in some ways.
But we did walk away with some valuable life lessons (as we always do).

Life Lessons from Last Night's Two and a Half Men
Never marry your stalker.
Hell halth no fury like a stalker scorner. (see above rule)
Teenage boys are always hungry. At all times. No matter what.
A Dustbuster can pick up anything.
A lack of emotional maturity could= Alan Harper as your savior... = naked hugging

Yes, it's a new show. Yes, if it offended you before- it will probably offend you now. No, it doesn't have an ounce of sentiment in its' marrow. But, darnit- it's funny.

"And he's a hugger."

Return of the BloggerGirl

2011-09-19T11:56:00.005-05:00

AAANnnnnnd,

She's back.

Really, I have no excuse- save for the fact that I totally forgot my blogger password. Really. I'm not kidding. One would think that I would have the 20million or so passwords that I maintain written down somewhere, but I might be a wee bit paranoid about someone with evil intentions getting their hands on my password list & having their wicked way with my stuff....

..... if only I had been a smidge more paranoid about the thought of not remembering my password & thus not being able to ... you know, blog. Sigh.

Ah well.

Lots and lots going on here-
I'll save it for another day.
More food.
More stories.
More pictures.
.... and the ongoing saga of the epic journey of a mother & her 3 year old son who believes pooping is for chumps!

Be sure to check the sidebar. New links are coming soon! (none of the are about poop)
Until next time

Irony with a Side of Burgers

2011-04-28T13:56:00.004-05:00

Or maybe the other way around.

Anyway.

True story. I do not like burgers. Or meatballs. Or meatloaf. Or any other compacted meat... thing. I have nothing against ground meat- I find it tasty, but when it's compacted... we've got trouble. It's a texture thing & it skeeves me out.

::shudder::

However, I make a really kicking burger.

ground beef
1 packet of hidden valley ranch dressing
worcestershire sauce (several healthy shakes out of the bottle)
hot sauce (just a shake or two)... note: sauce, not salsa, there's a difference
salt (a couple of grinds)
pepper (a couple of grinds)
... and to really make it fun, toss in some cheese crumbles- I like blue cheese

Mix it all together & let it sit and chill in the fridge for a couple of hours before you pat them out into patties and through them on the grill. And, if you have texture issues, like yours truly, then crumble your pattie up (sloppy joe style) & enjoy on your bun.... just be sure you can ignore the eye rolling from your beloved friends and family!

Peace Out!

Thinking Out Loud

2011-04-18T14:00:00.003-05:00

I was reading a blog post today on a blog site I rarely go to. My readings are extremely varied. I like reading the thoughts of people who agree with me... but I also like to read the thoughts of people who do not agree with me. Call me crazy, but there are days when I do want to hear from people who hold totally opposing viewpoints from me- I think it's healthy. and it keeps me from getting intellectually lazy.

Today was one of those days. The blog post that is sitting on my brain revolves around a lady who doesn't support the Boy Scouts of America because they are mean to gays and people who don't believe in God. (that's really not all that far off from the words she used.) They are bigoted, she says & she doesn't support them. That the Supreme Court was wrong to let them continue in their meanness. And, by the way, here's a link where you could make the BSA be nicer- or "affirming and inclusive." And other mothers chimmed in, affirming her.

(she does support the Girl Scouts, who are nice to gays and people who don't believe in God... if you were wondering.... and posted a link where you could go give the Girl Scouts a big "Way to Go!" if you were so inclined.)

Anyway- what struck me was this..... the Boy Scouts say upfront what they believe in. There is really no mystery. Why could they want to allow people who don't believe the same things they do into their organization? And for that matter, why would people who don't believe the same things that the Boy Scouts do WANT to be involved?

Because there is more to it, I think. Because some people can't respect that others don't agree with them. Because it's much easier to hang ugly labels on people and groups than it is to say, "You know what, I disagree. But, let's agree to disagree." AND WALK AWAY.

Respect runs both ways.

Happy Birthday Grandpa

2011-04-13T14:50:00.001-05:00

me and my grandpa, Norman Pentino- 91 years old today

The Bottom

2011-04-13T11:26:00.005-05:00

Some days I'm just scraping the bottom of the barrel to find blogging material.

I admit it. Like today. All I really want to do is whine about my allergies. And the nasty, dirty car that I really need to clean out before it stages a revolt and drives away on its own. (not that I would blame it, AT ALL.)

..... and speaking of whining- can I just tell you about my cell phone?

Ugh. Ok, here's the deal. I have had this phone for about a year or so. In other words, IT'S NOT THAT OLD. But every 5-7 text messages or so, I have to take the back off. Take the battery out. Put the battery back in. Replace the back. Then turn the phone back on. And then I can go back to the text messaging area of the phone and go the outbox where my message has been lovingly (not!) saved and send my (freaking!) message.

Why must I do this? I'm going with, because my phone has a demon.

....I miss my Razor. My pretty, pretty Pink Razor. I mourn it. I do.

Oh, and also- sometimes, my phone will blast people with 3 or 4 texts from me at very odd times of the day.... like 3 or 4 in the blessed morning. Good times.

So, if I know you in the real world & you get multiple, oddly timed text messages from me.... no, I'm not loosing my mind (yet)... my phone has it out for me.

And yes,I probably was trying to ask you or tell you something at one time... feel free to inquire what it was! :-)

Words? Totally Not Needed.

2011-04-08T12:01:00.000-05:00

When Everything Is Said

2011-03-31T11:12:00.004-05:00

In the last month or so, I have had 2 dear ladies in different branches of my family pass away. Each of them lived long lives. They were the matriarchs of their respective branches & are so darn loved and will always be.

Death is an interesting device.

When both of these dear ladies passed, everyone did what just about all people do- they started going through the Rolodex of their minds, reliving every moment they could remember. Thinking back on their times with them, laughing, crying, talking about their personalities. What they believed in. Who they were, way down the marrow.

And that started me thinking. When it's all said and done & you're not here anymore and memories are all that people have left of you.... who will people say you were?

It's a question I've been asking myself a great deal this month. It's a question that's worth asking of ourselves a lot, I think. The memories and the legacy that we leave behind for others are really what it's all about, in the end. I think they are more tangible than money, or cars, or clothes or any of that stuff- because all of that junk can be taken away. But the moments... the life we live with the people around us... that can't be taken away. Not really.

Anyway- I've just been thinking about what will be said. What I hope will be said. And how to live a life worthy of it.

I Love...

2011-03-16T18:45:00.008-05:00

1. that I remembered the Macy's gift card from my grandparents that was tucked away in my wallet... I bought a new signature ring with it.... I love it too.

2. the Wonderful Wizard of Oz when I'm feeling down.

3. when my brain kicks in before my mouth engages... Don't ask.

4. Freshly painted toe nails.

5. lilies.

6. the new purse my friend Faith got me for my birthday. It's bright and lovely and whimsical.... and I'm thrilled it's officially spring and I can start to use it without breaking into Emily Post hives.

7. pink. But you knew that.

8. when I have new books to read. Makes me all warm and fuzzy.

9. A certain little dude with blond hair and blue eyes & a crazy love of Thomas the Train and Mickey Mouse.

10. Gus McCrae.

11. beef stew on cold, chilly days

12. drive-in movie theaters

13. watching movies that are so bad that they are worth watching... just for the sheer pleasure of mocking within an inch of the movie reel. (I'm looking at you, Red Riding Hood.)

14. the jalapeno soup at Fish City Grill.... greatest soup, ever.

15. flower pens- those make me so darn happy. every time I go to write something and pick up one of my flower pens, I smile a little.

Hold the Special Sauce

2011-03-11T11:40:00.004-06:00

So, there is this place.
I like to go there for my sushi fix.
It's almost like my very own Cheers- they know me. I know them. I know their food.

... or at least, I used to.

Until my trusted sushi chef moved from his place of my comfort to the kitchen and a new sushi chef took his place behind the counter.

Oh, dear.

It has not been the same.

I've has lively discussions about yellowtail and whitemeat fish (I was later vindicated, by the way... I KNEW he gave me the wrong piece of fish!). Presentation is slightly different and is taking some getting used to.

But there is one thing... the special sauce. Oh. No. Just, no. I don't care if it's suddenly "traditional." There has never been special sauce on my yellowtail sushi before & darn it, it displeases my sensitive pallet!

The first time I saw it, I just stared at it... horror struck. What was this reddish-pinkish goop on my perfectly lovely fish? I couldn't eat it. I wouldn't eat it. I made my dining companion eat it. And then report to me. (spoiler: it was a no)

The only special sauce I really want to deal with has the word soy in front of it, thankyouverymuch.

So, in conclusion- always remember. Hold the special sauce. And please, Dear Sushi Chef.... come back. Please. No, really. Please.

Part 1 (cause I have nothing else)

2011-03-05T16:52:00.002-06:00

Random Fluff

1. Because of the movie JAWS, I cannot swim in the ocean. No way, no how.

2. I (possibly) have an un-natural obsession with sci-fi.

3. My favorite on-stage role in a musical (thus far) has been Nancy in Oliver. It was a dream come true to perform that role & I would love to again.

4. My favorite on-stage role in a straight show (thus far) has been the Stage Manager in Our Town.

5. My favorite play is Our Town.

6. I read Shakespeare when I was 10 for fun.

7. As a child, I was obsessed with the television show, Perry Mason.

8. When I was 8 or 9, I asked for & received a law book for Christmas. Read the whole thing.

9. Law Vegas is the happiest place on Earth for Taylor.

10. My paternal grandfather was born in Sicily and came to America when he was 9.

11. I am claustrophobic.

12. I have a trophies for dancing when I took dancing lessons.

13. I have singing awards from junior high & high school competitions.

14. I have a pink lap top & it's named 'the pretty, pretty pink precious.'

15. I can watch The Wizard of Oz again & again & again...... & again.

16. One of my favorite literary characters is Gus from Lonesome Dove.

17. I read Gone with the Wind, cover to cover, when I was 8.

18. When I was a child, grounding me meant taking away my library privileges.

19. MacGyver is my hero.

20. Bluebell ice cream is my favorite because I used to eat it with my D-Daddy (grandfather) when I was a little girl.

21. I would rather eat my grandmother's sugar cookie dough than eat the cooked cookies.

22. I don't like bananas... but I like banana flavored food. It's a texture thing.

23. I won't eat compacted ground meat, ie: burgers, meat loaf, meatballs. Nasty! Again, texture thing. But I will eat ground meat that's broken up.

24. I worked for a U.S. Congressman for almost 2 years. Very cool.

25. My favorite actor is Robert Duvall.

26. I have met all the lead actors in Star Trek the Next Generation & have their autographs.

27. Walter Keonig hit on me once...

28. Leonard Nimoy said that I was a very pretty & polite young lady.

29. My favorite cupcakes are the strawberry and the red velvet cupcakes from Sprinkles.

30. I must have coffee in order to form coherent thoughts and sentences.

Pause

2011-03-02T17:10:00.002-06:00

If you know me, then you know that the only "pause" I'm a fan of is the pause button on the remote control when I have to run to the bathroom in the middle of a movie...

Let me back up for a moment- I love my church. I adore my pastor. I do. Really. But there are times when I could gladly hurl my Bible at him in the middle of the Sunday service. Seriously. There are certain sermon series that I hate with a fiery passion in my heart- mainly because I can hear the voice of God in my pastor's words.... and that bugs me. Especially when its not something I want to hear.

Our current sermon series is on "Pause"- when it seems like your life is on pause.
Heh, insert joke here.
Mine qualifies.
I have control over some of it- but there is quite a lot that... I don't. A question was posed at church this past Sunday, "What are you totally relying on God for? In other words, if God doesn't 'come through' it won't happen?" .... If I really knew you, dear readers, I could give you a list. I'm thinking of a couple in particular.

But I have seen (in particular... very recently... very clearly) how powerful prayer is. I have seen what happens when God moves in the lives of His children. It's electrifying. It's thrilling. It's wonderful. It's scary. It's joyful.

Have you ever felt as if you were walking through something... as if you were dealing with a lot of 'stuff' that clearly wasn't the point? As if you were being prepared for something? Lot's of puzzle pieces being picked up, gentle readers... I'm not really sure what the end picture is supposed to look like but- I have great hopes for it.

If You were Wondering

2011-02-26T15:53:00.004-06:00

It should be of note to all that I cannot play pool.

Let me explain. I went to play pool with some friends not all that long ago. Which is a rather charitable description of how I play.
I have a very, very specific m.o. when it comes to playing pool (or any other game I know I don't stand a snow balls chance of winning).... "if you can't beat.... screw with 'em till you break them."

And darned if it doesn't work quite a few times. Heh.

Though, honestly, I do always feel rather sorry for the poor person who gets saddled with me as a pool partner. They should get a handicap. (Oh, wait... they did. Me.)

Kinda Like the Black Death

2011-02-24T08:51:00.004-06:00

Only we didn't die.

Jacob was struck down from Wednesday night to Monday. Yikes. Fever, deranged coughing fits... snotty nose. Yucky. The poor child is still coughing, though thankfully, not as badly. There for a day or so, I thought I was going to see one of his internal organs on my rug.

And just in time for him to get on the upswing of that mess, the pollen count here in North Texas has started to rocket sky high. Not cool. He seems to be okay for now, but I can only breath out of one side of my nose at any given moment in time.

(btw, it is totally possible that we have killed an entire rain forest in Kleenix within the last week)

I'm hoping the boy will feel like going to school tomorrow & be up to spending the night with his dad tomorrow night. He's missed out on both the last week. He is getting back to his old self- last night, I caught him rummaging in his closet... something he is NOT supposed to be doing, by the way.

I looked at him and said, "What are you doing?"

The child looked at his mother and said, "Who, me?"
....... and batted his sweet little blue eyes.

We're Skipping School Today

2011-02-18T08:42:00.003-06:00

but we have a doctors note. And its' not really school- school. It's playschool. But... still.
Jacob has 'special germs' right now. He came home from his dad's house on Wednesday night with a runny nose and a fever.

Awesome.

It only got worse. He went to bed at 9pm, got in a good nap until 11pm and was awake, fever'ish (102.6!) for THE ENTIRE REST OF THE NIGHT. yea. The poor boy felt like poo- or as he says, "boop." His fever finally broke about 4:30(ish)am... and he finally drifted off for another nap about 5am. He popped up at 7:30am. Ugh.

I would like to say that, the good news was, even with all that fever, he never hurled. Though we had one moment of drama. Around 3am, he was laying in my bed... I was drifting in and out. The lights were off.
All of a sudden, he sat straight up in bed, looked at me and said, "Uh-oh, Mommy!"
Crap.
I sat straight up in bed, knowing... just knowing that my child was about to blow his cookies all over my bed.
But then, after a moment, he looked at me and then laid back down again.
......... I think he was just screwing with me.
It worked.

Needless to say, we went to the doctor.
Severe Upper Respiratory Infection.
Bugger.

And so, we're on house arrest for a couple of days. Lots of fluids. Lots of rest. Lots of Mickey Mouse (the only rodent allowed in my house, by the way). Lots of coffee for the Mommy. Lot's of Tylenol and Motrin. A forest worth of Kleenix. Changing one pair of pajamas for another (the boy, not the mommy. The mommy is getting dressed every day.... otherwise she would feel icky. The boy is happy in his jammies.)

... and so I leave you with a picture from better times. Jacob in better health & the Steelers hasn't blown the SuperBowl yet. Peace out!

Valentines with P-Dub

2011-02-16T13:16:00.007-06:00

How I spent my Valentines Day.... an essay in pictures. Kinda. I was going to takes pictures of the lines.... of the peoples, etc. But my feet hurts. And my legs hurt. And I was hungry. And sleepy.

So this is all you get. P.S.- my camera staged a revolt. Yes, the picture quality sucks. I'm aware. Just wait until you scroll to the bottom- the picture of me? Yeah, that really sucks.

Ree Drummond- The Pioneer Woman
She autographed my cookbook. Yes, my cookbook. Why? Cause I'm a super, space cadet like that.

.... and then I had asked her to autograph the other book she wrote. The story of how she met her husband. It's way too cute for words.

Oh look, the covers!

Hey. It was 11pm. That's all I'm sayin'.

I went home and died not long after this picture was taken.

Once More, Unto the Breach

2011-02-10T17:21:00.003-06:00

or something like that.

School is back in full force. Please, see my excitement........

(crickets. crickets.)

The tests. Oh, the sheer number of exams that await me.

There is much to do & even less time to do it in. I foresee not a whole lot of sleep in my future & an even greater amount of caffeine. Heh, everyone thought I was an addict before.

The "D"word is almost final. Almost. Maybe. In some far off world. Place or time. ::sigh:: I was promised that a certain signature would happen this week (ahem, its Thursday). And that everything would be final so that, you know, child support would kick in March 1st, J's health insurance would have an official 'must be done' date, my car could be transfered to my name.... You know, small stuff like that. Odds and ends, really.

::slow burn, people. slow burn::

(and no, I'm not bad-mouthing my soon-to-be-ex-husband. I'm merely expressing my feelings.)

Anyway. Lot's of "stuff" going on. And that's about the only word for it. Anyone ever had a season like that? Just a lot of "stuff." And it all requires your attention, though some of it you would gladly chuck out the window. Some good. Some bad. Some, you just stare at going, "What... the hell?"

And then there's the added fun of the single mom "stuff." Some good and some bad. That puts a whole new spin on everything you do, say and think.... I think. I've got hours of material on that one. But, suffice it to say, no matter how much help you get (and I've had a solid support system with deep roots)... in the end, it's all on you. You're the mom.

And that's a heavy burden.

Yes, it does change (a lot) when you divorce. The other parent isn't there, in the home. So guess what? If you're anything (at all) like me- you start qestioning every. single. freaking. decision. and then totally up the years of therapy that you become convinced your child is going to require at some point.

::sigh::

Slightly off track, I did get. Anyway. Moving on.
Like I was saying. Sorting through the "stuff."
What fun.

Leaning on prayer.
Learning from Sarai (or, Sarah... if you would prefer). My dear, friend. Yes, she is.
Living in the moment.
Learning to listen.
Learning to speak.

Death by Turn Over

2011-02-06T22:34:00.006-06:00

... and extreme football stress.

Yes, my Steelers lost.
.......... spoiler if you didn't watch the game. And yes, I paced the ENTIRE width and length around my house. A few times. Muttering, many times, "I can't watch this. This stresses me out."

Only to park my tush on the sofa upon completing a circuit around the living room. I couldn't help it. I'm totally glutton for punishment. As are, apparently, my people from Pittsburgh. Oh, the humanity of it all. The crying. The weeping. The gnashing of teeth.

Then the circuit around the house would start again. It's a great way to get your cardio in, I've found. Pace your way through a football game.

There was one brief, shining moment.... and then Steeler Nation was plummeted back to the pit of hell. Ugh. (and again with the pacing.....)

Turn overs... how I loathe thee.

Jacob even gave up on the game. 5 minutes before the end. He walked to his bedroom door, opened it & demanded to be put to bed... I can't say that it was a bad decision in the long run.

Ah, well. Until next year Steeler Country, until next year..... that is, if there is a next year.
Hopefully the players and the coaches will decide to be nice and play together nicely.
Anyone besides me have the overwhelming urge to give these massively well-paid PLAYERS & OWNERS a time-out.... and maybe a doseof reality?

I Affirm This in EVERY Way......

2011-02-03T00:07:00.000-06:00

Yeah, it's cold.

2011-02-02T12:47:00.004-06:00

It's cold.

no. I mean, it's frakking cold.

Holy buckets, it's cold outside. Winter is having one last party in north Texas and it's inhabitants are freezing their collective keesters off. I'm hold up with my warm blankets, fuzzy warm socks, my cat, my heating pad... and a lot of laundry that the dratted laundry fairy keeps bypassing.

I'm going to have to do something about that before the mountain of laundry buries me alive.
Death by dirty (but cute) socks.
Not a good way to go.

Stay warm!

A Quiet

2011-01-31T11:37:00.004-06:00

The little Lad has jetted down to south Texas on a beach vay-cay with his dad for a week.

My heart.
a dear friend asked me this weekend how I was feeling. i believe my response what something along these lines, "You know the suction attachment of the Hoover vacuum? Yeah, it can suck your soul right out of your body."
gotta love a multi-tasker

So, um, yeah.

What will the most devoted mommy of one be up to, you ask? Well, it's so very climactic. Please, contain your jealousy. I'm going to get the oil changed in my car. And, since I'm feeling particularly wild this week, I think I'll get the inside detailed out. Mount Laundry seems to have piled up on me again. Bah. And then there's the small matter of J's Christmas tree and manger set that are still out (yeah, blew right on past Epiphany..... "Here's one for you Taylor, stop procrastinating on putting Christmas stuff away! until February shows its face).

Are you jealous yet?
.... and then my dear, sweet, wonderful band of merry men & women ("I am NOT a merry man!") who are responding to my S.O.S. to keep me occupied and my spirits up during my Jacob-less week.

(Total props and bragging rights if you can place the above mentioned quote.)

And now I must go- apparently February is going to show her skanky self by blasting up with frakking freezing weather and snow. I gotta count my blanket, my soft fuzzy sweaters, and socks..... and glare at Target. a wonderful retailer that is already selling swimsuits. in January/February. Have they no shame? Santa's corpse isn't even cold yet!

But if he sticks around here, it will be freezing.

(** a note, this is the longest my little dude has ever been away from me. forgive me, my whining. :-) it's been a long time since I've been in anything BUT full-time 'mom-mode'**)

Cause I'm Awesome Like That

2011-01-25T12:18:00.003-06:00

So, I woke up at 2:30 Saturday morning thinking that I was going to blow my cookies.

(spoiler: I didn't.)

But I laid there drifting out of a very uncomfortable sleep until it was time to wake my child to send him off with his father at 8:30am... thinking that I was going to blow my cookies. And the dizziness. Oh, the dizziness.

As soon as Jacob was safely trotting down the walkway with his dad (after making me chase him around the house, not wanting to get dressed or mind, at all before his dad arrived) I stumbled back to bed until it was time for him to come back home.

Jacob ate lunch & then took a nap & then I laid down too. Cause, did I mention the dizziness?

Mamaw here, thought that someone had yanked the world off its' axis and spun it fast without my permission & I was getting ready to get my broomstick after the no-good ya-whoos.

It got better as the day went along & then Sunday dawned....

Hi dizziness, you're back. Rinse and repeat.

Monday Morning. Rinse and repeat. Again. (But, with the added bonus of an early riser who wanted in my bed... not to sleep, but to bounce up and down. For about 30 minutes. 'Kid, this boat ain't big enough for the both of us.')

Possibly time to go to the doctor, huh?

My doctor looks in my ears and asks me this question... "Does your ear hurt... at all?"

"Um, no. Why?"

"Because you're right ear is so inflamed it looks like it's about to explode out of your ear."

Awesome.

So that explains the vertigo and strange compulsion to heave my stomach contents. And my abysmally low blood pressure. Yeah, for dizziness. Stupid inner ear.

More good news- its not actually an infection. It's just really inflamed. Excellent. Drink plenty of fluids and treat the symptoms until it goes away. How long, you ask? 3-4 weeks. Rock on.

Yes, I'm a medical over-achiever. Who, by the way, is totally a sucker for the power of suggestion. Yeah, my right ear. It's bothering my now.

But, in actual good news- THE STEELERS ARE GOING TO THE SUPERBOWL!
I'll try and devote another post to my happiness over that.
For now, Mamaw needs to get her blanket and pillow and go lay down. Lie down? Ugh, I never can remember which it is. Grammar, why must you taunt me so?

Sat. Steelers' Game

2011-01-19T20:11:00.006-06:00

A little late... I know. What can I say? It's been a long week. I'm happy to say that I believe that Jacob is on the upswing of the crummy-crud. Yea!

So, in honor of that.... I give you a 3 part picture show, portraying the emotions that went into watching the Steelers game on Saturday. (Spoiler: we won. thank God.)

Happy, Enthused. Filled with Hope.... Just after kick-off.

Half-Time.... remember the emotions from kick-off? Yeah. Not so much.

The end of the game. Tired. Depleted. But, happy & content.

But then I remembered that I get to do it all again this coming weekend.... clearly I have no sense of self-preservation.....

...... or possibly just a very healthy sense of competition.

If I'm Still Awake In 3 Hours, You'll Know Why

2011-01-17T00:26:00.005-06:00

Of course, by the time any of you read this you'll be thinking, "of course she's awake. why wouldn't she be?" As I type these words, it's 12:27... oops, make that 12:28am in the blessed a.m. & I fully expect to be summarily & often roused from my beauty sleep a time or 2 (or 10) tonight.

Why?

The Lad.

He's a bit on the sickly side.

Eee-gads. Every time the weather changes, it happens. Last year, I was graced with the ear infection that. wouldn't. die. (seriously. 4 weeks. morphed twice.) We've managed to hop, skip and jump our way through sickly-sick season thus far, but I fear that we're about to get a beating with a brick stick.

...and that hurts.

Jacob is a cuddly, affectionate little boy- just by his nature.

When he's sick. He's SUPER-mondo clingy boy. And Mr. Cranky McCrankerston... who falls apart at the. slightest. thing. for. no. blessed. reason. Yeah, lived with it the last day or so.

And the coughs. Oh, the poor boy. Coughed through his nap yesterday & today. And I can hear the congestion. ::frowny face::

But the best part about sicky-Jacob is the early mornings.... that's usually when his sweet little body decides to go AWOL on me. (ie: early morning puke-fests 2010) Once, he actually coughed so much he threw up. Awesome. ::whimper::

I've kept it at bay thus far....
Oh, please. Please, for the love. Go away coughs and congestion. Find some other smuck to pester.

So, in conclusion. If you see me around tomorrow & I seem... oh, what's the word? Slightly desperate for my caffeine hit??? Now you'll know why. And if you really love me, you'll have that Starbucks I.V. drip line waiting for me.

I Have This Friend

2011-01-14T16:22:00.003-06:00

But I've never met her face to face.

How is it that we're friends, you ask? The magical world of the internet. Oh, magical internet. And the magical blogs that bind us.

My sweet bloggy friend, Joanne. The Simple Wife.

She's lovely. And kind. And honest (about her flaws and her high points). And encouraging. The very antithesis of "simple."

And totally part of my little community of "invisible friends"... and I'm part of hers.

She's 38.

She has 2 pre-teen daughters.

She's been married 19 years.

On Tuesday, my friend suffered a stroke.

It was bad.
And I am gutted for her. For her family. My heart grieves. It doesn't matter that I have never seen her face to face. In the years since the invisible, internet howdies were swapped, a friendship was forged & I am heartsick. My young, vibrant friend- with so much life in front of her- is in a hospital bed and she may not wake up. We don't know. We hope. We pray.

It's ana amazing thing, the internet. I've come to know & befriend a vast array of characters. A rather amusing little band of characters. It really is a band of 'invisible friendships'. You can't see them, but they are there. And, perhaps like, 'visible' friendships, you may not see the preciousness in some of them until they are removed.

Just something to think about in your visible and invisible friendships.

For Your Viewing Pleasure

2011-01-06T13:15:00.002-06:00

Since I'm very tired & Matilda is still beating me like a rented circus monkey, here's a happy little video that will make us all smile. :-)

disclaimer: the car was pulled over & parked when the video was taken.

disclaimer #2:..... I have no idea where the child gets his yen for the dramatic.

Poor Matilda

2011-01-04T23:53:00.003-06:00

My back. She hurts.
And as she has been making a crying, gnashing, weeping pest of herself the last week or so, I thought it was only right to give her a name. Welcome her. Bake her cookies. Yes, I tried bribery. Hey, I'd do almost anything for a homemade oatmeal/chocolate chip cookie... it was worth a try with Matilda.

No dice.

Matilda still pains me. She's had a date night every single night this week with Fernando, my heating pad. They get along great... except when Fernando gets a little too hot for her. It happens. He's a hottie, after all. But I'm a very good chaperon & I get them to turn the heat down before anyone gets burned.

Tomorrow I must cajole Matilda into helping me with laundry (blasted laundry fairies skipped over my house this week), finish sorting through 'throw away' & 'give away' piles, etc, etc, etc.

In conclusion, while it may seem strange to some to have named my aching back & my heating pad... and to set them up on dates. It may sound odd to some to bribe or cajole a body part into well-being or something that resembles a pain-free existence.

But...

After a week...
Have I mentioned that my back... it pains me? sigh....

30

2011-01-03T22:48:00.002-06:00

Well.

Huh.

So.

I had a birthday here not all that long ago. I am, officially, in my 30's. I haven't decided what I think of this turn of events. Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled to be 30. I mean that. If nothing else, it means that I have managed to not do anything so stupid as to get myself killed. (and with the headlines I read on the news, that's a little bigger of a deal than it was a few years ago...)

No... at present I have been waxing poetic in my mind over turning 30. I suppose its this time of year. It's what happens when one turns a decade age. It's what happens when skinny jeans turn my boot cut jeans into 'mom jeans'....

Its the circle of life, Simba.

I turn 30 as a single mom.
I turn 30 as a woman finishing her UNDER-grad.
I turn 30 as a woman living with her kiddo... and her parents.

le sigh

It happens.

Yes. It. Happens.

But.

I turn 30 as a woman who is finishing her undergrad & is making plans to get her Masters.

I turn 30 with a plan to buy my own home... hey, its a plan. I'm thrilled with a plan.

I turn 30 & I have a son that I adore. And I get to raise him around his grandparents & great-grandmother for a couple of years. And they adore him.

I turn 30 with a church that loves on me & my kiddo.

I turn 30 with friends who make me laugh even on days when I don't want to laugh. On days when I would rather marinate in my anger or self-pity.

I turn 30 with a family who NEVER ceases to amaze me with their ability to love me. And, after 30 years... that's kinda, sorta something.

I turn 30 as the mother of a little boy who... makes my every day.

I turn 30 as the Daughter of a King.

Turning 30 is looking better with every stroke of the key.

So, this week.

2010-12-28T18:01:00.003-06:00

So, I'm cleaning and purging this week.

Hold me.

After packing up and condensing my entire life (along with J's) into storage & 2 bedrooms in my parents' house it has become blazingly clear that I have too much crap.

Way too much crap.

Oh, I've purged through my belongings before. There's a couple of boxes to prove that out in the garage... awaiting that phantom garage sale that has never quite happened. Whoops. Anyway. New Rule. If it's in one of my drawers or my closet & I haven't used or worn it in 2 years, it's outa here.

And then maybe, if I'm really, really lucky I'll find an hour (or 20) to go through the boxes upstairs and see what I can donate or sell from those.

My other project is to geek my way through the two new cookbooks that came to live with me this Christmas.
Barefoot Contessa's Back to Basics & the Pioneer Woman Cooks
I am over the moon excited to get my cooking on in the weeks to come. I love love love to cook. And I'm trying to be a better baker. I repeat... trying.

Though the Lemon Poppyseed Cakes I made this year as Christmas presents seemed to go over like gangbusters with my nearest and dearest. Note to self: must add that recipe to my permanent file.

Anyway- how are you spending this last week before 2011??

Christmas This Year

2010-12-26T23:06:00.010-06:00

There was quite a bit of this....

There was thankfully, only one instance of this... where he actually put his plan into total action

There was plenty of this

several hours were spent looking at this & not getting enough of it...

seeing secrets shared between two buddies

watching a little boy have 'his' Thomas come stay at his house for Christmas

.... and go out and greet him every night when Thomas, "woke up."

21

2010-12-13T22:23:00.003-06:00

Years have a way of passing by lightening fast. So fast that you could get whiplash trying to catch them as they fly by.

I ruminate today on how 21 years could have passed me by so fast. That many years since my granddaddy walked this earth.

Crazy.

Sometimes it seems like its been forever since I saw him.
Ask me another time, and I would swear, with breathless certainty, that it seems like just yesterday.

I miss his face.

Time doesn't heal all wounds, gentle readers. No. No. Sometimes it sneaks up on you when you least expect it. But time puts distance between you and the visceral, knee jerk pain. That goes away. The dull ache. That doesn't.

And, really... would you want it to?
For me, the pain of my grandfather's death is part of the joy of the memory of his life. It's all wrapped up in how very much I loved him. How much I love him today. I think that its okay to say that some pains don't go away. Some sorrow grafts itself into the DNA of who you are.

Ignoring it doesn't make it go away. Denying that it exists just seems to... I don't know- rob you of an important part of who you are. Am I saying that one should through themselves into the deep pit of terrible sorrow?... no. There is a balance.

I can say that I miss Winston. So much it hurts, still. But I can talk about that old man with joy. With absolute joy. I am so proud to hold his memory. I can laugh and giggle and smile boldly when I think on the time I had with him. That's the balance. That's how it all wraps itself together.

That's the amazing thing about the passage of time. That something can hurt & bring joy all at the same time.

And, after 21 years- that's what I'm thinking about today.

Break

2010-12-10T12:41:00.004-06:00

Welcome back. Or, I suppose I should welcome myself back.

The last few days of my semester were a whip. November flew by like a flash, I tell you. And now, we're neck deep into December.

I'm taking a month or two off- it's a must. My brain went to mush.

The last week or so have been lovely. I've rested. I've relaxed... ish.

I've done a lot of reading.

Let's take a moment, please. I've spent the last 6 months chained to text books, so all my precious Pretties have stacked up beside my bed..... calling to me. Begging me to pick them up. To crack the spine and delve into those pages and pages of rich, wonderful prose.

I wax poetic, I do.

It's been a joy. I reread an old favorite- Christy. I love, love, love that book. And now, I'm rewatching the tv series & the PAX movies. Yes, I have them on dvd. Don't judge. (Dear Dr. MacNeill, I heart you.)

I'm currently reading a biography on Anne Hutchinson- yes, I am a nerd. The next book on the list is about Augustus. After that, is a biography on Amelia Earhart.....

In other news, I am happy to report that I have found my winter purse. Special thanks to SAMS and London Fog for coming together to make this joyous event possible. (Hi, my name's Taylor and I can switch subjects from deep to deeply shallow in a split second.) And I now have 2 (yes) pairs on winter boots. Can I just tell you how deeply my wardrobe rejoices over this?

Lot's of stuff happening this month- I'm hoping I can carve out the time to sit and write more. As in, work on my long neglected writing projects. Sigh. I can also hear the Siren Call of the theatre... it's calling to me. I've been away far too long. I find my center there- I really do. Must stop letting my 'breaks' extend for so long.

I looked back over this post & I can't really say that I wrote anything too world shattering. Oh, well. Maybe next time. Until then.

Thankful

2010-11-24T18:14:00.004-06:00

For all that I do not deserve... for all that I have been blessed with.

Taking a couple of days to count my blessings one by one.

Remembering,

"A thankful heart is a happy heart..."

Happy Thanksgiving.

To Those Who Make Lists

2010-11-16T15:26:00.002-06:00

I Salute You....

*Vacuum the floors
*mop the floors
*DO MY LAUNDRY
*put away my laundry- wish I didn't have to remind myself to do that
*eat lunch (not looking good today)
*put up Jacob's Christmas tree
*go through Jacob's toys and set aside the baby toys for garage sale
*go through Jacob's sock drawer; they're multiplying like bunnies in there
*balance checkbook
*watch cooking shows I taped on dvr
*watch Sanctuary I taped last Friday
*finish Humanities paper
*finish Humanities project
*study for History test
*call attorney
*dust-ick

By the way, have any of you tried the Zevia Sodas? They have no calories, but they aren't made with artificial sweeteners. I'm liking them thus far, I must say.

If anyone thought my train of thought jumped the track, you're right. But that's the price you pay for reading my wee little bloggy. Till next time!

It Happens

2010-11-10T18:23:00.004-06:00

2009

2010Any Questions?

Oh, For the Love of Tom Landry

2010-11-08T12:07:00.006-06:00

Dear Dallas Cowboys,

Stop. Just please stop. Take off the pads. Take off the jerseys. Remove yourselves from the field. Holy cow, yall have gone way past the point of imploding & to the point of just plain ridiculous. Yall are making fools of yourselves and humiliating the city you represent.

You look like idiots.

Learn some discipline on and off the field. Learn to respect yourselves. Learn to respect your fellow players, your coaches and your fans. Learn to LOVE the game again. Learn HOW to play football again. And then maybe.... just maybe, you'll earn the right to wear the silver and blue again. Perhaps you'll be worthy of the Landry Legacy.

But right now 'Boys, yall ain't nothing but a mockery.
And you certainly don't deserve to wear those uniforms.
Or stand on the memory of Team Tom Landry built.

Just sayin......

Into the Ring

2010-11-03T13:25:00.002-05:00

The blog world is a really amazing little world- I say "little" with a rather large grain of salt. I love the fact that I can connect with all sorts of people from all walks of life. But, some of my favorite people to connect with are people who are bound together by the thin, string of adoption.

It's such a narrow tether- it really is. Sometimes it looks quite transparent & other times, its a rather thick strap and you couldn't miss it if you tried. But so many people, myself included are bound by this string. And I am constantly checking myself with the fact of how many thoughts and journeys and ideas people have about adoption. Some I agree with, wholeheartedly.... some I find myself feeling rather wishy-washy & others I just cannot, for the life of me, agree with.

Now, please don't mistake me. I'm not writing this post to say that I have all the answers. All I have is the sum of my life experiences as a (now) adult adoptee. Oh, yes- that's right. I did mention that I am bound to the community for adoption.

I was adopted at birth. Well, actually, I was bound for the family I call my family before I even opened my eyes on this world. My parents were set to adopt me before the girl who was carrying me inside her gave birth.

And yes, I said the "girl." Because that's what my 'birth mother' was... she was a girl. A child, herself. She didn't WANT to raise a child. Any child at that moment in time. And, at 17, can any of us really blame her? Her family wanted her to keep the child (me).... another member of the family wanted her to give the baby to them. But she wouldn't. She didn't want to be around her child... that wasn't her child.

So, I was adopted into my family.

As I grew up, I knew that I was "adopted."
But I also grew up knowing that.... really, it wasn't all that much of a big deal. No, I didn't grow in the stomach of the woman I call my mom. But at the end of the day, I double dog dare ANYONE to say that I'm not her child.

(and if anyone takes me up on that dare, they'll receive a verbal dressing down, the likes of which they've never received before..... and then they'll have to deal with my mama.)

There were no "celebrate your adoption birthday" days in my life. I have one birthday, thank you. I was brought up knowing that people come into families in different ways- and no one way makes you more "special" or more "different" or anything like that. You're simply a member of your family. Period.

I was NEVER introduced to anyone by my mother (or anyone else in my family) says, "This is Taylor. She's my adopted daughter." EVER. I was just their's.

I belonged to my family. And there was never a question about that. Maybe it was because my mom was very honest with me as I grew up & gave me AGE APPROPRIATE ANSWERS.

There's a concept that I have seen, sadly, lacking. Some parents want to be so honest & 'help their adopted children process their pain' so much that, I think, they are adding to their kids confusion and their 'pain'. I'm not really sure what constantly reminding your kids that they are 'adopted' or 'have another mommy and daddy somewhere' is supposed to do for these kids sense of belonging and well-being. And in some families, where the children are of a different ethnic orgin then their mom & dad.... they know they are different. Really. You don't need to point it out to them.

You might say that I'm not a big fan of "open adoptions." Where did this concept come from? How does this work?

"Come here little Susie. I'm your mom. But this is your other mom. And you love your daddy, but this is your other daddy."

What?!

Kids need identity. They have to have it. They must know who they are and where they belong in this world.
If a child grows up and has questions or curiousity about their 'birth parents', fine. But let that be their journey. I don't like the idea of parents choosing it for them. I really don't.

And now you might ask if I have ever tried to find the woman who gave birth to me. The answer is, no. Why? Well, to be honest- she's really not anything to me. Whoa, harsh, you might be saying... but its the truth. She's not my mother. And I refuse to call her that or to reference her in that manner. That she carried me & gave birth to me, I will be forever grateful.

Because she didn't have to. I was a post-Roe v. Wade baby.

But that's where my feelings end. She's not my family.

And she didn't want the child she carried at 17. She wanted her own life. And I have to respect that. I do respect that.

I am thankful that I was adopted. I love, love, love my family. And they love me. I am a part of a family that I couldn't imagine being without. And, I don't want to imagine life without them. I belong ... here. Am I 'grateful' to my parents for adopting me.... well, no more than any child is grateful for being born. Thankful and grateful are to different things.

And now, as an adult... as a parent myself, I can say that there really isn't a big difference between having a child whom you gave birth to or adopting them. There is not. If it seems that there is- that's something you have perpetuated. Sorry, but its the truth.

So... in conclusion. My two cents for whatever they are worth. Let your children BE your children. Don't make diffferences between them. Don't. Yes, adopting a child from birth is waaaay different from adopting an older child. And yes, an older child or a child that comes from a different ethic origin will have some different needs- THEY are the ones that might need extra care in the form of counseling.

All that is fine- but, please... Please send your sweet children the message every day that they are yours and you are their's. Give them the identity of being your children & of totally and completely belonging.

Thanks for listening.
*****
November is National Adoption Month. There are so many children in foster homes that need the identity that comes from being a part of a family that loves them.

Once a child hits 3, 4, & 5 their chances of finding a family are reduced to crazy small percent rates.

Once they hit 10, they have a next to nothing chance.

No home.
No family.
No mom and dad to love them and to call their own.

Just something to think about.

HIgh & Low of Dallas Sports

2010-10-26T09:03:00.002-05:00

The Rangers are going to the World Series.

Wowza.

It's taken a couple of days to process this turn of events. This, crazy cool, turn of events. Those of us here in North Texas have been riding the sports induced high since Friday night- nothing has been able to bring us down or dampen our spirits (not even the high 80 degree weather in, you know, October).

And that's a good thing, cause Monday night marked the end of the Dallas Cowboys season.

Le sigh.

The quarterback has a broken clavicle. I knew it when he went down. Well, I didn't know his clavicle was broken, but I saw the hit & just knew- "Well, that sucks. He's out." Sadly, I was right. Our season has been a brain numbing experience thus far & the writings been on the wall... when you have undisciplined players & coaches who... well, I'm not really sure how to explain our coaches, it's just not a recipe for anything that even comes close to resembling greatness.

But, back to happy thoughts! The World Series starts Wednesday night... the same night as the Fall Festival at my church. Oops. So, it will be a rather quick jaunt through the Kid Fest & then back home for the baseball game. And those of you who remember last years costume debacle with Jacob, I must report that its really no better this year. He'll be wearing a Halloween shirt.

For Your Information

2010-10-21T10:47:00.002-05:00

I Would Like...

1. it to be 10-15 degrees cooler. It's fall, for the love of all things good & right and true. I know, I know- I live in Texas, what do I expect? But a girl can dream, can't she?

2. for the Rangers to win their game on Friday & go to the World's Series. Please, oh, Please, oh, Please.

3. to have this last 10-15 pounds magically disappear from my butt.

4. to find the perfect berry lipstick

5. for pizza to have no calories.

6. to have the power to vanquish crappy drivers.

7. for a million dollars to magically appear in my bank account.

8. for laundry to put itself away, ugh.

9. to be in charge of television programing. Oh, the power. But, I promise I would use this power for good & not evil- well, I suppose that would greatly depend on your pov, cause I can promise you their would be a whole lot less 'reality' tv on the air & shows would be on at times & on days that, you know, actually made sense.

10. regular Dr. Pepper with imperial pure cane sugar to have no calories

and that's my wish list. Please make a note.

The GREAT State Fair

2010-10-18T21:10:00.006-05:00

.................
oh, it's a grand time to be a Texan, I tell you. The State Fair of Texas is one of those beloved traditions that runs through my veins... and it runs deep.

It's the start of fall, it is. The Fair heralds the beginning of your Intrepid BloggerGirl's very favorite season. It's the time when my beloved Horns kick up dust with those northern aggressors known as the Sooners (icky!).

One of the greatest parts of the Fair is the fried food- oh, my heart does flutter. This year all I tried from the fried bounty that was offered was the Fried Margarita.... wasn't that bad. Kinda like eating a funnel cake & drinking a 'rita on the rocks. But you had to eat it fast, or it got soggy- texture! icky!

Yes, I did get a fried s'more again this year, thankyouverymuch. Those tasty, fried nuggets of wonderfulness soothe my soul and kinda complete me (culinary speaking, of course). ::sigh:: Can it please be next year again? Please?

Oh! and if you are a lifelong Dallas Cowboys fan (I say lifelong, hoping that the people I am speaking to remember life BEFORE the man who fired Coach Landry) and you missed the Coach Tom Landry exhibit- shame. shame on you. It was really, really wonderful. Walking through & seeing into the life of the man who was such a fixture & a role model for so long was awesome. Coach Landry was one of a kind- a kind we need more of in this world, I think.

(.... and on a totally shallow note, a kind that the current Dallas Cowboys could benefit greatly from. Just sayin'.)

Anyway- enjoy some picture from the 2010 State Fair of Texas.

Yeah, so this was supposed to be a tender, sweet moment where we caught the youngling taking his next step into the big wide world.... sharing a Fletcher's Corny Dog. However, it was kinda, sorta ruined by the large man in the yellow shirt who greets the guests to the Fair.

Yeah, him. Big Tex. Our annual "Smile & Stand in front of Big Tex so everyone knows we are at the Fair" pic. Not so much. Tex started talking again. Jacob tried to tree himself in my hair & we had to motor. Rapidly.

HE RODE SOME RIDES!!!!!! (ahem) Sorry. I love rides. My baby rode some rides. His mommy beamed with pride. The End.

Well, almost the end... there were a few more photo ops!

The List

2010-09-29T14:44:00.003-05:00

So, I've been up to my (not at the moment) well-manicured eyebrows in my undergrad studies here lately. As of this moment in time I have 2 papers, 1 project, & 2 tests left in my 'official' semester. My hope is to plow through those & get another class (or 2) squeezed in.

And then there's the usual, every day stuff that goes into my days & weeks- there's MOPS, church & serving the nursery once or twice a month. There's the never ending loads of laundry. The dinners that must get made- I feed myself, J, my mother & father and my grandmother. I love that. Cooking relaxes me- but it takes time and thought, to be sure. There are playdates with my best 'mommy friend' Faith & her little girl, L. And then, there are grown-up playdates with my peeps on those occasional nights or days when Jacob is with his dad.

.... and then, shepherding Jacob through his toddler & pre-school years. :-) That's my favorite job.

All this to say that there's a stack of books by my bed that are begging.... no, pleading with me to pick them up and crack open the spine. It's tragic, I tell you. (I won't even get started on the mass pile-up that's on my dvr right now. That would be a whole other, whiny post.)

So, I thought I would grace you with my abandoned reading list. Check them out & feel free to read any of them & tell me what you think... it might be a while before I get to them!

1. The Hole in the Gospel- Richard Stearns
2. Atlas Shrugged- Ayn Rand
3. 1776- David McCoullough
4. Arguing with Idiots- Glenn Beck
5. East to the Dawn (The Life of Amelia Earhart)- Susan Butler
6. The Lincolns- Daniel Mark Epstein
7. The Last Days of the Romanovs- Helen Rappaport
8. Mrs. Dalloway- Virginia Woolf
9. How to Eat- Nigella Lawson (this is an on-going reading project, to make my way through!)
10. Call of Duty- Lt. Lynn "Buck" Compton
11. Vanity Fair- Willliam Makepeace Thackeray
12. Augustus- Anthony Everitt
13. The Healthiest Kid in the Neighborhood- Sears

Yes, that's the gamut of reading tastes- fiction, history, biography, auto-bio, cooking, health.
What about you? What's on your reading list?

Think of This as a Public Service Anouncement

2010-09-25T13:34:00.003-05:00

..... for your culinary health.

A few tasty suggestions for your dining pleasure in the DFW, Texas area. :-)

Chuy's- do I really need to explain this? I heart this place. The salsa is kinda like chunky pico. Yummy and fresh. And the margaritas are darn tasty too. Just sayin'.

Papasito's- yeah, the Godfather of tasty Tex-Mex.... which is kinda odd since the people who own the chain are Greek, I believe.

Jorg's- if you want good, and I mean great, Austrian food... go here now.

Urban Crust- My favorite pizza in the world. Yeah, it's that good. I recommend the "Shea's East Side" pizza. Oh, and the "Hearts of Plano" salad. It's big enough for two.

Ajisen- it's kinda like my own personal "Cheers", only it's a Japanese restaurant. I go for the sushi & I'm never disappointed. Go at lunch time and try the lunch roll combo- 2 rolls, salad & miso soup for $10. It's in Richardson, in Little Chinatown off Greenville road.

Buco de Beppo- yes, it's an Italian chain. But, darn it, it's good food. And the family style makes me happy... it makes me think of my Grandma's house when there's lots of food and family... and that just gives me all kinds of warm fuzzies on the inside.

And this concludes your PSA for today. Have a lovely day!

and go eat some great food! :-)

A Trip in Pictures

2010-09-15T12:27:00.009-05:00

Here are just a few pictures from our Labor Day trip. We had fun- I love Austin. I really do.

This is what happens when some drunk in the hotel pull the fire alarm at 5am.... and it get stuck in the on position & goes off twice. The first time, J fell back to sleep... the 2nd time, not so much. He ended up in the bed with me. (Special thanks to my dad for snapping this less than charming picture of me. That's what happens when you and your 2 year old share a hotel room with your mom and dad.)

In line at the Oasis- we waited quite a long time for a table. And then considered adopting into the family the waiter who bumped us out of the line & sat us in his station. Bless him. Bless him.

J and my Dad at the Oasis.

The obligatory picture of a sleeping 2 year old in his carseat. He fought each and every nap. The child didn't want to miss one thing.

Inside the Texas State Capital. Remind me to dedicate an entire post to the several pictures it took just to get this one, semi-decent picture. It makes me totally ok with the fact that my child is not looking at the camera.

If you get a chance to tour the Bob Bullock museum- take the time. It was really wonderful.

Yes... Just take a moment & share in my joy. I took J to the UT campus. It was a proud moment for me.

My new favorite picture!

We're Still Here

2010-09-10T17:06:00.003-05:00

Watching twisters on live tv is amazing television, I tell you. Tornado drills are also lots of fun too. There's nothing like gathering together in a very tiny bathroom to bring you together as a family...

... and make you realize that you do not have a current (read: complete or anything) disaster kit.

Put that on my to-do list.

And for the record- may I just state my amazement at having several twisty twisters touch down around north Texas because of a Tropical Storm? Crazy. And ALL THE FLOODING. Thank you so much Tropical Storm Hermine for dumping all that rain on my home state. Holy Noah and his Traveling Ark, Batman.

From this point on, there's not going to be much of a flow going on to this post.

We went to Austin for Labor Day. I took my Lad to the Holy Land- I mean, the University of Texas campus. :-) We went to the stadium for a photo-op & he cheered for the Horns & their mighty school crest. It brought a tear to my eye. I'll have an Austin trip post soon (I hope) complete with pictures. And some restaurant reviews. There was some tasty, tasty chow that was consumed on that trip!

I need a new purse. I have retired the pretty, pretty pink purse for the fall (sad day) & I don't love any of my three current options. I think a trip to Charming Charlie is in order for yours truly.

I need some signature necklace pieces for the fall. (and when I say "need", I totally mean "really want")

Does anyone else love those chunky, flow-y sweater? Love.

I also really need a couple of new ballet-flat'esqe shoes. Hopefully in animal print. (and some high-heels in that print would be great too.)

I do now declare that a trip to Charming Charlie is in order.

Rainy, Rainy, Rainy

2010-09-08T17:38:00.002-05:00

Yes, you may have guessed from the oh so clever post title, it's a rainy, rainy day. Actually, it's been a rainy couple of days. Tropical Storm Hermine is making her presence known even here in north Texas. We've got so darn much rain that there's been flash flooding all over the place & now, there are tornado warnings dotting all around where I live.

Am I taking adequate and immediate shelter with my loved ones? Umm, no. I'm perched on my bed "writing a paper", watching Pete Delkus & blogging. :-) Why? Cause it's what I do. And, since there's not a warning on the exact spot where I live, I feel rather safe at the moment.

But yall know what's totally bizarre? Listening to Steve McCauley on the phone on Channel 8 saying, "It's on the ground. The tornado is on the ground."...... he's currently chasing it. Well, I hope he's seeking shelter- cause I'm watching it on the tv & it's a little freaky.

and mesmerizing..... (thank you, HD Chopper 8)

I used to make fun of my mother when I was younger- she would tell me 'twister' stories & one in particular made me shake my head- she stood in her front yard and watched the twister. I could not fathom that. And now, here I am- totally mesmerized by this.

Here's a Few Things I Would Never Want to Hear When Anywhere NEAR a Wall Cloud
1. it's closing in on us
2. multiple vortices
3. lots of damage
4. debris that's being knocked around & lifted up
5. cars driving TOWARDS it
6. transformer fire

Crazy People.

A Reply

2010-08-24T21:45:00.003-05:00

In waxing poetic in my last post, some hurt feelings have been uncovered. I want to address those feelings publicly. It seems like the right thing to do. If this post doesn't apply to you, then come back later. If it does, then please read on & then let's just us talk.

To Anonymous-

I suppose you would fall into the "I think we got our signals mixed and crossed badly somewhere along the way" category. In my blundering way, I suppose I was trying to give any and all space from my drama. I know that the path I am on is uncomfortable for some people & I have tried to be respectful of that.

I have probably also been oversensitive to varying degrees as well. But hurting and/or pushing dear loved ones out of my life has never been my intent. I am so often guilty of trying to read too much into the intent and the motives of what people are doing/saying/etc, instead of just coming out and talking with them about it. It's a massive, awful fault of mine.

To any of my dear friends that have been pushed away these last months, I am so sorry. Please forgive my blundering. I love my friends so dearly & I hurt to know that I have caused pain... I hope that we can have some restoration of our friendships, dear friend(s).

Love,
Me

A Somewhat Syrup-y Stream of Thought

2010-08-18T14:01:00.003-05:00

I do, for the most part, try and keep my little on-line world fairly light. But I've had several times over the last months to ruminate on a certain subject. Nothing terribly terrible or anything such as that, but more serious than I normally write.

Every since I entered the new phase of my life- single motherhood, I have come to love and cling to and appreciate my friends. Not my acquaintances, mind you- my friends. Massive life upheavals have a funny, funny way of assisting you in weeding through those two labels. Let's face it, divorce sucks the suck of the doomed & not everyone can (will) continue along with you.

But then you have your friends.

And I have a handful of wonderful, magical friends. They pray for me, pray with me- they help me out with my kid. They laugh and play with me. And, most all of- they have stuck beside me. Some are old friends & some I have had the great pleasure of cultivating our friendship since the separation & divorce fiasco started.

Not really sure where I'm going with this, except to say that friends make your life so much better. They enrich it in ways that you could not even fathom until you start to see it.

In which I Remind You that I Have a 2 Year old

2010-08-11T16:34:00.006-05:00

I have had every intention of regaling you with oodles of tales from Jacob's 2nd birthday party.

No, really. I have.

However, every time I sit down to write a long, loving post- I don't. The 999 other things that clang and clamour around my heels get more attention. I will take a few moments to tell you that, it was lots of fun. Thomas the Train themed. And, yes- he loved it. Jacob kept pointing to the faces of Thomas and his engine friends saying, "See? Mommy see?!"

And he may have hit the Thomas the Train mother load for presents- that he conned his older cousin, Julian into opening a couple of.

He got toys for the bath (or pool, as he decided), toys to play outside, toys to play inside- toys that came in a set (not 1, but 2 Thomas the Train play sets, thank you very much. One with batteries and one without) and toys that came all on their lonesome. He got a new toy truck looking Little People thing (I'm a girl, don't judge). He got a new storybook Bible & some new dvds starring his favorite Bears, an animated Bible figures & (of course) his greatly beloved vegetable people. The boy even scored a pirate ship of the Veggie Tales Pirates Who Don't Do Anything fame. Pretty sweet.

I had a house full of friends and family, lots of crumb crunchers (that's code for children..... who somehow managed not to spill ANY punch all day long. That I know of.)- lots of food and lots of laughter and fun. We ate, we swam, we unwrapped presents, we played, we had cake....

and.

I was exhausted by the end of the day.

...... and promising myself that, next year, we would be celebrating in the company of that overgrown rat who serves the pizza.

All I have to do is get my son over his phobia of the Cheese-rat between then and now.

Another Story Involving the Gym... Kinda

2010-08-06T10:38:00.004-05:00

It starts with, I was on the treadmill at the gym on Wednesday. (as all great epic rants do...)

Let me set the scene for you- It's about 2:30-3pm. I finally got to the gym (yippee!) and started my treadmill routine. I have my beloved iPOD (no, I don't have a name for her.... suggestion?) on & turned to my work-out mix and my earbuds and in my ears. I start up the treadmill & look up at the tv screens in front of me.

There's not a lot to choose from- but watching something other than other people sweat does make the time go faster. One of the tellys is tuned to E!.... I recognized that, okay, I'll watch that. (I'm embarrassed to report that I watched the 6am news with rapt attention the other morning while on the treadmill.)

What was on? Khloe & Kourtney (or however you spell their names) take Miami..... a word to the citizens to Miami..... take your city back- quick.

Anyway. Oh, my golly sam lawnmowers!

These chicks are about my age & I was thoroughly embarrassed for them. No class. None.

The way they talked to each other- YIKES! It wasn't just rude or mean, it was nasty (as in, ewwww! Why in the name of green, green grass would you say something like that TO YOUR SISTER?!). They bleeped out the words, but you knew EXACTLY what these girlies were saying. Now- my family is not Puritanical by any means.... but if ANY female spoke to another member like that- there'd be a come to Jesus meeting. Abruptly.

But the moment that made me stop my treadmill was when one of the girls didn't just flash.... oh no, she showed her who-who on NATIONAL TELEVISION! For an extended time. (And then we were treated to a whole storyline revolving around Missy's little missy.) Yes, it was blurred, but are you kidding me? And that didn't embarrass or humiliate her AT ALL. She said something far less .... public was the most humiliating moment of her life.

What an after school special.

And I watched this thinking, I'm not that old. I'm 29!!!!!! I'm about these girls' ages! And as I watched this, I became my mother- I really wanted to rattle those girls' teeth (especially the one who is a mother of a little baby boy herself...... oohhhh, I really want to shake her till her teeth rattle.)

And here's the thing... I remember watching E! when I was a teen.... I watched it when I was in my early 20's... NOT ALL THAT LONG AGO, thank you very much. So I know girls and young(er) women watch this- and I just wonder what they are getting from this? Are they getting that these girls are sorta, kinda not who they should be looking to as behavioral role models? OR (my thinking) are they thinking that, this is normal? This IS what they should model themselves after?

After school special, indeed.

Thus Far Today

2010-08-03T15:08:00.002-05:00

6 am: I woke up. On purpose. (yes, me.)

6:15am: I left for the gym. I was on the treadmill by 6:25 am. I live about 2 minutes away from my gym & at 0'dark thirty in the blessed morning, that's a darn good thing. I logged 45 minutes on the over-sized gerbil track and was back home eating my toast and Greek yogurt by 7:30am.

Monette and I settled in to watch the new Army Wives from this past Sunday night.... Who's Monette? That's my dvr? Have I never introduced you? How rude of me. (Yes, I named my dvr. We have a close, personal relationship. I'm a single mom with a 2 year old & I'm trying to ge through school.... I depend on Monette. It seemed only right to give her a name.)

I even got in last night's eppi of The Closer before Jacob woke up.

That's all the good news. The bad news is that I flaked out when just a little bit after Jacob went down for his nap.

But I'm awake now &, as penance, I started a load on laundry.

Oh, and in the between Jacob waking up this morning and going down for his nap was a really fun trip for me through hell.... otherwise known as the construction work going on HWY 75 in McKinney, Texas... and buildings that exist only on mapquest. Multiple detours. Frustration. Gnashing of teeth. Great confusion. Retracing steps. Finally giving up and going home, but stopping through the Chik-fil-A drive through first.

Because nothing soothes the soul like the Original Chik-fil-A sandwich & those 2 crucial pickles... especially when you got up a 6am to (re)start going to the gym.

I Need More of This in My Life

2010-07-19T15:09:00.007-05:00

I love the blog-world. I really do. Through this magical world I have had the great pleasure of meeting all kinds of people, all over the world.

And through this glorious connection to the wide world, I have come to know Big Mama, right here in my home state of Texas. And I now must thank her for showing me the way to Gypsyville. Well, I'm thanking her.... my wallet, not so much. You guessed it- shopping. On-line. And, it's wonderful. Go check it out. But, here's a few of my favorite things. Please note: I said 'a few.'

Gypsyville: by The Junk Gypsy Co.

I really love this tank-top. Actually, I love everything in this picture.

May I just register how darn cool this sign is?

I love this necklace.... I need it. I do.

I adore charm bracelets. And I love the bead bracelet too.

Things I Have Loved This Summer (thus far)

2010-07-12T16:22:00.003-05:00

1. The fact that it has rained (a lot) here in Texas. Let's hear it for non-droughty summers! (I must write a disclaimer: The massive humidity has been a soul sucking experience. I've been in dire need of a haircut for weeks now..... my hair is really, really long at the moment & the humidity has taken it's toll, I tell you. Evil humidity, how you wound me.)

2. I found and fell in love with Charming Charlie. (Dearest Charlie, I love you so. We must be in each others' lives forever and you can never go away. ) If you haven't been to Charming Charlie's- go..... and if you live far away from one..... well, road trip.

3. White Bermuda shorts from Old Navy. Now that I found you, I'll never let you go... and I may bring home some other members of your family so you won't be lonely in my closet.

4. The bright pink hobo'ish purse I got at Charming Charlie. Every time I leave my house, it makes me happy. Magical powers, I'm telling you.

5. Shakespeare in the Park with my dearest Peeps. Even having to break for rain couldn't diminish the fun. Love.

6. The A-Team movie. Just a fun, fun movie. It is so going on my "To Buy" list when it hits dvd.

7. Going out to dinner and sitting on the patios of those fine establishments.

8. Planning a certain little boy's 2nd birthday.

9. All the dinners we've grilled out at home. (that's summer, my friends. and this year, as a bonus- there's a new smoker in the back yard.)

10. The baby gate fence in the back yard- We have a pool & a toddler. Yeah. I love the new fence in the backyard. J's sandbox is on the back door side & he and I can sit out there (or he can sit in his little chair & watch his Poppi grill) and not worry about him making a break for the pool & me dying of a heart attack.

Let's See Here

2010-07-05T00:42:00.003-05:00

Happy 4th of July all you Americans out there! ..... yes, I know that every single one of you is getting that message a day late. My bad.

It's been crazy busy around here. I swear at the beginning of every. single. month that the new month is not going to be as busy as the last & I totally lie to myself each and every time. It's such a drag. You'd think I'd have learned this about myself by now, but no. Le sigh. And this month is a particular whip, 2 birthdays to plan and my parents anniversary. Wowza. One of my best girlfriend's is turning 30 on 7/11 and we are going to sing her out of her 20's the night before at a karaoke joint. Fun huh? :-)

And then Jacob's 2nd birthday is at the end of the month. He's going to be 2. By golly heavens. Where did my baby go? ::sniffle:: ::sniffle:: Ok, I'm alright. His party is going to be a Thomas the Train themed party because my child has a crazy love for those trains, that dear sweet little boy.

So, factor in that mess, 4th of July, school (quaking in fear.....), oh and another birthday! Yowza, I have to buy a card for my younger cousin, L, her birthday on the 13th .... oh and another waaay little cousin at the back end of the month! The list just keeps going, Peeps! ..... and I know I'm forgetting something. I just know it. Drat.

I did that Friday. All day long. I KNEW that I was forgetting to do something. It was driving me ninny, I tell you! I finally remembered along about 5:35pm............. that I supposed to call Laura G. and let her know whether I was going to the Frisco RoughRiders Game with her and the Sisters or not. And did I mention that I was supposed to do this... oh, about NOON or so?! Sheesh.

The 4th of July Weekend was crazy busy, as I said before I went on that long ramble. My parents and I (and the little Dude) met up with my Aunt C and Uncle B at Red Robin, home of GREATEST ONION RINGS KNOWN TO MAN, not that I have a strong opinion on that subject at all, for dinner on Saturday night...... of course this was after the 2 hour dash through SAMS and Central Market and the sudden down pour that darn near required a lift from Noah and his paddle boat to get home.

After dinner we dropped my father at the house and my mother and I made our merry way to Addison, hoping to catch some of the KaboomTown fireworks...... and I must now share with you a story on my child. The boy did not like the pretty lights in the sky. Mind you, we were so far back you couldn't hear the noise at all- it was just the lights exploding in the sky that put a twist in the child's pampers.

We got out of the car (to get a better look) and the boy started to try and climb up my shoulders and behind my back- he reminded me of a freaked out cat. Mom and I finally gave up after a few minutes and Mom said, "Let's just go back to the car." People, I am telling you, no sooner had the words crossed the threshold of her lips than Jacob flipped around to face the fireworks, waved and said, "Bye-Bye, See you." and was VERY happy to be carried to the car. I laughed my tail off.

Sometimes he makes me laugh without even trying. And I love that.

Anywhoo. Enough rambling for now. See yall on the flip side.
Peace Out.

The Original Wonder Pet

2010-07-02T16:45:00.002-05:00

.....

my cat has mad skilz.

I'm telling you. He does. He's 16 or 17 years old (yeah) and has figured out how to open the door to my bedroom. Now let me explain. My bedroom door has a twist knob- and this cat has figured out how to turn and twist the darn thing and get it open at 5:30 or 6am in the blessed a.m.

Crazy.

At this point, he hops his little body onto my bed and begins pawing the back on my head..... my face... my ears- which as, by the way, being mightily abused by his horrific wailing.

All..... for breakfast. Because the little Prince Chester cannot wait until 7am when I get up.

Of course, I've been known to give him a bath with the spray bottle at times.

Texas. Summer. Hot. Welcome.

2010-06-17T17:12:00.002-05:00

So Much Fun, I Can't Stand It

2010-06-16T10:57:00.004-05:00

I saw WICKED last night.

Let me just give you a moment with that. Okay? Moment over. It was a very late Christmas/Birthday gift from my bestie. Actually, it wasn't a late gift. I knew I was getting it way back at Christmas/my birthday, but WICKED just took it's own sweet time getting here. If you are wondering, it was awesome. If you haven't seen it, go. Go now.

And while we are on the subject of things that are wicked, let me just tell you that taking an increasingly cranky 2 year old shopping in the heat, in Texas..... that should be implemented as a punishment in our judicial system. Epic Fail. We went Father's Day shopping (and late graduation shopping for a very special Maggie, I know) on Monday & by the time we hit Target I was ready to stick my head in the deep freeze.

The child did manage, however to score a new box of crayons (washable and large sized for tiny hands!), a Veggie Tales activity book & a jumbo sized CARS coloring sheet set. He rocked it and he knew it.

And if all that wasn't enough, The Sisters and I have gig in Snyder this weekend. A World War II fly-in. In a hanger! A Party! Should be fun! -

And End Break

2010-06-08T12:39:00.004-05:00

I'm officially back at school this month- it was a lovely 2 month break. But it's over now. Back to fighting my way to my degree of higher learning. Yea. Just in time for Jacob's seasonal allergies to come roaring back in for another visit. How precious. And can I just say that this 6-something in the morning routine that my son has blessed me with for the last couple of days had better leave with the allergies.

Cause, yeesh.

It's not pretty.

And neither is confining a 2 year old inside cause he's so off-the charts allergic to the crap that's floating around in the air. It makes for a sad, sad little boy.... and a tired mommy. Let me tell you. I hated seasonal allergies when they used to haunt my every step- I despise them all the more now. Poor sick, snotting, coughing little boy.

It's 2 Days Later

2010-06-02T10:15:00.003-05:00

.... and I'm still recovering.

The New Andrews Sisters and their Fabulous Dolly, Dixie rode in the parade & performed at the Memorial Day Picnic in beautiful, historic downtown Granbury this past Monday. If you are wondering why that matters to you and my blog- I am one of those gals.

(p.s.- I'm not one of the ones who sings.)

And, after more than an hour or two in the 900 degree sun (and reapplying sunscreen thank you very much), in a halter top- I have a sun burn. Yea!

Anyway- it was fun. And I think there are another 1 or 2 gigs on the schedule this month. :-)

In the mean time- there's laundry to do. And my classes restarted. Excellent. And I better get a move on- Jacob will be home from his dad's in T-minus ...... uh..... well, math isn't really my strong point today (or any day).

Today's blogpost:
Rambling? Yes
Informative? Maybe
Funny? You be the judge

L8r!

It's Here!

2010-05-27T15:17:00.004-05:00

My Southern Living magazine.

Can I just tell you how much joy that gives me? I open my mail box and give a little squeal of joy when I see that shiny new Southern Living mag sitting there all nice and pretty! It's like a present from my Southern roots.

I love it. I really, really love it!

I love the travel tips. The endless travel tips. They span the South. It's fantastic. I have a running list of all the places that I now must go.

Even though I don't garden (I have this issue with remembering to feed and water plants... what? that's God's job. don't judge me.) I love the gardening section. It's nice to know what plants and flowers to plant in what section of the South. And seeing what really, super-freaking talented gardening people can do with their backyards is enough to make me think about running out to a lawn and garden place.... for a minute.

I dream about the lovely Southern Living floor plans. And I love reading about the interesting people and places.

But the food..... oh, the food. My heart belongs to the food. I cannot even begin to describe the joy, THE JOY of reading through the recipes and gleefully working them into the dinner rotation. Pure Joy.

It's kinda like grasping this piece of my past- my family comes from Texas and Alabama. We're the South. The women who came before me were the South. And when I read through my Southern Living magazine, I remember that, I am too.

I Remembered Today, Does That Count?

2010-05-26T16:50:00.003-05:00

First things first!

Burgers-

85/15 fat. It's a must. Deal with it. And beef~ at least for these suggestions. And I mean it about the fat content. Anytime you make a burger with beef, 85/15 people.

Spicy Ranch Burger

1 lb ground beef
1 packet of Hidden Valley Ranch
a hearty dose of your favorite hot sauce (NOT salsa! there is a dif. peeps.)
shredded Gouda cheese

Mix it all together in a big bowl. Let it marinate, covered, in the fridge for an hour or two. Form into 4 patties and grill.

Makes 4 burgers.

Blue Cheese Burgers

1 lb ground beef
hot sauce
Worcestershire sauce
blue cheese crumbles
salt
pepper

Same directions as above.

Now, on to the bread.

It's your basic banana bread recipe.... tweaked
2 cups flour
3/4 cups white sugar (though I cut back just a touch on this)
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 salt
4 bananas; mashed
1/4 cup milk- nonfat works best, I think
1 egg
2 tsp vanilla
1/4 & a little more brown sugar
..... and chocolate chips

Oven to 350.
Coat an 8-inch loaf pan to prevent a sad ending to a promising start. In a medium bowl, combine your dry (I'm including the sugars) ingredients and mix it well. In a large bowl (and I do mean large, if you are even the slightest bit as messy as I am) peel and mash your bananas. Add the milk, eggs & vanilla and mix to combine. Add the stuff in the medium bowl to the large bowl. Mix it up, baby.

Now.... the good part. Add your chocolate chips. I'm not going to tell you how much to add. It all depends on if you want Chocolate Chip Banana Bread or Banana Chocolate Chip Bread! :-)

Fold Them in.

Bake until a toothpick comes out almost clean. About 1 hour. Let it cool on a wire rack for about 10 minutes before removing from the pan and letting it cool completely on the rack.

Slice and Enjoy!

A Miracle, I Tell You

2010-05-24T12:06:00.005-05:00

Something amazing happened last night.

(You're all a tremble with anticipation, I know.)

I actually got to watch Army Wives when it aired and not on the DVR 2 days later!

.............
I know, I know. This may not sound like such an amazing thing when you consider all the world's problems like famine, plagues, humidity, Democrats- but, in my world, it is! It really is! I watch tv by the dvr. It's kinda pathetic, really.

I never. ever. get. to . watch. my. shows. when. they. first. air. EVER.

That's the life of a mom. In the olden days (when all we had were cassette tapes and the slogan "Be Kind Rewind" ruled our lives) one had to remember to put a tape into the VCR and set the timer to record. I do recall having several different shows smashed on one tape.... as a matter of fact, I think I still have some of those tapes under my bed... hmmm.

Anyway, back to my story. Last night, the young tot had his milk, was rocked for a few minutes by his mother and tucked into his crib.... all before 8:50pm! I scurried into my room (yes, I scurried, I'm not ashamed), giddy as a school girl & watched my show. It was glorious I tell you.

In other news, I tried out a new banana/chocolate chip bread I've been tinkering with for a while on Saturday. It's very chocolate-y. Possibly, the chocolate chips need to be cut back, but other than that- yummy! Oh, and I have a couple of burger recipes for you. Yes, I said burgers. Jump back! I know. For the well being of my father (my aversion to compacted meat patties greatly disturbs the man) I have been trying to conquer this. I figure, what the hay? I'm almost 30. Might as well. I'll try and remember :-) to throw those up on the bloggie tomorrow.

Until Then-
Peace Out InterPeeps!

Just Horrible I Tell You....

2010-05-21T16:36:00.003-05:00

Let me explain.

I have a love for cupcakes. And fried chicken. And fried pickles. And chicken fried chicken. And ding-dongs (the food, not people). And candy bars. And greasy spoon food.

To put it simply, I was raised by good ol' southern people who cooked good ol' southern food when I was going up. You know, food that keeps cardiologists in business.

As I have approached my 30th year with whiplash speed, I've tried to take a more zen-like (what was zen like?) approach to what I put into my poor little body. I take vitamins. I drink lots of water. And, I try and eat cleanly.

What does that mean, you ask? You just try and eat without making a mess, BloggerGiRl, you inquire?

No... well, yes. But that's not what I mean. I eat more veggies. More salads. When I eat meat, it's chicken or fish with beef every once in a while. Fried foods are a rare thing in my tummy. Heavily fatty foods are minimized- I try and go for the "good fats." And, yes, I like eating this way. I do. I really do.

But.

Oh, the shame.....

I ate a Central Market cupcake the other day.... and it happened. That thing that others said might happen- it actually made me feel bad. My body didn't like it. The week before it didn't like the fried chicken we had for dinner either. I'm so upset. It's horrible, I tell you.

But I will cling to my fried green tomatoes and my fried pickles! I will never give them up! Never!

A Most Useless Post (But there is some substance)

2010-05-08T16:50:00.003-05:00

It's true, I don't have much to say today. Sad, I know. I have been trying, desperately, to find some pithy topic that I could chat about.... but, I got nothing.

::sigh::

Oh, here's something- In Houston, Texas a little girl was given detention for a week for being in possession of a Jolly Rancher. The brazen little huzzy. Apparently in the new craze for health in fitness we've decided to steer into the crazy skid in my beloved home state.

I mean, come on.

I get the whole "let's not sell junk food & crap to kids at school" thing. (Cause, if you put a vending machine in a school, the little punks will eat from it.... I know this. I was a tried & true coke/chips/snickers girl for lunch for years.) But if candy or something is brought from home- wtf? Who cares? This little girl was given the candy by another kid.... I'm kinda surprised that kid wasn't charged with being a dealer. (only half joking.... sadly.)

Let's see. What else? Army Wives is back on. Yea! That makes me happy. Now, I just have to wait for July & The Closer will be back on. Why do I care?- hehe, Mary McDonnell will be in several eppys (double Yipppees!) & we all know she's my acting hero. I'll watch her in anything... in fact, I did (I'm looking at you Sneakers!). That movie sucked.

If you're not watching Parenthood on nbc, you should be. Just sayin'. And since we're conversing about television- Stargate Universe? Don't even bother. It really wishes it were something other ::cough:: Battlestar Galactica ::cough:: than what it really is and it's kinda sad to watch. In fact, I have stopped. Caprica, on the other hand. Good. Not great- but good. Yes, we all know what happens, but the ride to get there has & is quite interesting. (the whole secret to prequels... are you listening Star Wars & X-Men???)

Hmmm. What else can I ramble on about? I really got nothing this time. Oh well.
Have a lovely rest of your Mother's Day weekend! Go call your mom!
L8tr!

Some Chicken You Might Like

2010-04-29T09:50:00.002-05:00

Warning: If the thought of consuming of preparing poultry makes you ill, then you might want to skip this post.

Today we're talking chicken. I have 2 chicken recipes for you. Both have been tested (both in the cooking and in the eating arenas) and considered TASTY.

Both recipes were snagged off other websites- one from Pace Southwestern Cooking & the other.... heh, I don't remember. Oops. All that to say, these aren't my recipes but I feel compelled to share yumminess when I find it.

You're Welcome.

Tasty Chicken #1

1 packet of Good Seasoning Italian dressing
1/2 cup brown sugar
whatever chicken parts make you happy (but I would say about 4 or more pieces)

Pre-heat oven to 350.
PAM a baking dish. Place chicken in dish.

In a bowl, mix the packet of dressing and the brown sugar. Pour over the chicken. Then slam the birdies into the oven for 50 minutes (about). No, I'm not kidding. As the sugar starts to melt, it will form a sauce, just go back & spoon over the chicken every once in a while.

Tasty Chicken #2

aka: Salsa Chicken

(unrelated question: why do recipes with a southwest bent almost always use the word "zippy"? and why do I almost always get the overwhelming urge to white-out that insipid word?... something to ponder....)

5 chicken breasts (duh)
1 3/4 cups salsa of your choice (I used mild)
3 T & 2 1/4 t packed brown sugar
1 T & 3/4 t Dijon mustard (okay, I'll be honest- I eyeballed this... and it was honey dijon)

Preheat oven to 350.
PAM a baking dish and lovingly place your chicken in it. I salt and peppered mine.

Combine the other ingredients and then pour over the chicken. Bake for 55-60 minutes.

Eat and Enjoy

10 Things I Never Knew About Motherhood....

2010-04-26T12:17:00.004-05:00

1. That my habit of piling my hair on top of my head when I go to bed (I rhymed!) would come in handy one day when I had a child…. Really, really handy. Like when he runs a blazing degree fever & hurls all over me, the floor, himself, and other surfaces at 2 in the blessed a.m…. which just so happens to be the special time of night when my brain isn’t firing on all cylinders. I can jump over a gate to get to my wailing baby, but I can’t jump out of the way of projectile puke.

2. That I would never get a good nights’ sleep again.

3. That my son would end up better dressed than me most days- that hurts.

4. That I could change diaper after nasty, icky diaper with no problem, but totally freak out when my child poops in the tub during bath time. ::shudder:: Dear Lord, thank you for Clorex wipes and bleach. Your germophob daughter is most grateful. (Not kidding, I am forever scarred.)

5. That I could come to love (and loathe) a pre-school channel. Yes, Sprouts, I’m talking to you.

6. That I would turn into one of ‘those mothers’ who starts planning her child’s next birthday party 1 week after his previous one. (I’m thinking Thomas the Train this year.)

7. That my sweet little son could glare at me THAT MUCH when I sat him in Santa’s lap… 2 years in a row.

8. That in the mind of a toddler boy, playtime= wreckazoid time. (Interesting math, if I do say so.)

9. That I would become proficient in Silly Songs, the VeggieTales theme song, dancing to Thomas the Train, Calliou (this one has been known to cause adults to reach for sharp, pointy things with which to pierce their ear drums…. For Mommy, Calliou= Shudder), the Bearenstein Bears, knowing all the characters in VeggieTales and Thomas the Train, etc, etc, etc.

10. That even on days when teaching discipline and ‘that we obey’ produce moments akin to nails on a chalkboard, one little child can make me laugh till my sides hurt 5 seconds later.

I Had Every Intention

2010-04-21T09:45:00.003-05:00

I really did have every intention of writing a book review and a recipe recommendation, but alas I have run out of time this morning. Yikes! The last week or two, plus the next 2 have been and are a whip. My grandmother has therapy for her tragically swollen (but getting better) legs 3 times a week and I am her Personal Taxi.

I'm purging through my crap, preparing my heart to part with my treasures in a garage sale at the end of the month (Lord, help me).

I did, however, manage to finish Theodore Rex. Review to come! At some point! I promise!
And there will be a tasty, tasty chicken recipe that will not your knee-high socks off. I found it on another blog. And, for the first time EVER, made it exactly like the recipe instructed. Jump Back!

But you'll have to wait for that!

Jacob has a new trike & sandbox (yes, there are pics). We went to the Arboretum. Lot's of fun!

Oh, and I'm going to be an Aunt again!

Peace out, InterPeeps!

Prayers Coveted

2010-04-18T21:14:00.002-05:00

Hey InterPeeps-

If you would please, say a prayer for little Abby Riggs. Bad things are happening inside that darling girl's body right now. Really really bad things. If yo don't know, she's a dear sweet little girl with cancer. She's been in remission & on maintenance chemo. Now, there's talk of the most awful "R" word.... relapse.

Your prayers for this baby girl and her family are coveted, InterPeeps.

But She Was Still Nekkid......

2010-04-02T17:29:00.003-05:00

And that’s kinda the whole point. Ok. For those of you who may have missed it, Erykah Badu recently shot a music video in the hometown that she shares with yours truly. What’s the problem with that, you inquire?

Well, she stripped her happy hiney totally BUTT NEKKID through the streets of Dallas and "within feet" Dealey Plaza & it ended with a rather graphic moment of choreographed violence.

For those of you who don’t speak Texas, nekkid= naked. As in totally devoid of clothing, including the removal of all her underoos.

So. Let me take a moment (before I launch into outerspace). For tragic reasons, Dealey Plaza is a landmark and a tourist site here in Dallas. There are ALWAYS people milling about here during the day, including children.

….. take a moment and let that sink in…. Yeah, she pranced around Naked IN FRONT OF CHILDREN to make a "statement" and then had the nerve to "Tweet" that she prayed that the children wouldn’t be too traumatized.

ARE YOU FREAKIN KIDDIN’ ME?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

As an actor/writer, I 'get' pushing the envelope for my art. But one also has to accept responsibility for that art. And one must also not hide behind that "art" excuse when one chooses to be a moron. And exposing yourself in public is a criminal offense- it is not art. We have laws.

And, more than that- I don’t give a flying batfrak what someone’s message is…. when there are children present, you don’t get naked. And if Ms. Badu were really concerned about those children, then she would have put their well being above her "message". Because that’s what being an adult it about &, sometimes, that takes priority over being an artist.

So, I'm going to go ahead and call B.S. on her and her message of "stripping away until you get to your true self" or whatever. You can find your soul without showing your hiney.　

Taylor vs. Broccoli

2010-03-31T11:20:00.003-05:00

So here's the deal.

I really do love vegetables (except for Brussels sprouts, but those are an abomination & should be destroyed, yuck!). I have good and tasty recipes for corn (technically a starch, I know), green beans, asparagus (eat the asparagus I make & you'll be a convert. Trust me), carrots, etc.

......
But.

I have a kitchen foe.

Broccoli.

Oh, I have tried to tame this menace. I have tried. I have hunted through cooking books, scoured the internet.... but nothing.

It's not that it's nasty, that's not it, oh faithful InterPeeps. If that were the problem, then I could walk away with my head held high... knowing that I had tried to slay this beast.

But, alas.

The problem is that it's simply... blah. ho-hum. It's not good. It's not bad. Oh, I know that I could slather it with melted Velveta and be done with it... but.... somehow.... that seems like cheating. I yearn to put forth a broccoli dish that will delight the senses as it pleases the palette! I need to conqueror this culinary foe, my Peoples! The line must be drawn Here! Viva, la Broccoli!-......

Errrr.....

Sorry about that.
I'm better now.

What I meant to say is. If anyone has any tasty broccoli dish recipes they'd love to share, that would be great!

Pay No Attention to the Woman on the Right

2010-03-30T18:23:00.003-05:00

...... the young Lad wasn't. He was having way too much fun creating what I have no doubt will be a lifelong love of all things automotive.

Though the pictures do not capture his glee, trust me- it was there. He lunged to get out of his stroller when he saw the rides & then had a ball when I ponied up the coin to allow him to roll.

I told him not to get too attached- he's way to young to even think about driving. But he doesn't seem to be listening. Ever since this fateful day, he gets far to excited when we get too close to my car.

........... I think he thinks I'm going to let him take it for a spin.

Jacob & Bob & Larry

2010-03-25T11:49:00.004-05:00

Someone received a couple of new friends.

Jacob loves his VeggiesTales. Or as his Poppy says, "Those Vegetable Guys." He saw Bob and Larry from across the store and RAN to their side. Much hugging commenced. And yes, a mother and grandmother folded like a house of cards in a wind storm.

Organic Thinking

2010-03-24T12:30:00.005-05:00

I recently had the coolest opportunity. I got to talk about organics with a good friend of mine.

People, I got giddy. Giddy, I tell you!

I love organic food. I do. I cannot tell a lie. If I could, I would buy exclusively organic. My son ate (and still does) organic baby food. He drinks organic milk. (Yes, he was a formula baby. Don't judge me. No the formula wasn't organic. ::sigh::) I have another friend who rolled her eyes and said, "Oh, good grief. Another one", when she learned of my organic bent. I love her dearly anyway. :-) (Especially since, I look at her & see myself in 10 or 11 years!)

Why do I like organics?

For one thing, for as long as I can remember my mother has purchased organic milk. Seriously, people. If you haven't read on this one subject.... do it. Rapidly. (I've even provided a linky for your reading pleasure. Consider it a jumping off place.)

And hey, after you read about milk, read about the benefits of organic meat- particularly beef.

Then, I wrote a paper on childhood obesity for college. And yes, it changed my life. Or, at least the way I think about the food that goes into my body & where it comes from. The foods that some people eat are literally killing them. And that's crazy. Especially since food should nourish us and give us life.

We are so stinkin' fortunate because organics have become a mainstream product. You don't have to go out of your way. Even Wal-Mart is carrying organic foods.

If $$ is a concern (and for most people it is, me included), but you still want to eat organically, then might I make a recommendation?.... Really, it's a piece of advice that was given to me. Switch your milk, your meat and the Dirty Dozen fruits & veggies. It's a great place to start. And if you never go any further, you're still miles ahead of the game.

All this to say- our bodies are, at their most basic levels, machines. And they can either work at optimum level or they can crap out. It's something to think about the next time we think about dinner..... or the next time we feed our kids. Treats are great. I am all for a donut run on Sunday mornings on the way to church (complete with a bottle of Diet Dr. Pepper, thank you very much).

Just Sayin.

*If you're interested in organics, but don't know where to start, may I make a suggestion. Head on over to Sara Snow's website. And then, go get her book, Sara Snow's Fresh Living.

Spring Snow

2010-03-22T10:14:00.005-05:00

There's nothing like ringing in the arrival of Spring with snow. In Texas.
:-)

I Love.....

2010-03-12T11:06:00.002-06:00

*Diet Dr. Pepper
*my son
*chips and salsa
*coffee in the morning
*my pretty, pretty pink laptop
*BSG on dvd
*Stargate (SG1 & Atlantis) on dvd
*the rest of my fav shows on dvd
*iTunes
*my iPOD
*Chuy’s Mexican food
*cooking in the afternoon
*spending an afternoon curled up, reading
*Robert Duvall
*Fleetwood Mac
*an incredible family who amaze and astound me
*being born in Texas
*naming my son after my beloved grandfather
*collecting autographs
*Mary McDonnell
*pink
*flying monkeys
*Dallas Summer Musicals
*Neutrogena skincare products
*homemade barbecue baked beans
*sushi
*good Italian food
*my grandmother’s sugar cookie dough
*iced tea
*Star Trek… Star Wars
*black and white movies
*Giant
*Band of Brothers
*Lonesome Dove
*the month of July
*laughing so hard I squeak
*vacations in Texas
*the month of December
*my church
*my friends
*play dates

*Cafe Brazil veggie sammy

*rainy days

What do you love?

I Know

2010-03-11T15:12:00.004-06:00

I said I was back the other day... apparently, I lied. Epic fail.

::le sigh::

Anyway.

What are you watching on tv? Cause, if you're looking for a new show, I've got one for you!

Parenthood (yes, like the movie. an actually well-done take off of the movie.) on nbc.

Love it. We are 2 episodes in, so there's plenty of time to join in and catch up. And you should, by the way. I would wager that nbc.com has the eppys on-line. I don't know that for sure, but it's a very good bet. Set your tivos, dvrs to TAPE people!

And speaking of nbc, may I just state for the record how much I have enjoyed watching the Tonight Show again? I love Jay. Judge me if you must. I have never been a fan of Coco. I'm a Leno girl. There, I said it. I feel cleansed.

Let's see, what else on tv??? Ah! If you're not watching Caprica, what the frak is wrong with you? Seriously. Very good.

If you're an Army Wives fan, that starts back on Lifetime (television for women) on April 11th. Really looking forward to that.

I don't have an abundance of time to sit and watch tv, so I am unbelievably thrilled to pieces to find some happyland inducing stuff right now. It's been a reality show induced wasteland here of late- jeeps! .....

And speaking of creepy reality land! I would like to formally lodge a protest against American Idol and that little girl who butchered, BUTCHERED I SAY, one of my all-time favorite songs the other night. I had the misfortune of catching some little girl doing on interpretive style twist on 'Rhiannon' when my dad was flipping channels. Scarred me for life people.

And then, I get on facebook and other blogs and see other people complimenting this travesty! What?!

::shudder::

"The horror. The horror."

I have had to exorcise this demon from my memory by listening to Stevie Nicks many, MANY times in the days since... which I grant you isn't a horrible thing for me, but honestly- I may never be the same.

I'm back

2010-03-04T11:03:00.003-06:00

Did ya miss me?

I had big posting plans, but alas a plague once again descended upon my household. (cue the magic movie music) This time, once again, it struck down poor little Jacob. Eesh. February was a devil on the poor little boy. He was sick off and on for 3 and a half weeks.

Picture it: this past Thursday, all it calm. All it bright. It's 3am. Everyone is sleeping peacefully in my house. Then, out of no where! A shriek is heard in the night! I vault over the baby gate that keeps the dog out of my room and rush into Jacob's room. (how very dramatic, huh? cause you know it was much less coordinated than that.) The lad is running a rather high temperature. Meep. A little later- his digestive system kicks it into reverse.

(Here's a fun little piece of trivia for you- it seems my son is one of those little kiddos that pukes when his fever spikes. Yea!)

The boy was taken to the doctor & oh, joy- his viral ear infection morphed into a bacterial one! YEA! On the anti-biotics he went. And, my, my, my the young lad started to feel better so darn quickly. A week out, I am happy to report that the boy is sooooo much better!

So, hopefully I'll be back tomorrow- hopefully I'll remember the several things I was thinking about posting (!) and hopefully I'll have aced that stupid science pretest. GRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Funny Guy

2010-02-24T09:38:00.001-06:00

Upon receiving his re-filled, organic apple juice sippy cup......... he sat like this for a good 2 minutes.

Insert caption here.

Something Cool

2010-02-22T13:20:00.005-06:00

So.

I really wanted to post something today. Something very pithy.... I got nothin'.

I am pleased to announce that the J-Boy is back to his normal happy self. Although we had 4 days last week when 6:30am was (apparently) the new pink. And, I have to tell you, it's not pretty.... especially when it includes me shuffling around the house, trying to remember how to do things like make breakfast, walk, think, speak..... or do any of those things at the same time.

Happily, Jacob respected the Day of Rest and slept till 7:50am yesterday & after 8am this morning.

Oh! On Sat, I got the greatest present EVER (other than, you know life & my son) from one of my uncles. It's the vest my grandfather wore when he performed in Western Re-enactments umpteen years ago. I have a picture of D-Daddy in full "Marshall Dillon" regalia & he's wearing the vest. I about started crying. It's doubly amazing to me for 2 reasons.... a) I was uber-close to my D-Daddy & b) the whole me-being-an-actor-and-him-wearing-it-to-perform-in-thing. I'm going to clean it up as best I can and have it archived/framed when I have the $$.

Here he is: Winston W Freeman in full Western gear.

Many years later with his granddaughter- your intrepid bloggerette.

Irony

2010-02-21T21:10:00.001-06:00

I received spam on my post griping about spam.

.............

Fail. Meet epic.

All This & Really Not Much

2010-02-18T20:54:00.003-06:00

You know what's sad?

I had to put to rest my dear, loyal AOL email address. I've had this email address for 10 years. That's commitment, people. The evil enemy spam finally did it in. Eesh. I hate spam. Grrr.

So, I've stepped into the brave new world of other email providers and went with another service. I like it so far.

But, with changing the email comes the oh so fun joy of having to get that new address out to all my nearest and dearest. That's a royal pain in the back end. I sent out a mass email, posted on facebook & I'm still not sure I've covered all the bases. And there are all couple of those email subscription thingys that I keep forgetting to change over.

In other news, little Jacob is on the mend. Thank goodness. And I got another B on another paper. Whoo-hoo! And I'm about half-way finished with another paper. I might be taking a break to blog at this very moment in time!

The Greatest Thing About Winter

2010-02-17T16:19:00.003-06:00

Yall want to know the greatest thing about winter?

The scarves. The beautiful, flowy, colorful scarves.

I heart them on so many, many levels & so should you. For let me assure you, they are not simply there to keep your neck warm. Oh, no indeedy! They are nature's perfect necklaces, I tell you! In fact, I rarely wear necklaces in the winter because of my great and abiding love.

So, while the winter chill still nips at your sweet little cheeks, keep wrapping yourself in your beautiful scarves!

Tuesday's the Day for Reading

2010-02-16T10:25:00.007-06:00

... and a book review. Thought I forgot all about those, didn't you? :-)

Your Boy

Vicki Courtney

An awesome primer, reminder and encourager for Christian moms with little lad's barreling through their houses and their hearts. Mrs. Courtney reminds us all that our sons face very real dangers in the world and yes, they do need their moms to help protect & defend them and to help them to learn to make good choices. We have such an unique opportunity to mold warriors, not wimps. In my humble opinion, it's a must read for any mom with a son.

Just sayin'.

On the Jacob news front: we went to the doctor yesterday afternoon, looks like the poor kiddo picked up a virus. :-( He's on a strick meal plan for a few days. Pedi-lite, water, and the (often, aptly named) BRATT diet. It's the Bubonic Plague, I'm telling you.

**for those who don't know, the BRATT diet is Banannas, Rice, Applesauce, Tea & Toast**

Gross stuff warning & other more fun stuff

2010-02-15T10:36:00.006-06:00

So what's going on in my little corner of the world?

Well, let's see.... little Jacob is sick. Huge Bummer. Took him to the doctor last week & our rockstar family doc diagnosed him with an ear infection. Ick. Now, he's snotty & coughing up a lung. ::sigh:: And all that snot its making for a vomitous little boy. As an extra special gift last night, at 1:30 in the blessed a.m., the poor little dude threw up all over me, him and the floor in his room.

And let me tell you something, there's not much that will snap you into wakefulness like a vomiting 18 month old.

And as an extra special treat, I'm fighting off this plague. Awesome.

Yesterday I ate leftover chips, salsa and guacamole from Papacitos for lunch. And it was glorious, I tell you.

And can I just take a moment to tell you the greatest way to cook & eat asparagus? Snap the woody ends off, coat them in extra virgin olive oil, & wrap 3-4 in a strip of bacon. Then salt and pepper. Throw those puppies in an 400 degree oven & watch them closely. When the bacon starts crisping up, pull 'em out & hit 'em with some fresh squeezed lemon juice. Yummy.

Do you know the Pioneer Woman? You should. She's got a salsa recipe that I'm itching to try. You know, when I'm done slaying the Black Plague that's currently invaded my house.

2010-02-11T10:18:00.002-06:00

So, it's snowing today. In Dallas. In Texas. Snowing. Inches of snow streaming from the sky.

In Dallas. Texas.

And the little J has an ear infection. Bummer. We went to a playdate at Faith and Liliana's house on Monday afternoon. Which, by the way, was sooo much fun. I love being around an adult! And watching J play with someone his own age. Little Liliana is about a week and a half younger than J and about a head shorter. Too cute to see them running around together.

Anyway- sweet little J went down for a nap and when he woke up- bad things were happening. Snotting, bad mood, etc. He went to bed at his usual bedtime & then woke up at midnight & stayed awake until 4. Tuesday was not a fun day for the little dude & Tuesday night kinda sucked the suck of the doomed too.

We went to the doctor yesterday (Wed) and all was made clear with the diagnosis of the ear infection in his right ear. Poor little dude. Happily, though I can report that he slept all night last night.

And did I mention the snow? Cause, yeah. It's been snowing all morning & it ain't going to stop anytime soon. In fact, I do believe I heard the trusty, rusty weather man say that the snow would keep coming until midnight tonight.

Make This Chicken, Thank Me Later

2010-02-01T11:04:00.004-06:00

Not kidding about the title-

I have found myself in a bit of a chicken rut these days. But hey, who hasn't? I've also been searching the World Wide Web over to find a good 'un'fried chicken recipe. Yes, I said 'un'fried. I want the crunchy texture- but not the greasy mess of having to cook in 1000 degree oil. And, let's face it- that's a trip to the ER that I really don't have time for. ::sigh::

Anyway- I found a recipe that sounded promising, but there was one problem.

Shake 'en Bake... you aren't a friend of mine.

But, fear not! The intrepid cook/blogger got creative last night and a tasty meal came forth from the kitchen & will now and forever more be on my chicken cooking rotation! And now, I share this masterpiece with you.

I call it....

Ridiculously Easy, Yet Marvelously Tasty 'Un'Fried Chicken
(catchy title, huh?)

chicken (duh)- I used a mix of breasts & legs
1 bottle Ranch dressing- I used Buttermilk ranch, but use whatever you have on hand.

Breading Mixture:
Panko- Japanese bread crumbs... trust me.
basil
oregano
pepper
garlic salt
(I played fast and loose with the measurements here. Go with your gut, but go easy on the garlic salt- a little goes a long way.)

Throw the chicken and the ranch dressing into a ziploc baggie & refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes. I mean it, no less.

Set your oven to 400 degree & get the breading mixed in a shallow pan. Snag a baking sheet (or 2) out of your cubbord and spray with some PAM. When the chicken has marinated long enough, dredged the chicken and place on your greased baking sheet. Into the oven it goes for 40-45 minutes, turning the chicken once.

**I turned the chicken 20 minutes into the cooking time & flipped the baking sheet around cause I have a freaky oven that cooks hotter on the back side than the front.**

Depending on where your oven grate is, the breading might start to burn a little (mine was on the middle rack), just lower it if that starts to freak you out a little like it did me.

The chicken came out yummmy, moist, & nice and crispy all the way around. No soggy, nasty real estate on these birdies. Next time I make this, I'm thinking of adding a little Parmesan cheese to the panko breading. :-)

OH! and I almost forgot! Here's something that has changed my brownie making life FOREVER! FOREVER, I tell you. On a suggestion from another, I poured my brownie batter (thank you, Mr. Hines.) into cupcake baking cup & baked them in muffin tins. Brilliant, I tell you! They are the perfect serving size and they have their own little cuppies to keep the mess in place! I may never make brownies in a pan again.

Happy Monday, InterPeeps!
And- if you have a moment, say a prayer for the Parkers. They are trying to get their son out of Haiti. It's been hell.

THE 300th POST!

2010-01-27T17:53:00.008-06:00

Well, my goodness. What an occasion. And I really don't have anything very special to mark this date with. Sorry. :-)

Caprica is still sitting on my dvr. I know. I know. I'm just hoping I carve out the 2 hours to watch the premier before the next episode airs... you know, on Friday. Eesh. Sprout Tv has been ruling my world right now. What's Sprout? You ask, oh Faithful InterPeeps? It's the preschool channel. All preschool shows. All day. Wowsa.

I have recently had reason to formally state that Chuy's Deluxe Chicken Enchiladas must be in my life forever. Really. They CHANGED my Tex-Mex life. And no, that's not an over-statement in the slightest bit. I must live within driving distance of Chuy's for the rest of my natural and (or) unnatural life.

And that's got me thinking about what other Fine Food Establishments I must be within driving distance in order for my life to make sense. It's a thought to ponder, my friends.

Here's my list-

1)Chik-fil-A *If you've never had the wonderfulness that is the original chicken sandwich with the 2 crucial pickles, you have my sympathies.*

2)Urban Crust Pizza *In Plano, Texas..... Kinda like the greatest pizza you will ever eat in your life. Seriously. Not kidding. LIFE CHANGING*

4)Ajisen *My sushi and miso soup needs are met here in ways that complete my soul.*

5)Fish City Grill *It's good, no it's down right tasty. It's not expensive. Did I mention the tasty?*

and I already declared my undying love of Chuy's.

What about you? Any favorite food places? Any you just can't live without? Or wish you could magically transport closer to you?

A Shamless Plug, Stuff, & a Serious Note

2010-01-21T13:31:00.004-06:00

Well, Faithful Blog Followers, I only have a few minutes here to pontificate on the meaning of life, tv and treadmills before laundry, a dirty blender, class work & my son coming home start calling my name.

So, here we go.....

Did I mention to yall that I am now on the Board of Directors to a local theatre company? No?! Well, I am! Word of Mouth Productions, would be it's name. And if I may take a moment and tell you a little about the fine theatre group- it's a family safe theatre company. Which means that the shows we produce can be seen by the whole family. It's good clean fun & a great way to introduce the kiddos to the MAGICAL, MAGICAL I say, world of theatre without always having to worry about content. Cause, let's face it, most theatre is not really meant for kids or grandparents. :-)

I love WOMP. I've been in main stage shows, I've stage managed main stage shows and I recently taught a summer workshop for kiddos. LOVE IT!

AND..... if you're looking for something to do in the DFW area Feb 5th or 6th, we're having a fundraiser in Frisco! Hop on over to our website and learn more about it!

Now, after that shameless plug, what else do I have to say.... hmmmm.....

Oh yes, the matter of the telly. I received a couple of excellent suggestions, one of which I can't believe I forgot about. Caprica! And I call myself a BSG groupie... oh, the shame. I've also heard some good buzz about a show on ABC Family, Life Unexpected, or something like that. And Castle (with Captain Malcolm Reynolds... if you don't get it.... feel my pity).

.... You know, if occurs to me that I should that the makers of my pretty, pretty pink precious. Why? You ask. Because I am sitting at the kitchen table where I can blog... or do whatever I care to do on the computer while I am "doing laundry" at the same time! Genius, I say! Thank you, Dell Computers!

For a more serious moment- if yall could take a moment and say some prayers for a couple of sweet little girls who dearly need them.

Abby Riggs- you can follow the button to the right and go visit her & her family. She's been battling a foe that no child should have to wage a war against for quite some time now. She's 5 now & is starting to realize that she's different from the other kids. And she's here recently been having a very hard time. And if you happen to think of any fun, low impact things that a really tired 5 year old would enjoy, please let Abby's mom, Michelle, know.

from Abby's family blog, you can go visit...

Avalon- she's another darling little girl who's had WAY more than seems even in the same sphere on fair foisted upon her. She's in remission, but because of a truly, TRULY GOD AWFUL surgical screw-up this darling girl needs ... a miracle. Avalon's mom is dealing with doctor's who don't seem to want to listen to her when she KNOWS that somethings going on with her kid.... and, as any mom knows, when you KNOW your kid is hurting or in trouble it is just unacceptable to be ignored when you're trying to sound the warning bell.

A Little of This. A Bit of That

2010-01-18T13:43:00.005-06:00

Not a lot going on to report, this fine Monday. I didn't watch the Golden Globes last night. ::sigh:: In all honesty, I really had no idea what was up for the winning and who had been slighted (probably again) this year. I used to keep up with all that jazz, not s0 much anymore.

On the school front news, I'm plodding through papers. I may lose my mind before this is all over. I happened to have submitted a paper a few moments ago.... (that & the fact that J is sleeping right now allow me to hop on the bloggy and update all 5 of you). If I've said it once, I've said it many, many times- I sooo should have gotten this mess done in my early 20's when I had way less responsibility wise. I'm rather sure that will be my mantra for the rest of my life. Did I mention that as soon as I get my undergrad done &, you know, GET A JOB, I'm going to belly-flop into my Masters? No? Well, I am. Wheeeee!

On a totally different note- are there any good television shows? I ask cause with BSG gone, the Sanctuary season finale (which I didn't really love) this past Friday & new Army Wives not till April, I'm at a loss in the tv world. Though, I suppose that's not a bad thing. But, what are you watching? Anything to recommend to a woman who watches wayyyyyy to much of Bob and Larry sometimes?

Whoops, I hear my little human alarm clock sounding from the other room! Till tomorrow (hopefully), please enjoy the following picture montage. I call it.....

Entertaining and Corralling a Toddler in an Airport When He's Bored & the Plane is (Very) Late

Happily, I can report to you that everyone got on the plane, fairly happy and content & had a great ride home..... In other words, J had a bottle upon seating and fell asleep until about 20 or 30 minutes to landing. Ahhh, Serenity.

Priceless

2010-01-14T19:06:00.001-06:00

Because some pictures are worth a thousand words....

In Which I Really Do Bleed Orange....

2010-01-08T09:45:00.004-06:00

With the daylight comes the sad, sad period of mourning.

Yeah, we lost. Our sweet, valiant Colt McCoy was taken out in the opening drive (I believe I heard a collective "NO!!!!" from Texas fans everywhere.) &, bless him, but the 2nd string QB just couldn't pull it off. He tried & he tried hard. And darn it if he didn't show a lot of promise, but the kid's a freshman & this was the championship. Do the math.

::sigh::

But I'm proud. They didn't lie down and just let the Tide roll right over them without a fight. They kept fighting & McCoy came out to rally the troops once everyone realized that the kid wasn't coming back. Oh, what a blow that was.

And let me say, for a moment, to all the people who have been so terribly mean-spirited about Colt McCoy's injury- get a grip on yourself! My goodness. I logged on to facebook and saw a couple of comments on how the kid should have "been a man" and gone out there & played.

Umm... people? He couldn't feel his arm.

And can we not ask him to risk his entire future just so we can we a ball game? Yes, we wanted to win. Badly. But not at the cost of a young man getting hurt- really badly. Let's learn some class here, people.

(And I won't even address the comments on the injury somehow being Karma for Sam Bradford.... cause, if I recall- he RE INJURED a shoulder, playing in a game that he NEVER should have been playing in. But, wouldn't that kinda be his own coach's fault & not.... you know, UT's.... but, I digress.)

Anyway, Longhorns- you should be proud of your team. We had a GREAT season! We had a crew of players who worked hard and gave it everything they had. They did us proud. And yeah, they lost. Oh well.

And if anyone but a BAMA fan gives you crap, just turn around and utter this question.....

"Oh, I'm sorry. And how far did your team get?"

(Meow!)

Because it's the Special Day

2010-01-07T14:18:00.003-06:00

Hook 'Em Horns!

that is all...

What?

Is there anything else to say? Really?

...............................................

Have a lovely day!

Book Review

2010-01-06T15:22:00.004-06:00

I know!

The first one of 2010.

Julie & Julia my year of cooking Dangerously
by Julie Powell

Ok. I got this one for Christmas. Actually, I received the movie as well. (Sweet!) I toted it up to Wheeling with me over the week long trip between Christmas and January 2nd, when we came back. It's 307 pages- it should last me all week.

Yeah, not so much. In between chasing after a 17 month old, visiting family & other such things that one does on a family vacation, I started and completed Julie & Julia in a little under 2 days. You read that correctly.

For those of you who have been living under a rock since the movie with Meryl Streep & Amy Adams came out, Julie & Julia is a memoir written by the lady who blogged her year long adventure through "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" by Mrs. Julia Child. I never read the blog (I know.), but I like Meryl Streep. Yes, I do know that's a truly sideways journey to read a book.

Anyway.

The book. Funny, engaging.... Did I mention that I read it in 2 days?It really is that good. Cons? Possibly a few too many 'f' words thrown around & I really could have done without the twelve thousand evil Republican jabs. If you're a member of the Dark Side- oh, I mean a Democrat, you'll get a kick out of them.

If you're a member of the Republican Party, just do what I did. Roll your eyes and then say, "Well, bless your heart, honey. You must not know any better.".....

(Oh, did I just make an evil Democrat joke? Meow.)

With all that aside, I really enjoyed this read. It was light and airy & exactly what I hoped it would be. And I am greatly looking forward to watching my brand spanking new movie tonight!

...... and, might I also say, on a totally different subject......
HOOK 'EM HORNS!

First for 2010

2010-01-04T12:34:00.004-06:00

Another year, another post.

I've returned from may Wheeling adventure, none the worse for wear. Oh, I didn't mention I was going to West Virginia over the Christmas/New Years holiday? That's because I'm paranoid and thought it best not to mention the whole out of state thing, just in case anyone with nefarious intentions was reading my blog and somehow found out where I live.

Anywhoo- I know I've been neglecting the whole reading/reviewing project here in bloggie land, but RL (real life) has been kicking my back end lately. Very, very busy. But, I have been (at least) reading. I've completed a couple more books, including Julie & Julia (read that in 2 days) &, to my eternal shame, 3 of the Twilight books. Lest you think my reading habits have gone totally to pot, let me state that I've been up to my well manicured eyebrows in biology, chemistry, etc for the past 2 months. Fluff does a body good.

And yes, review of all books are coming. Just slowly.

I've made some New Years resolutions this year. Some are personal, some are silly & some are just plain boring. We shall see.

** On a side note, would the nameless author of the comment to my last post mind explaining said comment? The Scripture verse was interesting, but I'm not entirely sure what your meaning is.**

Hoping every one's holiday was lovely & bright and that the new year brings new blessings to you all!

And be sure to tune in Thur night to see my beloved Horns hook the Tide!