Slurping Life

Image of Truthiness

Tracey, she is a pied piper...I do whatever she tells me...I follow her everywhere.  Truthiness in self portraits here I come.

Sitting at the laptop early this morning I snapped a few truthiness shots of myself.  Without editing other than correcting my erroneous white balance and sharpening, here is the only photo close to being in focus...

I see the blue screen of my laptop reflected in my pupils, on the rim of my glasses and on my teeth.  Why my eyes appear brown is a mystery since they are actually a mix of blue-green...just keeping it honest.  I plan to do a better truthiness shot soon to include my entire head.  My aim was not very good this morning.

While we are being honest...

• I cannot read a darn thing without my glasses.  Nada.  Zilch.  Zero.
• The old neck is stiff and achy more days than not.
• My skinny jeans do not currently fit.  Unless you count leaving them unbuttoned, unzipped as fitting.
• Even my hairdresser has no clue just how much gray is in my hair.  We never ever let it show.  Never ever.
• Recently the words "turn that music down!" came from my lips.  From MY lips.
• I cannot remember my cell phone number.
• Sleep sounds like an exciting adventure.

A lot more honesty could be added, but doing it in small doses is less painful.

Truthiness...let's see yours this Best Shot Monday.

Do Not Pick Your Nose

Tracey tagged me for the seven weird things meme.  Therefore, I play.  Plus it is a momentary distraction while waiting for phone calls.

1.  My favorite color is pink.  Nothing in my home is pink.  I am mom to four sons. I own only two pink clothing items.  I usually wear jeans with a black or white top and black shoes.  Weird.  Where's the pink in my life?

2.  Do not put anything on my desk.  It is, after all, MY desk.  My space.  Mine.

3.  I really dislike wearing shoes.  Give me the earth beneath my feet.  But keep the earth off of my hardwood floors.

4.  I love Native American flutes.  Really love their sounds.

5.  When I die, do not bury me and take up precious earth.  Cremate my body and toss it from a mountain top...or into a beach breeze.  I will touch so many people and visit so many places that way.

6.  I rarely watch television.  I do not know how to work the DVD recorder.  I don't read the instructions...for anything...ever.  (Hey, that's actually three things.)

7.  Do NOT let me see you pick your nose.  Omigosh, I will freak out and yell at you.

Tracey added the self-portrait attribute.  There is one of me in the upper left sidebar...one here...and another one here...good grief, another?   Does this count as a self portrait?

With curiosity I tag:

Dana of Windows Wide Open.

Carolyn of Now Where Did I Put That Flaming Sword?.

Carrie of Barely Controlled Chaos.

Maggie of And The Duck Said.

Nell of Casual Friday Everyday because she recently returned to blogging and should have to do a meme.

Ladies, the self portrait is not required.

So here are the rules:

This is called “Links Around the World.” The instructions for this one are:
1. Place your link at the end of the list. If you have more than 1 blog, feel free to add them all here!
2. After placing your blog’s address, you must tag 5 or more bloggers that are not yet on the list, this is to keep the ball rolling. (Please remember to let the bloggers know they’ve been tagged!)

All you have to do is copy this entire list in your post, and the links are automatically created.

The Strategist Notebook ~ Link Addiction ~ Ardour of the Heart ~ When Life Becomes a Book ~ The Malaysian Life ~ Yogatta.com ~ What goes under the sun ~ Roshidan’s Cyber Station ~ Sasha says ~ Arts of Physics ~ And the legend lives ~ My View, My Life ~ A Simple Life ~ Juliana RW ~ Mom Knows Everything ~ Beth & Cory’s Mom ~ A Mind Forever Voyaging~ enjoying the ride ~ Jennifer’s thoughts ~ Mom of 3 Girls ~ Amanda ~ Don’t Make Me Get The Flying Monkeys ~ ExPat Mom ~ Just Jessie ~ Wilson Six ~Krisitn ~ Nuttier Than You ~ Shonnte ~ Summer’s Nook ~ Laura Williams Musings ~ Sher ~ Shanda ~ Seven QTPies ~ Mel ~ Skittles ~ Lady Banana ~ Momhood Moments ~ Business Mars ~ A Simple life ~ moms….. check nyo ~ Mommy’s Little Corner ~ Pampered ~ HappyHeart ~ Make Every Day Your Lucky Day ~ Thumbelina Creations ~ Ivonnardona's Creations ~ Jewellery Craft ~ A Bead a Day~ Useless Ramblings ~Candid Yammering ~ Green Eyed Mama ~ Mother May I ~ Slurping Life

Trashy Love

Every day of my life for more years than I care to recount, I have entered into the temple of the male species and executed my duties without fail.  Last night, oh yes! God and all that is right within the universe poured down and gave thanks for a job well done...a job that, until now, gave no symbol of  gratitude.

I sat down...removed the empty, brown cardboard tube...tossed it into the waste receptacle to my right...and replaced it with a fluffy roll of Charmin.  I sat in a meditative state and glanced to my right...the heavens opened with a glorious light...a warmth filled my body...there may have been a chorus of Hallelujah...I'm not sure...

...but for a change I felt appreciated...finally, a symbol of love for years of a job well done.

Love is all around if only we notice.

Look for love this beautiful Thursday.

Share the love you find.

Spirited and Loved

Theme Thursday and Love Thursday...

*I could not be there.  Dad snapped this photo with his camera phone.  Yeah, I edited.*

Wil...spirited and loved. 

A few weeks ago Wil's dad took him to a Paralympic day camp which was presented by Paralympic athletes with assistance from U.S. Army and civilian volunteers.  My husband was impressed.  So was Wil.  Gold medal athletes guiding and cheering for him...serving as strong, able role models.  Wil came home pumped and determined to compete in wheelchair races. 

We want his dreams to come true.

We want Wil to proudly say "I'm an athlete".

We want to thank the challenged athletes who inspire our child...who inspire us.  Thank you for sharing your spirit of perseverance and your love of life...amazing awaits.

Love Rocks

*original photo

Theme Thursday...love is pure.

Love Thursday.

Now I am off to give and receive love.

Happy Valentine's Day.

Beauty And A Challenge ~ Sharing Beauty

The online presence of blogging dads is growing, and I love me some bloggy dad reads.  One of my favorites is Something About Parenting.  Mike has two sons that are cute, clever and, well, they keep him quite humble.  Did I mention that he is a talented photographer and gifted artist?  Well,  I should have.  Visit both of his blogs and peruse the beauty.

Be sure to pop on over to Mike's photography blog and join his photo challenge...Show Of Hands...not a contest, a challenge...but hurry...Tuesday is the deadline.  Mike hosts a weekly challenge; so be sure to check it out.

Monkeying Around

Way, way, way back when...like in October...my friend, Jenn of All Natural Mommies tagged me for the seven things meme.

Way, way back when...like a little later in October...my friend, Marcie of A Child Chosen tagged me for the seven things meme.

Way back when...it was only in November...my friend Erica of Crummy Cupcake tagged me for the seven things meme.

Lastly, I'm counting this as my meme from the tag by my friend, Leanne of Phoenix The Blogging Mama for the ten things.

While I'm lounging around in my Mary Jane monkey slippers, THANK YOU, CANDI, the time seemed ripe for catching up.  If my math capabilities have not failed me, this calculates to twenty-one bore you brainless engaging facts.  (I'll spare you the additional ten.)  Things have been interesting with me on a steroid which is playing havoc with my emotions and appetite. Let's see what I can come up with...

1.  Last night at 9:30pm I boo-hooed until C (my husband) fetched me a large veggie pizza.

2.  Today I snapped over 700 photos of the boys for the Christmas card photo and deleted every single one of them.  Nothing pleased me.

3.  Tomorrow I'll snap 700 more...if the boys are still here.  I've also snapped off a few heads.

4.  Earlier I called C on his cell phone while he and the boys were at the grocery store... just to add a few items to his list.  He abruptly said "I can't talk right now.  Wil is strangling Lee who is kicking Mac, and some lady I've never seen before is trying to calmly discipline them."  He hung up.  Oh.No.He.D'int!!

5.  I called C right back with my list...I was boo-hooing, of course.  The background noise from his end was a bit distracting.  He sounded frustrated.

6. While on the above call with C, I reminded him to run by the computer store and pick up a new AC plug for my laptop.  He sighed heavily.

7.  I ate an entire bag of Dove chocolates yesterday.

8.  I'm working on a bag of dark chocolate M&Ms as I type.

9.  I just remembered that I did not put up a new Mr. Linky for the week at Wrapped Emotions.  Later.

10. I cried for an hour because no one wanted to spend time with me. 

11. I bit everyone's head off when they came to spend time with me.

12. My family has been outside for hours.  It's getting dark.  Wonder if they are avoiding me?

13. I have washed every piece of clothing in the house...twice, I think.

14. Doctors will not let me resume exercise yet, but I've walked 4,687 laps through the house today.

15. My dog is avoiding me.

16. Did I mention I LOVE my monkey slippers?

17. I wonder what's for dinner?

18. I cannot fastened my own bra.  I hope this is temporary.  Do you know how much fun a husband has when you ask him to fasten your bra and you have only one properly working hand?  Geez...they never grow up.

19. Lee just walked into the room, opened his mouth, paused, turned and ran into the hallway closet. Guess I still don't look friendly.

20. No one else has come back inside.

21. C finally came inside.  I boo-hooed to him how sorry I am to be so much trouble.  He assured me that I'm no trouble.  I snapped and called him "liar".

Thank goodness they love me.

If you find this to be the dorkiest post ever...remember, s-t-e-r-o-i-d-s. *she's smiling*

Y'All Come On In, It's Christmas!

Y'all come on over for the Christmas Tour of Homes, December 17.  Boomama is hosting.

I love Christmas!  I love Christmas baking!  I love Christmas music!  I love Christmas decorations!  I love Christmas parties!  I love Christmas stories!  I love Christmas plays!  I love Christmas pageants!  I love Christmas giving!  I love Christmas everything!

Really, y'all have no idea how much I love Christmas and hosting get-togethers.  While everyone else dreads when their turn rolls around to host the big family Christmas gathering, I get crazy happy for my turn. 

Over the next few weeks maybe I'll share a peek or two of last year's Christmas in our mountain cabin.  We moved during the summer and will not be having snow here for Christmas this year (short of a miracle) and I'm a little pouty.  Sharing a few memories might cheer me up.

Y'all drop by on December 17 for my 2007 tour.  Boomama will host the list of all homes on tour.

Oh my, almost forgot.  Come see me here November 26.  I'll be giving away a HP Photosmart Digital camera.  Right here.  Y'all come back now.

Yeeeeah, I am a born and raised in the deep south gal...see y'all.

Stuff of Which You Have No Interest

I've been tagged.

The beautiful Piper of Love has tagged me for the 8 Random Things About Me Meme.  The wild and lovable Carrie of Chocolate The Other White Meat has tagged me with the 7 Random Things About Me Meme.  The organized and inspiring Aurelia of Real Life Solutions has tagged me with the 7 Things You May Not Know About Me Meme.

Sit back.  You have to read a list of *counts and recounts on her fingers and toes* twenty-two...22...things about me.  Unless, of course, you sensibly click away.  Let me think of stuff you should know...

1.  While in college C and I (we were already married) were party animals.  Often I was the only female at the party.  The guys were, however, incredible gentlemen and made certain my drink was always fresh while I won all of their money playing poker. 

2.  I'm still an awesome poker player.  I have a poker face you cannot read.

3.  I single-handedly took on my State in a legal battle acting as my own attorney and won against their high-priced attorneys.  (Poker face came in handy.)  It was on behalf of one of my sons...don't mess with my boys.

4.  I have to pee really bad...be right back.

5.  I was a high school cheerleader.  I can still do cartwheels, human pyramids and splits.  And that's a big deal cuz I am now old.

6.  I can eat a pound of chocolate in under two minutes...I've been timed...and I wasn't in any particular rush.

7.  I dislike the process of waking up, therefore, I prolong going to sleep at night. 

8.  I collect white pottery.  I love the cold feel of each piece.  When I find a new piece I relish running my fingers along the edges, the lines, the curves. 

9.  White is my favorite (non)color.  I embrace all that white represents...purity, honesty, cleanliness, a blank canvas, a chameleon quality of coordinating with any other color.  I describe my personality as "white".

10. I do not have a college degree.  I opted to withdraw to give birth.  No regrets.

11. I really, really dislike fishing.  I love the outdoors.  I love to get dirty outside.  I'll do anything in the beautiful outdoors...except fish.

12. I do not eat red meat or pork.  Only chicken and fish.  I think I want to go vegan...thank goodness for soy ice cream.

13. I am eating chocolate animal crackers as I type this list.  Probably nixes going vegan.

14. I may be pregnant at a ripe old age.  See contest here.

15. I am as sincere as I appear.  I could never bear the thought of my Grandmother looking down from heaven and seeing otherwise. 

16. Wearing shoes stifles me.

17. I  love spinach...raw, cooked...I love spinach.

18. I cry when watching the TV show "Extreme Makeover Home Edition"...every time.

19. For reasons unexplained, I find Ty Pennington attractive.

20. I've had s*x on the beach (with my husband).  We were caught.  Figures.

21. I just plunged a toilet.

22. I can't think to tag people and apologize for breaking the spirit of the memes.  I promise to return to "tag" another day.