I'm not sure this is what the Pilgrims and the Indians had in mind...

Now granted, I wasn't in attendance at the very first Thanksgiving, but I'm thinking that more often than not, we're not portraying it properly in our artwork.  I think we have the right idea in taking time out from our busy lives to reflect on those things for which we're thankful.  I think it's the perfect time for us to remember those who are less fortunate and to do something for them. 

But, I've come across a few pictures tonight that leave me scratching my head just a bit.  Maybe I'm just living in a sheltered world, but some of these Thanksgiving images are boggling my mind.

For example, this lovely lady just doesn't look like a native American.  She looks like a porcelain doll.  And, did she mean to light that fire in her teepee?

Um, what is she doing here?  Is she showing the turkey a mirror?   And, why is the turkey wearing a bonnet?  Did I miss the bonnet wearing turkey tradition somewhere?  I do like the red shoes though.

Okay, this one looks a little bit more normal. Are those her brothers, or her beaus?  The turkey looks good, but I'm not so sure about the sides.  And, how little are their drinking glasses?  That would drive me bonkers.  I don't think she likes that one to her right.

Here's a bit more modern spin on the traditional Thanksgiving celebration.  I am enjoying the perfect family with Dad, daughter, son and Hot Mama.  If I tried to cook in that dress, apron and shoes (although the shoes, again, are HOT!) I'd break a leg!  Apparently, she made that great meal on the table from one pot on the stove.

I have no earthly idea.

Finally, we have the frilly children.   I'm not sure, but I think that little gal has been up to no good.

Let's Revisit Some Bad Fashion

1988 was not a good year for me, fashion-wise.  Example #1:

Example #2:  This must have been where my red phase began.  That's me, my acid washed jeans, my red Raybans, Jake, and my mom in all her red glory.

Example #3:  Sigh.

I'm really glad the 80's are long gone.

Friday Night Thoughts in a Unique Format...

My dear blogging friend, Angie, has inspired me to share my thoughts with all of you in a different manner than just the normal blogging post.  Tonight's thoughts will be brought to you via Haiku. 

Thanksgiving is near

I loathe shopping for the food

Too many shoppers

*****

My house is filthy
Tumbleweeds are everywhere
And my bed sheets stink

*****

Work can make me nuts
So many stupid problems
People are insane

*****

Steven is a champ
Soccer team won finale
Celebrate with beer

*****

Bacon is my fave
I could eat it all day long
Thank you Mister Pig

*****

Going to mountains
Spending time with friends up there
Planning to pig out

*****

Where did this month go?
I just turned back all my clocks
I now dread Christmas

*****

Four cats in the house
Three litter trays on the porch
The odor is foul

*****

Happy Friday Friends
I thank you for your comments
Keep em coming please!!!

There's Proof in the Pudding! (or, actually, the trash can)

I really wanted Laura to win ANTM.  I was so excited for this finale. 


I am totally responsible for Laura not winning on ANTM.  Just before the show aired, guess what I did?  I changed the toilet paper roll and threw the empty one toward the trash can.  I say TOWARD, because it didn't make it in there.  Remember my last blog about the power of that empty toilet paper roll?

Laura, I am so sorry I chose THAT moment to change the roll.  Please forgive me.
Love,
JuJu

Step on a Crack, Break Your Mother's Back

I play games with myself all the time. When I was younger, I would hold my breath as I passed a cemetery.  (I think this was to keep the spirits from haunting me?)  If I were in a car, I would raise my legs off the floorboards as we drove over railroad tracks. I think this was so my future husband wouldn't die, or something life altering like that?   Life could get a bit tricky if we drove over railroad tracks and a cemetery at the same time!

When I was a teenager, I would grasp my necklace when the clasp turned around, make a wish, and put it to the back of my neck.  (I still do this even today!)  I made a wish as I blew an eyelash off my finger.  I make a wish on a shooting star.  Nowadays, kids make a wish at 11:11.  If I see this on the clock, I'm starting to do it.  I figure I need all the luck I can get?

I've subscribed to another theory for many years now.  I call it the GOOD DAY - BAD DAY formula.  If I have a good day on Monday, then Tuesday will no doubt be a bad day.  Sometimes, it works two days in a row--Two good, then two bad.  I've had good weekends, then bad weekends.  You get the gist of this, I'm sure.  I have found myself lying awake at night, counting the days to see what was upcoming.  A cynic would say that I make the good days good, and the bad days bad.  They might be right.  But, it's amazing how this system plays out for me!!

I have a new one.  And, it's a doozy.  When I sit on the toilet in our teeny tiny bathroom, and all the TP has been used, I am left with an empty roll.  As I replace it, ALWAYS putting the TP over (MEL!),I then toss the empty cardboard roll over to the trash can.  If it goes in, GOOD day.  If it pops out, BAD. You see, with this set up, I'm a bit more in control of the day, or so I tell myself.   The trash can is even lined up next to the wall and the dresser.  All days should be good ones, eh?  Alas, no.  Sometimes my toss is too heavy.  Others, the flip of my wrist is too much, and then PLUNK, onto the floor it rolls.  I tell you, at that point, I really hate to get off the can.

Do you have any crazy superstitions?

Bottle Cap Me

Steven and I enjoy our beer.  We always have, and we probably always will. 

One year for my birthday, he told me he was "making me something."  I tried to catch him making my gift, but never could. After awhile, I just forgot about it.  When my day rolled around, he unveiled the most wonderful present.  (to this day, it is STILL my favorite)  He had made a heart mosaic made from beer bottle caps.  The best part?  The caps were all from beers that we had enjoyed together.  He had been keeping them.  This mosaic contained close to 800 beer bottle caps.  He told me that at one point, he had to change the type of beer we were drinking in order to get the right color cap.  (such dedication!)   He made this for me when I was gone from the house, either at work, or taking Taylor to horseback riding lessons.  Each cap was hammered individually.  I can't tell you how much this means to me.

Since that day, we have collected caps.  Our friends collect them.  Friends of friends collect them.  We go to parties, and there is a bowl set out for people's caps.  Friends will come around and bring a baggy filled with caps.  We go to St. Louis once a year, and collect the caps Mike and Rose have saved for us.  Even my little nephews would keep them for us!  I've gotten to the point in my life where I can't throw a cap away.  We have so many caps in our house now, I am guessing into the neighborhood of 10,000?  (Steven, when you read this, please correct my numerical errors!!)  So many people have collected for us, he'll never be able to do enough mosaics to thank them!!

He did, however, make a few for the Charleston Animal Society.  Every year, they have an event called, "Furry Affair."  This is an art show where items can be donated for auction.  Steven has donated photographs and now the bottle cap art. 

Year one of the bottlecap donation, he did a picture of Rockett and one of a cat.  It was great fun to watch them sell.  I love mine, but you never know if folks will find beer bottle caps to be "art."  He spends so much time planning, creating and hammering!  Of course they loved them.  All creations sold and the money benefited our favorite cause!  It feels good to know that our beer drinking has a postive outcome...

Here's the more recent one he's done.  I love how the cat is peeking over the ledge.  It's so darn heavy, they couldn't hang it!

I'm so proud of Steven and his many talents.  I just wanted to share them with you this fine Thursday evening!

Simple Pleasures

Yeah, I'm a big sap.  I literally cheered out loud and applauded when my favorite model made it to the finals of America's Next Top Model. 

She just seems really nice. 

Some days, it doesn't take much to please me.