Mid Week Mute

Anniversaries and Championships

You're going to have to pull on my string to bring me back down to earth. I have been floating for the last twenty-four hours.  You see, my Missouri Tigers won the Big 12 Championship yesterday.

But, it wasn't easy.

For most of the game, I was sick to my stomach.  I paced back and forth, it looked like this:

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(But, multiply that pacing by about 2000.)   As the game went into the bottom of the ninth inning, with Missouri leading 8-7, I was sitting on my bed with my tshirt (Missouri Tigers tshirt,of course) stuffed in my mouth.  I prayed for those outs.  I rocked back and forth.  And when they got that final out, I screamed to the high heavens.  Rockett came running, and my tears started running.   I felt such joy for my brother, his team, the parents of the players, and for myself.

This victory made up for all the missed field goals, the called back touchdowns, the injuries, the missed catches, the holding calls, and the last minute defeats my family has endured for 50 years. We've faced so much disappointment in this world of sports we've lived in, and finally a crowning moment.  You see, it's not just Tim's team that was victorious yesterday, it was a family victory.  It doesn't happen like this very often, so we're just going to enjoy it for awhile.   Well, until Friday when they play in the Tucson regional.  Go Tigers.

It's like Steven ordered this victory for an anniversary present.  Yep, today is one year of wedded bliss.   Happy Anniversary Dear!    We are champions!

Watching Forrest Gump in a big ol' Dump

Happy Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend!

I'm watching Forrest Gump for the umpteenth time.  And, it doesn't matter where I start this movie, I always cry.  It's just part of the experience.

I'm sitting in the middle of our very messy house.  We are painting and re-doing the family room/dining room area.  I figured I'd give you some of the "during" shots.  Prior to this change, we had blue cloud looking things painted on our big wall and some stripes in our dining room . SS has primed all those, and many of our walls are currently white.  Our couches are white, so all this white is making me feel like I'm living in an insane asylum.

In the end, we will have a mixture of stripes and polka dots, all in black/white.  You can see some of the progress here.

It's so hard to relax amid all the mess.  Please notice the cute little snout in the lower right hand corner of this picture.

We bought two new rugs, but are waiting to put those down, since they're usually puke catchers.  We are also going to fill one wall with all black/white photos. So, today, I put pictures in frames while listening to Missouri baseball.***  Sir Steven has done all the painting, and only has one more wall to do, the one with the big stripes.

 

We are hoping to have this completed by Thursday, when my oldest brother (non baseball) and his wife arrive for a visit.  It's going to be a busy few days getting it all done!  

So far, only one mishap, some spilled black paint.  The casualty:  the red rug.  

If can't wait to show you the "after" pictures.  Because, when that happens, it means all this mess is cleaned up.  And, I can get back to napping!!

***Missouri plays Oklahoma in the championship game of the Big 12 Tournament tomorrow.  Tim has been there five times, and never won.  Please say some prayers for him, pull some strings, and think good thoughts for him.  It would mean the world to him to win this.

Spam and 600

I'm ticked at the Spammers.  They have defeated me.  I've had so many darn spam comments of late, I've had to turn back on the horrible word verification thing.  Man, I hate that thing.  The letters are too small and too close together.  I apologize for doing that to you, but I have no choice.   I shake my fist at you Spammers!!!

On a more positive note, my brother won his 600th baseball game last night, as head coach of the Missouri Tigers.  I'm very happy for him and his Tigers.  They play again tonight, in their second game of the Big 12 Tournament.  Wish I were there!!

Talk about the SUCKS department:  The Tigers play hard and win the game.  Afterward, they return to the locker room, only to find out someone had broken in during the game and stolen their wallets and cell phones.  Honestly.  What is going on in this world?

Here's Tim looking like he knows what he's doing:

He's the short (est) one dressed in black and white.

Mid Week Mute

Guess what's going on with ME this week.

Do I Eat Better Than a 9 Year Old Scottish Girl?

SS likes to send me blogs he thinks would interest me.  Yesterday, he sent me a link to Never Seconds.  (Please check her out, she's very clever!!)  This blog is written by a 9 year old girl who lives in Scotland.  She is sharing a picture, daily, of her school lunch, and then rating it.  It's absolutely adorable.  I love the pictures and her descriptions of the food.  She has numbers for the nutrition content, fruits, taste, etc.  She also has a category for number of hairs in her food.

Ahem.


Anyway, having had total lack of blog post ideas of late, I decided to copy her idea for one day.  (Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery?)  So, with no further ado, welcome to my day of eating!

Wow, you can tell this was morning, I obviously couldn't hold the camera steady.
Breakfast!!
Taste:  blah.  Number of sips:  10.  Nutritional Content:  Pretty Good.  Hairs?  Zero.

Mid Morning Snack -
Taste:  stale.  Number of bites:  too many.   Nutritional Content?  Crap.  Hairs?  Zero.
Incidentally, I didn't get any cheesy thumbprints on any of my papers at work.

Lunch at Kicking Chicken!
Taste:  YUMOLA  Number of Bites:  as many as I could.  Nutritional Content:  Who cares!  It's chicken salad people.  Hairs?  ZERO

Bonus Lunch Item
Steven's bacon from his burger
Taste:  AWESOME  Number of Bites:  about 10.  Nutritional Content.  I'm not playing.  Hairs?  ZERO

And finally some dinner on Bronwen Court.
Taste:  Pretty good, best part was the salad.  Number of bites:  not as many as lunch.  Nutritional Content:  good on the salad and steak, but wow, kind of heavy on the butter, eh?  That was a very thick burned hot dog bun and I was trying to soften it up.  It didn't work.
And HAIRS?  I swear to you--there was a hair on the sauce I used on my steak.  I made SS look at it so I knew I wasn't nuts.  It was too gross to photograph.  Trust me on this one.

Thanks to the wee lassy in Scotland for the blogging idea!  And, I hope NONE of us find a hair in our food tomorrow.  Amen.

Illegal Use of Hands

I honked my horn at someone today.

I couldn't help it.  I was on the interstate on my way to work.  I couldn't help it though, this crazy lady driver kept speeding up and slowing down.  She was trying to avoid getting into a line of traffic, so she kept driving in my lane, but not at a consistent speed.


It didn't help that it was a Monday.  Or that I had a protein shake for breakfast instead of something yummy.

So, I honked at her.  You know, just to let her know that she did something wrong.

And then I felt guilty.  REAL guilty. 

You see, I used to have pretty bad road rage.  Back in the day, and we are talking way back in the day, I used to race everywhere, and would find myself using all those words sailors use. I'd find myself getting so angry at that person in the green truck, or that dumb cement mixer.   It was just a part of the driving experience.  Until.....

One day, I had a moment of road rage and flipped this stupid man (I'm sure it was a man) the bird.  (or as my friend, Anjeanette, would say, I put my middle finger in the air)  It just so happened to be Maundy Thursday, or Holy Thursday.  As I sat in church that night, our pastor told the beautiful story of Jesus washing another man's feet and how we are all servants to another.  And, at that point he looked right at me (or so it felt) and asked, "What have you done with your hands today?"

Yeah.  I was busted in the BIGGEST way possible.  Jesus had a hidden camera in my car!

I felt SO stupid after that question, and have really eliminated road rage from my life.  Until today.  HONK. 

Stupid car. Stupid JuJu.  Stupid HONK.

Weekend Schmeekend

I'm writing while the pot roast is resting and the roast potatoes are cooking up nice and crisp.  (I'm responsible for the meat, SS the taters)  It smells yummy in here!

I can't seem to put a themed post together.  That's probably because I've had a pretty boring week.  Boring is good, I'm not complaining. 

Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, now Donna Summer?  I can't help but notice my idols are dropping like flies.

Next weekend is Memorial Day already?  I haven't told my stomach and butt yet, but they're going to get shoved into a swimsuit next weekend.  Good googly goo. 

I had a Mama Bear/Mama Bird kind of night last night.  Daughter was having a sad night, and that just breaks my heart.   Remember how it felt when you were 19?  

Mama Bird/Bear didn't sleep last night, thinking about 19 year old heartache. 

Our weather has been unusually pleasant and cool.  We also have a tropical storm sitting off our coast?  Honestly, it just popped up overnight.

Teresa on Real Housewives hurts my head.

Summer plans anyone?  We are going to St. Pete in July, that's it so far.  Are you going anywhere or is anyone coming to see you? 

I'm pretty sure the next time I blink it's going to be Christmas.

Friday Randoms

Passing time at work again.  Ssssh.

Be glad you're not a cat that lives at my house.  We now have had two cats with major periodontal disease.  Mikki had seven teeth pulled yesterday.  They gave her a pain injection to last for three days.  Let's just say her back legs weren't working in sync with her front legs. 

***
Here's an article on my brother's team and their final regular season series in the Big 12 Conference.  It made me a bit nostalgic, as my dad is mentioned.  It's funny how missing people just pops up out of nowhere.

***

We are in the midst of painting our great room/dining room area.  Sir Steven is a patient anal retentive painter.  I am impatient and messy.  My mom always said, "Never wallpaper with your spouse.  It leads to divorce"  I wonder what her view on painting together would be...

***

My oldest brother (and his wife) is coming to visit us at the end of the month.  It's been twenty years since they've been out this way, and no one in my family has ever seen my house.  Thus the painting...

***

The firm where I work is advertising for the vaginal mesh cases.  Today, we had a dude call in about an auto accident and when we couldn't help him with that, he asked if we could help with HIS vaginal mesh case.  Ahem.

Happy Weekend to All of us!

Mid Week Mute (sorta)

(a friend of mine sent this to me today, too good not to post.  Thanks Bob!)

As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend.

I have seen too many dear friends leave this world, too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.

Whose business is it, if I choose to read, or play, on the computer, until 4 AM, or sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 50, 60 &70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love, I will.

I will walk the beach, in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves, with abandon, if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set.
They, too, will get old.

I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And, I eventually remember the important things.

Sure, over the years, my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break, when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But, broken hearts are what give us strength, and understanding, and compassion. A heart never broken, is pristine, and sterile, and will never know the joy of being imperfect.

I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.

As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong.

So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day (if I feel like it).

3:00 Fantasy Time

I'm not sitting here at my desk.  I am not stressing out about taxes, money and work.  I am not feeling guilty about the stupid post I wrote last night about guilt.

I am somewhere in Italy.  I have no worries, and I have tons of money.  I spend this money on food, wine and the local animal shelter.  I have tons of puppies and kittens everywhere.  I even have a few chickens roaming the place.

I am 5'9" and thin.  I can wear any type of clothing and look great.  My skin is supple and smooth, and the only wrinkles I have are the laugh lines I've earned around my eyes.  People often compliment me on my beautiful hands and legs.  My stomach is so flat, you are amazed that I've had two children.  I laugh and tell you that no matter what I eat, I "just don't gain weight."

 

I lie in the pool soaking up the sun.  I giggle at the antics of my children and their friends.  My friends and I rehash all the funny times we've had together.  My wonderful husband smiles at me constantly, so pleased is he with the life we've built.  The animals roam freely, and never think of running away.

After a day of sunning and board games, we all sit down to a big old wooden table and eat pasta and drink wine and laugh.  Laughter is the name of the day.  There are fresh flowers everywhere.  The animals don't shed.  The moon is full and the stars blink at me to remind me how easy and carefree my life is.

Crap.  Back to reality and being 5'4" and shrinking.  

Ahhhh, it was nice while it lasted.  Ciao!

Guilt Ridden

I realized today that I'm carrying around way too much guilt.  In no certain order, I feel guilty about/for:

-using plastic bags
-eating cream cheese and chips as a snack
-the one can/bottle that doesn't make it into the recycling bin
-not eating organic
-not exercising
-going out with my friends
-not going out with my friends
-leaving the animals alone
-missing work
-that last glass of wine
-not donating enough of my time/money/self
-not being there
-ugly thoughts
-spending way too much money on clothes
-being lazy
-not seeing my grandma enough
-watching too much crap TV
-never using my college degree
-mommy guilt
-watching "Real Housewives"
-enjoying "Real Housewives"
-am I making the most out of my life?

I spend a lot of time with this useless emotion.  Jeezo Peezo.

Happy Mother's Day

brush your teeth
comb your hair
make your bed
do your homework
don't be late
clear the table
use a coaster
say please and thank you
wipe your nose
use a kleenex
go back and use soap
wash behind your ears
don't be rude
be kind to animals
be kind to others
hug your grandma
help me with the groceries
night night
don't let the bed bugs bite

i love you

happy mother's day

Corey's New Digs

Corey keeps me calm at work. 

 He is happy to see me in the morning; even if only to have me feed him.

For the last six months, he has lived in a boring fish bowl.

No plants, no friends, no pretty rocks.

A few weeks ago, my co-worker brought his son's fish in to be babysat.

And, wow, did that fish have a fancy schmancy house.

And, I realized Corey had been slumming it.

I felt horrible.  

What was I doing to my little friend?

We have since acquired a new home for the little fella.

And, after a 24 hour waiting period to let the water set, he was finally ready to move in today.

The great Fish Transfer took place at 11 am this morning.

And let me tell you one thing---

He is a very happy fish.  

Can you blame him?  Look at that robot!

Mid Week Mute

 

"I have to tell you that over the course of several years as I have talked to friends and family and neighbors when I think about members of my own staff who are in incredibly committed monogamous relationships, same-sex relationships, who are raising kids together, when I think about those soldiers or airmen or marines or sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf and yet feel constrained, even now that Don't Ask Don't Tell is gone, because they are not able to commit themselves in a marriage, at a certain point I've just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married." — Barack Obama,  ABC News interview, May 9, 2012

Hobo Bag #2

I have a few randoms for you today.

I finally, finally, FINALLY was able to give away the hobo bag to the guy for whom it was originally intended.  You may, or may not remember that over the months, I've given him a very salty bag of Stacy's Pita Chips, and I've tossed a water bottle to/at him.  I hope he gets good use of the items in the bag.  Now, it's back to Target for Bag #3 items, and wait for the next person in need.

***

We bought a new condo for Corey the fish.  Corey currently resides in a fish bowl with no plants or statues.  It's just a plain boring bowl.  I feel so bad for him, his life must be so un-stimulating.  He will now be getting a bigger house, a filter, two plants, and a robot!  Have no fear, I will surely take pictures of his new abode.

***

While at the pet store, we bought Rockett a new toy.  Three squeakers and no stuffing.  We are all in heaven with this one.  She gets loads of noise, we don't have to clean up the mess.

***

FYI - I hate watching what I eat.

***

I'm wondering how Colleen's meeting went today.

***

I need a new hairdo.  I'm bored with this one.

***

I'm kinda addicted to Family Feud with Steve Harvey.  He makes me giggle.

(thanks to Sir for the pictures)

Tomatoes and Cannonballs

I love tomatoes.  I love tomato sandwiches with loads of salt, pepper and mayo.  YUM!  My blogger buddy, Colleen, mentioned a place called, "The Vegetable Bin" in one of her recent blogs.  It is a place that sells local produce, and sells it cheap!

Well, today, when I woke up I was craving a tomato sandwich.  There are never good tomatoes in our grocery stores.  They are all mushy and mealy and have no flavor whatsoever.  I thought of Colleen's blog post and was excited to drive downtown to check it out.

We live about 15 minutes from downtown Charleston, but we don't seem to get down there as much as we'd like to.  So, every time I do get there, I'm reminded of what a pretty town this is. 

I loved the Vegetable Bin.  It's family owned and run. There are pictures behind the counter of  Grandpa and his best friend, who died in the Battle of the Bulge.  Seeing that picture was worth the trip alone!  After the tomatoes,  (and onions, taters and avocados) we took a little drive around the market and battery area.  There is something to see in every little nook and corner, like these stairs---

And, these were at the back of the house.  Here's the front:

On any given day, there are so many wonderful things to see---

a horse who listens to the same story all day long,and carries people from all over the world around our little town

sweet grass basket makers

a purple bike

 

 

how about some house hunting?  

should we buy big, bigger or biggest?

I saw an old gentleman pick up something a tourist had dropped, while riding a carriage ride. He walked out into the street and up to the carriage to give it to the tourist.  That's just what Southerner's do.  Anything else would be impolite. 

It's pretty great to live in a vacation town.

Even cooler that we have cannonballs.

 

Tomatoes and Cannonballs.