Daydreaming, Realistically

When I was younger, I used to lie in bed at night and spin magical tales for myself. They usually involved a boy, and me being the smartest, funniest girl and said boy falling for me.

Although, I still play this game a bit, my wish list has changed quite a bit over the years. When I lie in bed and fantasize (ahem, in a CLEAN manner) I think about all sorts of things. Like, I really want this house. It's an old duplex that's been flipped and has so much character. It's within walking distance to our favorite pub and two minutes from work. I just think it is the cutest place in the world. The inside is even cooler. And, Rockett would love to look out those windows all day. The cats could sun themselves, and I could snoop easily!

Look at this hunk of junk, eh? I'm not a dressy-up-kinda-gal, and I don't really crave big jewels, but I do love this ring. I have big fingers, so I think I would need a BIG diamond on my hand to set things off in correct proportions? I love how the setting looks a bit vintage. For that matter, I could easily enjoy a vintage ring. After all, diamonds ARE forever.

I wish we had more authentic Italian restaurants in Charleston. In that vein, please bring a Jack in the Box to Goose Creek. I need some fried tacos.

I wish I worked 4 day weeks and had 3 day weekends.

I wish Roseanne reruns still aired every day.

I'd really like a big comfy recliner, but I respect Steven's fear of them.

I hope to see some more concerts in my lifetime, specifically Bruce Springsteen, U2, Annie Lennox, Sting, and many more JLs and DMBs. I hope to keep finding new artists on Satellite Radio and enjoying them live. I wish I had seen Earth Wind and Fire in their heyday.

I'd like a big old bathroom.

I hope I beat Steven at Scrabble tonight.

How about one week where everyone comes to work and no major crisis occurs?

I'd love to see my brother's baseball team get to the College World Series. And then win.

OH! I'd like to see Kendall and Ryan (from my soap opera) destroyed in some painful manner.

Strongbow on tap somewhere in SC?

Oh, and best of all, a huge yard that I can fill with these:

Dork, Dorkier and Dorkiest

Me and my brothers.

Thursday Feel Good

Happy Thursday!! If this song doesn't make you smile, nothing will!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfBwsG8ubFw

ONIONS RULE!

I had the BEST hamburger tonight; kudos to Pioneer Woman (http://www.thepioneerwoman.com/) for the great recipe. It was yummy and had blue cheese and caramelized onions on top. I wanted to eat the entire pan of onions. Out of respect for my digestive tract, I didn't. It did, however, get me thinking about how much I love this little veggie.

I love a red onion on a tuna sandwich with a bit of mayo.

I love it on a burger with any kind of cheese.

I love an onion RING.

I love French Onion Soup, extra cheese and a big hunk of bread, please!

I love onions and garlic cooked in anything. (well, maybe not cake---)

I love green onions chopped up and adorning the top of my chili.

Chop em up ad put them in my salsa or any kind of dip. (especially the one with CREAM CHEESE, artichokes, green chiles, mayo and Parmesan cheese)

Slice some up and toss them with some lettuce, mozzarella cheese and homemade Ranch dressing, to make a Funky Salad.

I used to eat Wild Onions as a kid. I'd be playing outside, smell those suckers and pull them right out of the ground and eat them. To be honest, I don't think I'd do that nowadays.

I once read that Clark Gable loved onions so much that he would eat them as one would an apple. Now, I do think that's going a bit overboard, but then again, I've never tried it???

Okay, better go find me some gum to cover up this onion breath---

Poor Steven

I snore like a crazy old man.

Copy Cat

On my way home from work tonight, I was thinking about blogging. I just had no idea on what to write. I thought about doing another list, but figured I was due for something else. (don't worry, I'll use my list idea again soon!) I am feeling stumped! So, I went to the source, BLOGSPOT. I told myself I would copy the BLOG idea of the fifth random blog I came across. So, here's the blog I found:

http://espalhaphoto.blogspot.com/

And, here's MY blog to copy:

In 2005, Steven and I were lucky enough to have the chance to travel to Spain, all expenses paid! My boss had earned two complete trips, and shared one with me. I had never considered Spain as a vacation possibility, but was very pleased to get the chance to see it so cheaply! Spain whetted my appetite for even more traveling. (Especially when someone else is paying!!)

The first night we were there, we were treated to Flamenco Dancing. Let me tell you, that is one PASSIONATE dance. I was blown away. We even followed the dancers down to the kitchen to tell them how impressed we were. (yes, Cerveza was involved)

Madrid was gorgeous. I haven't looked at these pictures in so long, but just look at the architecture, the colors, the beauty. We also were lucky enough to see Real Madrid play. We went to a pub across the street from the stadium prior to the game. It was NUTS! And, everyone was speaking Spanish. Go figure. It was a treat to see the original "Ronaldo" play. For the second time in our lives, we got to see David Beckham play. (although, truth be told, we enjoyed him more at the Man United game)

We went to the most beautiful town that was nestled in the hills. Mijas was a glorious little place. I think I would like to live there. I love this one, the obligatory Bull Fighting Arena. I think this one is actually still in use. It's interesting to fly over Spain, as you see many of these, kind of like flying over America and seeing baseball fields.

And finally, probably my favorite picture of the entire trip.

As always, thanks to Steven for the pictures. xxx

Another List

Happy Sunday evening to all. I hope your week will be filled with things you love. Here's a list of 25 things that make me go gaga.

1. Cream Cheese

2. A brand new toothbrush. That first brush almost tickles, it's so good.

3. Clean sheets on the bed. That's the best sleeping there is.

4. Rainy Sunday mornings (and, in the same vein, thunderstorms)

5. When the underdog wins

6. Teens with manners

7. Bubble Baths

8. Taking a shower after spending the day at the beach

9. Giggling with my brothers over silly childhood memories

10. Bravo TV

11. Male friendships

12. Basketball brackets and the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament. (what a coincidence, it's that time of year!)

13. Dave Matthews concerts

14. Eagles Nest Hideaway

15. Playing games with friends (Dominos, Scrabble, Poker)

16. Homemade Party Mix

17. Blogging! (and reading other blogs!)

18. Any PJ's from Old Navy

19. Good cold unsweet tea from Publix. (Sorry Angie, I know you hate it!!)

20. Watching my kids and my friend's kids grow and grow up.

21. Red Hair

22. Bald English men

23. Harry Potter

24. Quilted Northern Super Plush Toilet Paper. It is the BEST. 3 ply!!!

25. Anyone who reads this. xxx

Island Junk

All week long, I've been thinking about hightailing it to a deserted island and hiding from the rest of the world. As I close my eyes and ponder the possibility, my mind always starts mentally packing. I try to think of fantasy items, because if I start thinking of all the things I'd really NEED, then it becomes a stressful fantasy. Hey, reality is stressful enough, that's why I'm trying to GET to this island.


Anyway, what would I bring? Well, let's throw out the most obvious, my loved ones, my dog, my cats. MOST of the time, I'd want them with me. On to some of the things that would make that island really super fantastic:


Number one on my list would be some cream cheese! I love this food, and consider it to be the food of the Gods! Add a little garlic to it, stir, refrigerate, and serve with chips. Oh, I better put some potato chips on my list. (Munchos?) Yummmmmmm.


I'd have to take a pillow. As those of you that know me know...I love me some sleep. I'm sure I could make a nice comfy palette, but I would like to have a bit of home with me in the shape of a pillow.



I'd have to take my ipod. I imagine that everyone would have this on their list. I guess the thing that will differentiate it from others is the music I'd have on said pod. Where to begin? Jonny Lang, Dave, Earth Wind and Fire, Linda Ronstadt, 70s classics, Robbie Williams, classical music, show tunes, Jose Gonzalez, etc etc. I'm sure I'd get sick of all these songs if I were on the island for an extended period of time, but I would sure enjoy the process.

I'm presuming my island won't have electricity. So, for entertainment, I'd bring the Harry Potter series and re-read it from start to finish. I would so enjoy going on this adventure again. I would cry when Harry realizes that Sirius sent him the new broom AND signed the permission slip to go to Hogsmeade. Gulp! I'd also have to take my crossword puzzles, loads of mechanical pencils and some good gossip magazines.

Finally, my FANTASY ISLAND wouldn't be complete without a nice comfy pair of pajama pants. Every day when I get home, the first thing I do is strip off the days workclothes and put on some pj pants. I consider this my own little island getaway, right there in the middle of Goose Creek.

What would you take with you?

I love my dog

I love this dog.

At times, this face makes me want to cry.

Sometimes she seems so sad, and I feel sad for her.

She is the best snuggler, ever.

Thanks to Steven for the pix. xxx

Friday Morning Follow Up

When did this little pigtailed girl ...

give up the pigtails, and


get so grown?

Thursday Night MidLife Crisis

My daughter is almost a grown up. Well, okay, she's only 16, but she's closer to a grown up, than she is to a baby. I watch, every day,as she struggles with adult decisions, choices and roads. I'm so proud of her. But, I want to stop the time and go back to when she had that crazy two year old voice and snuggled up to me all the time.

Look at here here with Tracy. They look like two women out for lunch. And, this picture was a year ago. When did this all happen? When did we go from MickeyMouse, Arthur and Stanley to driving, college applications and high school graduation.?

Monday Made Me MADness

You know, Monday's, all by themselves, are bad enough. But, start a Monday off with a bit of rage, and it makes for a very long week.

I saw this sign on a back of a truck today.

This really set me off. I looked at this sticker and it just made me so mad. It sounds like such a "cute little title." I'm a DUCKAHOLIC!! Quack Quack.

I don't find it cute. Why don't you have the nerve to post a sticker that says the truth: I KILL DUCKS. I don't like the idea of hunting or shooting any animal for sport. (Arm the animals and then I'll re-visit the idea) I don't understand it. I could never do it. But, if someone were to put THAT as a sticker on the back of their truck, at least I could respect that they were saying it AS IT IS. "I like to take my gun, shoot a defenseless animal, and high five my friends after my success!" Now, that's a sticker for a car somewhere. I just didn't like that sticker one bit. It "stuck" with me all day, and obviously hit a nerve.

I know this makes me a left-winged-liberal-treehugging-kind of gal, but I guess that's how it is. I'm sure some folks find ducks annoying. I know they tend to poop a lot. I don't enjoy duck poop, but then again, I don't really enjoy anyone or anything's poop. I do enjoy seeing the ducks at our duck pond near work, and I love watching them as a community. I like watching them curl up and nap. I love how the mom and the babies stick together.

Shooting ducks just doesn't tickle my funny bone. Quack on that.