two

three

four




one

I hope eveyone has a

happy and safe new year!






Here's to 2006!

You Are Somewhat Machiavellian

You're not going to mow over everyone to get ahead... But you're also powerful enough to make things happen for yourself. You understand how the world works, even when it's an ugly place. You just don't get ugly yourself - unless you have to!

Who do you read most?

Will it make you cringe when I tell you for me - it's me. I re-read everything. I scan my blog for my favorite post and read it over and over - especially if there are pics - woohoo! I will look up a particular scene in a story that I so enjoyed writing and it seems to flow great. I have even gone so far as to look up old blog comments if I really like what I had to say (yeah - that one is a bit over the top - but what can I say, I like me).

At first, I thought maybe that, that was a bad thing. But I think liking yourself, writing wise, is a good thing. It's not to say that I don't find fault in my work - constant editor mode is hard to switch off, but when you like yourself, you give a certain validation to what you do. And in my line of work, Validation is hard to come by =)

You hear about actors that cannot stand to watch themselves on the screen - they will turn away during their scenes. That is just wrong. (or they are lying!?!) I want to go over what I have created. I want to review it and revel in it if it is good and tweak it if it is not (this goes to my knitting, quilting and other crafts too). I have written a few poems over the years and there is one in particular that I love. I don't know why but I can re-read it over and over (though you'd think I had the dern thing memorized by now).

Maybe it is that I am amazed that I did it. That, that came from me. I created a world that you can believe in, feel for and anticipate the end. It is not an easy task. Some writers come by it more naturally than others, but I don't believe that anyone one that wants to create a tome for all time can do so. I heard Nora Roberts once comment (and please forgive if I get this off a bit, but. . .) "Yes, everyone has a story in them, but not everyone can tell it well." She wasn't being tacky, just telling it like it is.

And I can understand that totally. It takes a certain something to be a writer. Whether I have that remains to be seen, but I still like my writing.

I suppose it could even stretch to say vanity, but that is a little harsh. Although narcissistic ain't a mental health check off point. I just wonder if other writers read themselves as much as I do.

Do you know that person that is always the first to show up for a party? First to be at a meeting? First to comment on your blog? Well, hello {Dennie waves} , that would be me.

In 1990 I worked (Imagine - me with a job) at a shoe store. I was the assistant manager in fact. And I was constantly, habitually late. No reason behind it other than I didn't take the time to be on time. Now keep in mind I was still in my teens and although it was a full time job that many of my co-workers held to support their families, I never considered it as such. It was something to do and I made spending cash (which I spent!).

One day the district manager, whose office was in the back of my store (no I never said I was bright) pulled me aside and offered me two dollars for every time I could be on time. That made me feel horrible. I don't know why that one comment (and truthfully a near death experience - though that is less eventful than it might sound yet just as impactful - that freaked me out - that happened at the same time) triggered a complete turn around in me.

Now, my standards of promptness have changed to, "If I am not ten minutes early, then I am late."

Invited to a party - I am usually the first to show up even if I am dead-on on time (other people . . . well let's not go into their reason!). At meetings - I often find myself sitting on steps somewhere while I wait for the person with the keys to show up and let me in 'cause no one else has keys and everyone but me went to dinner so they are all together and taking their own sweet time 'cause it's the last Tuesday meeting of the year and not many people are expected to show other than the exiting president and the incoming president to hand over said keys, so there is really no need to hurry and like I said they are all at dinner together and it's not all that cold that evening to be sitting alone on the steps, in the dark, at an empty building, on the semi-deserted, due-to-the-time-of-the-year, recreation compound - wooooo - not that it affected me much mind you =)

And that bleeds over into all aspects of my life. I have found that it goes to even something as not on topic as blogs. Often, I find posts and no one has commented. I feel weird about being the first to do it sometimes, so I will wait an hour or two until someone else has commented. (I have never denied being weird - so deal with it =) okay?!?) Some times this means that my witty comment has been used already or the point has been belabored to death and I cannot/will not add to it. But know - I saw it first, okay - I checked it out, first. (did I mention I have issues?).

I suppose that every person should have some thing that they excel at and for me promptness seems to be in my top ten list. There are worst things, I guess, so . . . . .

*Note - this same district manager also did this to me two years later about my complaining. Apparently, it was a little much for her (by then I had my own store at a different location - so it must have really been bad if it bothered her on an odd or so visit enough to comment on). That bribe didn't take, work or impact me, however, at all. For those who have known me for a while you can put down your hand and stop nodding - we get the point! I like to complain. But, it does make a girl wonder. . . .

"I will not be ignored, Dan"

Then bunny in pot, child screaming like crazy - ring a bell?
For those theatrically challenged, one more hint ~
Glenn Close as Alex Forrester / Michael Douglas as Dan Gallagher . . .
Fatal Attraction.

Okay, so I have never been obsessed with a married man and wanted to kill his wife and cook his pet (though there was that one summer. . . oh sorry - I digress), but I can so relate to what poor mistreated Alex went through. You put yourself out there and get nothing in return. Boiling bunnies doesn't seem that far out there.

How many times have you sent out, let's just say for argument sake, 25 e-mails with a Christmas poem you wrote - purely hypothetical here mind you - and you get back three responses. THREE - again hypothetically. Of those three are the two newest people you know, who have the least, but no less important, amount of time spent with. You started first to wonder if your e-mail didn't go through, but wait. You did get three responses. So someone got it.

Or you belong to an e-mail loop with 20+ active members that are on most occasions chatty and verbose, but the moment you post a witty comeback to a generalized barb - silence befalls the line. Screaming meamies and a knife chase through the house, not out of the realm.

"I will not be ignored, Dan"

Or you post something on you blog that makes you snort your coffee out your nose and not a sole comments or even seems to notice the tacky "what discarded color would you be" name and find it as spittingly funny as yourself. So in return you rise from the tub, after being down longer than humanly possible, and grab the nearest human for retibution.

Okay maybe my reactions (if they were not hypothetical cases mind you) are in the extreme. But how often to you feel ignored? When you send out an e-mail and think - oh, shoot (though that is probably not whatI would have said) I hurt her feelings and now she's mad. Or, I didn't mean it that way and your left to wonder at their slow response. (Let's remove relatives from this though, because mine and "prompt reply" do not inhabit the same breath much less a consideration as to possibility).

I suppose you could take the Don't Worry, Be Happy mentality - that's just not me =)

Just remember - deranged girls need attention, too. And if you don't, they might get you! =)

I got the Bo Bice CD for Christmas - LOVE IT!

It is so great though I could not get it to work in my van - it's the dual disc and best as can be figured it is too thick for the van CD player. But it works in the house - and how! Did I mention I love it?

I am an admitted American Idol junkie (I guess this is the time of the year for me to confess all my foibles, phobias and follies). I have Clay Aiken's CD too - I can see a few people cringe but don't tsk at my choice of music please. =) And I plan to get Carrie's soon - b-day coming in a few short months - hint hint . . .

But I want to reiterate how great Bo's CD is!! OMG!

Pen and paper have become an unfamiliar tool to many and I am just as guilty as the next person.

What ever happened to good old fashion mail. No electronic forms like e-mail, IM or even this blog as a way to get information, salutations, birthday greetings or even a thank you to someone? Is that concept really so foreign these days?

Growing up, I had pen pals - someone to write to. One lived in the same state, one in Puerto Rico and then later, in high school, a friend who had gone to Desert Storm. (And I may be a little less guilty as I have corresponded with several Marines over the last year or so that are deployed to Iraq - just trying to do my part!)

But when my computer crashed in September, I lost my entire contact/address list with all the names and snail mails of everyone I knew. It really hit me then how often I didn't use those address until it was time to send out Christmas cards. Why only the once-a-year contact via real live person to person communication? It made me think back to this summer, just after my grandmother passed away. We went through a huge boot box filled with correspondence sent to her over the years that she saved - and she saved it all. There had to be in upwards of 20 maybe even 30 cards and letters from me. Even a cousin remarked that I was just about the only one who ever sent her thank you cards and whatnot. (You can thank the MIL for that)

E-mails are wonderful and don't get me wrong - I hoard my inbox, probably check it too much as I wait for an anticipated reply to an e-mail or an inquiring missive to even an acceptance or rejection on submissions.

But there is a special thrill that I get when I go to the mail box and find the return address of a friend that may live too far away to break bread with or just a note saying "thinking of you."

I actually love to write (obviously - duh) but I realize I miss the physical, can-hold-it-in-your-hands someone-took-the-time-to-do-it letter. That's not to take away from e-mail in the busy world in which we live, that takes time away from other things - I know hectic trust me on this. But just maybe, I need to amend my New Year's resolutions to include more personal correspondance!

*update 12/28/05 10:30am - I guess the blog is like an open letter for y'all to read - but still not pen and paper - though, I did write this one out at 6 this morning when I woke, then transcribed it to the computer. =)

You are

This is, uh - weird. I'm, uh, speechless - for once . . . .

I usually don't do New Years Resolutions but 2005 had as many lows as highs, so let's see if we can change that to a more favorable ratio!

1) Write more - I didn't get my butt in gear until November and that's a tad late in the season for that.

2) Submit more. You can't be rejected if you're not sending it out. Some times you need the rejection to make your work stronger. (I guess I should mention getting accepted too - though I am not too familiar with this term =) but you can't sell if you don't submit either!)

3) Try not to pick up a new habit (knitting, quilting, baking - need I say more) sometimes one too many crafts can drive you batty! (or was that batting - sorry quilt humor or rather an attempt).

*The pic has nothing to do with New Years, but the man is hot!

Have a super great New Year ~ Here's to 2006 !!!

So I admitted my adiction to grocery shopping. I might as well come clean about another. I blog hop. A LOT

I have a nice little list of blogs that I read regularly - look to the right of this. Some of those are people I already knew or they are people I "met," if you will, through another blog - sorta a friend of a friend ...

Dennie waves to the many nice new friends: Bonnie, M.C., Bonnie (no I am not repeating myself there are two), Tsavo, Bernita, Mark and a few others that I visit often online.

But I have to admit, I have, many a time, pushed the "next Blog" button up at the top of the screen. I have commented once or twice on those blogs - usually anonymously - but I usually can't find them again if I wanted to. (well, yeah there is the history button on your computer that you can look at where you've been, but often the title of the blog that you saw doesn't match the actual address - this one doesn't - so I would still have to go all through those. if I want to find it again and it is time consuming ... Anyhoo... )

I spend one hour (so thinking about it - maybe this is a bit of a stretch or rather understatement - but like my natural hair color and weight - I'll never tell the truth) - that's all I will allow in the morn - to Blog-hop and check e-mail. But I pop in time after time as a check up. I am one of those people that hates to miss a thing - that's why I often spend hours watching the news - but I try to curb that. But the obsession de jour is Blog hopping. I can't help it.

DH thinks there is something wrong with me - well yeah, but that ain't it and aren't you so nice for saying so!

Just call me the word voyeur...

Please tell me I am not alone. That other people push "next Blog". That I alone am not the only one that will get on the computer the moment you wake to see if someone posted on your blog or one of your Blog buddies has a new joke, ditty, photo of what their pooch pilfered or the next installment of their serial. (Or best yet - a recipe - woohoo!)

I just want to read and be read. Is that so wrong? Is that a reason to be mocked by your family members - you know you mocked me dear one don't pretend that you didn't! =) I will not be blog deprived. I will not!

Wheshew - glad I got that off my chest.

Heir to the throne - even though only in early double-digits - want to be a movie mogul/filmmaker. No flighty maybes in my family. He has rather high and imaginative ambitions. Grandma gave him a video camera for Christmas. It's an old camera - probably close to twenty years old - but that lends a certain appeal and feel to the device. It has seen many a production, vacation and a wedding or two. And as it is old - it is the kind that holds a full size VHS tape - it seems to have sparked a thrill in the boy that is unmatchable. He has carried that thing around with him since the moment he got it.

He shot a documentary on his life last evening. Though I had to put my foot down when he enter the kitchen - Like I want folks to see how far behind the dishes I was for the day =)
How much could a child of his advanced age have to film - oh you'd be surprised. With three younger brothers there is much fodder for the film. (though now I must really watch what I say, lest it wind up on on my TV screen in the near future!)

Not to be out done mind you, our professed football fanatic (Spare to the throne who wants to not only play but be the best there is: RoseBowl, SuperBowl, ProBowl - you name the bowl) received snap circuits (from dear ol' me =) how did I ever know?!?!). You create the wiring and whatnot and make things . . . work. I was afraid when I purchased it for him that he wouldn't like it as it had not a thing to do with football, the Colts, Peyton Manning or the gridiron but low and behold - HE LOVES IT. Maybe we have an electrical engineer in training!



Don't get me started on the little ones . . .
. . . . . . it is such a thrill to watch their little brains work as they move the car track from one side to the next to make the car jump and land or create with Playdough or Legos. Such thinkers, my little men! And give one a rubber chicken . . .

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas - now to clean =)

ME!

All the children have kept breakfast and/or drinks down for over six hours - WOOHOO!!!

Looks like Santa can make it across the living room tonight without having to go through the sickie bucket obstacle course - lucky him!


Now, to take a nap before I start baking {...yawn...}

You Were Nice This Year!

You're an uber-perfect person who is on the top of Santa's list. You probably didn't even *think* any naughty thoughts this year. Unless you're a Mormon, you've probably been a little too good. Is that extra candy cane worth being a sweetheart for 365 days straight?

...a holiday barfing contest.

Heir and Spare + 1 have been in the race today. Almost neck and neck. Or tummy and tummy. I think Heir is winning the endurance portion of the race, but Spare + 1 is in for longevity (as he started his leg of the race late Tuesday/early Wednesday).

Mom is watching from the stands but almost assuredly will eventually participate as she, I mean I, am misserable just writing this :-( Dad is making it a true spectator sport and watching with hand over mouth and a can of disinfectant.

It wouldn't be Christmas in the McD house if the grems weren't as big a part of the celebration as the gift wrap and tinsel.

Merry Christmas - may you be healthy, weathly and above all healthy - did I say that already? It's a big one in my house!

Dear dear Sandy tagged me for - five weird random things about me - Oh geez - should I, could I tell?

1) I have three brothers a whole (27), step (21) and a half (14) - not weird, maybe a little random, but fun for conversation. "No this isn't my son, he's my brother."

2) I am completely freaked out by spiders - nope don't like 'em one itsy bit.

3) I cut and color my own hair - oops that's not so secretive, but to hear my friends who have hair dressers, quite weird! (can be distressing when I mess it up but...)

4) I made the soft ball team in sixth grade and quit when one of the boys tried to cop a feel after I stopped the ball with my chest - okay so I don't do competition and that was probably why I really quit but it sounds much less weinnie that way - and it did happen - I almost fell for it...

5) I have freckles, which I have mentioned before, but on my left (I had to look, couldn't remember) arm I have a patch about 2 iches square that has hundreds in that one spot

. . . . and let's all play along. I didn't tag anyone last time so {muah muah...} I choose . . . .

1 ~ Bonnie C
2 ~ M.C.
3 ~ Bonnie W

come on girls - let's play - haha!

What Color is Your Soul? {8 results + artsitic pics}
brought to you by Quizilla

Your Soul is Orange (yes I realize that there is no orange in this picture) - Happy, hyper, optimistic. You know life isn't perfect, but that won't stop you from enjoying it! There is so much beatuy, and so much fun to be had, and you understand that perfectly. You are like a little sun, bright, warm, and intense, keep it up and you'll improve someone's day. However, try not to be too pushy and over-exited . . .


980 other people got this result!
This quiz has been taken 12938 times.
8% of people had this result.

I guess this is close to me, at least lately! - though I seemed to have swiped my friend's Pollyanna - sorry SJ - Do you want it back?

Just today we received a Christmas card from Spare + 1 's teacher and the child was so excited until I opened the card and found ... drum roll please... his spelling list for next month. LOL! that's multi tasking for you!

My eldest - heir to the throne - just had a birthday into another double digit last week. He's what you call a "tween" or so my mother tells me. Not preteen, but not so much a kid any more.

Well last night I discovered, his hands and feet are bigger than mine. OH MY! I rushed him to the height chart inside the coat closet door - wheshew he's still 2 1/2 inches shorter than I. WAIT less than 3 inches?!?!?

That can not be. He's my baby. My first born. But it is so. I am totally freaking out. And he's loving every minute of it - jumping every time he's next to me. Commenting on things he says he can see over my head - sheesh!

As a child, my mother always threatened my brother and I that when we got taller, we had to move out. Napoleon complex you know =) I slumped and slouched for years once I hit twelve and passed her the barest of inches. But obviously that threat wasn't to be taken seriously as my 5'10" brother still resides in her humble abode. If only I could sit up straight now.

I think there is a natural adversity to your child growing taller than you. They are closing in on that flee the nest. You maternal mortality shakens and even though it won't stop your mothering, heaven knows my mother hasn't - love ya mom - it unbalances the neediness.

And then... then your youngest will flip over on his kiddy chair and bonk his head, cry furiously and drip his breakfast all over your shirt as his mouth hangs agape and the world rights itself again.
- Not to worry, he's okay. My shirt ... not so lucky.

Kids are feeling better - dog yackes all over carpet - gags three children - Film, not at eleven, will be destroyed for those of weak stomach.

Note to anyone who cares - when asked a direct question please answer yes or no.

Example: "did you stick an entire roll of toilet paper in the toilet?"
Answer: "My stomach hurt. I was in here for a while. I had to go."
Repeat: "DID YOU STICK AN ENTIRE ROLL OF TOILET PAPER IN THE TOILET?"
Answer: "yes." - plungertime

another child pretty much at the same time
Question: "Did you run into the wall?" after loud bang that echoed through the house.
Answer: "I'm looking at my Yu-Gi-Oh cards, mom."
Repeat: you get the picture
Answer: "Yes."

oh and that is all I care to write about on the subject at this time - there is more. So much more =)

maybe it's a male thing?!?!?!

I am sitting at my computer trying like the dickens to edit and as I try to come up with a pithy way to edit out my 436 "yada, yada," she remarked... at this point in the story Chapter 16 of 35 ... I notice ten - I counted - gum wrappers everywhere. Scattered on the desk on the tray next to the desk and on the floor. I looked in my droom to find it empty - gone - zilch - zero.

Well I'll be darned.

Mini-me has struck again. That little brat has taken every single piece of gum from my drawer. I just refilled it this morning. Then he has the nerve to come up to me and ask for more. Puh-leeze! I need to find a better place for it, but when I am writing I tend to forget where I put stuff so I make it as easy as possible - the gum is in the one and only desk drawer.

Okay see - I die my hair. No secret here. Been doing it since I was 17 or so. Sometimes I am sorta blonde, sometimes strawberry blonde and even to a light brown - though I will admit that my dream hair color would be a medium blonde with blue streaks - no joke. But haven't attempted it as I am most afraid of what the PTA/Cub Scouts folks would say to it so I have refrained up to this point. (maybe over this summer!) My Avitar pic is kinds what it was for the last several months - the hair only, the rest is ... well ... never mind.

But last night I made a "whoops".

I realize the box said Auburn - but the picture looked a lot lighter. Not so on my hair. It's dark. It's red. And did I mention dark. The kids keep laughing at me, Spare +1 in particular (might I add this is in between his bouts of ralphing!! - it's been a long night.) - "You look so funny, mom."

"Yeah, thanks."

A couple of my TWWers call me Red (I have a nickname and I didn't even have to make it up - ala George Kastanza from "Seinfeld" if you've seen the episode that just happened to be on the other day... But I digress) - well this morning that would be an understatement!

For those who know me face to face, know that I have freckles - lot's of 'em (though I have had a couple people say "I didn't realize that you have freckles" when I have complained about them before. Observant - I guess not! And the Auburn - and yes, it is Auburn - works with the freckles. Kinda Julianna Moore but with shorter hair and a much curvier ... everything!

I think I like it. I am not quite sure yet. I have wondered what it would look like to go this dark. Now I know.

I am a little afraid of what my mama's going to say ...

I’ve been tagged by Cece…..
Sevens

Seven things to do before I die.
1. Sell my damn book
2. Make my book into a hit movie
3. Meet Chris Cagle – and him NOT think I am stalking
4. Go to England
5. Drive on the Autobahn (sp?)
6. Win the lottery (might need to move this up to facilitate 4 & 5)
7. Go to Hawaii

Seven things I cannot do.
1. Keep my foot out of my mouth
2. Talk in complete sentences
3. Go to the bathroom by myself – not by my choice mind you
4. Keep a secret – shh, don’t tell me
5. Buy one book at a time
6. Go into Wal-mart and buy one thing
7. Watch a whole movie all the way through – again, not by my choice

Seven things that attracted me to my spouse or the opposite sex.
1. um
2. this
3. is
4. a
5. hard
6. one
7. hmm

Seven things I write or say the most often.
1. Just a minute, hun
2. No, hun
3. I said no, hun
4. Sit down
5. Shut up
6. OMG please shut up
7. just one more minute, hun

Seven books or series I love
(I have to pick authors more so – can’t pick just one book by that person)
1. Karen Robards – absolute fave!
2. Janet Evanovich – Stephanie Plum
3. Nora Roberts
4. Sabrina Jeffries
5. John Sandford
6. Carol O’Connell
7. Anything a Rosebud wrote – but YES I am biased

Seven movies I’d watch over and over again.
1. Pride and Prejudice (A&E version)
2. Chronicles of Narnia
3. Pride and Prejudice (2005 version)
4. any Star Wars
5. Never Been Kissed
6. Any Brat-pack movie – you name it, I love it!
7. Can’t Buy Me Love

Seven people I’d tag
(if you think you resemble any of these – consider yourself TAGGED)
1. Dopey
2. Doc
3. Sneezy
4. Sleepy
5. Bashful
6. Grumpy
7. Happy

Your Elf Name Is...

Pixie Blinking Bum

OH MY!

You Are a Fruitcake!

You taste like nothing else in this world. And get ready, you're about to get tossed!

Unique that's the word not fruitcake!
Tossed - well I never...

Four kids, two dogs, one editing-like-crazy-mom then whamo - no electricity!
Did I mention ARGH!

And yes before you ask - I paid the electric bill. We had this conversation, well not me but the boys, when the electiricy went off.

Spare - "Did you pay the bill, mom?" (keep in mind - it has NEVER been turned of for lack of payment in ANY of their lifetimes or ever since I had a job and paid for electricity for that matter)

Spare + 1 - "Yes, she paid the bill, we took it just last week."

I just had to stand by and laugh - ye have little faith in the woman who managed to carry and birth four bruising young men!

Spare + 1 runs through house screaming "power surge, power surge". I have no clue as to what that means. I shake my head, close down my computer as the battery only has enough juice for 30 miunutes and I didn't want to get caught in the middle of a page and have to quit, calmly pick up my knitting needles and finish a Christmas scarf.

Heir to the throne - who is in his third year as a Cub Scout - sits on the sofa, hands to head. "We can't eat. The Microwave won't work (why'd he pick that first?) The oven won't work. There's no electricity to cook the food."

Mom - "We can have sandwhiches."

Heir - "but you said we couldn't open the fridge. Cold air out and all..."

Mom - Evil grin rolls across my face - "peanut butter."

Heir - "ugh."

The spare meanwhile is writhing in the middle of the family room floor. "Need air can't breathe."

Mom - "the electricty doesn't affect the air you breathe."

Spare - "Are you sure? It's getting harder to breathe."

Spare + 1 - "Yeah, mom, can't breathe."

Mom - shakes head - "Give me a break guys."

Heir - "does the toilet work w/ no electriity?"

Mom - "Yes."

Heir - "but I can't do it in the dark."

Mom - major eye roll here - "Then hold it."

Spare + 2 (aka mini-me) - "My feet are told (cold) you find my lippers (slippers)?"

Mom - "Sure hun, here ya go. One Grinch. One Blues Clues - I can't find the others in the dark."

Spare + 2 (aka mini-me) - "Tay (okay)."

Spare - "I think the dog is scared."

Mom - "no she's just laughing at you crazy kids."

One hour, two coniptions, three trips to the potty and half a scarf later - voila - we have power and a funny story to tell my future daughter-in-laws!

...the art of waving

When I was a kid and stayed with Nanny and Granddaddy in Rotan (an hour North of Abilene, Texas for those that have never heard of it, which is anyone who is not from there) people would wave to you when they passed you on the street. Nowadays, if you wave at someone you are more likely to get the bird than a happy salutation.

I remember my brother would sit snug up next to Granddaddy in the truck and set his wee hand on top the larger grizzled one and they would both lift their index finger in a western, "how do you do."



The neighbors on our Cul-du-sac (sp?!?!) will wave when we see each other but that is it. I think that is so sad. I almost want to drive out to Rotan - though I am sure any small town out past Weatherford would accommodate just as well - and wave. Get back that warm friendly feeling of a neighborly hello.

Hi. My name is Denise. I am a shop-a-holic.

There. I can say it. Isn't that one of the twelve steps if you have a problem? Like the first or something?

But before you start shaking your head and tsking at me ... let me explain. I am not your typical shop-a-holic. No. I have actually managed to curb most of my passion for purchases. No more shoes that sit dusty in my closet. No more shirts that still have tags and may or may not fit. I am a reformed 80% off girl. =)
(although if the boys need something akin to clothing I tend to buy 4 or 5 at a time - it's a hording mentaliity that I am now trying desperatley to overcome - but I digress)

HOWEVER: I love - beyond a normal, reasonable level of euphoria - grocery shopping. When I come home all pumped at getting a weeks worth of meals I am floating. I am sure that is not normal, but it is a high that I cannot explain. And the boys need to eat, so I get to do it often as they eat A LOT. I take far too much pleasure in buying the stuff the boys like to eat and they are not always easy to please. Inevitably one of the four will not like what the other three do and I am far too big a push-over to let them go hungry and teach them a lesson. Don't get me wrong. We have meals that, "If you don't want it you're welcome to sit in the other room or go to bed." I am NOT a short order cook. But I do tend to tailor the meals to their liking.

They never have to eat Brussel sprouts - though I actually like them. Or Spaghetti squash - though I have considered trying to make it like my mom did. I hated it as a kid but have been hankering for it now - don't know why. NEVER will I purchase liver. I don't care that heir and I are iron poor - that's what vitamins are for!

Just this morning I ran out to the store. Mini-me has gotten my cold and, as is their fashion, gotten it worse, so I had to buy some Sprite for the lad. At the store, I remembered the boys are out all week (and the next, plus a day - dont' know why the extra day... but I digress again) and I need to have adequate nourishment or they tend to get pissy. A full shopping cart and sixteen sacks later, I am still buzzing from the high.

I knew I was weird. I just thought I might admit it once and for all to the world. There much better....

Took the sprites to see Narnia (nasty cold and all - I REEEEAAALLLYYYY wanted to see the movie).

So glad that I did. I LOVED IT. Bawled like a baby - the only bad part about being sick - my emotions are on a hair trigger so when you bring one of my mostest favoritest books from childhood to the big screen in cinematic wonder then watch out and pass the tissue!

It's not often I can sit through an entire movie and not think of thirty things that need to be done - but this one - had not a thought other that what happened. Did I mention that I bawled like a baby?

I want to go back late and see it when the theater isn't filled with kids smacking gum - those would be mine - and chomping on popcprn - the eight in front of us - and playing with coinage - still not mine. But I also want to see Pride and Prejudice again - what to do what to do...

You have to understand. I seldom see movies in the theater. Star Wars of course - I do have priorities. But almost never see anything else. And those were both moives I HAD to see on the big screen. I am all warm and squishy inside and it's not just the fever. =)

The kids however have lost that soft I-saw-a-great-movie glow and are back to, "that's my toy." or the best, "move stupid." aw - the holidays....

Thanks for the pick Aunt Retta!

Someone sent this to the hubby - and I think it is far too funny.

I'm sick as a dog today - but this just keeps brightening me up every time I see it!

Have a good Thursday =)

I hope every one is having a Happy Christmas time.

I went shopping today - and my feet hurt! I went to three different stores, one twice as I had to return the birthday gift for the heir to the throne as the mom-in-law bought the same thing. Great minds I guess! I still haven't gotten anything to replace it yet. It must suck to have your birthday so close to Christmas, though he has never complained.

Today is a sad day though, it is the anniversary of when my granddad died two years ago. I have thought about him many times today and since my grandmother passed away this past July it seems even sadder. They were both special to me - not that all grandparents aren't, but as a child I saw them about every other weekend until I was six. After that it seems like we saw them every couple of months and I would spend some of the summer with them until I graduated high school. And even then I called often and wrote letters and saw them at holidays and special occasions.

It was really hard having my granddad die just before Christmas (and have his funeral on the heir's b-day). But as we all had a chance to say goodbye even though he was in a coma it was some relief. Had the hospital not headed the DNR - do not resisitate - we wouldn't have had that chance - so we had a early Chirstmas sort-of miracle I suppose since the family all got to be there when he was in the hospital, to say good-byes and then at the funeral. It was a time when we got to share stories of him when we were growing up - Did you know I was the only one of the eight grandkids that he ever spanked. I mean, I wouldn't have poured my ice down that lady's shirt at the rodeo has she sat still. It wasn't my fault her beehive was too high for a five-year-old to see over, was it?

I often can still here the way he scolded us like one of his horses ... hannnn (more a sound than a word) and I find myself doing it to the boys every so often. He was so proud of all his grandkids and his great-grandkids.

I hope all children can have grandparents that love them and can love back like I had! My New Jersey grandparents were special too but I rarely got to see them growing up. That I do feel like I missed out on a bunch. With just my Grandma left up in West Paterson, I wish we could get up there more so she could see the boys grow - but it is so darn far!

Remember to hug you grandparents, grandkids or even a Curmudgeonly neighbor that might need some holiday cheer!

glommed from Mik -

You Have a Choleric Temperament

You are a person of great enthusiasm - easily excited by many things. Unsatisfied by the ordinary, you are reaching for an epic, extraordinary life. You want the best. The best life. The best love. The best reputation. You posses a sharp and keen intellect. Your mind is your primary weapon. Strong willed, nothing can keep you down. Your energy can break down any wall. You're an instantly passionate person - and this passion gives you an intoxicating power over others. At your worst, you are a narcissist. Full of yourself and even proud of your faults. Stubborn and opinionated, you know what you think is right. End of discussion. A bit of a misanthrope, you often see others as weak, ignorant, and inferior.

Stole this from Cece who stole it from Mik


PHOENIX

You are the phoenix! A
phoenix is a a giant, magnificent bird plumed
and wreathed in flame. The phoenix is a symbol
of healing and of peace. The phoenix is calm
and serene in all things. The phoenix also
symbolizes rebirth as this creature is reborn
from the ashes of its death during which it
enrupts into flame and disintegrates. The
phoenix can also be a symbol for faith and for
hope.


Which mythical creature resides in your soul? (11 Results + Pictures)
brought to you by Quizilla

It is sooooo cold here. It iced yesterday. Schools are closed and right now it is 17 degrees. Did I mention it was COLD!

The kids were so excited when they learned that schools would not open today. Which truthfully all the students live within walking distance so they could go, but the teachers only a couple live around here. I say let the kids in! They can play in the gym or the art room. I doubt they could damage much.

I have seen some of the neighbor kids eyeing the empty house next door's slick driveway. But it is just too cold for my taste and there really is no snow - it's all ice.

*not my pic but you get the point:

You are Eliza Bennett from Pride and
Prejudice! Yay, you! Perhaps the
brightest and best character in all of English
literature, you are intelligent, lively,
lovely-- in short, you are the best of company.
Your only foibles are that you stick with your
first impressions... and your family is quite
intolerable.


Which Jane Austen Character Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

---

Um, Most DEFINITELY!

In a Past Life...

You Were: A Brave Alchemist. Where You Lived: Texas. How You Died: The Plague.

---

I am so always sick - hmm - past life regression? I so got to Texas as soon as I could (age one from Alaska - of course, my mother is from here so that's not so far a stretch.) Definition Alchemist: one who studies or practices Alchemy. Alchemy: a power or process of transforming something common into something special. Oh that is soooo me, right, huh?!?!?! I am certainly BRAVE - when it comes to some things!

Update - two minutes later --

However, I am pretty sure that it is referring to the definition that alchemy was medieval science aiming to achieve universal cure for disease. - Man do I always have to burst my own bubble?

It's really no wonder that my kids, okay and me, too {SNIFF} get sickly this time of the year. Yesterday, it was 80 degrees. I sweated down at the Stockyards Christmas where we handed out the Trinity Writers' Christmas book and helped kiddos write letters to Santa. But later that night when I left my Yellow Rose Christmas party it was 35-ish and today the high is only supposed to be 50. By Wednesday, the high is not going to reach 40. Sniffles anyone?

It reminds me of a poem from a kid's show the boys used to watch, Maurice Sendack's Little Bear:

Whether the Weather is cold,
Or whether the weather is hot,
We'll weather the weather,
Whatever the weather,
Whether we like it or not.

Once upon a Christmas night
Four little brothers had a great fight.
The eldest screamed, “That’s mine, give it to me.”
The youngest cried, “I play too, let me see.”

The middle two boys pushed and shoved
And knocked off the tree star high above
All eyes stared at the shattered mess
And pulled at their hands with far too much stress

For then their mom came into the room
Her frown turned down, her mouth in sadness and gloom
“What’s this I see, scattered on my rug?”
She asked and was answered with no more than a shrug

“He did it,” No he,” each little boy did blame
Yelling and shouting each other one’s name
Silenced finally, when a tear stained Mom’s cheek
A blush tinted their faces and they all went meek

The youngest boy stepped out of the crowd
Puffed out his chest and held his chin so proud.
“I did it Mom, I fought with my brother,
I took his toy, I am sorry Mother.”

She looked down at the smallest of her men
The youngest of four from three to ten
Then looked at the others, each with a bent head
Who looked up, eyes filled with the greatest of dread.

“It was our fault too, we started to push,
And the star toppled down like a berry from a bush.
We didn’t mean to break the topper you adore
We were just misbehaving as we’ve done before.”

She smiled down at her fearsome group
And crouched to her knees so not to stoop.
“Thank you for telling the truth you all,
I did like that star bought back last fall.

“But I love my boys more than some silly old thing
I love you more than anything,”
She said as she ruffed the hair of each one,
“Merry Christmas,” she said to each little son.

© Denise McDonald 11/05/04

Once Upon a Christmas Eve,
Four little boys ran and hid.
They wanted to see Santa,
If it was the last thing they did.

One hid in a cubby,
But not too, too far.
Another in a closet,
The door just ajar,

One secret under a table,
Lying still and supine.
The last and the smallest,
Behind the great big pine.

They giggled and laughed,
Then shushed themselves all up.
They watched the cookies,
And the milk in the cup.

He would be here,
Before too long.
He would be here,
And they planned him a song.

They all made it up,
All on their own.
They wrote the words,
And created the tone.

“Hey Santa, we’re so Happy,”
“You made it to see us tonight.”
“We’re so thankful you came.”
“All the toys, we won’t even fight.”

Mom copied the words,
Dad helped with the rhyme.
It won’t be too long,
It’s almost time.

One by one, mouths stretched,
As the yawns grew bold.
Two by two eyes shut,
As sleep took hold.

Mom and dad carried each little boy,
To his room and very own bed.
They gave a quick kiss on the cheek,
And pat on each little head.

“Maybe next year boys,”
“You’ll stay up past ten oh three.”
“Maybe next Christmas Eve,”
“Santa you will see.”

© Denise McDonald 10/30/05