9 Years Today

Nine years ago today, I walked down the aisle with a decided limp (long story), to meet my mate in holy matrimony. After several attempts to speak, thwarted by a not-as-yet-finished cry, I blurted out my "lines" through tears and sniffles causing the church to erupt in tears of their own.

My betrothed, of course, laughed at me, or is it with me? No matter, for nine years we have been laughing together.

The traditional gifts for one's ninth anniversary are Pottery and Willow. (Hmm, a potted carafe of sweet wine, and willow switch . . . ahem . . .)

A contemporary or modern gift is Leather. (OOO, even better, I can get into a leather motif)

The flowers associated with the 9th anniversary are Poppies (opium, wine, and whips. sounds like an interesting evening . . .)

Anyway, my love is a quiet man who points out my faults when I need to be reminded, takes up arms (figuratively) in my honor when pushed, supports me through trying times and laughs with me through the rest. We have had a fine nine married years. How he has managed to put up with me is unknown. But I thank him for it.

So, dear husband - HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, I LOVE YOU!

Oh, and ladies, did I mention that my husband is a chef and a firefighter? AN ANNIVERSARY BONUS!

Mwahahaha!

Frito Pie

Well, I sure did get stuffed at Thanksgiving and, sure enough, my cousin billie jack brought frito pie. God's gift to White Trash Pot Lucks everywhere.

The concept is simple.

Snack bags of fritos - opened
Heaping spoonfuls of chili thrown into opened snack bags
dollop of sour cream on top of the chili and cheese on top of that!

We also through in hot peppers, salsa and lettuce sometimes and make it a White Trash taco salad. Yum!

You Asked, I Answered!

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday!

My interview is up at basil's! I must say, ya'll wanted to know some interesting things. . .

Go check it out.

Happy Turkey Day to Everyone!

Last night I nearly killed myself getting home. It was the first real snowfall (it snowed a bit a while back, but no big deal) of the season. Now, I am an excellent driver, but others? not so much. While I was missing boneheads sliding hither and yon, I realized that I was driving on bald tires. So, the turn into my driveway was a bit hairy, as was the trip up my 2/10ths of a mile long drive. So, I will be getting tires this Friday while ya'll sleep off your Turkey excess.

Have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving. Don't forget to count your blessings. Mine likes mommy's pumpkin pie *wink, wink*

Because I Won't Shut Up!

Well, Blogdaddy Harvey, says I won't shut up, so what does he do? He meme's me! And it isn't even one of those cool meme's like the five things meme that was going around and I somehow didn't get tagged with . . . byegones . . . Damn him! Here it is, the alarm clock meme:

1. Do you use an alarm clock to wake up in the morning?

Yes. And, as I am not usually keen on actually getting out of bed and having to go to work, it resides as far from my bed as possible, in the hopes that the momentum needed to rise to shut it off while shift me into the bedroom to begin my morning rituals.

2. What time do you set it for?

Monday - Friday 6:30 am. Though my inner clock often has me up before 6.

3. Do you hit the snooze button? If so how many times?

No, takes too long to get out of bed to reach it, so I just stay up once I am there.

4. Have you ever abused an alarm clock?

More than once actually. I recall in college sending my unsuspecting alarm clock flying out of my window to the sidewalk below. Yet another time, I recall using the alarm clock to silence the dog . . .

5. It’s time to spread some “It’s Blogcess” linky love.

Rules of the game, so I have been told:

First: Copy and paste #1 - #5

(Make sure to link to: “It’s Blogcess”, which is the link in #5. Because it’s always polite to link to the one who started the linky love.)

Second: Link to my site (because it’s polite to link to the site that tagged you).

Third: Go and tag up to five other blogs, or more if ya like.

Fourth: Email the owner of, or post on the blogs that you have tagged, to inform them that you’ve tagged them.

So, who do I tag?

I tag Contagion, cause he hates memes;
VW cause I like her initials;
Richmond cause I haven't seen her memed;
Sarah of That's Not Very Nice and
Sticks, cause I have never tagged her for anything before!

My Heart Skips A Beat

There is a "man" who makes my heart skip a beat with every "I love you" with every sweet kiss.

His smile takes my breath away. His bright blue eyes melt my heart.

I find myself hanging on his every word. I find myself enchanted by his actions.

I love to run my hands through his blonde hair. I wait with anticipation for him to whisper his secrets to me.

When I see him, I wrap my arms around him and am comforted by his warmth.

Who is this "man" that takes my breath away? Who is this "man" who owns my heart?

Find out in the extended . . .

Where's the Hair?

I got a haircut this weekend . . . Can you tell?

Cotillion Tuesday

It's Tuesday, and that means it is Cotillion time. For you newbies, it is a roundup of the thoughts of some very lovely ladies in the 'sphere. You really shouldn't miss these ladies as they almost never disappoint.

This week the lovely hostess is Stefania of Free Thoughts. Go check it out!

Exhausted

Yep, that be me!

Can't feel my tired legs. Too sleepy to think. . . must drink caffeine!

On the upside, sat at the 30 yard line on the home side of a Steelers game last night, in the lower level. Saw the whites of the Steelers' eyes I did.

Ah, Randall-El to Ward TD pass, priceless.

Must fight urge to curl up and sleep under my desk.

Vote for Me!! Please!

I was nominated for a spot in the Deck O' Bloggers, so go now and vote for me, pretty please with presents on top?

THANK YOU!

On this Veteran's Day: To all those who serve, a special thank you for preserving the freedoms I enjoy and the freedoms my son will enjoy for years to come!

To my family's brave men pictured below:

Thank you! We love you! You paved the way for our safety, for our freedom, for our family. You set the example for our children and our future. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Linked at basil's blog!

Happy Birthday!

MARINES

Neither A Borrower Nor Lender Be

I must remind myself of that the next time I try to help my sibling out and she ruins my credit.

Hmm, what is that you say? Oh, once it has happened it can't happen again?

Great! Gotta love siblings. Next time I'll just help her out the door!!

*mumble, mumble. . . *

Carnival of the Vanities

It's up over at Part-Time Pundit. Go check it out!

What are you still doing here? I said go!

Flashback #2

Tis the week for memories!

As I watched my 2.5 year old son and 6 foot 2 inch husband chase one another from room to room to room with foam swords, reenacting scenes from the Power Rangers, equipped with donkey kicks, growls, shouts, screams and various and sundry martial arts-like moves, I remembered having similar fun with my dad.

My dad is a quiet man. I think he wanted boys, but he got two girls. We adored him then as we do now. So, it was no surprise that we followed him everywhere.

I was a tomboy, and so was absorbed with climbing trees, shooting rabbits, trying to set things on fire, and the like. My dad saw this in me. He would rough house with me and throw me in the air, toss a ball, take me fishing, go for walks in the woods or simply run around the yard with empty paper towel rolls screaming like Ninjas and chasing one another to their "dooooom!"

Well, as I said, I think he wanted boys, at least initially, but he found that after all the play fighting, fishing, and chasing was done, we girls would cuddle on the couch with daddy and a bowl of popcorn. I think it was then that he was glad he had girls. He could teach us to do all the things boys did, but snuggle with us and watch tv. He could dance through the yard with us, or throw pretend hand grenades over a pretend wall. He could have tea with us and then engage in a dirt bike race like no one has ever seen.

At times I wondered if he was content with girls, like when I ran into a tree with the dirt bike, or when I hit a tree with the trike, or when I rolled the dune buggy into a tree, or when I got my fishing line snagged in a tree . . . Yes, me and trees didn't go together well. He would laugh a hearty belly laugh and make some snide comment about boys having depth perception, etc . . .

Oh, and he didn't want me to get a big head so he teased me like he would a boy. One night, when I was about 6 or 7 he called me into his bedroom to tell me that he didn't think I was ugly (something he would say on occassion) or mean or nasty or silly or 'just a girl' and that he wanted me to know I was one of the most special people in the world. I, of course, already knew. I knew that his teasing was always in fun. It never, ever bothered me. But he was concerned with my "feminine sensibilities" and had to reassure me (or perhaps himself) that he loved me. Once he realised I was not bothered by the teasing, we ended the evening with a game of tag and some more teasing.

As I watch my son and husband enjoy their games, I am blessed to know that my son will grow up with a dad who loves him unconditionally. I know because my husband is like my dad was. Never too tired to play, never to busy to run, always ready to teach and always available for hugs.

Tonight I get to be the Yellow Ranger and my job, as it was explained to me by my young child, is to capture (daddy) Zeltrax at which point my son, who will be the Black Ranger will engage his brachiostaff (pronounced in my home as echostaff) to make (daddy) Zeltrax blow up! I can't wait!

A Card! A Card!

Well, here are my nominations for the 2005 Deck O'Bloggers.

I won't rehash the rules, you go and get them here.

Sadie has nominated me for Queen of Hearts, I am flattered, completely flattered, but as I'm not sure I actually qualify under the rules I am also nominating myself as the 5 of Hearts, cause, well, why not!

I am nominating VW for the 3 of diamonds. She shows us all how hard it can sometimes be to be a stay at home mom, but that the rewards are astronomical.

I am also nominating Pam M at BlogmeisterUSA
for the Jack of Hearts cause her indepth analysis of our political culture deserves to be recognized. That and she is a lefty turned righty and that in and of itself deserves to be celebrated!

Lastly, I am nominating Ogre for the King (or Queen) of Spades for all his llama eating goodness!

Cotillion Time Again!

It's Tuesday, and that means it is Cotillion time. For you newbies, it is a roundup of the thoughts of some very lovely ladies in the 'sphere. You really shouldn't miss these ladies as they almost never disappoint.

This week the lovely hostess is Stacy at Not a Desparate Housewife. Go check it out!

Diddja? Diddja?

Did you ask? Are ya gonna?

Still time to find out anything you want to know about me . . . I am being interviewed by basil and you can send your questions until the 19th. Almost all questions will be answered. Go see the details here.

Harvey is also being interviewed so don't forget to ask him questions too!

Flashback

Driving around looking at the leaves this weekend, I passed a familiar spot. Just off the main road over a rapid running, deep creek.

I think I was ten. My best friend Mike and I decided it would be a good day to swim but neither of us had a pool and the municipal pool was 'just gross.' So, off we went in search of fun. We loaded our bikes with goodies and we headed off to the bend in the road where one could catch the dirt path to the covered bridge over the creek.

Years ago, someone had hung a braided rope from the tallest Hickory tree and it was still there and in good shape. Off we went into the water to test out the depth. Yep, just right. The drop off was enough to keep us from killing ourselves. I climbed that rope as far as I could and with a push from Mike I was off swinging. That sensation of air rushing around me as I dropped to the creek was simply exhilarating. I did a quick prayer to keep me from hitting the ledge (or the trees) before the drop off, and splashed into the cool water. This same scenario was repeated all glorious afternoon.

I think back on it now with a bit of dismay. What if I missed the drop and hit the ledge? No adult knew where we were. That was back when you could let your kids run around outside without worry. Bygones.

Anyway, I walked that familiar path this weekend, bathed in golden, red and orange hues. The creek was crystalline and cool to the touch. It was as if I could still hear the laughter and shouts from two kids swinging on a rope that has long been removed. I could still hear the whoops of joy at finding a crawfish or chasing a water snake. I could actually see images of the two of us splashing around in that drop off in the creek and the rope still swinging in the breeze.

I smiled an old smile at the memory. Mike and I are no longer friends. We had lost touch long ago when girls, who were not me, began to occupy his mind and his time.

I wonder if he still remembers our bike trips to the corner candy store, our dirt bike rides and wrecks or our dune-buggy wild rides, sometimes into the lake. I wonder, if when he passes that bend in the road and the covered bridge over Neshannock Creek, he remembers swinging on a rope and telling 'dirty' jokes at the age of 10 or 11. Or whether he remembers dares to jump the falls or walk a ledge over a gorge.

Probably not. But as I walked in the woods along the creek bed this weekend, I remembered it all as if it were just yesterday.

She's Back! Yay!

Pamibe has power - finally!

But her fridge stinks - Yuck!

Go say hello and welcome back to her. She probably needs it!

Do ya wanna?

Do you wanna know something about me? Anything at all? Well, I am being interviewed by basil and you can send your questions until the 19th. All questions will be answered. Go see the details here.

But, one thing. I cannot divulge the secret to the Pie. It won't be done. You cannot make me! I cannot do it!

My Halloween Costume

Here's what I went as for Halloween . . . An Ode to my heritage!

Check out what my noisy naybors here in this here traylor park have to say while I go eat me some chocolates!

basil's blog
BOBO BLOGGER
Cranky Neocon
Dangerous Logic
Fistful of Fortnights
HECTOR VEX
It Is What It Is
Mean Ol' Meany
Merri Musings
MY Vast Right Wing Conspiracy
Riehl World View
Rightwingsparkle
Six Meat Buffet
Sortapundit
The Ebb & Flow Institute
The Jawa Report
The Nose On Your Face
The Therapist
Vince Aut Morire
Feisty Republican Whore

Bitchin Camero!

Here's a blast from my past, not sure what brought it up!

Remember that song? Bitchin Camero? "Bitchin Camero, Bitchin Camero, I ran over my neighbor!"

Well, for those uninitiated, the song is a treasured one from the catalog of the Dead Milkmen. In 1994 I went to see one of the last shows performed by the Dead Milkmen at the Trocodero in Philadephia. The Troc used to be a burlesque club but at the time I visited had become a venue for concerts.

Being at the height of my youth and feeling the music, I joined my fellow, frenzied friends in the mosh pit for a bit of slam dancing when my ears heard the above refrain begin.

Back in the day, I was a looker. I had a skin tight, white tank top and tight jeans on and was gyrating and slamming around with the best of them. I heard a loud smack but thought nothing of it until a girl in front of me turned around, looked at me and screamed.

Seems someone thought a beach ball was not enough and a better object to toss would be a wooden clog. Yes, a wooden farookin shoe! Well, said shoe made contact with my temple which split like the waters parted by Moses. My white tank was red and I was beginning to feel dizzy.

Being slightly unhygenic, the Troc had no first aid supplies at all. So a large bouncer lifted me with one arm and deposited me behind the bar. As the bleeding would not cease, I decided that the best course of action was to tape a bar napkin to my face! With scotch tape no less! Of course I was several beers into my buzz and probably had quite the contact high so my thinking wasn't necessarily tip top. Anyway, I taped my face shut, washed the excess blood away and decided that a good night had yet to be had and rejoined my compatriots on the dance floor to slam around to "Punk Rock Girl."

The moral of the story? Never underestimate the power of the bar napkin and scotch tape!

My friends made me go to the emergency room where my care was interrupted by a multi-car accident. My friends passed the time watching a Kids in the Hall marathon while I slumbered in a beer and blood-loss induced sleep.

The scar above my eye reminds me of that night. It twiches when I am stressed. I suppose what brought this memory to mind was that movie Clueless with Alicia Silverstone wherein a young Brittney Murphy gets smacked in the head with a shoe at a party . . .

Anyway, thought I'd share an embarassing moment from my past for kicks. Toodles!

Cotillion!

It's Tuesday, and that means it is Cotillion time. For you newbies, it is a roundup of the thoughts of some very lovely ladies in the 'sphere. You really shouldn't miss these ladies as they almost never disappoint.

This week the lovely hostess is Portia Rediscovered!

Go check out these lovely ladies.