Rock 'N Roll Friday with The Cure

Today we picked The Cure. The song's lyrics are in bold.

1. FRIDAY I’M IN LOVE “Monday you can fall apart, Tuesday, Wednesday break my heart. Oh, Thursday doesn't even start, It's Friday I'm in love”
Do you have a certain day of the week for particular meal, such as pizza night or a family night, such as Game night? No, but you know, I think I probably should just to a) make it easier on me and b) make it easier on me. Ha! We generally have football and baseball on Tues/Thurs so I try to have crock pot meals on those nights but as far as planning anything week-in and week-out, I honestly don't like to eat the same thing every week. So, that'd probably be hard for me to do for that reason alone.

2. LOVECATS “We should have each other to tea huh? We should have each other with cream, Then curl up by the fire And sleep for awhile”
What is your favorite brand of tea (or iced tea)? If I'm drinking sweet tea, I like Luzianne decaf. If I'm drinking hot tea, I like Earl Grey or Lady Grey with a spot of honey. Mmmmm.

3. LETS GO TO BED “Another girl, Another name, Stay alive but stay the same
It's just the same, A stupid game”
Have you ever joined a dating service or used personal ads to find a date? On-line service, sure. Personal ad, never.

4. NEVER ENOUGH “However big I ever feel, It's never enough. Whatever I do to make it real, It's never enough. In any way I try to speak. Never enough”
What is the last project you worked hard on, only to get knocked down with friends /family insults about it? I don't have THAT kind of friends or family. That's what enemies do... friends and family are there to support you and build you up so that when your confidence waivers, their support never does.

5. JUST LIKE HEAVEN "Show me how you do that trick, The one that makes me scream" she said. "The one that makes me laugh" she said. And threw her arms around my neck . "Show me how you do it And I promise you I promise that
I'll run away with you "
What’s your best trick? I can help with homework, soothe a fussy baby, play Candy Land and cook dinner ALL at the same time! :) Talk about magic!

6. INBETWEEN DAYS “Yesterday I got so old I felt like I could die. Yesterday I got so old It made me want to cry…”
When was the last time you felt old or were told by someone else that you were too old to do something? The last time I felt old? Gosh, I feel OLD every DAY. I mean, I'm pushing FORTY! Yikes! I remember when I was in junior high school and my friend had a sister in her TWENTIES? GOSH, she was OLD. Then I was in high school and 20s weren't bad, it was the THIRTIES (GASP!) And now I'm there and I'm like. Yeah, I DO feel old sometimes! I've got some kind of issue with my feet. I have FEET PROBLEMS? Seriously... isn't that what old decrepit people have to deal with? I have abdominal issues. Again, that's old people stuff. You know, drinkin' Metamucil and talking fiber and vitamins. And don't even get me STARTED talking about crow's feet and sun spots. I see my hands... they look like old hands.

7. WHY CANT I BE YOU “Everything you do is irresistible; Everything you do is simply kissable Why can't I be you?”
What would you say to your favorite celebrity if you met them in person? You know, I don't get all starry-eyed for anyone (other than Rick Springfield). I don't care TO meet celebrities. I don't care. I know it's so not "American" to not give a flip... but I really DON'T give a flip: what Miley's doing or how many times Lindsay is going to go to jail or how many more kids Brangelina are going to adopt or have. I don't care if Paris opens a cocaine factory or if anyone else releases a "sex tape" just for publicity sake. I don't care if Brittany is having another mental breakdown or if someone got spat on by Justin Beiber. I don't care about Michael Jackson's kids and I don't care who is being sued by their parents. I could care less about their trashy, ridiculous fashion trends or if they pick their nose in public. I could care less if someone trips on the red carpet, if they shave their head, who they're sleeping with or if they're nominated for awards. Celebrity-schelebrity! Who cares. I don't! :) NEXT QUESTION!

8. THIS TWILIGHT GARDEN “I lift my eyes from watching you
to watch the star rise shine onto your dreaming face and dreaming smile
you're dreaming worlds for me “
What is the nicest thing about sleeping with someone else, or sleeping alone? Well, hands down, sleeping alone is the best because you get the whole bed to yourself, no one steals the covers, you can have it dark, quiet and there is NO SNORING! I am SUCH a light sleeper and having to deal with snoring...lets just say that it makes me less than pleasant.

However, it's nice to sleep with someone beside you... because you feel safer. If your feet are cold, you've got a body heater right there. You've got someone to warm up the bed for you and if you just feel like a late night rendezvous -- hey! There they are!

Sleeping with your little baby next to you, however, is SUCH a wonderful, soul-filling experience for me. I love to see his face as he falls asleep. I love watching him stroke the silky blanket against his face. I love seeing his face first thing in the morning and being the first person I get to interact with. I love when he scootches right next to me to snuggle. I know these days are fleeting and so I cherish this more than anything right now.

9. PRIMARY “The innocence of sleeping children Dressed in white And slowly dreaming Stops all time Slow my steps and start to blur; So many years have filled my heart I never thought I'd say those words”
What do children do that amuses you most? Lack common sense. For instance, Josh was hungry. I suggested he make a sandwich. Good idea. He walks into the kitchen and get the components lined up for him TO make a sandwich then he decides he's not hungry enough for a whole sandwich. I suggest to make a half of a sandwich. His reply? It was, "What do I do with the other half?"

10. 10:15 ON A SATURDAY NIGHT “Under the strip light, And I'm sitting
In the kitchen sink, And the tap drips , Drip drip drip drip drip drip drip drip”
What was the last appliance or household item you fixed? Hmmm... I don't "fix" stuff. I break it. I call my mom to fix stuff. She's awesome like that.

11. BOYS DON’T CRY “I would say I'm sorry If I thought that it would change your mind; But I know that this time I've said too much Been too unkind “
What was the last thing you said to someone that you wish you could take back? OH I'm sure it's something on a daily basis... probably "shit" since I know that's not the nicest thing to mutter in front of your children. Sometimes, however, the expletives fly. What are you gonna do? I'm human. Sue me.

12. CATERPILLAR “You flicker And you're beautiful You glow inside my head
You hold me hypnotized I'm mesmerized Your flames The flames that kiss me dead “
What is your favorite insect? You know, I've never really considered HAVING a favorite insect. I mean... bugs are bugs are bugs. As long as they're outside.... they're all kind of all right with me. Well, other than anything that buzzes when it flies or stings... or even worse -- BOTH! There is no room for THOSE kind of bugs in my Utopian society. I like pill bugs or roly poly bugs. Snails, are they bugs? I think snails are cool. We had some as pets once. They're hermaphroditic... did you know that? Yeah, those two turned into like four hundred and eighty snails real quick. They like red leaf lettuce. But if snails aren't bugs, then I'd definitely have to say butterflies. They're so dainty and beautiful.

13. CHARLOTTE SOMETIMES “Sometimes I'm dreaming Expressionless the trance Sometimes I'm dreaming So many different names Sometimes I'm dreaming The sounds all stay the same “
What era in history would you like to visit for one day? I would LOVE to go back to the old West. I'd like to see how the women cooked and gardened and quilted and lived. However, I think it'd be quite awesome to go back to biblical days and see Jesus speak. How about witnessing the dinosaurs first hand so you could tell the scientists they were full of pook on some of their theories. What about going back to the days of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round table.... or to witness George Washington crossing the Potomac or ... wow, too many to choose from. OOOOh wait.... I'll take the sports almanac and go back and place some bets! Ha ha! I'll OWN this country!

Friday Fill Ins

So...here we go!

1. When pigs fly is when I'll believe ANYTHING that comes out of a politician's mouth.

2. You seriously think mullets are cool?! Dude, you have issues.

3. Call me if you ever need me.

4. She's two bricks shy of a load if you know what I mean.

5. The most entertaining person in my life is a tie between all three of my boys because they're easily amused and that's where true humor is. If you have to look too hard to find it, you're taking life WAY too seriously.

6. I was sick, Drew was sick, Andy was sick and now Ben; who's next?

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to hearing how the party Josh is going to goes, looking through the photos from Drew's car show, ordering pizza and watching a movie with Drew, tomorrow my plans include laundry, cleaning and a football game for Josh and Sunday, I want to watch my Webelos den earn their Readyman badges with the paramedics.

A season of thanksgiving... day 11

I'm thankful for...

... storage bins. With having three boys from sizes 6 months to 14/16, it's nice to be able to STORE the ones I don't need in the attic until I DO need them.

... days when I have the car to myself for a quick trip so I can blare the radio.

... finding that perfect song to blare on the radio.

... cloudy, over-cast days because it makes you appreciate the sun shine that much more.

... rock n roll. I love rock music. It makes me happy. Don't get me wrong, I love country, too, but there's nothing like good rock!

... Pampered Chef. have tons of their cooking things. My favorite is this star looking plastic/silicone thing that you use for cooking hamburger meat. It's SO FREAKIN' AWESOME! I never have lumps ... ever! I highly suggest you get one.

... Fall. Although you can't tell if it wants to be fall or spring in Texas right now, I love the colors of the leaves, the chill in the morning air, the squirrels busy stuffing their faces and their burrows. I love the northern winds, the idea of Thanksgiving coming up around the corner. I love pumpkins, gourds and decorating with Indian corn.

... simplicity. I'm not flashy. I'm not over-the-top. I like things plain and simple without a lot of fuss.

... black. I love the color black. It goes with everything. It's slimming. No one looks bad in the color black. I love my cars black. I love my purses black. I love my mascara black... now my food, I don't mind it blackENED but... not black!

...our Veterans for without them, we wouldn't be free

Wednesday Wickedness with Donald Trump

Today we picked Donald Trump. Here's Wednesday Wickedness!

1. “A little more moderation would be good. Of course, my life hasn't exactly been one of moderation.”
Do you live your life by moderation or extremes? Moderation, definitely. Extremes generally means drama. I don't do drama.

2. “All of the women on The Apprentice flirted with me - consciously or unconsciously. That's to be expected.”
Have you ever thought someone was flirting with you in a work environment? What happened? Yes... and we were both single and wound up dating for a long time. I think people sometimes just flirt just TO flirt without having expectations of anything. But, I just tend to think that everyone is friendly. At least... they should be.

3. “As long as your going to be thinking anyway, think big.”
Have you ever “thought big” and you wound up crashing and burning? No. Amazing, that I'm just that good, huh? :)

4. “Everything in life is luck.”
Do you believe in luck? If not, do you feel it all happens to us for a reason? Apparently if you're Christian, you can't believe in luck because God knows precisely what is going to happen to you at any given moment. Now, I'm Christian and frankly, I don't buy into that part of it so, yeah. I do believe that sometimes things happen just by dumb luck.

5. “Experience taught me a few things. One is to listen to your gut, no matter how good something sounds on paper. The second is that you're generally better off sticking with what you know. And the third is that sometimes your best investments are the ones you don't make.”
Have you ever benefited big time because you declined an offer, investment, job (Well you get the idea.)? Absolutely. I agree that you DO have to listen to your gut. I think that's God's way of talking to you through an inner voice. People think instinctly with their gut and then use their heads and/or their hearts to reason it out another way. 99.9% of the time I go with my gut -- I've never ever been led astray. I've benefited from declining a job offer... absolutely...

6. “I don't make deals for the money. I've got enough, much more than I'll ever need. I do it to do it.”
Tell us about someone that you know that has all the money they need. I don't know anyone that HAS all the money they need. I don't know celebrities. People still need to pay taxes, have money to afford health care and insurance and all that good stuff... I guess my parents have all the money they need since they're both retired and living on that. They don't need any more than they have.

7. “I have made the tough decisions, always with an eye toward the bottom line. Perhaps it's time America was run like a business.”
Do you think running your country like a business would be a good thing? ABSOLUTELY! If a business was run like our government -- it wouldn't BE in business!

8. “I try to learn from the past, but I plan for the future by focusing exclusively on the present. That's were the fun is.”
Do you live in the past in any way? Hmmm... I don't see myself aging when I look in the mirror because I look there every day. I live in the past at times reminiscing about my boys (Josh and Drew) being babies... but "live" in the past. Naaah... there's too much fun to be had in the here and now.

9. “If you're interested in 'balancing' work and pleasure, stop trying to balance them. Instead make your work more pleasurable.”
How are you at balancing work and pleasure? My work IS my pleasure. :) I love being a wife and a mom and a taxi and a chef and a therapist and a doctor and a counselor and a cheerleader....

10.“Sometimes by losing a battle you find a new way to win the war.”
Tell us about a time that you won the battle but lost the war. You know.. rehashing defeats isn't healthy. Learn and move on... so... lets do just that. :)

A season of thanksgiving...day 10

I am thankful for...

... more Republicans in office. Not that I'm a Republican but in GENERAL, they're for less government, less taxes, less governmental dependency and I'm all for that!

... silence.

... peaceful mornings with open windows, a beautiful sunrise and birds chirping outside the window.

... a pair of jeans that FIT! Yes, I found some! Woo hoo!

... changing weather. I love thunderstorms...but then, I love spring showers...and then I love frosty mornings... and I definitely love the snow!

... footie pajamas. Babies are too cute in footie jammies!

... Yahtzee. It helps Drew learn the foundation of multiplication (Yes, he's already learning that concept in Kindergarten -- not because it's taught, but because he just wants to learn it.)

... my Blackberry. It's nice to have something to do when you're stuck just sitting.

... fleece. I love fleece lined jeans, fleece blankets, fleece scarves, fleece robes, fleece hats! I LOVE FLEECE! It keeps you warm.

... slippers. I love my slippers. In the winter, I LIVE in my slippers. I prefer them to anything else. I need new ones, however as they're not as squishy inside as I'd like them.

You know you're old when...

... you don't understand, agree with or even particularly like the fashion trends of the younger crowd.

Case in point --> the skinny jean.
Even IF you're a size 2 and small enough to wear them, you just exacerbate the fact that you're malnurished or appear anorexic. Girls, if you're risking a yeast infection in the name of fashion -- grow a brain! However, not to be outdone by the smaller crowd, you are always going to have the oversized fashionista (who made up that word anyway? It's stupid, too, just sayin') wannabes who TRY to squeeze into the skinny jeans.

I think they should blame this epidemic on the fact that skinny jeans come in sizes... well, that they simply shouldn't! Manufacturers are put under pressure because to NOT make them in obscene sizes means they're not being equal opportunity money makers. They're not "politically correct." They're pressured to make a size for everyone when fashion is clearly NOT a "one trend fits all" world. Skinny jeans are kind of like spandex -- it's a privilege, NOT a right!

Case in point --> a decorated butt.
I don't know who started the craze of tramp-stamping everything but having stuff written across the backside... you know like "Juicy" or "Lucky"... it's just inappropriate. You're not supposed to be drawing attention to things like that... especially in the sizes of clothes that they HAVE them adorned across which is for kiddos that are clearly minors.

But then you could possibly have the creme de la creme... the decorated butt skinny jean! Wouldn't it just be -- THE BOMB!?!

Seriously, though, the pocket placement on these types of jeans isn't fashionable -- for anyone. It makes you look like your cheeks are down the back of your leg. They're ugly. They're not flattering and just because you pay too much for them doesn't make them okay.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a fan of the high-waisted "mom jean" either. OH wait, you're not sure just what a "mom jean" is? Here, see the SNL skit on them. It's some funny stuff! I just think a nice pair of jeans... should just be a nice pair of jeans. Not too tight, not too loose, not too high, not too low, not too... anything... just a nice pair of jeans.

Case in point --> The hip hugger jean:
This trend only gets worse when you pair it WITH the skinny jean and/or the decorated butt. Nine times out of ten, the hip hugger jeans are worn by someone who feels that if they can suck in, button and zip the fly, then... "surprise" they fit. WRONG! And stand back, there's even an entire website dedicated to the muffin top. Click here to see. I'm relieved to know, however, that I'm not the only one who notices this trend.

Case in point --> odd colored toe and finger nails
Again, something that I just am not down with. Fingernails should be painted traditional colors. I'm not into the whole blue, green, black nail trend. I can't stand to look down at my nails and not see something remotely "feminine." Red. Red is a good color for nails. Shades of pink... hey, how about a French manicure? But the clear polish and purple glitter on the tips.. it's distracting and, well, it's ugly. Day-Glow orange on toes isn't flattering either. Check out this site that has some of the trending fashions for manicures. And I'm sorry, but the black "moons" make you look diseased. THEY ARE UGLY! Clear nails? YUCK...do you SEE how gross your fingers look beneath that? I just wonder how much of that chemical leaches into your body... it can't be healthy.

Case in point --> Aviator Jackets Oh yes, Top Gun fans, your day has come... BACK. Aviator jackets are once again, back in style. Yippie! Go grab your highway patrolman glasses, don that bomber jacket and you're stylin'!

I can just see you now in your wedge shoes, skinny, hip-huggin' butt decorated jeans wearing your black tipped nails... wow...aren't you a sight for sore eyes?

Case in point --> Gigantic purses I don't understand what in the world one person could need so badly that it's worth risking a slipped disk just so that you have it all available in your purse. At the ready. Just in case. What are you, freakin' Mary Poppins? Do not live by the "what if" syndrome. If you think you may need something, keep it in a PERMANENT place in your car so that if that "what if" moment happens to arrive, you can easily get to it. I've seen saddle bags smaller than most purses that are "stylish" by today's market.

While we're on the purse topic, I also don't like the fact that it's apparently "in" to have the manufacturer's logo stamped all over it. Who cares that you paid waaaay too much money for your purse. It just shows you paid waaaaay too much money for it. Coach used to make some beautiful, classic purses. They're all ghetto'd out now. What IS up with that?

Case in point --> Peep toe shoes
Why in the world women wear stiletto heels with peep toe shoes. Do they think it's really fashionable to have two toes just poppin' out the end of a shoe? It's like your feet have buck teeth! COVER THAT CRAP UP! And, while I'm on the topic of ugly shoes, anything worn that even resembles anything on the foot of Lady Gaga... it's ugly. And ridiculous.

I just... I am continually blown away by the fact that some people think that just because you pay too much for something makes it fashionable. And people think the more things that they put together that cost too much money make you even more fashionable. Paying too much for "fashion" doesn't make you any more "fashionable" than standing in a produce aisle makes you a carrot. It's like thinking that buying a fast car will make you a race car driver. Or buying a karoke machine will turn you into Celine Dion. Or buying a Weight Watchers cookbook will make you skinny. I could go on all day with these analogies.

I feel fortunate that my eldest son is still of the age to just be grateful that he has clothes and doesn't really care where they come from. We stick to traditional fare. You know, the plain polo-type shirt, Old Navy jeans (love the adjustable waist) and a shoe du jour. He isn't into all the style-crazed stuff stamped with flames, skulls, crosses, bling, rips and tears. I don't know if I could handle having a boy that was a fashion slave wanting to shop at AE and A&F and Hollister (or whatever that place is called) yet.

I haven't stepped foot in a mall... to shop... in years. I like online ordering. It's fast, it's efficient and it keeps me out of the stores like the ones mentioned above. Have you been in one lately? The last time I was in an Abercrombie and Fitch store, it stunk so badly of men's cologne, I almost went into asthmatic spasms just breathing the air... and I'm NOT asthmatic!

Oh, trust me, I'm no idiot. I know the day will come that he wishes to up his fashion ante in the name of looking good for the ladies... but for now, I'm thankful that he's a boy that doesn't care to shop (because his momma certainly hates it).

Drew is just excited right now to get the new hand-me-downs that are size 6 out of the attic for HIM to wear. It's like a whole new wardrobe for him overnight. He's having fun flipping through the t-shirts and jeans. Little does he know we'll have to break into the tubs of 7's for pants because he's so tall!

And Ben... well, he's lucky to get out of his pajamas on a daily basis.

Just keepin' it real folks... just keepin' it real.

Snapshot of Josh

Josh
Age 11
Grade 5
Size 7 men's shoe
Size 14/16 clothes
Almost my height (yikes!)
Heart as big as Texas

... something has turned inside that little man. A light switch has been flipped. He's not the little boy or even the complete whiner he has been in the past -- he's found FOOTBALL. I remember on occasions, him repeating after me, "Don't bother Dad, he's watching football." (Notice the negative tone for the word "football?" Yeah, I've done that.) At times, I've felt like The Waterboy's mom, "That dern foosball." But, alas, being that I am the sole source of estrogen in this house, it is inevitable that one of the three will turn to the pigskin. As such, rather than fight it, I have had the pleasure of being the team photographer this year for the KYA Raiders (they're tied for 2nd place with only 1 loss dontchaknow?!) This also means that I get to be on the sidelines (that's fun!). As such, I'm given rare opportunities to help turn my kiddo into a young man. For instance, when the coach walked by and asked Josh how he was doing. Josh started, "Well...." and I piped in, "He's just FINE, Coach." And Josh, got the cue and said, "I'm great, Coach." I started laughing and the coach and I just kind of had some comedic banter back and forth, "Well, I have this splinter in my pinkie and I think I'm having hot flashes and sometimes when the moon is full I feel a bit bloated." The Coach just laughed and said, "I wasn't looking for a health history, just let me know how you're doing, kid!" It was funny. So, Josh is learning what's expected of him and he's learning that when you're playing football -- as Andy has said from DAY ONE -- it's a game of mental toughness and that you'll never feel as good as the day you did before your first practice.

He lost another tooth last night. At least the pace slowed down. It was one of his molars that's in front of the big molars. Don't ask me the technical term. I don't speak teeth. I just know it was a big one and I'm just thankful he's got the four on top and four on bottom... hmm... guess he kinda has horse teeth now, huh? Ha ha ha! Poor kid. Adolescence is so hard.

His favorite habit right now is to toss anything he can get his hands on in the air repeatedly and catch it. It's annoying. He does it... with EVERYTHING ALL.THE.TIME. Seriously! I guess it's better than... lots of other annoying things. Toothbrushes, pencils, grocery items, toys, balls, etc. You name it, he's tossing it.

He hasn't hit that eat-everything-in-sight growth spurt yet but I'm expecting it soon.

He is making more friends and I'm very thankful for that. "Tink" (obviously a nickname) from his football team lives in our neighborhood and they've become great friends. On any given Saturday that there isn't a game or Sunday, the two can be found wandering the streets with fishing poles in hands. They're just two peas in a pod.

He's actually getting over his baseball fear again and has asked to be signed up for baseball again in the spring. Perhaps the Rangers making the World Series contributed to that decision, but whatever it is, I'm thankful -- because he's good at it.

At his request, too, he's signed up for Upwards basketball for the winter. I know he'll enjoy that. Just to have fun and be in that team environment -- it will be fun for him.

He's still my big helper and will do just about anything I ask with a happy heart and for that I am DEFINITELY thankful.

Now... if I could JUST get him to clean his room....