Ramblings -- Change

Change is inevitable.  

Do you fight it or roll with it?  

Do you embrace it or run from it?  

When your heart fights your gut instinct, do you channel the energy into something positive or do you choose to use your intellect to plot the best course of action?  

Do you seek joy?  

When you are forced to deal with emotions you're unaccustomed to... is it a lesson learned or dust in the wind?  

Will you settle for being less than you deserve or fight for what you need?  Are you number one?  Are you first?  

When at the proverbial fork in the road, a choice must be made  Or is the choice outright refusal TO choose and thus stagnation begins.   

Changes they are a comin'...... why?   Because we must be the change we want to see in the world.  

Friday Fill Ins

Happy All Saints Day to those who celebrate it. And...here we go with Friday Fill Ins!

1. I was so thankful Renee's husband was able to get Josh in to be seen today (he's a pediatric orthopedist).  Josh has text me twice that he is in miserable pain.

2. It's much easier to see at night while camping when the moon is full.

3. When we do something nice for someone else to cheer them up, is the best way to cheer up ourselves.

4. Spending QUALITY time with those that fill your heart and soul is the best!

5. Underneath it all I believe each of us has a strong desire to be wanted, needed, appreciated, trusted and loved..

6. Oh! And thanks for stopping by to read my rambles!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to braving the grocery store with a toddler -- let's get this straight, however, I'm not looking forward to that AT ALL.  It's just a necessity.  Tomorrow my plans include chasing my three around and trying to remember to set my clocks back an hour for Daylight Savings Time and Sunday, I want to cook, bake and get this house in tip-top shape.

Sunday Stealing - The Scary Meme

It's time for a very spooky Halloween edition of Sunday Stealing! They're taking a break from our 100 questions this weekend, and get into the spirit. Muhahahaha Are you going to be Trick-or-treating this Wednesday? Turn out the lights, light a candle… Cause here we go!


1) What do you think is the best costume for Halloween? I've seen several that were very clever.  Personally, I am more about the quality costumes than the cheap-o store bought ones.  However, my friend Laurie was eight months pregnant one Halloween and went as a nun.  I thought that was hilarious.  I saw a woman dressed as a pumpkin and her husband had on a sweatshirt that said "Peter Peter."  Again, quite clever.  My favorite costumes I've ever seen were at the Boo at the Zoo at the Fort Worth Zoo with this one family.  Dad was Frankenstein, Mom was the Bride of Frankenstein and their son was Igor.  It was AWESOME.  Their costumes and make up were top of the line!  

 2) What would an alien think of humans if it came to Earth on Halloween? Let's overthink this, shall we?  If there is a superior intelligent life form i'm going to assume, then, that it has been studying us, our kind and our planet... not just sending an arbitrary probe craft hoping that it intercepts "life" somewhere.  Therefore, as such, it would already be aware of our holidays and customs.  Unless said alien went to some third-world country where such festivities were not celebrated.  We can't just assume that it would end up in North America where the holiday is probably most popular. 

 3) Who would you haunt? Man, that's a great question... I think it's safer to say whom WOULDN'T I haunt?  I would LOVE the opportunity to mess with people... you know the whole idea of being the responsible party for things that go "bump" in the night.  However, spending your eternity in a perpetual state of "haunt" hardly seems like a fun way to endure.  I think I'd rather just die and be done with it.  

 4) Are you afraid of the dark? Only if I've just watched a creepy movie... 

 5) Do you pass out candy, or hide with the lights off? Typically, I'm out trick-or-treating with my middle kiddo.  I may pass off that duty to the oldest this year since it's on a school night.  I'm not sure how it will play out yet since he really has no interest in trick-or-treating anymore.

 6) What Scary movie do you like best? I'm not sure to be honest.  30 Days of Night is truly one of, if not, the best vampire horror movies I've ever seen.  However, this asks which one I "like"... so that would probably be the answer since it's my initial reaction.  

 7) If you had to wear a costume for a week, what would you be?  I like the idea of being a housewife... .slippers, bathrobe, pajamas, shower cap.... I could totally pull that off... and be completely comfy!  Ha!  Or I could be a lumberjack --- boots, jeans, flannel!  

 8) What do you think about Ouija boards? They're absolutely the most stupid, idiotic, ridiculous piece of "spiritual paraphernalia" on the market... I put it right up there with Tarot cards, fortune tellers and reading tea leaves.  Hell, I'd put more stock in Dionne Warwick's Psychic Friends Network than I would in an Ouija board.

 9) Have you ever told ghost stories around a fire? Does a one-legged duck swim in a circle?

 10) Trick? or Treat? ...clearly it would be dependent upon who is dishing them out... 

 11) Have you ever been in a haunted house? There is a family rumor that my grandmother's house was haunted by a little boy -- 5-6 years old who died there.  I never saw him but I did stay at her house.  Does that constitute a "haunted" house?  I don't know, but I did stay there.

 12) What would you do if you saw a ghost? Honestly, I'm not 100% sure.  Why am I not sure?  Well, since I've never SEEN a ghost, I'm not certain that I would BELIEVE that it WERE a ghost in the first place.  I would probably try to completely discount and debunk whatever it was that I saw.

 13) Question 13, should we have skipped this and jumped to 14? Only if you're truly superstitious.  I am not... in the least bit... one iota... superstitious   

 14) Are you brave enough to walk into a grave yard after dark on Halloween? I don't think that would constitute bravery... unless it's just whether or not you want to be stupid enough to risk going to jail for trespassing.  However, assuming arrest is out of the question, yes, I would not have an issue whatsoever with walking through a graveyard after dark on Halloween, or any other evening...so long as I had a light source in order to not trip over gravestones -- I'd like my teeth to stay in my mouth, you see.

15) Do you like chocolate? what kind?  Yes.  Dark.  MMMMMmmmmm...

16) Who would look better in a clown costume? Obama or Romney? Well, one is already a clown and he has been running our country as if it's his own three-ring-circus, so giving him the costume would only be appropriate. GO ROMNEY!

17) Are you in the path of Frankenstorm? No... but I do have family in Boston and friends in New York.

18) Post a link to any other blog:  This is a link to a dear friend of mine who is a published author and is MOST entertaining!  http://valeriekingbooks.com/

Saturday 9 - Over the Rainbow

It's time again for...

...drumroll please... 

The Saturday 9.  This weeks' topic:  Over The Rainbow



1) Do you ever fantasize about flying, beyond the rainbow or anywhere else? Absolutely.  I think having dreams of going to far away places... it gives you goals... it can relax you... it can motivate you... it could even inspire you... make you creative.

2) Do you think you have seen The Wizard of Oz more than 10 times? Absolutely!  I lived to watch that show every single year when it came on television as a child.  It was an event!  I grew up in a time when they actually advertised shows that the only way you COULD see them would be to watch them the very date they were aired.  It was a truly special family time, too.  I remember a few years having my best friend, Shannon Fry, at the house and we'd watch it together.  Good times.... Good times.

3) Which Wizard of Oz character would you most like to dress as for Halloween?  I think the evil witch would be more suited to me so long as I didn't have to mimic that voice.  It really makes me want to kick puppies.  I do have a thing for pony tails so Dorothy would obviously be fun.  Plus, having a cool pair of sparkly Mary Janes would be fun.  Glenda the Good Witch ... meh... so not my style.  Lion -- too hairy.  Tin Man -- too stupid.  Scarecrow -- too itchy.  Toto -- too black.  Munchkins -- too munchkin-ey.  

 4) What will Trick or Treaters get when they come to your front door? Right now, nothing.  I'll have to hit up the grocery store on Wednesday I suppose.  I generally do a mix of chocolate and   sticky, chewy, bad-for-your-teeth stuff.  I know it's safer to buy the things that you, yourself, won't consume just in an effort to keep you out of the candy.  I just find it's easier TO not buy any candy ahead of time.  That way, there's no will power involved.

5) Did you ever TP a neighbor's house or indulge in other acts of Halloween vandalism as a kid? (Don't worry, that statute of limitations is up.) Nope.  My mom was a cop.  I'm not an idiot.

6) Who annoys you more -- people who never respond to your texts/emails, or those who never look up because they're always checking their texts/emails? Ooooh, that's a good one.  Well, the hubs is in the first category and the son is in the second.  I'll say, I'm equally annoyed.  

7) Who was the last person you hugged? Benji... and this was after he punched me in the nose as I went to give him a goodnight kiss.  He's SO pleasant.  

8) What two colors do you like to wear together? White with either black or brown.

9) Did your alarm clock wake you up this fine Saturday morning?  Nope.  5am up on my own.

Friday Fill Ins

It's time yet again for Friday Fill-Ins.

And...here we go!

1. Oh, that I could learn to ask for and accept help when it is offered instead of being adamant about doing everything myself.
 
2. It's a sure sign of fall in Texas when the temperature drops below 80. 


3. Are we having a headache again??!. (I'm afraid the answer is yes, however, it's not a big one... and I am not going to sweat it!  Not today!)

4. My heart is full of love.
 
5. Do you believe in love at first sight, ghosts, following your gut instinct? I do! 


6. I'm a stubborn, opinionated, educated, non-sugar-coating, honest, loving, loyal, word-lovin', book-readin', mountain lovin', scrapbookin', photographin', weight liftin', southern girl who loves to cook, camp, spoil those I love, wear fleece and flannel, enjoys the cold, a hot cup of Earl Grey with honey, and appreciate the simple things... and the power of words.  

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to absolutely NOTHING -- may I say that again?  NOTHING!  I have NOTHING ON MY AGENDA for tonight and I'm SO SO SO VERY HAPPY ABOUT IT!, tomorrow my plans include a Halloween party in our cul de sac and Sunday, I want to watch my Broncos defeat the Saints!

Sunday Stealing

It's time again for Sunday Stealing!  The blog where they steal memes from other bloggers (who have probably stolen it from other bloggers) and so on and so forth.

Sunday Stealing: Who Are you? Part 2–The Grown Up Meme Part 2: Growing Up

 15. How would you describe your childhood in general? "I was born a poor black child."  Hee hee, okay, no I wasn't but I recently saw The Jerk and so that was the first thing that popped in my head.  In general, I remember sleeping late, green shag carpet, white walls, a pinball  machine, family nacho night watching "Carter Country", playing with my best friends until mom flashed the porch lights for us to come in.  We lived each day to the fullest trying to have the most amount of fun possible -- the entire street was outside playing flashlight tag, freeze tag, hide-and-seek.  We lived for the sound of the ice cream truck coming down the street -- not a worry or care in the world.  Just as a childhood should be.

 16. What is your earliest memory? I remember when we lived on Cunningham (I had to be 4 years old, maybe) leaving my box of crayons outside in the sun and they all melted together at the top (not the paper, however) into one big blog of a crayon.  

 17. How much schooling have you had? Not enough!  There is always room for more learning. I think when you stop desiring knowledge, you begin to lose your thirst for life.

 18. Did you enjoy school? For the most part, yes.  However, there are always dipshidiots in every crowd that are worthy of a throat punch. 

 19. Stop and count, Since you were born until today; how many homes have you lived in? Well, I have no idea where I actually lived when I was born, but including that place (wherever it was)14.  Wow that's a lot of moving.  Yuck.  

 20. While growing up, did you have any role models? My mom.

 21. While growing up, how did you get along with the other members of your family? We all got along great... well, I mean, as good as two sisters CAN get along.  It wasn't until I became an adult and realized that I don't have to BE in a relationship with someone that really, truly doesn't like me just out of obligation... and so now we don't get along... well, to be more specific.  We just don't.  There is nothing to get along about since we don't communicate whatsoever.

 22. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? A police officer or a librarian.

 23. What were your favorite activities 3 years ago? Scrapbooking, sleeping, camping, cooking, reading.  Hey, guess what, they're still the same!

 24. As a child, what kinds of personality traits did you display? OCD.  :)  I like things organized.  I was a list maker from the earliest of ages.  I was also bossy.  

 25. As a child, were you popular? I had many friends.  I don't really know about the label.  

 26. When and with whom was your first kiss? Michael Bates, 4th grade

 27. Describe any influences in your past that led you to do the things you do today. That is an epic novel in and of itself.  I will just say that if you don't learn and grow from all your experiences -- both good and bad -- you're a waste of oxygen. I don't really want to get specific in that it's all water under the bridge and I feel no need to rehash anything.

 28. What’s next?  I believe that would be #29, but I could be wrong.  ;)

Saturday 9 - The End of Innocence

It's time again for --- drumroll please... the Saturday 9.  This weeks' topic:  The End of Innocence




1) "The End of the Innocence" is one of Crazy Sam's favorite songs. Do you like it? Loathe it? Or is it before your time? Being a huge fan of Don Henley, I love it.  I think everyone longs for the nostalgia of the years gone by -- I know I certainly do.

2) Obviously Don Henley was a smoker back in the 1980s. Do you smoke? Are you a former smoker? Or did you never start? I do not smoke.  I have never smoked.  I think it's disgusting... it makes your breath smell.  It makes your teeth yellow.  It makes your clothes and hair drenched in the wretched stench of smoke.  I dislike going to clubs for the very thought of leaving there smelling like an ashtray.  

3) Childhood is generally considered an innocent time. In what town did you spend yours? Irving, Texas.

4) Do you abide by "innocent until proven guilty?" Or did you come to your own, pre-trial conclusions about famous defendants like Casey Anthony and OJ Simpson? I feel that everyone is entitled to their opinions.  Everyone -- even the litigators -- have their opinions.  I've been in the legal field.  It's a game.  By law, they have to act out the whole "innocent until proven guilty" concept... what I hate is the fact that damning evidence can be lost on a technicality.  As such, I believe that the judicial system is a complete freakin' joke.  OJ was guilty.  I don't care what anyone says.  Casey Anthony -- to be honest -- I didn't follow one iota of that trial so I never had an opinion.

5) Is there an old TV show whose cast you'd like to see reunite? Nope.  Tv sucks.

6) Do you know how to ride a horse? Absolutely.

7) You're ordering ice cream. Cup or cone? Cone. 

8) Do you believe a gentleman should help a lady with her coat?  Hmmm... I honestly never really thought of that.  I guess if he's looking for some brownie points, sure.  But otherwise, a woman should be quite able to handle her own dressing of outerwear.  Perhaps if he's bringing her the coat he can just help her into it but ??? I don't know.  I am usually too busy helping little people with things that I just grab mine and generally don't even worry about it.  

9) Which search engine do you use most often? Dogpile or Google.