Smellyann Strikes Again

Saturday 9: Crown Of Creation

The link is here, if you're a 9'er today!

Saturday 9: Crown of Creation

1. Do you understand a belief model based on creationism?

Understand, yes. I don't believe evolution and creationism are mutually exclusive. That's my story, and I'm stickin' to it.

2. Is your house run more like a dictatorship or a democracy?

Neither one. It's somewhere in the middle. I don't think either one is the proper way to raise children. They should have a say on some things, but not equal footing with the parents. Nor should totalitarian rule be the name of the game. We do the best we can, what can I say?

3. Are you likely to forgive a transgression and give someone a second chance?

Most of the time. As long as they genuinely apologize, I'm pretty forgiving. Until that point, though, it takes an awful lot of work for me to let go of a grudge. And time.

4. Is religion a big part of your life?

There is a difference between religion and spirituality. I'm Christian, but my relationship with Christ is personal and private, and my walk with God is one I don't tend to share about often, because it's MINE alone.

5. Do you feel your job (or your spouse's if you work at home) is safe?

Well, he's in the U.S. Navy, so... ish? He hasn't deployed during our relationship, but there's always that chance. He's safer than many, if not most, in the military, and I'm thankful.

6. Do you believe in gay marriage? Why?

I support it. I think it's ridiculously absurd to dictate otherwise. Everyone should have the right to unify with the one they love and be given all the rights, privileges, and sucky parts thereof! ;)

7. Do you think the current U.S. war will lead to a more peaceful world?

Interesting concept, war leading to peace. I don't think there will ever be peace in the whole world at once. A sad fact of life, I guess.

8. Do you like people with swagger?

That don't impress me much, to quote Shania.

9. What kind of budget do you live on, is it tight or carefree?

It's tighter than tight. It's painful. We're working on it. One day, we'll be more carefree. Or not, whatever, we have each other and that's good enough for me.

Have a happy day!

Fin.

Friday Fragments

Link up with Mrs. 4444 if you're playing along this week!

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TGIF!

That's all I have to say.  Not, you know I have more.

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So, you may or, more likely, may not have noticed I haven't fragmented again in a few weeks. Our lives are always, well, let's be honest, chaotic at their calmest, but things have been even crazier lately. For example, this week:

Monday: Rob had the day off, and I was exhausted, so I slept much of the day away. Nothing newsworthy there. But...

Tuesday: We decided to move.

Wednesday: I hunted around and found a potential place.

Thursday: I met the landlord inside the house with the kids, decided to go for it, signed the lease, paid the rent and security deposit, and got the keys.

Friday (today): We can move in.

I'm a little dizzy, but that's how we roll. Well, that's how I roll, anyway. Hubs is a tad bit freaked out by the whole thing, but we'll be aiight.

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I'm still on Project Vanity Plate, and this is today's find. Hopefully they're talking about God and aren't egomaniacs! If you missed it, I posted a whole bunch of them on Wednesday here.

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Today, in addition to checking out the house and stuff, was total nutballs. I took Rob to work at the buttcrack of dawn, and then I was supposed to take the daughters o' mine to the dentist, but I ended up konking out on migraine medicine and missing that appointment. Gah! I woke up just in time to shower and go meet our new lord of the land.

After the new house visit, I stopped to get the kids a semi-celebratory lunch (thank you, Wendy's Dollar Menu), zoomed home to update Chloë's résumé and grab her new headshots, and then dropped Sophie and Jack off at Jenny From the Block's house before racing to Chlo's audition. I didn't get to watch the actual audition, but I'm still tremendously proud of her. I was a nervous wreck for her, shaking and trembling, but she was confident and relaxed. How?! I don't know; she didn't inherit that from me, but hopefully her nurturing has had something to do with that poise.

Anyhoo, it's for an episode of a TV show I can't name at the moment, but we'll find out Wednesday if she got the part. Fingers, toes and eyes crossed! She really wants the role. I'm highly biased, but I think she was the cutest kid there, and she did great practicing her scenes for me. Stay tuned!

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After the audition, I raced to pick up the Littles before heading to pick up Rob, two hours late, from work. We headed over to the BMW place to pick up his supposedly 'fixed' motorcycle, a month after it was put in for repairs. After a freakin' MONTH, you'd think it'd be in excellent shape, right? Ha. More on that in a mome.

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We went straight to a Thai restaurant for a semi-celebratory dinner (not really; we just have not much food in the house currently, and we had a gift certificate to use there). Aren't these roses so cute? They were the straw wrappers atop each of our drink straws. Love!

We ordered family-style. This was my dinner. Well, that and a wee Spring roll. It may not seem like a lot, but apparently it was too much for me, because I didn't keep a single bit of it down, dang it. Um. It tasted better the first time. I probably could've kept it down, but I had the Jasmine rice with cashews, and, stupid me, I should've known better. I can never eat rice. It just looked so good. Anyway....

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All was well and good after dinner. Rob hopped on his motorbike, the kids and I buckled into the van, and off we went toward home. Only, I zipped into a 7-11 on the way home to refill my giant keg of Diet Dew and, well, hurl, and he followed me into the parking lot. By the time I restarted the van, his bike was smoking and leaking more fluids than a ... ah, skip that. Every metaphor I can think up is gross and graphic. Awesome. So not only was the BMW not fixed, but a freakin' panel was missing off the side, too! Really?! I'm way disenchanted with the place that had it for so long. They can bite me hard, right on my hindquarters.

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So, short story long, we sat there for an hour while Rob yapped on the phone to our insurance company, who basically solved nothing, and then watched him make the necessary repairs himself. I've dated some pretty useless guys before, and lemme tell you single ladies this: Marry a handy guy. I don't care what else you like about him, you will appreciate this advice. The other day, our toilet handle broke, and My Guy fished one out of his "pile of crap," as I not-so-tenderly call it, and fixed it on the spot. Pretty good. Back to the bike. While he was working, I went back into the 7-11 and bought a big bag of White Cheddar Popcorn. The kids pretended they were watching a movie while they ate it - and Dad was the show. I don't know how he felt about that, but I was entertained, and that's what counts, y'all.

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I don't know what else to tell ya. I have a million and one anecdotes I could share, but (a) you probably don't care, and (b) I should probably start packing. To move. Because we're doing that. Eek.

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Have a fab weekend, folks!

Fin.

Aloha Friday

Link up here if you want. You know, I can't force you, and stuff.

My question for you this week is:

Do you groom your eyebrows? If so, how?

As for me, I'm a habitual plucker, but I didn't start until I was 25! I had wild 'n' crazy brows before that, but I didn't realize how bad until after I had my firstborn. Now I'm constantly tweezing away at them. Now, you.

Cheers!

Fin.

Wordless Wednesday: Seen Around Town

Again, link up at 5mfm if you're wordless (or not!) today. I've been photographing license plates we're driving (or stopping, as it were) behind; here are a bunch that I've managed to snag:

You're With Us - who is, I wonder?

Just Sew - all right, then. I'll get right on it!

Harder to see, but it has a cat on the left and says, "MEOOOW." I wonder how many she has...

Akita For You - Obviously, judging from all the other décor on this one, this person is very much into rescuing the breed. Well, good for them!

Weighed - what, exactly? This one leaves me quite confused.

Too Legit - Really? We're still saying that?

This person LOOOOOOOVES the Outer Banks (of NC): I agree; it's great to visit. I don't know that I'd put it on my plate, though...

Tippin' Toe, here, has me thinking there's a dancer inside the Jeep, but who knows?

All is Well - and I'm glad to hear it!

Never Again, insists this driver. What's s/he refusing to do? Maybe s/he got the car in the divorce. :| Oh, or maybe it's meaningful on a grander scale. Whatcha think?



Euphemism - But what is? Where? Please, I can't be left hanging like that.

ARRRRR, Matey! I've shown this one before, but it bears repeating. Or not, whatevs.

To Insure You - Are you my agent?

My GS3 - Such overt pride in one's vehicles is... lamesauce, IMHO. But then, I don't drive a Lexus!

We Surf - but where are the boards? Guess there were no waves that day.

Beach Boy is my kinda dude. I'm right there with ya, pal!

Superior is, hopefully, their company name and not their general attitude.

And last, but not least, a little something different:

Alf! On the back of this big, honkin'... thingamabob. I love it.

Happy Wednesday!

Fin.

Wordless Wednesday: Tent City In My Living Room, & More

Link up here if you're Wordless (or, not so much) today!

It's hot in Southeastern Virginia, and we don't have functional central A/C at the moment. Fortunately, friends who moved to Alaska blessed us with the portable unit seen at the back of this photo, so the kidoodles have been allowed to camp out in front of it in our living room tonight. This was their result. Can you tell which tent houses the boy-child? ;)

Sophia, 7, knocked out her two front teeth when she was three. It's been a long time coming, but finally an adult tooth has just popped out, with the other one sure to follow soon. Hooray!

Same child as above often brings me a weed or two, usually a dandelion, to serve as gifts of flowers which, to her, are beautiful. I have made the mistake of explaining to her that they were weeds, and that they belonged outside - this does nothing to brighten her spirit. So when she brought me this bouquet, which she herself envased in this green bottle, I accepted the gift with genuine delight. After all, this will only last for so long, and one day it will be the last weed-bouquet I get from her.

 

My silly kids, who went ShopKicking (a Smartphone app) with me around Target in exchange for spending some of our SK points on free Target gift cards to buy their little trinkets, here, posed in front of the store to show them off. Well, the picture was for a ShopKick contest to win a bunch of points, which we didn't - or did we?!

And finally, a first-thing-in-the-morning self-portrait, for no other reason than to show my messy office matching my bedhead hair. No, I wasn't naked; my spaghetti straps were just out of view on my tank.

I may be back with another WW post; stay tuned! ;D

Fin.

Sunday Stealing: The Imaginary Meme

Link up here if you're playing along - I'm doing Parts I and II together since I missed last week. Enjoy!

Sunday Stealing: The Imaginary Meme, Part One

1. Have you ever peed your pants as an adult?

I've had four kids, including a set of twins, via c-section. You don't put that much pressure on your guts without a little weewee squeaking out now and then.

 2. Who do you have a celebrity crush on now?

I've gotta agree with Jennifer Love Hewitt and go with Adam Levine from Maroon 5.

3. Would you date someone you met online?

 

Would. Have. Married him...

4. Do you wear underwear always?

 

Nope. Most of the time, I do. Not at the moment, though!

5. Do you hate yourself at times?

 

*snort* I can't count how many times I've attempted suicide. You don't do that because you like yourself.

7. Do you like dirty movies?

 

I've seen a few in my day, but most just make me laugh.

8. Could you believe Josha Ledet was voted off Idol?

 

I don't give a flying Fig Newton.

9. When was the last time that you bought a car?

 

August 6, 2010. Now I'm trying to get rid of it. :\

10. Have you ever been camping?

 

Oodles of times as a kid, and twice as a Girl Scout troop leader. I liked it much better as a kid. Lots fewer rules!

11. How many times a day do you go on facebook?

 

Sometimes none. Sometimes I never leave, technically. It all depends. I took a long break recently and didn't really miss it all that much. Surprised even me.

12. What was the last movie you saw in a theater?

 

The Pirates! Band of Misfits, with my 10yo daughter, Chloë. I wasn't too impressed (sorry, Hugh, I still love you) and spent the entire movie with my iPhone on my chest, lighting up my knitting.

13. Have you ever worried that you'd cut off a limb?

 

This meme is kind of pissing me off. Oh, wait, no, I was already pissed off. <<breathes deeply>> I don't think that's the sort of thing you worry about until you do it, unless you work a dangerous job.

14. Where did you get your last email from?

 

Freecycle. I'm getting rid of lots of good stuff today, and it feels good to be trimming the fat!

15. Favorite website?

 

Mine. ;)

16. Are you down with ghetto?

 

There's a time and, obviously, a place for that, but I try not to show that side of myself in public places!

17. Will the world end in fire or ice?

 

I don't know. Yes?

18. Do you believe in the afterlife?

 

Yes. Yes, I do.

19. Would you be upset if Facebook stopped working?

 

I'd be more surprised than upset, at this point in the game.

20. How did you start your blog?

 

I opened a Typepad account and started typing. That's pretty much how it goes, isn't it?

 

21. Have you felt that life is like being on a roller coaster?

 

Pshaw. Mine has, that's for damn sure.

22. Favorite year so far?

 

I take them as they come.

23. Do you consider yourself religious?

 

I consider myself spiritual.

24. How do you dress to impress?

 

With this body, it's very hard. I'm not fat anymore, but I have a lot of extra, loose skin. It's not a pretty picture, so there's not a lot I can dare to bare, and I can't wear skin-tight, either. Just like when I was really big, there's a lot of clever covering up going on. I do try to get away from wearing all black now, though. Mostly I focus on my best assets, which are my shoulders on up. (Thanks, Jafra!)

25. Have you ever been to Connecticut?

 

Just once. We spent the night before my grandpa's funeral there last year, which was fitting, because that's where he was raised.

26. Do you eat sushi?

 

Love it. Can't eat much of the rice, though, so it can be tricky.

27. Would you smoke pot providing there was no risk or driving involved?

 

I never have, so I don't know... but it is on my Bucket List.

28. What do you think of Idol Winner Phillip Phillips?

 

Again, I don't give a flying Fig Newton.  ReMEMber??!

29. Do you believe that animals have souls?

 

I suppose so, yeah.

30. Who did you last talk to? Share, if you dare.

 

I'm not really scared to tell you I talked to my husband. Should I be? <<looks around nervously>>

31. What is one thing that always annoys you?

 

My husband is the biggest instigator of my kids' shrieking and whining when we're out in public, because he'll pick on them and bug them to death. Seriously? It drives me crazy. You're almost 40, not 12. Grow up and act your age. (Home is a different story, of course. Go nuts.)

32. Do you believe in a higher being God?

 

Yes, I do.

33. Have you ever fallen in love with a neighbor?

 

No, but there were certainly crushes on a few when I was a kid...

34. Any plans for this weekend?

 

Well, we went out of town the last two weekends, so it's stinko that the Strawberry Festival in town is this weekend, and we have exactly zero dollars to go. Can't even afford the gas down there! Instead, we're cleaning house. (I'm taking a break, obvs.) Maybe we'll go to the beach tomorrow.

35. Would you like to rule your country, if you could?

 

Hell, no! I'm just not "leader material." I do think it's time for a woman to try her hand at it, though.

36. Do you like watching films about the nature of animals?

 

You're asking a Biologist this? As long as they're portrayed true to life, yes, I love them.

37. What's the difference between lust and/or lust?

 

I fail to understand the difference myself there, pal.

38. Do you have a soul?

 

Le sigh. I was right. This meme is annoying. Of course I do.

39. One best friend or many good friends?

 

I'd prefer both. Can I have both? 'Cause I do.

40. Do you believe in spontaneous combustion?

 

That's like asking me if I believe in Evolution. Both are completely observable, witnessed-by-human-eyes scientific phenomena. An emphatic "yes!"

 

Well. That was meh. Back to work.

 

Fin.

Saturday 9: Self Esteem

Link up here if you're playing along today!

Saturday 9: Self Esteem

1. How was your self esteem growing up?

 

It's never been very high, but it was especially low as a kid.

 

2. Do you ever have a hard time with morals?

 

Sure, I've come up against some situations that make me stumble, in that regard. Yes.

 

3. Do you eat in bed? If yes, what?

 

Occasionally, and if I do, I suppose it's whatever I'm in the mood for.

 

4. What was the last movie you hated and why?

 

I rarely hate a movie, so I can't even really think of a recent one. I took my oldest to see the Pirates movie that Hugh Grant had a vocal role in, a few weeks ago, and I was so very bored for the first half. That's unusual. It got better, but it wasn't great. (They had me when Chuck Darwin came on the scene, but I didn't love the way he was portrayed!)

 

5. Have you ever felt that you lost it all? If yes, explain.

 

Hmm. Mentally lost my shit? Yes, I have. But lost it all, as in hit rock-bottom? I don't think so, no.

 

6. Have you ever been stalked?

 

Yes, I have. The most frustrating part of that is the authorities' refusal/inability to act until you're harmed. I was harmed, though, and to be completely honest, I still have my bad-daydream-fantasy-thing that he's going to show up at my door and shoot me.

 

7. Do you believe in 'self help' for problems, or do you prefer therapy?

 

I'm in therapy, and it's great - because I've found an excellent care provider. I've been with 'bad' therapists, so I think it completely depends. I don't think this should be an either/or question, though. Why can't one do both?

 

8. What celebrity do you think should make a run for office?

 

Ayyyy, uh, um.... no?

 

9. Do you believe in happy endings? (We do. That's why this is the last question!)

 

Of course. I'm the eternal optimist, right here.

 

Fin.

Saturday 9: Touch Me In The Morning

Saturday 9: Touch Me in the Morning

1. Who or what sleeps with you?

Hubs, often Sophia (our 7yo), and at least 2 cats...

2. Last time you saw your high school best friend?

It's been a few years, maybe three years this summer. I miss you, Weezie!

3. What do you do when you're sad?

You mean, besides cry? Well, I cry s'more. I don't know. It's hard for me to tell the difference between "depression sad" and "regular sad," anymore.

4. What do you wear when you are relaxing around the house?

Whatever's clean and comfy, depending on the season. Gotta admit, I love sweats.

5. What did you do immediately after high school?

a. Moved to South Carolina with my dad for the summer (literally the day after graduation). b. Hated that. c. Matriculated at the University of Miami for my B.S.

6. Is anyone on your bad side right now?

No, not really. Not anyone particularly on my radar, at least.

7. What's the first thing you do when you get online?

Time was, it would be to get on Facebook, but I'm really not on there much anymore (except through my iPhone), so now it's checking email. I get entirely too much.

8. What jewelry are you wearing?

My wedding ring and another ring my husband gave me for, I think, our sixth anniverary: a giant sapphire. It's beautiful. Sophia lost my engagement ring or I'd be wearing that, too. :( Oh, and my nosering du jour, a big pearly number.

9. Post a current song that you like. (Or name it and tell us why you like it.)

"Somebody That I Used to Know," by Gotye is pretty cool. I gotta agree with Ryan Seacrest on this one: it makes me want to tiptoe around. hee

See you here tomorrow night!

Fin.

Sunday Stealing: Free Jail Pass Meme, Part The First

Link up here if you're thievering today!

Sunday Stealing: The Get Out of Jail Free Meme, Part One

1. When you're home alone, do you still close the door when you use the restroom?

I don't even close the door when I'm not home alone. So?

2. If you have to go grocery shopping, would you rather go alone or with someone?

It depends on my mood, but I love the company most of the time.

3. It's your best friends birthday, would you buy them a gift even though they didn't buy you one for yours?

Of course, if I found just the right thing and had the money. Keeping score is SUH lame.

4. You win the lottery. Lump sum or small payments over a period of time? Why?

It depends on how small the payments are. I'd have to think about it, depending on the terms.

5. Do you like your music loud or at a reasonable level?

Loud. Loud. LOUD!!!

6. Are you a beach person or a snowy mountain person?

Do you even have to ask me? I'd be a mermaid if I could.

7. When do you brush your teeth?

Once a month, whether they need it or not.

8. Can you watch scary movies alone?

No way, dude. I am a chickenshit. I don't like to watch them at all. Freddy Kreuger still gives me nightmares!

9. Soft bed or firm? And in fantasy land, who's in it with you?

Cushy, squishy with Matt Damon, please. ;)

10. Would you rather stay home all day, or be out and about?

I'd rather be on the go all the time. I'm a nomadic sort.

11. What's one of your worst memories (that you are comfortable sharing)?

One I've shared many times: Holding my precious baby boy while he gasped his last breath. There's nothing worse.

12. Do you like to keep the peace or be confrontational?

I'm a bitch, I'm a lover, I'm a child, I'm a mother...oh, sorry, I broke out into song there. Yeah, I'm pretty confrontational, depending on how recently I've taken my meds. Heh.

13. Are you more likely to be with a large group of people or a few close friends?

I'd rather be with a few close friends with whom I can be totally myself.

14. What are your plans for October?

Um, I'm still working on May here, but there will definitely be a hayride in October, if I have anything to say about it.

15. If money were not a problem, where would you like to live?

Aboard a houseboat, traveling the planet. That, or Jupiter. Somewhere near the big red spot.

16. What is your ideal profession?

I'd really like to be a family court judge. Someday...

17. Are you (or were you) close to your Mom and Dad?

I was very close to my mom when I was a little'un. She died when she was 33 and I was 7. I've been closer at times to my dad, but at the moment, I'm doubting I'll ever have to speak to that jackhole again.

18. What is one fear that you can't seem to overcome?

Mustard. Terrifying substance, that. If it touches me, I flip the script.

19. Are you good at math?

When I was in high school, I used to do Calculus to prove I wasn't drunk... when I really was. I love math. My kids hate it. Poo on them.

See you here next week. And what happened to Saturday 9, anyway. Did'y'all forget? Dang.

Fin.

Aloha Friday

Hey y'all! Link up here if you're questioning along with Kailani and pals this weekend.

My question for you this week is:

Would you do a newsprint manicure? What do you think of it?

If you read my Friday Fragments post just before this one, you'll know I'm in the middle of doing it, because I love it! So cool. What about the funnies?! That would be... amusing. Heh.

Have a great weekend!

Fin.

Friday Fragments

Link up here if you're fragmenting with Mrs. 4444 today!

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Is anyone else shocked it's May already? For Heaven's sake, our pool will be open in 3 weeks already! I can't believe how fast the time is flying. We are so busy all of the time, it's almost hard to keep up with flipping the calendar pages, I swear. Man. I wish I could clap my hands and stop time temporarily, and just... breathe.

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I haven't been here in a few weeks, again, because of our packed schedule. Aside from our usual nutso routines, we've had a billion and one doctors' appointment, and Rob's had an accident that has kept me occupied carting him to those, work, and everywhere else, so... I am off my blog routine again. But! I am here now, and that's what counts, amiriiight?

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If you've ever thought about visiting my town, Virginia Beach, I just wrote this sponsored blog post about many of my favorite places and things to do here. Check it out if you're interested!

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I love this cute picture of Jack eating wings during a mystery shop a couple of days ago.  With the watch and everything, he looks so grown up! For a nine-year-old shrimp, that is. I've been doing lots of mystery shopping again lately to make some much-needed extra fundage. It's fun, but man, all the reports! Ugh.

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I swear, Virginia must be the vanity plate capital of the world. They're so cheap here, after all. Even I have one! I'm going to start taking pictures of the ones that amuse or interest me and posting them as part of my Fragments posts each week (or month, as it were). Can you see this one that I snapped today? It says "RR M8T." Arggghh, Matey! Hee. Do you have vanity plates?

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On Wednesday, the kids took part in the coolest thing. We drove up to the Mariners' Museum in Newport News, VA, to attend a special event: a ham radio chat - which NASA said couldn't be done - with International Space Station Astronaut Donald Pettit! Here, the kids first learned about the early age of exploration, in the times before, during and after Columbus' life, so they could later relate that Age of Exploration to the current Space Exploration.

Then, we migrated over to the closed studio, where we connected with three classes (in New York, Michigan, and Louisiana) and the astronaut in outer space, about 400 km above Earth, over Italy. Selected students were able to ask questions and hear Pettit's answers in real time, and we learned a lot about living aboard the ISS. Did you know it only takes eight minutes to get up there, but two days to transfer into the space station? Wow. I would kill to have that opportunity. Maybe one day they'll take an old fart like me and see what they can do with me. I'll be like the female John Glenn. Anyway, it was really cool, and my kids - especially Jack up there - got a lot out of the experience. Way cool!

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I took Rob in for his Neuro follow-up today, after his mini-stroke scares and subsequent finding of a benign brain tumor back in November. I was hoping for a more thorough check-up than the five minute "How are you? Fine? See you in six months" that he got, but I guess no news is good news. He hasn't had any weird things going on like he did six months ago, even after his accident, so I suppose all is well for now. He'll go back in another six months.

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Also today, I went in for a my regular dental check-up, fully expecting to have two new cavities. My teeth have been ultra-sensitive lately, especially in two places, so I thought fillings were going to be the order of the day, if not a full root canal or some badness. But the diagnosis was surprising: I grind and clench my jaw and teeth so much that it's causing my gums to recede, and my enamel to wear, which is causing the pain and discomfort. The dentist said he'd be happy to sell me a $600 mouth guard, or I can go pick one up at any drug or sporting goods store for five or ten bucks and try that. Hmm. Tough choice. But yay for no new cavities!

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Stay tuned for a post about our train trip up to Richmond last week; we had so much fun in our two short days. I'm so glad MIL suggested it!

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Aren't these newsprint nails so cool?! I am totes going to do this as soon as I find where I put the rubbing alcohol. Hopefully that'll work, since Rob drank all the vodka and stuff. Kidding. There's probably not even a beer in this house. I love this manicure, though. Trés cool.

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And finally, my 10½-year-old, Chloë, has a "boyfriend," S. Yeah. We've reached that stage. They're mad about each other. I even had to go on a ride with them to make sure they didn't kiss!!! WHAT?! She's TEN, FPS. I'm keeping a tight rein on this one and don't let them hold hands or anything, but S did recently give her a necklace in her favorite color, with hearts on it... oh, my word. I'm not ready for this part!

Since Chloë had a photo shoot for her acting and modeling "career" recently, my friend Saritah - S's mom - was joking about, "Great, my son is dating a model. That'll go to his head..." but yeah. He is. Hee.

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Well, I hope you all have a great weekend, and I'll be back in a bit with my Aloha Friday question & some more updates from our latest travels and adventures. Ciao for now!

Fin.

Sunday Stealing: The Semi-Charmed Meme, Parte Dos

Link up here if you're thieving today!

Sunday Stealing: The Semi Charmed Meme, Part Two

21. A better name for me would be:

The Little Girl Who Lives Down The Lane

22. I have a hard time understanding:

Why people can't accept the facts that are staring them right in the face but will believe things that can't be proven.

23. If I ever go back to school:

I'm going to go to law school, get my degree and study Family Law. Ultimately, I'd like to be a family court judge.

24. You know I like you if:

I lick your cheek. No, really, if my eyes are smiling when I'm talking to you, then there's your first clue.

25. If I ever won an award, the first person I’d thank would be:

whoever supported me the most during whatever it was I was accomplishing.

26. If I could bring back a TV show for a reunion it would be:

Friends.

27. Take my advice, never:

take my advice.

28. My ideal breakfast is:

Diet Coke or Diet Mt. Dew, or a really good protein shake or smoothie. Low carb, sugar-free, of course.

29. A song I love, but do not own is:

"I'm Going Down" by Mary J. Blige is, oddly, the first thing that came to mind. When I was out of town 11 years ago, someone (and I think I know who, but he won't admit it) got into my apartment and stole all my R&B CDs. So I used to own that track, but alas, it's gone now.

30. If you visit my hometown, I'd suggest:

a visit to Beaver Lake Nature Center would definitely be in order, followed by the B'ville Diner. And not much else, as I recall.

31. If I could meet a couple of my blog buddies, I'd include:

Gloria, who rarely blogs anymore but is now my FB buddy, Mrs. 4444 from Half Past Kissin' Time, and Nicole from I think ... therefore I blog, although she was actually my friend online before we both started blogging... and Harriet. Who woudn't want to meet her?

32. Why won’t people:

stop smoking around children? And recycle? And accept people of other races/colors/ethnicities as their equals? And just be nice for the sake of being nice? And stop turning around in my driveway???

33. If you spend the night at my house:

be aware that 7yo Sophia gets up at night, wanders around and gets into things. Including your things.

34. I’d stop everything for:

saving the life of a child. Or almost anyone's, but you know, that's less poignant.

35. The world could do without:

those stupid Ernest Goes to... movies.

36. The last time I got drunk I:

was at The Melting Pot with three girlfriends and got very silly! I don't know if I can show my face in front of a few servers now...hee.

37. My favorite blonde is:

my OLDer sister, Stacey Jean. ♥

38. Paper clips are more useful than:

this question, really.

39. If I do anything well, it’s:

be obnoxious, annoying, and wholly neurotic.

40. And by the way:

it's after 11 PM and all three of my kids are STILL UP. This day didn't go the way I planned it at all. But when do they?

Happy new week, y'all!

Fin.

Saturday 9: That's Why God Made The Radio

Link up here if you're playing along today!

Saturday 9: That's Why God Made The Radio

1. The Beach Boys are back together (everyone alive, Dennis and Carl have passed, including Brian) for the first time in 25 years. It's their 50^th Anniversary tour. Their new single is called, “That's Why God made the Radio”. Did radio play a huge part of your growing up years?

Absolutely. 93Q out of Syracuse, NY, was my morning radio show while getting ready for school. More Z89, too, but mostly the former. We were always taping songs off the radio on our giant boomboxes!

2. What is something that you are disappointed about right now?

 

A friend called me out on something, a particular personality flaw of mine, and I disagreed with her... but upon further reflection, I've realized she's right.

 

3. What are you really anticipating right now?

 

Payday! (What else is new?)

 

4. When was the last time you watched your favorite movie? What is it?

 

It's been a long time since I've seen either Grease or Dirty Dancing, my two favorites, I think... but I did watch the original Karate Kid within the past few months, and that's on the top 10 list.

 

5. If you could bring one person back from the dead, who would it be?

 

My son, my baby boy, my living son's identical twin, my angel...

 

6. Who was the last person you hung up on?

 

My father. I'll probably never, ever speak to him again. Jerk.

 

7. Does it bother you when meme makers separate questions that could've been combined?

 

It's not something I've ever even thought about, so no.

 

8. What is the first animal you would run to see if you went to the zoo?

 

Elephants. They're my favorite land animal.

 

9. What is the food you always buy at the grocery store that you can't live without?

 

Well, I don't always buy them, but I always look yearningly at the hummus and Wholly Guacamole, if they aren't on my rigidly-stuck-to lists.

 

See you on the next post, peeps!

 

Fin.

Wordless Wednesday: Yes. This.

Saw this at the doctor's office while I was scheduling my endoscopy, and loved it. Had to snap a picture with the ol' iPhone. It's good stuff, here.

Link up with 5 Minutes For Mom if you're any degree of wordless today!

Fin.

Saturday 9: Ain't Too Proud To Beg

Link up here if you're playing along today!

Saturday 9: Ain't Too Proud to Beg

1. What was the last thing that you begged for?

Your pardon?

2. Have you ever lost a best friend after a fight?

 

I sure have, more than once, and more than once with the same person. Heh. But each time, we were equally at fault.

 

3. When was the last time you just wanted to be invisible?

 

Whenever I'm severely depressed, I guess. I can't think of a specific incident other than that, but when I'm in a depression, I just want to hide from the world.

 

4. Which room of your home tends to be the messiest?

 

The kitchen, definitely. But right now, ugh. My whole house is a mess. It never ends, the cleaning and re-messing. Can I just burn the place down and start over??

 

5. You are to be locked in a room forever with a celebrity. You get to choose. Whom do you pick?

 

Yeah, please, no. Unless my husband is famous, I'd rather pass, thanks!

 

6. Has someone ever left another person to be with you?

 

Yes and no, and I'm going to leave it at that!

 

7. What’s been kind of a drag for you lately?

 

Remember that messy house? That.

 

8. How are you different from your significant other?

 

We complement each other completely. He's a complete Type B, and I'm totally Type A. I'm neurotic and crazy; he's chill. I'm - by 'training' - a neat freak; he's a complete slob. I can sing and dance; he can't. At all. I'm sure there are eleventy-seven more ways in which we differ, but you're bored of this now. Well, I am.

 

9. What is the most perverted thing someone has ever said to you?

 

I'm not telling you what my husband says to me in the boudoir!! Hee.

 

Have a great weekend!

 

Fin.

Wordless Wednesday - More Easter Faves

Here are some more shots from this past Easter Sunday that didn't make it into my new header (which, by the way, do you like?!):

So which is your favorite?

Link up here if you're Wordless today! Thanks for hosting, 5MFM! And thanks for looking!

Fin.

Sunday Stealing: The OC 25 Meme

Link up here if you're playing along today! Happy Easter/Passover to all who celebrate!

Sunday Stealing: The OC 25 Meme

1. What is your origin of your first name? What about any nicknames?

My mom just randomly came up with it. I was supposed to be "Eleanor" after my dad's mom, or "Clayton" if I was a boy, but when my dad wasn't in the room, my mom quickly put down "Melanie" instead. Hee! I've come to appreciate that, although my elementary school BFF was Eleanor, so of course I had wanted that to be my name then. My middle name is Ann, so my dad always called me "Mellie Ann," which my wonderful older sister changed to "Smellyann" at some point. And there you have it.

2. Have you any claims to fame?

Apparently, I'm meant to be a writer. In college, I came in second (or third?) in a huge poetry contest - you've probably seen the ads for it - and my published poem was analyzed in the front of the anthology in which it appeared. I was supposed to have my boys' and my story published in the Chicken Soup for the Twins Soul book, but apparently they decided it was too sad and took it out later on, which is fine with me. And more recently, my "Works for Me Wednesday" pets edition blahg post was published in a book called That Works For Me! or something like that; I had to give the proper permissions and all that. I've always been a pretty decent writer and thought I've had more poetry and maybe a novel rattling around in there, but I haven't been able to get started. We'll see if that ever comes to fruition.

3. If you were famous, how would you introduce yourself to someone who had never heard of you?

The same way I do now, I suppose: I'd have the head of my huge entourage do it. Heh.

4. Which of your country's achievements do you hold in highest regard?

Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation couldn't have come soon enough; I think it just edges out winning the American Revolution. JMHO

5. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

First, I wanted to be a teacher and librarian. As I grew up, though, I wanted to be a marine biologist. And until I got married, I was one. For a brief time, I was livin' the dream I grew up having. Now, I'm happier things worked out this way. I wouldn't change a thing, except for maybe a fatter wallet..

6. What was your most prized possession as a child? Do you still have it?

It was my red-and-white stuffed puppy dog named Snowflake, who eventually was missing an ear. The other ear had holly leaves and berries on it. I loved that puppy. I don't know what happened to her.

7. What would you change about yourself, if you could?

Pfft. What wouldn't I? That would be a shorter list. I would take away the Bi-Polar Disorder from which I suffer (as do those around me, I'm afraid), and I would give myself more strength of character. People who know the sorts of things I've been through always tell me what a strong person I am, but I don't feel that way. I feel like a weak, meek little mouse. My therapist tells me I am progressing though - she told me recently that I was "individuating," since I am no longer seeking my father's approval. I laughed and said it was high-time at 35, but she says she sees people much older than I am who haven't gotten that far and wow! I am babbling! Anyway, physically, I'd get my plastics to remove the skin I have hanging around (literally) after my 200+-lb weight loss.

8. What are you obsessed with?

Yarn. Picking at myself. My husband's nuts. Jafra. Couponing. And more yarn.

9. What is your greatest achievement so far, or the high point of your career?

Oh, I've received my fair share of academic accolades, but my proudest achievement was winning "Class Giggler" in 3rd grade. I still have the certificate!

10. When/where were you happiest?

January 2, 2001: The day we eloped was the most blissful day in my life. I'll never, ever forget that high.

11. And the lowest point in your life thus far?

March 25, 2003: The day I held my older twin son as he shuddered taking his last breath. Nothing is worse than outliving your child.

12. What was the best decision you ever made?

Marrying Rob! He is so good for, and to, me. We both have our share of shortcomings, but I definitely ended up with the better end of the deal. God knew what he was doing when he brought me this man.

13. If you have any body modifications, which was most painful, or which do you regret the most? If you haven't got any, do you have any planned, or would you ever consider getting any?

Other than four piercings in each ear, I have a nose ring. So that was the most painful. I haven't fully decided on getting a tattoo, but if I do, it'll be a joint one with Rob, honoring our four children together.

14. What is the most idiotic thing you have ever done while intoxicated?

We don't have to go there, do we? Let's not. Maybe the next time I get that intoxicated, which will be never, I'll share that story with y'all. ;) Let's just say I'll probably never drink Goldschläger again!

15. What is your favorite joke?

I am so terrible at remembering things like jokes and movie quotes. Asking me to tell a joke is putting me on the spot. I like stupid jokes anyway, like this one:

Knock Knock?

Who's there?

Little old lady.

Little old lady who?

I didn't know you could yodel!

16. What is the coolest/most impressive thing you own?

You mean aside from my iPhone? (You know I love that dang thing.) Okay, let me think on it a minute... probably the Britto. We bought a limited edition giclée of his called Deep Night Romance on our Mediterranean cruise, and it sums up our love for each other beautifully.

17. When did you last cry, and why?

I cried a little bit last night, thinking about this coming Monday. It'll be the 28th anniversary of my mom's death, and I always get a little weepy.

18. What's the best piece of advice you've ever had?

Surprisingly, it came from my dad. I'll paraphrase: "Don't let anyone rob you of your joy."

19. Similarly, what's the nicest thing anyone's ever done for you?

A semi-anonymous benefactor helped me pay for my college degree, the day I was going to get kicked out for non-payment of my classes. Biggest relief of my life!

20. Have you any vices?

I'm too self-indulgent.

21. Do you regret anything?

No regrets. I live for today, and tomorrow. There are things I wish I'd done differently, but I didn't, and I have learned and grown from them.

22. What is the best invention ever?

Hello?! The iPhone! lol

23. How would you describe your relationship with your family?

I have a very small living family. My mom is gone, my dad and I aren't speaking at the moment, and my sister and I are as close as we can possibly be from a distance. I love that broad! ♥

24. Who is your biggest inspiration?

Anyone with deep emotional fortitude, who can come through a tragedy and not completely fall to pieces. Well, falling to pieces isn't the thing, but someone who can pick up those pieces and make life work again - that's inspiring to me.

25. What are you going to do when you've finished Sunday Stealing?

Work on my April/May Jafra newsletter, a week later than I'd planned. Oops.

Happy Easter!

Fin.

Saturday 9: I Must Be Seeing Things

Link up here if you're playing along today!

Saturday 9: I Must Be Seeing Things

1. Have you ever watched something unfold, that as you watched, you could not believe what you've witnessed?

Of course. 9/11 comes to mind, but other things to, sure. Princess Di's death (not that I witnessed these things, per se, but you know, on the news), JFK Jr's crash, the Challenger Explosion when I was a kid... now that I did see happen live on TV.

2. What is your favorite city in the world? Why?

I love big cities, so that's a tough one for me. Miami and NYC are probably tied for my favorite American cities, but I haven't been to them all yet, and I haven't been in L.A. long or often enough to claim that one... Overseas, Barcelona and Madrid were favorites, and Venice was amazing, as was Rome... I don't know. I'd have to say of all the places I've ever been, maybe New York. Hey, it never sleeps, like me!

3. What is the strangest film, to your sense of reality, that you have ever seen?

A Spanish-language film, Talk to Her, is the first thing that popped into my head. 

4. It seems that the older that you get, the less you want the hassle of seeing a live concert. Who is an artist or a band that you'd actually pay to see?

I guess I haven't reached that point yet, because I love going to shows. There are a lot I'd pay to see, but Clapton tops the list. Adele, Kelly Clarkson, and Madonna are somewhere on that list, too, which isn't exhaustive. The most fun concert, or at least most unusual, was Blue Man Group. That was crazy!

5. When was the last time that you lost your temper?

I'm about to. My kids are refusing to clean up their messes in the living room so I can hide their Easter baskets for tomorrow morning, and it's driving me up a wall!

6. When you were little, did you think "sex" was a bad word?

Not so much a bad word, but I was embarrassed by it.

7. What does your smart phone do that really surprised you when you loaded the app?

Nothing, anymore. I've had it a few years, so it's hard to say. At first everything was so amazing. I love my iPhone!

8. Have you ever been attracted to someone that you should not have been? (Feel free to take this lame question any way that you please.)

No, not in my mind! You can't help to whom you're attracted, so unless you're a pedophile or something,.. well, I'm not!

9. Will you see the new "The Three Stooges" film?

Uh, no. Why should I?

Have a great weekend, y'all!

Fin.

Friday Fragments

Link up here if you've got bits & pieces rattling around in the ol' noggin to share with Mrs. 4444 and friends today! I have quite a few, so take a load off and stay awhile, won't you?

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I've got new news, so pop on over to this post if you want to know what big changes are afoot in my (and my older daughter's) lives!

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Likewise, I'd love your input on my Aloha Friday question for this week, which is here! Let me know if you have an AF post this week, too, so I can be sure to check it out!

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I've been playing around with the new Jafra color collection lately, so I'm experimenting with some new looks instead of my usual standby, which is closest to the bottom right in this collage. Which do you like best?

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Chloë, my oldest, was looking particularly adorable today, so I snapped this photo of her and then played around with it in Picasa by Google. I can't claim credit for those curls, which she gets from her daddy. His hair looks just like this when he's not, well, in the Navy for 19 years!

 

Chloë wanted a makeover, so we played around with some of my make-up on her for a little while Thursday evening. What do you think about make-up on a 10-year-old? Totally wrong, or okay if it's just for fun, like this? Obviously, we don't do this very often, but I think it's fine once in a blue moon, for kicks.

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Speaking of Jafra, I've been painting my nails with our wonderful lacquers faithfully, and they're actually growing and not breaking! I have paper-thin nails normally, and they break easily. My sister's nails are long and strong, so I sent her this picture on Facebook. Yeah. We bonded over nails. What can I say; she's a cosmetologist!

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Sophia and Jack have been having so much fun with their Kiwi Crates over the past few months, that I finally relented and renewed their subscription after being asked approximately 8700 times. They worked on it a bit Thursday evening and made parrots and treasure boxes. Can you guess the theme? Yep. Next we'll be making pirate hats and eye patches to go with them. Fun!

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After nearly two years of trying to get a table to our local Melting Pot's Girls' Night Out, I finally scored us a table - at 10:30 PM! It ended up working out to be a good time, albeit very late, because my friend Tabby and I had preview tickets for the movie American Reunion, the American Pie sequel, the same night. So for seven hours, I was out with first Tabby, and then Tab, and two of my "Turtle Friends," Saritah and Jenny From the Block at dinner. And oh, my gosh, I laughed so hard and often during both events. The movie was hysterical from start to finish, and we had ourselves a hilarious time at dinner, too. I hope we don't have to wait another couple years to do it again!

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Our tax refund check came in recently - well, partially, anyway, as the IRS denied Chloë as our child based on a clerical error on their part, argh - so Rob and I got some very necessary new tires for his motorcycle, Elsie, and my Odyssey, Penelope. The tire appointment was supposed to take about two hours, so I asked Jenny From the Block to keep our kiddos while we were there. I just wasn't up to deal with the boredom whining, basically! She agreed, so in the end, Rob and I decided to venture out together on his motorcycle for the first time, to use one of our Groupon-like certificates for a local Thai restaurant which we'd never tried. We were the only people there for quite a while, as you can see, but it certainly wasn't because of the food quality!

Our meal was excellent, although mine was spicier than I expected. I can't do spicy, and not just because of my sensitive gastric bypass pouch; I never could handle it. I just don't have the stomach - or tongue! - for it, sad to say. Still, it was good. But better than that was the fun of riding around on the back of the BMW with Rob! I had so much fun! I was a little scared, sure, but it was a breathlessly-exhilarating kind of fun. I hope we get another chance to do that again soon, too!

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So pretty much other than the pictures and details of Jack's birthday party, I'm all caught up now on my blahggy show-and-telling. I really ought to do that, especially since it'll be time to show Sophia's birthday party pictures in another week! On Friday the 13th, my youngest child will turn seven! We'll have her, 9-year-old Jack, and 10½-year-old Chloë. It' to face the music: my family is aging out of the "little kid" stage. I guess we're pretty well established by now, huh?

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And now to leave you with my old standby, a Cute Kid Quote. As you may or may not know, in my previous existence as a singleton, I was a marine biologist, studying shark feeding behaviour. My kids know all about that, and for whatever reason, it comes up frequently. Anyway, Thursday afternoon, we were driving around, when Jack suddenly asked what a car's muffler was for. Before I could answer, Sophia snapped at him, "She doesn't know! She's not a car biologist! It's not like she dives into cars!" I had quite a chuckle over that one! These kids. They kill me.

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On that note, thanks for stopping by, and have a fabulous weekend!

Fin.

Aloha Friday

Link up here to play along with Kailani & friends!

Yesterday, I took our two youngest (of four) cats, Cupcake and Muffin, to get spayed at the SPCA. So my question for you this week is:

Unless you're a breeder, do you spay/neuter your pets? If not, why not? If so, do you opt for the take-home pain meds?

Especially for spaying, I can't imagine not getting the pain meds, since it's a major surgery, but I would opt for it for a neutering, too. I mean, owie! All of our pets have been "fixed." It's the responsible thing to do, IMHO.

Have a great weekend, and happy Easter/Pesach!

Fin.