Thursday, September 14, 2006

Who Be You?

Participate! Be clever!

1. FIRST & 2. SECOND NAMES -Mi Maw
3. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? - After my brothers and sisters. I'm the youngest so obviously I was named after they were.
4. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? - While reading Jurgen Nation last week.
5. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? - I much prefer my typing. It's quicker and easier to read.
6. WHAT IS YOU FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? - Roast Beef
7. KIDS- Yes, 3 ... one of each.
8. WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? - Yes, I am my own best friend.
9. DO YOU HAVE AN ONLINE JOURNAL? -Well, ya-ah!
10. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?- Define "A LOT"...
11. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? -The doctor asked me if I wanted to take them home but I said, "Ewww, no thanks! Maybe next time."
12. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?-I have used a bungee and I have jumped, but never, ever would I do them together!
13. FAVORITE CEREAL? Honey Nut Cheerios
14. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Not if I can help it.
15. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? -Does smell count?
16. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? -Anything chocolate with chunks of chocolate in it.
17. SHOE SIZE? - Depends on the shoe, the day and how much water I am retaining.
18. RED OR PINK? -Red or pink what? That could make a big difference on how I choose.
19. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? -My overabundance of calories that have transformed themselves into pounds of FAT!
20. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? -My Mother, she passed away in 1988.
21. WHAT'S YOUR BIGGEST PET PEEVE -Leaving the toilet seat UP!
22. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES YOU ARE WEARING? -White shorts and barefoot.
23. LAST THING YOU ATE? -Grape cherry tomatoes from my garden.
24. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? -The sounds of silence broken by the clicking of keys as I type.
25. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? -Vermillion
26. FAVORITE SMELL? -A freshly powdered newborn baby.
27. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? -The stupid office manager where we buy our propane.
28. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO?-Mouth to see if they are smiling.
29. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DAY OF THE WEEK? -Fridays. Need I say more?
30. FAVORITE DRINK?- Coffee with cream, coffee frappuchino, Margarita, Banana Colada Fuze (half frozen to a slushy consistency).
31.. FAVORITE SPORT? -Crochet. What? It isn't a sport? Okay, bowling.
32. HAIR COLOR?- Reddish blonde with LOTS of white highlights.
33. EYE COLOR? -Brown
34. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? -No, I like my glasses 'cause I can take them off easier.
35. FAVORITE FOOD? -Rare steak, smashed redskins and fresh asparagus.
36. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDING? -Scary movies with happy endings or a happy movie with a scary ending.
37. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? -Dark green
38. FAVORITE DESSERT? -Anything sinfully chocolate. Oreo cheesecake!
40. WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST FEAR? -Death of someone I love.
41. IF YOU WERE AN ANIMAL, WHAT WOULD YOU BE? -A Sloth...wait...I am a sloth!
42. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? -Nora Roberts - Northern Lights
43. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? -duh? My mouse or mini rat as I call it.
43. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV? -Reruns
44. FAVORITE SOUNDS? -Slot machines at the casino ca-chinging.
45. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? -The Beatles, of course.
46. THE FURTHEST YOU BEEN FROM HOME? -Not sure which is the furthest Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Mexico? One of those or should say, all of those?
49. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT ? - The ones I can talk about are: crafts, crochet, knitting, cooking and gardening.
50. WHEN AND WHERE WERE YOU BORN? -On my birthday (how convenient!) and in a hospital, although my mother was always asking me, "Were you born in a barn?" I personally, think she should have known the answer to that... she was there I assume.

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Just Call Me Yenta*

*Fiddler on the Roof's Matchmaker

Matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a match.
Find me a find, catch me a catch.
Matchmaker, matchmaker, look through your book
And make me a perfect match.

*************
Yenta's response:
Did you think you'd get a prince?
Well I do the best I can.
With no dowry, no money, no family background,
Be glad you got a man!

I would make a great Matchmaker! Well, maybe not. My recent attempt at matchmaking didn't go so well. See Jaek's Post-Mind Meld. But it isn't my fault. How was I to know she liked older men? Hmmm... she never did say HOW OLD? I went that route a couple times. Interesting stories could be told about them.

I know what makes a good marriage and what makes a bad marriage. I've had both. Not in that order, switch them around! Although it wasn't a bad marriage, it just wasn't a very good one. The best thing about the first marriage is my two kids! The worst, well---- can't say, enough said.

This marriage is good. Twenty-two years good. I know what makes a marriage good. Trust, communication and teamwork. Of course, being friends helps a lot, too. My Polish Prince can be a real asshole at times, but then I can be a real Bitch, too. We have had our ups and downs, a rollercoaster ride at times, but oh, what a thrilling ride it's been!

The TCT is the most important. You can't base a relationship on looks. Looks change. Oh, gawd how do looks change! Asshole moment: while looking at a picture of me when I was younger and a whole lot thinner, he says, "Oh, this was when you were young and pretty." Ouch! I know he doesn't say it to be mean, he just said it without thinking! You can't base a relationship on sex. That changes, too. My ex Father-in-law said it best, "What we use to do all night, now takes us all night to do". And that ain't a bad thing!

The most important thing is LOVE. But that's one thing which just happens or it doesn't happen. You can't make it happen. Why people love who they do, is a mystery to me. My Mother always said, "Love goes where it will, even if it's up a hog's ass!" She spoke from experience. Love doesn't always mean you like the person. My Mother knew that from experience. She also knew there is a fine line between love and hate and after 42 years of marriage, that line was crossed. I don't know if she actually hated my Father, but she certainly didn't love him or like him!

Trust is the most important. Not just trust as in fidelity, but trust that the other person always has your best interests at heart. Trust that no matter what you do, the other person will always love you.

Communication is so important. "I'm not a damn mind-reader! Talk to me!", was heard frequently in the early days. Now he'd rather I keep my opinions to myself (just kidding).

Teamwork doesn't mean always do everything together. Or even agreeing with each other 100 per cent of the time. It means working together to make the best of your relationship. It also covers... I won't ask him to do the laundry if he doesn't ask me to mow the lawn, but I'll hold the board while he nails it.

Matchmaker, matchmaker, plan me no plans.
I'm in no rush. maybe I've learned
Playing with matches a girl can get burned.
So bring me no ring, groom me no groom,
Find me no find, catch me no catch.
Unless he's a matchless match!

Monday, September 11, 2006

Remembering...

I have read many posts regarding September 11, 2001. They touched my heart. I have nothing to offer that has not already been said and so much more eloquently than I ever could. I will offer my tribute with a moment of silence.

Sunday, September 10, 2006

This, That and the Other Thing

I have come to the conclusion that I must be writing the way I did for my English classes. I need to throw linguistics out the window and start writing the way I talk. The Naughty Monkey referred to me as 'refined'. Whether it was a compliment, insult or an ambiguous comment, I'm not sure. Red and Stacy (Jurgen Nation) found out I am Jaek's (Mineral King) mother and were afraid they might have said something to offend me.

Hah! Jaek said on the comments of The Naughty Monkey post Title Free... "Refined tastes" indeed! MiMaw is me mother, and I can tell you that her tastes are raw, rather than refined, though I believe you intended that to be complimentary. Just like sugar can be raw or refined, both of which are sweet and good with coffee, so is my mother, the now-referencable MiMaw. She can be sweet, and she is good with coffee. He does know his Momma!

I would offend quicker with my warped sense of humor than be offended by someone else's. I must admit the liberal use of the *F* word is something I am trying to get use to. I think to myself, "Do they actually use this word that often when they talk?" I hope not, but that is my personal opinion. I don't say it and I don't write it. I don't allow my kids to say it around me. My Sister, her daughters (they are in their 30's) and their kids use it... frequently, but not around me. Most of my family know I don't like the word and I am happy to say they respect me enough not to use it (although they slip once in awhile). Boy, that sounds so sanctimonious! Don't think I mean all the blogs I read are disrespectful. I mean, because I asked them not to use it around me, they have enough respect for me heed my request. If they didn't respect me or care about me... they would say "*F* no!" It is easier to skip over it while reading than to shut my ears when I hear it. It was funny when Baby Son suggested to Only Daughter that I might not have such a problem with the *F* word if I heard it more often. Only Daughter said, "Uh, okay. You do it and I'll wait to see how she reacts." Let's just say... I have yet to hear them say it even once!

I usually replace that word with another word... like "fudge" (there's nothing like homemade fudge!) Or stealing from the Sci-Fi shows... "frell" or "frak". I'll even use friggin' and freakin'. Then I get told, "What's the difference if you mean the same thing?" This is where my weird sense of perception comes in... I just don't like the sound of the word. It is so harsh sounding, cruel and cold. It hurts my ears...even if I read it to myself. I do like the initials WTF. I would like to use them but if I write them I would be saying, "What The Fudge" or "What The Frell" but you would be reading, "What The *F*". So in essence, it would be as if I was saying it and it would be going against my own principles. Well, not really principles...but let's say this, two of my children (and my future daughter in law {heh heh} she knows who she is) read my blog and I wouldn't want them to read it as if I was saying it. I would never live that one down! I guess I'll just have work it out as I go along.

Changing subjects: Stinkypaw had a post talking about Cyber-Friends. One of the most amazing things I have noticed among the Neighborhood and surrounding areas is the friendships which are being formed. Sure, some were already in existence. Those are awesome in themselves, but the ones that are forming through the blogs... is... is beyond awesome! Sorry, I it is the only word that came to mind. She mentioned thinking about a blogger while she was shopping. How many think of the other bloggers during the day? I must admit I do. If one is having a bad time... I wonder how she's doing. If one has something coming up... I wonder how it went. Just like I do with my 'real world' friends.

One interesting thing I have noted, there isn't much of a generation gap. There is one, but it is bridged through the blogs. Music, television, movies, lifestyles.... so different, but it is overlooked or by-passed or applauded in the blogs and comments. I guess you can't attribute it to the generation gap exclusively. Just plain ol' differences in people. So, you choose your cyber-friends or fellow bloggers (whichever you choose to call them) but would you be friends with them in the 'real world'? As I said, watching friendships (and even romance... Darren and Nabbalicious) develop is awesome (there I go again). It is mind-boggling that people from all over the world, from all walks of life converge in Blogsville and are 'friends'. Is it because we can't see them face to face so we're not prejudiced and more willing to accept them? Hmmm... something to think about.

Thursday, September 07, 2006

....Jungle Out There... Part Deux



To continue what I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted!!

The couple we went with are DINKs (Double Income No Kids) so they were not so enamoured by the Little People as I was. Or the Children's Petting Zoo with this cute little Pygmy goat...isn't he sweet?

Which to me explains why the woman hated the Monkies! Aww c'mon! How can anyone NOT like the Monkies. They are so fun to watch! And oh, so revealing as this picture shows:

There were a lot of peacocks in the park. Even an all white one. This is the only Peacock who posed so pretty for me. It would have been nice if he would have fanned his feathers, but he said "No thanks, this will have to do".

Of course I had to take a picture of this Pot-Belly Piggy. He wasn't as cute as the little pink one but hey! looks ain't everything. He had a great personality. Besides the fact he kept nudging the other one out of the way.

So all in all, it was a good day.

It's a Jungle Out There

Labor Day weekend was pretty darn good. The Polish Prince took me shopping and to the Outback for dinner with no comment on how much money I spent shopping or he spent on dinner!

Monday we went to Binder Zoo with some friends. It isn't a very big or animal populated zoo and not top on my list of favorite zoos, but it was nice. It was Labor Day, a holiday AND the day before all the Little People go back to school so parents from miles around decided to treat their Little People to a day at the zoo! Honestly, I didn't mind them. Animals in the cage and animals running around outside the cage... what's the dif? It was crowded but I got a kick out of watching the Little People and their reactions to some of the animals. Especially the giraffes. There is a 'feeding' spot where the girafee come up and people can feed them (you can purchase the food behind you for a nominal fee). I didn't feed them because I was having too much fun photographing them and watching the kids. Like this one:



It was awesome to get so close to the giraffes. Did you know they have the same number of vertabrae in their neck as we do? The Ranger asked the question and guess who got it right? Moi!





Blogger and I are having a discussion right now. I want to add more pictures to this post and it doesn't want me to. Guess who won? Soooo this post will be continued.... in Part Deux.

Wednesday, September 06, 2006

First Day of School

Yesterday was my grandson's first day of school AND his 6th birthday. I called to wish him a HAPPY BIRTHDAY and to see how his day in First Grade turned out. He didn't have a whole lot to say. He isn't much of a phone person, I guess. He is SO not like his father in that respect!!

Today, I stepped back in time when the phone rang shortly after 8:00 pm and the Mineral King (aka Jaek... my Firstborn) called to tell me how HIS first day of school was. Yes, it brought back memories as I listened to his excited chatter about school. It thrilled me that he wanted to share his day with me. Makes a Momma proud!

I am so happy for him. He has the opportunity to do something he has wanted to do for a long time. Going back to college with a wife and two small children isn't going to be easy, but he will handle it and do great! He is a very intelligent, hard-working individual who has goals and has been given the chance to meet those goals. He will do it with Flying Aces!

I wanted to make this tomorrow's post but decided put it in tonight because my post about the holiday weekend is sitting in 'Drafts' ...why? BECAUSE I CAN'T UPLOAD MY PHOTOS!!!! Even so, this was a good one to post 'cause I am a PROUD MAMA!

Friday, September 01, 2006

Took a walk around the Neighborhood and surrounding blog areas. I realize it is September 1st. And a gray cool day. And Labor Day is Monday. And school starts soon. But can you really say it is FALL? According to the calendar the Autumnal Equinox doesn't begin until Saturday, September 23 at 4:03 U.T. (whatever u.t. stands for... universal time?). It's the end of summer, almost Fall but not quite yet time which has me feeling so... so... discombobulated (or discombooberated).

Have you ever had the feeling that something is going to happen? Don't know what. Don't know if it is good or bad. But something is there, waiting to happen ... to me, for me, around me. It's looming there, hovering over me. I have a million things I could be doing, should be doing, but the motivation just ain't there. The foreboding is hovering over me, playing with my mind and emotions.

Feeling oppressed, suppressed and depressed. And at the same time, feeling flighty, mighty and tighty-whitey (sorry... I needed a third rhyme and that's the best I could come up with). It's like being wrapped up in Saran Wrap and fighting to get yourself out. Not that I would know what that's like. I have a vivid imagination, so you use yours. Anyway, the feeling of frustration and helplessness while struggling to get out is replaced by the exhiliration of the fight and the venting of emotions. That's what I'm talking about. Or is it?

Could it be a form of intuition (I'll refrain from calling it 'women's intuition' because my boys have it, too)? Is it a an omen, a portent or a harbinger of something good? Something bad? Or is it just a sign of idontfeellikedoingadamnthing and thisisasgoodanexcuseasicancomeupwith?

It is probably because there are things that should be happening (selling the house and moving) and they aren't happening and I can't do a damn thing about it! Some things are just out of our hands, but I don't like it. I hate the feeling of not being in control. If something isn't going right one way, I find another way to make it right but at this moment in time... I am at a loss as how to make it right. So I guess I'll just take another walk through the Neighborhood and experience life vicariously through the eyes of others.