Goofy Writing Post

As I mentioned before, MamaKat has writing prompts every week and encourages other writers to participate and link up.  This is my first time.  This is the writing prompt I have chosen:

Write a poem for your furry friend.

I am no poet, and I know it.  But I still wrote up this goofy little Ode to Jack:

Oh, Jack

Our Mr. Jack

Discipline skills

You do lack
 

But you are dear
With all your fear

And love for us

You don't lack

Our Mr. Jack

Top Ten Tuesday, 7/27/10 (Plus a recipe!)

Today's Top Ten Tuesday is based on a writing assignment through Mama Kat's Writing Workshop, which I haven't really participated in.  But I get the emails for the assignments, just in case I actually decide to participate that week.  I know, I'm lazy.  Anyway, an assignment a few weeks ago was a "bucket list" of sorts, which was "100 Things I Want to do Before I'm 100."  I have never wanted to write a bucket list, because I don't like to think about death.  But things to do before I turn 100?  That's a little different.  I'm not kidding myself; I know I won't live to be 100, but it's easier to think about than accomplishing things before I die.  And I actually started this assignment - but only made it to 40 items before the deadline, so I didn't submit it.  For today, I'm paring it down to ten.



Ten Things I'd Like to Do Before I Turn 100

1.   Install a swimming treadmill in my basement.
2.   Go on a tropical cruise.
3.   Travel cross-country in an RV for a summer.
4.   Go to Las Vegas.
5.   Get my ears double-pierced again.
6.   Sing with a group (not a choir!).
7.   Have grandchildren (LATER).
8.   Own a place at the beach.
9.   Go to Hawaii.
10. Meet Paul McCartney (never said they all had to be realistic!)




Yesterday I mentioned that I made a quiche for dinner the other night, and was asked for the recipe in comments (thanks for stopping by!).  So here is my recipe for Bacon-Cheddar Quiche:


Bacon-Cheddar Quiche

Ingredients:

One frozen deep-dish pie crust shell (don't thaw)
Six eggs
Half cup milk (I use skim or fat-free half and half)
Salt and pepper
Six strips of bacon, cooked and crumbled (don't make tiny pieces)
One cup shredded cheddar (I use low-fat)


Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  In a blender or food processor, mix eggs, milk, salt and pepper.  Stir in bacon and cheddar.  Pour into frozen pie crust.  Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes.  It will come out very puffy.  Let sit for 5-10 minutes before eating.  Enjoy!

Meet Me on Monday, 7/26/10

A new (to me) meme I'm participating in, partly because I desperately want to write something today, but I'm so tired (more on that later) I can't think of anything.

1. What one food could you eat every single day?

Anything with rotisserie chicken.  I loved shredding them and using them in recipes.

2. Do you wear glasses or contacts?

I have glasses for an astigmatism, but never wear them.  I probably should.

3. What kind of cell phone do you have?

An LG Droid.  I AM ADDICTED.

4. What did you have for dinner last night?

I made a bacon and cheddar quiche, the girls' favorite.

5. What is your favorite candy?

That is a hard question!  I love all kinds of candy, but I love Java Twix and anything else that is chocolate and coffee combined.

Today Becca had her adenoid surgery.  She did great.  She didn't even tell me until just a little while ago that the IV insertion really hurt her.  She didn't even flinch.  She was groggy for a while after we got home, but now she's playing games on her iPod and has been eating throughout the day.  I'm so proud of her.

Hopefully this will help her.  She's been suffering with sinus problems and drainage making her nauseous all the time since May.  I'm still not convinced she hasn't had mono at some point as well, because she's always exhausted.  I don't know if they did a mono-spot when she had blood drawn last month, but they never mentioned it afterwards.  If this surgery doesn't help, then I will have a mono-spot done.  Not that there's anything they could do at this point, but at least I'd know.

As for why I'm so tired today, I had to get up at 6am - very early for me!  Plus, although it was an easy surgery and there were really no risks, it was still stressful until I knew she was fine.  Stress tires me out terribly.

Here's Becca just a few hours after her surgery.  A little disheveled, but still beautiful.

 

Sunday Stealing, 7/25/10

Sunday Stealing: Meme Of Many Odd Questions, Part Three

Cheers to all of us thieves!

45. Favorite color?  Blues, Greens, Purples - Ocean colors

46. Have you ever slapped someone? Not in the face

47. Is your hair curly? Very!  But I am finally embracing them.

48. What was the last CD you bought? I can't even remember; I've been using iTunes for so long.

49. Do looks matter? You do have to be attracted to someone, so they do to an extent.

50. Could you ever forgive a cheater? Not when I was younger, but I wouldn't throw away a long marriage over it, depending on the situation.

51. Is your phone bill sky high? No.

52. Do you like your life right now? I really do!  Life is better now than when I was younger.  That surprises me.

53. Do you sleep with the TV on? I like to, but Chris doesn't, so I don't usually get to.

54. Can you handle the truth? I like to think so.

55. Do you have good vision? Not as good as it used to be!

56. Do you hate or dislike more than 3 people? Unfortunately, I'd have to say yes.

57. How often do you talk on the phone? I have phone phobia/aversion, so as little as possible.

58. The last person you held hands with? Either Chris or Becca.

59. What are you wearing? Jammies!  I woke up at 7:am on Sunday morning. Madness!

60. What is your favourite animal? Toss-up between cats and dogs.

61. Where was your favorite picture taken at? My latest favorite was taken in Ocean City a couple days ago.

62. Can you hula hoop? Never could; still can't.

63. Do you have a job? Not outside the house.

64. What was the most recent thing you bought? Mocha frappe from McDonald's.  Soooo good.

65. Have you ever crawled through a window? Yes, but not illegally.

Thursday Thirteen - My BFF

Today's Thursday 13 is about my BFF, Michelle.  We have been friends for about seven years, and I couldn't get through life without her!

Thirteen Reasons Why I Adore My Best Friend

1.   I can count on her for anything.

2.   I can trust her with anything.

3.   She's a great mom.

4.   She's a great second mom to my kids.

5.   She is mischievous and fun to be with.

6.   She is a riot and not only makes me laugh, but has a great laugh herself.

7.   She's up for adventures or just going out shopping (as long as I drive).  :-)

8.   She is beautiful both inside and out, with a great smile.

9.   She doesn't care if my house is messy when she stops by (and it usually is).

10. One of the few people I can talk on the phone with more than a few minutes (phone phobia).

11.  Doesn't mind my quirks, such as my phone phobia and weird shyness.

12.  Found out just the other day that I am an atheist, and she still loves me.  This means more to me than she can know, especially since she's a devout Mormon.

13.  She is the sister I never had, but always wanted.

Love you, Michelle!

Find other Thursday Thirteen participants here.

Top Ten Tuesday, 7/20/10

As I sit here in my recliner with my heated blanket on me (yes, I even get cold in the summer!) and Diet Coke on my side table, I decided this week's Top Ten post would be ten of my guilty pleasures.

1.   Facebook - my biggest guilty pleasure.  I can't believed how addicted I've become.
2.   Diet Coke - I should be drinking more water, but I love this stuff so much.
3.   Farmville - go ahead, make fun.  I can take it.
4.   Chocolate - I need to drop 5 or 10 pounds, but who can resist?  Not me.
5.   Pajama days - Usually during a winter Sunday when the girls and I turn into jammied slugs.
6.   Dairy Queen Blizzards - specifically, Coffee Heath Bar.  See #4
7.   Droid Phone - just got it less than two weeks ago, and I can't put it down.  It's so cool.
8.   Twitter - non a full-blown addiction yet, but we're heading that way.  Again, make fun.
9.   Horrible monster movies on the "SyFy" network.  Sharktopus is coming!
10. Blog reader - but it's so entertaining!


Also, before I forget, I was given an award by The Drama Mama yesterday - she said my blog is one of several that light up her day.  Considering I just started this, that is so nice to hear!  I know we're supposed to award the awards, but I haven't been around long enough yet to do so.  But I really appreciate it!

Good-bye, old tree...

So I mentioned that we had an earthquake here in Maryland on Friday.  No damage, no injuries, just a freaky occurence.

However.  About 8:10 last night, my dogs started going crazy, barking out the back patio doors.  I turned to see if maybe one of the cows from the farm had gotten into our yard (it's happened before), and got to see a huge part of our monster oak tree that towers over our house fall to the ground with a huge BOOM.  It just barely missed our back porch, and our dogs had just come in from the back yard a few minutes before.

This is how the tree looked a few minutes before:



And this is how it looked after:



We had a tree expert come out right away, since half the tree was still standing, and we were worried it could fall on the house while we were sleeping.  Thankfully, we were safe.  The split and fall were caused by a fungus that had rotted the tree over the past few years.  We think the earthquake on Friday triggered it to fall.  

I'm so glad nobody was hurt, including our dogs, and that our house wasn't damaged, but it's still very sad.  That tree has been there probably 200 years, and it was beautiful.  Now they have to cut the entire thing down to be safe.

More pictures of the chaos:














And today's action when the tree guys came (at 6:30!):





It makes me sad to look out the back window right now.  I guess I should look on the bright side - we now have a much better view of the barn and cows.

Sunday Stealing, 7/18/10

Sunday Stealing: Meme Of Many Odd Questions, Part Two

23. Do you rent movies often? Now that we have Netflix through our Playstation 3, I watch more.

24. Is there anything sparkly in the room you're in? The necklace I took off and put on the end table.

25. How many countries have you visited? Just one; I went to Japan for a week when my ex-husband was stationed there.

26. Have you made a prank phone call? Not since I was a kid!

27. Ever been on a train? We used to take Amtrak to Disney in Florida when I was a kid.  I miss those train trips; I loved waking up on the train as the sun was coming up.

28. Brown or white eggs? It makes no difference.

29. Do you have a cell-phone? Have had one for almost 15 years and it was no big deal. Then I got a Droid last week...

30. Do you use Chap Stick? Gross, no.

31. Do you own a gun? No.

32. Can you use chop sticks? I'm sure I could use the kiddy kind connected with a spring.

33. Who are you going to be with tonight? Just my family!

34. Are you too forgiving? Not in the least.  If I've forgiven you for something, it's a big deal.  I know it's a flaw, but there it is.

35. Ever been in love? Of course!

36. What is your best friend(s) doing tomorrow (or the next soonest week day)? She's been away all weekend, so I have no idea yet.

37. Ever have cream puffs? Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, yes.

38. Last time you cried? I almost cried when our 200-year-old glorious oak tree fell yesterday.

39. What was the last question you asked? Did you lose all your phone contacts?

40. Favorite time of the year? Whenever it's hot and sunny.

41. Do you have any tattoos? Yes, one on my leg, one on my left inner wrist and one on the top of my right wrist.  I plan to get a foot tattoo once summer is over.

42. Are you sarcastic? It's my first language.

43. Have you ever seen The Butterfly Effect? Never had the desire.

44. Ever walked into a wall? Walls, doors, patio glass doors, windows, telephone poles; you name it, I've walked into it.

Shake it up, baby now!

Awoke this morning to a god-awful sound and the bed shaking - we had an earthquake with a 3.6 magnitude!  And for those of you who live in quake-prone areas thinking "big deal!" - I live in Maryland.  It happened at 5:05 am, and I have been up ever since.  And I am exhausted.  I think I'm still on edge, because I keep thinking I'm hearing rumblings outside (and it's not out of the question), even though it's not stormy.  Very weird start to the day.

Lauren went to King's Dominion with some friends, so I went with Sarah and Becca to lunch at Dave and Buster's.



I played some video poker (first time; it's very addictive) and the girls played air hockey and other games.



While suffering through rush-hour traffic on the way home, a bird crapped on my window.  Gross.  All my wipers and fluid did was smear it, which irritated me even more.  But then I noticed - it was now a fish.  



More weirdness to my day.

And then poor Lauren called from King's Dominion to let me know that all her and her friends' stuff had been stolen because they "hid" it instead of putting it in a locker.  Phones, iPods, money and clothes - all gone.  Harsh lesson.  Thankfully, after I reassured her that I wasn't angry and that I did feel bad for her, and that her things could be replaced, she was able to enjoy the rest of the day.

But that added to the day's weirdness in a way.

Hopefully tomorrow will be a (relatively) normal day.

Thursday Thirteen - My Beliefs

Since this is a new blog, I thought I'd do a kind of getting-to-know-you type of post for this week's Thursday Thirteen.




1.  I only believe in unconditional love for babies and animals.
2.  All children deserve a happy childhood.
3.  I believe in the golden rule.
4.  The Beatles are the best musicians in rock history.
5.  I don't believe in censoring my kids' music, tv, books or movies (to a point).
6.  I believe in the power of antidepressants.
7.  I don't believe in heaven and hell.
8.  Because I am an atheist (sorry, Mom!).
9.  The ocean is Nature's most awesome gift to mankind.
10. Books/words and music are mankind's most awesome gifts to ourselves.
11. The husband-wife relationship must come first; once the kids are gone, you've only got each other.
12. Mel Gibson is an asshole.
13. My family is more important to me than anything else.




See more Thursday Thirteen participants here.

Book Review is Up!

My review of Dan Dillard's short story collection Demons and Other Inconveniences can be found at Feo Amante's horror site.  First published writing in a long time!

Mobile blogging!

Cool - Chris driving while I post! Going to stop for lunch at Sonic soon; should be at the beach by 3:00 or so. This is just a test post.

Road trip!

Sunday Stealing, 7/11/10

Click here to get the story behind "Sunday Stealing"
Sunday Stealing: Meme Of Many Odd Questions, Part One

1. First thing you wash in the shower? My hair; if it's a no-shampoo day, I condition it instead

2. What color is your favorite hoodie? It's a dark gray Beatles hoodie

3. Would you kiss the last person you kissed again? Of course (it was Chris)!

4. Do you plan outfits? Depends on whether anything special is going on that day or night

5. How are you feeling RIGHT now? Caffeine now, please!

6. What's the closest thing to you that's red? The straps of a tote bag

7. Tell me about the last dream you remember having? It was a nightmare I don't want to relive

8. Did you meet anybody new today? It's 9:30 am, and I haven't left the house yet, so...

9. What are you craving right now? Caffeine

10. Do you floss? Yes, but not as often as I should

11. What comes to mind when I say cabbage? Yum, but only raw or in stir fries

12. Are you emotional? Somewhat, depending on the issue or situation

13. Have you ever counted to 1,000? No - what's the point?

14. Do you bite into your ice cream or just lick it? Ack!  You don't bite ice cream, EVER

15. Do you like your hair? I have finally made peace with my curls after almost 45 years

16. Do you like yourself? More so now in my 40s than I did in years past

17. Would you go out to eat with George W. Bush? No, but I'm very shy and wouldn't go out with someone I don't know well enough.  Well, unless I could have dinner with Paul McCartney.

18. What are you listening to right now? Lauren playing Batman on the PS3

19. Are your parents strict? Yes; had to work around a few rules and restrictions here and there

20. Would you go sky diving? If I could be GUARANTEED my safety and continued health, in a heartbeat

21. Do you like cottage cheese? I can tolerate it once in a while - small curds ONLY

22. Have you ever met a celebrity? Only if writers count

Friday Photo Flashback #1

I found this meme today, and it looks like fun.  I have cleaning to get to, so I just wanted to put something on the blog until I can get back online later.  Happy Friday!



I started "Friday Photo Flashback" because I have so many pictures from my PRE-digital camera days. I thought it would be fun to scan them and share them here with you. I'm having so much fun doing this, that I would love for you to join me, too! So dig out the photo albums and put your scanner to good use! Don't forget to sign in to MckLinky so we can all visit and comment on each others blogs!


This was taken around 1976 or so, at some Wild West amusement park in Florida.  I remember it was a really cool place, but it was one day less at Disneyworld!  That's my little brother Dave in the photo with me.





Anybody can participate in Friday Photo Flashback here!

Thursday Thirteen - The Beatles

In honor of Ringo Starr's 70th birthday yesterday, I'm posting 13 of my favorite Beatles' songs.  NOT my 13 favorite - just 13 of them, because I'm such a Beatles freak, I have a lot more than thirteen.  So here are just a few.



1.   Good Day Sunshine

2.   Here Comes the Sun (the Beatles Love Album version)

3.   Get Back

4.   Penny Lane

5.   The Night Before

6.   Another Girl

7.   Eleanor Rigby

8.   Sgt. Pepper Reprise/A Day in the Life

9.   Back in the U.S.S.R.

10. Can't Buy Me Love

11.  Lady Madonna

12.  She's a Woman

13.  Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da

OK, it may have been Ringo's birthday, but I didn't list any of his songs.  I actually prefer Ringo's post-Beatles solo work.  I don't care for his songs in the Beatles too much.  The above are also all-Paul vocals - no coincidence there!  I am a HUGE Paul fan.  I've got tickets to see him August 19th in Pittsburgh - I can't wait!

See other Thursday Thirteen participants here.

Wordless Wednesday

Today is Wordless Wednesday around the Blogosphere, where participants post a picture that doesn't really need explaining.  But a lot of people explain anyway.  :-)

We are heading out to DC for the afternoon, but I wanted to get this in first.  Hopefully I'll have something to write about tonight after being out of the house for a change!




Becca busy making Shrinky Dink jewelry...

Teaser Tuesday #1

Another fun meme; this one is about reading, one of my very favorite things. 

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Lips Unsealed by Belinda Carlisle

I don't remember sleeping much, but it wasn't because I was busy in the bedroom. We were in New York, and it was a twenty-four-hour playground. - Pg. 73

Top Ten Tuesday #1

I found this meme on Motherhood, Blogging & Life by ohAmanda and decided to join in.  My first list will be favorite books I've read so far this year.



  

I Am Ozzy

The Help

Not My Daughter

This World We Live In

Dirty Little Secrets

The Hate List

Stuff: Compulsive Hoarding and the Meaning of Things

You Couldn't Ignore Me If You Tried

Darkness on the Edge of Town

Stop Walking On Eggshells: Taking Your Life Back When Someone You Care About Has Borderline Personality Disorder

Just finished writing and submitting a book review to Feo Amante - hope it's accepted.  I haven't written a book review in years.  Not going to mention the book until I hear an acceptance or rejection.  Keeping my fingers crossed!

My life...

How did it go from this:

to this:

Not quite the Rolling Stones song I thought I'd equate to my life someday!  ;-)