The tribulations of resolutions

Happy New Year everyone. I know this is a time for making a few resolutions and I think I will just post them here for your perusal.

Tink's 10 New Year Resolutions:

1. Spend more time with family
2. Try to loose more weight (notice I said try)
3. Make sure I spend time writing in the journals I bought for the kids
4. Watch Pan play his XBox games
5. Get rid of some of the Princess' and Indy's toys
6. Read a new book
7. Make more Scrapbook pages
8. Say thank you more often
9. Laugh more loudly
10. Sprinkle more Pixie Dust

Experience Tribulations

Friday 12/29 Blog Prompt: Share something new that you want to experience in 2007!

A clean house. I really want to experience a clean house. Actually what I want is an uncluttered house. One free of toys and boxes, a more convenient place for all our dvds. My daughter's stuff out of my craft room so maybe I can move my printer and computer in there instead of the living room. Is this asking for too much, maybe?

Pictures from Hawaii, these in
anticipation of the wedding vow
renewals:

Honey, Scamp and Ballerina in front
of the Iwo Jima Memorial at Kanoehe
Bay Marine Corp Base.


Close-up of my beautiful
daughter-in-law, Honey.


Ballerina clowning around.

Dieting Tribulations

Thurs 12/28 Blog Prompt: Give us your best diet tips and ideas for healthy eating during the holidays.

Although I have been trying to lose weight, I don't really "diet." What I do is count calories, fat, etc. I have the Diet Power program to keep track of them as well as all those vitamins and minerals you need. So my best tip is keep track of what you eat.

And a picture from Hawaii:

Scamp got volunteered to be the chief of our group (he wasn't not too happy with his mom, hehehehe) and had to approach the head warrior of the Aotearoa (New Zealand) non-aggressively but meeting the warrior's eyes.

Word of the Week - ARGOT (n)

Better late than never right?

Disclaimer: All words that I choose come from the 1968 edition of the Webster's New World Dictionary, 2nd college edition. It's close and also nearly 40 years old so we may come across some words that are no longer in general use or have completely changed definitions. But that is part of the fun.

argot (n)
the specialized vocabulary and idioms of the those in the same work, way of life, etc., as the secret jargon of criminals; slang.

And what in the world can you do with this word? Well, you could write a sentence using it. You could look it up in another dictionary or reference book. (several dictionary searches available in my sidebar for your use.) Use it as a jump start for a short story. If applicable, find a picture of it. Whatever you do, post a link in my comments so I can check it out and put a link back to your post. And have fun.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Tribs

Been a long week hasn't it? But Christmas is now over. So how did your holiday go? Get lots of gifts? Get what you really wanted?

Well as you well know, I got mine in advance of Christmas in the form of a new truck; new cell phone; a bluetooth earpiece and a trip to Hawaii. But on Christmas day I got a 1 quart and 3 quart pot. They were from mom, she had my name this year. This is what I really asked for so was very happy to get them. Now I can throw my old ones out.

The kids made out with lots of toys and clothes. We gave the Princess a Barbie dollhouse; a Barbie Mermaida dollhouse; and the Barbie Fairytopia Elina. She has been having lots of fun here at the house with the Mermaida dollhouse and Elina; but then so has Indy.

Indy got a Curious George; a Diego interactive backpack and a real project workbench. He has really enjoyed his workbench, which we have at our house. But then again, so has the Princess. I personally love it. The "wood" pieces are really 1" thick foam and it has directions on how to make a variety of things including a car, plane and castle. For those of you with tots between the ages of 3 and 6, I highly recommend it. I think it is by Playskool.

Pan got a gift certificate from mom and a prepaid credit card from his folks, so he is in heaven trying to decide what he is going to buy.

We went to my sister's, ddpup, house for dinner and her house was just gorgeous. She had trees in every room. (I will post pictures when I get them downloaded). Dinner was delicious (she is an excellent cook as is her husband).

Well I am looking forward to hearing what all of you did during your holiday and in the meantime... HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Narcissitic Tribulations

Blatantly stolen from Mrs. Who who swiped it from Janet's Ordinary Life and Cindi's place. And in her words feel free to tag yourself if you want.

Rules – copy the list and bold face the items you’ve done. Wait for some comments then answer the questions.

01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
02. Swam with wild dolphins
03. Climbed a mountain
04. Driven anything over 100 MPH
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid
06. Held a tarantula
07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
08. Said “I love you” and meant it
09. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby’s diaper
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on champagne
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse of the moon.
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 50 states
41. Taken care of someone who was drunk
42. Had amazing friends
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44. Watched wild whales
45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road-trip
48. Gone rock climbing
49. Midnight walk on the beach
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger’s table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow
56. Alphabetized your CDs
57. Pretended to be a superhero
58. Sung karaoke
59. Lounged around in bed all day
60. Played touch football
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theater
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured ancient sites
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted the Snake River
82. Been on television news programs as an “expert”
83. Got flowers for no reason
84. Performed on stage
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark
88. Kissed on the first date
89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house
91. Been in a combat zone
92. Buried one/both of your parents
93. Been on a cruise ship
94. Spoken more than one language fluently Latin
95. Performed in Rocky Horror
96. Raised children
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn’t stop when you knew someone was looking
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an accident that you shouldn’t have survived
105. Wrote articles for a large publication
106. Lost over 100 pounds
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane
109. Touched a stingray
110. Broken someone’s heart
111. Helped an animal give birth
112. Won money on a T.V. game show
113. Broken a bone
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a facial part pierced other than your ears
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had major surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours - Good Drugs
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi
128. Had your picture in the newspaper
129. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about
130. Gone back to school
131. Parasailed
132. Touched a cockroach
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes
134. Read The Iliad - and the Odyssey in Latin
135. Selected one “important” author who you missed in school, and read
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
137. Skipped all your school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146. Dyed your hair
147. Been a DJ
148. Shaved your head
149. Caused a car accident
150. Saved someone’s life

More Christmas Meme Tribulations

Bahumbug! Sissy tagged me with the Christmas Meme.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper.

2.Real tree or artificial? Artificial. A 9 foot artificial.

3.When do you put up the tree? Christmas Eve if I had my way.

4.When do you take the tree down? The day after Christmas if I had my way.

5.Do you like eggnog? It's okay!

6.Favorite gift you received as a child? Having Santa bring Dad home for Christmas and the Barbie furniture my mom made from milk cartons and aluminum cans.

7.Do you have a nativity scene? No

8.Hardest person to buy for? Actually there happen to be two. Pan and Nuke. Pan and Nuke normally just goes out and buy whatever it is they want. Or it tends to be so outrageously priced as to make it beyond my capabilities to afford it (like the year that Nuke suggested a kit helicopter).

9.Easiest person to buy for? Indy. This year he may be getting a laundry basket.

10.Mail or email Christmas cards? E-mail. If I even remember that.

11.Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Anything from my ex.

12.Favorite Christmas movie? Any of the Scrooge/Christmas Carol movies..

13.When do you start shopping? 1 week before Christmas.

14.Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No. But thought about it for my ex.

15.Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? My mom's pork and beef stuffing!!

16.Clear lights or colored on the tree? Clear; not blinking!

17.Favorite Christmas song? Darcy the Dragon as sung by Roger Whittaker.

18.Travel at Christmas or stay home? Travel.

19.Can you name all of Santa's Reindeers? Yep, I think

20.Angel on the tree top or a star? Tinkerbell.

21.Open the presents on Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning.

22.Most annoying thing about this time of year? Being back from Hawaii.

23.Do you have Jesus in your heart this Christmas? This and every day.

24.What would you like for Christmas? Can't get to greedy since I just got a new truck; a dash cell; a bluetooth earpiece and a trip to Hawaii.

5 to Tag: Everyone has been tagged so I guess I'm last one out and am turning out the lights.

Ornamental Tribulations

You Are a Tree

You love every part of the holidays, down to the candy canes and stockings. And you're goofy enough to put a Christmas tree ornament on your tree!

What Christmas Ornament Are You?

Can't let the bug be the only one stealing this.

Enjoying Tribulations?

Wed 12/20 Blog Prompt: Fill in the blank and then tell us about it.

I enjoy sleeping now, but if anyone had told me that years ago, I would never have believed them.

I never have liked to sleep. Afraid I was going to miss something. I still feel that way now from time to time, but I sure do enjoy crawling into bed, snuggling under the covers and drifting off to sleep.

Photo from Hawaii:

Here Scamp husks a coconut.He actually came in first onthis one. So now whenever Ineed a coconut husked I knowwho to call on.

Apart from My Tribulations

Tues 12/19 Blog Prompt: What sets you apart from the crowd?

It will probably depend on who you ask. One of my best friends will tell you it is because I am the only person she knows who watches science shows for pleasure. She will also tell you that I can get along with a wide variety of people, from your fast food cook to a rocket scientist. It always makes me feel good when she brings that up.

If you ask my boss' wife, she will tell you if you need anything from her husband, you have to go through me.

Pan would probably say, well, we won't go there will we.

My kids could possibly tell you that I am a fantastic mom and a great listener, NOT, LOL.

The Princess will tell you that I look just like the Disney Tinkerbell. (oh to see through the eyes of a child). Actually I look more like Ms. Frosty the Snowman.

So I reiterate, it depends on the crowd and who is involved.

Photo from Hawaii:


Samoa at the PolynesianCulture Center. Scamp wasdragged up on stage to helpwith some presentations. Thisone was to start a fire with a stick. He got some smoke.

Word of the Week - RAPSCALLION (n)

Disclaimer: All words that I choose come from the 1968 edition of the Webster's New World Dictionary, 2nd college edition. It's close and also nearly 40 years old so we may come across some words that are no longer in general use or have completely changed definitions. But that is part of the fun.

rapscallion (n)
a rascal; rogue.

And what in the world can you do with this word? Well, you could write a sentence using it. You could look it up in another dictionary or reference book. (several dictionary searches available in my sidebar for your use.) Use it as a jump start for a short story. If applicable, find a picture of it. Whatever you do, post a link in my comments so I can check it out and put a link back to your post. And have fun.

Pressures of Tribulations

Mon 12/18 Blog Prompt: Where do you go when you want to get away from the pressures of life, family, work, etc.?

It's kind of hard to get away when you have a two year old running around and you haven't had to deal with something like that for nearly 30 years. My mom is right, it is harder as you get older. Seems like there is never any time during the day and I don't remember it being like that when I was in my 20's.

Still if I can find the time to get away, a good book is always the best choice. Sometimes I will spend time playing computer games, just so I don't have to think about what is transpiring around me. Although when I try a game I am usually interrupted with pleas of wanting to play too.

Photo shot from Hawaii:


The Ballerina has been taking modeling lessons and Scamp, her dad, wanted herto show off for us. We had just gotten thereso she was still a little shy, but dad showedher the paces to go through.

Gifts and Tribulations

Weekend Blogging 12/16 - 12/17: Brought to us by Loonyhiker - Who is the hardest person to buy a gift for and why?

Gosh get home from Hawaii and get the hardest question of the year to have to try and answer. But I will give it my best effort.

Actually there happen to be two. Pan and Nuke. Pan and Nuke normally just goes out and buy whatever it is they want. Or it tends to be so outrageously priced as to make it beyond my capabilities to afford it (like the year that Nuke suggested a kit helicopter).

This year Nuke sent me a link to a site for a Tinkertoy computer (built out of Tinkertoys), so maybe I will just start buying him sets of them and eventually he will have enough to build his own. Right?

Pan will be easy this year though as our gift to each other was the trip to Hawaii.

Tribulations of Being Back

We made it home. While it was great to sleep in my own bed for a change, I still miss seeing the Ballerina. Everyone, except Pan and I, were worried about how she would react to us as she had only seen us once before about a year and a half ago.

She adored Pan and had him carry her everywhere, and she always wanted to go to Tink and Pan's house. We had a wonderful time whle we were there as Scamp and Honey had the full week planned out. I'll be posting all about it this week complete with pictures or scrapbook pages.

Well as soon as my computer is up and going again I will. I'm posting from Pan's right now.

Tink Is Back In Florida

Just a head's up. Tink has made it back. But her network is down. She'll be posting when it is all working again. Phew.

Christmas Meme and Tribulations

Friday 12/15 Blog Prompt: Let's have some fun today with a Christmas meme that's making the blogging rounds - Christmas Questionnaire

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Depends on who is making it.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? When the kids were little no wrapping, they just woke up and ran into the living room to be unindated with toys everywhere. Now that Santa doesn't really make stops here, the gifts are all wrapped.

3. Colored lights or white lights on tree/house? White lights. We have a 9' foot artifical tree and I like to wrap the lights around the post in the center and then spaced about every 6" inches apart on each branch. I don't do the lights anymore so it rarely gets done the way I like it.

4. Do you hang Mistletoe? No.

5. When do you put your decorations up? If it was me, they would go up Christmas Eve day, but since it isn't they usually go up the weekend after Thanksgiving.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? My mom's pork and beef stuffing.

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? Waking up and seeing the tree decked out in lights and angel hair.

8. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? One.

9. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? Is there something Santa isn't telling us?

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? I would love to do a theme, but there would be too many arguments. So we have Star Trek ornaments, mixed in with those special ones that we buy each year.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? I love snow, but don't get to see it much anymore.

12. Can you ice skate? Probably not anymore.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Having Santa bring Dad home for Christmas and the Barbie furniture my mom made from milk cartons and aluminum cans.

14. What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Spending time with my family

15. What tops your tree? Tinkerbell. You need to ask?

16. What’s your favorite holiday tradition? Stockings filled with oranges, apples, pears, nuts and peppermint sticks.

17. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Giving, of course.

18. What is your favorite holiday dessert? Divinity.

19. What is your favorite Christmas song? Darcy the Dragon as sung by Roger Whittaker.

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? I can take them or leave them.

21. What is your favorite Christmas special/movie? Any of the Scrooge/Christmas Carol movies. I believe I have them all and we start watching them a week or two before Christmas with a different one every night.

Busy Tribulations

Amazing how life can take over on occassion. Had wonderful plans on changing Tink's blog to a different background and so on. Hasn't happened and I think she'll be back before I find the time! Instead, I will put out some humor for all to enjoy:

THE BEST holiday eating tips...EVER!!

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. Like fine single-malt scotch, it's rare. In fact, it's even rarer than single-malt scotch. You can't find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-aholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or, if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention.

Reread tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner. Remember this motto to live by: "Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"

Happy Holidays to you all!

Senses & Tribulations

Thurs 12/14 Blog Prompt: Using your 5 senses (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste), what will/did you experience today?

Sight: A messed up house again. It was nice to come in from the airport on Friday to a clean house. Didn't last long though.
Sound: Children playing, laughing, screeching as they ran around.
Smell: Right now, chocolate chip cookies that Pan is baking. First thing I have been able to smell in a couple of days.
Touch: The soft cheek of Indy as he laid up against me to watch Christmas shows.
Taste: Onions and tomatoes on an omelet. Yummmmm.

Peculiar Gifts and Tribulations

Wed 12/13 Blog Prompt: What's the most peculiar gift you've ever received? Describe what happened when you opened it and your reaction.

It wasn't peculiar but was unusual as it was unexpected especially from my father. The Christmas I was 16 he bought me a silk nightie and negligee. Definitely not something that I expected. It was a wonderful gift on so many levels, the most prominent being that he had started to realize that I was growing up.

Tribulations of a Favorite Holiday Song

Tues 12/12 Blog Prompt: Do you have a favorite holiday song? Which one(s) drive you crazy?

Absolutely have a favorite holiday song and it is song by Roger Whittaker. I love the song "Darcy the Dragon." On the same cd is "Tiny Angels" which is always a tear-jerker for me as when I listen to it, I think about when my kids were "Tiny Angels."

I guess the one that drives me crazy at this point is the one about Grandma getting run over by the reindeer. It was cute but has been run into the ground I think.

My kids still like Jingle Bells in latin; so I guess I can add that one to my favorites too.

Naming Tribulations

Since Tink loves words... I found THIS LIST of words over at Mary Beth's.

I didn't even know that this one had a name:

FERRULE - The metal band on a pencil that holds the eraser in place.

There are 32 more there to entertain you and drive your friends nuts.

Word of the Week - RAMULOSE (adj)

Disclaimer: All words that I choose come from the 1968 edition of the Webster's New World Dictionary, 2nd college edition. It's close and also nearly 40 years old so we may come across some words that are no longer in general use or have completely changed definitions. But that is part of the fun.

ramulose (adj)
having many small branches.

And what in the world can you do with this word? Well, you could write a sentence using it. You could look it up in another dictionary or reference book. (several dictionary searches available in my sidebar for your use.) Use it as a jump start for a short story. If applicable, find a picture of it. Whatever you do, post a link in my comments so I can check it out and put a link back to your post. And have fun.

Entry Tribulations

Mon 12/11 Blog Prompt: At what time do you normally write your blog entries? Does it make a difference in what you write?

Normally on Tuesday and Thursdays, I try to write before I go to work. Rest of the week, it is when I have a moment to sit down and think about it. I know it usually after 9 a.m., as my mother sees the previous day's post when she checks the blogs out.

I don't think it really makes a difference in what I write, but I will wait if it is something that for me requires some kind of forethought so I don't stick my foot in my mouth so to speak.

Christmas Quiz Tribulations

Had a little fun taking THIS QUIZ. I made 200... with my hubby's help of course.

The Tribulations of Having Fun

There have been some fun links going around. First you can go 'Elf yourself' which I found at Michele's place. Very funny. Next you can go practice shooting your gun, just be sure not to shoot your eye out from the Splatter Zone. ;-)

And while Happy Dog is on guard... he didn't see me sneak over and change Tink's banner. Ahhhh. The fun.

Craving Tribulations

Weekend Blogging 12/9 - 12/10: Brought to us by mom2triplets - What do I crave? (Food)

What foods do I crave? Well it really depends on the time of day, the season and how I am feeling. Most times turnip greens with loads of salt and scallions will satisfy any craving that I may have. But if I am feeling under the weather, I prefer something spicy, guacamole, tacos, etc. Like now, I would really like some guacamole and am staring at a semi-ripe avocado, as if my stare will make it ripen faster.

Lucky Tribulations

Friday 12/8 Blog Prompt: To misquote Clint Eastwood - Do you feel lucky?

Lucky or blessed? I don't know that I really believe in luck, although I will from time to time, make some mention as to how lucky I have been. More than anything, I believe that I am blessed to have such a wonderful family and a great life.

Sisterly Tribulations

What good is it to be given the keys to the blog when your sister keeps showing up?? Geeze. You'd think that while in Hawaii visiting her son and his family she would be w.a.y too busy to post. It won't stop me from having some fun this weekend. Please send your suggestions directly to happydogspeaks (at) gmail (dot) com.

Ornament Tribulations

Thurs 12/7 Blog Prompt: Do you have a favorite ornament or decoration that you display at this time of year? Tell us its story!

Epees is my favorite ornament, although he does have a tendency to wander around the house via the grandkids. Epees is what I was told meant pest in filipino. In other words, epees is a spider. I have a palm sized one that I put on the tree every year.

I'm in Hawaii so I can't dig out the paper which gives the full story on the Christmas tree and the spider but it went something like this:

On Christmas eve, a long time ago, a gentle mother was busily cleaning the house for the most wonderful day of the year... Christmas day, the day on which the little Christ child came to bless the house. Not a speck of dust was left. Even the spiders had been banished from their cozy corner on the ceiling. They had fled to the farthest corner of the attic.

The Christmas tree was beautifully decorated. The poor spiders were frantic, for they could not see the tree, nor be present for the little Christ child's visit. Then the oldest and wisest spider suggested that perhaps they could wait until everyone went to bed and then get a closer look.

When the house was dark and silent, the spiders crept out of their hiding place. When they neared the Christmas tree, they were delighted with the beauty of it. The spiders crept all over the tree, up and down, over the branches and twigs and saw every one of the pretty things.

The spiders loved the Christmas tree. All night long they danced in the branches, leaving them covered with spider webs. In the morning, when the little Christ child came to bless the house, he was dismayed! He loved the little spiders for they were God's creatures, but he knew the mother, who had worked so hard to make everything perfect, would not be pleased when she saw what the spiders had done.

With love in his heart and a smile on his lips, the little Christ child reached out and gently touched the spider webs. The spider webs started to sparkle and shine! They had all turned into sparkling, shimmering silver and gold.

According to legend, ever since this happened, people have hung tinsel on their Christmas trees. It has also become a custom to include a spider among the decorations on the Christmas tree.

Reindeer Tribulations

Some days I get shocked by the strangest things. And it happened today over at Mary Beth's. She has THIS POST up on reindeer ornaments. I didn't know whether to laugh or blush or be shocked. I think I was all three. I never thought about ornaments in quite that way before. Particularly since she pointed out my post about reindeer and their antlers. Read that first before looking at the ornament. It gives you a whole different view.

Yaa... Tink is going to kick my butt when I get back. ;-)

The Tribulations of Learning to Cook

Wed 12/6 Blog Prompt: Describe your cooking skills as a newlywed. If you're not yet married, describe your cooking skills when you first moved out on your own.

Pan lucked out in that I got to test my culinary skills on the ex. And yes, test them I did. The first meal we had together was by candlelight because I was trying to hide the uncooked steak and the over-cooked french fries.

Like I said Pan lucked out and by the time we married I was a fairly decent cook.

And Bug if you don't behave yourself, I will turn the keys over to someone more reliable next time. Which by the way is going to be universal instead of disney in May.

Newlywed Cooking Tribulations

Blogprompt: Describe your cooking skills as a newlywed. If you're not yet married, describe your cooking skills when you first moved out on your own.

Since I wasn't around when my sister got married... and she didn't tell me any of those kind of stories... I'll have to tell you about our mom. When she was baking a chicken for the very first time, she thought it was finished after it had gotten a golden brown color. Needless to say, it was pretty bloody when you cut into it. Which explained why Dad really didn't want us learning how to cook while at home. GRIN.

Keys and Tribulations

What to do? What to do? Tink left me the keys and I just don't know what I should do. Any suggestions? **snicker**

Winter Memories and Tribulations

Tues 12/5 Blog Prompt: What is your favorite winter memory?

My favorite is the year that Pan and I married. It was the first time in years that it actually snowed and waking up and seeing the white stuff on the ground was so miraculous.

I ran out and made a giant snowball. Snuck back into the house and beamed Pan while he was using the restroom (still didn't make up for the machete though). Startled him and he knew better than to take it out on me so he made snowballs and threw them at the kids while they were still in bed.

Talk about bringing the house down, LOL. It was so funny to see all of them, from Pan to the kids trying to decide whether to be angry or excited that it was snowing.

I grin just thinking about.

INDY UPDATE: Well the turd managed to get the cut infected. Bombshell took him to the doctor today, they lanced it and put him on antibiotics, but he has to go back tomorrow. If it has not improved substantially, they will be putting him in the hospital. I tell you, he is just doing this so that I will be worried sick about him while I'm gone.

You all take care for the next week and a half. Bug will be doing the guest posting for me, but I want you to keep an eye out on her. And what she doesn't know is that I will be checking in to see what she is doing as well. But be good to her as well. She does have two youngsters to chase around.

Happy Holidays all.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAN

Just want you to know how very much I love you and am glad to be able to spend another birthday with you. I'll make up for it by making sure you get leied in Hawaii. (This is the real day, honest.... December 4, it is December 4, isn't it?)

For those stopping by, please wish my better half a most joyous Birthday.

Word of the Week - CLYPEATE (adj)

Disclaimer: All words that I choose come from the 1968 edition of the Webster's New World Dictionary, 2nd college edition. It's close and also nearly 40 years old so we may come across some words that are no longer in general use or have completely changed definitions. But that is part of the fun.

clypeate (adj)
shaped like a round shield.

And what in the world can you do with this word? Well, you could write a sentence using it. You could look it up in another dictionary or reference book. (several dictionary searches available in my sidebar for your use.) Use it as a jump start for a short story. If applicable, find a picture of it. Whatever you do, post a link in my comments so I can check it out and put a link back to your post. And have fun.

Tribulations of a Baobob and Cedar Tree

Mon 12/4 Blog Prompt: I think this was suggested by Trish (ArtCTiger) sometime last week - What kind of tree would you be? Take it seriously! Think about it and give us your reasonings. And after you've done that, follow this link: Tree Astrology, to see what tree your birth date says you are!

Baobob for my constantly changing girth. More exactly for storing fat. Okay they store water but you get the meaning. They also cannot be aged as they do not produce growth rings and I have been told on numerous occasions that I look younger than I am. They can endure harsh conditions in the areas they grow, as I have endured harsh conditions in my own life. Yep, that's me. Just call me Ms. Baobob Tree.

But according to tree astrology, I am a cedar. The tree of the Lord as pronounced by the Jewish Nature Center. And if you pop on over to National Arbor Day Foundation this is what they have to say:

"An excellent evergreen with graceful pendulous branches. Pyramidal form when young, wide-spreading and flat-topped in old age."

Hey, how did they know that I am wide-spread and flat-topped? Oh well, guess you can just call me Ms. BaobobCedarTree.

Celebrity Tribulations

Blatantly Stolen from ArmyWifeToddlerMom today, but had done it before via a link from VW Bug, who I noticed hasn't updated today and better do so before mom calls.

Christmas Cooking and Gifts I Need Tribulations

Weekend Blogging 12/2 - 12/3:
Part one from Ordinary Days - I'm spending the weekend making Christmas treats. I'll share a recipe or two. Anyone else?
Part two supplied by Love2Scrap - And here is one: what do YOU reallllly want for Christmas? (especially helpful if your hubby reads your blog!).

Part one: Cheesecake Squares
Cream 5 tablespoons butter, 1/3 cup light brown sugar. Add 1 cup flour and 1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts. Save some crumbs and press rest into 8x8x2" pan, bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes.

Blend 1/2 cup sugar and 8 ounces cream cheese. Add 1 well beaten egg, 2 tablespoons milk, 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Blend and pour over crust. Sprinkle leftover crumbs on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Cool and cut.

Part two: I can't really think of much more I should ask for Christmas as I just got a new truck, a new T-Mobile dash cell phone and a bluetooth earpiece for said cellphone, add in the trip to Hawaii for 9-10 days and I think I would be pretty greedy if I asked for anything additional.

But I can put a list down for next year, just in case darling Pan wants to make note, LOL. Lets see. A new computer; 1 gig memory sticks for my camera; a digital camcorder; cork flooring throughout the house; a trip to Las Vegas; a trip to South Carolina; etc. Don't want much do I?

Board, Video or Card Tribulations

Friday 12/1 Blog Prompt: Earlier in the week, we talked about favorite cartoons. Now I want to know your favorite board game, video game, or card game. And who do you usually play with?

I can remember when we were growing up, mom and sometimes dad would sit at the dining table playing cards and board games with us. I was never that good with my own kids. Oh we played games but just not as often as I did as a child. Nuke and I always preferred to put on a Weird Al Yankovich record and make up dance moves to the songs. No wonder he eventually took 3 or 4 years of ballroom dancing.

As I aged I found that I really liked Trivial Pursuit. Something about being trivial I guess, LOL. I don't have an eidetic memory, but I have accumulated vast amounts of useless information which I can recall most times (as long as I don't need to anyway). Better yet, I know how to locate the information I need. I always liked playing games like Life, Risk and Monopoly, but I tend to be pretty competitive in them so I have to be careful who I play those games with. Down deep I really don't want to hurt anyone's feelings.

I really never got into the video games like my kids and Pan did. Pan now has a X-Box that he plays the Star Wars games on, but not much of anything else, although I bought him all kinds of games to play on it. I do like playing computer games though. My favorites tend to games like Bookworm and Diner Dash. The first to keep my vocabulary up; the second to test my memory and speed.

And yes I love card games too. Growing up was Fish, War and Old Maid; by high school it was pinochle, hearts and spades, with the old stand by of solitaire. Now that the grands are around we are back to Fish, War and Old Maid.

More Holiday Tribulations

Thurs 11/30 Blog Prompt: What if Christmas (or Chanakah, Kwanzaa, etc.) didn't require giving gifts? Would it still feel the same?

If we are speaking about receiving gifts for me, myself and I, yes it would still feel the same. I would be happy with the beautiful music, sparkling lights, happy faces and general feeling of joy.

But then again I just love giving gifts to the little ones. I love to see the shine in their eyes when they open their presents. For the really young it isn't the gift but the act of opening it (I think we are buying Indy a laundry basket this year, hehehe). To me Christmas is all about the children, explaining to them the meaning of the season and in giving gifts.

Trips and Tribulations

This past week has been filled with anxiety and excitement, which has lead to a decline in my posting. I'm caught up with the prompts I believe.

Now let me lead you down memory lane starting last Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving.

Wednesday
The Princess was home from school, out sick, throwing up. Nice start to the holidays.

Nuke was due home the next day to celebrate the holiday and I wanted to get things cleaned up before he got here. Indy and I were in my bedroom picking up his toys, when he brought me a glass ice cube. I have them for decorative purposes, but I have no idea where he managed to find it from. I wasn't worried they have rounded corners and no sharp edges. Still I took it away from him and put it up high (I forgot about his 5 foot reach). I turned my back to throw a few things away when I hear him crying and turn around and blood is gushing out of the bottom of his foot.

(side note: it was the ice cube again, I can only figure that he got it down, stomped on it and it broke)

Panic sets in. I rush him to the bathroom to wash it out and it looks worse than I thought. It was about an 1" wide and 1/4" deep. And I can't stop the blood flowing. I realized the advantage of having a bluetooth earpiece with voice tags and call Pan. He doesn't understand what I am saying and thought I was chewing him out from coming home early the day before instead of today. Finally, what does get through is, Indy, Blood, Call Bombshell (I don't have her work number voice tagged yet). I grab a pair of shorts (hey they were handy) and wrap it tightly around his foot, call the Princess in to hold it while I get dressed and call the doctor's office, while talking with Bombshell on the other phone.

After wrapping it in gauze and ace bandages off to the emergency room we head. By the time we get there Indy has all but forgotten his foot and is running around, climbing on glass tables trying to look at the helicopter outside and putting on a great show for the receptionists. And he can't be seen until Bombshell shows up.

Note to self: Before leaving for Hawaii 1) Look for medical power of attornies (or call mom to read off the ones I gave her) and print them out for both kids. 2) write that housing letter for Bombshell. 3) put pictures she wants onto cd so she can have prints made. 4) clean out fridge and give food to Bombshell.

Oh, I digress. Anyway, they finally take him back and put him in a room. A real room with a door. A door that shuts. No curtains this time. But it also means I can't occasionally get a glimpse of him or hear him. This might have been a good thing. Bombshell said that she had to hold him down the entire time and each time someone came in, he would say in a loud pitiful voice "Help Me." Three stitches later and we all get to go home.

Thursday - Thanksgiving Day
We get up early to head over to my sister's house at the north, north, west, west side of Florida. Just think as far north and as far west as you can go in Florida and your there. Nuke made it there before we did so he got to spend quality time with mom, ddpup and bear. Lunch was delicious, smoked turkey and pork with green bean casserole, mashed potatoes and just tons of other stuff. I only ate a little as I knew we would be having dinner with Pan's family next.

A little after one, caravaning with Nuke and Bombshell we headed to the beach and to the Hilton for a dinner buffet with Pan's family. Okay, I'm going to complain. I've stayed at Hilton Hotels and have eaten there and have always been impressed. Not so on Thursday. The food was dry and they just didn't have a big variety for being a buffet. Nuf said.

Friday
Bombshell called to say that she was vomiting and would not be going to work that evening. After I got off work I picked the kids up though so she could have a couple of hours of rest. And I got to spend some time with Nuke before he leave at dawn the next day.

Saturday
Woke up sick. Not really sick, sick if you know what I mean. Like I had eaten something that had disagreed with me. Only thing is, it lasted for three days and I still didn't lose the 10 pounds I wanted.

Monday
Back to work. Back home just as fast. No staying at work and being paid for being in the little library. Gave up eating (still no lose of weight). Bombshell picks the kids up late; but Indy is still awake. His schedule is so screwed. She gets them home and while she is putting the Princess in bed, Indy finds the new bottle of toothpaste and promptly smears it all over himself, the carpet and in his mouth. Bomb calls to see what she needs to do. Another call to the Poison Control Center.

Tuesday
Back to work and managed to stay. Bombshell called to say that she had an appointment for the Princess at 3:20 but she was going to be able to take her. Leave work and stop at Whataburger (I was starving). Ordered a Whataburger with cheese to go. Get home, take a big bite out of it and it is topped with loads of jalepena. Gave up eating again. (still no weight lose). Bombshell calls to say that she had to go into work early. Everyone called in sick or just didn't show, would I take the Princess to the doctor.

She has chronic intestinal problems and will probably have to be on some kind of medication for the next 6 months to a year. That and we will have to go over what she can and cannot eat with her father and other grandparents. The doc has already advised that she will continue to have severe stomach cramps this week.

Now we are back to Wednesday and what does all this have to do with trips? Plenty. It means I am not ready at all for mine next Wednesday. No figuring out what to take, no packing, no lose of that extra 10 pounds so now I have to buy some new clothes; nothing. Oh well, maybe tomorrow.

Aged Tribulations

Wed 11/29 Blog Prompt: How old would you say you are, if you didn't actually know your age?

Interesting prompt today. Twenty-one? I don't think so. Actually when I see myself I see someone who is 50, which is how old I am. But most people who first meet me think I am much younger. (Must be that Indian blood I inherited from my mother; or it could be from my dad's side, he looked the same at 17 and 70, few less wrinkles a 17 possibly).

Then again, I have never been very good at guessing ages.

Teenage Mortifications and Tribulations

Tues 11/28 Blog Prompt: As suggested by Jennyrae yesterday - The book "Mortified" by Dave Nadelberg goes on sale tomorrow, see his web. Anyway it is a collection of readings from teen diaries. Bad poetry, crazy stories, angst etc. Thought it would be fun to do that here as a posting. Share an old entry or poem from our teenage diaries.

I never kept a diary during high school. Too busy I guess. But I do have one particularly embarrassing moment. One that Love2Scrap will be able to relate to.

I lived on Guam during most of my high school years and use to go swimming at the pool just about every day. I thought I was so hot in my green bikini and would strut around like I owned the world. But who at 16-17 doesn't think that, right?

All of that came dashing around my feet the day I dove off the high dive and came up. Out of the pool I came, strutting up to the deck for the a sunbath, soaking in the looks of admiration I was getting from all the young men there. That is until one of the young airmen, who also happened to be a friend, came up and explained that half of my bikini top was not where it was suppose to be. I looked down and sure enough one side had slid up over the top of my semi-ample breast. And as I had been walking it had been waving helllloooo to every one of those airmen.

Mortified? I wanted to lay right down and die, right there, right then. I guess I could have just slunk away never to appear at the pool again, but guess what? Guam is not that big. There is no place to hide. So I did the only thing I could think of. I stood up and fixed in front of everyone, with a glare that said, "Okay you have had your look, but don't ever think you will touch it."

I can laugh about it now, but back then it was horrible on two counts: one, it happened, and two, a guy told me about it.

Word of the Week - COMPEER (n)

Disclaimer: All words that I choose come from the 1968 edition of the Webster's New World Dictionary, 2nd college edition. It's close and also nearly 40 years old so we may come across some words that are no longer in general use or have completely changed definitions. But that is part of the fun.

compeer (n)
1. a person of the same rank or status; equal; peer
2. a companion; comrade.

And what in the world can you do with this word? Well, you could write a sentence using it. You could look it up in another dictionary or reference book. (several dictionary searches available in my sidebar for your use.) Use it as a jump start for a short story. If applicable, find a picture of it. Whatever you do, post a link in my comments so I can check it out and put a link back to your post. And have fun.

Childhood Shows and Tribulations

Mon 11/27 Blog Prompt: What was your favorite childhood cartoon, comic, or TV show?

I'm definitely going to age myself with this one, lol, as when I was going up cartoons came on Wednesday night and were really for adults, you know, the Flintstones, Bugs Bunny, etc. Batman with Adam West came on Thursday nights and each episode ended with "To be continued next week at the same Bat time; on the same Bat channel."

But my absolute favorites had to be the weekends when I would watch the old Shirley Temple, Jungle Jim and Tarzan shows (yes they were old even when I was a child). Living vicariously as the little orphans that Shirley played or hacking my way through the jungle with Jungle Jim and Tarzan, both of whom were played by Johnny Weissmuller. Yes, those were great shows to watch as I was growing up.

The Tribulation of Cars

I am sure many of you have seen Disney's Cars recently released on dvd. I know I have, nearly 4 times a day. It is a cute movie with a lot of good morales in it, but...

And there is always a but, isn't there? The only races I have ever seen were stock car races; and one 500 in New Orleans, so I am not an expert on racing. What I want from all you guys and gals who actually know something about racing is to explain to me about the pace car.

Sales and Tribulations

Friday 11/24 Blog Prompt: Sorry I'm late today!!!Are you a shopper? Do you like crowds and sales, or shopping at off hours when the stores are empty? Or doing as much as possible over the computer? Happy Black Friday!

I hate shopping in crowds. I have a real crowd issue. Funny considering I really like giving gifts. So I would have to say I would prefer to pay more and shop when the stores are empty. And even on the computer, although Pan does that more than I do.

I am thankful that I have a home as well as plenty of food and clothes.

Funny Thanksgiving Tribulations?

Thurs 11/23 Blog Prompt: Do you have any funny stories from past Thanksgiving or other holiday meals/gatherings? Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I'm off to pull the guts out of a cold, 20 pound turkey! Wheeee! In honor of the American holiday of Thanksgiving, every day this week, let's have a secondary prompt about thankfulness. What are you/your family thankful for? Add something to your blog each day, and then perhaps you can share them with your family on Thanksgiving.

I cannot remember one funny Thanksgiving dinner. We have had our share of fun, telling stories and laughing, but I can't think of one Charlie Chaplin moment.

Pan probably has some funny ones though. I remember him telling me about one dinner, although it may not have been Thanksgiving. His grandmother would spend hours washing and ironing the tablecloth; and should one drop be spilled on it you would incur the wrath of grandma.

At one dinner, Pan began watching his father intently. His dad would pick up a salt shaker then set it back down. Next came the pepper shaker... pick it up, set it down. Butter, condiments, nothing was left untouched.

After awhile it dawned on Pan what his father was doing. He wasn't just picking them up and setting them back down. He was setting them down over spilled food and drink, so grandma wouldn't notice.

I am thankful that I have three children who all grew into wonderful adults that I am extremely proud of.

Holiday Tribulations

Wed 11/22 Blog Prompt: How does the thought of the approaching holidays make you feel? In honor of the American holiday of Thanksgiving, every day this week, let's have a secondary prompt about thankfulness. What are you/your family thankful for? Add something to your blog each day, and then perhaps you can share them with your family on Thanksgiving.

Harried. More so this year as we will be leaving for Hawaii in a week and a half. Most times I really enjoy the upcoming holiday seasons. It is time to spend with family and friends. But I can get a little depressed if money is somewhat tight during the season, as I love to buy for everyone. Just call me Ms. Claus, LOL.

I am thankful for a full and varied family who all gets along and really likes one another.

Tribulations of a Classic Movie Leader

What Classic Movie Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

What Famous Leader Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

Following in Deathknyte's footsteps.

Traditional Tribulations

Tues 11/21 Blog Prompt: Do you have any unusual holiday traditions? And/or what traditions are you looking forward to this holiday season?

I don't know if it unusual, but it's a tradition. One that I remember from my childhood. The Christmas stocking. My parents always put oranges and peppermint sticks (such as King Leo's). First we would roll the orange between our hands to release the juices and then mom or dad would cut a hole in the top for us to slip the peppermint stick into to use as a straw.

I have carried that tradition into my own home. My kids grew up with stockings filled with apples, oranges, pears, walnuts, pecans and, of course, King Leo peppermint sticks. So while they were opening their gifts, they were munching on the fruit from their stockings and watching Miracle on 34th Street.

I recall overhearing them talking to some friends after Christmas one year. Everyone was talking about what they had gotten in their stockings. This was the first time my children realized that you could get toys in your stocking. Uh oh. I just knew I was in for it. Then they told their friends about the fruit and nuts they got. Suddenly they were the most popular kids on the block. Everyone was wishing their folks did that too.

Bombshell doesn't do it for her kids (I don't think), but then they come over here where I have stockings for the Princess and Indy filled with fruit. And I am not sure whether Scamp and Honey carry on the tradition. Guess I will have to ask them when I get to Hawaii in two weeks.

Word of the Week - QUADRIVIAL (adj)

Disclaimer: All words that I choose come from the 1968 edition of the Webster's New World Dictionary, 2nd college edition. It's close and also nearly 40 years old so we may come across some words that are no longer in general use or have completely changed definitions. But that is part of the fun.

quadrivial (adj)
1. having or being four roads meeting in a point.
2. of the quadrivium..

And what in the world can you do with this word? Well, you could write a sentence using it. You could look it up in another dictionary or reference book. (several dictionary searches available in my sidebar for your use.) Use it as a jump start for a short story. If applicable, find a picture of it. Whatever you do, post a link in my comments so I can check it out and put a link back to your post. And have fun.

A Star Wars Tribulation

While trying to locate the Jedi Padawan test that Michele at Letters from NYC I located this one.

Your Star Wars Name and Title

Your Star Wars Name: Karde Scell Your Star Wars Title: Yedgua of Eoz

Your Star Wars Name and Title

Jedi Knight You scored 72 on the Force Sensitivity/Jedi Chart!

Other Jedi like you: Luke Skywalker, Mara Jade, Leia Organa Solo, Anakin Skywalker (before turn), Ki-Adi Mundi, Aayla Secura and Revan(after rescue) You are a Jedi Knight, the symbol of what is good and just in the galaxy. You are in control of your feelings though you may rarely do something considered dark or think of yourself before others. Hardly any darkness makes it through you. You are a very skilled fighter and have heightened mental and athletic abilities only other can dream of. You use your abilities not for yourself though but to help others, and while you have probably killed, it was either in defense of others or in defense of yourself. You prefer to negotiate or detain rather then kill as both give your soul much easier rest. You command the respect of a great many and as many Jedi were you are probably a high ranking officer in an army. You have little left to accomplish as becoming a Master is a matter of completely giving yourself to the Force and being respected by other Jedi. Teach yourself new things and seek out training you have not had yet and you may very well become a Jedi Master. Be wary of the Sith, as they will seek to destroy and those around you. ____________ Thank you for taking my test, if you have any comments, complaints or anything you'd like to see changed/added, please contact me through here or my email (zabomb56@hotmail.com).

Charity Tribulations

Mon 11/20 Blog Prompt: Three things you'd donate to charity right now are...

1. Time, if I had any, especially the Marine Corps Toys for Tots.
2. Any and all of the toys that are currently gracing my living room, dining room and bedroom floor (better include kitchen floor as well), as long as they are in good shape. This may have to include Pan's halloween decorations which are still gracing the rooms.
3. Books, dvd, personal sundries for our service men and women.

Being American is not a Tribulations

You Are 86% American

You're as American as red meat and shooting ranges. Tough and independent, you think big. You love everything about the US, wrong or right. And anyone who criticizes your home better not do it in front of you!

How American Are You?

Wantonly stolen idea from Basil.

Movie Tribulations

Weekend Prompt brought to us by Glynis: Have we ever talked about favorite movies? Or movies that make you wish you had those two hours of your life back?

This is going to be a two way tie.

The 1939 version of Gunga Din with Cary Grant, Victor McLaglen, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., and Sam Jaffe. This also happens to be one of Bombshell's favorite movies as well. She use to crawl into bed with me when it would come on a 1 in the morning and just laugh and laugh and laugh.

Xanadu with Gene Kelly, Olivia Newton-John and Michael Beck. I don't know why it is my all time favorite other than it makes me feel good and reminds me of the movies of the 30's with the choreographed dances. Or just because it has Gene Kelly in it. (trivia for Mrs. Who - Michael Beck who plays Sonny Malone also played Abel Horn in the episode Spider in the Web on Babylon 5).

The Tribulations of Five Accomplishments

Friday 11/17 Blog Prompt: Tell us about five accomplishments from this past week. Big or small!

Five things I have accomplished this week, ummmmm......

1. Have managed to get through my second week of working from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., then watching the grands from 3:30 p.m. until 1:30 a.m. without loosing my mind.
2. Started working with Indy on potty training.
3. Finished a page in my faithbook.
4. Talked with all three of my kids during the week.
5. Did a guest post on my sister's blog.

Nothing earthshaking; wish I could have talked myself into doing something in the kitchen though.

Renaissance Tribulations

If you haven't been, you should take a look at the Ogre's site for his information and pictures of The Carolina Renaissance Festival, you might want to. He makes it sound so interesting, that even I may want to get my rear in gear and take a drive up.

But not to be outdone (okay, he is going to outdo me), I have a special picture to post myself from the fair.

I received a special photo of Little John (aka NavyNuke) by mail the other day. Woo Hoo.

Future Tribulations

Thurs 11/16 Blog Prompt: If you had an opportunity to see your future, would you want to? Why or why not?

No. Absolutely not. That falls under the same category as changing the past. Seeing my future may inspire to do things differently, in which case the future I saw would no longer be a reality and I would have to contually be able to see the future just to see if it comes out okay.

I would never be able to just enjoy the moment. And that's what it is all about, isn't it?

Movies like the "Butterfly Effect" and the one SciFi put out several years ago, tend to mirror how I feel about knowing the future. Changing one little thing can have devastating ripple effects. Am I smart (or brave) enough to make those decisions? I think not.

Reading Tribulations

Wed 11/15 Blog Prompt: The book I'm reading right now/just read is teaching me...

The book I am reading right now is "Eragon" by Christopher Paolini. It was recommended by NavyNuke. And if you like "Harry Potter" you will probably like this one two. In fact, they have a movie coming out on December 15, I think.

Fast reading and entertaining, but now I have to buy the second book. As far as the second part of the prompt goes, I'm not sure I understand. But then it has been a long day.

A Handful of Tribulations

Our blog promp for today was to write about two memories that happened two years ago. I actually have mine written, but I'm not going to post it, not right now anyway.

But Love2Scrap posted part one of hers and I got such a laugh out of it, I had emailed her asking if she would like to trade her seven for one Indy for a week. She declined but it reminded me of last evening and thought I would share it with you.

Indy is a handful.

The other night he managed to bit the end off of one of those silicon capsules they put in with aspirin and I had to call the Poison control center. Okay, I didn't have to, but it was the right thing to do. The poor woman at the pcc was rolling with laughter before we hung up. (Made someone happy last night, just not me)

First she told me the silicon was not poisonous; but had a warning as it is a choking hazard. She adviced me to wash his mouth out and give him plenty to drink.

But while I was talking to her, he tried to wrap the phone cord around his neck and crawl up on a computer monitor. So in the midst of our conversation, she was hearing "Indy, you're going to choke yourself," "Indy don't do that," "Indy stop right now," "Indy get off the monitor." Remember that Bill Cosby act about Steven on the plane? Well I felt like Steven's mother last night.

As we were hanging up and with a chuckle in her voice she says "You have your hands full." No Kidding.

Happy Birthday Mom

Today is my mother's birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I hope that she is having a fine time in her yard. Hey, she's always in the yard puttering around. Although I just noticed that she is online.

I'll give you a call after work......

Housing Tribulations

Mon 11/13/06 Blog Prompt: Imagine you save a man's life and later find out he is the richest man in the world. He offers to either buy you a new house and land or fix the house and land you already have any way you want. Describe either your new house and land or what improvements you would make on the land and house you already own.

At this point I would probably just make alterations to the home we already have. Such as putting in cork flooring throughout the house; painting; replacing windows, etc. I would also make an upstairs so that we could knock out floors downstairs and expand the size of the kitchen and living room.

In the yard I would have a landscape service take care of the front yard; but I would either put down wood decking or flagstone over the entire backyard (have a tiny backyard), with a built in sandbox for the kids. A built in gas grill that was large enough to handle my four-burner griddle would be a must; as well as a hot tub.

Word of the Week - RAMET

Disclaimer: All words that I choose come from the 1968 edition of the Webster's New World Dictionary, 2nd college edition. It's close and also nearly 40 years old so we may come across some words that are no longer in general use or have completely changed definitions. But that is part of the fun.

ramet
[biol] any of the members of a clone.

And what in the world can you do with this word? Well, you could write a sentence using it. You could look it up in another dictionary or reference book. (several dictionary searches available in my sidebar for your use.) Use it as a jump start for a short story. If applicable, find a picture of it. Whatever you do, post a link in my comments so I can check it out and put a link back to your post. And have fun.

Accent-dental Tribulations

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Inland North You may think you speak "Standard English straight out of the dictionary" but when you step away from the Great Lakes you get asked annoying questions like "Are you from Wisconsin?" or "Are you from Chicago?" Chances are you call carbonated drinks "pop."
The Midland
The Northeast
Philadelphia
The South
The West
Boston
North Central
What American accent do you have? Take More Quizzes

Shamelessly stolen from Quality Weenie.

Teenage Tribulations

Weekend Blogging 11/11-11/12: How about your favourite memory from your teenage years? courtesy of Magdalene

Gosh there are so many of them. For most of my teenage years I was on Guam. The island is a teenager's paradise or at least it was in the early 70's. But one memory really stands out, sort of.

If you will recall in the early 70's we were still in the midst of the Vietnam conflict. At the time I was a member of the Protestant Youth Organization and the Catholic Youth Organization (that's the part that is fuzzy, I can't remember which orchestrated the visit). Anyway, with one of the organizations, I visited the military hospital where all the men who had been injured were shipped prior to going stateside.

I remember sitting by their beds reading, talking, singing to them and even helping them with writing letters home. It was a very profound experience which, I am sure, shaped my mindset of today.

These young men were so courageous, that even at 16-17, I felt honored to be in their presence. God bless them all.

Fabulous Tribulations

Friday 11/10 Blog Prompt: Yesterday we had the Thursday Thirteen, today let's have Fabulous Friday!! Tell us about something FABULOUS in your life right now!

They say hindsight is better than foresight; but in this case I am not sure that is really true. Nothing, and I mean nothing fabulous happened.

So I guess what I need to do is count my blessing and realize that having my family around; being able to talk with my friends and family on a daily basis now and being able to walk out and smell the fresh air is more than adequate to count the day as fabulous. And so it is.

Project Valour IT

Since so many were posting about this, I thought it might not matter if I did a post as well. WELL, not so, especially since Letters from NY needed some re-enforcement on which service to put her hard-earned money down on. I also decided some links might be in order, starting with Project Valour IT.

Other participants who have information on their blog sites:

VW Bug
ArmyWifeToddlerMom
Bobo Blogger
Sgt. Hook
Boudicca's Voice
That1Guy
From the Halls to the Shores
Quality Weenie
Tammi's World

I know I probably missed a few along the way, but this, along with what follows, should give you plenty to read to make your donation decision

So, Michele at Letters from NYC I give you these reasons for voting:

Air Force - my Dad

Marines - my son, Scamp

Navy - my son, Nuke

Army - my cousin, Archeologist
Sorry, I couldn't find a picture.

But I personally think the above are four good reasons for investing.

Thirteen Vacation Tribulations of a sort.

Thurs 11/9 Blog Prompt: There are a bunch of bloggers that participate in a meme called the Thursday Thirteen. Today, you're joining them! You can write about any subject, but you have to think up 13 things. Examples: 13 things about me; 13 things I like about living where I do; 13 things my children say that crack me up; 13 things to do this weekend.

Thirteen vacations I would like to take:
1. A cruise to Alaska to see the whales the ice floes and the crisp, clean horizon.
2. Cape Cod in fall. The beautiful leaves turning and falling, the smell of the impending winter; the crash of the water against the rocks.
3. Sweden. My great grandmother is from Sweden and I would love to see the environment in which she grew up.
4. Scotland and Ireland. It may be that we have ancestors from Scotland; but I know that Pan has them from Scotland and Ireland.
5. Australia. All of it.
6. Hong Kong. The Tiger Balm Gardens, the street vendors, the restaurants, the stores.
7. Germany. My grandfather was from Germany and I didn't get to see nearly enough of it last time I was there visiting Bug.
8. Las Vegas. The Hilton, the Star Trek Experience and Quark's Bar.
9. Atlanta. Dante's Down Under and the 57th Fighter Group restaurants.
10. San Diego. The Zoo. I want to see the zoo again.
11. Hawaii. Oh but wait, I am going there next month (hehehehe)
12. Orlando. Big River Brewery and Restaurant. Want to take the grands. That would be perfect.
13. New Orleans. If it is up and going again. Any of the restaurants in the French Quarter.

Music, Youth and Tribulations

Wed 11/8 Blog Prompt: MUSIC—What are your early memories of music? What kind did you/do you prefer? Have your tastes changed over the years?

Twasn't really music in the sense one thinks of bands and such, but one of my first memories is of some records ddpup and I use to have many years ago. They were more than sing-alongs, they were play alongs. She and I rode the seven seas with Christopher Columbus and discovered the new world; "one if by land; two if by sea," echoed through the house as we used the back of the armchairs and couch as horses helping Paul Revere deliver the news. And there were more. We knew all the songs by heart.

By the time I was entering my early teens the Beetles were making news. (Does this date me or what, lol). Look most I was enamoured with the rebellious haircuts and outfits; but soon outgrew them as time when on and Joe Cocker, Bread and Guess Who made the scene. Guess who will always have a special place in my heart due to the Abbott & Costello encounter between mom and my grandmother (paraphrased):

Grandmother: How are the girls?
Mom: Doing fine. Tink is at a concert tonight.
Grandmother: Who did she go see?
Mom: The Guess Who.
Grandmother: I don't know who, that's why I'm asking.

and so it goes. I got to see one of Kiki Dee's first public appearences as she opened for The Guess Who. Most outstanding concert though had to be the one put on by Black Oak Arkansas. Truly amazing.

Over the years though, I have mellowed and really prefer new age, meditation and celtic music to flow across my eardrums and sooth my tired mind. Although a quick lapse into Meatloaf and Pink Floyd never hurts.

Turning Tribulations

Tuesday Blog Prompt: So, tell us about a turning point in your life, however you define that phrase.

The most notable turning point in my life was when I decided I had enough of the ex. So much so that I changed the locks on the doors when he was working out of town, then called him and told him that where I lived was no longer his home. I filed for divorce the next day.

There is a lot to that relationship I have spent years trying to forget. Some, unfortunately, I brought into my life with Pan... distrust and jealously being the foremost. I have worked through a lot of it with his help, love and understanding. They still occasionally will rear their ugly heads, but Pan is most forgiving. He is my second turning point.

Word of the Week - RADDLE (vt)

Disclaimer: All words that I choose come from the 1968 edition of the Webster's New World Dictionary, 2nd college edition. It's close and also nearly 40 years old so we may come across some words that are no longer in general use or have completely changed definitions. But that is part of the fun.

raddle (vt)
a slender rod interwoven in a fence.

And what in the world can you do with this word? Well, you could write a sentence using it. You could look it up in another dictionary or reference book. (several dictionary searches available in my sidebar for your use.) Use it as a jump start for a short story. If applicable, find a picture of it. Whatever you do, post a link in my comments so I can check it out and put a link back to your post. And have fun.

Manners & Tribulations

Monday Blog Prompt: What manners do you stress in your family and which do you let slide? (This applies to adults, too, not just children).

Interesting prompt, I must say, insomuch as to see how things are different from generation to generation.

I grew up where manners meant a lot. It was always "yes ma'am," "yes sir," "no ma'am," or "no sir," when you were talking with an adult. When calling them by name, it was always "Mr." or "Mrs." Although there were a few adults that were close enough that we would refer to them as "Aunt" or "Uncle." Elbows were kept off the table and you never talked with your mouth full. Dinner was almost always a family affair and would always be held at the table.

I still do the same things, although I have to admit, I do put my elbows on the table now. Not when I am eating, but talking, even if the other people are still in the throes of their dinner. Dinner is no longer necessarily eaten at the table; but oft times in front of the television (unless the grands are here, then it is back up to the table).

My children were instilled with the same values, but I could see some changes. I found that a lot of my friends preferred to have the children call them by their first name; and they had their children call me by my first name. There was still the "yes ma'am," "yes sir," "no ma'am," or "no sir." And if the adult was not a firm acquaitance then it became "Mr.," "Mrs.," or "Miss."

And now I am trying to impress those same manners upon the Grands. Maybe it will work. We will have to see.

Mr. Clean's Recent Tribulations

Recently there has been a post going around about Mr. Clean Erasers. I have to admit that I jumped on the bandwagon myself and let people I know with small children know the blog address to look it up. Pan is more skeptical than I am and always (and I mean ALWAYS) researches this type of rumor.

What I failed to do myself was to look at the product mentioned in the article or tell actually read the article carefully. So in an effort to redeem myself:

First off, the child in question was using an "eraser" that had a blue abrasive side to it. Is it possible the child was using that side to rub his face? Maybe it is an abrasive burn.

Second, the child was apparently not being supervised with the questionable.

Thirdly, I did the same google search and what appeared was gossip and opinions. No hard facts.

If you want to do further research on the matter, I suggest that you check out Snopes and Urban Legends as starting points.

Communicating Tribulations

Weekend Blog Prompt (brought to us by carinc): Do you find it easier to "be yourself" when communicating online with people you've never met? And without being specific, do you belong to or visit many online communities, or just this one?

I think I am just myself no matter where or what I do. It is no easier for me to communication on-line than on the phone or face to face. I still have to get to know who I am talking to. Sometimes it is even harder on-line as I don't have that physical contact to advise me how the person on the other end is really feeling; you know, eye contact or a reflection in a voice. Then there is the "Am I going to insult the person I am commenting to?"

I do belong to a couple of communities but usually as an quiet observer as opposed to an all out spokesperson.