Evil Tribulations

You Are 62% Evil

You are very evil. And you're too evil to care. Those who love you probably also fear you. A lot.

How Evil Are You?

Mike the Marine needs to take note that the mothers of Marines will top the evil meter every day. It is just odd that I read this after getting up at 4 a.m. to answer the phone which just so happened to have been NavyNuke. One of the things he talked about was how everyone was afraid of me. This from a 6'1" guy who could probably snap me in half with his thumb and forefinger.

Blog Prompt, Monday, July 31, 2006

"Do not the most moving moments of our lives find us without words?"
~ Marcel Marceau
Write about it... If you were speechless, how did you express your feelings?
How did those around you react to the same situation?
Was this a one-time occurrence, or do you frequently find yourself speechless in the face of these same circumstances?
Who in your life has left you speechless?

I do not talk much anyway (although I am sure Pan will disagree). But I am assuming that this is about one of those Jaw-dropping moments, when you just don't know what to say.

I guess the most memorable would be when my ex told me he was having an affair. I mean, what do you say anyway? I expressed my feelings by changing the locks on the doors and filing for a divorce and I sure hope that was a one time thing. Definitely would not want to go through it again.

Tribulations of a Forgotten Anniversary

There is nothing like a spouse who forgets an anniversary. Year after year after year.

Take a couple of years ago... Going to dinner and spouse is looking at you like you're nuts and wants to know what you have done.

Still it would be nice if they would remember at least one year. Never happens though.

Today is our 17th anniversary, with no kids we go out to dinner last night (more on that in a moment). As we sit there looking lovingly into one another's eyes, Pan mentions our 17 years together. Oh yeah that's right our anniversary is Sunday. Sunday? Hey wait tomorrow's Sunday. "Yeah," Pan grins. "You forgot again didn't you?" I admit it. I never remember anniversaries, birthdays or major holidays.

I get it from my mom. Just ask her.

Anyway, we are dinner at the Olive Garden. Only had to wait about 30 minutes for a table. As we sit there having the above conversation and more after placing our order, we watch 3 or 4 couples come in be seated, order eat and leave. Okay, Pan had ordered the pork filet which we figured would take a little while to cook, but through 4 couples?

Finally our waitress fesses up. One of the other waitresses ate Pan's dinner. The look on her face was priceless, so Pan and I had no choice but to laugh. It was hilarious.

She told us that Pan's was in the window waiting to be delivered and she was just waiting on my meal to finish. She was talking to another waiter and did not hear the waitress ask the kitchen staff who the pork belonged to. But our waitress happened to look over just as the other one was taking a bite out of it.

The manager came over to apologize as well and told us to make sure we ordered the lemon cream cake and champagne for dessert, that it was on the house. Okay I blew the diet, but had the fruit and a glass of dry red wine instead.

Pan and I both agreed that it was just a fluke accident and it was so funny that there was no reason to be upset. Things like this just seem to happen to Pan anyway.

Dinner is finished and all we are doing is waiting on the check. Up comes our waitress to tell us we are free to leave anytime we want. Dinner was on the house. After adamently disagreeing, we finally had to relent. But we did get a copy so that at least we could leave our waitress a tip. And Pan left her a great one, as she made sure that while we were waiting for our dinner, our drinks never ran dry and that we had plenty of salad and breadsticks if we wanted them.

Pool Party Tribulations

And so the birthday party pictorial saga continues. Now we have actually moved outdoors, totally and completely. Forget Superman, forget costumes, forget the cake, all the kids have eyes for is water and the magnificent pool that aunt ddpup and uncle bear bought for them. Everyone should have a ddpup and bear in their family.

And being a proud Tink, I'm posting a picture of my beautiful Princess Z.

Waterguns and fun, well maybe not so much fun. It was hard to fill them in the pool.

Somebody got in trouble, somebody's not happy!

Just a cool picture of Princess and Tater

Splashdown

Tot and Indiana. Funny I didn't realize how tall Indie was until I saw him up against Tot. I always thought of Tot as being way taller. Don't they look cute together? For both being under the age of three, they played extremely well together and did not fight at all.

Blog Prompt: Friday, July 28, 2006

"What advice would you give your much younger self if you could?"

About the only advice that I could think of would be to 'be happy.' Any other that I might consider, may change the outcome of my life and that's not something I really want to consider.

Besides my mom gave all the really great advice already. I don't know that I could think of any better. Do I sometimes wish I had followed all of her advice? Of course I do. Then again.....

72 Hour Tribulations

For a good friend who wanted to know:

With regard to the question in the meme about staying for for 48 hours I had mentioned once staying up for 72 hours.

I had to take Scamp to the doctor when he was around three because he was having problems breathing. Asthma. Who would have figured (I'm being sarcastic since his older brother had asthma)? Anyway the doc gave him a shot and prescribed some medicine. I don't remember what it was now, but I am sure it isn't be prescribed very often anymore.

The medication had poor Scamp bouncing off the walls for three days. And it just so happened that the three days were the 23rd, 24th and 25th of December. Not many doctor offices open on those days and, if I recall correctly, the emergency room told me not to give him any more of the medication until I could talk to his doctor.

I now know for a fact that a three year old can stay up for 72 hours without any ill side effects. Now if that was just true for his mother.

Blog Prompt: Thursday, June 27, 2006

Blog Prompt: Stacey42 tagged us with an Internet meme! Copy and paste this into your blog and answer the questions, if you want to play along!

1. Have you ever been searched by the cops? No. But there were times I wished.....

2. Do you close your eyes on a roller coaster? Yes, of course. If I had them open I would definitely realize what an idiot I had been to get on one.

3. When's the last time you've been sledding? 1964.

4. Would you rather sleep with someone else, or alone? Yes.

5. Do you believe in ghosts? Yes.

6. Do you consider yourself creative? Somewhat.

7. Do you think O.J. killed his wife? Don't know, don't care.

8. Jennifer Aniston or Angelina Jolie? (silly, I know ... but very "now")Who? Who?

9. Can you honestly say you know ANYTHING about politics? Yes, but being politically correct, I won't mention it here.

10. Do you know how to play poker? Yes.

11. Have you ever been awake for 48 hours straight? Yes and for 72 hours too.

12. What's your favorite commercial? One that isn't on any more. Cougar commercial where they use the real cougar and it takes a swipe at the man.

13. Who was your first love? TW

14. If you're driving in the middle of the night, and no one is around you, do you run a red light? Absolutely not. Do you know how many people forget to turn their headlights on?

15. Do you have a secret that no one knows but you? Yes.

16. Boston Red Sox or New York Yankees? St. Louis Cardinals.

17. Have you ever been Ice Skating? No.

18. How often do you remember your dreams? 99.99% of the time and you don't want to know what they are about.

19. What's the one thing on your mind? Pan

20. Do you always wear your seat belt? 99.99% of the time.

21. What talent do you wish you had? That I could draw.

22. Do you like Sushi? yes.

23. What do you wear to bed? Um, nothing or undies & a T

24. Do you truly hate anyone? Yes

25. If you could sleep with one famous person, who would it be? Pan

26. Do you know anyone in jail? Not anymore.

27. What food do you find disgusting? snails.

28. Have you ever made fun of your friends behind their back? Not intentionally

29. Have you ever been punched in the face? Sure, haven't you.

30. Do you believe in angels and demons? Yes.

Tribulations with Tot

You don't tug on Superman's Cape


You don't spit into the wind


You don't pull the mask off the old Lone Ranger


And you don't mess around with Tot,


da, do, da, do, do...

Title, lyrics, and chords copyright Jim Croce

Hey, I think there is a food tribulation going on

Blog Prompt: Describe one of your favorite family recipes and the story/history behind it.

Or maybe it is just a conspiracy, lol. Yesterday was about what we liked least about ourself and today is about food. Yep this is really going to help me out on my diet, hahahaha.

Here it goes though. I have several family favorites. The best one though is dumplings for my grandfather's chicken and dumplings. They are actually from a century old cookbook (now in my mother's possession) in which the directions are "centuries" old. Instead of a 'cup of' you have take a 'teacup of' or instead of a 'tablespoon' the directions would read 'a heaping spoonful.'

Someday I'll have to remember to ask mom who actually translated it into modern measurements.

Another favorite would be granddad's green beans and mushroom sauce. Truth be told, I do believe later in my life mom cheated and used mushroom soup, adding extra mushrooms. I could be wrong though and I am sure after she reads this, she will put me in my place (the furtherest corner in the furtherest room, etc.)

Lastly would be one that my son and I developed while we were both dieting years ago. The recipe for Mom's Chicken Marinara, as he called it, can be found by clicking on the name. This will take you to actual recipe I posted in May for my sister, bug, who was then hosting the Carnival of Recipes.

The Tribulations Superman Has to Put Up With

Whooo Hooo another picture story and more about the birthday day (Saturday, July 22).

For those in the know, you will most certainly recall the post about the flying superman. For those not, well what can I say.

Tater opened his gift from Pan and myself first (I think it was because it had Mickey Mouse Christmas wrapping paper on it). And he thought it was pretty cool, but had to move on to opening other gifts.

After the down time we all head outside to try out this flying Superman.

Tater watches in strict concentration
as Pan figures out what needs to be put on Super.

It's a bird. It's a plane. It's a flying superman.
Up, Up and Away (with TWA?)

There is trouble on the horizon
(as in UhOh how do we control this thing?)

Bug gets in the act, by throwing Super up in the air
while Pan helps Tater with the controls.

This is why you keep Bug away
from anything mechanical.

Looks & Tribulations

Blog Prompt: Are you pleased with what you look like? If you could change any part of yourself what would it be?

Boy is that a loaded question. No, I am not pleased with the way I look right now. Way overweight and I really need to have my hair cut. I am currently working on the overweight bit. But after the fiasco with the nurse/practitioner; I figure I am just going to have to try it my way. So wish me luck, LOL.

As for the hair, that will have to wait until Indiana either starts a preschool or I can figure out how to have it cut every three weeks with him around. It will probably just have to wait.

Tribulations of Another Birthday

Guess what Saturday was? Yep another birthday, only this time it was Tater's, Bug's oldest. He turned four and we had a nice celebration for him at mom's house.

Along with mamma, ddpup, Bear, Bug, Tot, Pan and myself, Bombshell showed up with Indiana B and Princess Z. A little later Sticks dropped by to wish the little one a happy birthday as well.

I got lots of pictures, some 300+. I have them downloaded now and have deleted some. But there is still an overabundance of pictures to choose from for posting, so I decided to break them up and just post a couple at a time and just some from each time frame. Today we will start with the presents and cake part of the party.

Can you tell who decorated the cakes? Ten points each if you guessed Tater and Tot.


Then it was time to open the presents.

From Pan & Tink

From Mamma

From ddpup and Bear

Oh goody, it's time for cake. Tater got all of his candles blown out, but the first time around he had help from bro, Tot, and cuz, Indiana.


and the cake was soooo yummy.

There was some down time before the party moved outdoors and the boys got together in the living room to check out Tater's new stuff from Mamma.


Then there was the request for Tater to show off his new Superman costume, at which point he became extremely shy about letting anyone see him in it. He is such a camera hound that it was hard to believe that he didn't want to pose in his new costume, although he did for a few pictures.


Costume is off and camera hound is back showing off his Superman underwear.

Tribulations of a Survivor

Blog Prompt: Do you think you could ever be on the TV reality show, Survivor?

No, and why not you say? Well, because I don’t watch it and don’t want to. I have enough reality in my own life to watch it on tv. I have never been a fan of reality.

I think I am doing quite well to survive in my own life and don’t really want anyone else to speculate on my life and/or my decisions.

Grandparents, Walls and Tribulations

Boys will be boys and mine are definitely boys, now the fighting kind that you don’t want to mess with. Use to be, they just fought one another. Since Pan and I both worked we weren’t always home for these altercations, which became rather violent from time to time.

One day during bedroom inspection I notice the boys had moved the shoe bag Mamma made for them so that it was hanging on the wall behind the door instead of behind their clothes in the closet, which is where I put. I couldn’t help but think what a smart move that was. It was easily accessible and still out of site. Ah, my boys were growing up. But there was more than meets the eye in these seemingly reformed young men.

Shortly thereafter we had to take a trip to Mamma and Poppa’s house and when Pan and I weren’t around the boys asked Mamma and Poppa if they could keep a secret. My parents gave tact and diplomacy a whole new meaning. They said they would if it did not involve someone being hurt or getting hurt. Well someone did get hurt initially but do you think the boys were going to admit that? No way. Anyhow, they weren’t seriously hurt and it was just between the boys, so I guess that doesn’t count.

Once they convinced Mamma and Poppa that no one would be hurt, Mamma and Poppa agreed to keep their secret. Which was ….. Are you ready? ….. They put a hole in the wall in their bedroom that was currently being hidden by a shoe bag.

Poppa gave them instructions on repairing it and probably brought them some supplies on the sly. They did try and repair the wall, but even the repairs stayed hidden by the shoe bag for years.

It wasn’t until they put another hole in the wall in the hallway, years later, that we found out about the first one. Let’s suffice it to say they did a much better repair the second time around, lol, as this included money out of their own pockets. In addition to other unpleasant restrictions.

From Tribulations to Advice

Blog Prompt: What is the best advice you ever received? What was the situation, and did the advice help?

I was ahead of my time, lol. Please see Tribulations of Love and Hate for my answer if you have not already done so.

I have not received any other advise that was as profound and far reaching as that.

Onward Phrases, Voices and Tribulations

Yesterday our blog prompt was

"What phrases do you say a lot? Do you use them in your writing as much as you do vocally or do you "clean up" your writing?"
If you so desire you can check out (or recheck as the case may be) my response at Phrases and Tribulations.

And as I was commenting on one of the other bloggers site, it hit me. For a 'southern' I tend to talk slow. Most of that was because of one very special English teacher, Mrs. Allen, who I had for English, Literature and Latin for nearly 4 years (in Guam). She was wonderful, with a unique teaching method if you ask me. If we were studying Shakespeare, and had to read any of his works aloud it had to be done like the English spoke in his day, which was very fast, almost like a foreign language.

It was also she who gave us "Billy Bud" to read. I hated that book. I was not overly impressed with Melville anyway, and that book just confirmed my suspicions. He is not a very good writer, at least in my humble opinion. We all had to read five books during the semester and then had a test on them. Actually we had a test on four of the books and each student got to pick the book they didn't want to test on. Afterwards, it was discovered everyone in the class left off "Billy Bud."

But back to phrases and voices and how I speak slower than I type. It was this same remarkable teacher, who, in English class, made us talk with our hands behind our backs. Do you know how difficult it is to hold a conversation with your hands behind your back?

We have all gotten use to using our hands as a shortcut in our speaking. Once they are not available, you have to really think about what you are saying. This does not mean I have not put my foot in my mouth, I have and probably more so than most. That is just in my nature.

So next time you have to give a speech or have a conversation, do so with your hands behind your back and let me know how it goes.

Proposal Tribulations

Blog Prompt: How were you proposed to? (if not yet married, how would you like to be proposed to?) And did you like your proposal, if you could choose one , what would you like to have happened?

Did I like my proposal? Yes. We were sitting there one morning, after having an off-site at his apartment the night before, talking when he proposed. I don't know who was more surprised, him or me. According to everyone I knew who also knew Pan, he was the confirmed bachelor.

He told me once why he asked me, but I will have to get his take on it to make sure I get it right, lol. I said yes because he is the sweetest, most gentle, smartest, most maladjusted man I ever knew.

This month we celebrate our 17th anniversary (didn't think I would remember, heh Pan?) and I do not regret one moment of our time together. I look forward to many more years to come.

Tribulations of Indiana at Party

For the most part Indiana was very well behaved at the Princess' party. That is until it moved outside.

"You can't tell me what to do" look. This is soon going to get him in alot of trouble.

"Dirt, um. I wonder if she would notice?"

"I didn't get into a fight, honest. It was all the raccoon's fault."

"Hey Ladies, nice wheels you have here."

"Mind if I give it a spin." Meanwhile Bombshell is yelling at Indie to get this rear end back over to the party.

With selective hearing he conveniently ignores his mother until she comes after him. "I'm sure she can't see me behind the tree, although I can see her behind."

Have you ever tried to pick up a boy going faster than Mach 10? You would like this too if you did.

After extracting a promise to stay, Bombshell puts him down and off he goes again.

"Free at last, she'll never catch me."

"Oops, where did she come from and why is she yelling at me like that? Come to think of it, who is she? She can't possibly be my mother, I got away from her."

Yep we had some fun times laughing at Indiana's escapades and escapes from his mother.

Phrases and tribulations

Blog Prompt: Give us an example of your voice. What phrases do you say a lot? Do you use them in your writing as much as you do vocally or do you "clean up" your writing?
In an effort to answer this one honestly I made some calls. First to my mother who said she could not recall any expressions or phrases that I used a lot but would call or email if she did remember any. Next was to my sister, Bug, who did say I used Turdbutt to describe Indiana all the time. I had to explain that was a word and not a phrase. She swears there are some that I use quite frequently although she could not recall what they were. She, too, will call if she remembers them.

I think it is save to say though, that I write as if I were talking and do not feel the need to “clean up” my writing, other than spelling, punctuation and general typographical errors, like leaving a word out. I will update this post, should I get a call from mom or Bug.

UPDATE: Okay just got a call from mom and it appears that there are, at least, somw phrases I use frequently:

1. Why does he get a wild hair up his butt?
2. You've got another think coming. (yes that is what I say, not thing)
3. What part of NO do you not understand?

Would I use any of this in writing or scrapbooking? Possibly if it was appropriate to what I was writing or scrapbooking about.

Princess' Birthday Party Tribulations

This is going to be more pictures than posting, mainly for family members who were unable to attend the Princess' birthday. The restaurant that Bombshell manages held the party for her. Complete with decorations and plenty of well wishes.

At the request of Bombshell, Pan and I brought the Princess to the party, but we had to stop and get a picture of her as a shrimp.

We were late, but then so was everyone else. The Princess was kind of disappointed when no one was there.

Disappointment turned to jubilation when she got to start opening her cards. Presents had to wait until after lunch.

Bombshell and Indiana. Thank goodness for red eye removal. Both of them had looked like they were from outer space or something.

The Princess and her balloons. There were so many of them she could have hidden in them.

Although we helped pay for her "big" gift, Pan and I also picked up the "Cowbelles" dvd for her.

CB got her a Tinkerbell purse with money inside. Maybe she should have paid for lunch. There were also lots of presents of shoes and clothes.

The Heelys. This was the only present the Princess actually asked for. Did you know they have to be put together? I didn't. First you spend a small fortune on the shoes then you have to put the wheels in. I, personally, think for the amount you spend on them, they should come with the wheels installed.

Princess Z and her best friend Princess C. Aren't they beautiful?

The "big" present. I was not expecting this at all and I know Pan wasn't especially when he is the one that gets to put it together. I was thinking more on the lines of a skateboard type with a motor and handles when Bombshell told me that we were buying a "scooter."

All in all I think the Princess has a very enjoyable day. She went home with Pan and I, where her daddy picked up to take her to see the new "Pirates of the Caribbean" show.

Look forward to tomorrow and the tribulations of Indiana at the party.

The Body's Tribulations

Blog Prompt: What about the body amazes you? Are there changes with growth that seem strange? Stupid human tricks?

Just remember that this is a family show!

Wow. I can't think of just one single thing about the body that is not simply amazing. But I guess if I had to choose one, then I would go with the brain.

I just can't even begin to imagine how the brain works or why it works. Oh you can read all the medical and science journals on it, but still it is just amazing.

So amazing in fact, that mine has left the building and I completely forgot what I was going to write about.

Shower Tribulations

Gene Kelly move over. Indiana B is making a spectacular one toddler appearance in "Singing in the Shower," now showing at Pan and Tink's.

Indiana loves showers. Really loves showers (okay baths too). Up until the other day, it was just an ordinary time getting clean. Then suddenly he starts to sing. Goodness knows what it was, I haven't mastered Toddler Talk yet. But he was having a grand old time singing up a storm.

I had Princess get me my camera, but the little so and so kept turning his head or would shut his mouth just as I would snap the picture.

This was the closest I could come to showing him actually singing and if you look carefully enough you can tell his mouth is wide open. And yes, he got sunburnt during the day in the pool despite the fact that he was continuously slathered with lotion.

And another where he shut his mouth just as the camera flashed. Timing, the kid's got timing.

Chips and Tribulations

Blog Prompt: If it would be possible to implant some type of chip that would provide identifying information as well as something like a GPS system into a person's body, would you do it? Would you put it into your child when he/she was first born?

If you would do it, what type of information would you consider having the chip contain? What could be done to change your mind?

If you wouldn't do it, why? What could be done to change your mind?

What do you think the ramifications would be for this idea? What negatives and positives would come from it?

LOL. I think the prompt is probably going to be longer than my answer. Wouldn't do it. Wouldn't put it in my kids, with exceptions as stated below.

Oh, I can see all the possible benefits from it, especially the gps system. But I am not sure the benefits would outweigh the loss of freedom. If I want someone to know where I am, I will tell them. As for personal information, name, dob, serial number, etc., again, it is already to easy for another to access that information, why would I want it in me to be accessed by anyone with above-average computer skills.

Change of mind? Possibly if they are temporary and put in on a voluntary basis and taken out when requested. I can see times when the information and gps would come in handy. For military personnel out in the field. Criminals on probation. And yes, on children IF they have the option of having them taken out when they are of age.

Only thing is, once they start placing them, it will become to easy for the government(s) to decide this is a good thing (like IRS) and for it to become permanent. And I definitely don't want anyone telling me I have to do this.

Tribulations of an Empty Bed

Blog Prompt: Tell us about your favourite room in your house and why it is your favourite...

First I am going to refer you to our Inspiration Prompt. First it has the pictures and I'm not going to repost them. It also has some background info about us redoing the bedroom.

What it does not include is if you look very carefully at the picture of the bed, it looks like a spotlight is shining down on the center of the bed near the pillows. That is a skylight. Not a big one, just big enough to make sure you get out of bed when the sun starts shining in.

Then that wide window is actually only as wide as the center panel. All of our windows are narrow, but are only 2 feet from the ceiling and about six inches off the floor. I put the curtains up like that to make the window and the room look larger.

But besides the bed, the best feature is the HDTV hanging from on the wall at the foot of the bed. That wall still isn't finished totally. Pan put in a shelf that is between the beams and sticks out a few inches to put the cable box and his Xbox. So we didn't have cables hanging all over the place he moved the wall sockets to back of the shelf and ran the tv cables through the wall to it. Eventually he is going to put in a faux wall between the boxes and the cables so you won't see the cables or the wall sockets. That is a project for another day though.


Just remember the wall around
the shelf has to be sanded
down and repainted along with
the shelf itself.

Anyway, this is my favorite room in the whole house. I just don't get to spend as much time in there as I would like. Oh and see that thing with the blue light sitting on the dvd cases? That is the wireless webcam and it is pointed towards the playpen so we can see if Indiana is staying in bed or not.