Friday Night Fish Fry

The Weekend Wrap

Leave well - even 'pretty well' - alone: that is what I learn as I get old.

Edward Fitzgerald

Yesterday afternoon was a girl's day at Richard Childress Winery (close to Lexington, NC)...big brunch, several bottles of wine and many many laughs.  It was a beautiful day.  For more pics go HERE.

Saturday afternoon we had a big time with Jackson at his NBA themed party.  Adults and kids played basketball and had Gatorade with their cake and pizza.   

The smaller kids had their own goal.

And Friday night I had dinner and saw a band with Sharon and friends for her birthday.  She was a wee bit older than 8.

BTW these are the present that I bought for Sharon but ended up keeping for myself not knowing I wouldn't find another pair locally.  But Shishy will have a pair to go with her pjs I did give her before we go to the beach (next week, yeah!)

So Rollie had a busy weekend, keeping the roads hot.  Toonces was away visiting his uncle with his father.  I was glad to see him back home but the cats were not.  Calista was allowed to sleep in bed with me in his absence.

For more pictures of Jackson's birthday party you can click HERE!  

It's My Birthday!

Bob Hope
You know you are getting old when the candles cost more than the cake.

I know I am older because I got THESE for my birthday from the T man and they kill me.  I picked them out along with an outfit from Ann Taylor and a pair of Armani Exchange Sunglasses.  I don't know what I was thinking with a 4" heel.  3" is about my norm.  I know what I was thinking, I was thinking they were hot.  They do look hot.  I will just have to wear them on outings when I get to sit most of the time. 

I wore these Friday night and I swear I thought the balls of my feet were going to EXPLODE!!!

Now I must find some gladiator flats too.  Gladiators are one of the summer's must haves.  And gladiator sandals are one of my absolutely favorite looks to boot.

Amy, Delane and the boys brought me the lovely polka dot cake and a Spongebob fishing rod that will not sink...and some bird treats.  My BFF Sharon (aka Shishy, Tate) made those lovely grassy cupcakes for me and my sis made lasagna for everyone for dinner.

How do you rate that?  I don't know.  They're good to me.

Thanks Delane for my pictures.

Speaking of pictures I left this one, one of my favorites, out yesterday:

So, I and my many wonderful gifts including flowers from mom, dragonfly lights for the patio from my sis and her clan...monogrammed towels for the back bath from the Eads, Nike flip flops and a new carry bag for Shishy....lots of great cards.

I've done pretty darn well.

Now I am on a birthday break.  Izzy is coming today and we are going to be slugs.  Bums.  Couch potatoes. 

Cats on Tuesday will be back next week and in the cat's honor here is Darius making one of the ONLY feline appearances during the festivities and Calista guarding Izzy's loot until she gets back down here. 

Toonces will rob Izzy blind with a guard this alert.

Have a great day everyone!!!

Oh, And I almost forgot.  Someone finally caught a fish of their own:

Greetings from Rollie, Toonces and The Easter Bunny...no, really.

Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!
Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!
Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!
Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia! ....         Charles Wesley, 1739

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Preparing for the children.

Those cute bird's nests are made with Spanish moss and candy eggs.  ...if I'd just quit eating the eggs.

The most important holiday in the life of a Christian.  A time to feel new again.  A time to express a whole lot of love.  I think this is one reason I enjoy having the kids over on such a special day, don't they always represent newness and unconditional love?

Whether you celebrate Easter or not I wish you a wonderful weekend of reflection, rejuvenation and LOVE, lots of LOVE from the Clarks.

Time Out For Shopping

Being natural is simply a pose.

Oscar Wilde

No blogging for me...I am going shopping with mama.

The Valentine Post

Grow old with me!  The best is yet to be.  ~Robert Browning

Sweet Toonces, my Valentine, I love you more each day.

I told Martin that if you had told me even 20 years ago that I would be having a photo competition on this thing called the Internet with people all over the world entering I would've said "really?  huh?"  and I could've never imagined just how much fun I would have and how many great people I would call friend.

Thank you so much to all our entrants.  By mail or via email you've brought many smiles to our faces.  T would come home and say "Did we get any new pictures today?" and we would sit down that night and go through the latest pictures.  With over 64 participants by the deadline we were shocked to say the least...bloggers and non-bloggers alike have entered.   Kitties, puppies, babies and kids were all submitted and I was glad I wasn't judging. 

The winners received a cash prize and a card signed by Caleb, Izzy and Jackson.  Ben voted...he picked his favorite, told me that was who he wanted to win, and Ben was gone, no time for signing his name.

Each kid came in separately and made their picks.  I was surprised actually at how they went for the exact same pictures.  I did not influence them in the least.    Toonces picked a Valentine for his first choice as well and then the finalists are the combos of Toonces and the kid's top picks.   

So here they are...the winners and finalists of the 2008 Toonces and Rollie Valentine Contest.....based on cuteness, sweetness, personality and fun:

1st Place Winner:

Coco from Winnipeg.  The adorable Coco comes to us from Colleen.  Is he not a cutie?  And he was a very gracious winner.

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Toonces's Valentine...drum roll please....

Roxy from Michigan.  Roxy actually has her own blog and you can visit her through her mom Jenn.

Did you guys know that Toonces's favorite dog breed was the Basset Hound?  He is crazy about them.  Don't you dare tell Earl and Eudora...It would be like me finding out that I am not his dream girl.  Maybe that is why they love me so much more than T.   Toonces had Basset Hounds growing up.  Down the road I'd like to have a Basset named Tallulah and a Yorkie named Zelda.

The 3 Finalists:

Sweetie in Los Angeles...everyone's favorite blogger Naomi submitted Sweetie.

Tally and Conner have the Valentine spirit.  They live in Martinsville, VA and were submitted by our good friend Lee.

Little Katelyn from Alabama dressed in her Minnie Mouse costume.  Katelyn was submitted by her mom Rachel.

And the Funniest Valentine?

The winner:

This great Valentine was submitted by Criz Lai from Malaysia.  Criz has kittens that are about 1 month old and into everything...they are so cute, you need to pay him a visit.

So a big round of applause for our winners please!  See why I am glad I wasn't judging? 

Thanks again to all of you who entered your loved ones...I wish I could post all the entries. 

We will definitely do this again.  In fact I have been thinking of maybe a summer competition with one BIG special prize.

Happy Valentine's Day! xxx-ooo!  Rollie.

I gotta go show my man some love......

 

 

The Love Hate Relationship- A MEME and my pretty red nails

It is dangerous to be sincere unless you are also stupid.

George Bernard Shaw

Girl's Day Out:

Monday Isabelle and I went tor red manicures (she has purple toes), a little girl friend shopping, and lunch with Shishy at Arby's.  Izzy likes Arby's.   

I haven't had red nails in a long time.  Red is the color this season you know.  It has been harder than I thought getting used to the bright lipstick again.  I am so used to juicy tubes and lip plumpers that real lipstick seems to end up Baby Janish on me.  I forget I can't do the chow cud chewing thing when I wear real lipstick.

I've walked in the bathroom and discovered myself with fish lips but no collagen under the color so I look crazy instead of trashy.

                                    The Love Hate Meme

I was tagged by the lovely and talented Queen of Memes Mimi for this one.

• I love to eat:     out.    Especially by the water.  And I love to eat breakfast out and order toast and get the jelly rack.  I love the jelly rack and deciding my flavor for the day.   In fancy restaurants.
• I hate to eat:    in a crowded smoky restaurant or with a child hanging over their booth into mine messing with me and the parent won't do anything.  Fast Food.    With large groups at a table.
• I hate to go:   To the grocery store when I'm tired.  To big parties or social events where I have to be "on".   To the funeral home.  To bed when I am not sleepy.   Pee when I am out shopping.
• I love to go:  Crazy.  On vacation.  On long walks with the dogs.  With the family on outings.  To the gym when I am in the mood.  On dates with Toonces.  Shopping with extra money.  Out with the girls.
• I love it when:  Toonces kisses the top of my head.  Other people succeed.  I sell.  I am in my creative mode and getting lots of good stuff done.  The kids visit.  My mom feels good.  My friends are happy.  I drive a new car off the lot.  The kids do well in school.  I have energy. 
• I hate it when:  My mom feels bad.  It is too cold.  I don't feel well.  I hurt someone's feelings.  I see a child that isn't getting the quality life it should.  People lie to me.  I stub my toe.  The power flicks off and resets everything.  One of the kids gets hurt and cries and I can't make it better.  You can't find the right words to say to someone.  I am in a pissy mood.  My hypochondria sets in.   I can't sleep.  Toonces leaves little balls or tissue or paper towel in his pants pockets.  Anyone patronizes me.   My checking account doesn't look so good.
• I love to see:   The scales go down.  Rainbows, children laughing, bright neon lights, twinkling skies, butterflies on the flowers, movies with the kids, Toonces rested and happy, my house in order, the laundry done.   Animals having fun.  Sunsets with Toonces.  Gardens in bloom.  People standing up for themselves.  Girls walking away from bad relationships.
• I hate to see:  People being made fun of.  The house dirty.  Little children in worn out clothes and shoes.  People I love hurting.  Anyone hurting.  All the cancer victims in the US right now.  Young people smoking.  Older women dressed like teenagers.  Litter up and down the roads.   Anyone mistreated.  Animals in their little cages at the animal shelter.
• I love to hear:   Those thumping black tails when I enter the room.  The wind chimes tinging out back, music, the kids laughing, Martin laughing, my mom laughing.  Little children sing.  Tiny babies coo.  The kids tell me stories.  The wind coming off the ocean.  Waves crashing against the sand.  The ice cream truck coming.  Martins tires on the top of the drive coming home.    Toonce telling me he loves me.  Juicy fun gossip.  The church bells on Main Street tolling the time.
• I hate to hear:  screeching tires, sirens, fire trucks, dogs viciously barking at mine or me, the kids crying because they are hurt, malicious gossip, lies on others, politicians continue lying, bad news.   That endorphins from sex will make me feel better when I'm sick.  Whining.  I hate whining.    The plane will be late.    .....Last call for alcohol!  (just kidding but I used to hate that one)..."Mam, can I see your license and registration please?", and lastly "Rollie! Get in here!".

So there you go.  Some of Rollie's loves and hates.  I hope you guys will play along too.   I'd love to hear some answers in the comments.

I am going to tag the following people:

http://fivedollarshake.net  Jenn you let me down last time.

http://looseleafnotes.com  Colleen I never MEME you.

http://melody-biglittlesister.blogspot.com  Melody.

http://horseandart.blogspot.com  Kathy

http://gattinawritercramps.blogspot.com  Gattina.

http://joeinvegas.blogspot.com   Joe

http://lifeinmayberry.com  Delane if by any chance at all he might play a meme and answer these, or he could let Amy play, it is 2008 after all...a new year!   Because I know they would have nice answers.

Don't ask why I did the links this way...just one of those mornings. 

****We are getting so many cute pictures for the Valentine's that Toonces has suggested we are going to send out runner's up $5 and a card from us too, there are some real hams and doll babies in this grop!***  Thank you so much for playing with us!

Tomorrow- I have an award from my friend Jenn and I have to award my own friends in return...those go out tomorrow.

It's Here...the Snow Finally Arrived!

Whose woods these are I think I know. His house is in the village though; He will not see me stopping here To watch his woods fill up with snow.

Robert Frost, Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

~my favorite poem.

It Is Here!

My eyes caught the snow in the window, my feet hit the floor and before daylight came I was up brewing coffee waiting for the chance for those first snow pics.

I hope Toonces will drive me around for a photo shoot today-  I've been waiting for the snow for so long.

My helpers wanted to see the first snow too...

If I could be a ruler and make my kingdom stretch from here into Surry County I would declare the first snow a holiday so everyone could stay home and play!

Court is canceled and the Closet closed so Toonces and Rollie are making this an official holiday at the Clark house....movies, snacks, a fire in the fire place....we plan on being snow bums!

....and I've got two black Labs having the time of their life, white noses and all!

FUN DAY for MONDAY!!!

Never confuse movement with action.--- Ernest Hemingway

You know what guys, it's a Monday...let's just have some fun.

Try it...you may be surprised. 

I stole borrowed this from Jenn .   

Take the quiz below.  Your answers match you to the candidates.  I can see that at least 25% of me will disagree with anybody running.

74% Joe Biden
74% Chris Dodd
74% Barack Obama
73% Hillary Clinton
72% John Edwards
71% Dennis Kucinich
71% Mike Gravel
69% Bill Richardson
60% Rudy Giuliani
49% John McCain
44% Ron Paul
42% Mitt Romney
39% Mike Huckabee
34% Tom Tancredo
30% Fred Thompson

2008 Presidential Candidate Matching Quiz

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Another interesting quiz for the day:

Your Five Factor Personality Profile

Extroversion: You have high extroversion. You are outgoing and engaging, with both strangers and friends. You truly enjoy being with people and bring energy into any situation. Enthusiastic and fun, you're the first to say "let's go!" Conscientiousness: You have medium conscientiousness. You're generally good at balancing work and play. When you need to buckle down, you can usually get tasks done. But you've been known to goof off when you know you can get away with it. Agreeableness: You have low agreeableness. Your self interest comes first, and others come later, if at all. In general, you feel that people are not to be trusted. And you're skeptical that anyone else really feels differently. Neuroticism: You have low neuroticism. You are very emotionally stable and mentally together. Only the greatest setbacks upset you, and you bounce back quickly. Overall, you are typically calm and relaxed - making others feel secure. Openness to experience: Your openness to new experiences is medium. You are generally broad minded when it come to new things. But if something crosses a moral line, there's no way you'll approve of it. You are suspicious of anything too wacky, though you do still consider creativity a virtue.

The Five Factor Personality Test

Me, disagreeable?  Pllleeeeasseee...silly quiz.

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(I think that is supposed to be a tulip)

I was tagged by the very talented Mimi for this one.

The Band Meme, Here's how it goes:

You are about to have your own band's CD cover. Follow these directions to the letter.

Go to...... 1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random The first article title on the page is the name of your band.

2. http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3 The last four words of the very last quote is the title of your album.

3. http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days/ The third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.

4. Use your graphics program of choice to throw them together.

Mimi said it was easy.  I don't do well with directions so I wouldn't use the word easy...but I was afraid of ending up in her dungeon AND I am a rock n roll kinda girl so I complied. 

You know, I really don't think my cover brings out the true rocker chick in me.  I look more like a soft jazz singer or maybe even one of those Spa type cds to relax to.

I've tried to think of people to tag...some I imagine would send me a virtual slap in my email because they don't like MEMES or don't like using Photoshop or other graphics programs....

....so if you'd like to make your own album cover and have us come over and look at your post then just leave it in the comments!  How's that?

An Ideopsis Similis is a Ceylon Blue Glass Tiger BTW.  Blue Tiger might be a cool name for a band.  I actually saw Glass Tiger in concert many moons ago...many, many moons.

Do let me know if you come up with something cool.  I was just happy to be some kind of butterfly.  I was afraid I was a disease at first.

Have a great day...try to make the best of a Monday.

Life at 25- Life at 41- A Meme, Life With Rollie

Absorb beauty. When the beauty of a flower or tree is impressed on the soul it is reflected back in your actions.

Five Things I never pictured being in my life at 25:

tagged by the lovely Catherine.

1. Toonces.  Many of you already know the story that T and I dated for 2 years back in the early 90s and broke up right before my 24th birthday.  25 for me was one of the worst years of my life period.  I take that back it was the worst.  From 25 until 28 were just bad for me.  It took turning 30 to turn me around but as much as maybe I believed that we were meant to be together I would've been surprised that both of us submitted ourselves over to love.  If we'd known how happy we would be completely trusting and relying on each other it would have been different.  But we don't know and when you are younger you are worried about being too totally in love with someone and giving them that control over you.  That power.   The fear of being hurt.  So I would have loved to have looked in the crystal ball and seen T and I together back then but I really had a lot of growing up to do before I could appreciate him and the life we have now and I think that goes both ways.
2. I always imagined myself surrounded by pets and even horses but I would have been very sad at 25 to know at 41 I would have no babies of my own.  As the clock is passing I can still feel that one bothering me now and again- have I made the right choice?  I would have definitely done things differently and straightened my life out earlier or made different choices very early on if I had known.  If Toonces and I had stayed together and been who we are now we would definitely have a house full of kids...but you can't look back.
3. Caleb, Izzy, Jackson, Ben and Seth...you assume your siblings will have kids.  I never thought sis would have 3 but I also never imagined how you could love another human being so much...as much as I love those kids.
4. Stress free life-  well I have the normal small stressors but who in the world would have imagined I wouldn't be working full time by the time I was 40.  That is like handing someone a pot of gold.  I was very happy with my job and still love the people there, don't get me wrong.  But once you get used to not being on someone else's schedule...doing things at your own pace....not getting stressed about having to work late and missing something you promised the family...wow it is a blessing to have this time to take in every day and enjoy the little things in life.  Once I finally slowed down and realized we weren't meant to work ourselves to death and that a paycheck to just buy new shoes every month or every new kind of stylish outfit isn't that important to the scheme of things.  I wish more Americans would start thinking about quality time in their lives and less on new stuff.  Stuff rots away...and your credit debt wouldn't be suffocating you either.  I stopped keeping up with the Joneses along time ago.
5. Sense, practicality, trust...I am still a mess at times.  I can be a diva.  I can be unreasonable but I am still a different person.  My heart is so much bigger and I don't focus on myself all the time.  Feeling sorry for yourself always screws things up for you.  If I have ever gotten myself into that situation I've made some major messes until I took responsibility for my own actions.  When I realized that if some treated me badly I allowed it.  I put up with them.  When I was drinking too much it was me, my own drama, me creating drama to want to drink....I was a foolish girl at 25.  I am much much happier at 41.  But I would take my skin back thank you.

So there you go.   I would like to say that I am very glad that my best friend Sharon who was  in my life at 25 is still here with me today.  We've been through an awful lot together she and I .  And my old buddy Edd that has been around forever, I'm glad we are in each other's lives again.

I had no idea I'd have a beauty like this though....they may be mine but boy they are pretty dogs!

And boy, we all get along so good here...

And to tag someone else:

Jade

Naomi

Carolyn

Jenn

Simply Pink

So how about you?  How is your life different than you imagined it would be at 25?

Game Night Standings...and Image Countdown cont.

When we got into office, the thing that surprised me the most was that things were as bad as we'd been saying they were.

John F. Kennedy

I don't have enough to buy the Manola Blahnik's as Joe in Vegas suggested.  I don't even have enough to cover half my gym shoes but I am, after paying T man back our entry fee, $45 richer. 

I need to stick it back in a jar...my mom and I have BIG things coming up in 2008.  I'll blog on that later.

Camera left out for use, I still completely forgot to get any game night pictures for the old scrap book...and the blog. 

It was a great group of friends and T and I both just had a fantastic time...Thanks Jade for letting me know to keep an eye on the fondue.  Even with a tea light the chocolate would start sticking, but it was good!  I served angel food cake, marshmallows, strawberries, and pretzels with it.  There were about 5 strawberries cooked up in the bottom of the pot this morning I discovered during clean up.

Toonces was the first one out of chips in the friendly poker game.  No big surprise there.    And yes it was Rollie that took him out....though I did give him 5 chips that he just squandered away.

Contender of the Evening:  Our buddy Lee takes the gold home on that one.  His first attempt at the guitar was almost flawless...never clunking any notes, after a final showdown with Suzy he was high scorer for the night in GH.  He was the final vicious competitor between me and the Texas Hold 'Em kitty.  And then after the other guests left he cleaned my clock on PS2 Singstar. 

Would you believe that on a Whitney song I actually had the little flag pop up to say "awful" when I was trying to hit one of her high notes?

The first song I actually got excited and thought I'd won but we had our mikes switched from the way they were on the screen so no, it wasn't me.

Finally after enough songs to make me hoarse for the day today Lee held back during some ZZ Top to let me win one. 

Have you ever tried to sing Boston?  Good grief that is a tough one....basically you sing along like you would in your car and it scores you.  The closer pitch you have, how long you hold your notes, getting the words right...it all adds up.  The very first song I actually had the first and only "gold note" bonus ever which I think means I actually hit one section in key.

After I clean the house I think I will go practice some guitar before I have to return the games to Caleb who is already in DTs today without his PS2.

My Top 20 year end favorite images continues on:

Day 8- The Warm Fuzzies....AND Ben Pictures!

You're only given a little spark of madness. You mustn't lose it.

Robin Williams

Reflections in the pond.

I bought a sweater that was so fuzzy and so soft and so cuddly that I got home, parked the car, hugged the Thugs, spoke to the cats, took one load in, ripped off my sweater, tore the tags off the new one and put it on.  Oh it was heaven. 

Last year I lost my leopard print hat that I loved so much right at the end of the cold season.  Somehow I lost it in the woods walking the dogs.  Today I found a new leopard pill box type hat when we were in Target and I would give anything if I had gotten one for Colleen.  I know she would love this hat.  She has really been wanting one.  Wouldn't she have been surprised?

A day spent with my mom and Amy was really really nice....a day spent with this little guy too made it awesome.

I hate chit chat just for the sake of making conversation.  I suck at dinner party chatter with strangers.  One, because if I don't know you at all sometimes I still don't want to know you at all.  I'm bitchy like that.  Two, if we have nothing in common then it is just so uncomfortable.  If someone walks up to me or Martin and says "OMG where did you get those shoes?" we're good.  (Unless I have already decided in advance I don't like this person even before they spoke and then not even Jimmy Choo talk can sucker me in)...if they walk up and start talking law with Martin then I have to monitor the amount of alcohol I take in.....too long standing listening to "blah blah blah" can be dangerous so you have to be careful.  And I know you will be shocked, but sometimes I am just out there...spacey I mean.  Nothing will roll of my tongue the way I intend it too.  I sound like a babbling buffoon.  You know, like Bush. 

I don't want this nablopomo "post a day" to start making my blog like a forced conversation.  If I start getting bufoonish or bitchy just call me on it okay? 

This is from our fun lunch together.  Today I am off for another lunch date...this time with my bestest girlfriends. 

Sunday - catching my breath

Too many people overvalue what they are not and undervalue what they are.

Malcom S. Forbes

I thought I would have photos of the Van Halen concert but since I can't seem to get the pictures out of my phone you get lemons on the table instead. 

The show was so great.  We had a really good time.  Great aps and martinis before the show and the concert itself was so much fun.  David Lee Roth and Eddie both looked great and Wolfie was cool.   I had forgotten how loud the "real" rock shows can be and last night my ears were killing me.   Toonces wore his plugs  like a sensible adult but I had to prove I was still cool.  Stupid me.   

They did the song Pretty Women when I was coming back from a bathroom break and I sashayed down the steps to the floor level all prissy and sensual like and got to the end and I was on the wrong aisle. I had to go all the way back up the steps and down another one.  I was so out of breath by the time I got up and over that I wasn't quite as sexy as I was going up as I was going down.

I'd wanted to wait until everything was done before I showed any pictures of the house changes but I thought I'd go ahead and show you my beautiful walnut floors!  I love them...I won't even let a vacuum cleaner roll over them.  Hopefully we will be finished in here in time to have dinner for mom and a few guests before her party on the 12th.

I am so loving Heroes and rolling through these DVDs...I haven't watched so much TV since there was a Buffy the Vampire-a-thon during Thanksgiving weekend years ago. 

And my Rock of Love ends tonight....boo hoo.

My Celebrity Look-alikes

http://www.myheritage.com

How cool is this? 

David Lee Roth...from a joke back to a star.

Some people think a song without words isn't a real song. Tell that to Beethoven and he'll kick your ass!

Eddie Van Halen

Oh yeah, we're there.  Sept 29th, Greensboro, NC.

A lady told me she liked my hair...I said "Thanks"...she said.."You can get by with that!"

Is that a compliment?

Jackson and I are back to school shopping today.  Wish him luck!

Peace Out!

Dancefever (with Rollie)

Just living is not enough, said the Butterfly. One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.

Hans Christian Anderson

I may have had my best Valentine's Day ever.  I can't remember many others so I'm pretty sure this is a true statement.

My niece Isabelle came over to play....school was canceled due to ice in the mountainous area of our county.  We painted.  We sketched.  We shopped for birdseed in town, we fell in love with the idea of being blueberry farmers when we saw bushes for sale one aisle over from the birdseed and came home with a couple.  We had lunch out at a local diner.  Best of all we danced.  Alot.  I made a new mix cd for Izzy with a few of her latest favorite songs.  And staying true to form of a devilish Auntie I chose my "drive the parents insane" song to be none other than one of my old favorites Bust A Move.

Not only did I put the song on her cd I showed her some of my moves, like "stir the pot".  An oldie but a goodie.  What I give you next may surprise you.  Few get to see into the daily life and dance world of Rollie.  As I have stated many times on this blog I am a very good dancer.............now you can see for yourself.  Please, please, jealousy will get you nowhere.  Only an idiot would keep recording sideways time after time so I must be an idiot.  Sorry, I guess you can't be a good film maker AND a good dancer.  And if it were filmed too well then I wouldn't allow it to be seen anyway.

So I give you Busting a Move with Rollie and B-Belle.  Eat your heart out Shakira!!!

   

Make an online slideshow at onetruemedia.com

Last night for the afterparty my husband and I went to see Music and Lyrics.   I enjoyed it.  Perfect V-day movie.  Actually Toonces liked it because it has so many '80s music references.  No one plays Hugh Grant like Hugh Grant and this was his role.  I really, really like the guy.

Idol Chatter: I am happy that my big haired Jack Osbourne dude is still in it.  I also like the little brother that rushed down to find his sister when he realized she didn't make it.  I was so happy that the witchy awful best friend got kicked off!  Oh, she was so smug.  Did you hear her make the comment after the sweet little blonde in their group got kicked off?  "That just goes to show that God likes good people?"  If I were God I would have given her the biggest fever blister ever for saying that.  I can't imagine any really good people even saying something like that but she got her's in the end and was sent packing.  I am rooting for her "Best Friend Forever" just so it will drive them further apart!  Sorry....It is the 90210 and Melrose Place girl coming out in me.

Promises:   It's get creative time...I promised B-Belle I would put her in Pony Land.  I could only find Christmas ponies so I hope she'll still like it.

Rollie-ism's and Outtakes....

I was coming home from kindergarten--well they told me it was kindergarten. I found out later I had been working in a factory for ten years. It's good for a kid to know how to make gloves.

Ellen DeGeneres

That would be papa and Amy dressing Seth...with Ben helping too.

Rollie-ism's:  I haven't had many lately.  I'm getting better or Toonces just didn't happen to hear me.....

• I told Toonces that for 2007 I was on a two drink minimum.  He said "I hope you mean maximum Rollie."
• Coming home from shopping and afraid I was going to be late for Idol I told T man that I could count on my my fingers and hands the times I'd missed an episode of the show.  "You mean fingers and toes." he said.  "No, hands and fingers, what's the difference?"    "Well you have ten fingers and toes....yours would be,what, seven? That doesn't make any sense."
• Toonces asked how my work out had been earlier that day.  I told him great.  I did 3.5 miles, some arm weights and used the Governor's chair.  He said, "You used the what?".   I said, "The Governor's chair, you know the thing you hold yourself up and pull your knees up to your chest, we use it all the time!"   "Rollie, that is a Roman chair, not a Governor's chair."   That one I might not be able to get right, I've called it the other for too long.

For my creative project yesterday I went over to Claudville to mom and dad's to experiment on some Valentine shots with Little Bear (Seth).  It turned out that Ben and Amy were also visiting.  It made for a fun shoot but I'm afraid the outtakes far outweigh the keepers.  Ben is a great model and used to it.  Little Bear just wants to wiggle.  I thought I would share some of my outtakes.....they are some of the cutest.

Have a great day everyone!

 

Some Spices in Life.......

There is nothing more notable in Socrates than that he found time, when he was an old man, to learn music and dancing, and thought it time well spent.

Michel de Montaigne

For some reason I have always had more fun doing spontaneous things.

If I have time to over think or over plan an event chances are 1: it doesn't turn out the way I want it to or 2: I talk myself out of wanting to do it.

Martin and I are very different in the fact that he lives by plans and I don't.   Planning trips he calls 5 times to make sure the rooms are right or the flights.  Or if a concert is coming up he goes down this checklist of preparation.......transportation, hotel stay, tickets, call all his friends to go, go on the Internet for details, check tickets again.  Seriously it can be annoying so I just ignore him. 

I am much more moody so it is best to let me feel that I am not "locked in" to something.  Truly most of the best times of my life, other than my wedding day, were things I just happened upon.  Things that I couldn't have planned if I wanted.

A week ago Martin found out the rootsy, folk-rock band Donna the Buffalo was going to be at Ziggy's in Winston.  This week he found out they were going to be in Floyd and opted to get tickets for that one.    I love Ziggy's but I hate shows starting at 10 and 11pm....I'm too old for that crap.  I want a 9 to midnight show.  Not 11-2am. 

Saturday night we had to go to the funeral home only to drive all the way over to Mount Airy and discover it had not been a "family night" but a "family day"....and we missed it.   We headed out to one of my old haunts for a cheese pizza and an ice cold draft beer and I said "Baby if you'd like to go see Donna tonight I'll be happy to drive you to Winston to see it."

And so we did.....way, way overdressed for the "hippie" style dress Donna's fans normally wear but they are also not the type folks to hold it against you if you look too prissy for the gig!   And oddly 50% of the crowd was over 50 years old.  So when I say hippies I mean the real thing.

We had a blast and I danced in my high heel cheetah print boots just like I would have if I'd had on Doc Marten's or flip flops.  I danced until 1am when I called it quits and told T-man his wife's feet had seen enough...........but what a dandy time they had getting there....and yes Colleen I did think of you!  Spontaneity is indeed one of the great spices of life, right up there with dancing!

Rollie, Jackson and some high school kids

"Do you remember in kindergarten, how you'd meet a kid, and know nothing about them, then 10 seconds later you'd be playing like you were best friends, because you didn't have to be anyone but yourself?"  -  Gabrilla Montez, High School Musical.

Tuesday night I saw High School Musical for the first time and 24 hours later I was at the live concert in Greensboro.   And I actually knew the words to several songs.  I have to admit I actually like a couple of the songs.....that "soaring" song is still stuck in my head.

This was Jackson's first concert (at six).  Much younger than I started out.   I am afraid he will be spoiled to all future events since our 6th row turned out to be a 3rd row the way the seats were aligned.   I didn't take a zoom lens and you can see how close the pics are.    Also it appeared to be sold out.  And as I told Jackson it was quite a show...not like a normal rock and roll tour...these kids could dance.  Really dance.  And they are so cute.   Very young, very talented.

I felt so bad for not thinking of bringing ear plugs and when it started it hurt Jackson's ears.  Actually it hurt mine too!  We had his coat on his head for the first song until he got used to it but last night drums were beating in my head as I drifted off to sleep.  Not the ringing of normal concerts but a steady beat of a drum.

When Corbin's drum routine came on it vibrated our seats to the point I thought I would slide off in the floor!

I can only imagine Disney's profits....

$20 programs, $30 t-shirts, $5 green glow stick.....amazing.

I had a wonderful time and I hope Jackson made a lifelong memory. He knows almost every word to every song.  And the lines.... I have promised him a photo album of all the pictures.

As soon as the video clips upload there will be a High School Musical montage on my sidebar.....he wanted his parents and cousins to see...anyone else feel free to check out the show!

I have never driven that far with one of the kids alone.  I have never been to such a big event alone with one of the kids.  I don't think I have ever been as conscious as to everything around me at a venue in my life.  I guess being the sole one responsible for a child really stirs up those protective instincts.   Driving home after dropping off Jackson in Mount Airy, the 30 minute drive here, I thought how long it had been since I had been out on my own that late.  Man times have changed.  A regular occurrence is now a rarity.   I really am getting old and settled!

Working today at the closet today....gotta run.  Isabelle is coming to stay with me tonight for some girl stuff....We got her the digital makeover for Christmas and we are looking forward to turning Toonces and Caleb into girls!

10 Reasons I hate to wrap

And when those blue snowflakes start falling
Thats when those blue memories start calling
You'll be doin all right, with your Christmas of white
But Ill have a blue, blue blue blue Christmas ~    Elvis

Still not number one, Blue Christmas is definitely in my top 5 faves....

Quick, quick post.....I have started volunteering a few hours a week at "My Friend's Closet" a very nice gently used clothing store ran by Martin's Presbyterian Church.  The clothes are priced very, very, very low and they are all nice.....no spots or tears.  These are truly gently worn.  The place runs off donations and volunteers and it helps the community.  All monies left over after rent and utilities are put back in to helping people in need in the county.  I really enjoyed my first day yesterday and have to go back for training today.  So I am rushing....much to do, much to do.

I've been wrapping like a wild fiend to cover the tons of gifts bought for the kids because they are coming over Saturday and they snoop.   We truly look like Santa. 

I am a really good wrapper.  Good when wrapping the perfect size shirt box or nice game box.  I love doing pretty little hand made bows of glitter and fur with bells attached.  My mom's gift is always done very fancy.   With big boxes or when in a hurry it is not so much fun and last night I ended up ill as a hornet and practically slinging my curling ribbon across the room.

Here are my top 10 reasons why I hate WRAPPING:

• 10- Big, over sized, odd packages that don't fit the normal roll in any way.
• 9- When you get said odd package done and an end pokes through the paper.
• 8- When your friggen' long haired cat climbs in the box with clothing in it and lies down to bath and when you panic and pick up said cat there is fur left behind!
• 7- When I can't remember that damned figure 8 move with the ribbon around the packages that my mom does.
• 6- Toonces, as sweet as it is that he has joined me, has the scissors every time I need them or has hogged all the cute tags that were for the children.
• 5- The plastic packaging coming on the ribbon that I can't get completely off and snares the ribbon.
• 4- Toonces and his crappy 5cent bows that he keeps buying and sticking on his friends gifts and then places them RIGHT in the FRONT of my lovely tree with my handmade bows.
• 3-  getting my feet hung in the ribbon and dragging it across the floor when I get up to put the package under the tree.
• 2- You can't find the beginning of the ribbon or tape on the roll!
• and the number 1 reason I hate wrapping-  All that work and I forget whose present I have wrapped!

Have a nice weekend everyone!

I have the Christmas tree vs. baby Seth party tomorrow night.  My sister said move the glass ornaments to the top...well my whole tree is practically glass ornaments.  And Seth will have my puffy Angelina Jolie fish with big glittery red lips staring right at him.  I am hoping the snow works as a boundary.....so we will see.

My ultrasound guided aspiration will be done first thing Monday morning!

Happy Feet

"Ladies, please avert your eyes. Cos' I've been known to hypnotize." ~Lovelace....Happy Feet.

I refuse to shop on Black Friday.  My nerves cannot handle all those people.  Instead I took all the little ones to the above movie today.  And when I say all I mean ALL.  I have nerves of steel where they're concerned.  Even baby Seth enjoyed Happy Feet, the part he didn't sleep through anyway.  I had help, of course, I could not manage all 4 so my sister Melanie and baby Seth accompanied me and Caleb and Jackson and Isabelle and Ben.

When we left we all danced through the parking lot to see who had the happiest feet to the delight of onlookers everywhere...(well they were smiling).  Very cute movie.  A bit darker at times than I expected but overall it was a perfect Thanksgiving Friday choice.

Beautiful holiday weather here but I am still very grateful to have my heat back.  The nights are cold even if the days are back up to 70.  Yes we are hooked up and I feel so much better!  We are the proud owners of a heat pump now with an electric furnace for backup.....and many, many little space heaters stowed away. 

This time last year I was holding two little black fur balls I'd already named Earl and Eudora.   It was their first night with me.  Little did I know they would be later nicknamed "the Thugs" but oh how I love 'em!  They got extra pampering tonight.  Like they could be any more spoiled!

Happy Weekend to ya!  See if you can get happy feet!  Come on....try a little dancing!!!  Get your groove on!

Almost Wordless Wednesday

"I'll take this one please....just like it is.  Do you deliver?  to Virginia?  Well, will you come do it for me then?"

The Weekend Wrap

A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.

Mark Twain

As you cat people out there already know, cats believe that every new thing brought home is for them.   So when I was setting up my back drop to see what I thought, and had put a director's chair out , Calista makes herself right at home.   But I was tickled to be able to get these of her and D man.

I am a tired girl today.  I told Martin our living room looks like it did back in our single weekend days....pizza box, newspapers everywhere, wood chips left in the floor from building a fire.  Pop cans lying around......shoes, clothes....Uh.     At least I did get the dishes washed before I took my 3rd nap.

Last night at 2:30am I was sitting in IHop having blueberry pancakes....you know it is a good night when that happens!

Toonces, a Robert Earl Keen stalker, has to hang out after the show to say hello to Robert and the guys in the band.  (like an obsessed fan) Every time.  This time they didn't come back out after the show and we sneaked out the back door as the crew was loading the equipment.  Toonces peeks in the bus door, cracks it open, puts a boot in....me right on top of him....and suddenly these 2 guys just jump us SCREAMING..."STEP OFF THE BUS...STEP BACK OFF THE BUS NOW....THIS IS OUR HOME..."  WTF?   Scared the crap out of both of us.  Toonces said we were given the bum's rush.  (Rollie isn't sure what that means).....Normally they are nice, I guess something happened to make them need thugs guarding the door.

So we ran and ran and ran in cowboy boots in the pouring rain to the IHop to recover!

Friday was nice at the coffee shop.  We hope to get out to as many as we can to help the community adopt some cool fun things.  And last night, with the exception of some stupid drunk woman I wanted to drag into the parking lot and beat senseless for bumping me 50 times and getting her ashes on my boots, was a blast!    

Scrumptious Leftovers.......

I can't wait for Desperate Housewives tonight!  Last week had my mouth hanging open and tears streaming down my face....WOW!

because I wanna be a cowboy, baby

I like to ride my horses and shoot my gun you know a cowboy's work is just never done
I am in to basics and I don't like fads and I like to have women I never had
Hey I don't mean to ever do nobody no wrong
I was just born the son of a singing song
I do things to make people mad and I like women I never had.......Hank Williams, Jr.

Oh...look at Spirit. (my little Paint)...Ruby is T man's ride.

Yesterday, Spirit and I graduated on up to real trail riding.  Toonces and I met with my trainer and some others from school at the trails at Fairystone park. 

I think I should probably call it "trial" riding instead.

When Spirit's original trainer...Joe told us that he couldn't get him to cross a creek without more time we should've known.  Everyone assumed he would follow the other horses when they crossed on a trail.   Well Spirit called B***S*** on that one.

You wouldn't believe me if I told you.  Elesia, Martin...all the horse people with us.  No one had ever seen one as terrified of the creeks and streams as my baby boy.   We are in the base of the mountain and there are 4 creeks back to back that we had to cross.  First a small one...I had to get off for Spirit to leap 10 feet in the air to clear the tiny trickle.  I get back on.

Another creek...a b