9.03.2010

Go Gators! But not to the springs....I prefer they stay reptile-free.


Mommy's Idea

I started reading blogs tonight and saw a Friday Fragments post. "Huh?" I thought. "It's not Friday yet!" And then I checked the computer and realized...um, yep. Sure is. Duh! That's what kind of week it's been 'round here!
TGIFragging Time!



My goal for this long Labor Day weekend is to spend some quality, one-on-one time with each of my kids. I'll let you know how successful I am on this endeavor.



I found out from Brainella the Librarian that the time has come! Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Lattes are here! Oh happy day!


Gator football starts this weekend. This means 99.9% of my conversations with John will be about Gator football. He eats, sleeps, and breathes Gator football. I love it; he is obsessed.
My daughters are going to this game with my niece and her fiance. They're going to have a great time!



Natalie loved my post from yesterday, I Want - I Need - I Love, and suggested I turn it into a weekly meme. Would anyone else be interested in that? I did have fun with it! And yes, my friends, if I ever do find that money tree, I will definitely share!



Anyone have awesomely fun Labor Day plans? We're planning to go to the Springs on Monday, and maybe grilling out while we're there.

Hope you all have a great one!

9.02.2010

I Want - I Need - I Love.

I Want: a cold Diet Dr Pepper.
I Need: a money tree in my back yard.
I Love: my kids.

I Want: a chocolate pool in my back yard.
I Need: to start drinking more wine. (or is that a want? not sure.)
I Love: my hubby.

I Want: a vacation.
I Need: to make some big changes. (Much as I hate to, I must.)
I Love: my dogs.

I Want: sleep.
I Need: sleep.
I Love: sleep.

I Want: a break.
I Need: some sanity.
I Love: this crazy dysfunctional life.

9.01.2010

Old Guys

I've mentioned it here before. I LOVE old men.
Not sugar daddies, not dirty old men. I just love old guys. There's something about them that just charms me.
And I recently figured out just where it all began.
I must have been about 7 or 8 years old. It was a long time ago. Dinosaurs roamed the earth, and we rode around in a horse-drawn buggy.
No, but seriously. I was really young, and we were at my grandparent's house. I had a cousin who lived nearby, and she and I were very close. Her name is Diane. Every time my family made the four-hour drive to my grandparents' house in North Florida, she and her family came to visit.
This particular visit, there were other relatives at my grandparents' house as well, including my mother's aunt and uncle from Arizona. My great-aunt Lillian and Uncle Harley were older, and it was my first time meeting them, since they lived so far away.
For some reason, my cousin Diane decided to make fun of Uncle Harley. Granted, he did look 'different'. Being from Arizona, he was dressed Western-style. He had on a long-sleeved shirt with pearl buttons, cowboy boots, and a bolo tie.
We were just kids, and she was just being a brat. But she snickered behind his back, and ridiculed him.
Now, I wasn't bold enough to confront her and tell her to stop. I just stayed very quiet, upset with her but too scared to say anything. She was a couple of years older than me so she was clearly the leader of our little duo.
But finally, I had enough. I got up and walked away from Diane....and straight to Uncle Harley. Even though he had no idea that Diane was mocking him, I felt like I needed to make it up to him. I said the first thing that came to my mind: "I like your tie."
We were immediately friends. He told me all about his bolo tie, which had a real scorpion encased in resin. For the rest of the visit, we stuck together like glue. I have no idea what we talked about, but we talked each others' ears off.
And about two weeks after we returned home, I got a package in the mail from Uncle Harley. All the way from Arizona!
Enclosed was a beautiful gold necklace with a heart charm.
And this beautiful bolo tie.



Uncle Harley has long since passed away. Sadly, I lost the necklace at school many years ago. But I've kept that bolo tie for all these years. Every time I see it, I'm reminded of that day with Uncle Harley.
And the reason why I love old guys.
(as you can see, the metal end pieces are long gone. Anyone know how to get an old bolo tie refurbished? I want to frame it..... =)


Participating in Pour Your Heart Out & Wordful Wednesdays today!








8.31.2010

Really Random Randomness


randomtuesday

Just a quick post to catch up on some stuff.

1. I haven't had time to notify each Snail Mail Project participant about the link-up, so I'm going to postpone it until next week. I hope that's ok with everyone! I'll let you know what day ASAP.



2. I finally got cleared to work today, so I'll return to work tonight. I missed THREE nights of work due to conjunctivitis! Crazy! And I used up all my PTO over the summer. *cries* Crusty eyes are expensive!



3. The winner, chosen by Random.org, of the Sam's Club $25 GC is Brandy from You Don't Know! Congrats Brandy!

True Random Number Generator
Min: 1 Max: 16 Result: 10

Brandy said:

So fun! I love to buy books there too but my Fave bulk item is probably trash bags. We are trashy people.

If you have never visited Brandy's blog, get your butt over there, she is a hoot!



4. Speaking of giveaways, I've got a few reviews & giveaways coming up, and I don't want anyone to think I'm going to become a blog full of reviews & giveaways because I'm definitely NOT. I'm going to try to keep them to the weekends from now on.




That's all, folks! Hope you're having a great week.

8.29.2010

What's Cooking?

As my regular readers know, especially if you've visited my Southern Loving food blog, I love to cook. I love to try new things, and I'm always trying to improve and expand my menus.
One thing I've realized is that I need more tools. More baking pans, utensils, pots, pans, etc.
For example, I've always wanted to make homemade New England Clam Chowder, one of my favorite dishes in the world. I always have to get a cup or bowl every time we visit St Augustine.
My sister-in-law gave me a recipe years ago, but you need a Dutch Oven to make it. I don't have a Dutch Oven.
Coming up soon, I'm going to be doing a review for CSN Stores. One of their many websites is www.cookware.com, and they sell Dutch ovens there, so maybe just maybe, I'll finally get to make that New England Clam Chowder! And just in time for fall....yum!
When I do, I'll be sure to share the recipe & outcome on Southern Loving. In fact I think I'm going to do a whole soup series over there, because soups are one of my many favorite things about fall!