On My Way Back... Slowly

The Girl Behind The Blog

I had the wonderful pleasure of meeting Kristy @ This Train Of Thought Has Been Derailed.  What a beauty!  Crazy thing was, she didn't seem to be phased one bit by my crazy, old lady ways.  I hope to spend much more time with her, getting to know her better.  I'd even like to adopt her, but don't think her parents would agree.  Thanks for an enjoyable Saturday! 


Would like to wish all the dads out there a Happy Father's Day and to my husband, as well.  Honey, you are a wonderful father... and the kids think so, too!  Sorry you have to spend the day at work.


Oh, and Kristy... next time we'll do Italian!  Find one tall, dark and handsome!  Just kidding.

 

Leave A Light On For Me

First, and foremost, thank you all for the kindness and support on my last post.  You all mean the world to me and I count on each of you, in different ways, to get me through each day.  I've come to depend on you, for my fix.  The fix may be a smile, a tear, a photograph, or the ability to evoke a memory that has been dormant and thought forgotten.  Don't know what I would do without you.

Yesterday's post was a direction I swore to myself I didn't want to take with my blog.  It's a side of me that I prefer to keep hidden, something I'm unable to hide, in real life.  Laugh and the world laughs with you, cry and you'll cry alone.  People in my real life are subjected to my depression and I'll be darned if I want that for you.

I was diagnosed with depression many years ago.  I've spent more than half my life struggling with it.  After more than a decade, I finally agreed to take medication and, while it helped with mood, the side effects were more than I could deal with.  Each new side effect was treated with yet another medication, which caused another side effect that warranted another pill and another hassle with insurance, as well as an added expense.  I did it for 10 years.  As it is, I'm the main reason my husband doesn't retire.  Our insurance cost will be astronomical, not counting the cost of prescription medication.  This man has worked his entire adult life with the expectation of being able to retire and live comfortably and I honestly don't know how that's going to happen.  I do know that I hate the thought of being tied to a lifetime of medication and exorbitant insurance premiums.  So, for the past few years, I've only agreed to use medication to lower my cholesterol.  Yes, I need medication for the depression, but refuse to climb back on the medication merry-go-round.  Instead, I will continue to do the one thing I'm good at and that is to be an encourager to others.  Ashley refers to me as a cheerleader.  Thanks, sweetie, I like that!  Let me be your cheerleader and you continue to provide the fix I need.  Hopefully, the insurance company doesn't start charging for it.

I apologize for not emailing comment responses on the last post.  It's something I try to be faithful with, but typing and crying are two things and I can't multitask.  It sucks to throw a pity party and be a lousy hostess!  You throw the next one, I'll bring my pompoms.  Rah, rah, rah! 

This Could Take A While...

The wonderful Jimmy, over at Jimmy's Opinion, has graciously bestowed me with the Versatile Blogger Award.  He is one awesome guy and a gentleman, to boot.  I simply adore reading his stories!  If you haven't had the pleasure to meet him, please drop in and say hello. 

Following the rules of this award I have to give you seven tidbits about myself that you may not know.  Pass the award to 15 bloggers.   (I'm doing 8)

1.  I am the worlds biggest procrastinator.
2.  I have a loud voice.
3.  I am extremely sentimental.
4.  If someone writes a touching post, I will cry like a baby.
5.  I obsess about everything.
6.  I dislike riding in the car.
7.  I wish I had the brains and energy I had when I was younger.

Now I would like to pass this award to the following bloggers:

Stupid Girls

It Only Gets Better

Speaking From The Pew

Sophisticated Lunacy

Our Life And Times On PEI

The Musings Of Almybnenr

The Boogie Man Is My Friend

Life By Chocolate


******
Amber Lynn at The Musings of Almybnenr has given me the One Lovely Blog Award.  This young gal can best be described as a VORACIOUS READER!  She's a student, with a thirst for books.  She even put up a follow button on Tumblr, because I asked her... how nice is that?  Thank you, Amber!

Now, for the rules!

1. Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award and his or her blog link.
2. Pass the award to other blogs that you’ve newly discovered.
3. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

And here are the three awesome blogs I’m going to pass the award to:

My Journey My Life

What's The Story Morning Glory


art = long, life = short, success = very far off

******

Dawn, at what's the story morning glory, has given me the Oh My Blog Award.  She's a wife, mom, daughter, sister and student, homesick for Newfoundland!  Stop in and visit her and make her feel at home.  Thank you Dawn!
 

Now to uphold the rules of said award, I must.......

1. Get really excited that you got the coolest award EVER!   Whoot!

2. Choose ONE of the following options of accepting the OMB award:
(a) Get really drunk and blog for 15 minutes straight, or for as long as you can focus.
(b) Write about your most embarrassing moment.
(c) Write a “Soundtrack of your childhood” post.
(d) Make your next blog a ‘vlog’/video blog. Basically, you’re talking to the camera about whatever.
(e) Take a picture of yourself first thing in the morning, before you do anything else (hair, makeup, etc) and post it.  (anyone that knows anything about me, knows I hate pictures of myself.  In the interest of time, this is the one I'm choosing... here goes!)  Ha!

 

3. Pass this award onto at least 3 (or more) bloggers.  Don’t forget to tell them.

This one is going to:

Choleesas World

Fashion Plate

Bendigo's Rage

Hartwood Roses


******

Momma Fargo at The Boogie Man Is My Friend, has given me the Super Comments Award.  Comments are a huge part of feeling like you are truly interacting in the blogosphere and not just being a wart on a pickle.  I love to comment to the blogs I follow and the fact that some of the busy ones, with a huge following, take the time to acknowledge their comments, is amazing.  When they take to time to drop in, read my drivel and leave me a comment... well, that is super special to me!  Momma Fargo is amazing!  She's a cop, a mom to "Bug", a fantastic blogger whether she's making me laugh with cop antics, or cry with a serious post.  She's great!  Thanks, Fargo!

The rules for this award are to answer the following questions:

1. Why do you blog?  I ask myself this all the time and the best reason I can come up with, is the interaction with some wonderful people.

2. What was your favorite age to be and why?  I'd say my 20's.  I was settled, married, having my kids and still had the energy and brains to keep up.

3. What's your favorite sport to play?  Is blogging a sport?  How 'bout babysitting?  I'm old, and don't play sports.

4. What's your favorite sport to watch, and who's your favorite team?  None!  Used to sit through them with hubby, when it netted me a back rub.  Not so much, anymore.

5. If you could pick your perfect career (and money doesn't matter / the kids are out of the house) what would it be?  If I had the brains and energy, I'd love to be an EMT or a paramedic.
 
6. Do you ever feel guilty for blogging?  All. the. time!

7. What is your favorite holiday?  Any holiday that involves my family and no drama.

8. What's your favorite kind of music?  I don't have favorite, it just depends on the day and the mood.

9. Do you consider yourself a good driver or bad driver?  I'm a very good driver.  I don't do it much, but when I do, I'm great.

10. What's the farthest away place you have visited?  I think maybe Windsor, Canada.


Now I shall pass it on to some of the ones who keep me going...

This Old House 2

Jenny Matlock 

The Chronicles of a Veteran Kindergarten Teacher

Bossy Betty

Our Journey Begins, as The Kings

Jimmy's Opinion

Fourth Grade Nothing


******

Connie at Hartwood Roses and Karen at This Old House 2, have given me the I Love Your Blog award. 

Connie is a "Rose Wizard" and grows the most amazing antique roses.  Her photos are awesome!  She is much more than I can type out, without drooling on the keyboard and I hate when I drool!  Thank you, Connie!

Karen keeps me in the "sinnin' corner" with This Old House 2, because envy is a sin!  I love this gal.  She has stuck with me, through thick and thin.  I can't say enough nice things about her.  She made my rose header, after seeing a rose and thinking about me.  She recently started a new blog site and doesn't have the transformation of the "Old House" from the beginning, nor, all the fantastic photos she has taken of many, many things.  I can't wait for her to post more.  Karen, you are a very special lady to me.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

The rules for this one are to list 10 things I love.

 1.  I love my husband!  He is the kindest human being I know and  loves me, in spite of my faults and weaknesses. (and there are many)
 2.  I love my children! 
 3.  I love my grandchildren!
 4.  I love coffee.
 5.  I love mountains.
 6.  I love the beach.
 7.  I love naps.
 8.  I love an occasional margarita.
 9.  I love sweets, especially chocolate.
10. I love back rubs.

I love all the blogs I follow, but am only going to pass this to one.  Without her advice and encouragement, I would have stopped blogging a long time ago.  She is my very special Blog Whisperer.  This one is for Laura, at The Girl Next Door Grows Up.


******
Last, but certainly not least... I've been crowned and certified a Crazy King, by Ashley at Our Journey Begins, as The Kings and Stupid Girls.  Ashley, I love ya and I'm keeping this one, for myself.  Call me crazy, call me selfish, call me whatever you want.  I consider this a huge honor and it makes me feel kinda special.  THANK YOU, SWEETIE!"  I will post it with pride and a smile. 

The End... Now go forth and multiply!

It's Been A Year!

Can't believe a year of blogging has come and gone.  It was just around this time last year, that I decided to give it a whirl.  Must admit it was me that got whirled on at least one occasion, but that's just the way the old mop flops.  Sorry, guess I had "mop" on the brain, since I just tried to mop my kitchen.  It's going to take much more than a mop to get the ground in crap up, possibly a jackhammer.  If anyone has a spare maid layin' around, send them my way.  Afraid I'm not very domestic anymore.  When the kids moved out of the house, I retired.  I do good to keep a path cleared from the coffeepot to the potty.  Besides, being a frequent commenter to my blog friends takes time and there isn't much left over to do something that will just need doing again, quicker than you can blink.  I'll stick with the more important stuff, thank you very much.  Thanks to everyone that has made this year special and especially the ones who have become more than just another blog to read. 

Along with the passing blog year, seems another birthday has crept up again for my youngest Son.  I keep telling my kids that their birthdays are making me old, but they just keep having them.  Slow down already!  Wasn't it just yesterday that I was giving birth to my little 9lb-3oz "Special Angel" baby?  Feels like it.  My body hasn't even recovered and here you are turning 31!  When you strike it rich, you can pay for the tummy tuck, mister. (have them suck out a few extra pounds while you're at it)  I'll allow you to coordinate with your siblings on the face lift, boob job and bladder suspension.  The butt lift can wait, I sit on it too often to consider stitches.

All joking aside... kinda... you are just as wonderful at 31, as you have always been.  Thank you for a blessed 31 years, and not one of those years, even in your teens, have you ever been ashamed to tell me you love me, kiss me hello and goodbye and provide the best hugs a mother could ever hope for.  Momma loves you very much!  Papa does too, but this ain't his blog and he doesn't even read it, so I get to say what I want.

Here's hoping your birthday is rain-free, the lasagna is filling (and I can remember how to make it) and the water is not too cold.  Please bring your own towel, Momma hates doing laundry.  

               "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, I LOVE YOU!"

               Who could resist that sweet face?

                  Ready to go play on the beach
 

         You and little sister, Halloween at school

                                  "Killer"

                               With Honors 

                          Recent - Photo Booth

Death Warmed Over and Awards

Survived 4 days with the girls and 6 days with the MILs dogs and now, of all times, I'm sick.  I've never suffered with seasonal allergies and if this is what it's like... I feel sorry for anyone that does.

The dogs got picked up Tuesday morning and I was looking forward to being able to get some rest, without one of them up my butt. (the dogs, not the girls)  We had a terrific weekend, even if they don't keep the same hours I do.  Went to the playground next door, on Saturday.  The weather was beautiful and the dogs didn't bite anyone, including the boy that insisted on petting them, even after I told him they weren't too friendly.  Reminded me of the many times I've heard a parent say... "My kid won't eat that"... then they do and totally make a liar out of you!  I'm sure the kid on the playground thought I was a liar.  I kinda felt like choking the dogs, for not biting him.

Hubby worked nights, from Friday evening until Tuesday morning.  On Monday morning, he started complaining his throat was sore and feeling swollen and irritated.  Having had an exposure to noxious chemicals at work, I thought it was just the aftereffects.  Within a few hours, my throat was irritated and driving me crazy.  I can't tell you how much illness I've been exposed to over the past year, without getting sick.  Not sure if the changing winds blew something in, or what, but I have coughed so much, my ribs are killing me.  I feel like I've been drug through a knothole, backwards!  Every time I cough, I was trying to hold my ribs, to keep them from breaking.  Ended up binding them, so I didn't have to keep trying to hold them.  Don't laugh, it has helped.

Guess I should be thankful this didn't come on while the kids were here.  I'll be even more thankful when I feel better and can play catch up on the rest I didn't get, while dog and kidsitting.

Since my last post, I received two awards.  Same award, from two different people.  Both are fantastic!

Momma Fargo, the fantastically funny female cop, that refers to herself as the popo.  If you don't already know her, stop in and introduce yourself.  If you go and get yourself arrested... DO NOT IMPLICATE ME!  Whatever you did, I wasn't involved.  Perhaps she will give you a ride in her new cruiser, if you ask nicely... or break the law.  Do not mess up the seats, please. 

Veteran Kindergarten Teacher will tell you amazing stories of her experience with kids and teaching for a whopping 34 years.  Just be sure you don't start talking about snakes, or you might send her into orbit. And no, you may not borrow her terrarium for the summer, so don't ask.

Please, if you haven't met these two ladies, stop in and say hello.

Since I'm feeling like death warmed over, I'm doing good to finally thank these two wonderful blog buddies.  I'm not going to be passing these on, at least not yet.  Maybe later, when I'm feeling better and have a better grasp of this new WHITE beast of a laptop, with NO MOUSE!  Right now I'll just settle for getting out a post, period.

To the new followers that I haven't located, thanks for following.  Stop in and leave a comment, so I can find you.  To the new visitors that left comments, thank you for stopping in.  Comments on any posts are wonderful and I would especially like to thank everyone that commented on the post about my Mom.  I'm sure she smiled at each one.     

A Twofer!

Did I mention being a little behind? Recently, Bendigo @ Bendigo's Rage, passed on a Beautiful Blogger Award.  Today, I received one from Patrick Tillett.  Both of these gentlemen are wonderful writers and nice as all getout.  If you don't know them, you simply must go find out for yourself.  Nothing I can say would do them justice, trust me.  Thank you both!

Here are the award rules:
1. Thank the person who gave you this award (that would be me, include a link).
2. Share 5 things about yourself.
3. Pass the award along to 5 bloggers (more or less) who you have recently discovered and you think are fantastic! Include links to their blogs.
4. Contact the bloggers you've picked and let them know about the award. 
*(I'm bending the rules here by not contacting the ones I've picked.  If they follow, they can be pleasantly surprised, or even not so pleasantly surprised, depending on their mood) (plus, I'm exhausted, hungry, need to catch up on your posts this is hard work)
6. Copy this Award onto your blog (linking it to me) 
*(Feel free to bend the rules as you see fit, I usually do)

Once again, I will struggle to tell you five things about myself.  I'm afraid I don't do this at all well, because frankly, I don't see myself as the least bit interesting. 

1.  When I was a young girl... so long ago,
     I was a competitive roller skater.
2.  During my rink rat days, I had fabulous
     legs.
3.  When my children were young, I
     I coached roller skating and my
     children were quite good.  I'm proud
     to have been a part of their skating
     careers.  Most of their younger lives
     took place at the rink.
4.  I left coaching when my body and brain
     could no longer keep up.
     Unfortunately, this also ended my kids
     skating and I often wonder just how far
     they could have gone.
5.  I don't have great legs anymore.

Passing this award will be hard.  Everyone deserves to be noticed and appreciated for their efforts.  I have a really hard time choosing, since I enjoy all the blogs I follow.  Each are different and unique.

Please allow me to introduce you to a personal friend.  She has been blogging much longer than me, and is just starting back after battling breast cancer.  She has deleted her past posts, so you can start over with her, on her journey back.  She is a wonderful writer, please help me encourage her to get back in the game.  You can find her @ The Right Wing Extremist Housewife.

Also, some new ones I'm getting acquainted with:
Dr. Soosie
Bossy Betty
Andrea
Ally


If you don't already know them, drop in and say hello.


Thank you, again, Bendigo and Patrick!

A Little Behind

No, I don't have one! (a little behind)  What I have had is a rough couple of days.  Started Tuesday evening, anticipating having to wake up to the alarm clock Wednesday morning.  Just knowing this made it nigh on impossible to get to sleep.  When I'm able to sleep, I hate being startled awake with some horrifically annoying, blaring noise.  A jarring reminder that I'm still alive, since my heart is racing, trying to jump out of my chest.  Somehow, this doesn't make for a great start.

Hubs is always up at the butt crack on his days off, just to make me look bad morning person that he is.  He's usually playing with the mistress music, on the computer, whistling, or some other such nonsense.  The coffee is usually made, thank goodness!

Grabbed some coffee Wednesday morning, headed straight to the bathroom in an effort to paint my face, so as not scare the life out of people on the outside world.  It never works, but I had to settle for doing the best I could, with what little I have.  Made it for the appointment to have our taxes done. (no, we don't do it ourselves, it's too darn complicated and we don't want to be held responsible if we screw it up)  We survived and were out of there before noon.  Went to the diner to grab some breakfast, which never happens that early in the day.  Stopped by an antique shop so Hubs could feed the mistress to browse and I could skulk around, feeling contrite.

Having survived the early day and feeling rather pleased, we headed home and I planned to catch up on blogs and emails and generally laze around.  No such luck.  Barely made it in the door, when my Daughter calls crying, in a major panic.  I can hear "Tink" in the background, wailing in a sound that can't be described.  Poor baby had already been to the doctor earlier that day, running a high fever, congested, coughing and had an ear infection.  She had fallen asleep after the ordeal and woke up screaming with shoulder/neck pain.  Don't even remember driving over there, it's a total blur.  Luckily it's only about 5 miles.  Fortunately, Hubs was able to pick "Twink" (her sister) up at school and bring her on home, and in all the hubbub she wasn't forgotten.

That child was SO sick!  Felt like I was having a flashback to my younger days, as a mother with young kids, struggling when the inevitable sickness happened.  Dreading the nighttime, when the fevers always seem to rise.  Wishing the medications would work their magic quickly and ease the suffering... theirs and mine.

What a difference a day makes!  "Tink" is nothing like yesterday, thank you Lord.  No fever, no pain.  Still snotty and coughing, but on the mend.  Mommy and Granny survived, too.

Managed to get on here some, in between the chaos and having to share the computer, still.  That white laptop is sounding sweeter and sweeter, in spite of the color.  During the time away, I've managed to get more than a little behind.  I'm still trying to catch up.  I will, eventually.  Don't know how you BIG BLOGS manage.  Crap, I'm small and already there doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day, to read, comment and post.  Don't think I'll ever be able to post every day.  Think I prefer you deciding the topic and all I have to do is read and comment.  Heck, that's a full time job!

Thanks to the new followers!  Still haven't located a couple of you, since you didn't leave comments.

Bendigo, I haven't forgotten you, either.  I'm going as fast as this tired old woman can go.

Jenny, as soon as I get the birdies and my photo application going, I'll post.

Now, I'm off to read and comment to each of you, for as long as I can keep my eyes open.  Thanks everyone!   

The Rose

You could call me a night person.  My kids are grown, hubby is a shift worker and on the days he's working, he's gone about 14 hours.  I can do pretty much what I want, when I want to do it.  I log on to the computer when I get up and stay on it until I go to bed.  (except when I have to share with hubs)


I don't stay in front of the computer ALL day long, rather just walk in here, hit refresh and check to see if I have mail, or if someone has posted something new.


Imagine my surprise, when I came in the other morning around 4:30 and saw an email from a fellow blogger, left at 4:23.  I was shocked!  The subject said: Rose Header For Blog.  I opened the email and found the sweetest message.  She said she had seen a really pretty rose that morning and thought of me.  So she made my new rose header.  (and I was actually able to get it on here)  Thank you so much for thinking of me Karen @ This Old House.  It's people like you that make blogging worthwhile, and not just because you made my new header, but because you are a really nice person, even when you keep me in the sinnin' corner.  Because everyone knows... envy is a sin and that house keeps me green with envy!

Tag, You're It

Seems Deborah, over at Fashion Plate-Hungry For Style, has seen fit to involve me in a photo tag.  Pretty much as soon as I read it, I knew there was going to be a little, bitty problem.  I knew the approximate time I got my digital camera and most probably was pretty sure what the first pictures would be.  I cringed a little bit and knew I was going to have to tweak it, ever so slightly.


My camera and computer are both rather old, for cameras and computers.  I got them both around the time my youngest granddaughter was born.  She's not at all old, for a kid, but... we don't apply the same age guidelines to technology stuff.



Back to my little story that is supposed to be attached with the picture...  My daughter was pregnant and since I had done a belly cast for her first pregnancy, I figured she needed one for the second.  After the cast was done (a major ordeal that involves a rather huge mess) and had time to cure, I set about to paint it.  Being the brainless person I am, I thought I would get all creative and make it look realistic.  Now I have pictures of that, but they are quite obscene looking.  So I will skip to the same belly cast, that was adjusted to preserve her modesty and my own.  The lighting was terrible, but that's what you get.  It's done in torn brown paper, which was a far cry from the first pregnancy cast, that was painted with clouds and butterflies and flowers.  I hope that doesn't scar "Tink" my youngest, too much.  

Here are the rules, even though I had to tweak them.  (hope you understand why)



1. Go to your first photo file and pick the 10th photo in it.
2. Tell the story behind the photo.
3. Tag 5 other people to do likewise.

To suffer with me, I am tagging the following:
1. Marla @ Butts And Ashes (ha ha back)
2. KW @ Some Things I Have Learned
3. GregoryJ @ Living My Life
4. Copyboy @ Not Worth Mentioning
5. Robyn @ RawknRobyns Gone Blog Wild

Your turn!  If I tagged someone that just got tagged, sorry.  I don't expect you to "play" again, so soon.  This is work, especially if your computer is as old as mine. 

Beautiful Blogger Award

Was supposed to get my new computer today, but somebody got schnockered last night and had a terrible hangover today.  Needless to say, it was not a good day for them to have to drive out AND think AND put up with me.  I'm stuck using my antiquated system.

GregoryJ, over at  Living My Life, has given me a Beautiful Blogger award.  Thanks Greg!  He has assured me he doesn't bite, so go visit him, pronto!

Here are the rules:

1. Thank the person who gave you this award.

2. Share 7 things about yourself.

3. Pass the award along to 15 8 5 bloggers who you have recently discovered and you think are fantastic!

4. Contact the bloggers you've picked and let them know about the award.

Now, I am supposed to tell you 7 things about myself, which will be very hard for me. (you can already tell I don't follow the blogging rules)

1.  I love being a wife, mother and granny!

2.  I obsess about everything.

3.  I hate leaving my house.

4.  I'm a procrastinator.

5.  I'm a lousy cook.

6.  I'm not tech savvy.

7.  I'm less than 5 feet tall.

The 5 people I'm choosing for this award are:

Tracie @ Stir-Fry Awesomeness 

JennyMatlock  (doesn't do awards... read anyway)

Karen @ This Old House

Ashley 

Pat  

I don't read lousy blogs, so please check these out.

Can't begin to tell you, how many times my computer has frozen up during this attempt.  Please make it worth the time it took me.

To my computer Guru... please hurry!

Now I'm keeping my fingers crossed, hitting publish post and hoping I don't lose my hard work.

My Inner Weirdo!

My horoscope says...

Indulge your inner weirdo today -- no matter who's watching. If someone calls you on it, just smile and pretend than you don't know what they're talking about. They can't get along without your eccentricities.

You've had quite the time over the past few days -- the past few weeks, even. You can take a breath now, however, because the heavens have arranged a break in the action. And you're probably quite happy to hear about that. The higher-ups you've been dealing with lately are probably relieved, too, because if anyone can be stubborn, you can. Fortunately, they're fond of you.

I think most everyone who takes the time to blog and comment, has reasons for doing so.  No matter the reason, may we all find compatible comfort, in the packs we choose. 

Thanks to my new followers and the ones who have been here a while.

I'm definitely eccentric and I always hope the weirdo part, is in a good way.    

Attila?

Don't lose your temper, Attila! You need figure out a better way to deal with anger!

No matter how much you care for them or how benevolent you are, being kind to someone can only go so far. If you're sure they've taken advantage of you, trust your intuition and don't let this continue any longer. Your future demands that you let go of all baggage, including anyone and anything that's held you back from moving toward the opportunities that await you. (which includes myself) Get the show on the road with a confident attitude and a happy heart.

This is my horoscope for today.  I found much irony in it and it couldn't have come at a better time.  This is the same advice I have been given by some wonderfully inspiring people.  Thanks to each of you.  To the one I lost, who was always encouraging and respectful when they came to visit my bloghouse, thank you, too, you taught me much.  I wish you no hard bad feelings.        

Letting Sleeping Blogs Lie

I'm going to use an analogy to describe the way I see myself and blogging.  I do not wish to offend anyone who chooses to read it.  I am even providing a key.

Blog Whisperer - Someone with understanding and knowledge as well as the ability to provide advice to others.  Who has a way of doing what they do, without disrespect to any breed, large or small.

Bloghouse - Ones own blog.

Blog Park - blogosphere

Pack - Followers

Peeing or Marking - Making comments

Sniffing - Reading, but not commenting

Chihuahua - Me

Chihuahuas are the smallest blog/dog breed, fiercely loyal and gets along well with other breeds.  Due to their small size and fragility, care must be taken to avoid injury from jumping off a tall surface, or stepping on them as they follow along at your feet.  They have also been known to cause injury to themselves, by charging after anything threatening, without regard for size differences.  While they may appear to shiver and tremble, it isn't always from fear.  Excitement, low blood sugar and discomfort are other possible causes.  Their small size makes them suitable in most any living arrangement.  They are alert and make ideal watchdogs.

While in my own bloghouse recently, an intelligent, larger breed, peed to mark some territory.  I yelped in surprise, then upon recognition, wagged to apologize for the yelp and received a growl.  I do not, for one minute, believe the intention was to rip me to shreds.  Nor were mine.

Ventured out to the blog park to socialize. Visited a pack members bloghouse, peed a small spot and was promptly bitten.  I lowered my head and was given a second bite, for being weak.  Chihuahuas are notoriously hard to housebreak, but with patience and the right method, it can be done.  (Instilling fear is probably not the best way to accomplish this)

Exhausted from trying to play with the big (blog) dogs, I retreated to my bloghouse to rest and recuperate, venturing out occasionally, to sniff some fresh air and being cautious not to pee in the wrong place.

This little chihuahua is well behaved.  She understands rules, boundaries and limitations, as well as exercise, discipline and affection.  She's learned a few tricks, which include... speak, sit, shake, fetch and... roll over and play dead.

Do not confuse rolling over and playing dead, with submission.  True submission comes from trust and respect and the feeling of protection from intruders or opposing pack members.

One of my young pups tried to explain me to a puppy pal... "If she likes you, she yaps, wags, sniffs and marks.  If she doesn't trust you, she is silent."

As long as I find more enjoyment than pain with blogging, I will continue.  There are some really wonderful people out there.  I read everyone I follow and will comment, frequently.  If I feel you need encouragement, I will be there to give it to you.  If I disagree, I will try not to comment.  If you encourage people to think and comment, but belittle them when they do, I will probably still follow and read, but will refrain from commenting.  I will never try to intentionally hurt someone with a comment or a post.  I may have the jaws of a Pit Bull, but never want to feel a need to use them here.  If you made it this far, thanks for joining me.  Hope to see you again, soon.  Feel free to hike or squat, pee or not.

Special thanks to my Blog Whisperer, Laura and my Guard Dog, Iggy and to each and every one of you, that choose to be members of my pack.

Tweeeet... Personal Foul

Is blogging considered a sport?  If so, how many personal fouls does a player get, before being thrown out of the game?   I can't find my rule book and coach wouldn't give me one.  Would anyone care to loan me their copy?


My last post took an awkward turn, causing injuries that left me sidelined, on the bench, trying to recover.


I hope to recuperate and join you soon!  In the meantime, play on team!  I'll be rootin' for ya!
  
 

Love Link, Paying It Forward

Kristy, over at This Train Of Thought Has Been Derailed, has given me a Love Link.  Thanks, Kristy!  I love you back and look forward to being your adopted, somewhat blinded blog Mother. (with or without soap)
To receive this award I must pass it on to five more blogs and post this:

"You have received a LOVE LINK, now it's your turn to pass it on. Pick 5 special blog friends/readers/or non-blogging friends to link to and post about in addition to the person who LOVE-LINKED you; don't forget to add this notice to your post. This paragraph links you to Womenslifelink.com (where it all started) because we want to know how far the love spreads and to how many. So, please come and leave a comment to tell us who you are and that you received a LOVE LINK from a friend."

 

  

I am choosing the following five, with a brief comment for the choice, in no particular order.

 

Karen @ This Old House, in spite of the fact she keeps me in the sinnin' corner, because envy is a sin!

 

Marla @ Butts And Ashes, who continues to amaze me with her life, as well as her writing.

 

Deborah @ Fashion Plate-Hungry For Style, for her fearless sense of style and great taste in hot men.

 

Bendigo @ Bendigo's Rage, because I'm a sucker for a man with a heart, who isn't afraid to admit it and writes it beautifully.

 

Rebekah @ It Only Gets Better, you don't need to find a niche/category...“Be Who You Are and Say What You Feel Because Those Who Mind Don't Matter and Those Who Matter Don't Mind.” 

  

Happy 101, Part 2

I mentioned recently that the The Girl Next Door Grows Up gave me an award that said I bring happiness.  I'm honored.  Thanks for the support and the award.

Here are the rules to accepting this award:

• List 10 things that make you happy.
• Try to do at least one thing on the list today.
• List 10 bloggers who brighten your day.
• For those who get the award, link back to my blog and create your own happy list (Only if you want to.  No pressure here)

Now for my happy list.

1. Being married to a wonderful man, who accepts me in spite of my faults.
2. Being a mother.
3. Being a grandmother.
4. Phone calls and visits from my kids, just because.
5. Coffee!
6. Long, hot baths.
7. Anything that stirs a memory.
8. Restful sleep. (rare)
9. Days when I feel like leaving my house. (also rare)
10. Finding clothes that fit!  (rare indeed)

Now comes the part I will really struggle with.  Listing 10 bloggers who brighten my day.  EVERY BLOGGER I FOLLOW BRIGHTENS MY DAY OR I WOULDN'T FOLLOW THEM!  Instead of listing 10, I am going to list 1.  This person has been stirring my memories for many years.  Much longer than I've been blogging.  He used to write a column in my local paper and frequently reminisces about growing up in my area.  He now posts them on blogspot.  He's a hoot, you'll like him.

Mark Hayter this one's for you!

Thanks, Girl!

The Girl Next Door Grows Up has given me an award that says I bring happiness.  Since I don't have a tremendous amount of that in my life, if I can find a little bit to share with others, I'm honored to do so.

Since my computer and my brain are both having problems...  I will do good to get this thank you posted and not have it all over the place, like the last post.  Every time a new email comes in, or a new blog is posted, my computer has a hissy fit, which is why the last post was so out of alignment.  Not at all sure what will happen with this one.

"Girl Next Door", I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate this, I haven't forgotten it and I promise to get back to it as soon as my computer will agree to cooperate.
 

Somewhere Out There

I couldn't carry a tune, in a slop bucket anymore, but while trying to think of a way to thank some very wonderful, encouraging people in the blog world, I remembered this one.

Let's pretend Linda Ronstadt & James Ingram are singing it to you, or someone with an equally good voice, ok, here goes... 

Somewhere out there beneath the pale moonlight
Someone's thinking of me and loving me tonight

Somewhere out there someone's saying a prayer
That we'll find one another in that big somewhere out there

And even though I know how very far apart we are
It helps to think we might be wishing on the same bright star

And when the night wind starts to sing a lonesome lullaby
It helps to think we're sleeping underneath the same big sky

Somewhere out there if love can see us through
Then we'll be together somewhere out there
Out where dreams come true

And even though I know how very far apart we are
It helps to think we might be wishing on the same bright star

And when the night wind starts to sing a lonesome lullaby
It helps to think we're sleeping underneath the same big sky

Somewhere out there if love can see us through
Then we'll be together somewhere out there
Out where dreams come true

Lyrics as performed by
Linda Ronstadt and James Ingram

from the movie An American Tail (1987)

written by James Horner, Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil

*tear, snot, sniffle*

Now that the tribute in song is complete, I'd like to give a heartfelt thank-you to some very special people.

KrippledWarrior... for my first ever blog award.

Blasé... the first person I didn't know, willing to risk life and limb, to follow me.

To the exceptional people I am now following, who have inspired me to take more chances with blogging... you are the best. 

I hope I was able to do the links correctly,  I'm a tech idiot.  Right now it's all I can do to keep up with what I'm (almost) able to do, which is read and comment to all of you.  I still don't know how you people do it!

Uh oh... here it comes again... *tear, snot, sniffle*   *gets another tissue.

Thanks Everybody!  See you later.

I Thought It Was Funny!

Surely everyone out there buys cookies, right?  My hubby is a cookie lover.  Must have a cookie after eating, for snack and in general... whenever he so chooses.  Yeah, we're not fitness buffs, does it show?  It certainly does, right around the middle!  We use large glass apothecary jars, for the array of cookies he decides to buy.  One exception to that is Oreo's.  He buys them on a regular basis, but hates putting them in the jars.  Says they don't stay crisp enough.  You know how many of the packages, including Oreo, has the panel on the front, that allows you to peel it back and re-seal it?  A few months ago, my daughter was here while her Dad was making a lunch to take to work.  He comes flying around the corner, in a tizzy, and says, "Look at this!"  He is displaying the tray from the Oreo cookies, showing that some are missing.  He states, "I just opened it, it came this way."  Daughter and I couldn't help but laugh and try to explain the panel on the front of the cookie package and assure him it did not come that way, it had already been partially eaten by my Daughter and grandkids.  He did not seem amused.

Flash forward a few months, to today.  Once again, he is making his lunch, cuts the end of the package open, races to me with it and says the same thing.  Again I explained it to him and reminded him the same thing had happened before.  He most definitely didn't seem amused and was shocked that it was the second time this had happened and he had no memory of the first.  He said he had been holding off opening the bag, thinking it was still full and not wanting to be the first to get in it.  It's nice to know I'm not the only one losing my mind.  What's sad is... both us lunatics live in the same house and may need assistance much sooner than expected.

Changing the subject, I know I've mentioned before, that the main reason I joined blogger, was to be able to follow a couple of friends and leave comments, other than anonymously.  Seems like I no sooner start blogging and they either slack off, or fall off the face of the blogosphere.  I don't think it's my fault?  In the meantime, I have found some wonderful blogs out there.  I've never made much effort to search for new blogs to follow, but have found a few through witty comments they make to blogs I do follow, which in turn has sparked my interest.  There are some really interesting people out there, witty, funny, sarcastic and talented.  I especially like the ones that interact back with the people who take the time to read and make comments to their blog.  Keep up the good work!

To my new followers, "THANK YOU!"  To my not as new followers, "THANK YOU, TOO!"  I'm not very diligent with this, but may be a little bit encouraged to try harder.  Doubt I'll ever be able to post on a daily basis, it's just too overwhelming to hit that PUBLISH POST button and put it out there.  Reminds me of a hospital gown, you know... OVEREXPOSED!