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| I'm Turning Into My Mother! |
| 05.31.04 (6:51 pm) [edit] |
Today was a holiday. My husband took our daughter out for a little "Fadder-Daughter" time, as she calls it. I had the whole house to myself, and what did I do? Housework. Not normal housework, like normal people. Nothing actually got cleaned. Instead I got out a dozen clear plastic boxes with lids, dumped the contents of many boxes of jumbled "thingies" onto the floor and spent the next several hours sorting them out. Play food in one box, mini-dolls in another, Barbie+ size dolls in another, puzzle pieces reunited, etc. I was grooving, having a wonderful time, when I realized... I'm using Ziploc baggies to store puzzle pieces. I am my mother. AAAIIIGGGHHH!!!! Not that she's horrid, she's a fine woman that I have a lot of respect for, but it's not been my dream to turn into her. I think I'll dump the lego's back on the floor and let them sit there overnight. That's something she'd never do! Anyone else turning into a parental unit? |
| Profound Thoughts |
| 05.29.04 (2:56 pm) [edit] |
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It was a beautiful evening - air nice and crisp, crystal blue sky, a few white puffy clouds. Neighborhood kids can be heard laughing and playing in the background… a Rockwell kind of moment. Katie and I were on the deck, she was arranging her bears in their chair and we were nice and comfy-cozy. We began searching for shapes in the clouds. She exclaims things like "I see a buffalo!" (which tickles me, why a buffalo?). We saw a robin hopping in the yard and talked a bit about how he's feeling for worms - then she gets a very pensive look on her face. I'm drawn in, sensing something profound is processing in her little brain. "Honey, whatcha thinking about?" "Poop." "Yes. It's a … a little hard right now." "Ok, I done." |
| Men with Accents |
| 05.28.04 (9:50 pm) [edit] |
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What is it about an accent that makes me get so swoony? It only seems to happen when it's a male voice, btw :) As far as I can remember, I melt when I hear a Scottish, Irish, Welsh, or English (some of them, anyway) accent. German sounds so cool, and .. oh, let's not forget Antonio Banderas. Just to say the name: Antonio Banderas. swoon! I think I should go to the UK some day, but I'm afraid of how I might behave. Will the barrage of accents push me over the edge? Will I begin randomly attacking people and forcing them to speak? Heaven forbid - what if they're wearing kilts, too? Americans have a bad enough reputation without me adding to it with such behavior. My inspiration for this blog? In the background I have on a foreign news channel. Even the bad news sounds a little better this way... |
| What a Wovewy Day! |
| 05.22.04 (10:29 pm) [edit] |
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Today was Girls Day! I took my daughter up to my best friend's house and we wound up staying about 6 hours. We had SO much fun - we painted, played with her dogs - a toddler can wear 3 dogs out in no time - put on swimming suits and ran through the hose and just had the best time hanging around. Very relaxing... that is, until the cicada landed on Katie's leg. Such bloodcurdling screams you've never heard! She got over it pretty quickly and talked about the big ugly bug off and on the rest of the day. I love this neighborhood. About once a month during the summer, a neighbor projects movies against the side of their house. They open up their pool around dinner time, serve popcorn, have cornhole games, etc. Folks bring their lawn chairs and blankets. They start the movie as soon as it's dark enough. Most little kids wear pajamas and it reminds me of the old days of packing up the family car and heading to the drive in. Just a super, super day! |
| Prince, Keneally, and Andrew |
| 05.20.04 (9:55 pm) [edit] |
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That would make an interesting trio! I picked up “Musicology” the other day and have really been enjoying the funkier tunes, skimming the others. It’s the first CD I’ve listened to in quite sometime, having a love-hate relationship with music lately. I’m really looking forward to getting “Dog”, Mike Keneally’s new CD that’s due out in mid-June. Hooray! You never quite know what to expect from Mikey. I wind up playing his albums over and over and over again. Each is very different and I’ve always found something to relate to. Check out []www.keneally.com – ohmigosh he’s in a suit! (just saw an updated pic) - and click Dog Bites in the header to hear some soundbites from the new album. If you like acoustic guitar, I HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend “Wooden Smoke”. It is the most beautiful album I’ve ever heard. There are some “soundchips” from Wooden Smoke on Keneally.com as well so you can try before you buy. Wooden Smoke is warm and snuggly. Dog should be crunchier and nip at your heels once in awhile. Can’t wait! My mind is going, Dave… remember that creepy bit from 2001: A Space Odyssey? I think it’s happening to me – someone is in my brain, slowly removing brain cells to the point where I can barely remember anything. I learned today that my good friend Andrew had a birthday recently. If you’re reading, Andrew, I hope your day was most special - just like you :) Your friendship over the years has been most treasured. |
| Three! |
| 05.17.04 (1:44 pm) [edit] |
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:D My baby is 3 today! Three. Three years ago I was still 2 weeks away from the due date and was in the doc's office for a checkup. "Your proteins are too high, time to do something about it." I thought he was going to put me on bedrest since we'd talked about it for a few weeks. "Pack your bags and go to the hospital - we're having a baby." Gulp! 24 hours or so later and there she was, all 6 lbs. 6 ozs of her. Those big ole eyes were taking everything in, much as they do today. Then I blinked and now she's 3! Allow me to gush, won't you? She is SO much fun. She makes up jokes - most of them lately are about poop, thanks Doug ;) - but it's potty-training age so that's a hot subject these days. She loves playing teacher with her bears and groups things together in families. She retold the story of Nemo to grandmudder and Aunt Barbara with great gusto, leaving them awed and amused. I really enjoy being around her and I hope she senses that. Hmmm... looks like I'd better head upstairs to figure out how to decorate a cake to look like Hello Kitty. Vastly amusing considering I've decorated ...oh... ONE cake in my life, and that was for her last birthday. Toodles! I'm voluntarily going into a room with 16 - 3 year olds! We REALLY don't pay our daycare providers enough. The schools, yes; the actual teachers, no. If you're new here, scroll down a bit for a recent picture. Sheryl |
| Three Days is about right |
| 05.16.04 (12:58 am) [edit] |
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Had a lovely trip back to West-by-God-Virginia. The nearly 3-year old travelled beautifully, our hotel room was great, my aunt is doing so well they sent her home today, I got to spend 6 hours at the Archives, and we all got along. When we left, we wished we could stay longer and are already talking about the next trip. Yep, 3 days is about right. West Virginians are very cool. No matter where we were - hotel, restaurants, libraries, cemeteries, etc. - people were extremely helpful and courteous, even when I asked them weird questions. It sure felt good to be "home". And even better to be home. Nothing like returning to your own bed and pillow. Which is where I'm going now - g'nite! |
| Take me Home, Country Roads |
| 05.12.04 (3:11 pm) [edit] |
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Leaving for WV within the hour, with mixed emotions. Brief Betty update: I'm hoping to see her tonight. Last night she was doing better, so I'm bringing her a picture of my daughter - call me prejudiced, but I think a little dose of that sunshiney smile could ease just about anything that ails ye. Betty's been in ICU but they were going to downgrade her this morning if she did ok last night. I'd say I'm hoping for the best but I'm not really sure what that is. "God's Will Be Done" is a phrase that keeps going through my head and today it brings great peace. I don't have to decide what's best, Someone has already done that. Phew. I'm glad that's not my job. I was beginning to obsess (ya gotta go with your strengths) about the research I was going to do. Since Monday's events it's become more vital to visit the living. Some relatives you like more than others, but they're still kin (except the uncle I "disowned", he can burn as far as I'm concerned - oops, that's not my call either. Damn) The records and tombstones should be there next time. I think it will be important to just breathe in some good ole mountain air. I do miss my hills. Cmon, gov't dudes and businesses, open up some decent jobs so I can move back! I'd have to learn to talk all over again - Mom says I sound like a Yankee. Shudder. :wink: Next thing ya know, I'll start liking Indy racing better than NASCAR... NEVER!! NEVER!!! See yall Saturday, Heaven - Almost :) |
| The World Needs more Aunt Bettys |
| 05.11.04 (4:46 pm) [edit] |
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My Aunt Betty is dying. Monday morning I got a call – she had a heart attack and wasn’t expected to make it through the day. This is the same aunt we plan to visit on our trip Thursday. I’ve been hoping she might hold on til we get there but my hopes dimmed when I heard how sorry she was that she wasn’t going to get to see us. That tells me she is ready. She married my mom’s handsome brother at a young age. Uncle Dick was a rascal & a tease, eyes full of mischief. They were SO much fun to visit when I was a kid, and their 3 children (now we’re all 40+) are nearly as crazy as their parents. He contracted cancer and died 23 years ago. His wife, now in her 70s, has never expressed any regret and feels blessed to have met him at all. Betty is one of the kindest souls you could hope to meet. Over the years she has nursed and cared for countless people, all of her own volition. She instantly makes you feel at home. She listens. She calls all the men “handsome” and tells everyone how special they are. She has a heckuva laugh, you can’t help but join in. I love to visit her. You never knew what to expect – either some new trick she taught her dog or sharing some recollection about the family or the latest joke - and cookies. There was always something yummy to snack on – no empty hands and no empty hearts in her house. She’s the kind of person this world needs. No cameras rolling, just quietly doing good deeds and caring about her neighbor. She’s had to slow down considerably with a progressive lung disease and has been nearly bedridden this past year. For her own comfort and quality of life, I hope she finds peace soon. The world will be an emptier place without her. I always felt like she “got” me, even if I didn’t quite understand me myself. I love you, Betty Jean. |
| Mars Attacks and Going Home Again |
| 05.08.04 (11:59 am) [edit] |
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I love this stupid movie. :lol: I'm going home! I haven't been to WV (almost heaven, get it?) in ages and am REALLY excited to be going home again. We've been planning it for a couple of weeks now and I'm happy (translation: bouncing around like a loony irritating anyone within hearing distance). It's also the trigger for the memories that have been cropping up for the past few days. Last time I went back "home" about 10? years ago, I forced myself to visit areas with the worst memories. It was a good thing as a lot of the hidden garbage surfaced and a lot of pain was eased. It doesn't feel necessary this time. This time I'll have my husband and daughter with me and will try to hook up with the only friend that's still there - most of us scattered after graduation. Then we'll leave that town for the one that has all the data... data! DATA! Movie break: Pierce Brosnan is so cute. But a tad skinny. Yep, I'm gonna be digging up those ancestors again! Can't wait to get into the musty archives and poke around in microfilm and old books and cemeteries and all that groovy stuff! Do I know how to have a vacation or WHAT? Par-tay! It's not all the old dead people, we're visiting a couple of my aunts and some cousins. Seems silly to neglect them just becuase they're living :? Tom Jones' accent's pretty smooth, too ... ... ... oh, where was I. Lunch time! Ok, whoever has taken the remote control of my brain, would you PLEASE stop changing the channel! I think some chocolate would help. It fixes everything. Toodles! |
| Why I miss the Tick |
| 05.07.04 (11:40 am) [edit] |
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"Yes, evil comes in many forms, whether it be a man-eating cow or Joseph Stalin, but you can't let the package hide the pudding! Evil is just plain bad! You don't cotton to it. You gotta smack it in the nose with the rolled-up newspaper of goodness! Bad dog! Bad dog!" More Tickisms: [url=]http://www.astro.umd.edu/~stm/tick/tickism.html Drats. I can't figure out the links on this thing! |
| ARGH! |
| 05.06.04 (10:43 pm) [edit] |
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I hate typing a really long blog, checking it carefully that it says exactly what I want, then I click "Publish" and it vanishes. Grrr.
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| From Gorgeous to Gross |
| 05.03.04 (11:32 pm) [edit] |
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Cicadas are coming! Cicadas are coming! In about 2 weeks (or maybe sooner if the weather stays warm this weekend), MILLIONS to BILLIONS of the ugly bugs will emerge from the ground, procreate, and die. In related news, the Snappy Cicada Pizza jingle is back! Both the old and new version are available on the web page referred to above. If you go to this page [http://www.snappytomato.com/c... , the links to the old and new jingles are towards the bottom. I was here for the original version and have to admit a certain attachment to it... but not to the ugly bugs. Sorry, buggy friends, but they're UGLY. Did I mention, ugly? UG. Don't believe me? Look here: [http://www.cincymuseum.org/cm... |
| My girl |
| 05.01.04 (10:15 pm) [edit] |
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Hope this works, I love her expression in that one. This gal is something special and I'm not just saying that coz I'm her mama. :wink: |
| Most Magical Words of the week |
| 05.01.04 (7:24 pm) [edit] |
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"No charge, ma'am, it's under warranty." Yay Dan the Fridge Man! Got a valve-thingy replaced yesterday and no more Chinese Water Torture from the fridge/freezer creature. Hooray! Today was a lovely day - terribly normal and it was quite welcome. We napped, went to the library, out to dinner, and then home to play outside for a few before the next rainstorm hit. Granted, my allergies kicked in and now I can't see anything, but it was worth it to have the opportunity to teach my daughter the first lines of "Singing in the Rain", twirling around a tree, and spinning a Disney Princess umbrella. She is TOO cute. |
| CURRENT MOON lunar phases |
COOL STUFF
Childrin R Skary SLIDESHOWS
Music-Pals slideshow!
View my Katie Slideshow!
MUSIC LINKS
Mike Keneally, amazing guitarist
NoneRadio, weekly shows highlighting artists like Keneally, Vai, Zappa, etc.
RadioKeneally, streaming music of Mike's choosing
in 't wild (Dutch band, oh so good!)
NullFactor (tblog's own!)
GENEALOGY LINKS
My Genealogy Data on Rootsweb
Cyndi's List, supreme collection of links