Monday Mayhem

Most of the time I look forward to Monday.  I don’t know why I’m not this week, but there it is, I’m not looking forward to it. 

We had a nice anniversary though.  Sure, we couldn’t go anywhere or do anything, but we did play with the kids and really, isn’t that the best reason to remind you of what an anniversary is about?  Your wedding’s birthday – and look what our getting married has accomplished!  These 2 awesome babies who are the light of our life. 

We worked on a project together – not sure what – if anything – will come of it but it was nice to have a joint effort thing going on there. 

And I was so distracted by other stuff that I forgot to get my football picks up in time – which is a real bummer because I would have done well in the early games.  Thankfully my beloved Patriots beat the Dolphins so that was happiness. 

Beyond that … nothing.  My kids were pretty low-key this weekend, meaning no funny stuff.  Darc made me laugh a few times with some wise-acre crack he made at the TV but I can’t recall what exactly it was he said that made me chuckle. 

Oh yeah – the weather was beautiful this weekend – a rarity here in Chicagoland in November.  We got up to 70° on Saturday, so that was awesome.  And since I’ve been reduced to talking about the stupid weather, I’m stopping now!

Have a great one!

PS – Of course, after I post this, my daughter does something I think is amazingly sweet for a 4 y/o.  KnytLite was bemoaning his lack of chocolate milk – he’d already gone through his quota of the day.  MiniNess heard him and said, “I still have some left Knytie, you can have mine!”  This child is just too sweet, thoughtful, and generous to have come from me!  Share chocolate milk?  Never!  And yet she does so – gladly.  Lessons from babies, no?

No moar!

I promise, kitteh!  I know just how you feel! 

Would you make a good spouse?

In honor of our anniversary today, I thought I’d do a little marriage quiz, just for fun.    Nice to know Darc’s getting at least 70% of his money’s worth!  LOL 

You Would Be a Good Spouse 70% of the Time

You have what it takes to be an amazing wife or husband. You are caring, patient, giving, and romantic. You are willing to work for a marriage. More than anything, you’re not about to let your ego ruin a relationship. You are humble and unselfish. And that’s the key to being a good spouse.

Would You Be a Good Wife or Husband?

Looooooooooad!

Most of you know that my computer died back around Memorial Day, and that due to circumstances beyond our control we’ve not been able to fix it yet.  In the meantime, Darc and I are sharing his computer.

Of course, his computer needs are a much bigger priority than mine so when he’s online I’ll putz around doing housework or watch TV or whatever, or sometimes I’ll go play on the laptop that we gave to the kids a few years ago.  It’s fine for some kids games that don’t require Internet access.  It’s one we picked up for Darc to use initially, but it was never a good machine to begin with.  It’s old now, and really slow.  Can you say Celeron? 

I hop on that to at least get a head start on my Reader, but typing on that little keyboard makes me feel like I’m 7 again playing around on that tiny old portable typewriter that was lying around the house.  Where are the keys?  Where’s the number keyboard?  Where’s the delete key?  I can’t find a doggone thing, and my nails – while not as long as they were a few weeks ago, make it impossible to type a single key at any given time anyway.  It probably looks like a bad cryptogram that a serial killer would use.  Not to mention it has none of my bookmarks and hardly any of my add-ons.  And you know I love me some add-ons.  Poor thing would probably die of being overwhelmed if I were to put all my add-ons on it.

I feel like kitteh up there. 

But you know what?  It’s way better than nothing.  It’s funny how things you used to look down on become so much more important when it’s all you have.  So while I may complain about the little piece of crap, and believe me, I complain about it, I’ve grown to appreciate it in recent months.  I think of it as an elderly relative in a nursing home, whose memory is fading.  It means well.  It tries hard to please me.  It does the best it can.  So I try to be patient and understanding, tell it how much it means to me, how glad I am it’s there.  It’s taught me a little more thankfulness, and for that I’m grateful. 

Thursday Thankfulness

I thought quite a bit about whether or not to publish this post.  Typically, I don’t “go there” (you’ll know what I mean) but in thinking about it, I figured, what the hey, why not?  This is about thankfulness, and this is something I’m thankful for on a daily basis, and you probably are too. 

What am I talking about?

That original implant material of developing girls, the necessary fodder for Halloween pranks, what you use when you run out of tissue … yes, toilet paper. 

It’s amazing what humans have used to take care of that need before TP was invented.  I’ve heard of the left hand of India (gag me!), and of course leaves and rags, but corncobs?  Sand?  Yeeoouucchhh!  That’s just too painful to think about!  I’m sure desperate times called for desperate measures, but that’s taking things too far, in my book.  Speaking of books, those were used too – at least the pages were.  That gives “reading in the can” a whole new meaning. 

I’m grateful I don’t have to wash out rags or sponges, scrape with shells or coconuts, or share a stick with strangers.  I live in an age that is infinitely more sanitary and disposable.  And gentler on the tushie.  Who couldn’t use a little gentleness in their life? 

So thank you Mr. Gayetty, for introducing the first packaged TP in the US. 

If you could choose

Nary a thought.  That’s what’s on my mind right now.  Some would say that’s nothing new.   

It’s times like this that I visit a link my beloved sent me some time ago, to a site called Creativity Portal.  It’s pretty cool.  They have all kinds of prompts and things to help people with writing and creativity.  So I went to the imagination prompt and got the question: If you could choose a different time period to live in, when would it be?

I liked it. 

The answer really depends on my mood because there are different things I like about different time periods and, like favorite ice cream flavors, it’s hard to pick just one.  Tonight I’m in the mood for Little House on the Prairie time.  That period when people in this country could just pick up and move to a new place, stake out some land, farm it and own it.  I love the thought of my husband being within shouting distance when he’s at work around the place, and I love the thought of growing my own food and making my own clothes.  I love the idea of my kids running outside to play without a care in the world, and me not having to worry about someone running them over in the parking lot or snatching them up and hurting them.  I love the thought of neighbors far enough away that you could walk outside naked if you wanted to, but near enough that you could run to in an emergency.  And the quiet!  No nearby expressways to constantly thrum in your head.  No sounds always bombarding you.  Can you imagine the quiet?  *sigh*  Crickets chirping and slight breezes rustling in the grasses.  A lovely notion!  And stars!  No big city bright lights to drown out the stars!  That would be so awesome. 

I think I would have survived in such a time.  I think I’d have done well and been successful at it.

Except for that plumbing thing.

Tuesday Tootsies

I am in a mood.  A Bryan Adams – “I just wanna be your underwear” sort of mood.  That kind of a mood requires a certain kind of shoe.  So with our unlimited Tootsies funds, and the Tootsies grace that never permits one to fall when wearing heels, here’s what I’ve found to go with one of my favorite songs ever. 

I love the height on these!  Man, I’d feel almost like an average-height person if I was wearing these.  And sparkly – you can’t beat sparkly.

Did I say sparkly?  And sparkly sexy to boot.  Plus, I love the little decorative heel.

Hot pink and shiny. 

Who can resist the sexy tie-straps and the Cinderella glass slipper appeal of these?  Not me! 

Monday Mayhem

My son, Mr. Saturday Night, approached every open door with his hands in the air like a Las Vegas crooner, and announced, “Happy Halloween!”  I kept waiting for him to say, “Try the fish and be sure to tip your waitress!.”  He was so happy that it was Halloween, his “favorite day of the year.”  Until the next one.    He’s got a birthday coming up in a couple of weeks, and I’m sure that’ll be his “favorite day of the year,” for the next little while, until Christmas.  Oh the joys of 7. 

My daughter, bright and shiny while we were still at home, and who also couldn’t wait to go trick-or-treating, became strangely shy once we got to the neighborhood houses.  She loved seeing other kids out, but going to the door herself?  Not so much.  She got all shy and quiet.  She got a lot of “awwww’s” though, because those curls under that helmet were absolutely adorable – if I do say so myself. 

At one house, the lady grabbed some candy out of her bowl and put it in my son’s bucket, then had to reach back into the bowl, which was just inside the door, to get some more for my daughter.  My son, ever the bold one, asked in alarm, “Did you forget my little sister?”  Talk about parental mortification!  I shushed him, made him say thank you, and when we got to the sidewalk, had a little talk with him about rudeness and manners.  I confess I was a little on the pleased side though, seeing him so protective of her.  He’s a good brother, if he still hasn’t quite learned when that’s appropriate.  He’ll get there.   

The people in the neighborhood we went to seem really nice.  We saw a lot of parents talking to each other so there was a good sense of community.  And lots of kids. 

All in all, the kids seemed to really enjoy themselves and that makes me happy. 

Which reminds me, later that night I heard my son say to my daughter, “Halloween’s all about having fun, MiniNess.”

“No it’s not, KnytLite!” she retorted, “It’s about the candy!”

**********

We were watching an older episode of Medium, and in this one scene, a character seemed to change into a demon’s face.  Me and the kids were on the floor and Darc was on the couch, so the coffee table blocked his view, but I got the whole thing.

When the demon face appeared, my son made this sound like a moan and a shriek combined.  “WUH!” he cried and snatched a blanket over his face.  Darc busted up laughing and then MiniNess quipped, “It looks like a Saber tooth Tiger.” 

They never react like I think they will.  

**********

I found out this weekend that Roots was a total fraud.  I didn’t know that.  I never thought it was entirely real, oral histories being subject to a lot of embellishment and all, but I never suspected plagiarism either.  And not plagiarized from someone else’s history, but plagiarized from fiction.  I was shocked, to say the least.  You can read all about it here. 

**********

And how was your weekend? 

 

Rite?

Story of my life, kitteh! 

Seemed to work for the day after Halloween. 

Happy Halloween!

Well heck, I could probably be anything if I had to.  Except that.  You know I won’t do that.  Just ask MeatLoaf, he won’t either. 

 

You Could Be a Vampire… If You Had To

Like most people, the thought of being a vampire has crossed your mind. But you’re not sure if you’d do it, even if you could. Living forever doesn’t sound half bad, if you could live forever with the people you love the most. But do vampires even love? And would the vampire version of you even be you? It’s all too much to contemplate. Luckily, the chances of you ever becoming a vampire are astronomically low. What you would like best about being a vampire: Living forever What you would like least about being a vampire: Blood stained teeth

 

Could You Be a Vampire?

 

 

Don’t forget to set your clocks back tonight!  And in honor of the time change, here’s an extra little quiz for you. 

I can hear my husband laughing now – yeah, I’m midnight, at the earliest! 

 

You Are Midnight

You are more than a little eccentric, and you’re apt to keep very unusual habits. Whether you’re a night owl, living in a commune, or taking a vow of silence – you like to experiment with your lifestyle. Expressing your individuality is important to you, and you often lie awake in bed thinking about the world and your place in it. You enjoy staying home, but that doesn’t mean you’re a hermit. You also appreciate quality time with family and close friends.

 

What Time Of Day Are You?

Costumes

If I was wearing a costume for Halloween, and if I still had the body to get away with it, this is what I’d wear.  Can you guess what my interpretation of it is?  Can you?  Huh, huh, can you? 

A Right Winger!! 

Knew that’d get you!

I must have been 14 the last time I dressed up for Halloween.  A girlfriend and I had stumbled into a bridal shop that was going out of business and the guy was practically giving away dresses.  We put them on layaway, one for each of us, a mauve satiny thing for me, and a red ruffly thing for her.  But then she couldn’t come up with her share of the money and I ended up with both dresses.  I wore the red one for Halloween, to a party I’d been invited to, and decided I was Scarlett O’Hara.  I know Scarlett wasn’t a blue-eyed blonde, but hey, you work with what you got. 

After that, the dresses hung in my closet for years.  And I mean years, until they eventually found their way to a goodwill box.  Ah memories. 

The kids are still deciding on who’s going to be red Spidey, and who’s going to be black Spidey for Halloween.  The MiniNess can now fit into the KnytLite’s old Patriots uniform so she might decide to be Tom Brady, but we probably won’t know until Saturday.   Aside from taking the kids trick-or-treating, and changing the colors on my blog, I have no plans. 

How about you?

And have a Happy Halloween!

* art is linked to THE ART OF JAMES WOLF STREHLE

Happy Halloween tomorrow!

more animals

Thursday Thankfulness

It’s Thursday – and I’m Captain Obvious! 

I’ve been thinking about this for a little while now, I guess with Thanksgiving coming up and all.  I’ve been thinking about thankfulness, and somehow implementing that here on my blog, you know, like Tuesday Tootsies.  Only, I want to do it a bit less … I don’t quite know how to put it.  Less violins, I guess.  Obviously there are things I’m grateful for, big important things like my husband, my children, and my salvation.  I’m talking about taking a few minutes each week to find things I’m grateful for that might be a bit off the beaten path. 

Today I am grateful for coffee. 

I didn’t start drinking the stuff until I was about 18, and friends used to crack, “Make sure to add some coffee with that sugar and cream!”  I still can’t drink it black, but now I use fake sugar instead of the real stuff, and I still use cream too.  I’ve gone through decaf phases too, where I tried to stay clean off the caffeine.  Nowadays, I have coffee every day.  Must have coffee.  Not necessarily always full strength – at least in the afternoon. 

I think of coffee as being a social lubricant.  Let’s meet for coffee.  Let’s get together for some coffee and cake.  We’re going to a coffee clatch.  Klutch?  Whatever.  Coffee spins my wheels and gets my gears going.  Without it, I get headaches and can’t think clearly.  Clearly I’m addicted, and frankly, I’m good with that.  As far as addictions go, there are a lot worse things to be addicted to than coffee.   

Not much beats getting up to a pot already brewed, which is why coffee pots that have an automatic brew cycle are a must-have for me.  I hate waiting those 10 minutes for it to be done.  Of course, waking up to a loving mate who’s run to McDonald’s and brought back breakfast with coffee is a wonderful treat too. 

So, to kick off Thursday Thankfulness, won’t you join me in a cup of the brew, a cup of joe, a cup of java, a big ol’ cup of coffee and celebrate the day? 

Also,

Did you know it’s National Kitteh Day?  I didn’t either!  Go have some feline fun.    And by that, I don’t mean pick on a cat.  Don’t be like my husband, who likes to say, “I love cats … I think they’re delicious!”  Be nice to kitteh today! 

 

A Medium-Sized Promise

So, the other day, Marta posed the question, “Would you visit a medium?”

That brought to mind the times I actually did visit them.

Back in the day when I was young, beautiful, full of mouthy ‘tude and not as grounded in my faith, a friend of mine told me about a psychic conference that would take place at a mall out of town.  She really wanted to go and didn’t want to go alone, so I was the candidate she chose to go with her.  When we got there, there were a few dozen folks scattered throughout the center portion of the mall, seated at tables.  I can’t recall if we had to get tickets at a booth or whatever but there was a fee.  For some reason, I fixated on the guy who looked like a fat version of Anton LaVey.  I swear, the guy weighed 400 lbs.  Perhaps it was the perceived challenge of the former Christian school girl taking on the devil.    Hey, I said mouthy ‘tude!  I sat down and he asked me what I wanted in life and I told him I wanted to be a writer.  He said, “Well let’s face it, you’re not going to write The Great American Novel.”  I told him anything was possible.  He scoffed.  Then I asked him why he had a star of Satan tattooed on his arm.  He shifted uncomfortably in his seat and hemmed and hawed and then claimed that it was not the star of Satan, but the Star of David.  I laughed in his face and said, “I know what the Star of David looks like, and I know what a pentagram looks like, and THAT is a pentagram.”  He continued arguing with me that the Star of David had 5 points, that the 6 pointed one I knew of was false and oh look, I’m sorry, your time is up.  I called him an idiot and stood up.  My friend then took her turn and afterwards told me that the guy said to her, “Well no wonder I couldn’t get a reading on your friend, since your vibes are so strong,” and he proceeded to tell her everything she wanted to hear.  Think I got a refund?  *snort*

Maybe a year later, the neighbor of another friend of mine was having a psychic do readings at her home and this friend asked me to go with her, so I did.  The woman was doing readings privately in a back bedroom and there were several ladies there waiting for turns.  When my turn came, I was struck by her praying to Jesus, then laying out Tarot cards.  I didn’t know a lot, but I did know that God prohibited the Israelites from associating with mediums and spiritists in any form, and that asking God’s blessing on something He’d expressly forbidden was either ignorant or hypocritical, but I kept my mouth shut.  Perhaps she just didn’t know.  After the cards, she asked to hold a personal item so I gave her a ring I always wore.  As soon as she took it she jumped out of her chair and started yelling at me, “Get away from him!  Get away!  You have to break up with him now or he’ll kill you!  Promise me you’ll break up with this boy!  He’ll kill you!”  Well.  Now there’s a nerve shaker.  I hadn’t told her I was dating anyone.  And the thing was, the guy I was dating at the time had a little problem.  No one could see the bruises because he never left them where anyone could see.  And I’d never said a word to anyone about the times I’d woken up with the scary end of a .22 pistol in my face and him laughing.  I told the lady I’d break up with him, but saying and doing are 2 different things, and breaking up with a violent guy is a whole different ball of wax than a normal kind of break-up.  Eventually I managed, maybe a year later, to get him to break up with me, and obviously he didn’t kill me.  As far as I know he never killed anyone.  I didn’t break up with him because she told me to, but because he was a class A jerk and I knew I’d kill him if I didn’t get away.  Frankly, he wasn’t worth going to prison over. 

Much later it finally dawned on me that if the lady praying before using Tarot cards was either ignorant or a hypocrite, what did that make me by being there?  Supposedly I knew better.  Now, I know that Christians aren’t under the Law any longer, as the Law was given to the Hebrews.  I also know that if the Lord wasn’t okay with His Chosen Ones visiting mediums under the Law, then He’s probably still not okay with it for the Christians either, even though we aren’t under the Law.  The Dispensation of Grace may be in effect now and changed the rules a bit, but He isn’t changed.  And because I seek to please Him, I can’t in good conscience engage in such things.  I’m not saying I’m always successful in pleasing Him, because I very often FAIL, but in that regard I believe I’ve been faithful. 

So, dear Marta asks, would I visit a medium?  No, thanks but I can’t.  It’s a personal thing between Him and me.  I promised Him I wouldn’t. 

Tuesday Tootsies

I actually got the idea for today’s Tootsies from my daughter, from a remark she made while playing, snuggled up next to me on the bed.    I was trying to think of what kind of shoes I could blog about, going through all those I’d already done, when she mentioned the forest.  Aha!  Wooden shoes!  They’re not exclusive to the Dutch – lots of cultures used wood to make shoes.  That’s what they had.  Today, we still use wood to make some of our shoes. 

Traditional Dutch wooden clogs, I believe they’re called Klompen.  Painted with tulips. 

A more side view of the Klompen.

Traditional Japanese Geta.

Wooden shoes of Mata Sundri ji (wife of Guru Gobind Singh Ji) at village Chak Fateh Singh wala near Bhucho (Bathinda)

Dr. Scholl’s.  Look familiar?  These were supposed to be comfortable.  They weren’t.

These are more like what we wore in high school

I owned a pair almost exactly like these!  Oh my goodness, now that’s Takin’ Me Back!  LOL 

as always, click the pics for links