Wordless Wednesday

Evan & Natalie play "wedding". If you look close, the groom is even wearing a bow tie!

She's Just Not THAT In To Me

Friends, I'm in deep. I'm involved in a one-sided love affair.

Her name is like poetry in my ears, the lovely Peanut Sophia .... the object of my undying and devoted affection.

As is evidenced by the photo, I suspect her affections lie elsewhere. Is it just me, or does she look like she'd like to run away like I'm PePe LePew? Film doesn't lie -- except in pictures where I look larger than I really am.

Peanut & I had a beautiful, tender relationship, full of cuddles and purring.... But it all changed when she ran away (or MAYBE she was lost & searching for me the whole time) and came home 3 days later copping a major attitude. Between you & me, I suspect our delicate & naive darling was deflowered by the tom cat, Runt, next door during her, um, disoriented days. (That's just WRONG to lose your innocence to ANYONE called Runt)

I've begged her to join me in counselling, but she just stares blankly at me. It's time to face the music. In fact, I got out the guitar and belted out a heart-felt rendition of "I can't make you love me" by Bonnie Raitt, and still ....... nothing. I swear she physically tried to roll her eyes at me when I rolled right in to "When a Woman Loves a Kitty", by Michael Bolton.

I'm beginning to think that she just hangs around for her Kibbles & Bits. And photo shoots wearing baby doll bibs (see post below)!

Tag -- You're It !!

I've been "tagged" by my buddy, Jill. Apparently, "inquiring minds want to know" and are utterly fascinated by little old me......

What was I doing ten years ago?
I was living in Tulsa, OK .... thinking I was WAY busy with a toddler and pregnant with number two. (that sounds like a vacation now!)

5 places I have travelled:
Greg used to work for American Airlines......so:
1. Paris, France
2. Cancun, Mexico
3. Virgin Islands
4. Bahamas
5. My favorite place in the States: San Diego

5 snacks or treats I enjoy:
I don't eat that junk ..... stop laughing. OK, now you're just being rude!
1. Twix bars
2. Doritos
3. Brownies
4. Popcorn
5. Pretty much anything containing sugar or salt.....

What would I do if I were a billionaire?
1. Stop shopping at Goodwill
2. Hire a personal trainer for Jill
3. Move closer to family and build our dream home
4. Give each of my siblings $10
5. TRAVEL, beginning with taking the kids to Disney World

Places I have lived?
Columbus, OH
Chicago, IL
Tulsa, OK
Springdale, AR
Andover, KS

Jobs I have had?
Day Care Worker
Wendy's Hamburgers
Secretary
Paralegal
Stand-up Comedienne

People I am tagging: Christi, Sarah T.

"P" is for .......

Let me begin by stating for the record: It's NOT that I don't fully appreciate the great strides our 6-year-old is making with regard to properly formed upper case letters. Every day her class focuses on another letter of the alphabet -- and apparently she's committed to perfecting the letter "P" at home. I can do without such OVER-ACHIEVERS, thank you very much!!

My case in point, see Exhibit "A":

(do I look fat in my reflection?)

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, during this blog you will be convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that said kindergartner did willfully and wantonly, and even MALICIOUSLY, engrave an upper case letter "P" in the rear panel of the family vehicle.

To wit: a pristine 1996 Chevrolet Suburban in mint condition without so much as a blob of bird droppings outside nor the odor of stale french fries within.

The testimony will show that this offender did, in fact, painstakingly hand-select a rock of extraordinarily hard substance, and did subsequently deface the afore-mentioned property with carving of great precision. That the accused didn't realize the rock would scratch the paint through the three inches of accumulated dirt should NOT be allowed into evidence.

So, I submit herewith that the letter "P" in this case should stand for PRISON, PAROLE, PROBATION or perhaps a good PADDLING. What do you, the members of the jury, find in this matter?

Wordless Wednesday

Accessories by Natalie ....... oh how humiliating!

Three-Ring Circus

No, I'm not blogging about my every day life, although the title would still apply..... Let me just share with you that the highlight of our weekend was going to the Shiner's Circus! I'm a firm believer that every kid should go to a "real" circus at least once in their life. If you can get past the lingering smell of elephant urine and the sight of grown men in fuschia tights, it's BIG fun.

I vividly remember my parents taking us kids to the circus as a child, and those memories are very fond ones. There was so much to see, and such awe and excitement in the air. I can recall the burning, desperate desire to own one of those light-up swords or blow-up elephants the vendors would sell up and down the aisles. I was tempted to buy one of EACH souvenir this weekend, just because I CAN -- but I'm a grown-up and I realized (maturely) that a bag full of "circus treasures" doesn't a house payment make. AND they don't even offer layaway.

After all these years, I can clearly picture in my mind my favorite act as a young girl -- what else: the poodle fashion show. These women would dress up poodles in the most adorable outfits and the pups would hop down the "runway" on their hind legs. Well, this past Saturday, I swear the VERY same women hauled out the poodles from the crate and did that VERY same act! I watched with mixed fascination and concern as they were most certainly risking a broken hip in trying to keep up with those fashionable canines. They've GOT to be pushing 97 years of age by now...... that's got to be some sort of record! When DOES retirement kick in for circus workers, anyway? Don't they have a union (Poodle Handlers 289 or something?) 60 Minutes needs to hear about this matter.

But, alas, I digress ...... These Shriners have gotten really smart. They are shrewd businessmen now. They offer all kinds of cool stuff (for a PRICE) to keep you entertained and occupied while you wait for the show to start ..... and also during their 30 minute intermission (YES, 30 minutes!!!). Things like airbrush tattoos, face painting, inflatables to hop in, pony rides AND elephant rides! Hey, how often will the kids get a chance to ride an elephant? Well, Evan & Natalie were game, and here's a picture of that memorable ride. (As for me, I JUST missed the weight limit of 119 pounds by a mere 3 ounces. Bummer)

We really did have a GREAT time, and hopefully made a wonderful memory for the kids. Now if you'll excuse me, I really must get my Pepper Torte out of the oven.

To Have a Voice Like THIS.....

Click on this link to see the most adorable, precious (and sometimes a tad bit painful) performance of "The Lord's Prayer":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AR4PQ30VkBk

Celine Dion don't have NOTHING on her!