New Word! And Other Stuff

Let me start off with this week's Saturday Scavenger Hunt word!  I was tagged by the Alien...and advised to choose wisely.  After careful consideration I am going to challenge you with - VANITY.  I can't wait to see what we can come up with!!!

I hope you all had a good weekend. Mine didn't feel long enough, but it was mostly fun.  If you are my Facebook friend or follow me on Twitter, you know that Saturday was my Big Hollywood Adventure with Milly.  We took the Gold and Red Lines (which are trains) into Hollywood.  It was the day before the Academy Awards, so we saw them doing all the hard work of setting things up for the big event.

Behold!  It is Mighty Ozymandias!  I mean Oscar.  Isn't he lovely?

While we were down there, we went to the Hollywood Museum.  They have a rather odd, eclectic collection of props and costumes from film and television projects through the decades.   Quite interesting.  After the museum we had a late lunch, then headed home.   I did enjoy the train part of the trip almost more than anything else :-)

Sunday, Handsome Lad had his final basketball game of the seaon.  He's enjoyed playing.  I guess next he will do Track at his school.  At least our Sundays will be freed up again.   

We did not watch the Academy Awards.  First WTG and I had to go rescue Secret Agent Man, who'd left his headlights on at work.  With the battery drained, we also couldn't open the door because of the alarm system, I guess?  Anyway, AAA came to the rescue, popped the lock and jumped the car and he was good to go.  When I got home Girlie Girl, Handsome Lad and I watch (500) Days of Summer.  Cute, light, just what I could manage.  

Tonight, I am hoping I will have a chance to talk with DR.  I feel like right now neither one of us are putting out best efforts into making time for each other.  Sometimes I feel pulled in so many directions that it is easiest to put off calling him.  Certainly he feels the same.   My feelings for him haven't changed, but when duty calls, that person across the country seems to have the lesser pull.   Still, in theory, only a couple more months of this!  

Now, on the rest of the week and all that jazz :-)   

This Musical Message is For He's Coming For You

But I Will Be Here

Hooray for Saturday and hooray for Saturday Scavenger Shots!  Our dear friend AlienCG over at Swamp Gas & Moonlit Reflections made a brief appearance to bestow upon us the word CELL.  What are we gonna do about that?  I thought it over and thought it over and then I just did this -

This is my go-to cheat for words I don't know how to portray....a book!  

How about a very nice book about CELLs?  I found it on the shelf and propped it up, just for you :-)

These days, my room is more or less a monastic CELL.  

Okay, probably many more creature comforts, but you get the idea.  

Could be worse...at least it isn't a prison CELL.

I look forward to seeing your CELLs and hoped you enjoyed seeing mine.  By the by, I took these photos, as always, with my CELL phone!  Bonus :-)

Friday 5 - And the Winner Is...

I haven't done a Friday 5 in a couple of weeks and this looked like a fun one!  As always, feel empowered to play along in comments or on your own blog.  Here goes...

1. Who in your life should win Best Director for his or her work in 2010? I think this one is going to have to go to my youngest son, Handsome Lad.  As the only one of my five children, who is still actually a child, he now holds the responsibility for directing most of my actions.  I used to have multiple directors...and of course, I still act as they wish when the need arises.  But this year, the winner is...Handsome Lad!

2. Who in your life should win Best Actor and Actress in Supporting Roles for their performances in 2010?  Okay, I am aware this answer is going to sound sad, but I'm going to have to be honest.  Throughout 2010, I would say I felt most consistantly supported by my online community, including fellow bloggers, Facebook friends, and the Tweeple.  Yes, it is true, the winner is...The Internet! 

3. For what 2010 project, display, or outfit will you win the Best Visual Effects award?  Wow, so many things to choose from.  I do a lot of visual projects because it is part of my job.  I am going to have to give it up to my awesome desk, which is always interesting.  I call it controlled chaos.  The winner is....My Desk!

4. What terrific display of self-restraint or self-correction in 2010 earns you the Best Editor award?  I guess I would start by saying that I'm not necessarily noted for my self-restraint.  This is a tough one.  I suppose I have learned to deal with my ex, WTG, in healthier ways for the most part.  So, the winner is...My Interactions with WTG!

5. Of these Best Picture nominees, which title could best serve as the title of your 2010: 127 Hours, Black Swan, The Fighter, Inception, The Kids are All Right, The King’s Speech, The Social Network, Toy Story 3, True Grit, or Winter’s Bone?  Oooohh.  I could make a case for any of them and none of them.   I believe I will go with The Kids are All Right, because they are...we all are!  That is what it comes down to...we're all all right.  My title for laura b.'s 2010...The Kids are All Right!

I hope you enjoyed or tolerated this mini salute to the Oscars.  Also hope you all have a wonderful weekend, with a little time out to post a Saturday Scavenger Shot featuring something CELL :-)  Thanks guys and dolls. 

The Moment You Are Free

Well, apparently last week's Choose and Defend was not popular among my readers...particularly those who felt it called into question their manhood or their viewing capabilities :-)  So, for this Wednesday, how about a sports query?  And since it is still, apparently, winter, how about a winter sports query?    Tell us which you prefer (Choose) and then tell us why (Defend).  It is just that simple. 

Which sport do you prefer?

Cross Country (Nordic) Skiing

OR

Downhill (Alpine) Skiing

If you have never skiied , use those big imaginations of yours to imagine which you'd prefer.  If you have tried them and disliked both, tell us which one was slightly less horrid and why.   Choose and Defend Wednesday!!!

Miscellania

One or two of you may have noted that on Friday I was close to a little breakdown of sorts.  DR and I had been suffering through a bit of a disconnect, but we have worked it out.  We are only about 3 months out from being together again...but also, he's been gone longer now than he was here.  It is wearing and can be difficult to stay positive.  My feelings for him are very deep though, so I can keep the faith and keep waiting. 

This was a busy weekend!  I worked Saturday, which meant the usual library madness.  People love them some library services on Saturday. 

Sunday featured my sweet Miss Personality's annual Chuck E Cheese birthday party.  As usual, Auntie Girlie Girl took her out for a new outfit and a manicure before the party.  It is always her favorite gift :)

  Here she is getting pretty pink fingernails.  It is very exciting!

This is the stunning outfit Miss Personality choose.  Notice the little pink cowboy, I mean cowGIRL (as she pointed out to me) boots!  She has impeccable taste!

Sadly, Handsome Lad and I could not linger long at her party.  He had two basketball games scheduled.    His team won the first game and lost the second this time.  Handsome Lad LOVES basketball.  I feel lucky that it is one of the quicker moving and more interesting sports to watch.  I've sat through many a Little League game in my day, so I know what I'm talking about. 

Miss Personality and Love Bug came over to spend Sunday night with us.  It had been such a busy day that after getting everyone fed again, I attempted settling in with some movies.  It went pretty well and the girls were very good and slept until after 8 the next morning. 

Monday was my bonus day off and I really felt like I needed it.  Got caught up on my laundry, sort of.  Also got out to the usual Monday family lunch, which of course some of us mostly miss.  It was fun getting together with everyone again, because Chuck E Cheese doesn't count as a visit...there is no way to talk there!  After that, I finally had some down time.  DR and I got in a very nice long talk and that alone made me feel a million times better.

I hope you all had a nice long or even regular length weekend.  I really liked getting to see everyone's WIND pictures.  Play with us this next week as we attempt - CELL!  

This Musical Message is For These Thoughts Racing Through My Brain

All Those Things You Think About, I Think About Too

It is Saturday, so I have scavaged some shots for you!  This week's word - WIND, was choosen for us by fiesty, funny NoRegrets @ Woman with No Regrets.   She instructed us to take it however we wanted to...so that's a bit of a trick word, isn't it!   Here is what I came up with:

This picture is actually a rerun from another word that NoRegrets once gave us - Quixotic! 

But I thought this WINDmill would also work great for today's post. 

I fancy the palm trees are even blowing a bit in the WIND here :-)

Now, here is a WIND up beetle that I keep at my desk!  

Sometimes having someone WIND you up is a pleasure...sometimes, not so much. 

 It's all in the spirit in which it's done. 

Hope you've enjoyed the WIND in your hair.  Let's see how this week WINDs up and who NoRegrets will tag for next week's pick.  Thanks for visiting and if you aren't playing, please consider joining in.  It's fun!

Quick Note

Just wanted to make sure anyone reading here would note that the word for Saturday is - WIND.  Thank you for that NoRegrets! 

Also, wanted to say my daughter and youngest son are awesome.  They saw how excited I got watching Arcade Fire play at the Grammys and they got me their Grammy winning CD (yes, I still do CDs) The Suburbs.  It was rather flattering they'd noticed my happiness...sometimes I feel invisible and it is nice to be reminded that I'm not :-D

You With Your Innocence and Grace

Following up my obnoxious Birthentine post with yet another obnoxious post, especially for Choose and Defend Wednesday.  I watch at least two shows on television right now that the majority of you are not even remotely interested.  I respect that.  And yet...I thought, why not take a couple of these lowest common denominator (that would be me, apparently) shows and find out what people would be willing to put up with if they had to....to be nice to their blogger friend, laura b :-)  So...if compelled to view one of these shows with me, which would you Choose?

American Idol

OR

Glee

I know...I know...it's rough.  But please.  As a gesture of goodwill towards your more lame compadre in the world of blogging.  Choose one of these shows.  And then Defend that choice...again, rough, but I have every faith that you can pull this off!  Choose and Defend!   

Happy Birthentine's Day

That up there is a Frankenstein word for what today is for me.  First and foremost, of course, my birthday.  But also it is Valentine's Day.  I love having a Valentine birthday.  I also love how Facebook reminds everyone about birthdays and you end up with tons of awesome birthday wishes!  I find that very exciting, sincerely.  I thank you all!!!

I had a nice weekend leading up to today.  Saturday I had some quiet time in the morning and early afternoon because Girlie Girl and Handsome Lad had gone off to Big Bear with their dad.  Later in the day we all hung out and had some tv time and such.

Sunday Handsome Lad had two basketball games.  One loss, one win and good fun to watch.  My dad and stepmom came down to attend the games and after that was over they took the bunch of us out to late lunch / early dinner...linner, right?  It was really great.  All the kids and grandkids were there (only Secret Agent Man had to work).  My mom and ma-in-law were there too.  Want a gift list?  Sure you do!  I got some sweet $$$ from my parents, a necklace from my dad and stepmom, roses from Kick Back Dude, and some PJs from WTG.  My BBF Milly got me a 7-Eleven card, which I will use up biff zoom, and another one of my BFs is going to take me out to dinner on Wednesday! 

 The beautiful birthday flowers that my oldest son gave me :-)

Tonight after work I am supposed to go by WTGs.  He made dinner for his brother and his family, and the kids of course, and there will be plenty left over :-)  So I would say that all in all, turning 48 has not been too terribly bad!  When I think of the alternative to getting older, I appreciate the passing of the years. 

I know not everyone loves Valentine's Day, but even without a sweetheart it can be a good day.  Is it really so bad to remember the people you love and be remembered by the people who love you?  Of course not.  Like all the other annoying holidays throughout the year, it is good at heart!  So, I hope you've all had a good day. 

Bee mine? 

I do loves ya!  Happy Valentine's Day!

This Musical Message is For I Hope My Heart Will Do

You Look So Brave With the Sun in Your Face

It is Saturday, so here I am posting up my Saturday Scavenger Shots.  This week's word, BOUND, was chosen by the ever fearlessly funny 3GirlKnight over at By God's Good Grace.  I like it, because it can be used in different ways...I myself was able to dig up a couple of different meanings amongst my photos.  And here they are:

 Here is Handsome Lad BOUNDing out onto the basketball court a couple of weeks ago.  He struggles, but he is BOUND and determined to become a great player!

Some of my family.  We have our issues, as most families do, but we are BOUND together through all those complicated ties of history and blood and love.

 

Were you BOUND to get to this today?  I hope to see some other entries today!  And I look forward to seeing who 3GirlKnight tags to choose the next word.  Have a great rest of the weekend, all you BOUNDers!

Age Old Puzzle Will Now Be Solved!

Here is a somewhat silly, somewhat serious Choose and Defend Wednesday challenge for you.  Which came first...

The Chicken

OR

The Egg

So a-one, and a-two and a-you know what to do!  Choose and Defend!  Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty!

Describe the Description

Do you know haiku form?  It actually varies, but we tend to just simplify it to a three line stanza, with a pattern of 5-7-5 syllables per line.  I love haiku.  I have reason to believe NoRegrets likes them too.  Anyway, I thought I'd see if I could ask you to play along with me here.  In comments, would you write a haiku about yourself?  A haiku that is an Iku!  A youku?  Meku?   I think this is prompted by something I thought of idly and it sort of got stuck in my brain - My Iku

There's too much of me

It's the only way you know

I really exist 

This Musical Message is For They Ain't Gon' Praise

And I'm Still Giving

Oh, I'll admit it...I am againreally excited to be playing Saturday Scavenger Shots. All kudos to Tara for suggesting we could give this another go! This week's word, chosen by Yours Truly is JAR. I'm also going to admit that when I chose it, I had something definite in mind, as I knew what I would be doing today :-) Let me see if I can JAR you into little ooohhhhs of astonishment at the marvel I am about to show you.

Did you know, that you can make your own butter...in a JAR?

 

 Simply add a couple of tablespoons of whipping cream to your empty baby food JAR.  

Put the lid on!  :-)  Give it a shake for about 10 minutes or so.  

Today, the kids are going to do that during the first part of my Laura Ingalls Wilder program!

 

After 10 minutes, take a look!  You will see that a little lump of butter has formed in your JAR!

Since we aren't salting it or anything, it doesn't actually have much flavor, but it is very fresh and nice.

 Okay...this has nothing to do with JARs, but I wanted to show you how nice your little bit of butter looks on a cracker.  Yum yum!

Here are a bunch of JARs I have ready for the program.  I hope the little pioneers enjoy themselves today!  In addition to making butter, we are going to play some games, do some crafts, and have some snacks that we did not create ourselves.  Wish us all luck.

I hope you have enjoyed my presentation of the theme - JAR.  I cannot wait to see yours :-)  For next week, I would like to tag one of my favorite bloggers.  He has a great sense of humor and he's a delightful dad.  So... take it away 3GirlKnight over at By God's Good Grace!

It's Just a Jump to the Left

As promised, here is a more light hearted Choose and Defend Wednesday post for us all to enjoy :-) You are being given the gift of travel! But which sort of travel would you Choose?

Teleportation

OR

Time Travel

Ooooohhhh, right? So Choose and tell us why! That would be the Defend part of the game. Thanks for playing...and Happy Groundhog Day! (Uh-oh...do you think I'll post this same exact post again tomorrow???)

Down and Out

It has been busy here the past couple of days. I'm a bit down as well. Tomorrow, though, a nice Choose and Defend Wednesday post. Something lighter than last time, for sure.

Think good thoughts for each and every one of us, would you? Thanks.