And In the Truth When It is Told

It's Wednesday, isn't it? That means it is time for Choose and Defend Wednesday. Thought I'd go for a silly one today...although it is also pretty difficult, at least for me :) Something in your life is going to change. You're about to gain an unusual characteristic. But you have a choice! All you have to do Choose and then Defend your choice. You can do that. I've seen it happen. So, would you rather...

Dance (anytime you want to move from place to place)

OR

Sing (anytime you want to say something)

Give it some thought.  Picture your life either way.  Choose and Defend! 

A Dream Deferred for TWO DAYS

COMMUNICATION let me down this weekend.  I missed posting my Saturday Scavenger Shots on Saturday and even Sunday.  Here I am Monday evening finally getting to it.  Could have let it go, I guess, but I'm no quitter!!! 

This week's word (last week's word?) was chosen by Mrs Hairy Woman @ The Northern Sky Chronicles and it is a good one. COMMUNICATION.  Let me lay it down for you now, come on.

This is a bookmark I am working on.  It is part of the COMUNICATION that takes place between staff here and the kids who use the room.  This bookmark will help them quickly locate some non-fiction topics, that through COMMUNICATION, we have learned they are inordinately fond of.

We also encourage COMMUNICATION through storytelling.  This is from a couple of years ago at a Halloween program.  I'm preparing for that yet again!  The COMMUNICATION just keeps coming around in a seasonal, cyclical way. 

Music is one of my favorite forms of COMMUNICATION.  I am one of those annoying people who tend to put way too much into the lyrics of a song. This is from 80s Night at the Hollywood Bowl a few weeks ago.  So much fun.  That particular music, from those particular bands, felt like a COMMUNICATION from 80s me to 2000+ me.  We still get along okay :)

Hope you all enjoyed or tolerated this COMMUNICATION from me to you.  Not sure if this game can limp on without Tara participating, but I will leave it to others to make that call.  If it is played, I will come.

This Musical Message is For I Can Feel You

As Primitive As Can Be

In honor of this premiere week for the Fall television season I decided to do a TV based Choose and Defend Wednesday.  I was trying to think of similarly themed, yet wildly different shows.  And actually there are quite a few of them...nothing is new after all.  But this one seemed rather fun and interesting, so let me lay it on you.  Who are your favorite castaways?  The ones from -

Gilligan's Island

OR

Lost

So, what do you guys think?  Who's your crew?  If you have never ever seen or heard anything about either one of these shows, feel free to choose based on the photos or the titles of the shows...whatever!  All I ask is that you Choose and Defend!  Thx.  x.  x.  x.



Hellooo

Hey all.  Just wanted to post a couple of quick little things.  You won't need to take notes or anything :)

- On Saturday, one of my co-workers made a joke about my super power being sarcasm.  Now whenever I open my mouth, my weird boss laughs maniacally and shrieks that she knows I'm being sarcastic.  Help.

 - DR has told me he plans to be here before his birthday, which is in November.  Fingers crossed, but as this is the second rejiggering of the original estimate, I remain wary.

- Um, Dancing with the Stars started again last night.  I know, I know...but YOU know I am unalterably addicted.  I have started a new Dancing with the Star page...see up top? ^ ^ ^ ^ ^  Maybe someday when you are really bored you will read all of my witty remarks about each episode :-)  Also, please do note that after a few eliminations I WILL be asking you to Choose a winner during one of my upcoming Choose and Defend Wednesdays.  It is tradition!  And I love it.  And you like me enough to indulge me, right?  Right!  Right?

Guess that is it for the moment.  Come back tomorrow to play a non-DWTS oriented Choose and Defend.  And consider posting some Saturday Scavenger Shots this week!  Mrs Big Hairy Woman is blogging again and has chosen the word COMMUNICATION.

This Musical Message is For I Am Alone

I've Tried Patience But You Always Want a War

Today's Saturday Scavenger Shots word was chosen by Tara @ Eclectic Spaghetti.  The word she chose is a big one....EARTH.  Our planet, third rock from the sun, the pale blue dot.  Some of us are said to be "down to earth".  Soil is also called "EARTH"...elemental.  However you look at it, EARTH is important.  My photos were taken this morning when I got to work...so they don't look too important or imposing.  Not quite fitting for such a subject.  Yet here we go...some EARTH for you.

Here are some Children's non-fiction books about EARTH. 

There is a lot to learn about our very own planet.

Here is the globe that stands by the Children's Information Desk.  It is a representation of planet EARTH. 

It is not terribly imposing when we scale it down so very much. 

Kids love looking at it and finding different locations around the world.

Thanks for joining me for this little celebration of EARTH.  Maybe I can persuade Mrs. Hairy Woman @  Northern Sky Chronicles to choose a word for next week?

 

I hope your weekend is heaven on EARTH :-)  



You Gave Me Love For Free

I feel like I haven't posted that much lately (for me).  I have been feeling a bit overwhelmed, not only at work, but in general.  It isn't all bad, but I have to say that some of it definitely is.  So I'm a bit Stressy von Stressenhoff.  I'm sure one day it will explode on your computer screen :)  Until then, let's play a little Choose and Defend. 

Looks like me sweet tooth is calling to me.  I have a delicious choice for you to make.  I can't handle the heavy stuff I tells ya!  So which of these candies (which I am convinced, sometimes work in cahoots to fool people) will you choose for your snack today?

M&M's

  OR

Skittles

There you go!  All you have to do is Choose a treat and Defend your choice with as much enthusiasm as you can muster when it comes to candy :-)   Sweet!!! 

This Musical Message is For So Cruelly You Kissed Me

There Always Seems to Be a Catch to Anything You've Ever Said

Saturday for a few more minutes here in the wild west, so let me quick get my Saturday Scavenger Shot up for you.  Would have gotten to it sooner, but it was a day full of...what else but....BAGGAGE.  That stuff we carry with us as we travel.  Everyone, every adult has some emotional and physical BAGGAGE.  And of course, you may have a nice set of matching Samsonite as well.  It's just more BAGGAGE.  I'm here to show you some of mine.

Oh, these folks again!  My BAGGAGE.  They come with everything you'd expect and more.  When it comes down to it, I suppose I wouldn't change a thing.  How could I when I see what I have now?  Sure, there is BAGGAGE in my life, but it isn't a burden but a great gift.

Ha!  Well here.  This is my dark little cupboard under the stove where I keep my reuseable shopping / toting stuff around bags.  A simpler sort of BAGGAGE.  I haven't got any, like, actual suitcases...if I go somewhere things are stuffed into the cheap BAGGAGE I've collected.  And that's how I roll.

Thanks for stopping by to take a look at my BAGGAGE.  I hope yours is light and brings fun things with it.  I can't wait to find out what happens next...

It's Us That Made This Mess

Have you come prepared to Choose and Defend?  I sure hope so, because today is the day...Choose and Defend Wednesday.  Today I am asking you to make a lifestyle choice. 

Would you rather live the life of ....

A Pet

OR

A Wild Animal

So, what would you Choose?  And can you Defend that choice?  Also, if you'd especially like to live the life of a particular animal, feel free to share this in comments!  Remember, there is rarely such a thing as too much information :-)

Choose and Defend!  Thank you.

This Musical Message is For Tin Roof, Rust

Lay Back, It's All Been Done Before

Today is a COMPLICATED Saturday, according to this week's themestress, Tara!  It is a good word for Saturday Scavenger Shots because so many things in life are COMPLICATED to the core.  Then there are things that only appear COMPLICATED.  Further, there are things that need not be COMPLICATED, but we make them that way through our own ways and means. 

So, what have I got to show you that is COMPLICATED?  Let me see...

Here is Girlie Girl's self portrait of her first day going off to college.  I was already at work when she left, so she had to be the photographer :-)  College is a COMPLICATED time of change and growth.  I have a lot of confidence in my daughter, though.  She managed to negotiate the COMPLICATED channels of financial aid and has covered her tuition and books.  Yay!

Who is this guy?  Sometimes it seems very simple and other times it seems painfully COMPLICATED.  After 16 months of doing the long distance shuffle, it almost seems normal...and that kind of bothers me too!  Real COMPLICATED or just me making it COMPLICATED?  I remain unsure.

So, once again, I am a people person.  But let's face it, people are the most COMPLICATED creatures around.

I hope your weekend is good, simple fun!  Nothing COMPLICATED about that!  Next week's word will be BAGGAGE.  What do you think of that?

I See That Adorable Ghost

Looks like Wednesday has snuck up on me once again.  We're having another one of our busy times at work with the kids returning to school.  The afternoons get wacky.  But let's take a break and enjoy some Choose and Defend Wednesday.  I'm afraid that today I am going to have to take something away from you.  The good new is that you get to Choose which thing it is!  Could you more easily live without (for the next five years, let's say) -

Access to the Internet

OR



Your Car

One or the other has to go for the next five years.  Which will it be and why?  Choose and Defend!  Thanks :)

This Musical Message is For Just Give Me the Truth

Everybody In the Room Notices You

Today's Saturday Scavenger Shot word was chosen by me and may well be done by only me.  FINE!  BE LIKE THAT!  Ooooohhhh, I was all yelling there!  Alarming, right?  Well, um, anyway...our word for today is KEY.  That wasn't a yell, that is just the way I always write the Saturday Scavenger Shots word.  Although if you want, we could go old skool Pee Wee Herman and yell every time someone says that word today.  Want to?

Now then, there are a couple of shots I took this morning at the very uncivilized hour of 6:30 am.  On a Saturday.  Um hm.

Handsome Lad had to be at his XC practice bright and early for a five mile training run.  It is good for the kids to run early in the day, before it gets so hot.  It is bad for the parents of the kids who don't drive yet, because it is Saturday morning and mama likes her beauty sleep.  But, training is the KEY to success in any sport!  So, run free Handsome Lad, run free!  Let's see...I worked the word in there, didn't I?  

Yes!  Very good.

This shot looks almost artsy doesn't it?  Here we see my car KEY, a bit chewed looking.  But I enjoy the way this KEY in the ignition makes you think of a beautifully photographed worn, lined face, lovely in it's flaws.  Shut up and stop singing that stupid R. Kelly song about putting your KEY in the ignition!  Let's have some respect for my pretty KEY shot!!!  Thank you.  My goodness, you people.

That is all I have for you today.  I have no more KEYs for you.  I would offer you the KEY to the Kingdom, but it seems there are no takers there :)  Have a great rest of the weekend and make sure to head for high ground if you are in to that sort of thing.

Friday 5 - Sticky

Quiet Friday at work, so how about a little Friday 5 to pass the time?  This week it is about sticky things, which seems appropriate given the sticky way that the air feels today...way too much moisture mucking things up.  So...let's see what sticks -

1. What kind of magnets do you have on your fridge?  Mostly the kind that are like clips to hold packets of paper.  A couple cute ones I've gotten from work or business give aways.  I did not prepare for this day with a photo of my fridge!  Another time, perhaps :-)

2. What’s your preferred type of glue?  Fully depends on what it is for.  For doing crafts with small children or even for my own work, I like the control and ease of glue sticks.  If I'm doing some heavy duty repair job, then Gorilla Glue is the way to go!

3. When is it good to feel sticky?  Never.  Closest thing would be, you know...an after-glow type of situation.  If I'm recalling such a thing correctly.

4. What was the last thing you wrote upon a Post-It?  I just had a phone call from WTG asking me to email something for him and I took notes on a Post-It.  I have various sizes and colors stashed around my desk and use them a LOT.

5. How much pancake syrup do you put on your pancakes?  Oh man...so much.  So very, very much.  I can never have enough syrup on my pancakes.  Mmmmmmm...sticky sweet.

There you go.  That is how I handle the sticky questions.  How about you?  As always, I invite you to join in on your own blog or in comments.  Have a lovely, syrupy sweet weekend!

We'll Be Together All Alone Again...

Since I got all reflective and stuff yesterday I thought I'd follow up today with a similarly themed Choose and Defend Wednesday.  This is not a new thought by any means, but still...it is a thought.  When do you most feel like your "new year" falls?

New Year's Eve / Day

OR

Back to School Time

I mean, for a lot of people the answer may be both.  But if forced (as you are) to Choose one, think about the way in which you most often mark the passage of time and the feeling of a fresh start.  Defend your choice so we can all see it from your side!  Because today is Choose and Defend Wednesday and this is what we do.

Midweek Notes

Some housekeeping.  First, let me throw a word out there for Saturday Scavenger Shots - KEY.  There you go.
Second, I have just come back to work today and my co-workers did fulfill my request for a "welcome back" poster...more or less :-) 

I found this taped to my computer monitor!  They did fine work, considering I'm the one who usually creates the posters for the dept.  

No one has done an impression of me.  Yet.

Made me feel good to be back to work.

Back to School

The first day back to school has, of course, always been a very big deal in my house.  Some of you have watched me document it here for the past 6 years or so in one way or another.  Back when my kids were small the day was so celebratory.  Everyone would be photographed and after those in school had been taken there and guided to their new classrooms, the rest of us would go out together for a nice breakfast.  My mom and sister and I had that tradition from the time my oldest son went to Kindergarten over 20 years ago.

 This is a back to school picture from, I think, 1996.  Secret Agent Man would be entering 4th grade, Social Animal 2nd, and Kick Back Dude 5th.  Girlie Girl was just 3 and Handsome Lad wouldn't join us for another almost 9 months! 

Now, back to school still feels exciting, but it has definitely changed as the kids have grown.  Now Kick Back Dude takes his own kids to school.  Secret Agent Man is a single man and most days just mean it's time to go to work.  Social Animal and Girlie Girl are community college students working around the whims of their own schedules. 

Now, Handsome Lad is the only kid going back to school!  Here he is, ready for his first day of high school.  I picked him up this morning from his dad's house and dropped him off...and recalled once again how much I hate drop offs and pick ups at the high school :-)

He's excited about high school and I'm excited for him.  He's had his challenges as a student, but he's been running around with older kids for so long that I think he finally feels he's caught up and is in his proper element.   So, there is a lot of happiness.  But it is a very different sort of day than it once was.  My mom didn't take today off or go in late, because she was out yesterday with a dental appointment.  My sister never wants to do anything with me anymore.  So it was just me and I came on home after dropping him off.  No more first day of school breakfasts...at least not this year.  

But things always change.  There is still much to look forward to.  It is just different now and I don't think anyone could help but be reflective on a day like today.  So I will take this last day off work and put my feet up, ponder the past a bit, and congratulate myself on having helped to get everyone to this point in time, happy and healthy and full of potential.