It Puts the Lotion in the Basket

You know what movie has an almost endless number of awesome lines? Well there are a few of them, but today I thought I would bring up The Silence of the Lambs.
I wouldn't say I'm obsessed with it or anything, but every few months Milly and I get the idea that we need to see it again. We can watch it over two lunch breaks at work. We know it by heart and can pretty much talk right along with the dialog.

There are, of course, favorite scenes that we look forward to. Like most people who have seen the film, we love the scene where Jame Gumb does his little dance to that Q Lazzaras song Good-bye Horses...and tuck...and yes!You are beautiful! hee hee!

I don't know what it is about this movie, exactly. I'm not even sure that I would say it is my favorite movie if it came down to it. That would be a hard choice! Also, Manhunter and Red Dragon were just okay. I didn't care for Hannibal all that much. I never even saw Hannibal Rising. But for some reason, baddies Dr. Lector and Buffalo Bill and the righteous Clarice Starling make me want to watch their drama again and again.

Do you have a movie like that in regular rotation? Something that you just can't help watching every so often? Tell me about it!

Moon & Sun, We All Move On

It is the mad, mad middle o' the week and you know what that means. It is time for Choose and Defend Wednesday! Please make a choice and defend that choice to the best of your ability.

I think most of us feel an affinity for some celestial body (insert your very special friend's name here - hee hee!) But, no, we are talking today about a higher plane. So, when it comes right down to it, what are you all about?

The Sun?

Or the Moon?
Choose and defend, s'il vous plait. Now is not the time to be shy. Spread some sunshine or moon us!

Let's Relax, Shall We?

I am trying to keep my cooooollll. Staying chill. Laying back. Right on. So let's keep this one simple!

You may ask yourself from time to time...What is laura b. reading these days? Perhaps you ponder...What would l.b. recommend in the way of new music? If these and other laura related questions have been on your mind, today is your lucky day!

For your perusal, a sampling of my life as of late:

READING: Brother Odd by Dean Koontz

LISTENING TO: "Partie Traumatic" by Black Kids

WATCHING: So You Think You Can Dance

EATING: Cup o' Noodles (chicken flavor)

DRINKING: Jones Berry Lemonade (now available in a can, although bottles are very cool)

SMELLING LIKE: Dr. Bronner's Organic Peppermint Soap

Peace out ;-)

News in Brief

All the big fights seem to happen on Mondays. Apparently WTG and Handsome Lad had some sort of argument today with Handsome Lad threatening to come live with me. And I really only heard about this because my sister called and told me that Handsome Lad is at her house and can I come get him on my way home from work. Um, yeah, but what the hell is going on? I don't even want to deal with it while I am working, but since I am almost off I will be dealing with it soon no matter what.

Of course, Handsome Lad can come live with me. I sort of suspected this might happen. HOWEVER, we can't have him manipulating people with threats about where he is going to live. I would rather have him with me, but I just want to make sure it is what he really wants...not just a way to piss off his dad. Ugh. I'll let you know what happens.

Ahhhh...The Pause that Refreshes!

Hola amigos and welcome to another installation for Saturday Scavenger Shots! The lovely and amazing Tara chose this week's word. Everyone was intrigued and eager to get on it. What is it? REFRESHED! Nice, right? Isn't it the perfect time of year to seek a REFRESHED feeling? Here is what I found:



I think it has been established that I am fond of beverages. This is what I have in my refrigerator right now. A cold drink makes me feel REFRESHED.

Here are Miss Personality and Love Bug having a little swim (and/or float) in the pool at my apartment. What could make you feel more REFRESHED than that?

I hope you are all REFRESHED by your little visit. Thank you for stopping in for drinks and a dip. Don't forget to check with Tara to see who will be choosing next week's word :-)

Lame Internet Quiz Face-off

If you take a look at my last two posts, you will see this above mentioned Lame Internet Quiz Face-off. That is what you get when you catch me on a quiet Friday afternoon. Accept my apologies and lets all just move on, shall we? hahahahaha!

What Condiment Are You - Quizilla Version

Mayonnaise

You are mayonaisse! Quiet and unassuming, mayo adds texture to food without really putting in much flavor. However, it does keep things together, making you very dependable and coolheaded. Don't be afraid to let loose every once in a while and have some fun--you'll be glad you did!

Find out what condiment you are!.

I am not a big Quizilla fan, because I am not in high school. However, in this particular case, Quizilla wins the battle over BlogThings for condiment quiz accuracy. How puzzling.

Um, can you tell I am sort of bored today? That actually hasn't happened in awhile, because work has been super busy. I am going to try and appreciate the boredom while I can.

What Condiment Are You? - BlogThings Version

You Are Barbeque Sauce

You are a social person. You enjoy cooking for other people. You are both skillful and competitive. You enjoy mastering hard tasks. You appreciate complexity more than simplicity. Your taste in food tends to lean toward interesting flavors. You appreciate exotic spice combinations. You tend to like cutting edge, fusion cuisine. You get along with all personalities from a distance. Except salsa personalities, who always seem to annoy you.

What Condiment Are You?

Like my love for Fortune Cookie fortunes, my love for the BlogThings is fairly inexplicable and a little sad. And, wow, this is, I am sorry to say, the single most inaccurate BlogThings Quiz ever! Every single statement is inaccurate when it comes to the l.b. personality. I like barbeque sauce and all, but sheesh! Test it for yourself and see if it works better for you.

Fortune Cookie Say

By now, you must all know of my silly fascination with fortune cookies. Well, I had a couple left over from when we had Chinese take-out last Sunday, so I brought them to work with me for a snack. I have to say, the fortune cookies spoke to me deeply. I was as amazed as any slow child would be!

The first one said: Your present plans are going to succeed.
I was all, "Yesssss!"

Thes second on said: Your home is a pleasant place from which you draw happiness.
Okay, that isn't really a fortune, is it? But anyway, I was all, "Yesssss!"

All in my head of course. I was sitting at my desk, in my place of business! Well, maybe I did do that little Napoleon Dynamite "yessssss" a tiny bit out loud. I don't think anyone heard me. Or, if they did, they were kind enough to pretend they didn't. Yessssss....

I ♥ Reading

And you know that about me, right? I am a big, big reader from way back, for sure. Let's assume that you all like reading too...at least a little bit. So now, think about what you most like to read, because it is Choose and Defend Wednesday once again! Choose, and then defend your choice.

So, Readers, what do you most enjoy reading? Is it...


Fiction?
Or is it....

Non-fiction?

Choose and Defend, Choose and Defend, Choose and Defend, thankew vera mush!

Update-y Goodness

Here is Love Bug looking sort of alarmed. She likes her Elmo chair, so it must have been the photographer who was worrying her...

Seems a good enough day to reflect upon what has been going on lately for me. First off, I am really settling in nicely at my new place. It has been six or seven weeks now and I can honestly say that I feel better than ever about the decision that I made. I'm home and more importantly the kids seem to be adjusting very well. Girlie Girl is content and happy not to be in constant range of her dad's bad moods. Now she can see him occasionally when they plan something specific to do. That way they have a nice visit and it doesn't need to devolve into argument.

I had been concerned about Handsome Lad most deeply. However, he spent all last weekend with me, coming over Friday morning and staying until Monday afternoon. He had been over, but this was the first time he wanted to stay over. Now he says he wants to do things that way from now on. Monday through Thursday nights at the house, and Friday through Sunday nights with me. I told him that would be great...and that he is of course welcome whenever the mood strikes. I do think that he has benefitted from not having to deal with WTG and I bickering. He is not in the middle of our stuff anymore and that is assuredly a good thing.

The older boys, Secret Agent Man and Social Animal, seem fine as well. One or the other comes around now and again for meals or just to hang out. I actually feel better about things, because at their ages (21 and 19) I was a little resentful that they weren't contributing more to the household. Now, they are forced to, if they want to keep the house! It may have been a drastic way to get those two to step up a bit, but it certainly was effective.

Kick Back Dude and Princess Diva couldn't be happier about the whole situation. It used to be so tense when they would come to the house and WTG would get all stressed about the babies' noise and mess. Like ridiculously...hello, they're his grandkids! Anyway, now they can come to my place and be completely relaxed and not worry if they are going to suddenly get screamed at for not "controlling" their kids.

So, at this point in time, I am finding the big picture finally opening up before me and it is all good. Yes, money is a bit rough for me at the moment, but I think even that will get better once some budget tweaking is done. And I do want to say how much I appreciate how supportive and kind you have all been through this period of change in my life. Many thanks. I think I'm ready for that housewarming party now ;-)

It's Never Too Late...

...to finally get to your Saturday Scavenger Shots post, is it? Saturday was insane and Sunday was off the grid for me, so here I am at Monday. This week's word, BOTTLE, was chosen by our new friend Greg over at It's Not About the Badge. Very cool of you to play, Greg, thank you!

At first, when I was thinking of the word BOTTLE, I was hung up on last week's word, DRINK. Thus, we see my lovely shot of.......a little bitty BOTTLE of Sunny D. Is that its official name now? It used to be Sunny Delight, right?

Anyway, then I got to thinking about other sorts of BOTTLEs. And I realized that not only beverages come in BOTTLEs. We also have......a BOTTLE of shampoo and a BOTTLE of conditioner. Just got my har did, yo.

And here is another grooming item found in a BOTTLE! It is......a BOTTLE of minty fresh mouthwash! Mmmmm, so clean!

Thank you for stopping by to tip a BOTTLE with me, even though I am late on the scene. Make sure to find out from Greg who he has tagged for next week. Keep on Scavenging everyone!!!

P*l*t*cs

I thought this QUIZ was rather interesting. Have you taken it? I guess it has been around forever. It is simple and seems to ask the questions that matter when it comes to political philosophies. Here is what I got:

ACCORDING TO YOUR ANSWERS,

The political group that
agrees with you most is...

CENTRIST

CENTRISTS espouse a "middle ground" regarding government

control of the economy and personal behavior. Depending on

the issue, they sometimes favor government intervention

and sometimes support individual freedom of choice.

Centrists pride themselves on keeping an open mind,

tend to oppose "political extremes," and emphasize what

they describe as "practical" solutions to problems.

The RED DOT on the Chart shows where you fit on the political map.


Your PERSONAL issues Score is 80%.
Your ECONOMIC issues Score is 50%.
(Scores falling on the Centrist border are counted as Centrist.)

Do you know where you stand? Some of you probably don't have to take a quiz to know, but maybe try it anyway :-)

I Can Ride My Bike With No Handle Bars

Look at me, look at me, hands in the air like it's great to be alive! Today, I have a musical choice for you. It is a simple one, as is the, um, tradition with my very special Choose and Defend Wednesdays.

We all love music, right? A multitude of different kinds among us. But let's get basic. There are two stations to choose from...

Top 40

Or Indie.

No, I'm sorry, you may not play yo mix tape, Homes! You may, however, Choose and Defend! Thank you for singing along with the radio. You just know everyone loves to hear you! Louder!

Tagged!

I think I might have done this before, but it is still cool, because everytime you do it it comes out differently!

So this is the task:

1. Pick up the nearest book.
2. Open to page 123
3. Find the 5th sentence
4. Post the next three sentences
5. Tag five people, and acknowledge who tagged you.

Okay, got the book...page 123...5th sentence...and here come the next three:

"Cook!" the Trunchbull shouted, turning her head towards the door. "Come here, cook! Bogtrotter wishes to tell you how good your chocolate cake is!"

This fine passage is brought to us by Roald Dahl in his book Matilda, which is sitting on my desk for a reason that I can't remember right now. But it is a good book! Roald Dahl is like this sort of evil genius I think.

Thanks to Daffy over at Approaching 40 for the tag! I know I am supposed to tag five people and I always sort of chicken out...but here, let me be brave and give it a try....I tag: AlienCG, Tara, NoRegrets, Dmarks, and Dinah. Heart on my sleeve I come to you, people! Participation is nice :-) Thanks!

Summertime Reruns!

Hey, all y'all! Todays Saturday Scavenger Shots word comes to us from Dmarks over at Throwawayblog. The word? DRINK. I'm afraid this is going to include some rerun pictures, but I just had these sitting around and they seemed so perfect :-)

You can DRINK from your mug. Very comforting.

You can DRINK a Jones Soda, even if you aren't sure what the flavor might actually be. Be brave!

You can DRINK something decadent and chocolatey. Mmmmmm...

You can DRINK the kind of fresh lemonade that you get at one of these Big Lemon Lemonade stands. Refreshing!

You can even fall into the DRINK, like Secret Agent Man and Tank! Isn't that a turn of phrase?

Do you recognize all these photos? It turns out that I am apparently quite fixated on the word DRINK and didn't even know it! Thanks for stopping in for a DRINK...or several. Don't forget to check with Dmarks to see who is up next.

O-oh, Say Can You Seeeee...

Have a great long weekend everyone! xo

laura b. Loves to Meme

I snagged this one from Tara. I am somewhat embarrassed about my fondess for memes, but what better place to meme than in mymy blog, right?

LAYER 1: ON THE OUTSIDE
Name : laura b.
Birth Date : 2/14/1963 (argh!)
Current Status : Single (again)
Eye colour : Blue
Righty or lefty : Righty

LAYER 2 : ON THE INSIDE
My Heritage : Northern European mutt
My Fears : Pain and confrontations
My Weaknesses : My fear of confrontation.
My Perfect Pizza : Thin crust with nothing but extra cheese, sprinkled with parmesan and red pepper flakes.

LAYER 3 : YESTERDAY, TODAY, TOMORROW
My thoughts first waking up : Now what?
My bedtime : Usually around midnight.
My most missed memory : When all five of my kids were still small enough to be near me almost all the time :-)

LAYER 4 : MY PICK
Pepsi or Coke : Coke
McDonald or Burger King : McDonalds
Single or grouped dates : Single

Adidas or Nike : Adidas
Tea or Nestea : Both
Chocolate or vanilla : Chocolate
Cappuccino or coffee : Both!

LAYER 5 : DO YOU…
Smoke : No
Curse : Yes
Take a shower : Yes, sometimes I like to take baths too.
Think you’ve been in love : Yes
Go to school : No, but I hope to return for my MLS one day.
Want to get married : No, I don't think so.
Believe in yourself : Sometimes

LAYER 6 : IN THE PAST
Alcohol : A bit.
Gone to the mall : Yes
Been on stage : Yes
Eaten sushi : Yes, but I'm not a fan.
Dyed you hair : Yes

LAYER 7 : HAVE U EVER
Played a stripping game : No...how sad!
Changed who you were to fit in : Yes, but with limits. I can't change too drastically.

LAYER 8 : AGE YOU’RE HOPING…
To get married : I did it once. I don't see it happening again.

LAYER 9 : IN A GUY/GIRL…
Best eye colour : No preference.
Best hair colour : No preference.
Short hair or long hair : It totally depends on the guy.
Best height : I guess 5'4" or over.
Attitude : At peace and open to new things.

LAYER 10 : WHAT WERE YOU DOING…
A minute ago : Working...well, doing a meme
Hour ago : Making a treat jar for a Summer Reading Program guessing game.
4.5 hours ago : Just getting up.
1 month ago : Just moving into my new place.
Year ago : Feeling pretty stressed.

LAYER 11 : FINISH THE SENTENCES…
I love : learning new things.
I feel : mildly tired.
I hate : intolerance.
I hide : my worries.
I miss : Handsome Lad...I don't see him enough.
I need : to find my own peace.


I tag: Anyone who wants to do this meme.

Could Anyone Else Go For Chinese?

Sure! Let's have Chinese! And since it is Wednesday, it is time to Choose and Defend. We've all decided to have the Lunch special and there are several choices to make. Among them...

Fried rice?

Or steamed rice?

What will it be? Choose a rice, and please, defend your choice :-) Choose and Defend! And when we finish we can all read our fortune cookies and I will get way too amused playing "in bed". Can't wait!

We All Scream for Ice Cream

July has arrived and with it a whole new Eclectic Calendar full of very special days to celebrate. In case you weren't aware of it, today is Creative Ice Cream Flavor Day. Now, if you know me at all, you know I love me some ice cream. It is far and away my favorite dessert treat. However, when it comes to getting creative with ice cream flavors, it seems like something always goes terribly wrong. I keep thinking of monstrosities such as Turkey Gravy ice cream...but maybe I am just getting the whole thing confused with those crazy Jones soda flavors. Maybe Creative Ice Cream Flavor Day could be used to celebrate, say, triple chocolate mint with dark chocolate chunks covered in chocolate sauce. Is that creative? Or just the product of a rather sadly fixated mind. Tell me all about your Creative Ice Cream flavor, won't you?