Birthday Dinner, My Little Heart and A Game of Tag. Even I'm Worn Out Now!

Well Cat and I didn't get down to Hillbilly Holler to hang out with coffee filter birthday hats, Aunt Bea, Jen Gi and song. But that didn't stop Cat and I from having an early dinner tonight anyway. Her birthday is Sunday, so it was kinda my treat to her. I have to say I completely enjoyed this dinner, it's been far too long since Cat and I have had time to just sit and chat without kids or husbands hanging around. Kids and husbands are good, though. Just sometimes they're so amazing we don't feel we DESERVE to be around them so much, so we suffered.

The photos I have kinda stink, but the one of Cat is so pretty I think it almost makes up for her half face in the next one! And I'm being quite a good sport, because I don't know what the hey hoo (JenGi, I stole that!) was going on with my hair there! It looks a little Ed Grimley-ish..now I wonder if I left the house like this or if it just happened in the parking lot. Thanks for the mention, Cat. Not!

Onto something very cool--Angela at Mommy Bytes, being a talented knitter had a giveaway. She knitted these little hearts and I really really wanted one. I'd all but forgotten about it when she emailed me last week that I'd won one. It arrived in the mail and it's so cute I now think I have to re-learn to knit. I kinda sorta learned years ago, but knitting wasn't cool then. There are so many fun things out there now, I have to jump on that bandwagon. Angela, thanks, I heart this prize!

Finally, my friend Katja tagged me with this--how fun it this one I ask? Here is low down:

Rule #1: Copy all the links below and replace a single link under the appropriate letter of the alphabet. If your domain name, or even the title of your blog, starts with an “A,” you’d replace the link under that letter and put the replaced link at the bottom. Also, don’t forget to credit the tagger, or where you got the list from, at the end of the list with a full URL of the post, so that a pingback gets generated.

A. An Ordinary Life

B. bloggingcents.com

C. caffeine-overload.com

D. DadThing.com

E. everythingandanythingblog.com

F. From Dates to Diapers

G. GeekMomMashup.com

H. happykeg.comI. ipentimento.com

J. JameeForever.blogspot.com

K. kabalyero.com

L. ladylike4.com

M. mommymandy.com

N. notjustmama.net

O. originalmx5.net

P. peapodsquadstuff.com

Q. qweddings.com

R. rowdigrl.com

S. skimbaco.blogspot.com

T. thesocalledme.net

U. utada-online.net

V. valmg.com

W. wickedbabylon.com

X. xaviermedia.com

Y. yimto.com

Z. zbudapest.com

Replaced link: Julie's Journal

Previous tagger: Skimbaco-Katja

Rule #2: You now have to “tag” at least five people and encourage them to participate so that this thing spreads like a virus. But not a virus. No no, not a virus. That would be wrong.

I'm tagging:

Dawn

JenGi

Aunt Bea

Eileen

Misty Dawn

I Seriously Need To Run Faster!

Katja's been playing a little tag, and because she's got wayy longer (and thinner) legs than I do, I couldn't outrun her. I tried but she still got me (I think she pulled my hair, but I'm not sure!). So here it is, the Ten Years Meme Tag!
Ten years ago, in 1997

1. Gave birth To Alex--9 pounds 14 oz, 21.5" long. I'm supposed to list three things here, but honestly, that was my year. No moves, no transitions other than a baby, nothing. Not even a new car!

Five years ago, in 2002 (this one's hard, guys; the worst year of my life)

1. Buried my father, who died unexpectedly at 59--I loved my father with all my heart and I know despite his many mistakes, he loved his girls.
2. Four months later, buried my sister, Jamee. If you know me at all by now, you know the depth of my grief.
3. Worked my way in and out of anger for many reasons, some of which I have never touched upon here, and not sure I ever can or will.

Three years ago, 2004

1.Jamee's husband remarries. I only want the best for him, for the kids, yet I fell into deep despair with this. It was too early for me and I couldn't handle it. I didn't attend, and feelings were hurt where they weren't meant to be. But I couldn't do it. Now, definitely I'm strong enough.
2. Last time I saw my little sister--this is a very long sad story. I continue to hope she will be part of my life, but that hope is fading into more of a knowing in my soul that she will not.
3. My family has crumbled by now and I cling to God, John and the kids, my wonderful friends, church family and in-laws. I begin to teach myself to view family not by the blood we share, but by the tears and laughter we share.

One year ago, in 2006

1. We had moved the year previous and were settling into our new neighborhood.
2. Two of my children are in high school and John and I learn (sometimes the hard way) how to parent teenagers.
3. I have an hysterectomy and quit smoking (but then you already knew that!)

So far this year, in 2007

1. I began my first blog--and haven't stopped blogging since!
2. Met up with both Cat and GiGi--how lucky can a blogging girl get?!
3. Begin my journey into homeschooling our son, Alex (that 9lb 14oz baby!).

Yesterday

1. Drove my work in the carpool (a 2.5 hour endeavor)
2. A little housework never hurt anyone--not saying I did or didn't do any.
3. Typing--did some typing (should be working on that now too!)

Today -- It's My BIRTHday!

1. Homeschool
2. Birthday lunch with my favorite SIL Debbie!
3. Church for dinner, study (make fun of Cat a little) and back home to type again.

I'm supposed to do tomorrow & next year, but I'm afraid unless God has another directive, it'll be boring--typing and probably a nursing home visit with Mr. John. Then more typing! Next year, I pray our lives will continue to be blessed with friends we love, family we love and a life that is being lived out with meaning and purpose--with a lot of fun in there somewhere!

I'm going to tag a few friends I haven't tagged in awhile: First, FAQ--haven't heard from here in awhile. Eileen, entertain us! And finally...hmmm.....Misty, have you done this one yet?

My FAQ Prize Is Here! I've Entered TWO More Contests

I received my prize for the self-portrait I submitted over at Funky Art Queen (aka my little FAQ). Leslie, this is great stuff! You do have talent and I'm so thrilled to own an FAQ original. I'll post pictures onto this later--I'm still in my pj's and I only do pj photos if I'm typing after midnight while listening to XM.

But that win has revved me up again, I'm entering a few contests today. It's been a long time, I'm ready. First up is for a gift certificate to the beautiful Katja's company, Skimbaco. I could only be so lucky to win this $100 gift certificate, and I have just the right little one who would benefit from her boutique! Her boutique is filled to the rafters with a delightfully unique array of kids clothing, mom clothing and accessories. It's being hosted by a blog new to me, but I think I'll become a regular at So A Blonde Walks Into A Review. She likes Katja, I don't need to know more than that!


The next blogger is new as well, she dropped in to comment and let me know about her celebration giveaway! Trinity is celebrating a myriad of family events, including her 8th anniversary (today! --happy anniversary!), her children's birthdays, family birthdays, you name it. She's going to be one very busy woman, but I gather from her blog she's quite happy to do it. I'm supposed to mention which of the gifts in the picture I want, but that's too hard! I think I'll choose the little bag on the bottom, the pink & brown. I like that combination. Thanks, Trinity, go ahead and enter my name three times if you would. And if you see GiGi (known to most as Girl Gone Wild), smile and nod, she's harmless. Gigi, my friend...are you in?


Edit:
Dawn, you're right! I think I shall continue on, may as well forge ahead and enter but good. I do believe the portable hard drive (very cool colors, too) will quickly become my best friend. 5 Minutes For Mom is doing this giveaway, and I'm in!


Lastly but NOTTT leastly, I am entering the Pinks 'n Blues Halloween Giveaway--I didn't even look at it until today, I figured little kids costumes--that'd be mean to win if I didn't have a little kid. NOTTT...I'm going to win the DB bag and I won't share when I do. Unless you bake me snickerdoodles. Then, I share. Here's the Link over there:

I know, it's adorable! Dawn made it :)

Tag Time and My Fallen Status

Edit Two:And Bubba's Sis, (affectionately known as B/S--but she's not full of b/s, promise) is pretty much my favorite person EVER. And.....D, USO Girl, she's taking me on a sisterchick road trip. For sure she's my favorite person...EVER.

Edit: Tagging Twisted & Skewered--go over there and read this latest post--you're probably going to go away feeling superior to her, lol. (kidding!).

And......my buddy Cat, it's been awhile since I've tagged her. She's a slacker this week, so maybe she'll blog something good now!

I've been tagged not once, but TWICE, and I'm just now doing the tag because I wanted to take time and think! So, Katja at Scimbaco, who said I was "so cool" and is now my favorite person EVER--oh check out her site, amazing things there. And Jenny at Jenny Up The Hill, who tagged me a longggg time back(sorry sorry sorry, Jenny, I'm a loserhead) and said some pretty darned nice things as well, and is now my favorite person EVER, this is for you:

Eight Facts About Me I've taken creative license here and turned it into:

Four Things I Seriously Despise

followed later in the week by

Four Things I Seriously Adore

* When I go to the grocery store and hand over my 'store card' and they swipe, thus applying the discount (aka sale price) and at the same time recording my buying preferences. The clerk hands me a receipt (four feet long). Tells me how much I've 'just saved'.

Are you KIDDING me? I've shelled out $250 for a scant week of groceries, there is no steak in my cart, not even a roast. Heck, chicken breasts are even a treat nowadays! And I will be back three times this week for more bread, milk, bananas and popcorn! There's no savings here. Say it like it is---'this is a fraction of the mark up on our merchandise, lady. Eat THAT.'

* When friends repeatedly try to convince me to buy thong underwear. Because 'they're so worth it--no more pantylines!'. Yeahhhhh, maybe it's not progressive thinking, but I really do want people to be aware of my pantyline. I'm wearing panties. It's a good thing! I'm cool like that. And WHO is staring at my butt anyway? Check your eyes, move them up up up up uppppp....! Disclaimer here: I have nothing against my thong-wearing friends, seriously do. not. care. Just let me wear my undies in peace, that's all.

* When neighbors put up electric fences for their pets because they just look better, then forget the collar! Their dogs look better over in their yard, not pooping in mine, then digging up Louie's prize ham bone. Or attacking my dog as we pass (this has happened a few times).

* When friends or family hear I have a blog and tout "I don't have time for that kind of thing." Leaves me defending my time, and I don't know why I do that. My kids wear clean undies (not thongs) and I have cleared a nice path down the middle of my house for guests, I work, so give me a break. Just say you aren't into that kind of thing, don't imply I have too much time on my hands, then proceed to fill me in on American Idol, The Bachelor and Dancing With The Stars. (hence today's song)

So...there you have it. I have an evil side to me, I struggle with it. Naw, I'm at peace with it, but that sounded better. I'm posting this now, will tag later this evening and update. But for now....I have to hit that typing deadline....I don't have time for that kind of thing. (giggle)

PS--the photo down there, my Top Momma stint? Over. Done. Official...I am no Top Momma. It hurts, not gonna lie, but it's for the best. My head was getting far too big.