Wow.

Halloween Sweet

Thanks Trinity, this being my all-time favorite holiday (I know, weird-o), I like it bunches of oats! I've got some fun Halloween pics I dug up this weekend to scan, but yeah, it's me. I didn't do it. So.....I need to type and type tonight and hopefully get done and scan em. I'm fixing to get into the big giveaway contest, can't wait!!! Gi, get your game on.

5 Things You Don't Know About Me (Unless I Already Told You)

Playing a little tag here with Trinity today. I'm posting five things you maybe don't know about me (or maybe you do--I talk a lot and forget where I stopped). Trinity said she thought it would help her get to know me a little better. You sure you wanna know? If yes, keep reading; if no, I know you'll keep reading, but you might do it with a look of disdain:

1. I spend a great deal of time thinking about how my life will be in about 40 years--without the kids around and possibly no husband. How will I get through those long and silent days? I relish that time now, but that's only because I know to give it an hour or two and the house will be exploding with every kind of noise possible. This bothers me and I think it is my biggest 'about me' fear.
2. I was the editor of our school paper--The Savage my senior year. I decided after that that going to journalism school wasn't what thrilled me, although I love to write.
3. I'm an ex-smoker who didn't mean to quit--I smoked about half a pack a day and when I had my hysterectomy last year, the nurse never got around to giving me the patch. By the time I got out of the hospital three days later, I knew nicotine would make me sick to my stomach the first few times--so I didn't dare risk my incision opening and my innards slipping through my abdomen because I wanted a cigarette. So...by the time I was healed enough, what's the point?! I'm up 15 pounds from last year, that stinks, but it'll come off. To be truthful, I sometimes wish I'd never quit. I miss sitting on the deck, looking at the stars and having that after dinner smoke (we only smoked outside, don't freak out, the house is a smoke free zone as is the car).
4. I had a hysterectomy last year (oops, I already told you that!). A cyst burst on my ovary last September, so I went to the ER. Long story but a week later I'm in the hospital having an ablation done when the doctor closed me up and said I'd need a hysterectomy. I had the distinction of having the worst case of endometriosis she's ever seen and it's spreading all over my body. No hormones for me--I'm still waiting on the moustache. Hot flashes really are hot, by the way. Another year later and my story might have been very different had it spread to my lungs and other major organs. Had no clue! Thank goodness for the cyst bursting--although it hurt like a son-of-a-gun!
5. I'm not sure I blogged this ever, but in high school I also went to state competition for my typing and shorthand. While others had medals dangling off their letter jackets for basketball, football, whatever sport, mine are all from typing and shorthand (Can you spell nerdy? I can--remember, Editor!). And yes, I still can take shorthand! I make many of my Christmas lists with shorthand--so yeah huh it is too useful information! Stop laughing--I can soo hear that!

So there are five more non-essential but true pieces to the puzzle that is Stacey. I wanted to download and post some bunco photos, but I left the camera in the car and John took my car to watch the Chiefs play at his brother's house. On the television--the Chiefs are not playing at Jeff's house, that'd be silly. Well, maybe not silly, but very impractical, I don't know where they'd play. Awhile back, maybe in the back yard, but they have a pool now, so no, the Chiefs are not playing at Jeff's house today.

Maybe bunco photos later or tomorrow--I won a prize and I have to show it to you, you'll crack up!

Okay time for me to tag...

• Eileen one of my newer friends. Eileen has a full life, working, being a momma and a wife. Yes it is a very busy life, and how she finds time to blog, I'll always wonder. But...Eileen, I'm very glad you did.
• LaLa is another newer blogger to me. She's got a thing for Fergie and even has her ring tone set to that, but it's okay, I like her anyway. (LaLa, don't tell, but I kind of like that Party Like A Rockstar song---ta ta ta totally duuuude!)
• Katja my stunningly beautiful (model at one time) Colorado friend. She's a wife, momma, business woman and a whole lotta more stuff! Katja, I think it's time you tell us something really bad--so's maybe I won't envy you so much. Okay?

No You Make ME Smile....All Y'all Do!

Edit: I'm in the process of updating my blog template and have lost all my links and awards, etc. I'm rebuilding them--but it takes time. If you're not there yet, I still love ya, I just got tired.

I have been fortunate enough to make a new blogger friend this week, Trinity. She's a beautiful wife, mom and much much more over in Indonesia. This is the gal I was talking about who was hosting the giveaway in honor of all the family celebrations coming up! I'm certain she'll make sure I receive the top prize, right Trinity? Right?

Ahh, well, even better than the prospect of winning a prize, she says I make her smile. It amazes me when I read all my friends blogs, all of you, and you lift me up so high, I enjoy every single one of you, and then one of you tells me you noticed something about me. It's humbling, indeed, and I never get used to that. Listen to me, I'm sounding like a movie star accepting an award--but it's the truth. Okay, okay, I'll get on with the award (and Trinity, I'll do my tag next week, thanks for the post idea!!).

And I have the pleasure of passing this along....I think you've all met my friend Cat--you know we met online in another website for Christian moms and turned out we were practically neighbors. I met Cat for lunch, then a movie, then from that point on, she's been a dear friend of mine. She and her family have blessed our church by becoming members, and we couldn't love them more. How does Cat make me smile? Cat makes me smile mostly in our little Wednesday study we're doing with our pastor. We sit on the couch together and it's hard not to just burst out with laughter sometimes. Ask her how she spent last week sucking up to the pastor, all intellectual and stuff! Cat, you make me smile.

Another goes to a new friend I've made--Karen. Karen is new to our church family as well and what a welcome addition she is. It isn't always easy to come into a new church and slide right in, I know this, but Karen and her family have done that. She's got a blog too, couldn't believe it! It's used mostly to update friends and family on her family, and if you want to peek inside a beautiful, giving family's life, go check out Casting Crumbs.

Next, Kathleen (Coffee Mom) who STILL patiently awaits the DD coffee I have promised her--Kathleen, it is here, I promise I have not drank YOUR coffee although I'm out and I'm tempted. I will get it mailed and you will be very surprised. Kathleen lives in Canada and homeschools her children too. I can't tell you how many giggles and flat out laugh-till-I-cry moments I've had on her blog--she doesn't take herself too seriously. I like that. If I start taking myself seriously, I read her and remember I'm not all that!

Everyone I know knows Sharon. Sharon Sews--in fact, she's been so busy sewing up my pink jacket she forgot to get my mailing address to mail it to me. Email me, Sharon, I'll send it right over. Sharon is not ONLY a seamstress to be reckoned with but she's also a supermodel now (her modeling post is HILARIOUS! She's beautiful & funny.)

One more blogger has been on my mind of late. My friend Cheryl at Word Quilter. Cheryl is a beautiful person inside and out. Of late, her life's been quite jumbled with ups and downs and looks like on the uppp side of life right now, and I just adore her. She makes me smile because I've never known someone who can have so much dumped on her plate and turn around and indicate she knows for certain this will all be alright. Cheryl, love your curtains, but you need to update that blog. So here ya go!

Alright off to do housework now. I finally took the weekend off from typing--I feel so free! Tonight is bunco night for the women at church and I'm sooo gonna win prizes there. And of course, you know I'll have someone take my picture so I can post me there winning.

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 :)