What Don't I Tell You Guys?

One of the most positive and happy Tadpoles I know, Colenic, at A Smile a Day was nice enough to bestow the

award to me!  

YAY! 

Except I am having a little problem....

The rules state that I have to share 5 random facts about myself that you all don't already know.

Uh-huh.  Do you see?  THAT is a problem because, honestly - what have I not shared that you guys don't know?  I have a colonoscopy post for goodness sakes.  I even have posts written under the influence of prescription drugs.  What else is there?

In the interest of being a good blog friend and graciously accepting this award I turned to my wonderful husband and asked him to come up with things to tell you.  He wasn't so wonderful [in my eyes] after he listed  off a bunch of stuff.  In fact, he got the ol' stink eye for about an hour - but he made the kids laugh. :)

So, here you go: [only number 1 is Pooldad's suggestion]

1.  I never put the toilet paper on the dispenser when the old one runs out.  Pooldad says we never argue about which way it should hang [do people really have this argument? seriously?] because I never manage to get a roll on there.  In my defense - one bathroom is only used by me, so who cares? And we don't even have  a contraption to put the dang toilet paper on it in the Master bath.  Evidently, tho', I have been doing this for years.

2.  I used to bite my nails.  I did it until I was 43.  Any pictures you see of me up until then when I had nails? They are fake.  I stopped biting them when I became ill due to dental issues and now I have nice, long nails of my own.

3.  I was nominated "Most Mischievous" by my high school senior class.  My parents were not impressed.  I think they assumed I was goofing off in class.  They preferred that I be nominated "Most Likely to Succeed" or "Smartest".  Yeah, like THAT was going to happen.  Secretly I was tickled my classmates thought I was funny because I have never thought that I am.

4.  I have not had a professional haircut in over 7 years.  I used to cut it myself, but now I let Squirrel cut it.  She does a really good job - even tho' she is a little nervous when doing it.  I tell her not to worry because my theory with hair is "It grows back" and "Ponytails are always an option."  Right?

5.  I have different perfumes for the fall/winter and for spring/summer months.  Does anyone else do this?  I wear Shalimar in the warmer months and Red Door when it is cold.

There you go.  Boring, huh?  Here's the best part tho' - I get to give this award to five other bloggers!  I know  a lot of you have already received it - we are an honest bunch - so if I repeat, my apologies.

Kathy at kathy's kampground kapers - She and he who is married to her run a campground.  Her daily adventures are entertaining and sometimes I wonder how she puts up the public with the grace and patience she does.  I would trip 'em with my cane.

A Hick in California - I don't know if she does awards but I love her blog.  She is so, so funny and incredibly honest so she gets one too!

Yart at My Adventures in Sustainable Living - I love how she calls her husband "Grim" and their kids "the monsters".  Her blog is chock full of tips, ideas and ways to live a self sustaining life.

My pal Jeannie at Going Incognito - No one is more honest than Jeannie.  That is a great thing.  I love reading Jeannie's blog even tho' it IS purple. ;D Her artwork on the sidebar is worth it tho'.

And Leo's Mistress aka Rudee at The Knitting Nurse - life, work, family and knitting at it's finest.  Just reading her greatest hits regarding her in-laws will have you in stitches. Get it?  Stitches? HA!  Okay, okay...

Wishing you a wonderful New Year's Eve.  Hope 2011 is a great year for y'all!

The Middle Side of Life

One of my beloved Tadpoles and also one of my oldest blog friends [I don't mean age there] Teresa over at "The Middle Side of Life" is, once again, back with her husband Ron at the hospital.

Ron was admitted last night for suspected Hepatitis C.*  In addition to his other health problems this is quite the precarious situation.

Could you all please pop over and leave Tee a bit of encouragement and love, let her know we are thinking of her.

She is such an inspiration and one of the best friends a woman could hope for - she could use our thoughts and prayers Tadpoles.

Thank you.

*UPDATE:  Ron does not have Hepatitis C - YAY!  They will do more tests this evening hoping to find the cause of his most recent illness.

For Southhamsdarling!

Look! The Panda Hat!

 Told ya!

And mittens too!

"This" has a wonderful post today wishing her granddaughter [Hi Ruby!] a happy birthday and posted a pic' of her eldest granddaughter wearing the same hat that Wallene received for Christmas.

It was neat to see a beautiful young lady in France sporting the same chapeau as our Wallene in the US.

How fun is that!

Happy Holiday Hump Day Tadpoles!  Hugs and love.

All's Well That Ends Well

Whew!  Squirrel is going to be fine.  After tests, including an EKG! [on an 18 year old!] she was prescribed medicine for an infection to make her better.  It wasn't an ear infection tho' - Mom's bad - hee.  We take her back later this week for a check up.

Thanks for all the good thoughts.  Truly - y'all get me through the day when I worry.

We couldn't raise them without you! :)  I mean that.

Love and hugs Tadpoles!

[Back] To the Doctors Today

'Cause I like the pic'.
My sweetie.

Thanks for all the good thoughts yesterday.
Pooldad is taking Squirrel to the doctors today at 9:00.  I have no idea what is going to happen today - but will be back later with an update.
Have to go rouse the troops and make coffee.
Thanks again.  See you on the flip side Tadpoles.

They'll Be None of That Missy!

I have had a bad habit this past week of just randomly laying down anywhere in the early evening and falling fast asleep.  I have been so tired around 6 or 7 I just plop down and conk out - instantly.  Not a very attractive or fun thing for my family - they wander the house looking for me - but it was fortuitous early this morning since my choice of bed-for-the-night was the living room couch.

Squirrel has been a bit under the weather since she came home from school.  She has had a sore throat but she always has a scratchy throat during this time of year [dryness in the house] so we told her we would take her to the doctor after Christmas.  No problem.

Or so we thought.

Early this morning I heard her come down the stairs.  I asked her why she was awake [from my perch in the living room] and she sleepily replied that she wanted more medicine and to go back to bed.  I said okay and continued to lay there while she disappeared into the kitchen.  Then I heard a bang, as tho' she had walked into the cabinet in the dark, and told her to turn on a light so she had more light than just the glow from the television. [Wallene was on the love seat, asleep, while cartoons played.]  No light came on so I just assumed she had enough illumination.  She came walking out of the kitchen into the den and I could see her silhouette moving toward the love seat when suddenly she fainted.  WHAM!  Down she went onto the hardwood - thankfully missing the table and the armoire, but still - SHE FAINTED!

I have never seen one of my kids faint before and it scared the heck out of me and Wallene.  We both jumped up and by the time we reached Squirrel she was coming around but wasn't really talking.  Wallene ran upstairs to get Pooldad while I held Squirrel's hands and talked to her.

She explained that she had woken up and blew her nose.  She said that after she was done she felt light headed and her vision was a little blurry so she decided to come downstairs.  It was obvious that she had become disoriented when she got down to the middle floor and was trying to make it to the love seat to lie down.

We went through the litany of questions - yes she has eaten, yes she has had sweets [no low blood sugar], no drugs, no alcohol [duh & duh]no her head didn't hurt from hitting the floor, etc. - so near as I can tell she has an inner ear infection that is throwing off her equilibrium and we ARE going to the doctor at 9 am  4 pm.

Meanwhile, I am thinking of hanging a sign in the kitchen saying "No fainting in the kitchen at 4 am."

Here's hoping I am right about the inner ear infection and it isn't something else.  Right?

Who Needs a Gravy Boat

When you have an ingenious 18 year old.

While preparing Christmas dinner we found ourselves short of a bowl to put the gravy in since all of the bowls I usually use were dirty or already in use.  Hard to imagine considering since my beloved in laws downsized [read: gave all of their housewares to us] we have enough serving ware to entertain the 7th fleet.

Enter the lovely Squirrel.  She looked around the kitchen and spied our snowman fondue pot.  Awesome.  Not only is it the perfect size for gravy and a ladle but with the addition of a tea light [or sterno] the gravy stayed hot all during dinner.  Bonus!  It's festive too. hee

I love this idea.*

Just as must fun is we started a tradition this year of wearing our pajamas to dinner.  I figured since it was just the immediate family and the girls had new pjs to wear what the heck.  Stylin' and comfortable - plus elastic waist pajama pants allow for more turkey and gravy. ;)

*Raise your hand if you know I am going to be scouring the interwebs to find either a pilgrim head or a turkey fondue pot for our next Thanksgiving.

Merry Christmas Tadpoles!

Merry Christmas to you and yours Tadpoles.

I hope you all are having a wonderful day.

Hugs and love!

Am I Weird?

Don't answer that.  And you can stop nodding your head now.

I think I may be a little strange because even though the cable guy came today [Verizon for the win!] and we now have internet and cable TV I have yet to turn the TV on since I woke up this morning.

In fact, I forgot we even had it.

I am a girl who likes her some television Tadpoles but we have not had it for six months. That has been a long time to go without news, football, SNL and Ellen :) - let me tell you. Still,  I think I might like the quiet even more.  I have been sitting here for a few hours reading blogs, surfing and whatnot while contemplating whether or not I should turn it on.

It just seems like "Must see TV" isn't such a must anymore.  To me anyway.

Anything I missed these past six months?  Any suggestions on new shows I should watch?  I have over 200 channels that I don't even know where to begin.

Perhaps that is the reason I don't turn it on - the intimidation factor. :D

Happy Christmas Eve gang!  See you on the flip side.  Hugs and love!

Play Our Game

Wallene and I have a game we often play called "You are...."

It is a game we just randomly started playing one day [probably because we were bored] but it is to show the person you are playing with how much you love them and how important they are to you.

The idea is to name off something that hinges on the existence of something else.  For example:

"You are the air in my tires."
"You are peach in my cobbler."
"You are the skip in my step." [Hi Josie!]
"You are the Santa in my Claus."

They can be serious - such as "You are the beat in my heart." and "You are the breath to my life"  or silly stupid, like "You are the elastic in my underwear." [<---credit: Wallene, but only after I said "You are the boob in my bra." Hey - I didn't SAY they had to be tasteful.  Jeesh.  It is Wallene and me playing after all.]

This is a great game to play with anybody, but I think it would be especially fun with young kids - hence why I play it with Wallene.  The possibilities are endless.

Try it while you are just hanging around with your kids, spouse or friend. It can be a lot of fun - and a lot of laughter. Believe me - the word condom* came up one time while playing with Pooldad [just me and him] and before he could even finish the sentence I needed oxygen therapy.

*"You're the condom in my wallet" - was going to be his response before I almost passed out laughing.

Cheers! And Happy Thursday Tadpoles.

I Don't Get It

One sentence and your whole day is ruined.

My Vacuum Cleaner Has Two "Attack the Dog" Buttons

No kidding.  Check this out:

The buttons read "Power", "Spot", "Clean" and "Max".

How much fun that we have one of these:

Spot
Noes da' Mommas.  Not dat.

And my Mom had one of those:

My Mom's beloved Max

Heehee.  We bought the Rhoomba for my Mom seven years ago to help out because we knew she couldn't vacuum.  Now that Mom has passed my sister thought it would be a nice thing to return it because I [duh] can't vacuum.

While it was running tonight Pooldad mentioned  to me that "Hey did you know this thing has a Spot button?" which made me laugh because it does seem to target the dog and then I realized it also had a Max button which made me laugh harder.  It's a twofer!

I love this little guy.  It works like a charm especially with the shedding machine that is Scooby.

The best part tho'? It chases Spot as it used to chase Max.  Scooby?  Well it simply bumps into him and moves on.  I am not kidding.  He just moans and rolls over.

True story - Maxie used to climb on it [when he was an 8 oz puppy] and ride around while it cleaned.

No - I have never claimed doxies are normal.  You know better.

Entertainment while your house is being cleaned.  What more could a woman ask for?

How much fun have you had vacuuming lately?

Have a great Wednesday Tadpoles.  Only 3 days 'til Christmas! Squeeeee

Somehow Thanksgiving Involved Hats

Who knew he was Amish.
I think I am going to call him Jeb.

That is La, my sister, behind me.  She was laughing so hard.
I still don't understand the hat thing.
Perhaps it was the complete lack of sleep we were all experiencing.

Goofy is as goofy does.
I don't know either.
Don't ask.

We didn't make it to the parade - but before anyone says "Awwww" it is only because it was raining here and in New York.  It wasn't fair to ask the family to cart me around in cold, inclement weather in a wheelchair so we made the command decision to just stay home and enjoy my sister who drove overnight to be with us for the holiday.  It was so great.  I will have to tell you the turkey story one day tho' - but in the meantime - here is our table:

I know it is dark.
We ate really late.
It had to do with the turkey situation. hee

Thanksgiving weekend was awesome. :D

Scooby fell absolutely, head over heels, in love with La.  He couldn't get enough of her - nor she of him.  She is quite the Dog Whisperer:

Unfortunately she refused to take him home.

She'll kill me if she ever finds out I posted that picture.  She is still marveling over how Scooby can fold himself up in order to lay with her on the love seat.  Pure love my friends.  Pure love.

Oh and did I mention I have this one home for almost a month:

Yep - life is good.

No....Life is grand.

I was able to see my sis, my family is home and the best yet is I am back among my friends.

I can't express how much I missed you - and it is so much fun to see you all again.

I am thankful.
Very thankful.

[All pics posted today were taken the day of Thanksgiving.  No we did not wear hats, Dallas Cowboys' apparel or sweatshirts advertising a pub to the table.  We did have a boatload of fun tho'!]

Peek A Boo!

We see you!

Hey Tadpoles.  I am back.  Sort of, kind of....

Tenuous at best, I suppose.  Right now I am using a Virgin Mobile Mi-Fi device [thank you Vicki/Linda for the idea] but it took us 14 hours to get it hooked up correctly.  Don't ask.  Just know it involved India and my name was mispelled "Skitty" and they had my passcode wrong by a digit. Who in the hell writes a 5 instead of a 4 I want to know.  I know darn well what my daughter's birthday is and I don't stutter. Jeesh.

Okay...before today....I do not even know where begin.  Considering my only means of communication has been my nifty cellphone most of you don't know what has been going on in my drama with Comc*st.  I am not writing out the whole name because I don't want any of their stupid minions contacting me. EVER.AGAIN.  Those stupid son of a b*tches have been beyond pale when it comes to failing.  EPIC FAILING.  You have no idea.

Let me just add that it included losing my dog for a few hours today. That was fun.  I apologize to my neighborhood for all the people Scooby terrorized by being big.  It honestly wasn't our fault.  Blame ComcASS.

Hate.  That is all I have to say.  Hate.

Okay.....Onto the funner stuff. :)

YAY!  I am here and I am posting.  YAY AGAIN!  And I get to read all your great blogs. I may not sleep for days - considering what I have to catch up on, eh.  Still, I have to thank y' all, from the bottom of my heart for hanging in and hanging out - leaving me comments and emails -  letting me know that you were still there.  It is a strange land - this internet blogdom, but never doubt that I have thought of all of you constantly.  I have worried what has been going on, curious about what your Thanksgivings were like, what your preps are shaping up for Christmas.  How are your KIDS - I need to know.  heehee  I am so antsy to go and find out.

I am rambling here, obviously, because I think I forgot how to coherently blog.  Yep.  Same ol' Skippy.

Oh, who cares.
I can't wait to get back to being with you all.

Hugs and love Tadpoles.
Thank you again.

Why Yes Virginia...There is a Skippy

I am still among the living (yay!) but still w/o the net & on my phone. I miss you all terribly and appreciate the wonderful emails & comments I am able to read via my phone . Hopefully I will get to Bux soon & explain my internet fiascos.

I wish you all the best! So much to tell...so many comments to make!
Love & Hugs!