Dreaming What Ifs...

I Jumped on the Prize Giveaway BandWagon (CLOSED)

 

This Prize Give-away has ENDED.  Thank You.

I couldn't take it - After looking through THE LIST of participants and seeing all the incredible prizes, I had to add one of my own. 

THE PRIZE

*

1.  The most scrumptious smelling shampoo, showergel, bubble bath combo ever made - smells so good you want to eat it.  Philosophy's Vanilla Wafer  (16 fl oz - full size)

2.  A large sized pink bath pouf to use with the oh so yummy smelling product.

3.  Two $15 gift cards to i-Tunes.  So you can download some of those new tunes to your mp3 player (if you are so lucky to own one, unlike me)

THE RULES

1.  This contest is open US and Canada residents ONLY (I apologize to all my Euro and Aussie/NZ readers.)
2.  Leave a comment on this post - be sure to include your e-mail address so I can contact you.   If you take a look at my profile picture and guess correctly what is hanging under my nose I'll give you a 2nd entry into the drawing.
3.  All comments must be recieved by Sunday, February 3rd, 6pm PST.  Any received after  6pm PST will not be entered into the drawing.
4.  The random drawing will be held Sunday, February 3rd, 7pm PST (or whenever we get home from the Superbowl Party).  You need not be present to win !!

And don't forget to sign up for some of the other prizes too!  There are a lot of great products being given away!

Do the Limbo

The New Miss America is a SHAM

I watched TLC's Reality Check.  I was intrigued.  The premise was to bring Miss America out of the 50's decade and maker her more personal, hipper, trendier, more approachable - less Barbie-ish. 

I watched as all those contestants received stylish hair cuts, flattering dress shapes, and toned down make-up.  I watched as they learned how to be comfortable with themselves on the "red carpet".

Then, last night I watched the Miss America Pageant.  I haven't seen this in years.  I was never a beauty pageant fan.  I really don't like the premise of strutting girls up there in bikinis like peacocks.

Yet, I had hopes.  Make Miss America more modern.  Showcase her humor, brains, and talent.

YEAH RIGHT.

Boy was I disappointed in the crowning of Miss America.  Sorry, Miss Michigan - you are NOT my idea of a new modern, talented, and bright representative.   

Singing "Over the Rainbow" Miss Michigan's airy and breathless performance left me uninspired.  She was completely outsung by three others (California, Washington, and Indiana).   I doubt she used her diaphragm while singing in the upper register.

When I watched the Final 8 stand on stage, Miss Michigan was the ONLY one who still resembled the old-style Miss America.  Is this why she won?  Blonde, buxom, and Farrah Fawcett hair?  Give me a break.  This was not a Modernized Miss America - but a SHAM. 

The New Miss America resembles Farrah Fawcett.  Coincidence?  I think not.

Pregnancy Post #2 or Way More than You Wanted To Know

I wrote the following post on Thursday and scheduled it to post Today (Saturday).  And then, I read THIS and THIS and THIS and knew I had to add one more thing to my update:

After all I've been through to conceive - my baby is healthy and alive.  All the blood tests came out "normal".  The ultrasound came out "normal".  I am so thankful.   I don't need to worry anymore.

I thought it was time for an update:

Week 23 or 5-1/2 months

* 12 lbs gained....waaa

* Gag Reflex - full on.  95% of the time certain odors make me gag and then I dry heave once....these include, canned catfood, dirty socks, wet dog,  musty hampers, raw chicken, warm milk, unflushed toilets, burps, and garlic breath.  I've only puked once - and there were 3 smells assaulting my senses at once.  My husband was impressed with the power of my puke.

* The baby is active during the day, but most noticeably at 12pm and again at 11pm.  This 11pm time slot does not bode well.  I'm thinking ahead - 11pm?  Awake time for baby when I will want to be in bed.

* Food cravings - I really only have one - Bagel, cream cheese, turkey, tomato, and cucumber.  I can eat one every day...sometimes twice; lunch AND dinner.

* The Pregnancy Heat has finally kicked in - and about time too considering it's been the coldest week all winter.  I don't need a blanket on the couch.  I'm quite comfortable.

*  When Amanda was pregnant I loaned her my Pregnancy Pillow.  I know she returned it to me.  I remember that part.  What I don't remember is where I put it.  I had to break down and buy a new one.   The price of that pillow has doubled in 7 years.  But, to me, the price is worth the comfort!!

* My right hip has started aching at night.  I either pound on my hip with my fist or get up and walk it out.  Sometimes, when it really hurts, I wake Dave and make him rub it.   I am not looking forward to the last two months of this pregnancy.

* Pregnancy Hormones rule my life.  Examples:
   1 - "We are Marshall" - at least 10 tissues used and a good 5 crying fits.
   2 - Dave's cell phone died on him at work.  He had told me earlier he might not make it home that evening due to his schedule.  By 9pm, when he hadn't called to tell me he wouldn't be coming home, I was a crying mess just sure he had died in some horrible accident and I was left to take care of 3 kids all on my own.
    3 - I've been watching "Bringing Home Baby" and have decided those new parents are a bunch of fools.   Yet every time a parent gets teary eyed, so do I.   I can't see someone cry without doing so myself.

*  Lastly, my husband and I were discussing names.  We have a girl's name picked out, but not a boys.  My husband likes Chaz and Magnus.  Um - not going to happen.  Over my dead body.  (I don't want to offend anyone.  I'm sure these names are fine but not for me, okay.  Chaz reminds me of some Southern California Surfer Dude who wears pink shirts.  As for Magnus - I just can't go there.)

Weekly Delight - Caught in the Act

I thought it was about time again for my Weekly Delight - which is actually turning into a Monthly one.

I read Rurality regularly (actually, I "lurk" at her site).  She has a Critter Cam which catches nightly visitors to their property.  Lately, she hasn't seen any raccoons.  And this is why:

That Explains It by Rurality 

Cuz I have nothing better to do

If I Had A Band - Thanks Sandy for the idea.

1 - Find a Name of band from http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random

2 - The Album Name is the last 4 words of the last quotation from http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3

3 - Cover Art for Album is the 3rd picture from http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days/

4 - Use Whatever program to put it all together.  (I used Photoshop 7).

Here is my Album Cover.  This was actually quite fun - but my quote is cracking me up.  Whose going to buy an album that is dreadfully like other people? 

   

Fun Mondays are Not So Fun

Why did my Fun Monday turn bad?  Well, let me explain....

I've been so good about not spending too much time on the computer this whole past week.  I spent extra time with Buttercup.  We played "Little Girl", we worked on the alphabet, we worked on numbers, we made Shrinky Dinks, I pushed her on the swing, I stood outside in the cold so she could ride bikes, we made Teddy Bear cookies together, and so much more.

And what does she do on Monday while I sat and read all those Fun Monday posts? 

Yes - you read that correctly. SHE CUT HER HAIR!

Believe me - the pictures do NOT do this haircut justice.  In person, it looks so much worse.  Just look at how much hair she put in the garbage can!!!

Oh Buttercup, just when her hair had reached a nice length.  I could put it up in ponytails and was even starting to practice a French Braid.  sigh....

The magical age is 4.  Jammin' cut his hair at this age and it was bound to happen again - AND 4 years from now it will probably happen again when the other little buttinski arrives.

Happy Anniversary Fun Mondays UPDATED

Last year, Vicki felt snoopy and asked a bunch of us to post a picture of our View out the front door.  To think this little bit of nosiness has turned into something that has endured and lasted a whole year.  I am in awe and am glad I was a part of the whole process.

Last year - this was my view (a muddy mucky mess with the Christmas lights still hanging on the tree.  At least the sun was shining, though.)

This year, a much greener scene, though not as sunny - and we took down our Christmas lights last week.  I'm ahead of the game!  (oh - and see that white car across the street?  There's a little bit of "spy picture" added in today!  My 70ish neighbor has himself a new girlfriend - ooh la la.  She was visiting this weekend - the WHOLE weekend.)

OOPS - I FORGOT SOMETHING....My FIRST BLOG POST EVER.  (very boring, I have to say - but here it is:From March 19, 2006    My First Official Blog

Different Perspectives

The First Graders learned about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. this week. Monday is a National Holiday to honor him.  They read stories and filled out worksheets. They also colored a page - an 8x10 of Dr. King's face.

I sit at a table every Thursday morning and file the children's schoolwork into their take-home folders.  I enjoy watching their progress in writing and math.  I giggle at the sentences I read and their views of the world.

This Thursday, my eyebrows raised in surprise.  There are 18 children in the room.  Only one child is African-American.  He had used a black crayon to color in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  Every other child had used a different shade of brown.   

What did this tell me?  Every other child had chosen a color based on what they saw with their eyes.  They did not see "black" but brown skin-tone.  I have never told my children that someone was "black".  In fact, I haven't even used terms at all with them.  People are different all over the world.  People speak different languages.  People are people with just different skin tones.

Yet, why did the African-American child use a black crayon?  My only guess is that he has been told he was black.  What made the difference?  When do children learn the difference between "seeing in color" and "seeing in race"?

A little Terza Rima

Robin's Poetic License continues this month with the style of Terza Rima. 

This one took some rather drastic stretching of my poetic abilities (of which I have very little).  After working so diligently on this poem, I came to the conclusion that my iambic pentameter  sucks needs help, and so does my ending.  I bet my 9th grade English teacher is rolling over in her grave.  She would be if she was dead, and since this poem takes a rather morbid turn all is well in the end.

I never said I was a poet, but I sure had fun trying!

SUPERBOWL SUNDAY

Experts declare that Superbowl Sunday
is by far the very worst day of year
when all the football fans must surely pay.

Like drinking Coors Light and Budweiser Beer
Oh and don't forget all the chips and dip
and all the food we have to have so near.

The constant snacking, munching, slurp and sip
must afterwards end with a groan of pain
and a horrible stench that comes out...RIP.

Has his team just won? Break out the champagne
He's going to drink and get drunk as a skunk
and party all day without any refrain.

Drive home in that state with his mind a funk
Crash a family of five.  And then, be sunk.