Monday, March 28, 2011

New blog topic

So, truth time. Who do you love more - your spouse or your kid(s)?

Me. I have to admit that my heart first belonged to my hubby and the majority of it still lies there.

Are you that honest?

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Childhood nicknames

I've posted something like this before. But it's been a year or more, so it's time for this topic to resurface.

My mom called me Sh*tbird. I don't remember when this started, but I do have what I think is an amusing story about my nickname. I was working at my first "real" job after college. We were at a computer trade show in Vegas, and I had told my fellow marketing/technical marketing folks about my nickname. Well, I was waiting on my mom to show up to visit with me in Las Vegas. She was to meet me at the Tivoli booth. Wouldn't you know it; she showed up while I took a quick bathroom break. Anyway, she walked into the booth, obviously not a techie, and several guys asked her, "Are you Sh*tbird's mom?" OK, maybe you had to be there to get the humor of the situation. I know, it sounds like a derogatory nickname, but it's out of love, I assure you. It's just part of the twisted and vulgar humor my mom and I share.

I too have nicknames for my boys. Not nearly as crude; I'm sure DH (dear hubby) wouldn't let me. :)

Jackson is #1 or Jack Sprat. I doubt that'll last too much longer with him being a teenager now. Grayson is just #2, Gray, or G. Ben will call him G. I'll call him my baby, even though he's the middle child. Hudson, now 8, has really outgrown his nickname of Huddy Poo, but I just can't help myself. And with G/Gray as the exception, Mommy is the only one allowed to use these nicknames! (Per the kids' choice too.)

My daddy called Jackson "Short Stuff." (If you know Jackson, you know why.) He called Grayson "Cinqo" because he was born on May 5th, and he was my dad's 5th grandchild. And lastly, he called Hudson "Big Time." Not really sure of the origin of Hudson's nickname, but it does fit him, especially on the soccer field. He definitely does not play the game like he's a little guy.

I'll keep to myself the nicknames I call DH/Ben. I wouldn't want to embarrass him. :)

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Ping Pong Blog

Post a picture of your pet.


Meet a soaked Boo, as a puppy (from 4 years ago). Her fur has bleached out quite a bit from spending so much time outside. She's now a light gray. But there's nothing like a puppy pic.

I grew up with a miniature schnauzer too. Her name was Snickers. Full name: Snickers B Good. No middle name to go with that letter B, though. Kind of like Harry S Truman (the S doesn't stand for anything). Odd fact for the day for my blog subscribers. :)

Now that I've posted my pet photo, it's my turn to think of a blog topic to ping back to Rebecca. Suggestions taken, nay wanted. But I'll start with ... what was your childhood nickname or picked-on name? Or both. And, of course, the story behind them.

Happy Tuesday, y'all! I'm beginning to recover from my vacation coma. Can you tell?!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Challenge - Day 30

Post a picture of someone you miss.

Once again, I cannot limit myself to just 1 photo. I miss both of my dads - my stepdad, Harry, & my daddy.

Harry died suddenly in his mid 50s eight years ago. It was devastating; I was devastated.

Daddy was sick when he passed away, but that does not diminish the hurt. And that was 3 years ago.

You know the saying "you don't know what you've got til it's gone"? Well, that is definitely true. Although I did appreciate them while they were alive, their little quirks that seemed bothersome back then, I would give my right foot for today.

I miss them. Period. End of sentence. End of challenge.

Harold Eugene Pauley, 1946-2002

Curtis Dale Good, 1936-2007

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Challenge - Day 29

Post a picture that can always make you smile.

That's fairly easy. A pic of my hubby and/or my kids. We'll go with kids acting goofy, which is fairly often. Capturing it in picture is a tad bit rare though. I'll see what I can find.


Well, they're not being all playful in this photo, but it is a picture of my boys, taken last summer. I love them to pieces, even if they know how to push every single one of my buttons.

Challenge - Day 28

Yes, I may be a day or 2 late in posting "day 28," but I'm trying, folks.

Post a picture of something you are afraid of.

Well, I think I've already posted pics of hating snakes and my insecurity of being alone, but I guess I can fess up to one more flaw.

I am afraid of being wrong. To me, it means humiliation, every one staring at me. And I don't like that. How do you capture that in a picture?

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Challenge - Days 26 & 27

Post a picture of something that means a lot to you.


My Williams family, Ben's side. This picture was taken last year on our ski trip to Steamboat. We had such a good time, we're going back this year!

Post a picture of yourself and a family member.


How about a picture of all of my immediate family! That's Hudson (about an hour old), Grayson (age 3), and Jackson (age 4.9). And a much younger (or younger-looking anyway) Ben and me. It was almost 9 years ago, and boy, do I look different. But this was the beginning of our complete family. No more kiddos. Just a dog or 2 added to the family.

Sorry for posting 2 days at once. It was just easier that way.

Friday, March 11, 2011

Challenge - Day 25

Post a picture of your day.

I'll call this post "Mom's Taxi Service."

I spend a lot of time in my car, or SUV or land yacht or big o' truck, as you might call it. With 3 boys in 2 different schools (3 different schools beginning next fall), I drive some or all of them there. With 3 soccer practices weekly, usually all on Thursdays, I drive there and back. Don't forget soccer games, usually on the weekend, but some week-night games too. Then there are the numerous doctor appointments we can't seem to get out from under. And back home again. Now, throw in a Target or Walmart trip, mix it with a little Kohl's or the mall, and don't forget my trips to Sonic, and you've got my day. (And I almost left off Tom Thumb/Kroger.)


By the way, I love my big SUV. Yes, it's a gas guzzler. Yes, it can be a pain to park. But, it's roomy. It can fit all the soccer gear or $250 worth of groceries. It doesn't crunch the corner of science fair boards, either. The only thing I'd change is the color. Burnt orange! Go UT!

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Challenge - Day 24

Post a picture of something you wish you could change.


Answer: my weight.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Challenge - Day 23

Post a picture of your favorite book.

I haven't read a book all the way through in I don't know when. I used to sit down and read a book cover to cover in a day or two. Now, I just have amassed a collection because I think I'm going to be in the mood to read. I enjoy reading, or used to. I think I still do. It's just the ADD or business of life that gets in the way. Like Rebecca, I'm going to post 2 pictures. 1 represents the so-called trash novels I mostly prefer. The other was a college assignment that I fell in love with.


Deceptions by Judith Michael. Classic novel about twin sisters who switch lives and then things go awry. Good junk, typical of what I read (when I do read). I have reread it several times. Favorite trash author, though, would have to be the deceased Sidney Sheldon. I've been reading his books since before I was a teenager. I just don't enjoy reading BOOKS for social or political reasons. However, I do like quicker reads like magazines or articles on the more valuable, poignant, topical topics.


Richard Wright's Native Son. The main character reminded me of a friend. This read was required in some upper level English course in college, and I just got/understood this book. (Richard Wright is also responsible for penning Black Boy, if that book sounds more familiar.) Maybe growing up in rural Arkansas helped put me in Wright's shoes (with race issues); maybe I just enjoyed his knack for writing. Whatever the case, I currently own a copy of the book with the intention to reread it someday.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention that I also enjoy a good Edgar Allan Poe story. However, I can't stand Shakespeare. I just DON'T get him. I'm amazed I passed high school English where his writings made an appearance. I distinctly remember skipping the read of Hamlet (required over a long weekend, which is a ridiculously short time allotted to read that play) and opting for the Mel Gibson movie instead. Hey, I still made an 80 on the test.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Challenge - Day 22

Post a picture of something you wish you were better at.

Oh so many things!

For example, bike riding, standing on one foot, standing still, walking in a straight line. (I have balance issues, apparently.) But one thing that stands out as something I wish I was better at is playing baseball or softball. I did play a season or 2 when I was a youngster; but ever since I got hit in the eye with a softball during elementary recess, I've been scared of it. Scared that I'll swing and miss. Scared that I'll get hit. Not knowing how to slide. Just worried about looking funny whether I actually hit the ball or strike out. That's a general issue with me ... worrying what other people think about me. But I digress. Somewhat short and sweet today, peeps.

Monday, March 7, 2011

Challenge - Day 21

Post a picture of something you wish you could forget.

1. I plead the fifth.
2. If I must post a picture of something, I think it would be pregnancy. I was a hormonal mess and my face looked like a teenage boy's worst nightmare (I had a lot of acne), just to name two of my issues. Yes, some women glow; I didn't. Some women embrace pregnancy; I didn't. And I was impatient, all three times. You'd think I would have learned what to expect, but those damn hormones did a number on me.


Here I am pregnant with number 3, a.k.a. Hudson, almost nine years ago. I may be smiling, but don't let that fake grin fool you. I love my boys, but their journey here was definitely an uphill battle.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Challenge - Day 20

Post a picture of somewhere you'd like to travel.

How do you narrow your dreams down to one picture? I guess that's part of this month-long photo challenge. So I suppose I'll just lay it all out here for you. Like Rebecca said, I'd love to visit Australia. I can't wait to embark upon an Alaskan cruise someday. I've already posted a picture of the South Pacific islands. I've been to Italy; it was awesome. I do want to return someday. I would love to go to Greece. More locally, I have never been to our nation's capitol (is that capitol with an O or an A?). I'd like to go in springtime when the cherry blossom trees are in bloom. And, lastly, I've never seen the leaves change during fall in the Northeast.

I think I've decided, however. The first, and longest, dream travel location of mine is ... New England. I wanted to get married in the month of October so we could honeymoon during the fall in Vermont or New Hampshire. (Logistically this didn't work out; we got married in August.) I've just ALWAYS wanted to go up there, stay in little B&Bs like on the Newhart show from the 80s, and just drive around to antique shops, without a care in the world, apple picking with other couples. Yes, I've seen the leaves change in the Ozark Mountains. I've seen the color of North Carolina in the fall, and it's probably similar. But NOT in my mind. So New England it is.


Real maple syrup. Hot apple cider. Curling up by the fire. It's giving me the itch to book a trip (sans kids) on Expedia.

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Challenge - Day 19

Post a picture and a letter.

Well, now that's pretty vague. What immediately jumps to mind is that "this post is brought to you by the letter K."

Kim.
Kooky.
Kind.
Kraft-y (as in cheesy).
Karma.
Kids.
Keen (in more than one way).
Kick (used to do that in Tae Kwon Do).
Kayak (a palindrome).
Kodak (I like taking pictures).

And, finally, my picture of the day. Of course, it's the letter K, more commonly known as potassium. It's also the 19th element on the periodic table. And it does not react well with water. Danger, Will Robinson, danger.

Friday, March 4, 2011

Challenge - Day 18

Post a picture of your biggest insecurity.


This one is serious. I'm scared to death of being alone. Period. No further explanation needed.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Challenge - Day 17

Post a picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently.

That would have to be when Hudson, my youngest (age 8), was diagnosed last May with a brain defect, known as a Chiari malformation. We spent weeks and weeks not knowing the severity of such a diagnosis and visiting with different doctors (and getting different opinions). Now, he still has the malformation, but it's only side effect (today, anyway) is headaches/migraines. And he takes medicine for that. He'll be monitored annually, but it's not so much a worry these days.

It was downright scary. That's about all I can say.

Here's a photo of a brain scan. This picture does show a Chiari; but if you don't know what to look for, you won't see it. Sorry.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Challenge - Day 16

Post a picture of someone who inspires you.

Hmm. This is a toughy. Am I not inspired? Am I not EASILY inspired? You know, this is kind of tough to admit, but I don't think I'm really inspired by anyone. That's not to say I'm negative or that I see the world in a negative way. I think I'm just independent. My motivation and enthusiasm seems to come from within.

As my husband just said, in helping me with this post, I did get inspired by Hillary Clinton's run for presidency. Not necessarily because of her politics, but because of her position as a female. First woman "could be" president.

I'm not inspired by humanitarian efforts. Sorry, Angelina. My dear hubby inspires me, but I'm trying to limit his appearance in this photo challenge. I am inspired by my friends (and acquaintances) who seem to have it all together.

But I think I'll go with that initial, potential female president vibe. Especially since it moved me at the time. (And sorry, Geraldine & Sarah, "could be" VEEP just doesn't cut it for me. I guess I'm a political, feminist snob. :))


Oh, and I met Hillary back in 1991. I just dug out that picture. (All Arkansas high school valedictorian's were invited to the governor's mansion and had their picture taken with Bill (& Hillary). No making fun of my hair, understand!!! It was Arkansas in the early 90s, and I was growing it out. :)

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Challenge - Day 15 (part 2)

Post a picture of something ELSE you want to do before you die.

I couldn't resist this picture.


Here's something else I want to do before I die. I want to grow old, and I want to have grandchildren. I have images of me on the front porch COVERED IN GRANDBABIES (think Steel Magnolias southern drawl there). (And, no, I will not be churning butter like this lady.)

Challenge - Day 15

Post a picture of something you want to do before you die.

If you've seen Couples Retreat, first, I'm sorry. Second, did you check out the view and hotel accomodations? I want to go to the South Pacific before I die. Yes, it's a 100-hour flight ... each way. (OK, I'm exaggerating.) But it's still a hell of a long ways away. But the idea of that clear water; the villa directly over the water; the glass floorboards to watch the fish swim by. Ah, paradise.

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