It’s Only A Game!

One of the nicest things that I’ve started since moving to Abilene is Bunco. It’s a fun game played with (hopefully) fun women. I have a great group that means monthly at one of our houses, eats and laughs the night away. It’s always one of my favorite nights. Bunco is the kind of game that allows everyone to chat and learn about each other. There’s no skill or strategy involved – just fun.

We frequently have a theme and Monday night’s theme was Co-Ed.

What??!! Hubbys (and 1 fiance) at Bunco? You say that will be fun? Judy said it. Judy did it. Fun? Some. Interesting? Totally.

Intellectually, I knew that men were more competitive than women but Monday night I got to live it! My first round was played with Vann (last names have been omitted to protect the not so innocent.) His lovely wife warned that he was a competive guy but whoa!! He learned “Baby Bunco”(any 3 of a kind and worth 5 points) and yelled it alot. Either to identify it or calling it forth – whichever worked. He was on the edge of his seat most of the night. He did keep a smile on his face. I was unsure if he was happy or it was his bloodlust smile.

I had the opportunity to play with Matt several times. He was scary. I was afraid he would come unglued if the wrong dice showed up. You throw the dice -the wrong dice frequently shows up. Matt looked like he needed a stiff drink by the end of the evening. All these talking women, trying to lose! (There’s a prize for low score.) Woe, was Matt.

It seemed to be louder than usual. Lots of high fives and yelling. I’m thinking – wow, there must be a ton of Buncos (3 of a kind of the # that being rolled and worth 23 points) because there was so much shouting. No, apparently not. Not that many more than usual. Just more shouting. I wanted to tell the guys that the Ferrari they were passing around wasn’t the real thing and Judy didn’t have one parked outside for the winner.

Towards the end of the evening one of the ladies mentioned that she hadn’t heard me all night. I usually enjoy singing and being somewhat rowdy on these nights. Well, who could be heard? When was I supposed to get a word in edgewise? And Phil was doing all the singing – You Can Ring My Bell (there’s a bell that rung at the beginning and ending of each round.) He even introduced me to a new song! I didn’t think it possible. (Typically, I’ve forgotten it. Sorry, Phil.)

So, men at Bunco. Good thing – once a year or once a millenium whichever comes first.

Tagged Again

Well, I survived the first day back – Woohoo! The kids seemed to be happy to be back and in our routine, too. Tia and I enjoyed the day with our little bots and the eternal words “Stay in your chair.”

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I’ve been tagged by Anna and I’m always going to do what I’m told – so I’m participating!

1) Do you like the looks & content of your blog?

It’s okay. I’ve been able to change the font and I like that. Changing the look is one of my main reasons for switching to WordPress and I’m still learning to do that over there. And, yes, I like my content. If I didn’t, why would I write?

2) Does your family know about your blog?

Yes, but they don’t all read. My brother reads some and my mom reads regularly. I think she’s just looking for pictures of the kids. Same thing goes for my mother-in-law – just wants pictures of the kids. One of Jim’s sisters reads all the time and she thinks I’m funny! That is my reason for writing!

3) Can you tell your friends about your blog?

Yes. I don’t write anything that anyone can’t read. I have been surprised by someone that reads me and I didn’t know it. I mentioned her (without her name) and found out she reads it. Oops. At least it wasn’t insulting….

4) Do you just read the blogs of those who comment on your blog?

No way! I read lots of people who don’t read me – at least, I don’t think so. The reciprocation is nice but not necessary.

5) Does your blog positively affect your mind?

Yes. My mind is getting old and blogging jump-starts it. I have to have a topic, compose a decent sentence, create structure and make sense. I’ve also learned alot about computers (more all the time) and learning keeps our minds young!

6) What does the number of visitors to your blog mean?

Okay, a little transparentcy here. You love me, you really love me! I can’t help it. I try to ignore it but I get worried if there seems to be a slack-off. Sad, isn’t it?

7) Do you imagine what other bloggers look like?

I like a picture but I’m okay either way.

Do you think blogging has any real benefit?

I’ve been thinking about this one lately. My blogging community is another support group for me. It’s like a big, old-fashioned coffee-klatch – that’s why I love it when you talk back to me. We can discuss problems and find solutions with our “virtual” friends.

9) Do you think that the blogosphere is a stand alone community seperated from the real world?

Alright, I’ll put some thought into this question! No. Blogs effect the media and the media effects blogs. I discuss blogs with friends usually people who also blog. I send links to people who don’t blog. The answer is No.

10) Do some political blogs scare you? Do you avoid them?

I only read one and that’s just because he teaches at HU. I don’t have the time to read something that would just aggrevatie me.

11) Do you think criticism of your blog is useful?

No. Thanks, no. Don’t read if you don’t like. Unless you’re my friend who has the uncanny ability to see to the heart of people, you can critize. (She knows who she is.)

12) Have you ever thought about what would happen to your blog if you died?

No. Sarah, come over and put it on a disk for Jim then delete it, okay?

13) Which blogger had the greatest impression on you?

Toughie. My close friends, of course. Someone I don’t know would probably be Planet Nomad. She makes me realize how good I got it. I love Antique Mommy’s writing – she should publish a book.

14) Which blogger do you think is the most similiar to you?

I’m thinking…………and I got nothing. I have to say I don’t know. Who do you think?

15) Name a song you want to listen to.

Just one!!?? One Night Only by Jennifer Hudson on the DreamGirls soundtrack.

Blogger makes me crazy! It lost the first thing I wrote so I’ve taken all morning writing this! Don’t we all need this t-shirt?

Ordinary Princess Life

Roxanne has given us all a challenge to write and I was needing a topic! She has quoted a study that 36% of women wouldn’t marry their same spouse all over again and in response she would like us to write about our Ordinary Princess lives. It’s that story that should have been all mushy and romantic but real life doesn’t get many of those (Am I on target, Roxanne?) Here’s one of mine…….

We were on our once-in-a-lifetime-honeymoon. It was incredible! Jim planned the entire time and it was perfect. Except for one night.

We were in the Canadian Rockies and we were driving to Jasper to catch the Rockie Mountaineer Train to ride it back to Vancouver (over 2 days.) Our travel agent had arranged for us to stay just outside of Jasper at a natural hot springs. “People had been going there since the 1920’s for the hot spring.” – travel agent.

Well, it was about 20 miles “outside” of Jasper and we got there so late we didn’t get to see anything! We had to drive about 7 miles down this twisty road and at one point had to stop to allow a porcupine to lumber off the road! The hotel was owned by some Indian family and they were worried about us – because it was late. Our room was more like a cabin. If I had been expecting camping, I would have felt better. The light in the bathroom was a chain over the mirror. The shower was one you buy at Home Depot and put in your lake house or hunting lodge or cabin in the woods. No TV. No phone. No food. One lamp. The windows opened up to the woods without any screens. Jim was told that the deer would come up to the window – yuck.

We had to catch the train back in Jasper at 8:00 – having had breakfast. It was so far out that we had get up extra early – 6:00. On our honeymoon. My dear hubby went to the office to inquire about a wake-up call and was given the teen daughter’s clock radio. It received no station – just static. I sat still on the bed, freaked, until he came back.

We left early. Jim told me it was about $25 US – the cheapest place we stayed the entire time we were on our honeymoon.

In answer to the poll, I would state without hesitation that marrying Jim is the one thing I would do over without thinking. We are the most well-suited couple you know. We would have been friends if the Lord hadn’t wanted us to be married.

3 Questions For the Ages

Do you have a child that is just like you and drives you crazy? 

I do and he does

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Did you know that AISD doesn’t start back until the 9th?

I didn’t and it does.

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Do you think that it’s a law that at least one piece of Christmas isn’t put away?

I do and it’s hanging in my kitchen.

 

Editted to add:  I found 2 more Christmas things!  One was in the bathroom and the other hanging next to the front door.

Happy Bloggiversery!

Congratulations to me! It’s been 1 year since I started writing on the World Wide Web! I don’t remember why I started except I wanted others to acknowledge what I was thinking. Sometimes yall do and sometimes yall don’t. Sometimes yall agree and sometimes yall don’t. Sometimes yall go over to the sites I tell you to and sometimes yall don’t.

That’s okay. Read, surf, comment, whatever – just keep coming back! (No, not needy at all.)

In Bloggiteyville, lots of people publish a list of 100 on their Bloggiversery – me, too!

100 Things About Me

 

1. I was born in Charlotte, Michigan. Yep, I’m a dam Yankee.

2. I lived in Michigan until I was 9 years old.

3. I said “pop” and had a terrible accent when we moved to Alabama. There was MUCH teasing in the 4th grade because I didn’t say “yall” or “yes, mam.”

4. We lived in Muskegon and I swam in Lake Michigan. We also rolled down huge dunes right on the Lake.

5. I threw up the night I swallowed 3 pieces of gum during the day. This is my earliest memory.

6. We lived in Bay City, Michigan at the time – home of Madonna.

7. I was always the shortest, skinniest kid in elementary school.

8. I was always thin though high school, too.

9. Maybe because I was a horribly picky eater, like my daughter.

10. I went to an all-church picnic on the Lake. We swam, ate, rode in canoes – then we moved to Alabama and had to pretend we didn’t own swim suits.

11. I had to walk across the room to change the channel on the TV. There were only 3 and for years we didn’t get CBS.

12. I went to church camp at 8 years old. Loved it.

13. I was always an excellent reader. I read above my grade level all though school.

14. I was always terrible at math. I was below my grade level all though school and I chose mymajor because it had very litttle math.

15. I was a Flag Girl. I was Flag Captain (of course.)

16. We wore gauchos to march. We were happenin!

17. I marched at Walt Disney World in the 11th grade. That’s the only time I’ve been to Disney World.

18. My first boyfriend was David. He went to University of Alabama and I went to a couple of games with him. Lost track of him. He had a nice mama.

19. My next boy friend was John. Tried to get rid of him before I went to Harding but, he wouldn’t have it. Dumped him at Thanksgiving break, Freshman year. He became a nurse, married and divorced.

20. At Harding, I dated Boo. He has written lots of news articles that have made him famous. He was a nominee for a Pulitzer. He lives in Mississippi (yuck!) with his wife of 20-something years and has a kid at Harding.

21. I’m happy for him and his family. I expect him to visit me on the Heavenly Beach.

22. Next was Bennett – he lives in Nashville (I think) and plays with Brandon Scott Thomas.

23. Only other guy I dated after that that was interesting had the same last name as mine, Crawford.

24. I lived in Cathcart, Sears, Stephens and New Dorm at Harding. Loved them all.

25. I lived with Kayla, Angie, and Angie at HU.

26. I ate in Heritage and Pattie Cobb. Pattie Cobb was more fun.

27. I was in Kappa Delta Kappa and jumped my senior year to Phi Delta. I think they’re both gone now.

28. By my senior year, I had enough confidence to love and enjoy people of all social strata.

29. I had my first drink in the 11th grade. (Sorry, mom.)

30. It was champagne and I thought it was too sweet. I remember wanting crackers for some saltiness.

31. I’ve never been drunk.

32. I’ve never smoked pot. I was a child of the 70’s – pot was the thing.

33. I never did coke, ludes, heroin, huffed – there were no drugs in my life. (Does that make you feel better, Mom?)

34. I “smoked” about 5 cigarettes in the 7th grade. I got caught and whipped. Itwas the last time I “smoked.”

35. I never inhaled. I couldn’t get past the idea of breathing it in. It seems funny now.
36. My first car was a 1974 Vega. It was yellow. It had an AM radio.
37. I was car-less at HU. My brother drove the Vega until it died.
38. I have 2 brothers – 1 older and 1 younger. My younger brother sometimes reads this blog. Hey, Scott!
39. I drove fast for most of me life. Speed limits were for other people.
40. Jim broke me of driving too fast. He didn’t by the time I had met him. Now I live in a small town and have no desire to be speedy. Unless I’m late, of course.
41. I’ve said the “n-word.” When I grew up, everybody did.
42. I don’t say it anymore. That’s why Kramer’s (Michael Richards) outburst was so telling. I can find other reasons to insult people now without mentioning their skin color. Your color doesn’t determine who you are.
43. I’m not a redneck. Just because I’m from Alabama, doesn’t make me a redneck. (See how that works?)
44. I spent my summers working for the Alabama State Employment Service. That’s where I first spent time with people of a different color. They were black.
45. I would frequently be the only white person in the room. I learned that that was ok. That I didn’t have to be scared. I learned how my co-workers (friends) would feel.
46. We left a restaraut one day because my co-worker (an elementary school principal) was uncomfortable with all the white people staring at her. It was in Ensley.
47. I’m a Auburn Tigers fan. That’s important in Alabama.
48. I was a Bama fan in my younger years. At 9, I was asked repeatedly “Who you for?” I was from Michigan and weirdly different. Most of the folks around were “for” Bama – I wanted to fit in.
49. I was a Tide fan all though my younger years.
50. I switched after college. After the Bear. I still love and respect the Bear. Who doesn’t?
51. I was going to Lipscomb until I stepped on campus at HU. It’s a beautiful campus.
52. I was baptized at 12. Our 6th grade Sunday School class had watched the Jule Miller filmstrips – they were convicting.
53. I didn’t tell anyone before hand – that’s how we did it back then. I’ll kill either of my children if they don’t let me get pictures! (Ok, not really but I really want those memories with them!)
54. I dated my high school boyfriend, John, again after our 10 year class reunion.
55. I thank God for that foolish decision. I saw how my life may have been and began to search for a closer relationship with God.
56. It wasn’t long after that that I met Margaret – a true friend.
57. I didn’t go to my 20 year class reunion. I was one of 3 women listed that were pregnant at the time.
58. I did a Bible Study for years with a godly couple, Don and Ann Ward. It changed my life.
59. I worked at Camp Wyldewood for 3 years after I graduated from HU. I loved it.
60. I slept on Bee Rock, once. I was a hard rock and I didn’t take the girls after that.
61. I was hypnotized once – by Hugh Groover. I still think of the place he took me to as my “safe spot.” If I need somewhere to think of to relax, it’s the middle of the ball field in the middle of all the cabins.
62. We prayed there every night and I miss those people.
63. I spilled a 5-gallon jug of cracked eggs in the walk-in one night. We were up until 1:00 in the morning cleaning it up. Now I’m glad there were enough eggs to fill up another 5-gallon jug.
64. I found out it’s important to add something to the eggs to make them a solid. We used flour.
65. I sang in the Christmas programs at church for 4 years. I was always in the ensemble that would sing to carry the story along. I tried out every year.
66. I’ve lived in Michigan, Alabama, Arkansas(twice) and Texas. So far.
67. I consider myself an Alabama girl but Texas is growing on me.
68. I’ve been in 8 weddings including my own.
69. I wore the same dress in two of them – just different colors.
70. I was engaged in college but it didn’t work out.
71. I had a wedding dress that ended up being worn by one of my sister-in-laws.
72. I often prayed that my future husband would just walk in the door at church.
73. One day my future husband just walked in the door at church.
74. I was 31.
75. Our first real date was New Year’s Eve 1993.
76. I wore a skirt with a slit up to there and it worked!
77. I thought he was pulling my leg when he told me he was on the Livestock Judging Team at ACU. I couldn’t believe there was such a thing.
78. I am really a girl from the suburbs although I have family from the country.
79. My uncle rolled his own cigarettes, had a chicken house, and drank milk from his own cow (and tried to get me to – yuck!)
80. My grandpa had pigs (and piglets) and a pony. My grandma had a garden. We would sit on the carport and shell black-eyed peas.
81. I hated black-eyed peas.
82. My aunt had a house that was old enough that they had added a bathroom on the back porch. No matter the temperature (or if it was nighttime) we had to walk across the porch to get to the bathroom. I always thought it was creepy.
83. We were at that house at a family reunion the first time I saw someone eat fried chicken with a fork. She was married to one of my cousins (thus an in-law) and we thought she was uppity.
84. Jim wouldn’t marry me until I had gone though a cotton season with him. I think he sees now that one season unmarried and without children isn’t the same as what we go though now.
85. We were married on June 3, 1995. I had it put inside his wedding ring that was lost in a bale of cotton at the Birmingham office. He has another now.
86. I always painted at least one room in my house (or apartment) yellow, Jim does that for me now.
87. We slept on a water bed until I was pregnant with Kenny and couldn’t get out. (That was to make you laugh out loud.)
88. My wedding was lots of fun. We had “Texas Caviar.” Which is a cold black-eyed pea salad that is eaten like salsa.
89. I like black-eyed peas now.
90. I had one miscarriage between the 2 kids.
91. Both of my kids were preemies and I was sick with both of them.
92. We lived in Monticello, Arkansas at the time and had to drive to Little Rock for decent health care.
93. I hated Monticello, Arkansas the entire time we lived there. I tried to like it but it didn’t happen. I hated the thought of my kids growing up there.
94. I’ve been in 3 foreign countries. Belize, Canada, and Mexico.
95. Jim took me to Canada for our honeymoon and Mexico when he was working in Harlington for 10 weeks.
96. Canada was much better. We ate lots of Sock-eye Salmon and saw Braveheart. We think of it as our “Honeymoon Movie.”
97. I went to Belize 2 times on a mission trip. My parents church goes every year and now they go about twice a year.
98. My family is in the fireworks business. We have run stands for Crazy Bill for over 15 years now. My parents are there now.
99. I like to work the crossword and the Sudoku puzzles in the paper.
100. Blogging has become a fun hobby for me. It makes me antsy when I don’t write for a few days.

Hey, take the time to de-lurk if you’re lurking. I always wonder who reads me in Pennsylvania. Love yall all for sticking with me!

Just 2 Days Ago

I’m feeling led to say a little something about our Christmas. Perhaps the pictures weren’t enough to convey the joyfulness surrounding the day. Perhaps the pictures didn’t show the wonderful presents received by all. Perhaps the pictures just weren’t enough for yall to see the 10 pounds I’ve put on in 3 days but maybe that was intentional.

Santa brought both kids scooters and, I must say, it’s kinda cute the way they’re riding them though the house. I know, that’s a bad thing but, it’s still cute. I keep thinking that they will become outside toys soon but, not yet. We went yesterday and used the (overindulgent) gift card that Uncle Billy bought them (together! What’s up with that??!!) to purchase helmets. Mr. and Mrs. Claus are still living in the 70’s and forgot to buy helmets. I can attest that the Clauses use seat belts in their vehicles but helmets for bike and scooter riding are still so, you know, 21st century.

Cousins Jayden and Jerron got Kenny a remote control Hummer. Santa would not have bought such a expensive thing that Kenny would promptly forget about and leave in his closet. Or that Mrs. Claus would have to constantly buy batteries for – it’s not a Claus purchase. Kenny LOVES it! It has rechargeable batteries. I hear it right now. It’s going all over our house and running into all the furniture and walls. Santa did buy Abbie a remote control VW for Barbie and she and Kenny play with them together. Hers only goes back and forth so it isn’t as much fun. But Barbie and Kelly can ride in hers and they seem to like being in wrecks.
I have discovered that the gifts that make my kids happy make me happy. Who knew?

We also got a new member on the household, Elizabeth. (“What’s her name, again?” “Well, you said her name was Elizabeth.” “Oh, yeah.”) Mimi and Pop got Abbie an American Girl doll that looks like Abbie. They are sold with varying skin tones, hair color and eye color so Abbie’s looks like her. They also made her a doll bed and she has 3 outfits. The one she came with, one they picked up for an 18-inch doll (not American Girl,) and real, over-priced, beautiful pajamas that kinda match Abbie’s. Abbie changes her clothes every day and she went with us to Target yesterday. I’m sure you will all be meeting Elizabeth soon.
You know, they make LOTS of doll clothes patterns and Elizabeth and Abbie may end up in some matching outfits. Okay, I’m a little excited about Elizabeth, too. Did I mention my discovery that gifts that make my kids happy make me happy, too?

Trust me there is alot more and, surprising, the kids seem content with all of it. Kenny’s been reading some of his new books and Abbie’s been coloring on her new Doodle Bear. Jim has slept with his new pillow and I have watched Devil Wears Prada. I’m saving Ricky Bobby until Jim and I can watch it together, again. Although it will be fun to listen to the commentary on that one!

Junk Food

Can a 4-year-old grow on Mac & Cheese, bread, refried beans, and candy? I’ll let you know.

First One

I’m trying out this new thang – WordPress.  I thought maybe it was time for a change.  Are ya with me?