Wish I Was Here

But I’m not.

I’m home. Entertaining house guests. For a week.

They arrived last Thursday and I’m struggling to keep up with: housework, email, laundry, grocery shopping, my sanity, my sister (but then, she’s a marathon runner and I’m not) and most importantly, this blog.

So I’m taking a short hiatus from writing. (I see you secretly jumping up and down. It’s ok. I’m right there with you.) I’m hoping to be able to still peek in on you all but crafting posts just isn’t in the cards for the next few days.

If you’re new here, welcome. There are plenty of posts below to satisfy your curiosity.

If you’re semi-regular? Now you can catch up on all the stellar posts you missed.

If you’re a regular? Take a rest. Put your feet up. Play a quick game of Bejewelled. You’ve earned a break from my inane babble.

Thanks for understanding. See you in a few!

Won’t You Be My Neighbor – Part II

Remember about a month back when I posted about the wonderful blog neighborhood I’ve created for myself ? Well, I meant to get to this sooner but the hustle and bustle of the holidays got the better of me. I was strolling in my neighborhood the other night, enjoying the lights and decorations you’ve all put up and I wanted to share with you a few more of my wonderful neighbors.

I’ve noticed, while commenting on other blogs, that we DO seem to run in the same circles, in the same neighborhood, if you will. And I just want to say, especially at this time of year, how grateful I am to have you all as neighbors and friends. Thanks for sharing your ideas, opinions and thoughtful posts. Thanks for your interesting, funny and kind comments. Thanks for visiting me, for welcoming me to the neighborhood – I still feel a bit of a newbie. I enjoy our time together and look forward to seeing you whenever we all sign on!

Maureen at Island Roar is the big sister I never had. She’s warm. She’s funny. She has kids just a bit older than mine so I can learn from all of her mis-steps and successes. Her youngest daughter and my oldest would be more than cousins – they’d be great friends and mischief makers. And the fact that they live just around the block from each other would make for some sleepless nights on my part. But Maureen would calm me down, just after gently chewing them out, of course – as only a favorite aunt can do. Holidays would always be brighter with Maureen around!

Faemom lives just down the street. Our boys are around the same age and we have great fun during the playdates. And then she blogs about the same playdate and I crack up because she’s noticed something and re-told it in a way that makes it seem fresh all over again. She’s insightful and wise. She finds humor in the simple, beautiful moments of our lives. Her life is about to get that much richer because she’s expecting and I’m just so excited and happy for her. We’re going to have to have a bloggy baby shower for her!

My dear friend at Burp and Slurp is a young student at the local university. She is a beautiful spirit. I love the stories she tells before sharing her food adventures. She is wise beyond her years. With a love of photography and good food, she shares wonderful recipes using ingredients that help me to stretch my culinary talents. My taste buds love to hear when she’s in town!

Country-Fried Mama is who I visit when I need a dose of reality. And although I’ve been in the south more than half my life now she’s who I turn to when I’m perplexed my some of the eccentricities of this beautiful place I call home. She makes me laugh. She makes me pause. But her love of her family is what I like most about her.

There you have it. Four more neighbors in my favorite neighborhood. I hope you enjoy visiting them as much as I do!

There’s Plenty of Love to Go Around

A dear blogger over at Classroom Confessions was sweet enough to send some love my way. Cammy thinks I have “fantastic” blog. She awarded me “Kreativ Blogger.” Thanks, Cammy! And Maureen, of IslandRoar, sent me some “Lovely Blog Award” love. Thanks, Maureen! I’m going to share the love with the following…but first…..

Part of the Kreativ Blogger Award I need to share seven random facts about myself.
1. I was a competitive swimmer for 12 years.
2. I am addicted to Coke (a-Cola, that is.)
3. Twenty years ago I had a small part in a major motion picture. I won’t say which one but Kiefer Sutherland is an absolute angel and so was the director. The other main star and a sleazy producer? Not so much. It completely turned me off of show biz and I took another direction with my life and I’m glad I did.
4. My first words were sung to the tune of a Herman’s Hermits song.
5. The first time I sang the Hallelujah Chorus in rehearsal with the Symphony Chorale I was a part of, I cried and couldn’t stop.
6. I visited Disney World the first year it opened and it continues to be my favorite place to vacation, much to my husband’s chagrin.
7. When I was younger I wanted to be the next Judy Blume.

I’d like to share the Kreative Blog Award with…
Robin at Passions and Soapboxes – She give great post and has such a grounded, loving relationship with her family. I’m hoping she’ll adopt me!

The Absence of Alternatives – Is it weird I’m honoring her twice? No! She makes me think and thinking is good. Love her writing style. If you dare….check her out!

Maureen at IslandRoar – No, she’s not getting this because she just gave me one. I already had her in mind when Cammy sent me her award. Maureen just tagged me before I could tag her. I enjoy checking in with her every day! Wonderful writing. She tells a great story.

And now the Lovely Blog Award. It feels a bit odd giving this award out again since I just gave this award to 5 Lovely Bloggers a week ago. But since the purpose of this is to recognize bloggers and send new readers their way I’m going award it again. And I’m choosing some “new” blogs (new to me) that I have stumbled upon and recently bookmarked. So…..

Warm Chocolate Milk – Beautiful writing and beautiful pictures. Need I say more?

If Evolution Really Works – Another excellent writer. Are you seeing a trend here?

Is it 5 o’clock Yet? – Her writing cracks me up. She’s so popular I’m sure she’s rolling her eyes at yet another fan giving her an award but if you need a little pick me up, she’s your gal!

There you have it – some of my old favorites, some of my new. Enjoy! And thanks again to all of you who stop by to see what I have to say. I’m truly honored.

Sharin’ the Love

I don’t know if you’ve noticed but someone else (out of the 23 people that stumble here by mistake on any given day) thought I was Blog Worthy. Ok, I’m blushing now. So, thank you Chris and Evie’s Mommy at Raising Irish Twins. I’m honored that you think I have a lovely blog. In turn, I’d like to point you all in the directions of  a few of the many that I try to check out daily.

More Lovely Blogs……

AC’s Scrapbook – I love her photography and I love her posts.

Bad Mommy Moments – The title is what lured me. The writing got me hooked. She’s funny and says things I think all the time but may be too afraid to say out loud.

Faemom – She’s bright, articulate, funny and oh so interesting. I enjoy checking in with her daily.

Meeche & Joe – A very new blog with entertaining, well-told stories. Please welcome them by dropping by!

My Wildlife’s Words – Jennifer’s posts are interesting told from the perspective of a wildlife biologist. Not all of her posts pertain to biology – directly, anyway- but I like the spin she has on things.

Please take a peek and see what you think! They truly are Lovely Blogs!

Bits and Pieces, This and That, Flitting Here and There

As some of you know my life has been a bit crazy lately. My mind is scattered in million directions and the ability to post 500 words on one subject is daunting right now. But there are bits and pieces running through my head that I’d like to share. I’m not going to fight the urge to flit here and there. I’m going to embrace the ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) side we all have from time to time……Ready? Set? Go!

• Not too long ago I had a fat day. And Glamour’s picture of their “plus-size” model helped…but then, not so much. One picture with the awesome task of changing our country’s mindset that heroin thin is not in? But guess what? I read this morning that Glamour was inundated with requests for more models like Lizzi. Read about it here.

 

• I love Steve Martin. Especially classic stand up Steve Martin. Here’s one of my favorites, King Tut. ‘Cause we could all use a little silly in our day.

 

• And here’s a touching post by Maureen at IslandRoar about traditions, part of a Spin Cycle meme by Sprite’s Keeper, but I read it more as a page in a parenting manual. I love stories like these. They help to show me what it takes to be a good parent.

 

• I found this picture on Photobucket. I laughed out loud. This is going to be one of those “You Had To Be There” kinds of things but recently we were at Disney World. My boys kept asking me what this sign meant and I told them, “It means ‘No Dancing'” Of course, they didn’t believe me but every time we saw one I would start dancing and they would shout, “Mom! The sign says No Dancing!”

So there you have it. Go now and support Glamour magazine in its attempt to help us with our self image while doing the King Tut dance with your children. May you never run into a No Dancing sign!

You Like Me! You Really Like Me!

I was popping in on one of my favorite blog’s (Passions and Soapboxes) and I saw that she received an award. The “Your Blog Is Bloody Brilliant!” Award. Go Robin! She was sharing the love with some of her favorite bloggers. I was reading her list and saw some of my favorites, too. Then she started talking about Jane. And I thought, wow! Cool! Another Jane. Let’s check it out. Imagine my surprise when my blog popped up when I clicked the link. (Yes, I really am that naive.) Thank you, Robin, for liking my blog. I am still such a newbie here – so I am extra honored.

Sharing the love, I’d like to point you in the direction of a few of my favorite blogs. Or should I say a few more, because Robin took some of my other favorites. Ok, who am I kidding? I have way too many favorites. I wish I could just spill my entire Blog Favorites folder but I have to narrow it to five choices so here goes….

And the award goes to (drum roll, spotlight scans the list, sparkles dazzle us from your shiny titles, love your dress – who is the designer? Oooooo and your date is so handsome!)….

The Absence of Alternatives  – She makes me think. She makes me laugh. She makes me ponder the universe. She loves a healthy debate. I like how she shakes up my complacency.

Burp and Slurp – An amazing young woman with amazing insight and encourages you to think out of the box. And then has a yummy recipe to accompany her post. The photos make me want to run to my kitchen and create.

Country-Fried Mama – I suppose I identify with her because she is from the north and transplanted in the south, like me. Although, I’ve lived in the south now for 25 years – her adventure is a bit more fresh. But it’s fun to see the world through her eyes. And I’ve really enjoyed her Mmmm, Mmmm Memories meme.

Tomatoes on the Vine – A food blog with great stories, pictures and recipes. I love seeing what she’s going to cook up next.

The Zen of Motherhood – Fun. Interesting. Sensitive. A wonderful, eclectic mix of mom interesting stuff.

So there you go. My list of 5. And look at that! We didn’t have to pre-empt the evening news. Now go visit them and see what you think. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed!

Go Away!

Ok, not really. I’m truly glad you stopped by today. I really, really am. But I just found two projects that are really cool and I want to share them with you.

As some of you may know, adoption is very near and dear to my heart. Click the “Let Love Grow” button below and it will lead you to a site about a woman raising funds for orphans in Uganda. She has t-shirts and necklaces that are really cool.

Wait! There’s more!

I found this cute little on-line company called Pepperberry & Co. There’s a giveaway for a sweet little porcelin hedgehog pictured here:

Aren’t they cute? Anyway, go to http://pepperberryandco.blogspot.com/ to enter and win! (Let me know if you do!) Take a look around at their other stuff, too. Really cute!

But don’t forget about the button below, either! Have a great day, everyone! See you tomorrow!

Turtle Sighting(s)

When we woke up this morning we found this on our front walk…..

My husband says this is good feng shui.

A few minutes later we found this…

Who knew turtle poop could be so big?!?

And I don’t know, but I’m not so sure the little gift he left is very good feng shui.

Change is Scary

My grandmother hated change. She liked things to stay the way they were. When we moved an hour away she talked about it like we had moved out of the country. When they’d tear down an old building and put up a parking garage she’d complain about how it must have been more cost effective to just tear everything down rather than preserve what was there.

I saw this house on a recent visit to the city. Skyscrapers had built themselves around this little house. I’m not sure why this house survived and all the others around it didn’t but this one is for sale. Her days may be numbered.

Now I know what my grandmother was feeling. Change is unpredictable. Change doesn’t always respect the past. Change is scary.