Michelle knows about my procedures tomorrow and she sent a picture of how she's "praying in color" for me.
If you click to enlarge the image, you'll understand why I was touched in the deepest places of my heart, by someone who spoke beautiful truth and kindness to me.
Thank you, Michelle.
xo
A year ago, I remembered to celebrate.
Last night, I ran into someone I met a while back at the Youniquely Woman Conference. In catching up with Kris, something prompted me to remember my blogging anniversary. Funny, a year ago it was a big deal...this year, it didn't even cross my mind until after the fact.
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Guess what, though--KARMYN "remembered"! Look what little surcie she sent me to commemorate this apparently forgettable most auspicious of occasions--my Second Blogiversary! although I'm sure she'd just say she sent it because she wa
s tired of me begging:
Isn't it the cutest presentation you've ever seen? It looks like an Aztec Egyptian. Or a Veggie-Tale character.
Somehow she knew to send me "mild". I guess she knows in spite of all my saucy talk, I'm a powderpuff. I can live with that. It was reeeally unfortunate no one is home to taste test with me...let's have a go...
It sure looks pretty in my favorite chips and salsa bowl...and it certainly smells fresh and delicious (you'll have to install that plug-in in order to release the aroma)--but far be it for me to judge a book by its cover OR its librarian scent.
MMmmmm....perfectly spiced, not too chunky, slightly sweet...this ain't gonna make it til the end of the day! THANK YOU, KARMYN!!!
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IF YOU'RE STILL READING....just thought I'd postscript with a heartfelt thank you and apology of sorts. I am extremely grateful for the comments you leave here and the emails I receive from y'all. For a while now, although I've been skimming Bloglines daily, I haven't been able to comment back to you on your blogs (or even here, for that matter) like I'd like to. I'll try to do better, but it seems like I've been "trying" for a while. I understand the reciprocal nature of blogging (unless you're a rockin'-super-blogger ;) ), so for those of you willing to stick with me--give MUCH to me--when I'm giving little in return, I appreciate you...a lot. "Thank" and "you" ar
e two little words that convey the biggest of big--I hope you can hear the affections with which I say them :). ~ Robin...the ever pensive PENSIEVE
...is a COOKIE!! :)
Look what I received in the mail this week from Chris (aka Ms Cellania) as she "paid it forward" to me and two other lucky ducks--
My children were impressed she sent them all the way from England and they thought it was funny she called them "biscuits" (ummm...me, too:) ).
They arrived on a warm afternoon, so the dark chocolate was all soft and gooey. One set of cookies arrived intact, but the others were rather crumbly; the best part was it didn't matter, they tasted yummy and it was a lovely gesture from a thoughtful blogmate.
I thought I'd dress 'em up to show you; do you have a red "Special Plate"? We received this as a wedding gift almost 20 years ago...and since Chris made me feel special for sending homemade biscuits, it seemed fitting to serve them on something...well....special!
Thank you, Chris!
Pocketed away in the least likely of places, along a winding, sloping north Georgia mountain roadway, is the town of Tiger, Georgia. Tiger is the sort of place where Sunday afternoon drivers are welcome any day of the week and no one seems to mind--or notice--the snail's pace. With a population of less than 400 in a county that boasts 16,000 residents, Tiger is not the town you'd expect to find buried treasure.
Then, again, because it is not expected, perhaps it's the perfect setting.
Over the long Labor Day weekend, my family had opportunity to enjoy quantity time with my sister's family as they hosted us at their lake shack (and by "lake shack", I mean glorified, indoor camping...story to follow eventually:) ).
Sixteen months older than me, Lora and I never have enough time together; since the birth of our children, visits don't materialize without road-to-hell-avoiding intention and cat juggling our calendars. Demands of home and work and family and L.I.F.E. make spending time with each other a luxury, and the older I get the more I realize my need for it. With our parents gone now and no physical place to return, my childhood "home" lives only in memory and sibling relationship. Our husbands understand this, so they didn't blink an eye when we announced we were headed "out"...alone.
Out...f r e e d o m...away from taking care of others. Do I dare admit I left with a maniacal gleam in my eye? Sure, our children are old enough to take care of themselves, husband and child can find their way around the kitchen, but when we're there, I guess default mode is wife and mom. There's something wonderfully liberating about escaping with my sister...just to be sisters...with no responsibilities beyond enjoying the company of shared blood...common DNA...a history no one else can possibly understand from our having lived it side-by-side.
Time together trims years off our ages; we see the girls we were when we shared a room and a double bed and spooned to stay warm in the winter and were each other's biggest cheerleader and understood much without a word spoken. I don't think anyone has ever thought I was funnier or smarter than my sister, her own family questions whether or not it's true we used to sit together in our downstairs bathroom (because it was the warmest room in the house), me entertaining her for hours (not really that long) by finding ways to make her laugh. In her eyes I was a perfect Lily Tomlin mimic (both the "gum-chewing, wisecracking, snorting telephone operator Ernestine and the bratty five-year-old Edith Anne"), and I vaguely remember a mean imitation of Jimmy Carter. Then, again, maybe that was just a nightmare dream after eating an order of Changs spicy chicken gone wrong.
On this particular Saturday, I thought we were headed out to explore kitschy antique shops and art galleries with a scrumptious lunch sandwiched in between. Instead we made it to just one shop and one gallery. But then we discovered a treasure in Tiger.
Tiger Mountain Vineyard. Offering daily free wine tastings for each of their nine vintages, Tiger Mountain Vineyard is liquid diamond in a sea of rolling countryside rough. Generous "tastes" equal about three glasses, translating to an enthusiastic Tony-ish g-g-g-g-reat time!
I
t's no secret that in addition to being an OPI Color Namer, another dream job of mine is to be a sommelier. 1) I just like to say the word, and 2) it'd be cool to be trained to understand the subtleties and complexities and diversity among different wines. I wonder if it would taste better if I understood more; the way a trained musician can hear every note while I just hear a song, or an artist wrangles color to produce stunning image, or even the way a mother hears the cry of her own in the midst of a crowded room.
Pretty much everything I knew about wine tasting up to this point involved what Hollywood had taught me--first, as a child, when watching one of my favorite movies, Gigi (instructed by Gigi's aunt, "On your
first sip, hold it on the roof of your mouth for a moment and breathe
through your nose. Then you will feel the flavor. ... A bad year will be
sharp. A good year, which this is of course, will waft.")(which incidentally, would NEVER make it to the screen today!); then, more recently, when I was thoroughly disturbed by Sideways (no matter what the hype!). Even with my very limited knowledge the ability to distinguish red wine from white, we swirled and sniffed and sipped and swallowed every wine in their celler--two whites, seven red
s. I'm not sure by the end of our tasting I was very credible about my impressions, but each sip was smooth and easy and left me wanting more. Even though I live three hours away, I was ready to become a "Tigerwine Taster". All it involved was purchasing a case (12 bottles) now with the promise to buy another case over the next year; when they dangled a 20% case discount carrot, as a bargain shopper, I got a little warm and tingly, and I'm pretty sure I felt a twitchy credit card ready for action. All
it took was a call to Tad to bring me back to earth; as soon as he realized I had just finished our wine tasting, from experience, he knew all the right words to talk me off the ledge...;).
Before we left, John Ezzard, one of the vineyard owners, wandered in, so of course I grabbed him for a shot. Wine drinkers and wine makers are a friendly lot and the latter enjoys educating the former about the process (especially when asked a thousand questions). Between Doc Ezzard and our friendly pseudo-sommelier, Rhonda, we learned maybe not everything but a whole lot about Tiger Mountain Vineyard.
To sober up After our tasting, we toured the vineyard itself and it felt just like we had walked onto the set of the final scene in French Kiss. S i g h...this WAS a great sister-escape!
To top it off, when I suppose I was occupied with Mr. Ezzard, my sister bought a surprise surcie for me to commemorate our day (which it turns out, had only just begun...another story for another day...). Any ideas what it could be?
For the record, Steve DID guess correctly (it was bound to be him, he had the most guesses, followed closely by Karmyn), but I unpublished it with the intention of leaving a trail of clues to SPOON FEED it to the rest of y'all! If you haven't read the "contest" comment thread, it's pretty doggone entertaining...and imaginiatve...or scary...or a little of all three :).
Just a few more pictures....
This week's Fun Monday hostess is Nikki who blogs at "My Husband Calls Me Weird". Since she had two weeks between the previous Fun Monday and this week's, she asked participants to be good deed doers and then write about it; nothing from the past, she wanted CURRENT acts of kindness.
When I read this idea, I LOVED it! The thought of millions thousands dozens of bloggers doing something for the benefit of others, perhaps more so than they would have otherwise, seemed worthy...important...positive.
Here's the thing, though: while I'll enjoy reading about what OTHERS have been doing for the good of their fellow (wo)man, it's difficult for me to write about myself (unless it's about feet, feet, surcies, feet or my kids...)! Having read just a VERY few posts in Bloglines, it seems a lot of folks are riding in my same boat--we're decent people who try to think of others (often), then act according to the need of the moment. That's good, it's the way things ought to be. When I summarize the Bible down to four words, "Lovin' God, lovin' others"--helping others out with no expectation of thanks or reciprocity--I see this in action.
It's a good thing. No, it's a GREAT thing :).
To keep this short (and maybe more f.u.n. than if I toldja what I'd been up to good-deed wise), I'm gonna complete ONE of the memes/tags that's waiting in my queue (gosh, I think I'm up to half a dozen or more??).
Pay it forward.
A few weeks ago, Chris (Ms Cellania), picked up something she had seen at Nikki's, the offer of rewarding the first three commentors on her PIF post a homemade gift. I was one of her first three. The tag concept is based on the movie "Pay it Forward", which is based on the book written by Catherine Ryan Hyde.
So, for the first three commentors here (who ALSO email their snailmail address to me!), I'll send a handmade gift to you; you must also agree to "pay it forward" by making the same promise on your blog".
And if you aren't one of my first three commentors? I still have a contest going on and NO ONE has come close to the correct answer...but the guesses have tickled my funny bone like a chartreuse feathered boa! The contest is open until someone guesses correctly (how 'bout a nother "good deed", I'll give a clue: I cropped the picture so you can't see the bottom of this object...if you saw that, you'd KNOW what it is!).
Chopchop! After you make a guess, hop over to Nikki's to see the rest of Fun Monday's official good deed doers!
* Thanks to Fun Monday newcomer, Karen, for the new FM graphic! Isn't it the funnest evah? :)
1) Now that Fun Monday is done for the week, I've got "naked blogging" to catch up on (and NO, scarypeople, that isn't about sitting--undressed--at your computer...or standing, for that matter). The thing is, I'm also wrist deep into finishing our Western Adventure series. Why can't I finish it? Is it because I have a.d.d. when it comes to writing? Is it because I'm meeting my husband for lunch and having a very-necessary pedicure before my feet start looking like THIS? (click that link ONLY if you're very, very b.r.a.v.e.)? Is it because of on-going technical difficulties? Or because we took so many pictures I slip into a dreamy, ethereal state when I look at them and I'm instanta- neously mentally (where it counts) teleported back to the Grand Tetons or meandering through the 2,000,000+ acres of Yellowstone instead of writing about it ...?
That would be a reverberating "y e s! thankyewverymuch!"
2) The addiction spoken of in the title can be explained with this:
What is it you ask? A spice jar-sized creamer and sugar set, much like the similarly-packaged picnic-ready salt and pepper shakers you might find on aisle 7 at your local grocer's.
What it is, is not relevant. That I bought it in the first place, is. A) I certainly didn't need it; and B) the singular reason I bought it was it cost 10ยข...one thin dime. Originally $1.75, for some inexplicable reason, I HAD to have it! One of the BEST bargains I've ever found! I wanted to buy several of them to give away as enviable prizes in some kind of spectacular blog giveaway... hmmm, or maybe Ree will want a few for her photo caption contest, yes? . WHAT THE HECK IS UP WITH THAT??? IT MAKES NO SENSE, EVEN TO ME!
See? a true addiction...I'm so ashamed...my need to buy something just because it's 95% off. Sick, I tell ya, sick!
[3] Here's a sursee I bought myself recently. Seems like I'm developing "plaque", too...and not just the kind a little dab of Crest will take care of.
This joins the other plaque I featured in a previous Fun Monday. Gosh, if you super-size the picture and read the baby cercie I bought myself at the same time, you're gonna think I NEVAH clean my house.
Would that be the worst thing in the world? Tad, you are NOT allowed to comment! ;)
You win a prize if you can guess what the contest is for...and the only clue I'll give is you have to have been reading this week to "know" what it is...
...and if you scroll down and read one of my more "active" posts, you can figure it out...
...because I am NOT about to let Min and Steve "win"...but I can't either.
Geezaree, that's THREE clues!
Is this cryptic enough for ya or totally obvious?
Not in chronological order, but...
[1] I LOVE my new blog design!!! LOVE IT! Red has been my favorite color since the womb, so I'm thrilled to be using it here. Jules re-worked the PENSIEVE she had previously designed for me and I have a blush (blog + crush) on the end result. Me L-I-K-E-Y!
Maybe the new look is why my blog was hijacked yesterday!! I'm STILL giggling and shakin' my head over the comments...who would've thunk a little, innocuous movie quote would get things cranked up?
If you haven't read it and the comments, please do. And add your own insanity, why don't cha? I'm still looking for answers to my second round of Jeopardy; obviously, readers had their OWN agenda, and that agenda did NOT include playing by my rules...! My Fun Monday post may have been spicy and fun, but that second post? Lucid dreaming!
[2] Ah HA! I just found out what last night's comment section was all about...here, for your convenience, a cut and paste from my email:
Dear Waffle,
It was Steve's fault. He got me drunk. I didn't leave a pair of panties over there did I?
--min
This explains a lot...and I like it when my blog homies make up names for me. Waffle...go figure....
[2 1/2] Guess who sent one of her brooms to deliver this to me today...WHILE SHE WAS IN THE MIDST OF WEDDING FESTIVITIES, NO LESS?! Supersize the picture, you'll be jealous... a) because it's the sweetest, insane-ist note EVAH, and b) because (sing with me) "I GOT ALMOND TOFFEE, I GOT ALMOND TOFFEE!" c) the bumper sticker is gravy...or icing...depending on your preference (thanks, Broomhilda!).
[3] I received the nicest surprise from one of the nicest bloggers out there last week...one of these :):
Thank you, Deb!
I'm supposed to pass along this little sursee to seven other nice bloggers with this in mind: "This award is for those bloggers who are nice people; good blog
friends and those who inspire good feelings and inspiration. Also for
those who are a positive influence on our blogging world. Once you've
been awarded please pass it on to 7 others who you feel are deserving
of this award."
Well, the following peeps have been nice in their own way to me, so I'm just passing along the goodwill: Molly, Kristy, Susan (she needs a welcome-back-to-the-blogosphere or rather back from the dead and ready to party sursee), Kelly (she sent over 400 people to my blog one day!), Kim (who seems to hit my blog when I really need it...), Michelle (she wrote a post just for me....well, kinda sorta), and Malissa (one of my first commentors...and I've always said one of the sweetest...even if it's sporadic these days...she knows I know why :) ).
Pass it on, girlie-Qs :).
Chris B, home to Ms Cellania, played hostess for this week's Fun Monday playday, and this was her simple wish:
" 'show your aprons' it can be your favourite or an unusual one or more than one. Be creative as you like; and secondly if, like me, you have lots of 'tea towels' that are brand new (or could be an old favourite) I would like to see those as well and hear the story behind the picture- was it a gift from a holiday, a present from auntie that you only use when she visits etc..........."
Having been out of town for the eleventy-seventh time this summer, I'm late. But one of my many mottos is "Better late than never" (as opposed to "better never late"), and I do likey Fun Monday's, so here's my go:
First, the only reason I even own an apron is because of this saint--
Sarah, my mother-in-law, is an AMAZING cook and has taught me much--not just about what goes on in the kitchen, but also cookin' in life :). She ALWAYS cooks wearing an apron, and this one is hand-painted, a gift from someone who knows her well.
My talented sister-in-law personalized this one for her, it has names of all nine of her grandchildren (and a great niece). This one is her favorite. How cute is that, that Sarah started mugging--figuratively AND literally--for the camera when I told her I needed to blog her?!
Here's a picture of the tea towel of hers I mentioned a few weeks ago:
Here's a few of the ones I own...actually, these are ALL the aprons I own:
Geez, look at that expression. Out of pure vanity, I'd love to re-take that shot, but, heck, I think with all I've shown and shared over the past year or two, I got over it. Red has been my favorite color ever since I remember having a favorite color, and when I saw this apron on sale at Williams-Sonoma after Valentine's Day one year, I had to have it. Red. Half-price. Williams-Sonoma. Valentine's. Yep, HAD to have it! And it even had a matching tea towel which has been used quite a bit more than the apron.
Next, here's me and my daughter "modeling" (???) two aprons Sarah gave us--she wanted to make sure when we baked cookies we had all the necessary equipment. I think Rach and I used them twice...instead, our clothes always managed to be covered in flour :/ (shhhh! Don't tell!)
Doesn't Rach look like she's having fun?? I can see it in her loving and adoring eyes...:).
Chris also asked to see our tea towels, and here's a favorite Sarah gave me this year for my birthday. I actually kinda-sorta use it, mainly just to hang on the stove to look pretty (I consider that "using it").
Last but not least, here are some FUN tea towels I saw a while back and bought to give as gifts...you know, sursees! I just don't know who the lucky recipient will be yet, but they were too cute NOT to buy :).
* If you can't read it, the verbiage left to right is "Don't give in to frumpy undies", "Does my insurance cover retail therapy?", and "Indulge your inner princess".
Hope you had a Fun Monday! I did, even though I'm posting on a Tuesday, which for some of y'all is already Wednesday, which will be for me when I actually visit your FM posts, which for some of y'all will be Thursday.
Huh?
peace out.......
Well, now....
So, I'm just minding my own business, not bothering anybody, being kind and loving to all manner of creatures man or beast, because honestly, I was worn out from my whine-no-cheese session pity-party-turned-group-hug cleaning til midnight (because it has been raining men--messy ones--at my house), when, before heading to bed, I check email. I had a few.
Well, imagine my surprise when
Swampwitch herself wrote to let me in on a little secret. At first I thought she wanted to cast me in a remake of one of my favorite childhood shows because I THOUGHT she told me I was bewitched! Apparently, I misread (it was late for goodness sakes)--she actually said I was "witched".
Oh, me, oh, my.........so taking a tool out of Willowtree's arsenal w.o.r.k.s.... stomp your feet... whine...throw some colorful words around... moan...groan...complain...say "I don't care, hmph"...a few times, and lo and behold, voila! The kind and generous people in the world will take pity on you and shower you with prestigious honors. Willowtree may be Einstein, but now, Swampy has knighted me the distinction of having been witched. It's a good thing (he's been witched, too).
A fun part of bloggin' IS sharing the love, and Swampy filled my cup so full, it runneth over to infinity and beyond. I shall wear her little sidebar bling with an ear-to-ear smile. 
For the record, Swampy swears her post was in the works BEFORE
my post yesterday, and why wouldn't I believe her? She's one of the most adorable, warm-hearted, endearing, compassionate, tell-it-like-it-is-albeit- somewhat-dyslexic bloggers out there. She epitomizes "a rolling stone gathers no moss", so be sure to visit her to read her tribute to me me me in its entirety.
Thank you, Kathy, you're six shades of swell :).
