Holi-bread

So today I decided to get a little more in the holiday spirit by making some Holiday Bread (aka- Holi-bread) that I grew up helping to make and enjoy.  My Auntie made this every year when I was growing up, and I so enjoyed helping her in the kitchen, with Christmas instrumental music playing on cassette tape (and then cd) in the background, candles going, and great company. And a lot of laughter.  I don't have time to list the whole recipe, but it is not unlike this one here:

 http://www.suite101.com/content/christmas-bread-a36562


You can keep or lose the inner and outer sweetness, but don't forget those cherries!  I remember as kids my friend and I taking freshly baked loafs wrapped neatly and tight, tied with raffia bows to their neighbors houses on cold winter nights. I have more memories like these than I can count, but every one of them means more to me that I could ever tell.

Long Time No Write.....

It has been far too long since I've had any time to write here in my Blog, and for that I am so sorry! I wish I'd taken the time to write everything that's been going on 'round here this past month, but there's just been something happening almost every day since we've arrived. Most nights we've spent at my parent's in law's home, because it is more convenient when we are out and about in town, but there have been many nights when we've been here and I've just been too tired at the end of the day to write everything down. We just haven't gotten into a rhythm here yet. Every day we are all over the place and sometimes I don't know where we'll be spending the night. I hope after that holidays we will be able to get into more regular schedule.
Will write more soon.....

Daddy's house....

Well, we've moved from Alabama to North Carolina to my Dad's house, and it has been really difficult being here. I miss my Dad so much and it is hard being here with him, not being here. I know he is watching over me and my family all the time. I just wish I could see him, give him a hug and and a kiss and tell him in person how much he means to me.
It was a year ago yesterday that my Dad passed away. I still can't believe it. Being here in his house, it used to be so warm and welcoming. Now it is just cold. And sad. I miss him so much.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5

Ghosts

Pumpkin Patch

Well, we FINALLY found a farm that has a punpkin patch here in Southern Alabama after 3 years!  We took Colten, my Mom, her boyfriend who came here to visit with her and Troy and I- and we headed to the patch! There was a corn mase which Colten loved, and farm animals to see! We each got 1 to 3 pumpkins!  Some are carved already, some are sitting in Colten's little red wagon out back, others are on shelves in my living room! I can't get enough of pumpkins!  I will be so sad when the season is over....
We got some amazing pictures and the day could have not been more beautiful! Bright and sunny, it was a picture-perfect day! 

My baby's 2nd Birthday!

This has been the busiest few weeks ever, and I have to tell you, it's been awesome! Mom came to visit us for Colten's 2nd birthday party, and what a party it was! Children flitting around in their little costumes, and all of the parents watching and enjoying our kids having so much fun...the party, the food, the CAKE!.... it all was a success and I'm very happy with how it turned out!  :) We even made some new friends who came to the party, and their children were a joy to have over. The house is bedecked with halloween everything! Pumpkins left and right, twirly-streamers hanging from the ceiling and everywhere you look, there is orange and black! I am in Halloween heaven!  :)

Things that go bump in the night.....

As I've mentioned before, both my husband and I have experienced some strange things in this house since we moved it. Some things were totally explainable and nothing to go into. But then... there is the smoke.  We smell cigarettes sometimes in this house out of nowhere....when the heat is not on, when there is nothing on the stove or in the microwave, and when we do not smoke ourselves. It is a blast of smoke so strongly and suddenly that it stops me in my tracks. It has grabbed my husbands attention as well.
Now I am feeling watched. And it is weird, not so much that I'm scared, (because I think it's very interesting, actually), but it was unsettling when T was at work, baby was asleep and I was alone. I felt the hairs on the back on my neck stand up and I just knew I was being, I guess observed by someone. Sometimes my little boy will act as if he is chatting with somebody, and that bothers me. Unless it is a loved one, I don't like it. But he's never scared, he just points up to the same certain point on his bedroom wall and jibber jabbers like its obvious to him what's up.
Now, I've had a talk with this guy (or gal) whoever they are before when nobody was around, of course (so I don't look like a psycho) and asked him NOT to smoke in my house (lol) and to be nice. But this is the second or third time I've felt that I had company here when my only company was taking a nap in his crib. I figure if it is bad, Webster would be on high alert all the time and let me know what's what.  He has only done this once or twice for no apparent cause.  I'm cool with his company as long as he's not mean. I certainly wouldn't mind a chit chat with the guy if he's up for it. But unkindness is a scary thing. I watch the show "Haunted" and it's entertaining to me, as well as a little creepy if it is truly for real. I can't say they are all telling stories, because I don't know them personally and will not judge them outright. It could all be BS. Or, it could all be real. I am leaning strongly towards the latter, especially now....

A Question of Belief

So I'm right now watching a program on National Geographic about "Vampires, - Is It Real?"   I am intrigued, not because I believe in it, but because there are so many people that do. And I wonder why. 
I generally feel that there are many people out there who feel so drawn to a character, who want so badly to act the part of someone who is supposed to be a sexy, attractive, romantic (classical sense) being who entices and fascinates others, that they will do whatever necessary to prove that they are truly that character. They loved the movie they saw or the book they read, or another person they witnessed playing the part so much, that they need to be a part of it somehow. And they need to do it better, throwing themselves into it with fervor and intensity. I've seen it quite a bit....
On the other hand, I do accept the fact that there are things I cannot, and will never be able to explain.  There are things I don't understand and cannot rationalize. I believe in life outside of our planet, absolutely. No creepy aliens, so to speak. But... life, yes, without a doubt.  And I believe in ghosts.  I do now. I always saw myself as a skeptic who wants to believe. I have my Dad's scientific mind. I don't access it that often, I'll admit, (she writes with a wry smile),  but I don't just believe what people tell me, because they've said it, or because they themselves believe it.  I was raised to search for truth for myself, no matter what it is; religion, philosophy, true history.....  I do my homework because I hand someone my trust.  I have experienced things that there is no way for me to explain. I've smelled cigarette smoke here in my house out of nowhere, as strongly as if I had just walked through a cloud of it, and no one here smokes. Neither do our neighbors, nor the people who lived here before us. My husband is a very rational man, and he has also had things happen in his presence that he could not explain as well as smelling the smoke where there was no smoke. My father experienced things. And so did his father. My Grandmother had a gift, and everyone knew it. She knew things before they happened, and she could look at their telephone and tell my dad, "it's for you," and the phone would ring.  And it was for him. I believe that not every single one of the thousands and thousands of individuals out there who claim to be psychics or mediums, or who have "seen dead people" are liars. I believe there is truth out there that just is what it is, whether I believe it or not. And I like it that way.  I like that there is more than meets the eye to this world.  Now vampires, I doubt it.... but just as I finished my sentence there, a paper bat just fell from my living room wall to the floor by my chair, as if to punctuate the conclusion of this blog entry.... coincidence?

It's COLD!!!!!!!!

Well, holy cow.... I never thought I'd see another day when it was chilly outside, but here we are, and thank goodness because we all were getting stir-crazy up in here! Not being able to go out much because of the heat and the bugs... ugh. But now we are playing outside comfortably and it is a joy!!!!  Took a 3-mile walk with my boy the other day and it hurt me to come back in the house!  Awesome!  
My husband and I got a firepit and grabbed some lawn chairs the other night and fired it up, so to speak.... we grabbed out wedding quilt and sat out underneith the stars, it was a lovely evening!  Then, two stray (or lost, we didn't know which) doggies came to our house for a visit and just hung out for a couple of hours! It was an eventful night 'round here!

Virginia Sunday

Wow. I have no words to describe how beautiful it was yesterday here in Alabama. I felt like I was back in VA again.... the sun was bright, the air was cool, and my soul felt full and happy. It hurt to come back inside, so we stayed out until the sun had set behind the trees in our back yard. I bought us a fire pit and hubs and I will fire it up tonight I think.... collected wood and twigs for kindling and I'm really looking forward to it!
The boy and I went for a nice looooong walk yesterday around post, it was beautiful. I just kept breathing inthe cool air wishing I would hold it in longer! I am excited to get out there again today. Troy let me sleep in this morning and he's watching the babe, so I feel rested and ready to go. I heard him let out Webster and say, "ooh, it's chilly." I can't wait!!!!! The weather has now officially turned to perfect, and I'm going to enjoy it! :)

Football Game

Tonight we went to watch our friends son play in a High School game in Enterprise! We had a great time! Colten loved the cheer leaders the most, I think. He'd clap and get all excited when they did their back flips down the half of the field!  We plan to go again next week, I'm looking forward to it. 
This is the high school that was hit by the F-5 tornado in '07 and was destroyed. 8 people were killed, and it is still a very sad subject for folks around here. You see stickers supporting Enterprise High all over the place here, and when people talk about it, they still get sad. We moved here a few months after it happened, and I'd been working for a catering company on Post when the school had their prom at the O Club. It was not a happy night for anyone, it seemed. It was a devastating experience, so to see their football team play was great! They just had their new school built. This game wasn't at the school, but hopefully one of them will be so we can go and see it. They highlighted it on the news about the first day at their new school. It was wonderful to see them all smiling, and happy for a new beginning.

Greatest living actors, and sadly, one who isn't....

I thought tonight I would put down here in my writings my thoughts on a few of my favorite actors. I'm not talking about any of these young kids out there in Hollywood who got lucky in a few good films. I'm talking about a few individuals whose performances took my breath away. I think it is safe to say they are my favorite performers of all time, and of course in my opinion they deserve to be everyone's favorites.... but alas, I can only speak for myself....

First and foremost, above and beyond any other living actor today, Sir Anthony Hopkins is without a doubt the most gifted that I have ever seen on film.  Truly, I could listen to him read the phonebook and be happy. I had a dream once, several years ago, that he and I were friends. It sounds like it would have been bizarre, I know. But it wasn't.  There I was, a young woman in my late 20's, and Hopkins, (who knows how old he was in my dream at the time), and we were almost like best friends! We hung out watching t.v. and I remember in one part, I was jotting down notes while he spoke to me about his life, acting, traveling the world. And we were walking through this dilapidated old manor of some kind, and laughing together like we'd known each other forever. Strange, but it was a really nice dream. It actually made me appreciate him that much more, how crazy is that?    Anyway, for a million and a half reasons, he's made the top of my list. From of course "Silence"  to "Magic".... he is just amazing.

Tom Hanks is a truly brilliant actor- he is simply so far beyond almost everybody out there making movies these days. He holds his own in anything he has ever done, save for maybe one or two back in the 80's, and even those my husband thinks are hysterical!  He moves me in some way in every movie I have ever seen him in. I just adore him, he's is an awesome actor in every single way, and I truly hope he doesn't retire any time... well, ever.

Morgan Freeman.  I cannot say it enough, the man is an absolutely incredible actor.... beyond words.  I love his voice, it is calming and commanding at the same time. And seriously, he has had me crying or laughing in anything I've ever seen of his.... he evokes such intense emotion with me, it is rare that I experience that so consistently.    Well, he and the next man on my list....

Clint Eastwood.   I just adore him, he is intense, funny, and he can break your heart all in the same film. I never was a fan of Westerns, but his performances are nothing short of phenomenal, and I just think so highly of him as an actor. He is a man's man, strong and intense and real.  He also has a soft side that comes through in his acting. He is wonderful. And he reminds me of my Dad.


The one man that I could not have this list without is unfortunately no longer with us. He is tied, in my heart, with Hopkins for this list. I am enamoured with this actor, he is my all time favorite ever....

                   Jimmy Stewart. 

 

There is no other actor out there as talented, creative, moving and funny as he.  I am so sad that he passed before making more and more movies for us to love. He was not only a great actor, but he was a great man.  He is the one person in history next to Martin Luther King, Jr. whom I would jump at the chance to go back in time to meet and say thank you.  And maybe give him a hug.   :)

What a cool guy!  I don't know what got into me tonight to make this list, but I thought I should share it with the world. I'd love to hear if any one agrees or disagrees with me.  Or has anyone they want to add to a new open list of favorites!  I'm all ears....    :)

For the love of nature....

I've not written in too long.... my only excuse is that -  1.  We went to the beach for a few days and I had no computer access.... 2.)  I was sick as a dog these past several days. Really thought I had Strep throat, but thankfully it is getting better and there were no white spots.  That I could see.  
Anyways, not much going on other than my exciting new adventure is starting to take shape.... I've received most of my herbs and oils in the mail and have begun creating new and exciting concoctions for myself and my family. I made a eucalyptus inhaler from my husband who is suffering from chronic sinus infections, and it's actually helping him, I'm so happy to say!  I made an herbal bath brew that smelled heavenly and a crazy chamomile/rose/coconut/peppermint lip-balm that is just plain awesome!!!!  So weird, and so awesome....  :)    I love it!    I've really been having a great time not only trying to find new and interesting things to make out of all of these herbs and oils, but also researching them, and finding out everything I can about which ones do what and which ones to pair up with others, etc. 
It is amazing to me how our Heavenly Father provided all of this for us before doctors were a twinkle in the Earth's eye.  He gave us these for our health and well being that have been here for the taking, and many of us have turned out backs on them. I was one of them. Now, I will never ever say they are a substitute for modern medicine, because I don't think they are. God also gave us minds and intelligence and science with which we have used to create medicines which have cured countless ailments and saved lives. However, here these plants and herbs still are, helping and healing us in many, many ways. And for that I am grateful. I had been one of those people that put little stock in these things because though lavender has always been calming to me, I rarely ever saw other "proof" that these things worked. Now that I have been reading and studying these things diligently, and actually working with them to see first hand what they can do, I am learning a great deal about the magic that is in these plants and herbs. That my Dad was right about how good melatonin really is for sleep, raspberry leaf helps nausea.... it's all just so amazing to me. I look forward to learning more and more, and seeing what magic I can create with what I now have, and know.  Diaper rash cream is up next on my list.... wish me luck!   :)

Fun Activities!

Wow, sometimes trying to come up with something fun to do when there is literally NOTHING going on around here is a real challenge. Though it is slowly but surely becoming beautiful outside and a bit cooler, I'm finding that it is still really hard to keep Colten entertained and having fun here at the house. I'm a bit scared to take him hiking around here because of the "bird-eating" ginormous spiders lurking in the trees every where I turn. (They're not really bird eaters, I just call them that because they are big enough that they look like they could take down a bird in a nano-second!) Shiver...... Anyways, no hiking, swimming is out because they've closed the pools here except for the weekends. There are only so many walks we can go on before it's way old hat. (I think it's safe to say we're already there.)
SO, I've been looking around for activities to do with my boy, and we've discovered some that are now daily rituals that he just loves!
-"I'm gonna gitcha!" - chasing each other to different rooms in the house and hiding anywhere we can come up with, reaching out like a (friendly) monster and whispering "boo!" Gets a laugh every time!
-Making tents and "clubhouses" in the living room. Loads of fun!
-Homemade play dough: I'll post the recipe later this afternoon, but I love making this stuff, it's a blast to play with and keeps him entertained for quite a while!
Color Time- bust out all the crayons and washable, safe markers I can find and tape some paper onto our coffee table, and lettin' him go to town!
Nature walk- we go exploring in our back yard and try to find pretty bugs and butterflies (NOTHING with 8 legs!) and we talk about them, play with them safely. We love bugs!
Dance party- I put on the music channel on the t.v. and as soon as there's ANY music on that has a beat of any kind, he is a happy camper! Quite the good little dancer! Takes after his mama! :)
Freeze dance- a classic.... just pausing the music from time to time and getting him to follow my lead when I freeze is a blast! He's so adorable!
-Daytime slumber party- putting on some old school (like from the 1960's) Sesame Street and snuggling up in a blanket and enjoying the old days together!

Lets see.... well, there's lots of other activities we do around here, and as I think of them, I'll post them here.
Now, off to have a fun day together! :)

Midnight Moon Cafe: The Good Witch

I came across this blog today and I LOVE IT! She covers a great movie I saw on the Hallmark Channel and thought I'd post it here.....

Midnight Moon Cafe: The Good Witch: "I was flipping channels last Saturday and came across a fun little made for TV movie on the Hallmark Channel, entitled The Good Witch. Not..."

All the bands I used to love...... and still do.

Way off the topic of this blog but.... I just suddenly felt very nastalgic today.... and the need to write down all these amazing bands and music groups I grew up listening to and loved so much so I never, ever forget them. I got in the mood today to dig through my memories and start looking up these guys (and gals) on iTunes and I just got in the zone- I could not stop!  I even re-bought a few of them, just for the H of it.  Sigh..... I just can't get enough.....

Erasure

Book of Love (I so wish I could have seen them live....)  

 

Enigma

Depeche Mode  (A HUGE regret of mine- that I never got to see them in concert. So obsessed with them.)

The Cure (Hands down, the best concert I ever went to, period. And I went to ALOT!)

                                                       New Order

       Xymox

      A-ha

     Tears for Fears
     Siouxsie and the Banshees
    OMD

    Information Society          

U2    (still love them, oh, how I love them! Second best concert I ever went to, they were phenominal!!)

Dead or Alive            

Kon Kan   

                           

I don't ever want to forget how much I love these bands!  I am into a broader spectrum of music now as I've grown up (a little....kind of....)  and though my general tastes may have changed ever so slightly, no matter where I am or what I'm doing- even if I am 99 and 1/2 years old and am somehow in a mall somewhere- and any song by any of these groups starts playing overhead, I know I will stop in my tracks, close my eyes and smile. And start singing......

One of my most favoritest things EVER!! .....

I love all things country, and I found an article today on AOL about Mason jars, and I had to post a link to it.... it has some fantastic ideas on how you can vary your uses of these cute little (or big) glass jars; some of them I've used many times, some of them I never even thought of. They are all great, and in the spirit of it still technically being summer, and yet slowly inching our way into the new season, I thought what better time to break out those trusty jars and use them in every way we can, while we still can.  I've used them all my life for either capturing (and always releasing) lightning bugs, drinking my lemonade, or holding my wildflowers after I've been on a picking spree..... I've used them as lanterns and simple tea-light holders, and I've used them to hold decorative items, or just storing away grain and wheat.  The possibilities really are endless....!

http://www.shelterpop.com/2010/09/03/what-to-do-with-mason-jars-projects/

Alchemy, Herbal Remedies and Potions

So, I am trying to teach myself how to make some more healthful herbal remedies for common issues like cuts and scrapes, poisoned ivy/oak and skin allergies, stuff like that.... and I don't really know where to begin. I just feel like there are so many daggone chemicals being used in everything and especially for my little boy, I would like to go as natural as possible for him, and for us. I'd eventually love to learn how to make an effective face wash or astringent, even shampoo if I can....  If anyone has any suggestions or ideas of how to get started, I'd appreciate all the help I can get!

Jack Lenz..... Just awesome!

So I was watching the Hallmark Channel the other day and the movie, "The Good Witch" was playing. I DVR'd it and am watching it now.... the music is so moving, so pretty. I had to know who the composer was so I could find out what else he's done, where I could find and possibly download some of his pieces. There is just something about it, it moves me. And any music that moves me, I have to have it.   Well.....    

Jack Lenz.   He's a Baha'i!   I KNEW I liked him for a reason!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Lenz

Message With A Bottle

Oh, my goodness gracious..... this guy is hysterical!
I just came across this blog by a new Dad and I gotta tell ya, he's one funny son of a gun! Heart warming and hilarious... check it out:

Message With A Bottle

A little Blue

I don't know how much longer we have here in Alabama, and it's making me a bit sad today. I know, I know- I go on and on about being ready to leave, get outta here and away from the heat and the bugs and move up where it's cooler and I get all my four seasons. It's all true. But even still, on nights like tonight when it is cool, you can hear all those ornery bugs singing to us and the moon and stars are bright, the thought of leaving here, where we've made so many memories, brings a tightness to my chest. I had my first home as a married woman, my first dog who was all my own, my first duty station.... I had my first child here. I made friends here whom I hope to be life-long. And it is all these memories, coupled with the ambiance of quaint, southern charm and quiet country living that make me start wishing the Army will forget all about us, forget we're still here and then we can stay and maybe have more babies here, make more friends, more memories ....

I'd have to say, one of my all-time best memories of living here (and boy, there are many, many to choose from), was last Halloween. Troy and I took Colten trick or treating for the first time. Troy's parents stayed behind at the house to hand out candy and we, along with a mom and her two kids across the way, all walked around our neighborhood to git some candy. We strolled from house to house, the night was getting darker and darker as we were nearing the end of the evening, and we went down a darker street by a house that was known for their holiday spirit. We took pictures with them, gathered our candy and started for home. But this particular house, well they always did go all out- they had a fog machine to add to the haunted effect of their house and ghostly decorations out front. We walked away from the house and back up the street for home, farther and farther away we got and we were caught in darkness. The only light was from the moon above. We rounded the last curve of the road lined with trees, and we were then surrounded with swirling fog. It twisted and curled at our feet, and lurked up the rest of the street, down other roads and curves way off into the distance. It was everywhere we looked, and lit up by the moonlight- it was like we were in a living ghost story.    

That was by far one of the coolest Halloween memories I have ever had. I don't know if that particular family is still here, but so help me, if they are, (and we are) this Halloween, I'll be right there again with my little boy, husband and puppy in tow, ready to feel a little haunted once again.

Beauty of the Day

Ahhh..... the first truly beautiful day of the year. The first of the season soon to come.  I swear, I felt so energized and alive today, it was an amazing feeling to not have hair matted to your face, clothes damp and every breath feeling as though it is being wrestled through a straw. Oh there were bugs, to be sure, but aside from that fact I was able to pretend today that we are deep into September and enjoying the splendor of Fall.  Took my baby boy for a walk and breathed in the fresh, clean, not miserably hot air and it was like heaven to us today! 

Sigh....

                                    

25 Days 'till Autumn

I think that's the right count.... regardless, I can't wait!  I got my yearly copy of Martha Stewart's Halloween Handbook and I'm flipping out over her ideas and costumes!  I have mine picked out already, and got some great plans already for Colten's 2nd birthday party!  2nd!  I cannot even believe it, 2 years old. Where has the time gone?  I'm excited about the possibility of still being here to have his party with his friends and neighbors.... we don't know too many people, but after the party I'm planning for my little boy, he's gonna have more people up in this house celebrating him than he'll know what to do with!  It's going to be awesome, that I promise you! I don't care what I have to do or invest in it, it's gonna rock!!!! 

(Last years copy, 2009)

An Upcoming Trip

My husband doesn't know it yet, but we're all heading to Mobile here soon for a 'lil visit! We've never been there and after living here for 3 years, it's time to get over yonder and see how adorable it really is. I have a feeling it will definitely live up to it's quaint reputation. In the meantime, we've got another trip planned as well- heading to the beach for an end-of-summer long weekend together with our family. I cannot wait!!!!

Feels Like Home

So we all know how much I love Fall, and that it is my favorite time of year. Summer is a close second, this is true. But nothing compares to Autumn in my heart. For me, it is just like heaven. So just out of my own need to see the splendor of it in front of me, (since I won't get to see it here in Alabama as soon as I'd like), I'm posting some beautiful pictures I've come across that reminds me of back home in Virginia.... sigh.

Trip to Eufaula

When my Mom was here we took an amazing day trip to an old-timey Alabama town by the name of Eufaula. We had a fabulous day, ate some great Cajun food and enjoyed some beautiful history....

Handwriting

So I've been reading up lately about how handwriting really reflects who we are, and how it indicates our personality types. I have no real idea how it does this, there's some ideas about the slope of your words, block letters or cursive. I guess I can see how all that can give insight into one's personality. I have no idea what mine says about me- I'm a happy go lucky lefty! South Paw all the way, baby!!!! But my parents and teachers worked really hard with me to write properly despite the difficulty of writing left-handed. I see others sometimes for whom it is obviously a bit hard, and I am grateful that my Mom and Dad wanted me to be able to write easily. It is so funny, all of the older cousins in my family are lefties- and none of our parents are! It's very odd, we don't know how that happened! I was secretly hoping that Colten would be a lefty too, but, alas, it looks as though he is a righty. He bats left though, which pleases my hubby to no end, he says it will give him a sports advantage, I have no idea.... but he usually wants to color with his right. I guess it could change, but if he's already comfy with his right, then I'm happy for him that it'll be that much easier for him to write one day.
Incidentally, I came across this cool little signature tool on a blog I found, and it's pretty neat, so I've added it to my post! Pretty cool, huh?

Past Lives

I wonder if there is some merit to the idea of past lives. I think about it alot, and in the religious sense, I'm just not sure where I stand on it,. But in a personal sense, sometimes I just really feel completely as if I can remember living life in a simpler time. Even as I am writing this I feel ridiculous. But truly, there are parts of me that feel like I was born in the wrong time period. I'm not a modern person, about the most "modern" thing about me is my cell phone. Maybe my laptop, and cable.  But everything from my feelings on simpler living, utilizing candlelight and oil lamps whenever possible because it feels more natural to me, to drooling over wood furniture, wood floors,wood and stone houses, little wooden toys, wooden utensils, home decorations, handmade pottery and wrought iron cookware. Handmade quilts on beds and fireplaces in bedrooms..... gosh, the list just goes on and on. I don't know exactly where I'd fit- 1800's maybe? But then there's the music, clothes, hair, cars and mannerisms of the early 1900's that get me too!  I feel like a tourist sometimes when I'm at the mall or in a public place where I see those who definitely fit in the 2000's, absolutely. And I worry for my children. I don't want them be bombarded with the often ugliness of today's culture. I wish I could raise them in a more quiet place.

My husband feels the same way about himself as well. And we both don't really like where culture is headed. It seems girls are growing up so much faster now than we did when we were young. They know about so many things that I just didn't, and frankly had no interest in whatsoever. I occupied my time on having fun with my friends and enjoying life, instead of the things that in my opinion are distorting ,like MTV and the E! channel. They glorify stupidity and "prostitution" and then, in turn, so do many of their viewers. Scares the ever livin' out of me. I apologise if I've offended anyone out there, I don't mean to. I just feel like a lot of things today have gotten really, really out of hand and we're so used to it that we just let things go that are not good for our children to have paraded in front of their faces every time they turn on the television. Whatever- I guess it is what it is, and to fight it is futile. But if I could raise my family out in the country, somewhere quiet and friendly, maybe a little old-school in it's personality, why.... I think we'd fit in just fine.

Painting by John Feight

Unexpected visitors....

Right now my house is full of children! The neighbor kids just stopped by and asked to play with Colten!! Colten's laughter is infectious, my living room is in chaos, I can't hear myself think, Webster is flipping out with all the fun and commotion....
and I'm loving every second of it!

Family Pictures

My Aunt compiled over 1,000 of my Grampa's 50+ year-old slides and had them restored and transferred to disk, and I got my copy today. It was unbelievable! Photographs taken from when Papa and Grammy got married,my Aunts and my parent's weddings, my birth and those of my brother and cousins, and even cooler, those of my Mom, Aunt and Uncle! It was just amazing, I felt like I was in a trance and I couldn't stop looking at them! My heart actually sank a little bit when it was over and I'd seen them all! I want more!! Can't wait to go through them again....

Continued from yesterday.... (Rizzoli and Isles)

Just a few more remarks on new shows that've gotten me hooked. And then I'll stop, I promise!  Rizzoli and Isles!  LOVE IT!!!!  I've been reading Gerritsen for about 2 years and love her characters- I was unsure about how these two gals would pull it off, being that we only know these characters from books the way we see them in our minds. I don't know exactly what I imagined before, but now, there is NO ONE I could have chosen better for the rolls of Jane and Maura. These ladies are fantastic actresses and now as I am reading the latest novel by Gerritsen, Ice Cold, all I can see in my mind are them. And it fits like a glove. 

That's all.   

                              www.examiner.com

More than just my daily life....

I usually just write about my day to day experiences, but tonight I'm writing about a new favorite show.... True Blood was psycho to me the first time I saw it, but when I heard about a creepy new program set in the gloriously spooky south, I was in. I watched the first episode with my husband, and within 5 minutes, shut the dang thing off and left the room. I really was disappointed, because I had a feeling I would really like it. I love the south, I love creepy, and I'm crazy about spooky, so it seemed like a perfect fit. Come to find out, the "1st" episode, was actually the first from season 2. So no wonder I was lost as to what the heck was going on, and disgusted by the randomness of what I was seeing.  
So, needless to say, I started from the beginning, (thank goodness for Netflix, seriously),   and the rest is history. I enjoy vampire stuff- books, movies- not because it's really cool right now with the whole "Twilight" thing happening- (which incidentally, I also really dig), but just because I just do. Always have. I remember watching Nosferatu with my Dad when I was younger, and I loved the black and white, and the ambiance it added to a real classic monster film..... If it's creepy I love it. But only if it is actually creepy, realistic (or at least semi) and believable. Something you can let yourself fall into and extend belief. I'm not someone who believes in any of it, but I'd really like to. Actually,I'd love to. Makes things interesting. I consider myself a skeptic who desperately wants to believe..... so far, the only scary movie that I just physically cannot watch, is Arachnophobia. Nope, not ever, never going to happen.
So, True Blood.... it's getting deliciously psycho right now, and both my hubs and I are hooked. Sunday nights are our "movie night" together, and we love it. Then he watches Entourage or some such thing, and I come in here to write. Tonight I just felt like sharing my new found obsession. Although,I do have to say, I am really irked that so far in Charlaine Harris' first book, "Dead Until Dark", (which is the first in the series of novels which True Blood is based off of), Tara is nowhere to be found!!!!  Why is she not in the book but in the show?? I love her character and am confused as to why HBO just created her and put her in. But I am really glad they did, and who knows, maybe I just haven't read far enough into the book yet to find her. Maybe she's in there after all. 

On a side note, I am not ashamed to admit how much I enjoyed Twilight. I'm just not. It really brought back some memories for me, the way I myself felt sometimes in High School. I didn't care as much for the rest of the saga, but that first one.... wow. Loved it.  I plan to read it again soon,  First I need to get crackin' the spine of the newest Tess Gerritsen novel, "Ice Cold."  LOVE her books. They are set in Boston, and for many historical reasons, I want to go there so badly, I just can't even tell you.... But, that's for another blog entry....    :)   Next time I may write about my other latest obsession - House M.D.  Seriously, I have a problem, and I may need an intervention. I'll let you know.    :)