Today

I found out today that one of Owens' teachers let him read a book to his class and the class that he shares a room with. I am quite pleased. He read, "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish" by Dr. Suess. I think we made the right choice in putting him at Apple Tree School. :-)

Pride And Prejudice

Is there any man in all of Literature as romantic as Mr. Darcy???

That is what came to my mind as I sat at the dinner table in Chili's across from my beautiful husband. So, feeling a bit giddy after FINALLY getting to see Pride and Prejudice, I said it out loud with my best English accent.

The hubby just looked at me and grinned, knowing that he could not have given me a better aphrodisiac than sitting in a dark theatre and watching one of the girliest chick flicks known to mankind.

The whole film was beautiful and wonderfully realized, complete from my own imagings while reading the book, to the screen. The actors selected to play the characters were superb, in my opinion. The music moved me to increasing heart beats and tears, particularly "Darcy's Letter", "Your Hands Are Cold" and "Mrs. Darcy".

This movie takes me back to one of my all-time favourite movies and soundtracks, "Out of Africa". This was the first real "grown-up" movie that I ever saw. I was 14 or 15 when I went to see "Out of Africa". I was completely enchanted by the world of that era and still am. Eventhough women didn't have the rights they do now, the romanticism of that long ago time speaks to the part of me that just wants to be taken care of by my husband.

For me, David IS my Mr. Darcy. I see in him the protectiveness, love, passion and guarded nature that Mr. Darcy seems to have in abundance. It is such an exquisit feeling to see in literature or art a part of your life in so minute detail, so that you can look at the beauty of it and realise that you are the luckiest, most blesssed person in all of Gods' creation.

I never really thought of myself as a romatic soul. I always thought that I was a realist with no time or room for silly romantic notions of the world. It can be a dark ugly place, where you must always be on your guard against the foe. Now I am able to see the beauty of human nature and the world as well, and it can be specticle to behold, if one only takes the time to look.

I think that I will go back and re-read all of Jane Austen's works and keep a hold of the beauty in this world and try not to cling to the reality with such a tight grip. It is a pleasing thing to let your day-to-day grind melt away into dreamland once in a while.

Good News & Bad News

Well, I heard from the Vanguard coordinator at the school that we applied for, they are full and will not be getting to the second screening kids. That's the bad news.

The good news is that she recommended me to contact another school a little farther away to see if they were taking kids for the second screening; THEY ARE! YAY!!! I took his application from the first school to the second school. We will have to wait until April to hear anything, till then, we will go ahead and fill out the paper work for the private school that is affiliated with our church. Hopefully, this other school will have enough room for him. We really don't have the fundage for private school, even with a scholarship (unless he gets a full scholarship.).

So, please keep your fingers crossed!! Love to you all! m.

It's Been A While

Everytime I hear those words a song pops in my head, but it has indeed been a while since I've posted. It feels like 3 weeks when really it's only been 5 days. I sort of feel like I've run out of things to say. I don't know. Maybe I 'm just hanging on to my thoughts and am trying to see how long I can go without my mouth opening and everything tumbling forth from my lips...

We went to see a movie this past weekend; Walk the Line. It was really good. I learned quite a few things that I didn't know going in. It also brought up alot of emotions in me about my sisters' drug abuse; that threw me for a loop.

I've been on the edge of a tiny breakdown for some time now and it all came to a head this past weekend. I've been having a spiritual crisis and everything came spilling out, of all places, at church. I barely got through the first service. As usual, choir was singing. I got to church late for before service practice; by the time the pastors got through the readings, I was crying almost hard enough to make some major noise. I sang the song and beat feet outta there only to be tracked down by a close friend to tell me that my son was sitting in the back row by himself. He had spent the night at the pil's, so I was on my way to pick him and his dad up so we could all go to Sunday School. Papa dropped him off at church with me, but I wasn't in on the plan. Everything turned out ok, so no harm done. And Owen was really good and quiet sitting in church all by himself.

My friend followed the boy and me out into the gathering area and asked me if I was ok. I told her that I didn't know & I felt like I was going crazy. She asked if it was the boy & I told her that it was just me. She understood. I went to pick up Dave & told him everything. I've been holding on to such horrible feelings and have been over whelmed for such a long time that it all just flowed out. I guess this was a way for me to finally let go of all the crap that has been building up. I do feel better now. Heck, I've been on top of the dishes everyday this week, so I MUST be feeling better!! Now, if only I could get the laundry under control...

I was able to get myself together in time to teach the kids their song for Feb 5th. They are singing for the church that day. The rest of the day went pretty well. I felt like a mountain had been lifted from my shoulders. I could sense the prayers of my choir family. They really bring much comfort to me without saying a word.

This week I filled out the paper work to get Owen in the Vanguard program for HISD. This is a program, for those who don't know, for really smart kids. I have another friend who recommened me to do this for him. She told me that he's so smart that if I don't put him in a school that will challenge him, he will become a discipline problem. We are already seeing a bit of this at his pre-school. He already knows all the stuff that they are trying to teach and since he's reading, he's way ahead of the other kids. So, the boy is bored and is trying to find things tro do to occupy his time and mind, hence the "discipline problem"...

Hopefully, I will hear something soon from the school. Please send prayers or positive thoughts our way. We could use them. Thanks for your indulgence and your patience. Much love and affection to you all. m.

Blissful Domesticity

I love Saturday mornings when I don't have anything to do. We get to sleep in until 7am or so and don't have to get dressed until we want to leave the house. Owen usually climbs into bed with us for about 30 minutes and we all(Dave, me, Owie & the cat) lay there and talk to each other about everything and nothing for a while. Dave will get up with Owen and make muffins from scratch. Owen calls them "Muffin-Muffins". I'm roused by the odor of wonderful slightly sweet baked goods in the house. Sometimes Dave makes coffee, sometimes he just heats up water to make tea. I tell you, there is not a much better way to start a day than that, in my opinion. :-)

Owen is the leader on Monday, so he brought the "Leader Bag" home with him on Thursday. Now, Owen just turned 5 two weeks ago. He told me that he wanted to do his "homework". To back track, the leader bag has things in it for him to do with the parents. There is a book for us to read to him and a craft for him to do that is in direct correlation to the book that is to be read.

So, he wants to do his homework. I'm watching Roo-Bear (K- the little baby I watch.) and am too busy to read at the moment. He tells me, "I just want to look at the book." I say ok; and darned if I know it, but the boy is reading a level 2 book, quite well, all by himself!! Then he took out his craft materials and started to make the craft all by himself as well. I tell you, the kid impresses me. :-) I think it might be time for a library card for the boy...

So anyway, I just wanted to share and brag on the boy for a bit. Thanks for the indulgence. :-)

btw: He got a watch the other day and is telling time beautifully on an anolog watch. I'm so proud for him!

American Idol Update:

Lisa Tucker is my pick for American Idol. Last year I picked Carrie Underwood and the year before I picked Diana DeGarmo and she came in second, the year before I picked Clay Aiken and he came in second also. The first year I didn't have a pick. Let's find out if I'm right.

Thinking About:

Dave & I are thinking about seeing "Brokeback Mountain". Not that we are "so forward" in our thinking or trying to prove that we are "so open-minded", but it sounds like there is more to it than just a one dimensional story. I've seen a few shows with the actors talking about the film. It sounds pretty good.

If Dave & I could get through "Eyes Wide Shut" we can see anything. Well frankly, "Clockwork Orange" was harder to watch, as a woman. Too many rape scenes. Couldn't take it. I don't care if it IS a classic, there are certain things that people should not HAVE to watch. Anyhoo, that's why self-censorship is a wonderful thing. :-D

Season 5 Has Started: American Idol!

Oh my Gosh!!! American Idol has started off with a bang & some really BAD singers!! Can't wait to watch the trainwreck again tonight. Front and Center, Baby! Front & Center!!!!

Finally, Our Cruise...

Sorry it has taken so long to get this post done, but here it is, FINALLY!!!


This is a picture of our ship at port in Progresso, Mexico. There was too much in the way at Galveston to take a picture in the port of Galveston.


This was our room on the Carnival "Elation". It looks small, but really it was just right.


This was the main lobby of the Elation. They had it all decked out for Christmas. It was a beautiful ship. They had carnival and stained glass everywhere, very opulent.


When we walked around Progresso we saw scooters everywhere, much to David's delight!!


Here are some more scoots. Pizza anyone???


This is an open air market which is typical of these countries. Oh! and MORE SCOOTERS! They were everywhere I tell you!


I'm not sure this regal looking fellow was, but I think he was the founding father or someone important, ya think???


Dave & I at the beach before heading out for our tour of Dzibilchaltun (the Equinox Temples).


This pelican was just "riding" the surf.


Here I am at the top of a sacrificial temple, where the Myan priests made sacrifices to their dieties. Look at how steep the steps are. Yep it took a bit to get up that high, but I was glad that I did it. Thank goodness Dave & I climbed stairs the whole time on the ship, we'd have never made it up to the top if we hadn't been used to taking all those stairs!! Too clever!


A view from the top. What you are looking at is the chapel that the Conquistadors built when they came to "Christianize" the "heathens".


This tablet of a Myan diety was cast down a hole by the Spaniards. The tablet wasn't the only thing they threw down there, can you ask, "Where did the high priest go???"


This was carved out of the limestone where a natural spring fed the area. The peoples used it as their drinking and bathing water (if I remember that correctly.)


The Equinox temple. On March 21st the sun will shine through the doorway of the temple straight through the doorway of the temple that used to be 1 mile down the promenade. Amazing! Our guide, Isaac, told me that their calendar was only of by a few seconds (1-3) compared to ours that is off by minutes, if not days...


This is the view from the temple of the promenade that was much wider in it's heyday and a mile long.


This was our tour guide, Isaac. He was so knowledgable and smart. I really liked him and wished that I could wrap him up and take him home with us!!!


Indiana Gnumann!!! Duh..., duh, duh, da-d-dah!!!!, Duh, d-duh, duh, Duh, d-duh, duh, duh!!!!!


This is the "face" at the top of the doorway of the Equinox Temple.


Some beautiful flowers growing from the building at the temple.


Well, here we go to Cozumel!!! There were three other cruise ships at Cozumel that day. The Grande Princess was the biggest ship by far and away! Just take a good look at her!

This was the Princess ship that left two days before we did out of Galveston. She's HUGE!


This is what the Grande Princess guests had to look at on their Lido deck. Holy Guacamole!


Since hurricane Wilma destroyed the pier, we had to get on land by tender or ferry. Some folks didn't like that we had to do this, but for me it just added to the excitement of the trip! Gosh, I love traveling!!!!


This is a picture of me after Dave & I got caught out in the rain on the scooter we rented. I bought some souvies & got a really strong margarita in the bargain! Yeehaw!


Just look at that water. Georgeous! You can probably see if you click on the picture that there was alot of hurricane damage to Cozumel. I mentioned to our taxi driver that it looked like the construction was well on it's way & the vegitation was already coming back; and he told me, "Don't you worry about us, we'll be fine." I thought that that was a great attitude to have. Too bad some Americans don't have such attitudes... Anyway!

I swear that seeing such beautiful water was the highlight of the trip. Well, that and getting to ride on the back of a scooter with Dave & then getting caught in the rain and oh! Getting to sing Kareoke almost every night & performing for 900 or so people at the talent show too. That was fun! I totally recommend taking a Carnival cruise. They really ARE the "Fun Ships!"

Full Moon on Friday the 13th

Did anyone notice the full moon on Friday, January 13th? It would have been perfect Celtic timing for impregnantion! Too bad I wasn't ovulating...

The Devil's Beatitudes

Unfortunately, I fall into these categories from time to time, as we all do. God's grace, however, is that we get to wake up every morning to a fresh new day to start doing what He wants us too. I want to be a better person. Hopefully, I'll be able to let my anger go and start living for Him instead of me. I can't stand this separation from God that I have because of the continued anger that is living in my heart. This is just what is on my mind and in my heart about me. I'm not judging anyone else for I have a huge tree in my eye, so please, don't be offended. Much love and affection to you! m.


The Devil's Beatitudes

1. Blessed are those who are too tired, too busy, too distracted to spend two to four hours once a week with their
fellow Christians--they are my best workers.

2. Blessed are those Christians who wait to be asked and expect to be thanked -- I can use them.

3. Blessed are the touchy who stop going to church -- they are my missionaries.

4. Blessed are the trouble makers -- they shall be called my children.

5. Blessed are the complainers -- I'm all ears to them.

6. Blessed are those who are bored with the gospel preachers' mannerisms and mistakes -- for they get nothing out of the sermons.

7. Blessed is the church member who expects to be invited to his own church -- for he is a part of my plan.

8. Blessed are those who gossip -- for they shall cause strife and division that pleases me.

9. Blessed are those who are easily offended -- for they will soon get angry and quit going to church.

10. Blessed are those who do not give at least the tithe to carry on God's work-- for they are my helpers.

11. Blessed is he who professes to love God but hates his brother and sister-- for he shall be with me forever.

12. Blessed are you who, when you read this, think it is about other people and not yourself -- I've got you too!

Secret Places

Everyone needs a secret place. A place that they are totally free to be themselves, uncensored by family, co-workers, fellow church members, or anyone else who may know them in the "REAL WORLD".

It's kinda funny, on the blogs we refer to our physical acquaintances as our real world, like those we talk to in "cyber space" don't have flesh and bone. "Oh, you aren't REAL because I can't touch you or see your face when you read my dribble."

Of course our blogger friends are real and sometimes much more important to us than the ones who slaughter us in our "real world". I have found a great deal of understanding from my blogger friends. They feel for me when I hurt and grieve. They know when I am kidding, also they have helped me to heal over the past almost 9 months.

I trust my blogging friends ever so much more than alot of my supposed "real world" friends. Gee, I wonder why. You all know why. It's the same way you all feel and partially why we blog. (Being general here, but I think that I may have hit the nail on the head...)

Of course, in all fairness, I do have some very lovely friends in my "real world" that I can trust. They know who they are and I wish that we could see each other more often. (Darn that life getting in the way...)

If you find a place to just be; let me know. I made the mistake in the beginning of giving out my url to everybody I know. Stupid, trusting, gullible girl... sighing heavily...

I Was Tagged!!!

I was tagged by TamWil, so since I haven't done a meme in a while, here goes nothin'!



Four jobs you have had in your life:
1. Cashier at a convenience store (worst job EVER!)
2. DJ at a local hotel bar (COOLEST job ever!)
3. Receptionist for a couple of insurance companies ( Good job for someone with ADD.)
4. Youth Counselor and Daycare worker (all ages infants to teens)

Four movies you could watch over and over:
In order of favourites!
1. Gigi!
2. Auntie Mame!
3. The Harry Potter Series
4. Lord of the Rings Series

Four places you've lived:
1. Bay City, Texas
2. Richmond, Texas
3. Rosenberg, Texas
4. Houston, Texas
and in that order.

Four TV shows you love to watch:
1. Most Haunted
2. What Not to Wear
3. The whole Food Network afternoon lineup. (Who -Hoo Dave Lieberman is a HOTTIE!)
4. 7th Heaven

Four places you've been on vacation:
1. San Diego, CA.
2. Los Angeles, CA.
3. New Orleans, LA.
4. Austin, TX.
There have been more, like the western Caribbean, but I'll post on that later...

Four websites you visit daily:
1. Sniffy at Cakesniffers Beware
2. Garfer at Tunnocks Teacakes Forever!
3. T.I. at I'm Just Sayin'
4. The Pimp Daddy at S.I.D.

Four of your favorite foods:
1. Spaghetti with my sauce!
2. TEX-MEX
3. Chinese
4. STEAK!

Four places you'd rather be right now:
1. Depositing a check for $50 million!! Who wouldn't????
2. Traveling the world.
3. In a pool with my honey!
4. Anywhere with the hubby and boy!

Four Bloggers you are tagging:
Who shall be next...
1. Mollo!
2. Les Sniffmeister!
3. Pissoff!
4. Stupid Irish Daddy!

Y'all can opt out if you want, but I'm curious of the answers. :-)

My Celebrity Crush

Ok. So we all have them, the celebrity crush. Some have more than one. I fall into this category, but today it is all about one crush in particular, Dave Lieberman.



He is an up and coming new chef on the Food Network. I first started watching his show Good Deal with Dave Lieberman in th fall of 2005. He was just so cute that I couldn't stand it!



How could any man-lovin' female resist such a cutie pie! And he cooks too!! Geeze, if he was any more perfect, he'd be MY Dave!!! :-) As it is, I will just have to crush on him from afar.



He seems to have a great personality that flies of the t.v. screen into my living room. Also, his passion for good food on a budget appeals to me.



So anyway, Dave Lieberman is my celebrity crush. Go check him out at Food Network or on his website.

Aaaaarrrrrggg, me Maties!

My pirate name is:

Bloody Ethel Cash

Every pirate lives for something different. For some, it's the open sea. For others (the masochists), it's the food. For you, it's definitely the fighting. You're musical, and you've got a certain style if not flair. You'll do just fine. Arr!

Get your own pirate name from fidius.org.

My Biggest Mistake & Best Decision

Thanks to everyone who shared their best and worst with me. I appreciate the trust you have in me and your candor. It means alot to me. I love you all. :-)


Besides giving out my url to everyone I know in the "real" world(as if you guys don't exist...), almost throwing away a 9 year marriage on a jerk who took advantage of a rocky situation was my biggest mistake.


My very best decisions were:
1. Saying yes to David when he told me we had to get married.
2. Deciding to work things out with David instead of getting a divorce.
3. Having Owen with David.

That is my best and worst. I will always guard against my worst and I would do my best all over again in a minute!

Best Joke I've Heard in a While.

My new friend Thomas, this has no bearing on you my dear. :-)


My uncle sent this one out. I thought it was funny, so hereyougo!

Can You Get Married in Heaven?
On their way to get married, a young Catholic couple are involved in
a fatal car accident.
The couple find themselves sitting outside the Pearly Gates waiting
for St. Peter to process them into Heaven.
While waiting, they begin to wonder: Could they possibly get married
in Heaven?
When St. Peter showed up, they asked him. St. Peter says, "I don't
know.
This is the first time anyone has asked. Let me go find out", and he
leaves.
The couple sat and waited, and waited. Two months passed and the
couple are still waiting.
As they waited, they discussed that IF they were allowed to get
married in Heaven, what was the eternal aspect of it all.
"What if it doesn't work?" they wondered, "Are we stuck together
FOREVER?"
After yet another month, St. Peter finally returns, looking somewhat
bedraggled.
"Yes," he informs the couple, "you CAN get married in Heaven."
"Great!" said the couple, "But we were just wondering, what if
things don't work out?
Could we also get a divorce in Heaven?"
St. Peter, red-faced with anger, slams his clipboard onto the ground.
"What's wrong?" asked the frightened couple.
"OH, COME ON!" St. Peter shouts, "It took me three months to find a
priest up here! Do you have ANY idea how long it'll take me to find
a LAWYER?"

What Was Your Biggest Mistake...

What was your biggest mistake and your best decision?

Mine tomorrow...

My First Kiss

Whew! It's the first day back from a holiday season that, in my ever so humble opinion, was about a week too long. It's nice to have both the hubby and the boy back in their regularly scheduled activities. I loved having them around, but after a while they became tired of me... Who can blame them? :-)

Now, to the point of all of this. Thanks to all of you who responded. It was really great to hear your first kiss moments.

This is my first kiss moment.

I was ten years old in the summer of 1979. We swam like fish that summer; constantly at the Oasis Pool in my hometown. This was a pool that was at the nicest local hotel where I grew up. They had pool memberships for the towns people. My mother, being brilliant as she was, had a membership to that pool until I was in Junior High. Then we moved our membership to another pool, but those are other stories...

I had just finished the fifth grade, my middle sister had gotten married earlier in the spring and my oldest sister was still living at home, my mom was working at an oilfield service company and dad at the chemical plant.

I think we went to the pool everyday that summer. There was alot of out-of-towners in B.C. because they were building the nuclear plant south of town. During the course of the summer we saw many people who were strangers to us, but when you are a kid and you get a chance to meet new kids, no one is a stranger, especially in the 70's.

In July of that year I met this boy named Paul. His family was in B.C. with a company called Brown & Root. They had the major building contract for the South Texas Nuclear Project.

I was at the pool sitting on the concrete with my feet in the baby pool talking to one of my sisters who was sunning herself. Paul sat down beside me and started talking to me, asking where I was from, how old, You have pretty hair, yada, yada, yada... He was cute and nice.

Later that day he sat in the sauna with me and my sisters and basically we hung out all day long. That evening before we girls went home he gave me his gold chain to wear and asked me to "go-steady" and kissed me on the cheek. I was a happy camper. Got home and told my neighborhood friends what happened. The boy who lived behind me was none to happy, as I found out later.

The next day, he told me that his mom was angry that he gave his necklace to me to wear and she wanted him to get it back. I said ok and gave it back. Within about 2-3 hours he "broke up" with me and started chasing this other girl who was our same age, he asked her to go steady too, then broke up with her 2 hours later to "go out" (like, where could we go...) with her older sister. His family left town the next morning. It was silliness at it's finest. I also learned a lesson about boys that summer; they will do whatever they can get away with.

The next summer I met up with the girl he dumped me for. I asked her if she had seen him and she said no. We both decided that if we did, we'd kick his butt. We spent the whole summer together and were friends until she moved away in the 10th grade.

I found the picture my middle sister took of me and Paul. I'll scan it and put it up tomorrow.

Thanks again for sharing your stories with me. :-D