...Sigh

I am having a hard time letting them grow up.

In case you can't see the resemblance I gave you a reference for Boy Child.

Girl Child is not hard to identify. Just hard for her Momma to look at.

She has wanted to be a Rock Star for years...just like Daddy.

Pictures of Daddy's costume to follow tomorrow.

I promise you will want to come back to see. The transformation is absolutely amazing.

In the mean time I am sharing their handy work from the evening.

Girl Child couldn't stop grinning when it came to her choice.

Boy Child cut the whole thing out himself. Those "are not fish! They are bombs. You know, bursting in air??" He has asked for a "Bomber" pumpkin for a looong time.

Those of you who know us personally are cracking up at this pumpkin of Big Shooter's I know. Those of you who don't, trust me when I say, "This? This is fitting for the year he is having. "

Love Note to my Big Shooter: Ooooh Boy, you do realize this is a fair and public notification of a up and coming posting of pictures right?

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Love Note to my Big Shooter: Darlin' I am tryin' hard to fight the voices. But, they are gettin' louder and louder. I figure you have two choices: 1) Let me speak my mind freely when it comes to the election...or 2) Make sure my Xanax perscription is FULL (to the tippety-top) please.

Love Bugs, Kings & Queens and other Traditions

I said traditions in the title, but really I don't think they are considered family traditions as much as they are considered Quirks.

While we were driving today Boy Child called out that he'd seen a yellow Volkswagen bug to which Girl Child and I immediately sang out, "I'm so happy you're my brother/son." When we see a red one it warrants a blowin kiss and an "I love you" to the finder.

When Big Shooter and I were dating we began with the familiar Slug Bug game. It quickly changed to Hug Bug and then just as rapidly evolved to Kiss Bug for obvious young hormonal love reasons. When we introduced this game to the kiddos we also quickly came to our senses and realized we did not like the Slug Bug version and the Hug version didn't seem to work out easily either. So we came up with a color coded Bug Game. Red means we show love to each other, yellow is happiness, and green is all of it. Other colors mean you can use your imagination as long as it's positive. "Old antique" bugs mean double of whatever color it is. And by old antique I mean the kind I grew up with.

Our next quirkiness comes from our habit to kiss as soon as we cross a state line. We used to just jam our foot as far under the dash as we could so we'd be "the first in the state", until we had the bright idea to kiss instead. Ahhh, again with the virtues of young, horny love...

The last one I'm sharing today is one many of you have heard us do. I don't even remember how or why it began. I will say, though, it tells a whole lot about people and their relationships. Whenever Big Shooter and I have a non-agreeing point of view on something you will hear one of us say to the other, "You know you're going to have to say it, right?" to which the other will confidently reply, "You mean you're going to have to say it!"
The it is a simple statement uttered when one or the other's point is proven incorrect. They have to say, "I was wrong. You were right. You're the King (or Queen)." Now while you smile or giggle at this I would love for you to try it with your spouse.

This is what we've learned over the years:

• Some people cannot even get out the "I was wrong" part.
• And some can't get the "You were right" part past their tongues.
• But, for some reason, naming someone your King or Queen seems to hold the most difficulty.

Try it and let me know.

Love Note to my Big Shooter: I told you I wouldn't share them all...now you have to say it. It's like music to my ears. "You're the Queen."

Snake Oil - Edited

Edited at 4:44pm

Sorry y'all you know I can't help myself.

This guy asked the exact same questions I have been wondering:

"Has any major candidate for president of the United States ever received less critical examination than Barack Obama?" I find it absolutely fascinating the love affair the media is engaged in with Obama. And like any new love all undesirable characteristics are over looked and pooh-poohed away. I am all for bringing up the past, digging deep to find the real character traits for both candidates. But, when a question arises that may be too touchy the Obama camp screams foul? Every single time. All the while pointing fingers?

"Who is this man, who was only elected to the U.S. Senate in 2004? How did someone with his meager record of accomplishment become the Democratic nominee for Commander-in-Chief?" Seriously. This is the scariest aspect of the whole deal to me. He has been a senator for all of two years and been campaigning for the other two. I am blown away every time I think about it. Does no one remember 9-11? The feelings of desperation, helplessness and betrayal? The slow dawning of knowledge the world hated us. And we are handing over our fragile country to a man who will not wear a flag pin or say the pledge of allegiance? Seriously?!

Edited Version (or should I say corrected): "And we are handing over our fragile country to a man who will not wear a flag pin or cover his heart during the National Anthem?" Thank you for pointing out the errors of my propagated opinions my friend. The problem now, for me anyway, is that this fact makes me even more sick to my stomach. I ask you again, "The person you want to be Commander in Chief does not agree with placing his hand over his heart during our nation's most fought-for, bled-for, and sacrificed-for song?!!" Seriously??? Are you going to agree with him when he says it can no longer be sang in schools????

"How did someone with the most liberal voting record in the U.S. Senate and long-standing relationships with a former terrorist, a racist minister, and the corrupt operators of Chicago Machine politics end up as a supposed beacon of a newer, cleaner, bipartisan politics?"
Like I stated above, we can't talk about these issues. They are either 1) too racist 2) too personal or 3) ignored completely. Amazing.

"Why is Barack Obama a politician who goes beyond "abortion rights" in supporting de facto infanticide? To become the lone voice who opposed a bill banning infanticide-by-neglect — a stance too extreme even for Nancy Pelosi?" Y'all I am not going to get into a debate about abortion here. What I am going to point out is this: infanticide-by-neglect simply translates to "the baby is too big to be cut and sucked out by the normal fashion so the mommas actually give birth to babies who are non-viable (cannot make it outside the womb yet) then the babies are left to die a natural death with no medical intervention." And his is the lone voice supporting this in the Illinois senate. No wonder the National Abortion Rights Action League says Obama is the most pro-abortion candidate they have ever backed. But, please let's make excuses, ignore, and point fingers else where instead of actually letting this fact digest: He doesn't see a problem with women giving birth to live unwanted babies and allowing them to die naturally. The most vulnerable souls on the planet cannot count him as friend, but I am suppose to think he can be trusted with 300,000,000 American souls?

Edited Version: @ 10,000catholics4obama I read several eloquent quotes from Barack. I think it was meant to change my mind but once again it made me even more aghast at the flagrant disregard to what he's saying. Here it is, you decide. "The other email rumor that’s been floating around is that somehow I’m unwilling to see doctors offer life-saving care to children who were born as a result of an induced abortion. That’s just false. There was a bill that came up in Illinois that was called the “Born Alive” bill that purported to require life-saving treatment to such infants. And I did vote against that bill. The reason was that there was already a law in place in Illinois that said that you always have to supply life-saving treatment to any infant under any circumstances, and this bill actually was designed to overturn Roe v. Wade, so I didn’t think it was going to pass constitutional muster." I'm sorry? The bill was "purported" to require life-saving treatment, but he wouldn't vote for it because (his true reason revealed) it was "actually designed to overturn Roe v. Wade". Am I the only one who sees him as a slick smooth talking lawyer? Slick as, dare I say, Snake Oil???
What he didn't go on to say was it was reintroduced twice more because no one could believe someone would oppose it and he blocked it. Blocked it people... because it was a threat to Roe vs. Wade. Which, no matter how pretty he can flower it up - he is obviously willing to go it solo to protect. Some may think that strong convictions, character or what have you. I, personally, do not want to face the 48 million lives that have been lost to Roe V Wade and say, "Sorry, I didn't stand up for you,"... I will not pussyfoot around the fact I believe there is no other moral issue we face of greater importance than abortion. 3, 600 every single day. (Imagine every letter on this post as a child and you will have a picture of how many babies were killed today. Talk about an inconvenient truth.) And don't try to fool yourself, we will all have to give an accounting of ourselves one day. What exactly are you going to say?

Sorry my friend, I visited both sites to see what he had to say and wound up even more disgusted in the whole arena called politics...

All that said, these are my opinions. It's inferred in my name and it is definitely in my nature to call it like I see it. And like my dear, sweet friend Sheila, we just agree to disagree.

Love Note to my Big Shooter: Thank you for always looking out for me when I don't feel great...and you feel worse then me. You're a saint. I am wondering if the cold meds have me all hyped up to type up?

Pregnancy Cravings

Sauerkraut.

That was mine.

For breakfast.

For lunch.

And again for dinner sometimes too.

Big Shooter and I had a little on Saturday and it reminded him of waking up to the nauseating smell in the mornings during our very first pregnancy.

I didn't have any particular, singular cravings like that in the next three pregnancies. I would think of some thing that sounded good around 3 or 4 in the afternoon and then my dinner was not complete until I'd had whatever it was. For instance, if I had a fabulous baked potato soup in the crock pot waiting at home with all the fixin's and I thought of a chicken Caesar salad around 4, I wouldn't feel like I ate dinner no matter how much yummy soup I ate until I had the salad. We just learned to go with it...after many late night runs to the grocery or late night take-out. The cravings were rarely the same from day to day like the sauerkraut had been. It would range from a grape icee in the dead of winter to acorn squash with butter and brown sugar the next day. No rhyme or reason.

I am not really sure why all this came pouring out today.

It was kinda like the cravings.

Just came outta nowhere.

Did any of you have any cravings?

Or other oddities?

Love Note to my Big Shooter: Wow. What a blast from the past! I loved walking down Memory Lane with you this weekend. It was refreshing in many ways. So many years, so many unbelievable moments and experiences. I wouldn't trade a single one.

Weeell, that's stretching it a teensy weensy little bit. There might be one or two we could skipped.

Edited Version of: GrammE Birthday

Happy Birthday to YOU,

Happy Birthday

Dear GrammE!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUUUUUU!!!

We hope your day is fabuloso!!!

Post Note: My mother's comment was, "Wow. Your blog was pretty tame today."

Really? Okay. So, now that we have permission, I can add these comments from the kids.

1. "You are old as dirt."

2. "I can't believe at your age you're still walking...and breathing."

3. "63? That's it. I thought she was at least 70!"

4. Annnnddd...

Niiice. My mother with my child's undies on her head.

We still hope your day is FABULOSO!!

Life Lessons by Amelia Ant

"Mesmerizing." ~ Girl Child age 8

"Entertaining." ~ Boy Child age 10

"Incredible Ingenuity." ~ Big Shooter age 40

"Show Stoppers." ~ Straight Shooter age almost 40

"Unbelievable, Incredible Feats of Strength." ~ All Shooter family members several times daily

At first, it may sound as if we were describing a Broadway hit or at least the Freak Sideshow at the circus, but it is not to be.

We are speaking, a-gain (say it like Forest Gump when he went to the White House...a-gain) of our industrious house guests ~ the Ants.

We have all spent so much time observing, commenting and critiquing I finally had the brilliant idea to record some of my favorites.

Before I share, I want it stated for the record, I will not be giving credit where credit is due because I don't remember where credit is due. What I do know is I will more than likely commit the first ever mistake of my life and incorrectly give credit to the incorrect person and then hear about it from the correct one. Which in turn will cause arguments amongst Big Shooter's Spaw...I mean our loving, kind and patient blessings might kindly ask me to make some minor, inconsequential post editing changes at my earliest convenience. So out of the kindness of my pea-picker, I will just state my business and move on.

I am going to title these observations: Life Lessons from an Ant's View Point.

* "Never give up! The break through is sooo close!"

* "No task is too daunting with persistence."

* "Determination will get you places...amazing places!"

* "Every little bit helps."

* "Your load may seem heavy, but someone else's is guaranteed to be heavier."

* " You can always back yourself out of tight places."

* "Diligence pays in giant rewards!"

* " Always give the right of way."

* "If the mountain in front of you seems too big, find another way or go under it."

* "It is always better to have a friend's help."

* "Together we can move whole mountains!"

* "There is light at the end of the tunnel!"

* "When disaster strikes, there is only one thing you can do - start over."

* "Team work! Team work! Team work! Rah, rah, rah!!"

* "There is always more than one way to get there."

* "Our world is fragile and must be respected."

* "Really hard work pays off!"

* "Chip, chip, chipping away gets rid of something unwanted."

* "A breakthrough is cause for great celebration!"

And my favorite observation thus far:

* "Frequent grooming is a very good thing..."

Amen Sister!! ...or Brother.

Love Note to my Big Shooter: Let's play Ants. You be the Daddy Ant and I'll be the Momma Ant and I'll meet you in the shower for some "frequent grooming" 'kay?

Ant Update

Y'all remember when we finally got the ants to inhabit this?



Welllll...that didn't work out so good the first time.


When we got the ant shipment, all but two were dead. But Uncle Milton's sent us a new shipment very quickly. In fact, their words were along the lines of "we do not want to be responsible for a 9 yo boy's disappointment". Hmmm. That was not what I was expecting when I called. I was relieved and impressed.


Until...the second set of ants didn't do any digging in the gel. We gave them lots of time. Lots of encouraging (as much as you can encourage ants). No go.


When I called Uncle Milton's to ask if this was normal or if we were doing something wrong, I learned two things.


1. Apparently the gel colonies have a shelf life. Hmm. That might have been good to know.


2. Uncle Milton takes good care of their customers. Really good care. At their own expense.


Third time was the charm. We received a "Natural Ant Replacement Kit". Which basically meant we weren't going to mess around with the gel colony any longer. We were going to do it naturally with sand.


I was a little more than skeptical. This being the third round and all.


No need to worry.


This is after 10 days.


They're busy little beavers, er bees. I mean ants. Whatever.

Love Note to my Big Shooter: I love watching you and your Minnie Me watch the ants.

I have a story to tell you about a dog...

His name is Faith.

He lives here in Oklahoma.

He has this effect on everyone he meets...

He was born on Christmas Eve in 2002 with 3 legs - 2 healthy hind legs and 1 abnormal front leg which needed to be amputated.

He, of course, could not walk when he was born.

His momma dog did not want him.

His first owner also did not think that he could survive.

Therefore, he didn't want him and was thinking of putting him to sleep.

It was then Jude Stringfellow met him and wanted to take care of him.

She was determined to teach and train this dog to walk by himself.

Hence, his name "Faith."

In the beginning, she put Faith on a surf board to let him feel the movements of the water. Later she used peanut butter on a spoon as a lure and to reward him for standing up and jumping around. Even the other dogs at home helped to encourage him to walk.

Amazingly, after only 6 months, like a miracle, Faith learned to balance on his 2 hind legs and jumped to move forward.

After further training in the snow(scroll back up and look again at puppy picture), he can now walk like a human being.

He spends his time as a super successful motivational speaker in classrooms.

Hospitals.

Malls.

Any where someone needs an emotional boost.

Next time you think you are overwhelmed with life's little problems think of Faith.

And I'll bet God will open a door for you.

Love Note to my Big Shoooter: Thank you for reminding me of this precious, brave dog and the quote. You remind me of Faith. You are the Shooter Family's very own miracle. "Healing your own heart is the single most powerful thing you can do to change the world."

5 Perfect Strangers

I met 5 other strangers/bloggers/soul sisters in Dallas this weekend.

And I now need to ask the question, "When it comes to traveling, are you an Over-Planner, a Just Right Planner, or...ahem, a Wait-for-the-last-possible-second-should-have-been-out-the-door-already-Planner?"

I am an Over Planner of Life, which turns me into a Wait-for-the-last-second-possible...the third choice.

I know I must get packed. By packed I do not mean just clothes either. I mean outfits. (You know what I mean girls.) And Secret Sistah gifts, and Glad to Meetcha gifts, and Glad to Have Met Ya gifts, and all the paraphernalia that would go along with a Meet Perfect Strangers/Sleep in Same Hotel Suite with said Strangers/Share Life Stories with again said Strangers/Spend 41ish Glorious Hours with said Perfect Soul Sisters, I mean Perfect Strangers kinda weekend. And there was a whole lot of paraphernalia and planning ahead that went along with this kinda weekend too. It's just that I Over Plan the rest of my life so that planning ahead thing and being organized was a little outta my league.

A few Slight Mis-Judgements:

* Going to an 8:40 pm movie the night before with not a stitch packed.

* Writing a very important business (12ish page) application after the movie and packing. (In my defense, I had sat with laptop in well, my lap, night after night for a week trying to pry something out of my brain. Nothing like a little deadline to get the typing fingers flying, eh? I am not so sure Saucy Sashi would agree, but she is also one of those pain in the bu...I mean extremely talented people who can just sit down and Wham-Bam-Thank-You-Ma'am write something poetic!)

* Search for purse in ransacked house on two hours of sleep. Not find purse and leave for weekend anyway. (Had wallet what else could I possibly need on a weekend out of state with Perfect Strangers?)

* Drive to meet first Perfect Stranger way too hyped-up on excitement of No-Kids-No-Domestic-Responsibilities-NO-Sleep b/c your foot might be a little heavy on the accelerator...before you've even cleared the city limits.

* Forget to have new jeans hemmed before end of week for trip because you may or may not have been busy pickin' up a hawg on the day "trip errands" were scheduled.

* Hem jeans by hand, in the car, on way to weekend with first Perfect Stranger driving with more hyped-up excitement than self.

* Have to wear thick socks and Merrells to over-priced pedicure because ped-i-cure did not sink in until the moment the socks were being peeled off so feet could be placed in warm, swirling, blue, lighted water... Thankfully, the kindness of yet another Perfect Stranger a pair of hot, pink flip-flops were located and purchased in the knick of time! Thank you Marcy!

* Visiting the Mecca of Knock-Offs and Cheap Costume Jewelry (Sam Moons) on a limited budget due to the fact I'd not limited my drinks the night before...ahem. Wow. Bars make a killin'. I wonder how Big Shooter would feel about opening a Straight Shooter Saloon?

* Not having camera for bloggy weekend. It is safely ensconced in lost purse.

Very Good Judgement Call:

* Trusting intuition and joining Bloggy Weekend with no-longer Perfect Strangers.

While sitting next to a beautiful lady in her late 50's getting my aching, deprived feet masterfully massaged and lathered so well I proposed to the sweet little girl...sorry, I lost myself. What was I saying? Oh yeah, beautiful lady. After observing the antics, joking and harrassing she asked me how long we'd been friends. I looked at my watch and said, "We met for the first time 17 hours ago." Of course she needed an explaination. But how do you logically explain to someone, "Well, see this is a group of girls who we've met on the internet, shared more deeply emotional experiences with than most of our real-life friends and we've been planning this first time meeting outta state, away from our families for a long time"? You don't. You just say, "Oh, we're on-line writers. We correspond with each other regularly and decided to finally meet in person." For some reason that sounds better and they say, "Oh, that's great," instead of getting this bug-eyed look of "OMG! It's a gaggle of on-line ax murders!"
I digress. Again.
After a brief description her response was so very heartfelt. "You know honey, I have a group of girlfriends I've been friends with for 27 years and we act just like this. The difference is, it took us 27 years to form this kind of friendship. Treasure this. Keep this a priority. Women need these kinds of friends."
Wow.
Just wow.
I told her we plan to. And I do.
Women do need each other. And I needed this weekend. And these women.

Thank you girls...until next time.

Love Note to my Big Shooter: Thank you for encouraging me to take part in this weekend. I am so very blessed to have you. Do you know why I love you the most? Cause you didn't give me the third degree about any of them. Not one question. ...and I am choosing to believe it was because you just didn't want to be overbearing or controlling. Not that you didn't care I was leaving the state, staying in a hotel you didn't know the name of, or have any numbers you could reach me at in case of emergency... thank you for the freedom Darlin'. In case you want to check them out now, after the fact, here they are.
Soliloquy @ She Just Had to Say It (an extraordinarily, unforgettable post)
Holly @ June Cleaver Nirvana (her pics are a-maze-ing)
Suzanne @ Happy Chaos (timely smiles are not their specialty)
Marcy @ The Glamorous Life (a perfect example of her playfulness)
Shawna @ Blah Blah Blog (don't kid yourself, she's the rock star in the fam)

Crumb Snatcher #1 Speak

Boy Child: Mom, have I ever been to a national museum? Like the National Museum of Art...or History... or something like that?

Straight Shooter: Yes. We all went to Washington D.C. a month after 9-11. It was very moving and sentimental for Mommy and Daddy.

Boy Child: Uh, huh.

Straight Shooter: I think it would be fabulous if every American could visit our nation's capitol at least once in their lifetime. It can be life chan...

Boy Child: Yep, I thought so. I just couldn't remember for sure. (Pause for thought.) I do know I've been to the original Wal*Mart Museum though! Now that was moving and sensitive, wasn't it Mommy?

Straight Shooter: Uh, huh.

Love Note to my Big Shooter: I think it is time to take a step back and take a SERIOUS look at what kind of parenting job we are doing...

Kids Political View

After learning what the national parties mascots were:




"What? An elephant? The republicans are elephants? Are they all fat and happy?" ~ Girl Child age 8 1/2


"...and the democrats are donkeys...or jackasses...or whatever you call those." ~ Boy Child age 10




I think tomorrow we will have a lesson on perception...

Love Note to my Big Shooter: Debates vs. Dreamland? Dreamland was victorious by a Knock Out! How sad.

Untitled

I wasn't sure whether to call this post:

* Got Called Chubby by Amish Granny While Pickin' Up Our Hawg Today.
* Son Ducked Down in Backseat From Embarrassment Caused by Mom Today
* According to the Cookies: Obama Will Be Our Next POTUS
* Did I REALLY Miss the Last Faux Debate Tonight?
* Yes, I Did. And Strangely, I Don't Care...

Here's our day...

~ Taught my youngins' the subjects that need teachin' at home, well...at home. So we could take a road trip while they finished the rest.

~ Took them to our fave bakery to buy them a Political Cookie. The Best Bakery In The Free World keeps a runnin' tally of how many Republican and Democrat candidate cookies they sell. It is very competitive and very precise...and delicious, ahem.

~ Drove to a very small town to pick up a hog our fam is splittin' halfsies with Sashi's fam. Homeschool was in full swing at this joint...Oh. My. Word. So many questions. So many disgusting questions. I now know why curiosity killed the cat. I almost paid the kill fee two more times...

~ Had to stop at the Local Seed and Feed to ask a group of men standing around the back of a truck jawin' for a direction clarification. After thanking the gentlemen and beginning to drive away, Boy Child pops up from a prone position in the back of the Excursion and says, "Okay, you can make my acquaintance again." It took me a sec. Then it dawned on me. "Were you lying down hiding back there while I asked for directions?" His answer, "Uh, YEAH! Hel-lo Mommy (I loved the Mommy part) you just pulled up to a bunch of MEN you didn't know, inter-rupted them, and let them know you were lost...or whatever you were..." Speechless. I was just speechless. Girl Child wasn't. She piped up, "Are you serious Boy Child ?!? Why? Just tell me. I want to know why you were embarrassed???" I just looked at her, shrugged and added, "If you figure that one out Sister...you'll be considered a genius."

~ Had the bright idea since I was in Amish Country to stop in and find a date our homeschool group could go out and dine with them in December. Granny Fanny (her real name btw) at one point was referring to the two of us and said, "You understand honey. You're chubby too." I started to snort. Snort loud. I only stopped because of the horrified look on my Crumb Snatchers faces. Is it bad to snort in front of the Amish? Do they know something at they're tender age about the Amish I do not? I have not been called Chubby since...I can't even remember people. I am not chubby. I am fat. It just cracked me up. Girl Child told me later she was proud of me for not correcting "the nice fat granny because she would have found out she was fat too...not chubby." My sweet Girl. Always looking out for the fat people of the world.

~ On our way home I stopped at a vegetable stand. If I just stopped typing there it wouldn't be interesting. But this vegetable stand was at lease 4-5 miles from the nearest small town off a very busy country highway. Nothing around. Nothing. Just a little pop-up tent thingy and a table loaded with veggies. There were no cars or trucks. Not even for the lady running it. We pulled up (after I glanced over, saw it, jammed the brakes, and Boy Child got slammed by 250 pounds of frozen HAWG sliding forward) and when I opened the door to get out I forgot I was in the very tall, Giant Gas Hog and fell out into the dirt. Bam! All I heard was ruckus, loud, hold-your-belly laughing from the Crumbs. I shoulda paid the Kill Fee a few hours before... The little lady turned out to be some sort of Asian decent and started shouting towards me. I still don't know if she was saying, "Oh my! Are you okay?" or "You idiot. That's what you get for driving a gas hog you Chubby housewife!" Since I couldn't understand anything she was saying I couldn't communicate the cost of anything either. So finally I pulled out the cash I had left in my wallet. (It was a measly $7.75 since I bought a drink at the butcher's place to get my children's mouths occupied with something other than questions. And then the fleecing I endured at Granny Fanny's buying her Chicken Base, her granddaughter's beaded jewelry for Girl Child and a Granny Fanny Cookbook.) Anyway, I handed the little lady the cash and after much pointing she handed me a giant bag of fresh from her garden green beans, a big bag of tomatoes and a bag of cukes! Fresh from the red dirt of an Oklahoma garden. For $7.75. It was by far, the best part of my day. Sans the embarrassing fall into the said Red Dirt.

~ The final straw, the last feather in my hat, the thing that pushed me over the brink (and helped me forget about the debates) was I witnessed a horrifying scene. (If I could plug my ears, say "blah, blah, blah", cover my eyes and still type, I would.) The girl Terrorist is no longer biting my beloved BDP...she is trying to...well, mount him...constantly. Yorkie on Pug action is not what I had in mind for the evening's entertainment. Keeping her occupied for the evening so he could rest was my final act of the evening.

I am going to bed now. I need some kind of yoga technique to clear my brain. I am not sure which part of my day could cause the most traumatic dream...there seems to be a whole plethora to chose from.

Now that you've endured thus far. I am offering a small prize (Arbonne Ginger Citrus Body Butter) for the best title of this post. Thank you and Good Night.

Love Note to my Big Shooter: I so hope you like pork...for so many different reasons...

Terrorist Defined

She doesn't look like much.
But trust me when I say, "The girl has been to camp in Afghanistan."
My sweet, sweet BDP has bites and shakes whenever she comes near...
All two pounds of her...

She might look sweet. Okay, really sweet.

She is.

But she is also a complete and utter Terror on the Loose in our house...until Friday when Saucy Sashi returns to retrieve her...

October ~ The Squishy Month

Okay Girls...time for some serious business.

If you are near 40, have cancer in your fam or are just blessedly precautious October is the month for The Squish.

Here in the Shooter household we take this whole Awareness real serious.

Big Shooter's momma died of breast cancer when she was in her 40's.

His big sis is fighting breast cancer as I type this...she's winning.

My Grandmother has had a mastectomy on my Dad's side.

My aunt has had a mastectomy on my Mom's side.

I have several lumps "of interest" we keep a real close eye on.

Therefore, I have very regular Squish Appointments.

The first is the worst. You're not sure what to expect. You're nervous about the pain. But really, it's not bad...

And no one will be the wiser...

I jest. Really, it's not at all this bad. Please. Please make your appointment right now. Don't put it off for another moment. Take it from someone who's seen some cancer in her short life..."shoulda, woulda, coulda" is not an option.

Love Note to my Big Shooter: If I haven't told you lately Love, I am very, very proud to call you a Cancer Survivor. You are a real life hero. Thank you for your inspiration. I love you.

Green Give-Away Winner!!

This was my first time using a random number generator. It wasn't as satisfying as I'd hoped... maybe the hype was too much.

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers: 17
Timestamp: 2008-10-11 05:28:36 UTC

Christine at The Home Team Wins wins the set of three reusable bags for her grocery runs!

I am giving the other three away at the end of the the month...just in time to be filled with your kids' Halloween candy you know you will confiscate because "it may be unsafe for them" to eat. You know you will. Don't pretend.

Just in case you can't wait until the end of the month for the chance to win a bag...my funny bloggy friend Flea is having an ADORABLE and funny bag give-away at her place. This is what is on the front of the canvas bag...

Go visit her at The Good Flea and sign-up!!

What would be a fair turn about...

for pee on the seat?
Not from the 10 yo. male resident.
But, from the 40 yo. male resident.

I just don't get it.

Is it really that hard/heavy/difficult/whatever to lift?

Love Note to my Big Shooter: Sorry for ratting you out Darlin'. Really. But, ewww.

To Lie or Not to Lie?

Here's my dilemma.

We whole-heartily jumped into the Santa Trap.

Our lie has evolved past "Yes Virgina, there really is a Santa Claus."

Waaay past.
Our lie has taken on a life of it's own.

In fact, I am embarrassed to even share all we've filled their little heads with. (By us, I mean me.)

Last night Boy Child came to me with chin trembling and asked The Question.

I didn't come right out and lie some more. But, Big Shooter did.

Another whopper.

I was ready to gently pop the bubble. He (Big Shooter) said, "Uh uh. No way. Not yet."

So my question(s) is this.

How long (if you fell into the Lie Machine too) did you pursue it? And more importantly, how did you break the truth?

Cause honestly y'all I am not looking forward to this...

P.S. The Reusable Bag Give-Away ends this evening! Be sure to enter.

Love Note to my Big Shooter: You know I love you with every fiber of my being? That I stand behind you no matter what? I've got your back at all times. But when it comes to parenting, sometimes I wonder if I need to stand behind you...and swing my frying pan.