Happy Father's Day Grandpa!

From all your kiddos...




Even the 4-legged ones...

We so hope your day is abundantly filled with love.

Dear Grammie...

WE LOVE YOU!

Big Girl 40th Birthday Sleep Over

I titled this post so blase' because when we, er...Big Shooter, was looking for party ideas out there in Google Land we could not seem to find what we were looking for.

Of course with this title I'll get the pervs who think they are coming to a porn site for partying fat chicks too... But hey, I'm an equal opportunity helper of others.

I think this post may be a big fat let down for some who have been dying to hear how it went with pictures as the evidence. But I didn't even take my camera out of it's case.

I am feeling the pain today about that little indiscretion too.

What was I thinking?!? Obviously, I wasn't. The only time I remembered it was when we were playing The Plunger game, but when I said the word camera...I was threatened with bodily harm. The scary part for me was - they were dead dog serious about ripping me from limb to limb if I even thought about it. So I didn't and now, of course, wish I would have lived life on the edge and snapped a few...

Here's the only one I took the whole weekend.

I'll take you through the games and guests and everything in the picture should be covered in one way or another...


It began with a name tag with 3 different lines. On the first was their christened name. On the second they wrote where they knew me from. (A couple used this to their full advantage since so few knew each other. One put rehab and another put AA.) The third line asked for a name of a childhood pet and either their momma's maiden name or a street from their childhood. (Ex: mine was PoPo Brown. Sashi's was Snowball 169.) These, as was later revealed, were their Adult Entertainer names... We had a tie. There was a dance-off and the author of yesterday's post the virtuous, the responsible Podcastin' Cyndi won the prize.

Then came a few games:
Guess Who consisted of me sticking a famous person's name on each woman's back. (Oprah, Cinderella, Mother Teresa, Jezebel, etc.) They could only ask yes/no questions to figure out who they were. The only snafu here was I totally thought Jezebel was like a hootchie, hot momma kinda girl and assigned her name to my friend who very much is a hot momma...only to find out Jezebel is no such girl. Hmmm, maybe I should read that bible, not just use it as a bookend. The game was fun none the less. Those girls were serious about finding out who they were. It turned out to be a fabulous ice breaker.

There was a Momma Purse Scavenger Hunt. The most bizarre item found in a momma's purse was a very nice Cuban cigar in a nice little metal case...hmmm. I am not sure if it's origin, intended purpose or even if it's alternative purposes was fully explained by the end of the evening either.


There was a wine glass passed around full of questions to be answered by both a guest and the birthday girl. That was interesting. That was enlightening. And that was embarrassing...er um, bonding. We learned nicknames of family members and, ahem, body parts. We laughed hysterically at some's stories and answers. We empathized for one who answered the last time she cried had been the day before when it was confirmed indeed she was not pregnant as she so wants to be. We cringed, we snorted, we guffawed and we grinned. It was fabulous girl bonding at it's finest.

As Podcastin' Cyndi pointed out there was a wide range of individuals there. Just the way I love it. There was indeed a pastor's wife, a biker chick, a urban socialite, a factory worker, a Kansas farm girl and a classical educator. But there was also a Martha Stewart type, an incredible artist, a liberal or two, a former news anchor, a doctor's wife, a gym coach, a child counselor and a former nurse. All walks of life. All my dearest friends. I missed so many others this weekend that all I keep thinkin' is..."We'll have to do this again. And soon."

Even though Sledge's pleather pants, spiked jewelry and rock star wig are in the picture he, very sadly, didn't make it to the party. He did, however, make it to the lake later in the weekend. And that's all I'm saying about that.

I liked this last photo because Girl Child's comment when she saw it was, "...it's like you're looking past your birthday Momma...into your future."

Oh the words of wisdom that escape a babe's precious lips...

I am indeed looking forward to my future.

Thank you friends.

Love Note to my Big Shooter: And thank you Big Guy. What fabulous, bonding memories I will cherish for a lifetime. I am so truly blessed with deep, rich friendships.

Love Note to Sledge: RRRrrrr....

Git'r Done, Valentine

Love was in the air.

Hearts were a flutter.

Eyes were a flame.

...and camo was everywhere.

Larry the Cable Guy took my breath away...

cause I was laughin' so damn hard!

This was Big Shooter's idea of a perfect Redneck Valentine Date.

I never knew just how redneck I was until I realized how much I can relate to Larry...Now that's some sad state of affairs my friends. Sad.

Thank you for the grand time on the town Love. I especially loved the part of the evening we realized we did not in fact have sweet suite tickets... Wasn't that nice of those people to share several adult beverages, wings, and more adult beverages with complete strangers? Dating you is never boring.

Love Note to my Big Shooter: Before anyone asks for clarification I think we should give it to them now don't you Love? So yep, we mistakenly walked right into the #12 suite, instead of the #12 section. Yep, we just acted like we were suppose to be there (because we thought we were). Yep, we drank their booze, ate their food and laughed our butts off with complete strangers. And yep, loved every minute of it! Now that I think about it, that was redneck wasn't it? (sigh...) I love you Bubba.

"Yes, Jesus is the reason for the season...but, YOU are the reason He was sent."

Read that somewhere last week and it has stuck with me whilst (that was a fun word!) I've been making plans for my precious little fam for the next few days.

I will more than likely be taking a short break from regular blogging the next few days as well. Unless something big happens I can't possibly wait another second to share it!

Merry Christmas from the Shooter household to you and yours!!

Don't forget to say a prayer for our brave men and women around the world standing guard, making it possible for you to celebrate with your families in peace.

Love Note to my Big Shooter: I've been checkin' my list to see if you've been Naughty (enough) or Nice.

Bah Hum Bug Anyone?

First, it was Girl Child who wondered about the lack of Christmas lights on our street. Then it was Boy who commented on our own house lacking any real Holiday Cheer. Now tonight, it was Big Shooter who made mention of the slim pickins' in the way of Christmas cards we've received this year. At first I just pooh poohed it as people seem to have been caught off guard by Christmas this year. Me included in that by the way. (Please keep that in mind Mom and Dad as you sit and wait for the UPS guy...)
But then as we were out tonight running some errands that couldn't be put off any longer, I began really looking around. Houses that have had their decorations up and flashing for the past 20+ years on Black Friday are bare this time around. The downtown building that usually leaves certain office lights on on each floor to form a skyscraper sized Christmas tree on the facade is dark. The extra merchandise the stores stocked their shelves with seem to still be overstocked. I, myself, have been trying to come up with a believable excuse to not do our annual New Year's letter.
What is it?

The obvious reason is the economy.
But could it be something else?
Are people finally getting tired of seeing Christmas in July? Or being made to feel guilty if they didn't buy everyone they know and their dogs a gift? Or grown just plain weary of the whole dang thing??
We've all cut back, out, down and around this year. But I, personally, feel it is more than that. I think as we have had to give up, we are giving in to so much more.
We,the Shooter family, are spending more at the grocery store. But that is because we are spending less time on the road running between here and yonder while grabbing a quick bite out. Which means we are spending more time around the dinner table conversing and less in the car on the cell... We're finding all this extra time in the evenings for "just hangin' out with Daddy" or takin' a quick walk around the block and over the highway in "the cool caged bridge". (What can I say? We live in the bad part of town...)
One of the errands tonight was The Santa Visit. As I listened to my most precious gifts telling St. Nick what they'd like I had another epiphany. Their views were changing too. Boy Child asked for a Monopoly game and a bike. Girl Child asked for a bow with arrows and also a bike. These choices screamed out two words to me: Family Time.
If having a national Bah Hum Bug crisis is what it takes for us all to start treasuring each other again...then I'm all for it!
So, "Bah Hum Bug to each and everyone of you! I love ya!"

Love Note to my Big Shooter: 12???? 12 Glorious years! ...ain't bad outta 17, huh? Happy Anniversary, Love of my Life.

Christmas Tag

I so love my friend Flea. Have I ever told you how I met her in for real life? I was at Sashi's doin' some JBF gig when Flea's family came to get some natural fertilizer (the real good stuff from the pasture) and I recognized her name from the comments section of the The Pioneer Woman. I asked her if she was a blogger and...the rest is history as they say. Anywhoo, she tagged me last week for a holiday meme and today is a perfect day just for that!

So just when you thought you knew all there was to know about me - I subject you to some more titillating facts. I know you are chomping at the bit. So with out further ado...



The Holiday Version Meme

Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?

See, here's where we run into our first problem. I am a hot choc kinda gal in any kind of weather. But egg nog y'all? If it is just the right kind...well, then bar the door Sally Jean cause I am bustin' it down to get me some of that yummy stuff. So I don't know what to say.

Does Santa wrap presents or set them under the tree?

Mrs Claus's a wrapper. A fat white wrapper. Prolong the agony, I say. I plan, prepare and organize every year to wrap as I go. Never happens. I end up wrapping in one room while Santa wraps in another after midnight on Dec. 23 every stinkin' year cause my middle names are "Procrastinator" and "I think it will only take a few minutes to finish like 30 gifts..."

Colored lights on tree or white?

Not long ago, it was white only. Now, with the Crumbs and their utter delight with a Charlie Brown tree...colored is just fine-o-ree

When do you put your decorations up?

Here we go again with the "used to" again. I used to want the decos up Thanksgiving day or Black Friday. Now, we are lucky to have a tree. (We just decorated it yesterday.)

What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?

Any thing Granny Grunt cooked. Any thing.

Favorite Holiday memory as a child:

I have two: Going to sleep (or should I say, trying to go to sleep) at Granny Grunts with all my cousins on Christmas Eve night. The anticipation of waking up to see if I had indeed been good enough to get a gift from the big man was over the top! And, watching Grandpa Bozo shake, squeeze, rattle and violate each and every gift before opening it. He would guess correctly 75% of the time before he opened it. Drove us all nuts! We'd try to fool him every year.

When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?

What truth? What are you talking about?

Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?

Nope, not one. All of them.

I think this must have started from the fact I would rotate Christmas Eve with my mom and dad each year. So I'd celebrate it with whomever I was with, then go to the other's house on Christmas. Or it could have been the fact that both of my parents are the world's worst when it comes time to show a little restraint with the present opening... To this day, they both pretend it's no big deal. Trust me. It is. They love present opening time. Which, of course, makes everyone around them love present opening time!

How do you decorate your Christmas tree?

I don't. Big Shooter is the Christmas decorator. He should have an entry in the Tree Festival each year. It may help him, focus his passion, give him a healthy outlet for his over abundant creativity. (Oh, that made me chuckle and gag at the same time!) Although, the last two years we've let the Crumbs have their Charlie Brown tree since he hasn't felt up to the whole Christmas Extravaganza and he's been real cool with the whole gig. I secretly hope he'll feel more into it next year. I kinda miss all the holiday cheer our house usually oozes with.

Snow... Love it or Dread it?

Lllllllloooove it! Missssss it! Would love some more of it!!

We have the best sledding hill in Plainsville a few blocks away. The Crumbs have been scouting out new sleds for the last couple weeks like no one's business.

Can you ice skate?

That would be a big fat negatory on that one.

Do you remember your favorite gift?

Yep...it's this Christmas's miracle. My Big Shooter is here. It will forever and ever be my most precious answered prayer.

What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you?

Family

What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?

Braum's egg nog. If that's not counted as a real dessert than I'd have to say the sweet chex mix my mom makes with the coconut, butter, almonds, butter, chex and butter...Mmmmmmm.

What is your favorite tradition?

Don't tell Big Shooter...but, I don't really mind the whole stupid "Mall Walking Day" on Black Friday as much as I'd like him to think I do...

Which do you prefer, Giving or Receiving?

Oh, I so wish I had a kazillion $$$$ to spend. I fantasize all the time about how I'd give gifts away. Do any of you play the If I was a Kazillionaire Game?

What is your favorite Christmas Song?

All of them!

Although, I will have to say the one about chestnuts roasting on an open fire has a special place b/c Big Shooter sings that one year round in the shower...

Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?

I played a game with myself when I was a kid. I always tried to see how small and sharp I could make the candy cane before it broke off. The smell of candy canes could transport me to Christmas time immediately. Now. I am not a huge candy cane fan. I don't know what changed.

Ever recycled a Christmas present?

Lalalala! Wh...what? I didn't hear you!



Don't Be A Scrooge! Tag 7 friends to Deck the Halls...

Okie Dokie! I tag Sheila @ Somebody Loved cause she has a Fabulous Spirit all year round, Soliloquy @ She Just Had to Say It cause she needs a break from rusty cookie sheets, Marcy from The Glamorous Life because she is the only one I know who can get a hangover at a cookie exchange, June from June Cleaver after a Six Pack cause her hubby is serving our country and she really needs to get laid, I mean catch a break and she is stinkin' hilarious, Rachel @ Huse Blog is it Anyway? cause she also just needs a no brainer break (although not in the same way June does...), Mama Belle @ The Bayou Belles and Their Beau because Mama had a BIG weekend last week, The lady who wants my twerpy kids and I to visit her @ Clan of the Cave Mice.

Love Note to my Big Shooter: Thank you for making the Crumbs think their Charlie Brown tree was the most beautiful tree in the world. If you only knew the agony I, I meant we, went through this afternoon to make it "just perfect for Daddy" you'd know how willing I'd be to kiss your feet since you said all the perfect compliments when you walked in and saw the monstrosity. You rock Daddy-O.

Calvin, Rocker Chick & a Preview

None of the pics have great lighting...

but great fun was had by all!

In full Calvin mode.

All. the. time.

I'm thinkin' the bad light actually made her look more rocker ghoulish...

I personally loved the pink pirate kitty necklace.

I started noticing Boy Child's body language.

He seems to have begun leaning a smidgen away from her...

Yep.

He's had enough.

Time to get on with the Candy Begging!

I know I promised pix of the Big Shooter today.

There's a little problem - Big Shooter doesn't like the pix.

I know. Wahhhh.

It's one of those rare times I will show some restraint...

I'll wait a couple days until he's back at work.

Heh.

Just so you don't feel totally jipped though...

Love Note to my Big Shooter: Plllleease hurry back to work so I can share the pix. I've got to deliver on my promise Love. Besides that, I can't wait to show 'em how incredibly lucky I am to have a hot Rocker living with me!!

...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?

It's amazing what you find

when you look through your memory card...

I was wondering where the Easter pics were.

Sashi's parents always feel sorry for us and invite us out to their family's gig. They are some Good People ya'll. Good. Like Goody-Goody Gum Drop good. Gum Drops are sweeeet. Gum Drops offer stickiness to hold your teeth together (or offer prayers and support when the love of your life has cancer). Gum Drops are very colorful. And Mr. Gum Drop puts up with, I mean entertains, the Snatchers along with his own brood of grandkids. And Mrs. Gum Drop cooks like a Real Grandma. So it takes us .064 seconds to say, "Thankyoufortheinvitewhatcanwebring.Nothin?Really?Thankyou!Thankyouforincludingus.Seeyouatthedinnertable!" I guess they're kinda like my in-laws...since Sashi is my other spouse an' all. Whatever they are...they are gooood people.

Don't ask about the hair...please. It is another post entirely. He is Big Shooter's son after all. And hair? Hair is a reeeeal major issue in Big Shooter's life. Wow. That basket is big. She had a slight meltdown b/c I asked her to use BDP's dog toy basket. What could I do? The Easter Bunny bought, I mean brought her a cheap pre-packaged-handle-broke-just-unwrapping-it-basket. That was another post. Remember? He pulled the Cancer Card on me? Like I could say anything about the cheap basket after that?

See how #1 is holding his basket at the bottom? That would be because you can see the handle is not attached on the side of his basket either. See the adorable, sturdy basket Saucy's kid is using? I hate when she shows off like that. That Good Mother thing is way over rated.

Can't you hear her, "Please God...I'll do anything if you let Mr. and Mrs. Gum Drop adopt me..."

Like I've said before, "I live where the wind comes whippin' down the plains..." Sashi's perfect hair got mussed. I hate when she has perfect hair. Hair is way over rated.

I love ya Saucy ~ good mothering, perfect hair and all. But, I could never love you as much as your real spouse - Taco Bandito!

Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Gum Drop! We love our Other Family.

Love Note to my Big Shooter: I put one of our songs somewhere on the music player for this blog and I just happened to hear it..."I can't help falling in love with you." - Elvis

Is it Happy Easter or ...

Love Note to My Big Shooter: I experience Mercy and Grace every day with you, through you, because of you.