…to the United States of America November 11, 2009

I am very grateful to all the veterans who have served America.  I remember when I was young, I thought of veterans of being “old”. I probably had that mindset because 1) I was a kid and 2) my grandfather was a veteran and therefore, I thought veterans were all grandfathers.  I remember being in high school when Desert Storm began. Since that time, my view of veterans changed dramatically. It is difficult for me to fathom, to try and comprehend all the sacrifices made on our behalf by these men and women (and their families) who serve our country. What can I say except, thank you.

It was just a dream November 9, 2009

I had a dream last night that as I looked out the window to our back yard, there was a gigantic mountain basically in our back yard. Unusual for Indiana. No mountains here. It was a terrible storm with rain pounding down and mud started sliding down the mountain. Not unusual for Indiana. Lots of bad rain storms here. After the rain started pouring, the mud started sliding down the mountain and pouring into our backyard. Next, huge trees started getting uprooted from the mudslide and carried away down the mountain, crashing into our back yard. Then, big pieces of what were formerly other homes started flying down and crashing down around us. Everything narrowly missing me and my family as we stood watching from my house.

I once had a dream journal that had little tidbits of dream interpretation. The one thing I remember about dream interpretation is that dreaming about a house represents your own soul and self.  In my dream, my house remained intact throughout all this turbulence meaning that my soul and myself stands strong amidst the storms I must endure. I don’t think my conscious self has as much confidence as my sub-conscious self.

This dream came after a discussion with our home teachers. I was asked to share my favorite scripture. This was a task for me since I have many favorite scriptures and often, it depends on my phase of life. I picked Matthew 11: 28-30.

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Maybe in my dream, my house wasn’t my house after all. Maybe my soul was taking a little shelter from the storm in His house.

Hot or not. November 6, 2009

I won something. Finally. But it wasn’t because of luck. It was my sweet cooking skills at a chili cook-off for Halloween.

Winner. Hottest Chili.

Okay so maybe it wasn’t my sweet cooking skills. It might have had something to do with doubling the amount of chipotle chilies in my recipe at Brandon’s suggestion. (Find my recipe on Linoleum Dynamite here.)

Victory was sweet. I raised my arms in triumph. I collected my prize with pride in my face. Then, just when I was thinking I was hot stuff, a ten-year old informed me that his family’s chili recipe would have won if only they didn’t put in as much sugar. Thanks, kid.

Dolly & Me November 4, 2009

Living in a social networking world can be frustrating. Take for instance, Facebook. I appreciate Facebook because I’ve reconnected with some really great friends. I appreciate Facebook because I can keep in touch with people I otherwise might lose track of. I don’t like Facebook because people who didn’t like me in real life now want to be my friend on Facebook. I don’t like Facebook because I feel guilty if I don’t accept the friendship of some person I vaguely remember from high school. Like it – don’t like it. Frustrating.

Something that drives me absolutely crazy about blogs, Facebook and Twitter is that it gives everyone the license to be rude because the internet affords anonymity. I try, really try to be a positive person on the internet. I try not to write negative things.  I intentionally avoid writing about certain topics as to maintain a level of civility in my internet communication.  Too many times I’ve been reading a blog and come across a mean, disrespectful or derogatory comment. Thankfully, I’ve never received a mean comment on my blog. I have had a few somewhat rude comments directed at me on Facebook and Twitter but nothing too serious and likely rooted in misunderstanding. It’s almost to be expected to encounter impolite comments on social networking sites.

One place I never expected to find conflict was on Goodreads – a website that allows you write reviews on books you’ve read.  I love Goodreads. Here is one of my recent reviews of a book I got from the library for G. I gave the book 2 stars (which, for the record is “it was o.k.”). It wasn’t my favorite but I don’t think I wrote anything too inflammatory.

Also for the record, the book is rambling and nonsensical. Sometimes children’s books are rambling and nonsensical. That is nothing new. It doesn’t mean your child won’t like it – G still loved this book. Oh, and just because I didn’t like this book doesn’t mean that I don’t like cats. I love animals. I do. I cried when I watched Marley & Me. I get sad when I see the lobsters in the tank at the grocery store.

So today, I check my Goodreads account to find a passive-aggressive response from a complete stranger.

Dolly, I don’t know you but I am grateful to you because I’ve now been alerted to the fact that strangers can make comments on my reviews and subsequently changed my privacy settings. If you actually did know me, I think you might have rolled your eyes at my review rather than to be so shocked at my apathy. I don’t hate Dewey the cat, I just like other books better. So Dolly, in the interest of coming to some sort of peaceful accord, what do you say we electronically hug it out?

Let the Wild Rumpus Start! October 28, 2009

Check out my latest music review on TodaysMama. You can listen to the album here.

Yes, please. October 26, 2009

One thing I’ve learned about my child and toys is that he is completely content with small-ticket items. Don’t get me wrong, he loves his big-ticket items but I marvel at how happy he is with a 2-inch plastic whale. He seems to latch on to one toy at a time. One that just makes him feel incomplete when he leaves it at home. We took him trick-0r-treating at a local park last Saturday. They set up small stations throughout the woods sponsored by various organizations. Near the end of the path, he happened upon the ultimate treat. Brandon caught this picture which I thought was hysterical considering that he now worships this odd little toy – a shark head with a fish in its mouth. It’s as if the shark head was delivered like manna from the heavens.

But I realized that I too get attached to new toys all the time. Well, maybe not toys but I have my fair share of favorite things that keep me happy. My latest?

Bounce Dryer Bar. If I had seen this in the grocery store, I highly doubt I would have purchased it. But, a friend gave me one and I L-O-V-E it. Basically, it’s a bar that sticks on the side of your dryer instead of using dryer sheets. It is supposed to between 2-4 months. I’m guessing mine will last at least four months.

Chex Mix Turtle Bars.  My, oh my. I really don’t care for granola bars too much. Blame it on the worm I found in one a few years ago. But these babies are my little indulgence.

So, what’s with my obsession with bars? Huh. Anyway…let’s move on to my favorite topic…entertainment.

Modern Family. The only trouble I have with this new show is that I can’t decide which character I love the most. The characters are so well-written and the actors are perfectly cast. It’s by far my favorite. (Yes, I like Glee just like the rest of the world but the truth be told, it kinda drags on sometimes.) You can watch all the episodes here.

Jim Gaffigan: King Baby. We got this DVD from Netflix because I heard that Jim Gaffigan is pretty funny. I literally thought I was going to have to turn it off because I was getting a headache from laughing so hard. I’m not much of a bacon fan, but after watching his show, I now love bacon if only for the principle of it all.

What is your latest?

The happy store October 22, 2009

Well hello there. I still have a birthday hangover. This year was a great one. Much love was sent and gladly received. I’ve become like a camel when it comes to happy times – storing it up so that when I have down days, I have a little something to fall back on.

Last week came a little wave of bad news for people I love. Sad things happen. Difficult trials must be faced. Life is seriously one tough road. So maybe since I’ve stored up a bunch of love lately, I can spare a little to give to my friends in need.

If I may be so bold, when you’ve got some love stored up – make sure to share it. You may just find that you’re stock of happy will be doubled as a result.

How can you watch this and not smile? Impossible! October 13, 2009

When I first saw this great video earlier in the summer, I loved it. It just made me smile.

What could top it? The Office.

I had doubts as to how the epic Jim and Pam wedding would play out. How could they make it funny, sweet and nutty all at the same time? I was happy to see that The Office pulled of the best wedding scene. Ever. (And I think I might have shed a little happy tear. Maybe.)

Now have yourself a happy day.

Puff, the aging dragon October 12, 2009

The year I turned 30, I thought there would be some sort of dramatic transformation as if I would really feel old. Turns out, 30 was a breeze.

The year I turned 31 I noticed a dramatic change in my memory. I once had a darling roommate who would forget names all the time and I would give her a hard time. She’d mix up names and think the clothing store in the mall was called Hugh Grant. In my 31st year, karma struck back and I began to forget names ALL. THE. TIME.

Along with 32 came the gray hair. Certainly, 32 has not been the most stress-free year for me so maybe that added to the growing collection of gray invaders. But the grays came in force, unruly and unrepentant.

Each year, I get a new symptom.  I don’t always identify it until half the year is over but each year is clearly signified by another sign of getting older. I’m not bitter about it – I’m glad it’s coming one at a time (at least for now).

I’m turning 33 next week and I think I already know what this year will bring. Check out the bags under my eyes in this recent picture. What the…? Seriously? Granted, the lighting and angle  is not optimal but come on, that is some serious puffiness. So. My 33rd year is going to be puffy. The kind of puffy that even a really comfy pair of stretchy pants can’t help. Oy.

Once bitten…or, um mitten October 6, 2009

I’ve made a reputation for myself for my…”critical dislike” of the Twilight Series Saga. Many know I have no love for the Twilight book. It was only the pressure of an upcoming book club meeting that got me to actually finish reading it. When I heard they were making a movie, I actually thought it would make for a better movie than a book because it just had to be better than the book. That was, until I saw the previews and I knew that I would have a hard time keeping a straight face throughout the movie. I ended up watching it and did have a hard time keeping a straight face. Let’s just say that I giggled a lot and not as in a “Edward is so cute” giggle. Though I must say I thought it did a respectable job keeping fans happy. But, since I’m not a fan, I shook my head at glimpses of the glittering vampire. So needless to say, there wasn’t anything really appealing to me about  books or the movie(s). I invite your dissenting opinions but be forewarned, I am firm in my beliefs against teenage vampire angst.

But out of all this car wreck of vampire hormones came one shiny ray of hope – the mittens that Bella wore in the movie. The 45  year-old woman  I overheard talking about how “hot” Jacob was in the upcoming sequel might argue, but the most beautiful thing in the Twilight series has to be these mittens. And after a Google search, I found that there were many people coveting those mittens too.

I can proudly say that I now have in my possession, just in time for fall, a pair of those mittens courtesy of my talented friend Lacey.  We did a little craft swap. I made her a bag and she made me these mittens. I think I got the better end of the deal but I’m not complaining. Now, if only I can pry them away from G as he has adopted them as a sock puppet named Duncan.