6WS: Cabin Fever? I don't think so.

Still loving the white fluffy stuff.

Show My Face hosts the fabulous Six Word Saturday. Check it out.

Wordful Wednesday: Cool Halloween

Monsoon wanted to be ICE for Halloween this year. I kept waiting on him to change his mind and be something regular. Nope. Every time I'd ask, "So... have you decided on a costume for Halloween...?" He would get cranky with me. "I already TOLD you, I'm being ice!"

Since I figured nobody would have any idea what he was, I dressed up as the game "Don't Break the Ice." And yes, if you were wondering, I do (and always have) dress up every year. Having a child apparently makes me look less like a freak on this occasion. Who knew?

This post is part of Wordful Wednesdays. You can find more and link up your own at 7 Clown Circus every Wednesday.

Fall photo-op

The best traditions often start out as just an ordinary thing, and become tradition because of the deep, unexpected feeling that it brings. Such is the case with our annual fall photo-op.

Monsoon was 1 the first time I showed him how to gather and toss dry, colorful leaves into the wind. I happened, as I always did then, to have my camera... and so the photo shoot at our local park began. They were some of the best pictures I'd ever taken of him. We played, we laughed, we hugged and we discovered. That first year, he was simply happy to be with me.

The second year, he was more independent. He still wanted me close, but the adventure was in discovering how far he could get before I ran after him. By then, he knew the cement lions were only statues and he wasn't afraid of climbing the gazebo steps. He hadn't yet figured out that, even if he couldn't see me, I knew where he was hiding. I can still hear the giggles emanating from behind that tree.
Last year didn't hold quite as many innocent smiles. He wasn't as excited to walk around the historic area of the park; wasn't as content to have only mommy. There were other kids playing on the playground near us, distracting him from the trees and the monuments and... well, me. At first I thought the photos didn't turn out as well as previous years, but then I realized the difference wasn't so much in my camera. He was starting to grow up, starting to look away, starting to drift...
This afternoon will be our 4th fall photo shoot. I'll be carrying tissues in my camera bag.

To participate in Wordful Wednesdays, head over to 7 Clown Circus. The theme this week is inspired by the movie MOTHERHOOD, opening this Friday.

A superhero & his supervillain

You may think Batman and The Joker are enemies, but you would be wrong. See here? In this top-secret photo, it's obvious how they are the best of friends. Doesn't Batman look soooo happy? Well, he should look happy, anyway - I made his costume by hand (far be it for me to figure out how to work a sewing machine) and he insisted that I be his Joker. So far, he wants to do the same thing again this Halloween.

Give Better in Bulk your best superhero shot today!

...and while you're at it, follow Moxie Mona on her last few stops this week!

Hosted by:
Better in Bulk
Mama’s Losin’ It
Mayhem & Moxie
Scary Mommy
& 7 Clown Circus

SWS: PINK!

"My favorite rose bloomed this week."


Cate at Show My Face hosts the fastest meme in the West(ern hemisphere... open to anyone in any country).

I Heart Art (and I want a new camera)

Art: an expression of ones self. It isn't always pretty, not everyone will like it, and each person who experiences it will come away with an impression that is altogether different than the last.

***

These are some of my favorite photos taken with my current Kodak Easyshare. They're from our vacation last summer to South Carolina. Looking at them again makes me want to drive down right this minute....

This might be my very favorite, taken by Monsoon as we waited to board our carriage for a tour of Charleston:

** We Heart Art is a celebration of all things artsy and will be going on all week over at Three Bay B Chicks, Domestically Challenged, and I'm living proof that God has a sense of humor. To participate with your own art post, stop by and sign up with Mr. Linky at all three sites on Wednesday or Thursday and, if you know Francesca, you already know there are plenty of giveaways! **

New Doggy Door

Exciting news: we have a new doggy door, which gives Sprinkles more opportunities to meet with the grass for her business. Yay for 2 entire days in a row with no in-house accidents!

Oddly, instead of hoarding my fuzzy slippers and Monsoon's popsicle mold "swords" in her bedroom (cage), I stepped out back yesterday and realized that half of our worldly possessions were scattered across the grass. I think maybe our Easter Puppy is confused about what type of goodies constitute an egg hunt/gift basket.

Did I mention the new doggy door was custom made, and that we received free installation... all courtesy of Monsoon? Unfortunately, we can only use it when the weather is nice.

*

*

*

*

Sneaky Easter Puppy

I realized today that one of my 99 posts is actually a draft, which maybe doesn't quite count. I also noticed that MOST of you who were here yesterday were unable to find my teensy tiny "Easter Puppy." So here's Sprinkles, the incredible disappearing dog. I think you'll be able to spot her now, and I'll be able to post my 100th tomorrow with a clear conscience.

She's sitting up in this one.

5 Strange for 5K

Shout-out to everyone visiting from The Apron Goddesses and a big thanks to Julia for featuring my blog today. Julia and the ladies pictured/featured there are fabulous, so go check them out. Plus, there are almost always cool giveaways going on at the Apron Goddess!

***

Hubby (left) and Oscar (goofy) after the race

Just a few unexpected experiences from the 5K.

1. In our 'gift-bag' race-sponsor thing we were handed before the race, there was a roll of toilet paper. We were a bit nervous, this being our first race, about what goes on between mile-markers. Then we saw the attached banner: "wipe out colon cancer."
2. An 80-year-old man ran with us. Actually, he might have been closer to 100. His beeping-monitor-of-some-sort is the reason my mom and I finished as fast as we did (which was not fast). That's right - every time we heard Tick-Tock Croc gaining on us, we sped it up - my mother was NOT having that guy finish before her. I didn't care so much about him, but having my mom beat me would have been another story entirely.
3. My brother, who finished 22nd out of 405 over-all and 3rd in his age group for his first race ever (yay Oscar!), passed one particular girl and swears she cough-yelled, "Jack-a**!" at him.
4. After the race, there were a lot of people walking around, including one interesting, um, person, pictured below. At first, we thought it was a man dressed up like a Grumpy Fairy, but after careful reevaluation (i.e. blatant staring), I'm 90% sure it's a woman who was not dressed up for fun. It was very cold, and he/she was having trouble walking, so what he/she was doing at the race is still a mystery. 5. Lesson learned: 20 minutes on a treadmill one time 3 months before the race? Does not constitute preparation.

***Another huge thank-you to my good friends CATE and SNARKY, who sent so many good lucks and well-wishes that I actually thought for a minute I was a Rock Star. You girls made my day. Thanks.***

SWS: "Big Package...

... Just Arrived Yesterday Afternoon."

Remember to swing by Show My Face for Six Word Saturday, the sixiest way to spend your day!

*
"I Won Snarky's Fabulous Oscar Contest"

Monsoon, modeling a lovely ensemble

Actual screenplays (!) and theater gift card.

"Still crazy busy; will get better."

Fx4: Waiter! I'll have another Beach, Please

Go to Candid Carrie's Friday Foto Finish Fiesta (Fx4) to participate and view more Phun Photos!

Pretend Summer wasn't enough. I want the real thing - and a vacation, too. We visited South Carolina last August.

Can you see the ocean back there?

This was Monsoon's first EVER visit to the beach.
When we first got here, he stayed back on the dry sand because, "there's sharks in there!" I don't know where he got that, we didn't tell him anything about sharks where we were going. I blame the in-laws.

Fx4: Me on a Tree

It's Candid Carrie's Friday Foto Finish Fiesta! Go see her for more Photo Phun!

Last year, Hubby and I took Monsoon hiking at a nature reserve in our little town. Not too far into one of the trails, we found an interesting tree.

There seem to be several words etched into this tree that I can't read, but you can clearly see "Hi Ryan Ashley" in there. Let me tell you, our town is technically a village - very small. There are no other Ryan Ashley's here. I have no idea how long this has been there, but it was quite a strange thing to find.

Move Along... Nothing to See Here.

Well.... since you asked. I did have fun getting all made-up in the face, but being that this photo is ten hours post-make-over and my grays are several months overdue for a cut-n-color, it's hard to tell anything was done. Now you have a cutie Sprinkle of puppy to avert your attention. I do also love this sweater - it's my "no-neck-fat-therefore-totally-worth-having-my-chin-skin-scratched-off" lovely.

Not to worry, my nose didn't get crushed with a make-up brush, it's crinkled because Sprinkles had just licked my ear... did I mention she had pooed and licked her butt moments before? Oh yes, she's a charmer.

*

Ah well. I'm sure I won't notice the smell of pup-poo on my pillow when I wake up in the morning and find my eyes glued shut from the stubborn, left-over mascara and my feet refusing to function after the work-out I gave them in my favorite boots tonight. Those would be my "gaww-geous-but-unreasonably-tall-and-horrendously-uncushioned" beauties. All in all, it's probably best that I dawn pajamas and withhold makeup most days. My body will thank me.

*

On the subject of Thank You, I'd like to send one out to Jolly-be-good, who did such a wonderful number on my difficult face; and Blond Luck - it was so good to see you and I'm so glad you came!

Fx4: Ugly Duckling... Slippers

Don't miss out on Candid Carrie's Friday Foto Finish Fiesta!

I give you: The Duck Slippers.
I took Monsoon to get house shoes from Target last winter because he refused to wear socks and his toes were always icy. Despite my every effort to sneak some decent, respectable slippers into the cart, he insisted on these. The Ugly Ducks. Oh, how I hated these things, but he dearly loved them. He wanted to wear them everywhere! Everywhere!

After months of hearing me snicker under my breath about the unending ugliness of those awful Ducks (bigger than his head, for Fuzzy's sake!), Hubby asked me to take into consideration my own style-discerning downfall:

Thankfully, Monsoon outgrew his.

Thursday's Things: Park It

The Neighborhood Park: One of my favorite things about living in our small town. We got to visit "the park" yesterday for the first time this year. These pictures are from our last visit, way back in November, as we were too consumed with excitement to remember the camera this time.

Doing things a little differently today. No Mr. linky (but anyone who wants to participate and post about any THING is welcome to leave a comment and I'll visit). Instead, you all get a tiny story.

Today, two brothers (about 3 & 5) came over to play next to us on the caboose, which you can see in the second photo. The oldest one said to me, "Jesus is in my heart." I found this quite endearing. Then he tried to shove his little brother off the caboose.

Tribute Saturday: My Best Friends

Donnetta over at Life In The Fast Lane is hosting Tribute Saturday. Head over there to participate!
You may remember the Fabulous Miss Weiner, center, from this post. On the left is the Surprising Miss Notansmith, whose name came from something she said about herself that I won't repeat without consent. (the wig was part of her disguise)

The picture was taken on my 30th birthday. Miss Weiner came in from two hours away, and Miss Notansmith swore she couldn't make it in from across the country. Then she was the first to show up... preceding screams and jumping, which may have frightened the neighbors.

The three of us have been friends since middle school. Miss Notansmith joined the air force and travelled the world, and is now married with two lovely children, living way too far away from me. Miss Weiner went to college, had many many college experiences (ehem*cough*ehem), and earned her degree in psychology (a dream for her) before settling down with her hubby and two charming kiddos. She, also, lives way too far away from me.

Somehow, we manage to keep coming back to each other, no matter what. Without them, it would have been a much different life.

I love you and miss you both!

SWS: Waiting...

Waiting, waiting, waiting... on Spring time.

Check out Six Word Saturday at Show My Face! Short, sweet and to the point.

P.S. Wenda stopped by my Fx4 Bubbles Post from yesterday!

Fx4: Bubbles

Head over to Candid Carrie's to participate in her Friday Foto Finish Fiesta!

This is what I was doing last Friday morning:

My Dad, wonderful man that he is, decided to take off to the casino for two days of mild gambling and an extreme steak dinner... with my sister and I. Yay! My Mom, beautiful woman that she is, kept All 3 Kids. Overnight. My parents are awesome.

*

My dad went off to the casino Friday morning while Candy and I slept in... and when we woke up after a glorious 8 hours of sleep, there was nobody who needed us. What did we do with ourselves? I, for one, put wayyyy too many bubbles in the jet jacuzzi. Who knew you aren't supposed to use the entire tiny bottle?

*

Candy laughed til she peed - luckily, the toilet was right there and we're not modest (hey, we've given birth in front of each other - not much else to hide).

*

After a lazy morning such as that, what was a girl to do but enjoy a large brunch buffet, win over $500 and share it with my lovely family members who helped make the mini-vaca possible.

*

(yes, that's me behind the paint in the photo - I may not be modest, but I'm not putting my face up here with no makeup! What if Ben Affleck reads my blog?!)

Pop'rs Fried Ice Cream Sundae

First of all, much thanks to Veggie Mom over at Eat Your Veggies for running so many contests! I was the lucky winner of the last contest, in which I won an entire box (8 flavors!) of Pop'rs! I wanted to post something about the Pop'rs to share with everyone, and this is what I came up with:
A Healthier version of Fried Ice Cream!

I love fried ice cream. Love it! But it's sooo bad with the hot fudge and fried, sugar-coated tortilla. Not to mention you have to go to a restaurant to get it. Well, no more!

Here's what you'll need:

• Vanilla Frozen Yogurt (I use Edy's Fat Free Yogurt Blend)
• Plain Greek Yogurt
• Wheat Germ, unsweetened
• Slivered Almonds
• Hershey's Syrup (I like the "added calcium" variety)
• Cinnamon flavored Pop'rs

1. Mix 2 parts frozen yogurt (softened) with 1 part (or less, depending on your taste) Greek yogurt. Re-freeze just until it's not melty.
2. Top the yogurt mixture with the next four ingredients, in the order they are listed.

That's it! The cinnamon Pop'rs make an excellent substitute for the crunchy tortilla, and believe me - I've tried lots of other at-home versions of fried ice cream. This one tops the list. So go get your Veggie Pop'rs!

Even better news? Veggie Mom is running a Valentine's contest all this week (ends Friday) to give out another whole box of Pop'rs and t-shirts for the whole family to TWO lucky winners! You better believe I'm entering again. Pop on over to Eat Your Veggies for your own chance to win these magnificent little treat-makers. Winners announced on Valentine's Day.

More Sprinkles!

Hola! It's Candid Carrie's Friday Foto Finish Fiesta!!!
Head on over here to find more Foto Fun.

***
As per A. Snarky's request, I give you...
More Sprinkles!

It's a Race

Look at that face!

She's such a pretty princess!



They really are two peas in a pod!

She has recently (yesterday and today) started a little collection in her "bedroom." (her bedroom being the crate which now holds the bed and pink blankey you see in the pics). I think she's preparing to hibernate, but can't find floor food so she has resorted to socks, a paper bag, my fuzzy pink house slipper, a cup and all her toys. I haven't gotten a pic yet b/c Monsoon keeps taking the things out when she's not in there. BTW, she actually goes to her "bedroom" when she wants her self time - such a girl - it's so cute.