"Give me a laundry list and I'll set it to music."
- Gioacchino Antonio Rossini

I need THAT!!!
Did you play???

1. The Brightside - The Killers
2. Embers and Envelopes - Mae
3. Waste - Dave Matthews Band
4. She Will Be Loved (Acoustic) - Maroon 5 ** Killer tune!!**
5. Why Georgia - John Mayer
6. Come Monday - Jimmy Buffett
7. Iris - Goo Goo Dolls
8. Pickapart(album version) - John Butler Trio
9. Out Of The Woods - Nickel Creek
10. Where The Streets Have No Name - U2

Bonus: Sleeping To Dream (Eagles Ballroom Live) - Jason Mraz **great tune!!**

Oh lovely.
I have a scrapper.
No.
It's not the cut and paste your pictures kind of scrapper.
It's the duke it out, knock 'em flat kind of scrapper.

It's not Thing 2... Which would be the likely choice, since he's a boy.
It's not Thing 3... Which would be the other likely candidate, cause she has no fear.
But, that is another post, for another time on an entirely different subject.

It's my sweet Thing 1.
Yes.
She is a scrapper.
The neighborhood boys were walking behind her this afternoon, teasing her, and calling her names.
She didn't like it, so she took off after them, and tackled one of them to the ground.
Knocked him out flat.
He got up and ran away, still taunting her.
I asked her what on earth she had planned on doing if he had turned around and started swinging.
She goes: "Uh Mom. I know Tae Qwon Do."
I said to her: "Uh Thing 1. You haven't had a lesson in over a year."
Besides, if our Master knew she were fighting, she would've been kicked off the team.
What was she thinking??
She lost her temper, and wanted to show the boys how tough she was.
It worries me.
A LOT.
(Jefe says they will not be bugging her anymore! sigh.)

That's something I have realized I would have to deal with because I have a boy.
Not because of my sweet daughter.

I need to help her learn how to control her temper.
I feel like I am able to commentate on this, because when I was her age, I too was a scrapper.
I beat the crap out of all the neighborhood boys.
I was the toughest kid on the block... Hands down.
I didn't take anything from anyone.
Ever.
Period.
I had...
ahem...
I have a temper.
I am getting better.
Slowly.

But, I don't want MY daughter to do what I did.
AHHHHHHH!!!!!
I am really starting to sound like a parent.
That is frightening.

I finished "The Widow of The South", and it was well worth the wait.
What a wonderful book!!
Robert Hicks is a fantastic writer... And I can't wait for his next novel.
He did a brilliant job with his first!!
It was interesting to note that this "story" of his was based on actual events that happened during the Civil War.
Check out THIS site... It has photos of the actual house, battle field etc.
And THIS site... Its a review from the Civil War Society.

I couldn't even begin to imagine 9,200 soldiers being killed/wounded in five short hours.
It was the bloodiest battle...
EVER.
Period.
A town of 2,500 was left to care for the wounded and dead.

I have such a hard time wrapping my brain around it.
We don't understand it...
We never will.
It is the same with WWII...

Anyway...
I wish it would've ended "happier", but life doesn't always dish out happy endings... So I suppose the ending was appropriate.
Good, fast, insightful read!

I went to the Doctor today.
My yearly physical...
Only I haven't had one in 3 years.
I guess it was about time.

They did all the yucky "womanly" junk.
They took a bunch of blood.
They did an E.K.G.
Check, check and double check.

I left with more prescriptions than I went in there with.
I guess I'm old.

Thing 3 eats these sandwiches that I think that most people would consider to be totally disgusting.
Mayonnaise and Cheese sandwiches.
Ick.
Yet, I on the other hand find it enchanting.
When I was a kid---
GASP!!
I can't believe I am going to divulge my darkest secret!!!
...I used to make Mayo and mustard sandwiches.
Yup.
Just Mayo & Mustard.
Nothing else.
I hadn't thought of those sandwiches for years.
Until Thing 3 starting wanting Mayo & Cheese sandwiches.
For breakfast.
I was grossed out, until I remembered that I used to LIVE on Mayo & Mustard sandwiches.
Especially in the summer.

Yummm.
I had one this morning... With Thing 3 & her Mayo & cheese sandwich.

Thing 3 is definitely MY child.

I get to cross another thing off my "Things I want to do before I die list..." (Is it totally morbid that I even have one of those lists??)

Anyway... I have wanted to see Prairie Home Companion since I was a kid. I can remember being around 12 or so, and seeing PHC on the Disney channel. I thought it was soo amazing! I can remember when the first Borders came to the crossroads Mall--- ages and ages ago--- and seeing the PHC tapes. I just knew that if there really WAS a "SANTA" that he would bring them too me. SANTA would, of course, know that my deepest desire was to have a copy of those tapes. I remember driving home from Bear Lake, and my Grandparents listening to PHC, and getting completely lost in the stories. My life is full of memories and PHC. Then, I found it again, during a really difficult time in my married life... While Jefe was in Law School. PHC was our sole form of entertainment... For years. We would curl up on the couch, or go for drives, and listen to the stories, and the music. I have said numerous times that my version of heaven is a calm summer night, with fireflies, cicadas, tiki torches, laughing children, and Prairie Home Companion. Ahh. Sweet Bliss!!!

Saturday night we were able to see Garrison Keillor live. I am amazed at his story telling abilities. That truly is a God given gift. He got up there, in front of us all, and just "told" us the stories of Lake Wobegon. No notes, nothing. If you ask Jefe what his favorite part of the show was, he will tell you it was the story about the old married couple who have "their annual argument." He loves that, cause we have several annual arguments. I just loved it all.

Our friends that went with us got to actually speak to Garrison Keillor. Can you say "JEALOUSY"?? Holy Cow! Jefe said it perfectly. He would shake his hand, and tell him thank you for doing this hard job. Of telling all these stories. Because, during a difficult time in our lives, PHC sustained us. Listening to his show, and hearing him talk about the mid-west... It was like we were in a little secret club. We actually GOT the jokes he was telling about the mid-west... We were living there!

Oh how I love The Mid-West!!! Garrison is the only person who can make the mid-west sound romantic in the winter. Winter sucks in the Mid-West. But everything else about the mid-west is awesome! Especially the people. Just simple, good, down to earth people. Not complicated with status... just good people. I felt at home, and comfortable in the mid-west. I feel like a fish out of water here.

Each Saturday night, especially in the summer, I would experience "THE FEELING." What is the feeling, you ask? Why that of sheer, un-complicated JOY. I understand what that feeling is... and now, I am just patiently waiting to feel it again here... in the desert.

Thanks, Mr. Keillor. Your show has brought my family years and years of sheer joy!

Jefe read this book back when it first came out.
He LOVED it!
He kept trying to get me to read it, and finally I did.
About 4 years ago.
I loved it too.
Then, in 2004, this book became a Broadway Musical, and won like a ton of Tonys!!
I fell in love with the music!! And, of course, had to run right out and buy the "Musical tie-in" book. All that is different with that book are the photos of the musical!
I was really bummed when, right after we moved from Chicago, Wicked came to the Oriental Theatre in Downtown Chicago.
Sniff. Sniff.
Boo Hoo!
Anyway, yesterday Thing 1 and I found Wicked on YouTube.com!
Someone was brave enough to use their cell phone video camera, and tape the entire performance... and then post it on the web.
How lucky are we??
It was the last performance for Kristen Chenoweth (Glinda), Joel Grey (The Wizard) and Norbert Leo Butz (Fieryo).
There was, of course, they typical pranks, and lots and lots of extra ad-libbing going on.
Anyway, I have posted the link to it here.
Thing 1 and I had a blast yesterday watching the entire show! It was amazing! Thing 2 even came in and watched it. He then said that he would like to go see it too!
Good boy!
There are 14 different "videos" of the show. I guess they could only do it in 10 minute intervals.
Check it out, and let me know what you think.
Major cheers to "yeromyhero" for posting this for the rest of the world to see!

"A little nonsense now and then, is cherished by the wisest men." - Roald Dahl

1. Kill - Jimmy Eat World
2. Hallelujah - Ryan Adams
3. Bend & Break - Keane
4. Inaudible Melodies - Jack Johnson
5. Screaming Infidelities - Dashboard Confessional
6. Jeremy - Pearl Jam
7. Sleeping To Dream (Live) - Jason Mraz
8. Smile Like You Mean It - The Killers
9. Real World - Matchbox Twenty
10. But Anyway - Blues Traveler
Bonus: Iris - Goo Goo Dolls

What's your random 10 from your media player??
Did you play?!
Come on!
It's fun!

... There is a book that I want to read.
It's called "Feels like crazy on an ordinary day."

That's my life.

I now have, in my possession, all of the books that I have listed on my nightstand.
I have been wanting and waiting to read The Widow of the South for quite a while now...
It finally got here Saturday.
Boy, its good!
I have just 1 more book that I am waiting for.

I bought 1 book for a penny.
Yup.
That's right folks.
A Penny.
I know.
I couldn't believe it myself either.
I had totally prepared myself for the book being in completely crappy condition.
Except, it wasn't.
It was in great condition.
It was an old library copy.
With THAT in mind, I do believe that it is safe to say that I love this whole used book, online shopping deal!
The prices are freaking amazing!
And, I don't feel so bad about "passing" the books along when I get them for a song!

I love having books around.
The more the better...
it gives me great pleasure to see all the books around, just waiting for me to pick them up and discover the adventure that awaits me within their pages!
Ahh.
I love to read.

Its been a few.
I've had writers block.
I haven't been able to think of anything clever or witty to blog.
So, I have ignored it.

I decided to "update" my profile.
Actually, I decided to make a profile for myself.
Blogger was being a little uncooperative... So it took me quite a while!
I still am undecided how much information I want to display to the universe...
I am still trying to be as anonymous as possible.
Anonymous is good.
Being anonymous is liberating!
Except, my entire family reads this blog.
And my friends...
So, I guess I am not really all that anonymous.
Oh well.
I tried.

Oh the joy of online shopping!!
I love it!!
It's so fun to get the package in the mail...

It makes me feel special.
Someone thought enough of me to send me a package...
Oh wait!
It was from myself.

Must.
Shop.
Again.

You don't need any brains to listen to music.
- Luciano Pavarotti

1. Ol' 55 -Tom Waits (one of my all time favs!)
2. English Girls Approximately - Ryan Adams
3. Only Wanna Be With You - Hootie & The Blowfish
4. When I Look To The Sky - Train
5. Folk Song - The Sundays
6. Crush With Eyeliner (Live) - R.E.M.
7. Shoot The Moon - Norah Jones
8. I'm On My Way - Richard Price from Shrek 2
9. Wonderwall - Ryan Adams (this has to be one of my all time favs!)
10. I Melt (Live) - Rascal Flatts

Bonus: Barely Breathing - Duncan Sheik

I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out of my nose. - Woody Allen

Because it's my birthday week, I get to choose the kind of Random 10 we are having. So, list number 1 is my favorite comedy routines.... just because!

1. Minivan - Bill Engvall
2. Scooter to level 9 - Bill Engvall
3. I'm an Idiot - Bill Engvall
4. Hunting with my wife - Jeff Foxworthy
5. Words in the South - Jeff Foxworthy
6. Halloween - Jerry Seinfeld
7. You can't fix stupid - Ron White
8. They Call Me 'Tater Salad - Ron White
9. Cab Drivers - Jerry Seinfeld
10 The Tub Story - Ray Romano

Bonus: Brain Damage - Bill Cosby (my children have this!)

Happy birthday to me!

I love Broadway!
I love the Tony awards!
They are thrilling to watch! It's where I can hear about new musicals, re-vival musicals... Etc.
I love watching the performances of the music that is nominated... Its just awesome! Then I spend a couple hours researching each musical, listening to the music to decide if I like it or not. Usually, I do.
Here are the nominees for Best musical:

Jersey Boys - about Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.
The Color Purple - The Alice Walker Novel.
The Drowsy Chaperone- a parody of 1920's musicals-- they come to life from his record.
The Wedding Singer - yes, from the movie! If you know the movie, you get this one!

The Best Revival of Musical:
The Pajama Game (with Harry Conick Jr.!)
Sweeney Todd
The Threepenny Opera (with Anna Gastyer!)

So, In honor of the Tonys, I put together a little Random 10 list...Broadway style!

1. Hernando's Hideaway - The Pajama Game
2. Season's of Love - Rent
3. For Good - Wicked
4. Some Say - Once Upon This Island
5. What do you do with a BA in English/Sucks to be me - Avenue Q
6. The Early Years - The Jersey Boys
7. Dirty Rotten Number - Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
8. Come Out of the Dumpster - The Wedding Singer
9. The Color Purple - The Color Purple
10. Monks Chant/He Is Not Dead Yet - Spamalot
Bonus Tracks just cause I can!!!
The Nicest Kids In Town - Hairspray
Finale - I Go To Rio - The Boy From Oz
The Light In The Piazza - The Light In the Piazza
Everybody's Got The Right - Assassins
Scenes From An Italian Restaurant - Movin' Out
Dancing Queen - Mamma Mia
I Wanna Be A Producer - The Producers
Muddy Water - Big River

The Things are sad today.
Thing 1 & 2 made friends right after we moved here with the next door neighbor kids.
They were here from California staying with their Uncle while their Dad got a Liver Transplant.
They are all the exact same age, and it has been non-stop playing together since they got here.

We always knew the day would come when they would have to leave and go back to California.
All the neighbors are sad... One of the neighbor boys is even going back with them to live for the summer. He's 16... And having a rough time. He and the Dad get along really good, so he's going to go work for them this summer.
Anyway....
My cute things are sad. Thing 1 has spent most of the morning crying. I hate to see her hurting.
It makes me sad. I wish I could *make* them stay here so that they could be friends forever... But that isn't how life works.
I told her that now she knows how all her friends in Illinois felt when she left them behind.

It's always harder to be the one left behind...

On a happier note, here is a photo of Thing 3. I love how she can put together the craziest costumes to wear.
I guess she is combination of Batman and a sword slinging' pioneer?

Anonymous Niece has gone back home.
I enjoyed tending her... I don't know if she enjoyed being here. She saw a "crazy" family first hand, and what it's like to NOT be an only child.
She saw me yell at the big kids, and the big kids fighting... Pure 100% real family life.

It was fun to have her here.
I wonder if she will want to come back?!

At one point, she told Thing 1 "Not nice, Thing1, not nice. You be nice!" That was profound... Coming from a 3 year old! Why will Thing 1 listen to a 3 year old, when I have been saying the exact same thing for like FOREVER???

I have my work cut out for me this summer.
My goal is change the feeling of contention in the home, and the way that we all speak to each other. I hate the way that we all talk with each other, and the TONE that we take with each other. I really believe that your Tone says more than the words.

I know that it all starts with me... So therein lies the challenge!

For my birthday, my Mother-in-law sent me an Amazon.com gift certificate for $25.00.
For Mother's Day, I got one for $15.00.
I have only ever bought something on there for my niece for a birthday present... never anything for myself.
Well, I combined the 2 gift certificates, and bought some used books, and was able to get 7 books.
Yup.
Seven.
I thought that was pretty cool... I suppose half the gift certificates went to shipping...
But, Hey!
I was pretty proud of myself for being able to do even THAT!
AND... It was fun!

I am excited!
Seven new books.
All books that I have been dying to read, but have been to cheap to buy.

In the words of Anonymous Mother-in-law:
"Buy a book and escape reality!"
THAT sounds awesome!!

The trouble with real life is that there's no
danger music. - Jim Carrey from "The Cable Guy"

1. The Luckiest Ben Folds
2. Nightswimming - R.E.M.
3. Breakaway - Kelly Clarkson
4. The Thanksgiving Song - Adam Sandler
5. Walnut Tree - Keane
6. Dancing Queen - ABBA
7. Like I Am - Rascal Flatts
8. Pretty In Pink (Original Version) - Psychedelic Furs
9. Landslide - Dixie Chicks
10. I'll Give You My Skin (featuring Michael Stipe) - Indigo Girls

Bonus: Tiny Dancer (Live) - Ben Folds

I have always thought that I wanted twins.
How fun it would be to have 2 cute little kids--- the same age.
Playing together.
Constant companions.
Twice as much to love...

This morning, however, I am glad that I will never have them.

Twice as loud when they cry...
Twice as grumpy...
Twice as bossy...


5:00 in the morning is TOO early for 3 year old little girls to be up and playing.
5:15 in the morning is TOO early for fighting.
5:30 in the morning is TOO early for fits.

Just shoot me now, please.

We get to tend Jefe's sisters kid for the rest of the week.
I suppose I should say I get to tend.
She really is a good kid. She is very easy going. I can tell that her Mom has done a good job raising her, and has been quite attentive. She is happy and friendly... To everyone.
She is VERY quiet! Which is odd for our family. It has taken over a year to get her to finally speak to me.

It makes me feel like I am a crappy Mom.
cause my kids are the complete opposite of Anonymous Niece...
Loud.
Mouthy.
Grumpy.

Huh.
Sounds kind of like me...
It's like looking in the mirror... I see myself.
Yuck.
I guess we act the way we see our parents act.
That's frightening!!
Anyway...

Thing 3 is more bossy than usual.
I guess that really shouldn't surprise me.
She is not easily intimidated.

Anonymous Niece is the enforcer.
Its rather funny, actually. She is all over Thing 3, if she doesn't do what she's told.
Anonymous Niece is VERY obedient...
Thing 3 is not.
That fact really bugs Anonymous Niece, and she has no problem enforcing the "law".
Its really rather funny.
I ask Thing 3 to do something.
She ignores me.
Anonymous Niece then starts in on Thing 3 to cooperate...
Which then makes Thing 3 mad, and she starts yelling at Anonymous Niece...

And round and round we go...
Where this stops, nobody knows.

In light of the fact that the world is going to end tonight at 6:06 pm, cause it's 6-6-06 and all, I dug out my old "Things I want to accomplish before I die" list. It was crumpled and all torn up. I found this awesome website www.43things.com that is basically the same idea. So, I entered them in there...
For posterity's sake, I suppose.
It would only let me enter in 43 of the things on my list... bummer dude.
So, I guess when I get some more stuff done, I can finish off my list-- new and old.
Some of the entries are obviously after-the-fact goals... But hey?!
What the heck!
The world is ending right??

Check here to see my list.
As you can see, I have only accomplished 2 things on my list...
I guess I'll be savin' you a seat by the 'ole air conditioner!

6.6.6.

Ewwww!
Scarey!
Today's date is the day of Satan.
Or, as I like to call him, The swim suit salesmen.

I really find all this numerolgy a little silly.
So, with that in mind, I found some interesting little facts with regards to 6.6.6.

The world did end on June 6, 2006, but on that date according to the Julian calendar. So, like 10 days ago. Didn't you notice? There were dragons and fire and everything.

If you call the telephone number 666-666-6666, you get Satan's house. His Infernal Majesty becomes particularly irate when contacted by telemarketers during the dinner hour.

Speculation that the "mark of the Beast" will take the form of bar codes or computer chips is incorrect. The mark of the Beast is actually conferred by Livestrong bracelets.

A careful parsing of the prophecies of Nostradamus indicate that he predicted great peril for June 6, 2006, including a surprisingly precise reference to "Strummin' with the Devil: A Bluegrass tribute to Van Halen" released today.

On a personal note: I find that last one extremely scarey!
I have actually heard some of this album.
Shiver 'me timbers-- it's horrid.
I find it scarier than the whole number thing.
If you click on the link, you can actually hear some of the album.
David Lee Roth is the singer... he has done Jump, Too Hot for Teacher, Panama...
Good Grief.
What will he do next to reinvent himself??

It's official.
School is out.
The kids are on summer break, and they also think that means "a break from chores."
Ugh.
I asked them to clean up their rooms, and the response I got was "We're on vacation. We're not supposed to do chores."
Oh.
Ok.
I guess I'm on summer vacation too then.
Fair is fair.
Right??

I spent the better part of Friday AND Saturday looking for a swimming suit.
I HATE swim suit shopping.
It's degrading.
Embarrassing.
Horrifying.
I think the swim suit industry is owned and operated by Satan himself.
For real.
How else does one explain the fact that you wear one size in "normal" clothes, but in swimsuits, you go up like 2 sizes??
How is that possible?
You are using less fabric, and yet it costs twice as much.
Why??
Highway robbery!
I hate taking off my clothes, and putting them back on, only to have to take them off again to try on another round of stuff that is not flattering!
And then you have to do that over and over and over again.
All of this so that I can find that one suit that doesn't make me look "that" fat...
It's an ordeal.
Or, more appropriately, a quest.
Then, you have to factor in those of us who have been "largely endowed" into that mix.
It's impossible to find a suit that supports and covers...
They really don't make suits for those of us who have been "blessed".
It's frustrating.
But, after 2 visits to Kohls, 1 to Target, 1 to Wal-mart, 1 to J.C. Penny's, 1 to Mervyns, 1 to Meir & Frank (it's called Macy's now), 1 to Sears, AND 1 to Dillards--- I finally found that dreaded self esteem basher.
Where??
Only THE most expensive store in town.
Oh well.
I have support.
I am covered.
Now we're off to the pool.

"Do I listen to pop music because I'm miserable or am I miserable because I listen to pop music?"

- John Cusack
The Movie High Fidelity


Here is my Random 10.
Where's yours??

1. Parachutes - Coldplay
2. Little Miss Can't Be Wrong - Spin Doctors
3. Oh My Sweet Carolina - Ryan Adams
4. Come On Down - Lifehouse
5. The Long Way Aroung - The Dixie Chicks
6. What Are You Going To Do With Your Life - Echo & The Bunny Men
7. Walking On The Moon - The Police
8. I Wanna Talk About Me - Toby Keith
9. When I'm Thinking About You - The Sundays
10. American Baby - Dave Matthews Band

Bonus: Today - Smashing Pumpkins

June 1st???

What???

Umm, I think I lost May.
If you happen to find it, give me a call.