I was 12 when this video came out. I can remember staying up late to watch it, and being scared out of my wits! I slept in the basement, and there was this huge picture window I had to go past to get to my room. My sister and I would walk down the stairs stand there and get the courage up to run as fast as we possibly could all the way to the end of our hall to our rooms. All the time fearing that those scary yellow eyes from thriller would be staring at us through the window.
Thing 1 watched this video over and over and over until she had the dance memorized. Its hilarious to watch her do it. I have set this retarded goal to now learn it myself. Just so that the next time we have a youth activity, I can do the thriller dance. Nerdy? Yes. Do I care? No.
I seriously think this dance is freaking BRILLIANT! (O.K. I am totally letting you in on my dirty little secret... I DO like Michael Jackson. He is my guilty pleasure. He is a complete FREAK, but he is brilliant! So, shh! Don't let my skeleton out of the closet!)

I love Halloween! Its the truth. I know that its a pagan holiday and all that crap, but I really do love Halloween! But, I have 1 little tiny pet peeve with this holiday. Now, before I get on to my ranting with this holiday, let me preface it with this. I also love candy. Love it. Any kind of candy really. I'll eat it. For most of my life my diet subsisted on candy and diet coke. That is, until I had children and they RUINED MY METABOLISM, but hey. That's another post for another time.
Where was I? Oh yeah. Candy.
When I finally did have my children, (and they had ruined my metabolism) and we would go trick or treating, I would be the one begging them to "go just a little bit further" so that we could get more candy.
Which politely brings me back to my rant.
We, as parents, spend 364 days a year teaching our little children to not speak to strangers, and to further not, no I dare say, NEVER take candy from strangers. Yet on this 1 day of the year, it suddenly becomes O.K. and encouraged (by us psycho parents that LOVE candy) to not only take candy from strangers, but also to get as much candy as possible from said strangers.
I just think that is a little weird.
Ok.
Enough ranting. We are off to start the collection of candy from all the strangers around.
Enjoy!

Here is another million dollar question:
Why is it that my head has to start spinning, and I have to have steam coming out of my ears before my children will listen to me and do as I have asked? Yet, if their Father is here, and he asks/tells them to do something and 5 minutes later it is done.
Why is that?
And further, HOW do I get those super powers?
Can I buy them?

"Broken promises don't upset me. I just think why did they believe me?" – Jack Handey

Random 10 Friday again. Good grief. Life is screaming past me... Can't we just pause life so I can a little breather? Have an awesome weekend people! I know I will!

1. When The Stars Go Blue - Tim McGraw
2. The Sweet Escape - Gwen Stefani
3. Three More Days - Ray LaMontagne
4. Ryan Cabarera - True
5. The Rememdy (Live) - Jason Mraz
6. Low - Coldplay
7. Ants Marching (Live) - Dave Matthews Band
8. Walk Forever By Myside (Acoustic) - The Alarm
9. Words I Couldn't Say - Rascal Flatts
10. Some Unholy War - Amy Winehouse

Bonus: Pearls On A String - Ryan Adams

Want to hear my humiliating moment that I had today?
I wasn't sure if I should cry or laugh. I chose to laugh since there were 5 cars of people, including 2 police officers, that were in viewing distance of my mishap.
I had choir this morning. For those of you, in internet space land, that don't remember, I co-direct the Elementary school choir. Its a blast, and keeps me busy. I like to be busy. Anyway. The choir. We were done, and happily walking out to the car. Now. There are only 3 steps to walk down from the front door. 3 steps. Not steep steps mind you, just steps. Three easy steps.
Well.
Easy for anyone but me I guess. I stood at the top step, started walking down and then next thing I knew I was sprawled on the sidewalk. Face down on my knees like a complete moron. Thing 3 stood open mouth staring at me... I didn't dare to look to see if all these people were staring at me. (of course they were, they just wouldn't make eye contact with me) So I jumped up, did a "Ta-Da" and started laughing at myself. All the while wishing desperately I could just rub my knees that HURT. SO. BAD. I wanted to climb under a rock and DIE!
I climbed into my car, slinked behind the wheel and quickly drove off. Yes. A rather large Diet Coke was most definitely on the agenda now!
I honestly don't know what happened. Its like I just tipped over. Face first. I did this a lot when I was pregnant with Thing 2.
All I know is I feel like total. giant.dork.

I am starting a new thing. Every Wednesday will be wordless. Entirely. We will just try and capture the day with a photo. I took several today, and this was the one that captured the day best for me.
I want to start taking photos of different things, not normally thought of as things to photograph.
Those make for interesting photos to look at. One of my favorite blog haunts takes a photo every day of her dog and then other stuff too. She captures the most amazing things on film, and it has been wonderful to start looking at things around the world with a new set of eyes. Check her out, and see if it doesn't inspire you to start taking photos... and seeing the world with a new set of eyes.P.S. This would be from the crazy boxer dog stealing the pumpkins from the garden and using them to play fetch with herself. Is that normal? A dog that likes to play fetch with themselves?

I want to see this movie! Not only because I liked the musical, but because it has Johnny Depp in it! People. Thats what I call eye candy! Yum!
Doesn't this look amazing?? I Can't wait!

I couldn't sleep last night. I was WIDE AWAKE. I hate it when that happens. Seriously. I watched 3 movies. Stranger than Fiction, Erin Brockovich and Bed of Roses. I haven't seen the last one since it first came out. I forgot how much I loved the soundtrack... 1 song in particular. It took quite the bit of investigation to figure out the name of it, and further to find it on the internet to listen to. But, I did it. Independent Love Song. Listen to it HERE, and enjoy!

If you think a weakness can be turned into a strength, I hate to tell you this, but that's another weakness. – Jack Handey

Have a groovy Random 10 Friday People!

1. Love You Out Loud - Rascal Flatts
2. Alcoholic - Starsailor
3. Easy Silence - Dixie Chicks
4. Let Jesus Make You Breakfast - Br549
5. Come Pick Me Up - Ryan Adams (truly a great song!)
6. Everybody Wake Up - Dave Matthews Band
7. Mr. Roboto - Styx
8. San Francisco Day - Chris Isaak
9. The Nicest Kids In Town - Hairspray Original Broadway musical
10. 83 - John Mayer

Bonus: What Do You Do With A B.A. In English/Sucks To Be Me - Avenue Q Original Broadway cast recording

These photos do not do this morning justice! I had to drive Thing 1 to school this morning and found myself if complete awe at how beautiful the morning was. The sun had yet to peak its head over the mountains ( yes. it WAS 8:00am and the sun had not come up yet...) but you could see the hint of ol' Mr. Sun. It was beautiful. I tried to capture it, and maybe if I HAD A BETTER CAMERA (hint hint nudge nudge-- say no more) I would have.
Anyway.
It's a beautiful morning.
Maybe the beauty of everything also has something to do with the AWESOME nights sleep I got last night. My friend bought me a massage, and sent me last night...
Now.
People.
A massage is something that I never in a million, zillion years would have thought I would do.
I mean really. YOU HAVE TO TAKE OFF YOUR CLOTHES, for Pete's sakes.
I'm a little shy when it comes to my body and its lack luster effect it has on people. So, when I first got there, I thought "Oh yeah! I don't have to take my clothes off!" Then the massage therapist turned to me and said: "O.K. Now you can get undressed and put your clothes over there."
Ummm.
Are you serious?
Can you please leave?
I was nervous, but as the music started playing and she started using all her scented oils on me. Well. People. I am ashamed to say that I became an addict right then and there. Good Grief. I was in heaven. I haven't been that relaxed in I don't know how many years. It was amazing! Thanks to my friend, I have now be baptized into the land of massages. It's all down hill from here... Really. I am just going to get out my tobaggon and enjoy that slippery slope ride all the way to the bottom!!
It was amazing. I am calculating when I can go again. Tomorrow maybe?
So.
Yeah.
I am in a tremendously good mood this morning. (which, I think if you ask Jefe, those have been few and far between).
Is it because of the beauty around me?
Is it the fantastic nights sleep?
Or is it my new found addiction?
I dunno.
You decide!

Jefe informed me that my blog is getting boring because I haven't been posting photos of The Things.
Here you go Jefe.
Enjoy.



Thing 3 has discovered the joy of pulling faces while her picture is being taken. So, everytime I take her photo she says, "Mom take a-nuder one so I can pull a funny face."
She is also SOO my child. She loves these cowboy boots. She wears them EVERYWHERE! I did the same thing when I was her age! Lets just hope she skips the whole 'I wanna be a truck driver when I grow up' phase. Can you imagine? Ick!




On a totally different subject...My sister, ima10cow, told me about this awesome new site...I am totally going to do this!! Check it out HERE, and tell me what you think!

Here is a question that I am seriously considering hiring the professionals to figure out for me.
I would shell out some serious bucks to get this one answered.
There could be 20 rolls of toilet paper sitting on the back of the toilet, and NO ONE will ever take the old roll off and put a new roll on. They will just open up roll after roll of T.P. until all 20 rolls have been partially used, and no roll will be on the toilet paper holder.
Why?
Why is this?
What is the aversion to putting the new roll of toilet paper on the toilet paper holder? I don't understand.
THATS WHAT IT IS FOR!
Seriously people. What is the deal with this??

How do you like the new duds?
I found this site that makes blogger templets, and lets you use them for free. The only catch is you have to be a family blog (which i guess technically I am) and you have to give her credit...
So, here you go. Thanks Matie Kay Creations! I LOVE the new look, and the availability of so many more to come!
Awww!
The freedom of being able to change, and having someone else do all the work! Now thats what I call awesome!
Let me know what you think!!

I found a new/old artist today... Marc Cohn.
I haven't heard him since his "Walking in Memphis" song from the early '90's. He has a new album out, Join the Parade. I heard him this morning on World Cafe on NPR and am LOVING him! He sang a few songs "Listening to Levon", "The Calling"and "Let Me Be Your Witness"... awesome! Simply awesome! Give him listen. It's mellow and nice. He has quite the story as to where he has been... I love NPR & pod casts... but that is another post for another time!
Enjoy!

"Maybe in order to understand mankind we have to look at that word itself. MANKIND. Basically, it's made up of two separate words "mank" and "ind." What do these words mean? It's a mystery and that's why so is mankind." – Jack Handey

Random 10 Friday already? Sheesh. I think I lost an entire week! I have some video to post of the kids piano recital from last night... I just need to figure out how to do that. Hopefully I will get that figured out before the next recital!

We are planning some fall festivities around here... a jaunt to frightmares, a pumpkin patch, and maybe some sort of festival! I LOVE FALL!!!
Have an awesome weekend folks!

1. Parachutes - Coldplay
2. Let It Go - Tim McGraw
3. Better Now - Rascal Flatts
4. What Would You Say - Dave Matthews Band/Tim Reynolds
5. Walk Forever By My Side (acoustic version) - The Alarm
6. Crash Into Me - Dave Matthews Band
7. Within You - Ray LaMontagne
8. Belief (Acoustic) - John Mayer
9. I See Your Smile - Gloria Estefan *I danced with Jefe for the very first time on this song... this song always gets to me... ~sigh~
10. Restless - Alison Krauss

Bonus: Thank U - Alanis Morisette

"Fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities. Truth isn't."
- Mark Twain

Random 10 Friday again. Lets review the rules of the game. Press play on your music listening device and then write down the first 10 songs that come up on random play. No fair skipping past whatever comes up... that's half the fun! Then post what you're listening to in the comments section. Now, for my friends who don't know how to leave comments... click on the patients link at the end of the post and that will take you to a screen to leave comments. You can register, get your own site and identity; you can choose 'other' and make up your identity right there on the spot or leave them "annoymous". Easy folks! So come on! Lets play! It's fun!
1. Forever Blue (Acoustic Version) - Chris Isaak
2. My Winding Wheel - Ryan Adams
3. My Worst Fear - Rascal Flatts
4. Bigger Than My Body - John Mayer
5. Amsterdam (Live) - Coldplay
6. Here - Rascal Flatts
7. Cecilia - Simon & Garfunkel
8. Telling Them - Starsailor
9. The Thanksgiving Song - Adam Sandler
10. Letting Go - Suzy Bogguss

Bonus: The Shadowlands - Ryan Adams

I am feeling creative.
Big time creative!
This time of year always makes me feel creative. I'm not sure what exactly it is about fall that makes me feel like creating... cutting, pasting, molding. Creating. I am hurriedly cleaning my house so that I can start the creation process. I have all weekend, with nothing in store but rain and snow. We have started planning the process of hunkering down for the weekend with nothing but the fireplace (which here in our new house is soo LAME), the T.V. and kids playing. Doesn't that sound like heaven?
Yes.
I can't wait. I am organizing my photos. Madly going through my scrapbook magazines, marking the layouts that I like so that I can scrap lift them (cause everyone knows that is how "real" scrap bookers scrapbook... by lifting ideas from others!). I'm organizing all my supplies so that I know what I have, and can scrap with only what I have. I need to use up my ridiculous supply of stuff before I go investing in more.
I haven't been creative in quite awhile. It's sad really. I used to scrap every single Thursday at the old house... but not here. I'm not sure why. I think mostly I have felt un-inspired! But, I have realized that the inspiration I have been lacking has been here all along... I just wasn't looking.
Anyway.
I am in the mood BIG TIME to create.
I have this idea in my head of the page I want to create... I just need to find the perfect photo of Jefe... (he is groaning and rolling his eyes big time now..)
I will post it when its done.
It's awesome... cross my heart and hope to die!

I have found this new show that I LOVE to watch. Journeyman. Its awesome. Seriously! I think the thing I love about it is that there is some sort of resolution in each show. You don't really have to watch every single episode in sequential order to be able to understand what the heck is going on. I like that. It's sort of like Quantum Leap... only better.
WAY BETTER!
It's about this guy who can time travel. (on a side note I just read the book 'The Time Travelers Wife'. That book was what got me interested in this show... same concept. Good read.)
I really dig that kind of stuff, 'cause who doesn't want to time travel? I do. There are lots of things I would like a 'do over' on. If we're honest, we all do.
Anyway. Tivo this one... you won't be disappointed!

This is what I heard at dinner time tonight:
"I want salad, JUST salad."
"I want a meat, mustard, mayo sandwich, with lettuce."
"I want mashed potatoes and gravy only please."
Ummm.
When did my kitchen become a cafe??
I guess I should just change my name to Cindy..
Then at every meal I can say: "Hi. My name is Cindy, can I take your order?"

Here is the sad part of that whole conversation: They actually got what they ordered!!

544 posts.
That is how many times I have posted on this blog. I have had the blog for over 2 years now.
Two years... and 544 posts ... and 1,682 visitors.
This thing started out as something... I really don't know what. But, in the process of it all I have learned something. I learned that I LOVE to write and tell stories, and this process of writing and telling is cathartic. I learned that I LOVE to work on the computer. I knew nothing about operating a blog, or using the Internet really. I would sit down, for hours sometimes, at night after the kids were in bed and teach myself how to do this whole blog thing. I would surf other blogs and see what they had done. I had my "practice" blog that I would try things out on, then implement what I had taught myself on the "real" blog. It has been a total blast. It has been frustrating at times, but also at the same time exhilarating.
I still am not that good, but I am getting there. I think if I could really get into digital scrapbooking, then my blog would take on a whole new look. (check out my sisters blogs ima10cow and islandmom... now those are some eye candy blogs!)
I will get into digital scrapbooking... When I get a laptop that I can sit out with the family while I work. I really hate to be locked up in the dungeon of the office... away from everyone.
Anyway.
2 years people.
544 posts.
1,682 visitors.
Amazing. Simply amazing!