happy birthday to me

Happy birthday to me...I don't know what I thought 41 would be like...I don't feel 41. I don't look 41. Though I do notice a bit more gray, a few more 'cracks' (as Will called them) around my forehead where I scrunch it. Midlife is not at all what I imagined way back when I thought 41 was OLD. I guess two kids under six will keep you young.

I look back at my teen years: always being the good girl, getting good grades, making it into OU. In my twenties, I was still the people pleaser. Now I was just pleasing my principal and fellow teachers. It took me a year or two to learn to say "NO" to various things I was volunteered to do.

I got married when I was 30. We moved from Oklahoma to Alaska, leaving everything I had ever known. Thank goodness for the good friends we made there. I also had two babies in two years. Now that will make life interesting. It was then that I finally learned to stop trying to please everybody.

I also figured out I might not ever fit back into those pre-baby clothes. My body is definitely curvier in places it didn't used to be curvy. But I can find and wear clothes that fit my body and look good. Clinton and Stacy (from What Not to Wear) are fountains of info! A good under garment (as Stacy and Clinton would say) is not something to skimp.

So, slowly, over the past years I have learned to realize while I might not be perfect, I am alright and I have some great bras!

Here’s what I want you to do for my birthday. Send someone an e-mail and tell them how much you appreciate them, or love them. Do it right now. Then tell me about it in the comments. That’s what I want. It’s my birthday so you have to do it.

PS, these cupcakes are definitely in my future. Here is the recipe

tuesday with tommie

This was really fun. I can see doing this every year or so to see how the answers change.

All About Mommy

By Will (age 5) and Olivia (age 4) **pic taken with the laptop camera**

1. What is something mommy always says to you?
Will: I love you.
Olivia: I love you.

2. What makes mommy happy?
W: Us

O: A kiss

3. What makes mommy sad?
W: When she can't make the kids happy.
O: Me throwing stuff and being bad at school.

4. How does your mommy make you laugh?
W: By tickles, but she can't tickle as fast as daddy.
O: By telling me an underpants joke.

5. What was your mommy like as a child?
W: I don't know.
O: She was like me.

6. How old is your mommy?
W: 19 (this made me laugh!!)
O: 16 (laughing even more)

7. How tall is your mommy?
W: this tall(raising up his arms as high as he can)
O: I don't know.

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
W: Hug and kiss us.
O: Be with me.

9. What does your mommy do when you're not around?
W: Clean up the house.
O: Do some cleaning, like house blessing.

10. If your mommy becomes famous, what will it be for?
W: Tickling.
O: For cooking. (I like her idea!)

11. What is your mommy really good at?
W: hugging and loving
O: The computer

12. What is your mommy not very good at?
W: tickling (But I thought I was going to be famous for it!)
O: flipping backwards (I have no clue where this came from!)

13. What does your mommy do for her job?
W: Doing good things for the house.
O: Cooking when Dad's sick

14. What is your mommy's favorite food?
W: quesadillas
O: Egg sandwiches....(I have been eating these for breakfast lately.)

15. What makes you proud of your mommy?
W: To just be me
O: When I help her cook.

16. If your mommy were a cartoon character, who would she be?

W: Maggie and the Ferocious Beast

O: Pinky Dinky Do o

17. What do you and your mommy do together?
W: Play Candyland
O: build with blocks

18. How are you and your mommy the same?
W: We have the same cheeks.
O: We both have brown eyes.

19. How are you and your mommy different?
W: I have blue eyes, you have brown.
O: You have black hair, I have brown hair.

20. How do you know your mommy loves you?
W: Because you are my mommy.
O: You kiss me and hug me.

21. Where is your mommy's favorite place to go?
W: Target (oh yeah!)
O: the park

idea borrowed from: Jenni at Four Feet More

tuesday with tommie

WHAT I’M READING: Reading the latest Real Simple magazine.

WHAT I’M WATCHING: whatever is on the DVR....I am almost scared to admit this: Rock of Love with Bret Michaels. Just the sheer pure joy of listening to Bret say "smokin' hot" about those girls is entertaining!

WHAT I’M LISTENING TO: The wind howling and the rain coming down...

WHAT I’M WEARING: Jammies...one kid is asleep and one is going to be soon.

WHAT I’M EATING: We had this DELICIOUS butternut squash soup with grilled cheese tonight. It was the perfect rainy day weather meal. You roast the butternut squash with ginger and onions....very good!

WHAT I’M ENJOYING: This weekend it was almost 70 degrees. We took Husband's convertible out and put the top down. It was a fun little drive....but sad because so many trees were down, snapped in half from the ice storm.

WHAT I’M SNIFFING: One of those plug in wall flower thingys from Bath and Body Works. I had it in the linen closet and it must have tipped over....when you open the door, it smells like some one's grandma who used way too much perfume! You know the one, she spritzes it like five times and then wants to hug you. Then YOU stink all day like grandma perfume.

PS, I am kind of liking the tuesdays with tommie thing....though I seriously doubt I can even begin to take a picture of myself every week. Last week I just happen to get a haircut and used the camera on my laptop. I DO NOT like to be in front of the camera. I am much more comfortable with a mongo camera and lens in front of me!

Tuesday with tommie

WHAT I’M READING: I finished the Twilight series, so now I am playing catch up on all the magazines. Since I literally didn't read anything else for about five weeks.

WHAT I’M WATCHING: The cable just came back on mid Sunday afternoon after bring out since the storm hit Monday night. So now I am back to my trash DVR'd shows. I think the latest Bachelor is on there, as well as Gossip Girls. See some good 'no kid' trash shows!

WHAT I’M LISTENING TO: or overheard in the Tuesday Update household: Tonight when Husband got home, I mentioned to him that Josie had an accident by the back door. Husband commented that she is getting old. At twelve years, she is beyond the life expectancy for a French Bulldog. Out of nowhere, Will pipes in, " She's old, she gets to do what she wants!" I think I need to adopt that philosophy. Disclaimer here....though Will looks like he is throwing gang signs...he is doing a sign we use for "I love you too!" He taps his heart twice with two fingers....but he always leaves his thumb up

WHAT I’M WEARING: jammie pants....remember we are on day nine of this icky icy snowy weather

WHAT I’M EATING: nothing now, but earlier we had a late dinner of soup and sandwiches. Who doesn't love tomato soup and grilled cheese made with the extra thick Velvetta. Oh yeah. comfort food at its finest.

WHAT I’M ENJOYING: a great haircut! I left the kids for the first time since last Monday afternoon. My hair girl had cancelled the appt this morning, but was able to reschedule for this afternoon. Her electricity was just fixed this morning after being out since last week. She was running late....I did not even care! The kids are STILL out of school even tomorrow.

WHAT I’M SNIFFING: Aveda products in my hair.....love love love Aveda.

idea borrowed from Heather of Chasing Butterflies

Friday Fill In

1. The world is what you make it....take some ownership, my world can be chaotic at times...but most of the time I love it!

2. Sweet dreams, little buddy was the last thing I said as Will went to sleep.

3. I wonder if he will stay there all night?.

4. May there be peace and love at the end of all things.

5. There's something to be said for a beautiful watch.....it finally got here! I am so excited! I didn't even have to have any links adjusted or anything. It is a perfect tribute to being 40.

6. Right here with my husband and kids is where I want to be.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to veggie pizza with the family, tomorrow my plans include finding the 4th Twilight book and Sunday, I want to veg with the family before Husband goes TDY again.

Friday fill in courtesy of the talented Janet.....may peace be with you.

Weekend recap-

Merry Christmas to me! I am so excited. I have been having fun playing with it all day today. Tomorrow we are heading over the river and through the woods to the grandparents house we go. I have checked my packing list at least twice. I am sure the ride will be much more entertaining with little baby!

Happy weekend, y'all!

PS, a little organizing tip from tommie: I keep a printed packing list in a page protector in each suitcase. After each trip I write anything on there that I forgot. By now, the list is pretty much complete!

Thursday 13, the letter Y

1. Yellow: I never did find a yellow bag ....okay, I lied. I never did find a bag for less than $1000.

2. y'all: I crack up every time one of the kids says y'all. Between my southern twang and the KY accent here, they have the drawl down pat!



3. year: I can't believe it has been nearly a year (on the 19th) since Husband's homecoming ...why does it seem like this past year flew by...but those fifteen months dragged by??

4. Yesterday I went to Starbucks to get a peppermint latte. They were out of peppermint. This was just as they opened, too. I rarely drop the f-bomb but I was like, "WTF"....okay, I really didn't say it, but I did think it.

5. Yippee....I am finally going to get the pink Tag .

6. Yoga: I enjoy the feeling I have after a yoga class. I wish I could bottle it up and carry it around with me!
7. Young: I was very much like Livi as a young child. This remains one of my favorite pics of her....she was floating acorns down the river of rainwater that ran along the street.


8. Yuck: I love the smell of liver and onions cooking, but I don't like the taste....yuck!


9. Yugo: I had a roomie in college who drove one of these. This was in 1990. I don't even know how old it was then, but I swear that thing was made of plastic!


10. Yolk: I like my egg yolks cooked all the way...that runny stuff grosses me out. Makes me think I am going to get sick or something!


11. Yeah: Husband gets home tomorrow!


12. Yes, I am done with my Christmas shopping.


13. YMCA: I was a YMCA camp counselor in college.

Happy Thursday, y'all

Thursday Thirteen- the letter U

Since the year is almost over, I thought I better finish my ABC Thursday thirteens. I stopped on the letter T back in May just before we began our massive move to KY....via Oklahoma, Ohio and finally Kentucky!

Anyhow....on to the letter U.

1. University of Oklahoma.....proud graduate. Loved my time there, Norman remains one of my favorite places ever. Stop in at Brothers if you are ever in town...best cheesy fries ever!

2. Ugly- I do not think I am ugly..I refrain from making negative body image remarks in front of Livi. She repeats way too much as it is!

3. Uggs....NEVER have been a fan of them, but the Ugg Kona Boot is kind of cute. I wonder if it will be cold enough here to justify getting them??

4. unique- I think most military spouses have a unique personality: adaptability to new places and situations; resilience to get through TDYs or deployments, willing to volunteer for almost anything, social skills to meet and greet anyone. I know these definitely can describe me.

5. UPS- My kids know the little brown truck is the UPS guy. They get disappointed when he doesn't stop at out house!

6. ultimate-the ultimate best cake ever...oh yeah: the chocolate chocolate chip cake. Even better as muffins with a cream cheese frosting.

7. ultra: I am ultra organized. Here is an old TT of my best organizing tips. I think it is my little attempt at keeping my world sane.

8. ultrasound: On Will's ultrasound, he was all kicked back and relaxed. He is still like that. On Livi's, she was sucking her thumb. At four years of age, she is still sucking her thumb.

9. umber: I remember rubbing burnt umber paint on furniture and home decor items to make them look more rustic and old!

10. umbrella: I need a new umbrella...mine looks like a spider with a broken leg!

11. undergarment-Firm believer in having great undergarments, they can make or break an outfit. Get those girls back up where they used to be!

12. under: Caving under peer pressure...Ashlee at Meet the Leighows wants to see the ball gowns. okay, circa April 1997...the first formal ball I went to with Husband, we were still dating!

13. under...more....pressure: kind of cheating, but you get another picture...caving under more peer pressure since CrackerJacks of Izzy 'N Emmy wanted to see old ball gowns as well.

a day in the life

upper left- Totally loving my hair now. I have been letting it grow out since we found out we were moving here. I whacked it off when we moved to Texas. I didn't want to be pulling it up in a pony tail every day! I have an appointment with a girl here that a friend in TX recommended. She used to live here. I love it that I can get pointers from almost any military post ....someone or another has been there before!

upper right- The sky was so blue today. Not a cloud in sight. This was taken through my windshield. I was quite surprised how it turned out!

lower left-The trees are finally peaking in all their fall glory. I haven't lived somewhere with seasons in so long. I am loving the cooler temps. We even turned on the fireplace!

lower right-I was in the old downtown part of my town today. I love all the old houses.

Happy Tuesday, ya'll

Love a good rain

Kind of a slow day, so ABCs it is:

A - Admitting I watch the new 90210

B - my Brother is one of the funniest people I know

C- the Carrot bread is still sitting on the table

D- down to ONE diet Dr Pepper a day

E - Essential Item: my cell phone

F - went on a Fall walk with the kids before the rain today.

G - Gathered leaves for an art activity

H - Had fun doing a stained glass activity from the crafty JenWa

I - but now crayons are melted on my iron...who knew they would seep out the edges of the wax paper J -just figured out I could clean the iron...by ironing! LOL

K - the Kids loved the activity




L - Love a good rain (rain clouds from this afternoon)

M - Made it home from out walk just before the rain


N - America's Next top Model....another fluff show I watch

O - Olivia....my favorite little princess

P - Pinot grigio....favorite wine

Q - Quick to hit the snooze in the AM

R - really loving the fall weather

S - Spring forward, Fall backwards....when is that?

T- thinking I might get a pedi.

U -eligible for a new Upgrade phone in Dec. I have had my pink Razor for while. I don't even know what is new and fun besides an Iphone.

V -Very rarely text, what can I say, I don't have teenagers.

W -army Wives... another fluff show on my DVR

X - eXamine your zipper.....makes me think of junior high



Y - Yellow....still haven't found a yellow bag that I am so loving


Z-Zipcode...still forget my new zipcode....we've been here since July!



Happy Tuesday

Tell Martha to move over

The kids didn't have school on Monday, so we needed some activity to pass the time in the afternoon when it is too hot to play. So, totally forgetting no we didn't make muffins (totally forgot it was Monday yesterday!!) out of flour, salt, and cream of tartar.

Eeks, it looks like Shrek is having a bit of a butt rash.......or some orange playpoh.

Oh, the Fuzzy Pumper barber shop......another child hood toy I loved so much. My old TX neighbor A gave it to Will and Livi. Most of the playdoh from TX was all dried up from being in storage for two months!

Now for the third and final Tommie-sewing project....See Livi's little dress, oh yeah, I made it. It is just a t-shirt cut off just above her waist. Then a little gathered skirt is made from less than half a yard of fabric. Throw on some pompom trim and you have an adorable dress fit for a princess.

How's that for a Tommie-praise-train?? So I'll admit a little guilty pleasure: I am totally loving the new 90210...yes, and I even DVR'd it so I can rewind the things I didn't hear!

birthday month traits....

I copied this from fleur-de-lisa months ago and had it in draft. I am still in my birthday month, so I thought it appropriate. I made the words bold that I thought described me. This was scary how accurate it was!
PS, less than twelve until my massage. I am so excited!


Birth Month Traits:

JANUARY: Stubborn and hard-hearted. Ambitious and serious. Loves to teach and be taught. Always looking at people’s flaws and weaknesses. Likes to criticize. Hardworking and productive. Smart, neat and organized. Sensitive and has deep thoughts. Knows how to make others happy. Quiet unless excited or tensed. Rather reserved. Highly attentive. Resistant to illnesses but prone to colds. Romantic but has difficulties expressing love. Loves children. Loyal. Has great social abilities yet easily jealous. Very stubborn and money cautious.

FEBRUARY: Abstract thoughts. Loves reality and abstract. Intelligent and clever. Changing personality. Attractive. Sexy. Temperamental. Quiet, shy and humble. Honest and loyal. Determined to reach goals. Loves freedom. Rebellious when restricted. Loves aggressiveness. Too sensitive and easily hurt. Gets angry really easily but does not show it. Dislikes unnecessary things. Loves making friends but rarely shows it. Daring and stubborn. Ambitious. Realizes dreams and hopes. Sharp. Loves entertainment and leisure. Romantic on the inside not outside. Superstitious and ludicrous. Spendthrift. Tries to learn to show emotions.

MARCH: Attractive personality. Sexy. Affectionate. Shy and reserved. Secretive. Naturally honest, generous and sympathetic. Loves peace and serenity. Sensitive to others. Loves to serve others. Easily angered. Trustworthy. Appreciative and returns kindness. Observant and assesses others. Revengeful. Loves to dream and fantasize. Loves traveling. Loves attention. Hasty decisions in choosing partners. Loves home decors. Musically talented. Loves special things. Moody.

APRIL: Active and dynamic. Decisive and hasty but tends to regret. Attractive and affectionate to oneself. Strong mentality. Loves attention. Diplomatic. Consoling, friendly and solves people’s problems. Brave and fearless. Adventurous. Loving and caring. Suave and generous. Emotional. Aggressive. Hasty. Good memory. Moving. Motivates oneself and others. Sickness usually of the head and chest. Sexy in a way that only their lover can see.

MAY: Stubborn and hard-hearted. Strong-willed and highly motivated. Sharp thoughts. Easily angered. Attracts others and loves attention. Deep feelings. Beautiful physically and mentally. Firm Standpoint. Needs no motivation. Easily consoled. Systematic (left brain). Loves to dream. Strong clairvoyance. Understanding. Sickness usually in the ear and neck. Good imagination. Good physical. Weak breathing. Loves literature and the arts. Loves traveling. Dislike being at home. Restless. Not having many children. Hardworking. High spirited. Spendthrift.

JUNE: Thinks far with vision. Easily influenced by kindness. Polite and soft-spoken. Having ideas. Sensitive. Active mind. Hesitating, tends to delay. Choosy and always wants the best. Temperamental. Funny and humorous. Loves to joke. Good debating skills. Talkative. Daydreamer. Friendly. Knows how to make friends. Able to show character. Easily hurt. Prone to getting colds. Loves to dress up. Easily bored. Fussy. Seldom shows emotions. Takes time to recover when hurt. Brand conscious. Executive. Stubborn.

JULY: Fun to be with.

Secretive. (not really,)
Difficult to fathom and to be understood(don't think so).
Quiet unless excited or tensed. (I don't think quiet has ever been used to describe me!)
Takes pride in oneself.
Has reputation. (of what? I guess everyone does have a reputation.)
Easily consoled. (ugh, not really...and don't even try hugging me unless I have had a couple!)
Honest.
Concerned about people’s feelings.
Tactful.
Friendly.
Approachable.
Emotional temperamental and unpredictable. ( I don't think so.)
Moody and easily hurt.( I do think I am moody, but not easily hurt)
Witty and sparkly.
Not revengeful.
Forgiving but never forgets.
Dislikes nonsensical and unnecessary things.
Guides others physically and mentally.
Sensitive and forms impressions carefully. Caring and loving.
Treats others equally.
Strong sense of sympathy.
Wary and sharp.
Judges people through observations.
Hardworking.
No difficulties in studying.
Loves to be alone.
Always broods about the past and the old friends. (moved way too many times to do that)
Likes to be quiet. (if so, only because it can be loud with two under five!)
Homely person. ( not me)
Waits for friends. (if I did that, we would move and I still wouldn't have any friends.)
Never looks for friends. (again, I move way too much to not look!)
Not aggressive unless provoked.
Prone to having stomach and dieting problems. (ha)
Loves to be loved.
Easily hurt but takes long to recover. (okay, this one might be true too)

AUGUST: Loves to joke. Attractive. Suave and caring. Brave and fearless. Firm and has leadership qualities. Knows how to console others. Too generous and egoistic. Takes high pride in oneself. Thirsty for praises. Extraordinary spirit. Easily angered. Angry when provoked. Easily jealous. Observant. Careful and cautious. Thinks quickly. Independent thoughts. Loves to lead and to be led. Loves to dream. Talented in the arts, music and defense. Sensitive but not petty. Poor resistance against illnesses. Learns to relax. Hasty and trusty. Romantic. Loving and caring. Loves to make friends.

SEPTEMBER: Suave and compromising. Careful, cautious and organized. Likes to point out people’s mistakes. Likes to criticize. Stubborn. Quiet but able to talk well. Calm and cool. Kind and sympathetic. Concerned and detailed. Loyal but not always honest. Does work well. Very confident. Sensitive. Good memory. Clever and knowledgeable. Loves to look for information. Must control oneself when criticizing. Able to motivate oneself. Understanding. Fun to be around. Secretive. Loves leisure and traveling. Hardly shows emotions. Tends to bottle up feelings. Very choosy, especially in relationships. Systematic.

OCTOBER: Loves to chat. Loves those who loves them. Loves to take things at the center. Inner and physical beauty. Lies but doesn’t pretend. Gets angry often. Treats friends importantly. Always making friends. Easily hurt but recovers easily. Daydreamer. Opinionated. Does not care of what others think. Emotional. Decisive. Strong clairvoyance. Loves to travel, the arts and literature. Touchy and easily jealous. Concerned. Loves outdoors. Just and fair. Spendthrift. Easily influenced. Easily loses confidence. Loves children.

NOVEMBER: Has a lot of ideas. Difficult to fathom. Thinks forward. Unique and brilliant. Extraordinary ideas. Sharp thinking. Fine and strong clairvoyance. Can become good doctors. Dynamic in personality. Secretive. Inquisitive. Knows how to dig secrets. Always thinking. Less talkative but amiable. Brave and generous. Patient. Stubborn and hard-hearted. If there is a will, there is a way. Determined. Never give up. Hardly becomes angry unless provoked. Loves to be alone. Thinks differently from others. Sharp-minded. Motivates oneself. Does not appreciate praises. High-spirited. Well-built and tough. Deep love and emotions. Romantic. Uncertain in relationships. Homely. Hardworking. High abilities. Trustworthy. Honest and keeps secrets. Not able to control emotions. Unpredictable.

DECEMBER: Loyal and generous. Sexy. Patriotic. Active in games and interactions. Impatient and hasty. Ambitious. Influential in organizations. Fun to be with. Loves to socialize. Loves praises. Loves attention. Loves to be loved. Honest and trustworthy. Not pretending. Short tempered. Changing personality. Not egotistic. Take high pride in oneself. Hates restrictions. Loves to joke. Good sense of humor. Logical.

Finally the big day.....my name is tommie and I am 40

Happy birthday to me...

I don't know what I thought 40 would be like...I don't feel 40. I don't look 40. Though I do notice a bit more gray, a few more 'cracks' (as Will called them) around my forehead where I scrunch it. Midlife is not at all what I imagined way back when I thought 40 was OLD. I guess two kids under five will keep you young.

I look back at my teen years: always being the good girl, getting good grades, making it into OU. In my twenties, I was still the people pleaser. Now I was just pleasing my principal and fellow teachers. It took me a year or two to learn to say "NO" to various things I was volunteered to do.

I got married when I was 30. We moved from Oklahoma to Alaska, leaving everything I had ever known. Thank goodness for the good friends we made there. I also had two babies in two years. Now that will make life interesting. It was then that I finally learned to stop trying to please everybody. I also figured out I might not ever fit back into those pre-baby clothes. My body is definitely curvier in places it didn't used to be curvy. But I can find and wear clothes that fit my body and look good. Clinton and Stacy (from What Not to Wear) are fountains of info! A good under garment (as Stacy and Clinton would say) is not something to skimp.

So, slowly, over the past years I have learned to realize while I might not be perfect, I am alright and I have some great bras!


Here’s what I want you to do for my birthday. Send someone an e-mail and tell them how much you appreciate them, or love them. Do it right now. Then tell me about it in the comments. That’s what I want. It’s my birthday so you have to do it.

It's a sad sad day.....

(picture of Livi watching a movie Husband sent her from Iraq on her birthday....the only pic I could find of my laptop- taken October 16, 2007)


Yes, it is true....how sad for me. My little laptop has posted its last post, typed its last words, surfed for the last time. Yesterday I guess I worked it too hard putting music on my Ipod. The first time my laptop died.....so so sad! Last spring the monitor went out and had to be replaced. So I guess it has lived a full life. It is four years old. I kid you not, it is about one month past its extended warranty.

This morning it was pokey and slow, finally a little screen that didn't look very promising came on.

Depending how long I can tolerate the stinky dog toots, I will blog from the office. But, dang Josie can pass some gas that will make your toes curl! Maybe I will get some of all that stuff I mentioned yesterday done now.

Thursday 13.....#39....the letter S

In keeping with the ABC theme for 2008....the letter S:

1. Scott Kelby book: attempting to work my way through this.
2. Surfside City: the Beach house we are taking the kids to in a couple of weeks.
3. Shot at Love with Tila Tequila: <----guiltily raising my hand and admitting I watch it
4. SLR- well, digital SLR....favorite birthday gift last year
5. Shrimp and Grits: one of my all time favorite meals ever.
6. Sooner born and Sooner bred, when I die, I'll be Sooner dead, Go Oklahoma, OKU
7. Survived a 15 month deployment (but lost my sanity on a few of those days)
8. Swiss Army watch was a gift from Husband when we got married.
9. Summer: this summer (Which starts May 23 for us) will be hectic with a vacation, a move, living with my mom for three weeks, going to see the in-laws, buying a house, unpacking a house, painting a house, and finding a preschool....all before the end of July!
10. Simplify: I am really trying to simplify my life.
11. Second: My second grade teacher, Mrs. Odom, was one of my favorite teachers.
12. Six: I graduated with six of my cousins. There were only 46 in the entire class!
13. Senior: Finally Laski Gal from From the Cheap Seats asked to see our Senior Prom pics since it is prom season.......ask and you shall receive:
    

Just a few little thoughts about this picture. Oh me, oh my.....why would any one leave the house with white hose?? Not only white hose, but those white dyeable shoes? It was 1986.....but dang, didn't I have friends? Friends don't let friends wear white hose.

Next, why does it look like I am seven months pregnant? I promise I wasn't. I probably weighed all of a buck ten. One of my cousins was pregnant at our senior prom though!

I was the shortest girl in my class. I am barely 5'3". My date was the tallest guy in our class....at 6'4". ..... wouldn't you think that little streamer background would be taller??

Look at my mullet-sporting jock? Oh, young love... In fact my eyes are shut in my senior prom pic...I must have been dreaming about my man!

Finally, can you see the mongo ring on my forefinger. I spent hours dying waxed dental floss pink to wrap around the bottom since it would match my flowers! Yeah, lots of time spent color coordinating my flowers to the floss!

Just for grins and giggles...here is a prom I went to my junior year. I was going out with a senior, so I got to go to his prom. I think he was the shortest guy in his class. I think I wore ballet flats so I wouldn't be taller than him. That dress had to be taken apart at the waist to be hemmed. I think it is still hanging at a closet at my mom's house!

I dare you, no I double dog dare you to post your senior prom pics!

Thursday 13.....#35....the letter O

letter O, originally uploaded by tommiea1.

In keeping with the ABC theme for 2008, the letter O:

1. One: Husband and Olivia when she was one day old.

2. Olivia: easily my favorite O...this picture totally captures her spirit: free, silly, happy

3. Orange: the sky really was this orange....kind of freaked me out a bit.

4. Ocean: love love love to be at the ocean...(I delivered Livi about two weeks after this was taken!)

5. Oklahoma: Born there, lived there until I was the big 3-0!

6. OU: THE University of Oklahoma....proud graduate

7. Observe: I love to sit back and observe people, especially at a mall.

8. Occupation: now domestic diva.

9. October: favorite month....I love the fall.

10. Organized or anal, you choose.....I prefer organized.

11. Obsessive: I am obsessive about washing hands.

12. Olives: cheese, and crackers are my favorite snack.

13. Omaha steaks steaks: best beef ever!

Year of the Monkey......call me Curious

I saw something at Jenni of Four Feet More, made me wonder what my Chinese year had to say about me:

You Were Born Under:

Full of spunk, you are the original party animal. You bring fun, activity, and stimulation to any event. Self-control is not one of your strong points; you have been known to over indulge. Cheerful and energetic, you can turn the most boring thing into something fun. You are most compatible with a Rat or Dragon.

What Year Were You Born Under?

I do have to agree with most of this. I would like to think I am intelligent, maybe not a genius, but close! I do think I can work out difficult problems.

I am cheerful and energetic by nature, I can make friends wherever we are sent. But I do not think I am a "party animal!" Self-control: makes me wonder!

I do think i am extremely curious and thirsty for knowledge. Heck, I keep a hard copy dictionary on hand just to mark new words.

I am very loyal and devoted to friends. I have many acquaintances, but a handful of good friends.

Weekly winners, Feb 17-23

I hadn't really taken many pictures this week. So this afternoon when it was in the mid 70's, I knew we had to go outside and get some sunshine. Husband left early this morning. It helps to keep the kids busy the first few days of a TDY.

Livi drew this earlier in the week during her quiet time. They are doing a unit on dinosaurs at their preschool. She said it is a T-Rex.....although it looks more like a stegosaurus to me! Not too bad for a three year old.

This shot was taken right after he asked me, "Is God invisible?" Such the thinker.....

"Are you done yet? Can you take those while you push me? I really want to just swing!"

Will and his shadow

just me....

NO MORE PICTURES......so that's all folks....happy week!

go see Lotus at sarcastic mom if you want to play.

friday fill in

the Friday fill in courtesy of the wonderful Janet

1. Seeing a new and exciting place through a camera lens is the best thing about traveling.

2. I love a good warm blanket when I'm cold.

3. I often use coffee as a pick-me-up.

4. I'm needing to read right now the stack of magazines on my desk; I miss the time I used to have to read (them) it.

5. Politics is something I dislike talking about.

6. When I visited the salon today, I most looked forward to seeing my color/stylist. ***see those white shiny things sticking up!! They are no more as of this afternoon!***

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to vegging with the family, tomorrow my plans include haircuts for the kids and Husband and Sunday, I want to try to be positive! Husband is going on another TDY (Temporary Duty at Fort Drum, NY) for 20 days! Twenty days doesn't seem like anything after living thru a 15 month deployment....but still. I don't think it ever gets easier.

Happy weekend, y'all!

painting entry

I saw this at Janet of Fond of Snape's this last weekend.

Click here to create your own painting.

Everywhere we have lived, we have tried to collect local art. We have gotten some pretty neat pieces from doing this. A print above the love seat reminds us of waiting on the banks of the Chena River in downtown Fairbanks for the Yukon Quest to start. Most sled dogs are a some type of Husky mix. We saw this team take off with an all blond female in the second slot. Shortly after that race, we were at an artfair in some random building in town. We saw a colored pencil sketch of that exact dog. The artist was there at the show. He offered to do a pencil sketch in the lower corner of that dog.

Another thing I learned in Alaska about art is if you find something you love. Do what you can to get something. Even a signed poster if that is all you can afford at the time. Both Husband and I love Fred Machetanz's work. When we first got there, a print was around $300. We hadn't even been married a year at this time, so $300 to a young newly married couple was out of our budget. Just as we were leaving Alaska, Fred Machetanz died. His $300 prints were now about $1000. Live and learn, skimp and save...

While I like my original artwork I created....if fact I would buy this despite how modern it looks. I would put it in a girly dressing room with a foofoo chandelier.

Happy Tuesday, y'all!