Oklahoma...on The Straight And Narrow

Oklahoma...on The Straight And Narrow, originally uploaded by tommiea1.

Once again it is time to play Sunday Stealing ... can i play on a tuesday evening? of course i can, it's my blog

1. When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought? dang, i have some mongo bags under my eyes! i wonder if i have any cucumbers in the fridge. (ps, i didn't!)

2. How much cash do you have on you? i get out enough to cover eating out at craptastic drive thru food for the month, so probably about $100

3. What’s a word that rhymes with DOOR? bore....and i do know a few...i hope i don't bore anyone enough they think of me when they hear this word

4. Favorite planet? for reals? Mars....because "girls go to Mars to get more candy bars, boys go to Jupitar to get more stupider" ......but let's totally overlook 1.) I don't eat many sweets and even more importantly 2.) stupider?? is that even really a word...who is more studpider now?? it just may have been those superfluous candy bars

5. Who is the 4th person on your missed call list on your cell phone? my son's soccer coach....oops!

6. What is your favorite ring tone on your phone? only if you promise not to laugh...."bounce" by the Jonas brothers


7. What shirt are you wearing? cute gray T from Target

8. Do you label yourself? with my handy dandy label maker....absolutely Mother of two,Sooner, Photographer, Control Freak, Creative, Curvy, neat freak, Amusing, Sleep Deprived, organized.....should i go on?

9. Name the brand of the shoes you’re currently wearing? barefoot....but with some lemon verbena lotion on my tootsies

10. Bright or Dark Room? depends...sleeping, total darkness
at home in the afternoon....blinds pulled, sun shining in

11. Did you do anything to celebrate John Lennon's 70th yesterday? not a single thing


12. What does your watch look like? my bulova is my favorite .. pink face.. simple ...exactly like me, okay maybe my face is more tan than pink...but simple, classic...that is me!


13. What were you doing at midnight last night? sleeping, i am a working woman now!


14. What did your last text message you received on your cell say? "cute enough" in response to my friend Ashlee wanting a "cute pic" to have on her phone for when i call her

15. Where is your nearest 7-11? we don't have 7-11s, we have Stripes now, i think.

16. What’s a word that you say a lot? "i see"....

17. Who told you he/she loved you last? kids...O & W when I put them to bed.....love me some kid love!

18. Last furry thing you touched? muhahahhaa ... I could have so much fun with this! ..but I'll be honest....Josie, the French Bulldog!

19. How many drugs have you done in the last three days? one word: cramps....so ibuprofen....in large doses

20. How many rolls of film do you need developed? None!! It's called digital!

21. Favorite age you have been so far? I would say 42 ... It was probably my most life changing period....it just happened. i have to remember that in the end, it is all going to be okay. Living life on the straight and narrow.

pic taken of a road in Oklahoma....it really is this flat and straight. Life does go on, and just beyond the horizon is something you can't just quite imagine.

so imagine and wonder what will be

bracelet

bracelet, originally uploaded by tommiea1.

oh where oh where do i start....

i have neglected this little blog of mine for way too long. i have this fun Hipstamatic app on my phone, so I have been taking some fun pics, since i believe all blog posts should include a photo...i might have something to blog.

so

jumping

right

in....................

while the focus of this shot appears to be the outdoor funiture..(which I am glad to say finally has its cushions on it. those cushions were some of the last boxes i unpacked!)

but it is the colorful bracelet i was trying to take a funky shot of......this bracelet has become one of my favorite pieces of jewelry. it matches most of my wardrobe, everything from a white T and shorts to that cute aqua dress i wore to the Smith's change of command.

"I always say that I don't want to be sentimental, that the photographs shouldn't be sentimental, and yet, I am conscious of my sentimentality. " - Robert Frank

it is this "conscious" that brought me to take a picture of something as simple as a bracelet. i love the way it feels as it slips around my wrist....how it gently swings around my wrist all day. the clasp is a toggle that has two little beads on it. reminds me of little fish eyes. i remember the day i bought it and what an awesome day it was. it's cute and fun..

cute

and

fun

two things i need in my life now.

happy monday

Manic Monday-on Tuesday

As an adult, what is your favorite thing about summer: grilling, a chilled white wine, sitting on the deck


What was your favorite thing about summer when you were a kid? running around with my cousins catching fireflies in an old jelly jar at my grandparent's house.


In 2010, it will be the summer of the: monkeys. It is the book I am reading the kids.



Want to play? Lisa hosts Manic Monday at : Manic Monday meme

Friday Fill In

1. seeing the kids play in the rain never fails to make me smile.

2. i'm looking forward to seeing my baby graduate from preK today.

3. _Bobby Bones show is what I am listening to right now. best thing i found when we lived in Texas. #justsayin'

4. Potato must have pickles in it. but only whole kosher dill pickles that you cut up yourself!

5. fried egg on an english muffin with provolone was the best thing I ate today. (i know, REAL healthy)

6. today was started very early ( I woke up at 5AM!)

7. and as for the weekend, tonight i'm looking forward to pizza with the kids, tomorrow my plans include finally seeing Husband after a long month, and Sunday i want to sleep in!

Friday Fill In

And, here we go:

1. Salsa and *chips* could totally be my dinner if I didn't want to eat the entire bag!

2. *About once a year, I will eat a hotdog BUT only if* you've (even) got mustard.

3. By the time I get home, *well, since I am a SAHM, I am technically always home...BUT..I just want to put my feet up, especially since they are sporting the super cute Stephen Bonanno Lisagh sandals* They are named after a fabulous blogger I "know". I started reading Lisagh of Grosgrain Garage when Husband was deployed and she sent me a random email. She is Monkey's mommy. I have never had a pair of Bonanno sandals. *

4. *Fresh sushi* is what I look forward to most when grocery shopping.

5. And I was dreaming, *I was late to pick Will up from the bus stop. Livi and I were in Sam's. I woke up when I heard them announce on the intercom, "Welcome to Barbados!" I almost started crying since I was worried he was alone in the house for three hours...and how was I going to get back to KY from Barbados! But Livi told me, he knows how to get his own snacks. He will just get an apple and a cheese stick! *

6. *Hearing the quiet of the house once the kids are settled into bed* is there anything else better.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to *going to TKD with Will (he is so close to the first stripe for his green belt!), tomorrow my plans include *enjoying the sunshine*, and Sunday I want to *go to dinner with the kids at Kansai*.

Just a little Reflection

without sounding too cliche, as we are in the last couple of months here, a little reflection (taken with my phone while waiting for Will at the bus stop)

To be honest, this has been the hardest place i have ever lived.

Despite being moved how many ever thousands of miles it is from Oklahoma to Alaska, even that was easier. I guess since EVERYONE was far away from home, you either made friends or b!thched and moaned for three years. I choose to make friends and get involved. I made lifelong friends there.

Then we moved back to Oklahoma

It was going home. I already had friends. I went right back to my old job at my old school with my same old friends. Nice easy....I made a new lifelong friend again.

Then we moved to California.

I was big honkin' pregnant. Will was barely a year old. Despite having two kids under 16 months. I got involved in a MOPS group and an awesome playgroup. We were only there a year, but again.....I made awesome friends there.

Then we moved to Kansas.

Two kids under three, living on post in close knit living quarters. Many bottles of wine were shared with friends and neighbors. I made awesome friends there.

Then we moved to Texas.

The kids were two and three. Husband deployed after just a few months for fifteen months. So did 3/4 of the other husbands on the street. The wives that were left there not only survived but we bonded. Again, lifelong friendships were made.

Then we moved to Kentucky.

I have made a lifelong friendship. (Will hopes they will someday be his in-laws!) Seriously he told me that he will marry E, he just has to grow up and learn a job so he can earn the bacon to take care of E. It's so adorable how much he loves this little girl.

The other people in this community don't seem as welcoming and friendly to anyone that doesn't have three or more generations living here. It has been hard. Just now after almost two years here, do people seem to be opening up. As a military wife, I don't have two years to break the ice and just now start making friendships.

Even as hard as it has been, I have made a lifelong friendship. It is the little grain of hope that I take to our next duty station. I can make friends, I will make friends.

In honor of my cheesy reflection: I leave with some lyrics to Nickelback's "If Today was Your Last Day"

My best friend gave me the best advice

He said each day's a gift and not a given right

Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind

And try to take the path less traveled

The first step you take is the longest stride

ABC's of me

a: alarm went off at 6 AM this morngin

b: bed was very warm

c: cold: it got down to 38 last night

d: hope my flowers DON'T die

e: eat the same thing for breakfast most mornings

f: foggy day this morning

g: grilling chicken tonight....Will asked for a home cooked meal after having McD's last night!

h: have had two cups of coffee already this morning

i: i have a sick baby girl home today

j: jeans, wearing my skinny jeans! woo hoo

k: KY derby is this weekend...they are serious about the derby here. the kids don't even have school on Friday!

l: love to do the sudoku in pen

m: most days i solve it

n: number of bruises on my legs: 3

o: fell OFF a stepstool while cleaning out my closet

p: was not a PRETTY sight

q: quit laughing, it hurt

r: really hurt, like I almost cried

s: but STUFF is purged from my closet

t: that makes me happy

u: i don't store stuff UNDER my bed....bad feng shui

v: very excited the house is sold

w: washer is going already

x: expect to be ironing this afternoon

y: yes, i iron 90% of our clothes

z: gives me a ZEN feeling to see the wrinkles go away

happy Wednesday

Manic Monday and a self-pic

Big KY hat, originally uploaded by tommiea1.

If you could write your own bill of rights, what would you include?
*a right to a cup of coffee with lots of creamer and Splenda BEFORE anyone can ask a question

What is going on in the world today that affects you the most?
*husband is gone TDY again...i never realize exactly how much he helps out until he is gone....thanks husband for all that you do!

What do you think is the secret to a good life?
*simple: know what you want and follow through with that instead of whining and complaining of how rotten things are

Example: i have embraced the whole KY Derby mindset for a simple Run for the Roses at Will's school. It was a great excuse to find a fun dress I wouldn't normally have chosen. Also, I just added a fun peony to a straw hat. It is held on with pop up dots. I can take it off after the party. Or I might just keep it on there!

happy monday

Manic Monday can be found here: http://manicmondaymeme.blogspot.com/

Right now: april 22, 2010

i am thinking: i wonder if it is going to rain...and therefore ruin our field trip to the zoo tomorrow.

i am thankful for: the sale of our home!!!!! (admit it, that is way worthy of multiple exclamation marks!)



from the kitchen: i think i'll grab a glass of wine (pic taken last weekend because clearly it is evening here!)

i am wearing: a cami top that i wore under my shirt today and jammie pants.

i am creating: the perfect backpack to take to the zoo....did I forget anything??

i am going: to watch Sober House with Dr Drew later

i am reading: just finished "look again" some book my SIL gave me! Very good but worried me. I can't fathom if something ever happened to one of the kids.

i am hoping: i can continue working out at least 3x a week.

i am hearing: ANTM (America's Next Top Model DVRd from earlier in the background)

around the house: i actually have a few messes... i feel so free to NOT have to keep it "show ready"

one of my favorite things: listening to the kids playing outside...jumping on the trampoline, running through the sprinkler, swinging, trying to vacuum bugs with the bug catcher

a few plans for the rest of the week: hopefully a zoo trip, enjoy the last few days with husband before he goes TDY for most of May

a picture to share: see above..i took this with my phone either last weekend or the weekend before, a gorgeous weekend with a glass of wine

happy thursday

Rain clouds rolling in

Rain clouds rolling in, originally uploaded by tommiea1.

Livi had school this morning until 2:30. They missed so many days in February, they are doing extended days on Thursdays.

I had all kinds of plans to go up to Louisville. (I had to take my car to the Volvo dealer to look at some headlight problem.)

THEN this is what we woke up to. This dark gray cloud rolled just as Will was getting on the bus.

I am not one to drive in the rain. I am really not one to drive in the rain with just one headlight.



so...

I came home, did a few chores, and took a nap!

happy Thursday

Photohunt: artificial

that is one big honkin long neck, originally uploaded by tommiea1.

Artificial dinosaur at Dinoworld .....who knew there were dinosaur's in Kentucky??

hosted by the wonderful TNChick....Next week the theme is ripples

Thursday 13.....second time around

I have missed doing a Thursday 13. So I am going to start the ABCs again. Without further ado, this is the very first ABC Thursday 13 I did in Dec. 2007.

1.....duh........adams (I asked my hubby these as he wondered in here at 11ish) Our monogrammed silver we received as a wedding gift. It belonged to his grandparents.

2. a spoon

3. apples..it has to start with an A....the kids favorite snack

4. how many times you gonna change the rules......he says......

5. accordion....my aunt Brenda played the accordion

6. it has to be something that has to do With us

7. I didn't ask to be "blog-accosted"...he says, ".i am trying to get a snack and go back to bed

8. apple....I already did apple

9. there is another rule



10...nothing starts with a ....how about animals (PS, this is a picture I took yesterday at Livi's preschool. These animals were glued down to the hood. Even funnier, a grandpa was the one driving it!)


11 ...apostrophe.....Good golly, he is almost done with his creme brule'....he cannot think of anything else that starts with a

12. albacore...okay, he is really reaching now....

13....and the big finale....

I think I am going to start the new year ....okay let's really act like it is the new year .....with the ABCs

Back to school for a sassy little girl

Livi started Pre-K today. Both kids are natural morning people....(I am so not a morning person. Coffee with plenty of creamer keeps me going!) Sure enough this morning, she hopped out of bed just a bit after Will.

It seems like the summer has flown by, but she is very much ready to go back to school. She us very excited to be in Will's old class. She is very independent. She went right in and started coloring on the project the teachers' have out for a 'transition' project. Some of the kids in there have never gone to preschool, so they were having a hard time seperating from their parents.

Unlike year's past where I may or may not have sat in my car and cried, I suddenly found myself free for three whole hours! My first thought was, "Wow! It is so quiet!" I just ran my normal errands. (though this town is in serious need of a quaint coffee shop!!)

When I picked her up, she was the first one called. She was very excited when she came out: "Mommy, I didn't get in time out!" Of course, all the moms waiting out there laughed. She had a great time telling me all about the things the big kids do in PreK.

PS: it was so humid here when I took my camera outside to take a picture, it immediately fogged up! I had to use my phone.

Even though these are the Manic Monday questions from last week, I am still going to answer them. I haven't participated in one of these in forever!

Would you rather go a week without bathing, but be able to change your clothes, or a week without a change of clothes, but be able to bathe? I think I would be able to keep one set of clothes clean much easier than not bathing. That just grosses me out thinking about it.

If you had to be trapped in a TV show for a month, which show would you choose? Ellen....she makes me laugh, I would get to dance. I am sure there is a fun place to eat around there!

Fleur-de-Lisa hosts the original Manic Monday here

Snapshot-July 2009

Snapshot of Thirteen Things during the month of July

1) photo of me: taken with my Iphone: just after I got a cut and color. (Yes, I need some lip color. No, I am not driving, just buckled up!)

2) current candle scents: some Partylite candle, kind of spicy flavored

3) what i am currently reading: I did get the new Real Simple in the mail today.

4) newest music i added to my playlist: does a podcast count? I listen to my old radio station from Texas.

5) movies i saw: We took the kids to see G-Force last weekend. Kind of cute, Livi danced most of the way through it!

6) something yummy i made this month: Cilantro lime shrimp with a corn and black bean salsa.

7) the last place i ate out: Chick-fil-A

8.) something that made me cry: recently...when I was late to pick Will up from his first day of kindergarten ....dang early release! (okay this happened in Aug, but I am totally counting it!

9) something that made me laugh: Livi and her 'princess muscles' . (See post below this one)

10) something i looked forward to this month: hanging with the cousins in OH for the fourth of July. In case you have wondered, this is what a sugar high looks like!

11) something i am thankful for: living close enough to drive up to OH for the long weekend.

12) something i want to remember about this month: These gorgeous pink flowers: the first time I saw them, I thought they were fake flowers. They grow on top of these very straight thick green stalks about two feet tall. A lady had some in her yard in a circle around a lamp post. I wondered why on Earth she would put such fake looking flowers in her yard! Then I saw them in my neighbor's yard! They look so fake, but are so gorgeous!

13) a photo i took this month: My baby girl, lips stained red from eating a "rocket pop", and always with a flower in hand.

borrowed from Janet at Fond of Snape who borrowed it from Dawn

tuesday with tommie

Long time no post! We went to OH for the long fourth of July weekend. We had so much fun! Husband went to a bit of his twenty year reunion. We had some awesome fair food. Will rode the roller coaster twelve times. This picture of me and him was taken at the top of the ferris wheel. Right after I took this picture, he started freaking out since he thought I would drop my phone!

WHAT I’M READING: The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World ...still reading this. I got all of the reservations we wanted. There is one minor glitch, but it worked to our advantage!

WHAT I’M WATCHING: DVR'd Here Come the Newlyweds. Very cute show.



WHAT I’M LISTENING TO: just turned on Pandora. It played "If Everyone Cared" by Nickelback. I love this song!!

"If everyone cared and nobody cried
If everyone loved and nobody lied
If everyone shared and swallowed their pride
We'd see the day when nobody died"

WHAT I’M WEARING: shorts, t-shirt, freshly washed face

WHAT I’M EATING: nada, it is late. Had my favorite pasta for dinner though

WHAT I’M ENJOYING: having a working laptop cord. It had been delivered to my neighbor's house!

WHAT I’M SNIFFING: the Crystal Light lemonade I am drinking

tuesday with tommie

WHAT I’M READING: The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World ....pouring over all the food selections, character dining, etc. I am getting so excited!

WHAT I’M WATCHING: DVR'd Here Come the Newlyweds...love this show!

WHAT I’M LISTENING TO: the hum of my laptop. The babies are sleeping.

WHAT I’M WEARING: jammie pants, t-shirt, freshly washed face. It was hot today. We were outside quite a bit, so I was sticky. I can't like being sticky!

WHAT I’M EATING: nada, but we had grilled chicken and wild rice for dinner. That is one of my all time go-to meals. I can use the leftover chicken in some quesadillas soon. Yummy!

WHAT I’M ENJOYING: Husband made it home for dinner tonight. He has been working some long hours these past two weeks.

WHAT I’M SNIFFING: new dryer sheets I tried this last time...something lavender.

PS...several people asked me about my eyelashes in one of my tuesday with tommie posts. First off, I have VERY straight thin eyelashes. But my little secret that I have done every since I ever started wearing makeup...(some where along the same time I used a can of Aquanet on my hair!), I have heated up my eyelash curler with my hairdryer before I curl them. For the life of me, I can't remember who showed me this. After that, I use the mascara in the pink tube: blackest black. I have tried the waterproof, but I use the regular one.

Disclaimer here: this pic is taken pre-makeup. Not that I wear that much anyway!!

tuesday with tommie

Keeping it real here, I had to get my hair colored this morning at my favorite Aveda salon here. I have never had to take a kid to a hair appointment. But she did okay. She wasn't quite sure what to think of the entire process!

WHAT I’M READING: the latest Southern Living magazine.

WHAT I’M WATCHING: Hitched or Ditched....yes, it is a real show!

WHAT I’M LISTENING TO: Josie snoring, at least she isn't tooting

WHAT I’M WEARING: Halloween jammie pants from Old Navy....they are so comfortable I just can't bear to put them away

WHAT I’M EATING: Nothing...without giving TMI, I must have eaten something that doesn't agree with me this afternoon.

WHAT I’M ENJOYING: seeing Will learning so many soccer skills, though he is worn out after three hours in the sun every morning.

WHAT I’M SNIFFING: cinnamon apple candle

Happy Tuesday, y'all

tuesday with tommie

Doing something a wee bit different for tuesday with tommie: The ABC’s of me…
A - Age: 40
B - Bed size: Queen, not nearly big enough when one kid or the other climbs in
C - Chore you hate: cleaning the shower
D - Dog's name: Josie
E - Essential start your day item: coffee with lots of creamer
F - Favorite color: cranberry red
G - Gold or Silver: platinum
H - Height: about 5'3"
I - Instruments you play(ed): clarinet
J - Job Title: domestic diva
K - Kid(s): 2 - Will and Livi
L - Last movie seen: Twilight
M - Mom's name: Ramona
N - Nicknames: tommie
O - Overnight hospital stay other than childbirth (if applicable): jaw surgery way back when

P - Pet Peeve: While in waiting areas, (like at gymnastics), people who have to talk super loud, like you are really interested in what they have to say.
Q - Quote from a movie: "Son, you got a panty on your head"
R - Right or Left Handed: Right
S - Scared of: the kids getting run over in a parking lot. I still make them hold my hand.
T - Time you wake up: 7 or when the kids wake up
U - Under the water or Up in the air:..under the water.

V - Vegetable(s) you dislike: brussel sprouts
W - Ways you run late: I rarely run late...but not setting the alarm would be a reason
X - X-rays you've had: do dental ones count?
Y - Yummy food you make: I can make some mean muffins.
not sure where Z went!!

borrowed from : Juliette at Wait 4 the News, my old TX neighbor who now lives in Maine

Friday fill in

1. Join me in a great afternoon of fun and sunshine.

2. Put a little sunshine and happiness in your day!

3. Happiness is seeing tulips along the walk around the neighborhood.

4. Dressing in her brother's swim suits and confused is how Livi dressed while we were washing my car this afternoon.

5. I'm waiting for spring to stay.

6. A glass of wine is hard to resist.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to veggie pizza with the family , tomorrow my plans include haircuts for the boys, yardwork, and just being outside in this gorgeous weather and Sunday, I want to sleep in & make some crab cakes!

Friday fill in courtesy of the talented Janet...

tuesday with tommie

WHAT I’M READING: "Stone Cold" by David Baldacci. ....still reading this

WHAT I’M WATCHING: I'll have to check to see if 90210 is new tonight. Admit it, you like it too.

WHAT I’M LISTENING TO: the kids bouncing around in the living room while they are watching something on Noggin.

WHAT I’M WEARING: trouser jeans, grey shirt, and my cute patent leather Me Too shoes

WHAT I’M EATING: just had apples and a cheese stick for a snack

WHAT I’M ENJOYING: that Livi will soon be in ballet for an hour, Will will play my Iphone while we wait, I will get to catch up on my magazines.

WHAT I’M SNIFFING: Cloros2 stain fighter and color booster.....Livi spilled chocolate milk on this adorable JosieKat's trunk simply bow dress

Happy Tuesday, y'all

**pic taken by Will with my Iphone***