Red Writing Hood

This week's assignment is tough - so I'm going to have to work on it.

I'm not sure I want to be a fiction writer.

We'll see.

In the meantime you should know that I'm in a funk.

A serious one.

I can't explain it, but I hope it ends soon.

This may mean fewer, less entertaining posts.

I never can tell.

Miscellany Monday

one.
Ok - I'm back to simple template...This blog design thing is making me CRAZY!


But, I did visit the local library today and picked up a copy of:

So far, it is confusing. And I'm frustrated.


I think that the problem lies in the fact that I don't know what I want the blog to look like.


I need to come up with a plan. Stat.


two.
I can bench 135 pounds.


I'm serious!


In the absence of having a full time job, I have taken up filling my time with lifting weights.


Ok, ok, I just started today. A former client of mine is a power lifter and he is helping me learn more about weight lifting. To get a more toned look.


Today was our first lesson and we did a chest workout. We bench-pressed first, and my final set, I benched 135 pounds. Only once, but I was pretty proud of myself.


three.
Until Friday, I couldn't tell you the last time I went to the movies.

Actually, I think it was at midnight on my birthday, with Dirty, to see SATC2.


On Friday, I saw two movies - crazy, right?!


Tangled 3D was awesome and I recommend it to everyone! And I want my hair cut the way hers looks at the end.


Yes, I realize it is a cartoon.


On Friday night, Peach and I went to see Burlesque.


I don't know if I've told you, but I LOVE to dance!!


There were parts of the movie where I would have liked to just stand up and dance.


I can't wait for it to be on video and then I can put it on and dance around my house.


No - I'm not joking.

TMNT and NKOTB

I am going to apologize for two things:

1. The design of this blog. I am working on it. I promise. I'm about to buy a book that will teach me how to do exactly what I want. Until then, you have to put up with what you see.

2. Being a bad blogger. This Thanksgiving weekend totally got out of my control and I ended up not getting done the things that I wanted to get done and blogging was on that list.

That being said, I do have a story for you: 

Way back in the "good ol' days," we used to spend a lot of time with our cousins Prince William and YogaHippie.

Back then Prince William and Bunner LOVED the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Heroes in a half shell. Turtle Power!)

Us girls LOVED the New Kids on the Block. (Ok, maybe it isn't so past-tense for me.)

So we came up with this silly game to make the boys do whatever we wanted. It was kind of like truth or dare, without the truth, but add points.

The boys got TMNT points. The girls got NKOTB points.

Only I'm not sure anyone ever kept score. (Although I wouldn't be surprised if Sissy pulled a tally sheet out one of these days only to show that she was the winner by some obscene number of points. And it would probably be accompanied by some Halloween candy that she stashed away until everyone else was out.)

And there was no set prize for the person who won the most points.

But, boy did it keep us entertained for a long time.

Back in those days, we also used to take an annual trip to a specific hotel in Flagstaff.

The hotel had an indoor pool and our parents would take us there and basically let us run around the place for a weekend.

We came up with all kinds of ways for people to get points.

From the second floor, there were openings to the pool below. With a bucket of ice, you could rack up all kinds of points.

And I can not confirm or deny that one of the boys received A LOT of TMNT points for peeing in the corner of the elevator.

On Thursday, Match and SuperFan wrapped all of the napkins and silverware with orange ribbon. After lunch, Biggie noticed it and decided that he and Uncle Bunner needed to become Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Wednesday Wisdom

It's been a while, but I'm bringing it back today.

"We all can dance when we find music that we love."

-Gerald the Giraffe

Biggie has a book called Giraffes Can't Dance and it my most favorite book that he owns. When I am there, we can not go to sleep without reading it.

Seriously, if you have small children, go out and buy this book!

Speaking of Biggie...

(Before I get started with this story, I want to a make sure everyone knows that I love Tiny as much as Biggie. I really do. But he doesn't talk yet and it is hard to tell stories about how funny he is because he doesn't use words.)

So, Biggie sings this song. It goes something like:

A is for apple. Aa, Aa, Apple

B is for bear. Ba, Ba, Bear...

And so on through each letter of the alphabet. Using a word that starts with the letter and then making the sound of the letter.

But my favorite is when he gets to H.

H is for Hippolo. Huh, Huh, Hippolo.

Seriously, he calls it a hippolopotomus.

It is SO cute!

Makes me think of this clip from Big Daddy:

Hip Hop Anonymous. Classic.

One more thing about Biggie. He has this friend, Belly*. They spend a lot of time together. Sissy and Belly's mom are good friends. And Biggie and Belly are in the same preschool class.

If you ask Biggie what Belly's favorite bird is, he replies, "A pink maflingo."

When we were at the ranch a couple of weekends ago, Biggie and I were in the truck with Bunner and I asked Biggie to tell Bunner what Belly's favorite bird was. (Say that 5 times fast...)

So he tells Bunner it's a pink maflingo and then asks, "Uncle Bunner, what is Auntie Banana's favorite bird?"

Thankful

So you may remember from a random list somewhere on this blog that one of my goals in life is to write and publish a book. 

I do not know if that book will be fiction, a cook book, a semi-non-fiction novel type book.

I just know that I enjoy writing and I think that other people enjoy reading.

Where does that leave us?

Thanks to yesterday's post, I was visited by another blogger and when I went to her blog, she had this cute little button from the Red Dress Club - so I checked them out.

It looks like each Tuesday they post a "starter" of sorts to get you writing.

I'm going to try it for a couple of weeks - if you hate it, I'm sorry.

This week is pretty easy - write about what you are thankful for.

I guess I should take that back - it is kind of difficult.

When I sit down to write what I am thankful for, I get nervous. If I make a list, I don't want to leave anyone or anything off. I don't want to seem shallow if I list material possessions (although we all know that we are thankful for some of those). I don't want to seem boastful if I tell you about all of the wonderful that is my life.

So, I apparently ramble...

In 2010, I am thankful for life. And love.

For that feeling of nervousness right before I address a crowd of people.

For that funny feeling I get in my toes when I have a crush on someone and I know I'm going to see them.

For the warm comfort of a cup of hot chocolate.

For the ease of conversation with a friend who knows you better than you know yourself.

For awkward encounters with random acquaintances. 

For the thrill I get when I have a hand-addressed envelope in the mail - regardless of what it is.

For the memories that jump to the front of my mind at the strangest moments and make me laugh out loud.

For the pure joy that I get when I'm dancing.

For the freedom that comes with apologizing to someone you have wronged.

For the hope that comes with having a sleeping baby in your arms.

For the breathlessness that comes with seeing a man or woman in uniform hug their child.

For a smile that turns a day around.

For the smell of fresh-baked bread.

And rain on the desert.

And clean laundry.

For friendships that stand the test of time.

For firsts.

For lasts. 

Miscellany Monday

Ahh, Miscellany Monday....

I feel like we are kindred spirits.

With the randomness and all.

ONE

OB-SESSED! That is what I am! With Biggie and Tiny. I'm not kidding - it is officially out of control! But I feel like I have good reason - they are stinkin' A-DORABLE!

While I was in DC, both of the boys were at Match's house. On Tuesday, I was standing in front of the US Capitol building, chatting with Match on the phone until I had to go meet a friend for coffee. She was about to take the boys on a walk so she handed the phone to Biggie to distract him while she got Tiny ready.

Biggie: Aunt Wo?

Me: Yes, Biggie.

Biggie: Are you in the United States of America?

Me: Yes, I am.

Biggie: Can you see a United States of America flag?

How cute is that?

He LOVES the United States of America flag - I think he takes after me.

TWO

Well, here we are - the time of year where everyone gets super stressed out trying to find the best presents for the best prices. Totally disregarding the joy that should come from gift-giving. Paying no attention to the reasons that we celebrate Christmas.

I admit - I have been one of those people.

I'm stopping that right now.

I was talking to Glinda the other day about this whole crazy mess that has become Christmas. It led me to a revelation. I would rather buy you a gift because I was walking through a store in April and I saw something that reminded me of you than feel forced to give you a sub-par gift because that is what people do.

So, if you are thinking about buying me a Christmas gift - Don't!

I would rather have a nice conversation with you over a cup of coffee or a hand-written note when you see a card that makes you think about me and smile.

THREE

Continuing with the theme of Christmas - I am completely opposed to Christmas before Thanksgiving!

(Although, I did break that rule yesterday when Elf came on USA - I can't help it - that movie is HILARIOUS!)

I realize that it is hard to avoid since they start putting out Christmas decorations around Halloween, but I prefer to leave it for after Thanksgiving - let's give each holiday their stage.

I love Christmas music, and movies, and lights, and bows...

But I believe that I love them so much because they are supposed to happen in a small window - which makes them special. If we put Christmas trees up year-round, it wouldn't be so exciting when we put them up.

So - stop! Enjoy Thanksgiving - eat until you have to unbutton your pants. Go to bed early because you have OD'd on tryptophan. Then wake up on Friday and go crazy!

I don't even care if you go to Target at 4 am in your red jumpsuit.

(I think she could have found some more sensible shoes. But I will admit, I did think about checking out the deals.)

FOUR

I had lunch with Granny B yesterday. I love that crazy lady!

I realized that I am VERY lucky to have a family who loves and supports me so unconditionally.

Don't get me wrong - we have our issues.

Our drama.

Our crazy.

But when it comes down to it - we will fiercely defend our own!

Just remember that if you think about taking one of us on.

We come as a group.

A huge, loud, boisterous, nutty group!

FIVE

A picture from my trip to DC.

I was really bad about taking pictures on this trip.

I think it went with the relaxation portion of the vacation, but I did not take one picture in either Santa Fe or Denver and I only took a few in DC.

But there you have Thomas Jefferson - watching over the White House.

By far my favorite memorial in all of DC.

Who I Am

I had an AMAZING vacation!

I don't know if my posts reflect it, but I'm not really a person who relaxes.

I just don't understand it.

I don't like massages.

I can't stand yoga.

In fact, BIL* asked me the other day what I do to relax and wind down. And I honestly didn't have an answer for him. 

I'm starting to think this could be an issue.

Oh well, we'll deal with that later.

Vacation ROCKED!

I loved visiting BodyBuilder, PR*, SS*, CK* and IT!!

Since I've been home I have been thinking a lot about life. (Probably because my life is a little bit up in the air right now and there are a lot of things to think about.)

While I was in DC, IT and I had dinner with a girl that I used to work with. I used to call her a friend, but I've decided that it is time to redefine that specific role in my life.

There are a lot of things to think about and a lot of decisions to be made, but one thing is for sure - things are about to change!

I am about to change.