Photo Hunt

Theme = Plastic



This is one of my favorites from this past weekend.

We are back.

We made it back from El Paso. I haven't eaten so much red meat in forever. I fell in love with a little something called Tenderloin Cocktail. Crazy name, but delicious. I got it at the Edge of Texas Steakhouse. If you are down there, I recommend it.

We got into town on Thursday, went to the 387th CRC's deactivation ceremony on Friday, and visited this little place on Saturday:







There was some squealing involved.



The Commander's birthday was on Sunday and on Monday, The Boy and I made our way back home.

I'm tired.

Photo Credit: ME!

Wow. Could they have used a worse photo? I know I took one where not everyone had their eyes closed.

See?



Well, okay, maybe this one?



Okay, well, what about the individual photos?



Too blurry?

What about these?




Too far away? Okay, I'll give you that. Let's go back to the group shot.

My favorite.



Photography is haaaarrrrrd. I mean, would it have killed those other pedestrians to stop with the walking already so I could get a photo with out all of the other activity going on behind them?! Sheesh.

Meme

She made me do it.

Here are the rules. Write a post using each letter of your middle name describing something relevant to your life. Tag the same amount of people as you have letters in your name.

(I would like to start off by saying that Sherry isn't my real name. I have been called that from the time I was born, but it isn't the name on my birth certificate. So Sherry Shalene is not my name. I know. Crazy.)

S: Shalene. My middle name. The first movie my parents saw together was Cat Ballou. In the movie, Lee Marvin played a drunk cowboy by the name of Kid Shelleen (pronounced the same as my name). Some years later, my parents named me Shalene. They claim I wasn't named after the drunk cowboy, but I think I was.

H: Hairy. ‘Nuf said.

A: Ambidextrous. Well, I’m right handed and left eye dominant. Does that count? (You should see me fire a handgun. I have to get all wonky to line up my right hand and left eye. But I’m a pretty good shot, so don’t rile me.)

L: Longwinded. Sometimes I get going and I have to mentally tell myself to “Shut it!”

E: Eccentric. Other moms may bring juice pouches and Goldfish crackers to Cub Scout meetings for the snack. Me? Ice Cream Sandwiches baby.

N: Nearsighted. Badly. 20/800 vision without my glasses. And really, even if you could see it at 800 feet, there is no way in heck I could see it at 20 feet. 20 centimeters maybe.

E: Eater. I eat. And by the way. Why didn’t anyone tell me about the Fuji Apple Salad at Panera Bread? It was all I could do to keep from licking the plate last night. Seriously. That’s good stuff right there.

I tag Sleeping Mommy, Chicka Nuts, Cursing Mama, BGirl, Aunt Murry, Uncle Bubby, and Susan at Friday Playdate.

__________

I won't be around for a while. I gots places to go and peoples to see and ceremonies to attend and flowers to receive (Although I wanted chocolate, but was told that wasn't a choice. Party Poopers.). And maybe, just maybe, go to an actual Oktoberfest put on by the German Air Force. (So ya know it has got to be good.)

Cough, cough, hack, hack

I'll be fine. It is just allergies. At least that is what the doctor said before the nurse handed me two prescriptions and jabbed two needles into my butt hip.

___________________________________

I had a blast at the Bachelorette party last Saturday. I got to meet up with some friends I haven't seen in a looooong time. I miss them.

___________________________________

The Boy is taking piano lessons and doing very well thankyouverymuch. I would like to just mention that he doesn't get it from me.

___________________________________

Guess who I met tonight? BGirl. I sat there for the longest time trying to think of how to go up to her and introduce myself. I shouldn't have worried because when I walked up to her she smiled the biggest smile and stuck out her hand. She said she figured it was me because she recognized The Boy.

Nice meeting you BGirl. There are a couple of things you should know: 1) Me and The Boy just had our hair "did" so I don't normally have that hair do. She does weird things with it. 2) I don't normally sound that way. I'm usually an octave higher. Blame the allergies.

Photo Hunt

Theme = Dirty




This is for the Bachelorette.

Shocking, isn't it?

Mutterings

1. Uneven :: Bars


2. Wonder :: Woman


3. Spider :: Man


4. Emma :: Crumbees


5. Swing :: Low


6. Orbit :: Moon


7. Flirt :: Kiss


8. Donation :: Box


9. Veil :: of Secrecy


10. Atmosphere :: ic Pressure

Question for you , Dear Readers

Anyone know where we can get beds like this in the U.S. America?

Giveaways

Check out her giveaways. Yummy.

Color me amused

You Are a Yellow Crayon

Your world is colored with happy, warm, fun colors. You have a thoughtful and wise way about you. Some people might even consider you a genius. Charming and eloquent, you are able to get people to do things your way. While you seem spontaneous and free wheeling, you are calculating to the extreme. Your color wheel opposite is purple. You both are charismatic leaders, but purple people act like you have no depth.

What Color Crayon Are You?

In which we have cake. (and photos)

The new keyboard metronome has karaoke! Rock on!



Bright and early Sunday morning. There was some of this...


That went underneath this...


And there was some of this...


That went into this...


That went on like this...


Because this...


Turned 17! Now if only he would get off of F@ceB00k and enjoy the festivities.

I married his dad when he was four years old. I have had some tough times dealing with his mother (don't get me started) (seriously), but I only have to deal with her for one more year. But, you know what? I wouldn't trade these past 13 years.

Happy Birthday Shorty! I love you.

Friday's Feast

{Featured Flickr Feast by Oh! It’s Max!}

Appetizer

Say there’s a book written about your life. Who would you want to narrate the audio version?

David Duchovny. My life isn't that interesting so I would be having impure thoughts about him every time he said my name.

Soup

Take the letters from your favorite kind of nut and write a sentence. (Example: Perhaps every avenue needs understanding today.)

CASHEW - Can all sailboats have easterly winds?

Salad

If you could go back in time and spend one week in another decade, which decade would you choose?

1960s. I would like to see when my mom and dad met and what it was like for them while he was in the Navy. (Plus, they wore funny clothes.)

Main Course

Name a song that brings back memories for you.

Dexy's Midnight Runners - Always Something There To Remind Me

Dessert

Do you prefer to wash your hands in cold water or warm water?

Hot. Especially when I am cold. I will run a sink of water as hot as I can stand it and soak my hands in it.

Photo Hunt

Theme = Happy



I'm thinking of entering this in the county fair. What do you think?

Scrapbooker?

Go enter this contest!

Photo Hunt

I'm slow. I took the photo on Saturday, but am just now posting it.

The theme? TWO




PhotoHunt

A Buck Seventy-Five

The Boy had a tooth pulled today. A tooth. Pulled. From his head.

It is my fault. I have horrible teeth and have passed that wonderful trait on to him. He had some work done on that tooth, a lower molar, and its roots a few months ago. The day we were leaving to go up to Iowa to close on our house he told me it was hurting. I took a peek and the dang thing was gray. Not good. The dentist (lurve him) squeezed him in and said the tooth wasn’t looking good and put him on antibiotics to see if the infection would clear up. Fast forward one month later. “Mom, my tooth is hurting again.” Off we go again with the knowledge that the tooth may get pulled. The Boy was very, very nervous about the prospect of it getting pulled. I kept reassuring him that it was no big deal and I have had teeth pulled and lived to tell the tale.

So this afternoon I’m chatting with the dentist about this and that and what-have-you when he reached over and grabbed the pliers (Or whatever the technical term is, but between you and me? Pliers.). WHOA NELLIE! LOOK AT THAT FLOORING! TERRAZZO? TRAVERTINE? PEEL AND STICK? I couldn’t look.

When The Boy was one year old and had to get stitches in his eyelid? “I’ll be in the waiting room. Call me when you are done.” When he got his foot stuck in his battery operated jeep-type thing and HIS FOOT turned around TOTALLY BACKWARD? Well, since I was the only one here, I dealt with it, but real woozy like.

So he is down one tooth (a very grey tooth with some n.a.s.t.y. roots still attached to it), but got a cool little container to keep it in. He wants to wait until he is eight to put it under his pillow so he will get one more quarter. I want him to throw his tooth on the roof, but I don’t think he will go for it.

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
Describe your laundry routine. Do you have a certain day when you do it all, or do you just wash whatever you need for the next day?

I try to wash when I feel there is enough clothes to make a full load. I separate into five piles - whites, lights, darks, jeans, and towels. My friend, L, does all of her wash on Saturdays, but I would rather space it out in the weekdays than spend a chunk of time doing it on the weekend. I want need two dryers. That would make me very, very happy!

Soup
In your opinion, what age will you be when you’ll consider yourself to truly be old?

I don't think of people in numbers. The Commander is twelve years older than me, but I don't think of him like that. Age doesn't really bother me. I will be 40 next year, but I don't feel like it. I guess when I hit 65 or so I might consider myself "getting old".


Salad
What is one of your goals? Is it short-term, long-term, or both?

I always have to come up with goals at work and it is hard for me to do. I guess I don't really have goals for my personal life. I like how things are and I don't really need much (except for two dryers!). I just do what I need to do. I guess my short and long term goal is, "Don't mess up."

Main Course
Name something unbelievable you’ve seen or read lately.

The Minnesota Bridge collapse. That is just terrible.


Dessert
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how happy are you today?

8? My lower back is killing me and I have had to sit around with my hot Corn Cozy tucked in between me and my slightly uncomfortable desk chair. Other than that? I'm seven kinds of juicy like a slice of cantaloupe.

It's my life

This Is My Life, Rated
Life:	8.2
Mind:	8.1
Body:	6.6
Spirit:	8
Friends/Family:	6.1
Love:	9.1
Finance:	9.1
Take the Rate My Life Quiz

Friends and family need to step it up!

2nd Grader

Wow. I am the proud owner of a 2nd Grader.

I love you big guy. Bunches and bunches.

Have a great first day.






(If you look closely in our garage, you see the back side of two motorcycles. What you can't see is the back side of three (3!) more motorcycles.)

Finally!

Months ago, Sleeping Mommy tagged me for the “8 Things” Meme. She even said please. I piddle-farted around and finally wrote out eight things while I was sitting in an unbelievably boring lecture. And now? I can’t find the paper I wrote them out on. So I guess I’ll try again.

1) I have a 20 year old tattoo of a purple long stemmed rose. (You guess where.)

2) I had a tummy tuck in July of 2004. Not to get rid of the fat (although there was quite a bit), but to get rid of the “apron” that hung down over my underbritches. I have before and after photos if you wanna see.

3) I love to read. Magazines, newspapers, novels, the back of cereal boxes, etc. Anywhere. Anytime.

4) I don’t like seafood. I’ve tried it (fried shrimp, boiled shrimp, shrimp casserole, shrimp cocktail, lobster fondue, crab cakes, you name it), but I can’t stand it. I tell people I am allergic so they don’t give me grief about it.

5) My pretend celebrity boyfriends are – The Rock, Mike Rowe, and David Duchovny (he used to be first until he got married ON MY BIRTHDAY!). I’m considering adding Judd Apatow.

6) My favorite movie is Return to Me.

7) I’m a huge fan of the theater (theatre).

8) (I’ll put my quirk here) I can not stand having my sheets messed up on my bed while I am in it. I have been known to make the Commander get up out of bed so we can straighten the sheets. Especially the fitted sheet. It drives me up the proverbial wall!

_________

And since almost everyone in the whole entire webiverse has done this thing, you there, in the cave, you are tagged.

Scritch Scritch Scritch

I'm back from the lake. Did you miss me? The mosquitoes certainly didn't.

Here are some good looking guys to tide you over until I think of something entertaining to write for you.

Happy Birthday!

Seriously, why don't you love me?

He made me do it

The Commander just called and said, "Go online and buy this!"



So I did.

Power to the Puppies!

____________________________

Last week I bought this.



Power to the Pork!

(I threw some on some popcorn last night and it wasn't bad. I'm waiting to put it on green beans and mashed potatoes.)

___________________________

I Double Purple Puffy Hearts the interwebs.

Insert clever title here

I have been feeling unwell for most of the week and finally (finally!) feel like staying upright today.

I have been having a hard time posting anything because I haven't had anything exciting to post about.

But today? Today I can brag.

The Boy got his first trophy this week.

We went to the Bow Wow Bowl Off Tuesday night. It is a fund raiser for the Humane Society here in town. This is the 5th year for it and the 1st year we have participated. The Boy ended up winning a trophy for the highest game in the kids' division! Woo and then Hoo!

______________

I went to a local music store last weekend to buy a metronome for piano lessons. The one I picked out was attached to this. So I ended up paying a little more than I wanted to for the metronome, but I got a really cool keyboard to go with it. And, this savvy shopper got the guy to throw in a stand for it.

______________

Lawn mowing this weekend! I'm so excited!

______________

Oh, and by the way

It may be sooner.

______________

Guess how many times I had to backspace and retype words in this post?

What is wrong with this picture? (UPDATED)

I guess it is kinda hard to see, but on the sample card I have at home, it is more noticeable.

On the motorcycle facing away from you, hanging from the rear fender, is what looks like those fake testicles that "manly-men" tend to hang off the back of their vehicles.

I sent a message to customer service and the message ended up getting sent to the director of customer service. She told me that the "balls" were supposed to be a guardian bell, but she totally agreed with me that it didn't look too bell-like and so they are removing the bell/balls from the picture and are reprinting the cards.

What power I wield!

_____________________

These are the Christmas cards I was intent on purchasing this year. But I didn't order. Can you tell why I changed my mind? You may need to put on your prude pants.

(Click to biggify)

Wolfboy

Wolfboy
Originally uploaded by Sherrypg

Minnesota and Iowa photos now up on Flickr.

What Chicka said...

Dynamic Analyst

Read more in depth,

More of a Granny Smith Apple Green

I have had no internet capabilities for the past four days. I had withdrawals.

We went to Iowa and closed on our house. I finally got to see it in person and guess what! Two good surprises. One, there is a breakfast bar in the kitchen and two, this little gem...



Notice the green! Not gross, avacado green, but a glorious, Granny Smith green! The wallpaper has got to go. I was teasing the Commander about painting the walls bright yellow and having a limon bathroom.

We also managed to visit the relatives in Minneapolis and went to the MN Zoo. I'll put some of those photos up on my Flickr account.

Lookin' forward to it

Thirteen Things I look forward to in my new town 1. Not working! (SAHM!) 2. Old Dutch! (Caramel Corn!) 3. Two ovens! (Sweet!) 4. Learning to can! (Mmmmmm!) 5. Fresh sweet corn! (12 ears for a dollar!) 6. The deck! ('Nuff said!) 7. Walking the boy to school! (Until he's old enough to request otherwise.) 8. No fast foods! (There is a Dairy Queen, but it is only open in the summer.) 9. Closer to the Mall of America! (!!!) 10. The University of Okoboji! (Class of '94!) 11. Rhubarb! (Pudding!) 12. More free time! (See #1!) 13. Snow! (?)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Here's some Total Momsense

Bug Spray

Me + Off = Yes

The Commander + Bullfrog = Not so much.

Bullfrog's sunscreen abilities were just fine, but the repellent didn't repel. The Commander applied at least three layers of the stuff and he still had mosquitoes getting him.

In other news...

The Boy started piano lessons. Now we need a nice electronic keyboard for him to practice on. These things are danged expensive. I've tried e-bay and craig's list, but I haven't found anything I like. I need to hit the garage sales I guess. Suggestions?

Quick with the retort

I have a t-shirt with an old school type photo of a guy bowling and the words "Spare Me" on it.

I was wearing it last night when I stopped by the c-store to get some milk and the boy an Icee.

This is the conversation I had with the clerk (to the best of my recollection.)

Clerk - Your shirt bowls me over.
Me - Does it strike your fancy?
Clerk - Oooo. I'm pinned behind the counter.
Me - (Speaking to the boy) It's right up his alley.
Clerk - I cry foul!
Clerk and Me - Ha ha ha ha ha!
People in line behind me - WTF?
Me - Can I get a bag?
Clerk - Before you split?

Good times.

Contests? Luv'em.

Check out the contests at 5 Minutes for Mom.

Like this one.

and this one.

or this one.

(I won something last month. I can't tell you what it is because it is a gift for someone and it is on its way here.)

Well...

this sucks ass.