The Morning After

I had been looking forward to it for a couple of weeks.  

I really didn't care much about who carried home the little golden statues.

For me, it's all about the clothes.  

And the hair.

Okay, the jewelry is a little bit important, too.

My favorites:

 Penelope Cruz.

Classic.

The epitome of style and grace.

The dress, the hair, the jewelry...

Ahhhhhhhhh.

Reminiscent of Grace Kelly.

 Jessica Chastain.

Don't know who she is or what movie she was in

(true story...I have seen NONE of the nominated movies, I'm afraid)

but the dress is gorgeous.

 Milla Jovovich.

Pure Hollywood glam.

Stunning.

 I like Natalie Portman.

This was certainly not my favorite dress of the evening,

however the necklace is what caught my eye.

Her hair was only okay, IMHO.

But she's just so stinkin' cute.  : )
I loved her in 

Where the Heart Is

(awesome book, too)

Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium.

Gwyneth Paltrow.

She pretty much always shows up to these 

red carpet events 

looking like a million bucks.

Her long, lean frame certainly showed off this gorgeous gown.

Others who showed good taste:
Cameron Diaz

Glenn Close

Stacy Keibler (otherwise known as George Clooney's date)

Octavia Spencer

And now for the DUDS.

J-Lo has a gorgeous body.  Everyone knows it.

Mostly because she very often puts it out there 

for everyone to see.

A little too much of it.

Last night was no exception.

The entire night she appeared to be having

a wardrobe malfunction.

Angelina Jolie is skeletal.

Not attractively thin.

Not svelte.

SKELETAL.

Worse than that,

she thinks she's all that and a bag of chips

when really she just needs to 

EAT

a bag of chips.

Or three.

Come on, Angie.

Put some meat on them bones.

Okay, I'm done now.

Enough cattiness for one day, huh?  

; )

Happy Monday, my friends!
Hope it's a good one!

All Over the Place

It's not Miscellany Monday but this is my first post of the week and it is going to be pretty much all over the place.  Buckle up, my friends.  It's gonna be a wild ride!  ; )


*Life is busy.  CRAZY busy.  Mom is still here.  Perri has had batting lessons and conditioning for softball.  Just lots of running and getting things done.

*This weather is driving me bonkers.  50* temps in February?  Come on.  We need COLD and we need SNOW.  There is so much sickness going around right now.  A good deep freeze that would keep people in for a few days would sure be helpful.

*Even with all the craziness right now, I have a ton of things for which to be thankful. 
     ~The Hubster.  He's been going above and beyond to lighten my load.
     ~My friend Tish.  It may seem like a little thing, but every morning I'm extra thankful for my friend Tish.
       We both sit at the elementary school until the bus pulls in to take our girls to the high school, then we
       have to pull into the drop off line to let out our boys.  Well, I live in a world full of large 4-wheel drive 
       vehicles.  My every day vehicle is a little two-door speck.  In other words, I can't see much without
       sticking my nose into the middle of things and I'm often afraid those big ol' trucks won't see me until it's
       too late.  Tish always runs interference for me.  : )  She noses her way into the line and then lets me in
       front of her.  : )  What a pal.  : )
     ~Income tax returns.  Ours has been deposited and we're going to go pick out new bathroom faucets
       and a couple of other things we've been needing to replace around here.  Nothing major, but those little
       things add up.  Return time is just a great time to tackle that stuff.
  
*Valentine's Day was nice.  : )  I cooked a nice dinner and The Hubster brought me a beautiful bouquet of red tulips.  : )  (I'm thinking maybe he read my blog again....after all, I did mention here that I'm not really a 'rose' kind of girl.  ; ) )

*I made French onion soup and it was YUMMY.  I'm hoping to find the time to post my recipe over at Kelli's Kitchen.  It had been a long time since I had made it and I decided to make it for V-Day dinner because it's one of The Hubster's favorite things.  : )

*I'm sorry that Whitney Houston died.  :(  It breaks my heart for her daughter and all of those who loved her.
  But I am really entirely ready for the media to let her rest in peace.  I'm tired of hearing about it every time I
  turn on the tv.  While I'm not nearly so....*ahem*....'outspoken' as some of the folks on Facebook, I do
  really agree with a couple of the posts that are being shared on there.  We've lost so many of our brave
  men and women to war and yet we give the death of a superstar who was a known drug addict more media
  attention than any of those who selflessly sacrificed themselves to preserve our freedoms.  There is
  something seriously wrong with this picture.

*And as long as we're discussing controversial issues, let me go on the record as being A-OK with the way this Texas dad chose to discipline his teenage daughter for her little Facebook rant.  I think it's a great thing to see a parent actually discipline a child.  Parenting involves effective discipline and this dad knew he had to 'get her where it hurts', so to speak.  If you want to have children, plan on actually parenting them in order to know that  they will be decent members of society who contribute good things to this world.  If you want friends, go out and meet new people who were birthed by someone other than yourself.   JMHO.
And BTW, if you read the follow-up stories, you'll see that the daughter is not scarred for life or in need of therapy due to the actions of her dad.  While I'm sure she was very angry and upset in the beginning, even she doesn't get why so many people are saying her dad is nuts or went too far.  Good for her and good for her dad!  Just goes to show he's doing something right! 

*The Tasty Cupcakery's current location is now officially closed!  Brie is so excited to get moved into her new, BIGGER location.  : )  That won't happen until probably mid March because there is a TON of work to do.  Hoping that things go super smoothly.

*Tucker Man made me very proud.  : )  I think I mentioned that he was going to be in the school spelling bee.  Well, he ended up in the top three.  : )  He was up there with two fifth graders and this mom could not have been prouder!  Congrats to to Jordan and Josh, the winner and first runner-up, who will represent our school at the county bee!  : )

I need to get busy around this house now.  Just wanted to let you know I'm still among the living.  ; )  Hope all of you are having a fabulous week!  I'm still lurking around blogland from time to time, reading your posts and trying to keep up with the goings-on.  I really admire those of you who find the time to post daily and wish I knew your secret!  ; )

~~~ As you can see I'm still having formatting issues.  What's up with that?  All the strange sentence breaks and indentations....I'm not sure how to fix it.  Hopefully Blogger gets on the ball and gets things straightened out!~~~

I Got Tagged! : )

Melanie over at Country Roads tagged me to answer a few questions about myself and I figured I'd play along.  I'll be picking a few of you to tag as well, so be on the lookout!  ; ) 

1. What is one of your favorite childhood memories?
I have so many!  It seems that life was much simpler then.  I'm sorry that my kids don't have that same simplicity to enjoy.  I grew up in a small community where it was safe for kids to stay out at night catching fireflies in Mason jars and playing Spotlight until curfew; where you could walk to the community pool and spend the balmy summer days splashing and tanning and eating snow cones with friends; where an abundant snowfall brought out the Flexible Flyers, half-burned candles to wax the runners, and hours of fun barreling down Blankenship Hill; where rainy days meant a blanket thrown down on the covered porch for hours of play with Barbie, Ken and all their friends and accessories.

2. Where is your favorite place to travel to/visit and why?
I haven't traveled extensively.  We tend to find places we enjoy and then make many return trips.  And my taste in getaways varies as much as my mood.  I love New York City!  All the history, the excitement, the YANKEES!  : )  I also love quiet days spent in Ohio Amish Country, driving scenic back roads and browsing through shops that are off the beaten path.  Disney World is another favorite place, too.  It all depends upon the mood I'm in at the time!  : )

3. What is  your favorite dessert?
Well now, there's another tough one!  I love fruit pies and anything chocolate.  I adore homemade cinnamon rolls and freshly baked kolaches.  Eating out?  Make mine Black Tie Mousse Cake from Olive Garden.  : )

4. What did you want to be 'when you grew up'?

Above all else I always wanted to be a wife and a mom.  I managed to accomplish that without much trouble.  ; )  Once upon a time I had a dream of being an interior designer.  I had chosen the school (Art Institute of Pittsburgh) and even spent some time shadowing a designer in 'the big city' (Charleston.)  That little dream was simply not meant to come true and I'm okay with that.  There was another dream that was even bigger than that one.  A dream that continues to hold a very special place in my heart; that has, at least in a small way, come somewhat true:  To be a published writer.  I finally feel (mostly) comfortable calling myself a writer and I've had a few pieces published in smaller markets.  But that all too common dream of writing The Great American Novel still eludes me.  ; )

5. What is an important life lesson you've learned?

My Daddy taught me charity, and that is very important to me.  It's a lesson that we Tucker kids learned early on and not just because Daddy spoke of it, but because he lived it in front of us every single day.  He was one of the most giving people I have ever known.  You don't have to be rich (we certainly were not) to be charitable and to help others who have a need.



Another life lesson I learned through experience is to be comfortable in my own skin, and if I'm not...well, I'm the only one who can change that.  I can't rely on someone else to make me happy or to 'complete' me.  I am a whole person all on my own.  Of course I need others and I value every one of them for all the ways they enrich my life.  I don't know what I'd do without my family and the amazing friends I hold dear.  I don't even know what I'd do without those who haven't been so terrific.  Those who have been stumbling blocks or who have treated me in a way that was hurtful or inconsiderate.  They've taught me valuable lessons on trust and the things that really matter in life.  And they've also taught me that I am the only person who can control my reaction to things and how I allow them to affect me.

6. Which would you prefer to receive for Valentine's Day..chocolates or flowers?
I'm a pretty simple gal.  I love a bouquet of flowers, but I certainly don't need the most expensive roses in the shop.  A handful of daisies makes me really happy.  : )  And candy is wonderful, but they don't have to be the pricy ones from Godiva.  I get just as much pleasure from a tin of Almond Roca or a package of mini Dove bars.  ; )


7. Reality tv--love or hate?
I am not a reality tv fan, except for American Idol.  There is something about a pure, beautiful, well controlled voice that sends a chill down your spine.  Of course, there's also something about a squealing, off-key train wreck on stage that's good for a giggle, too.  ; )

8. Are you a morning person or night person?
I enjoy sleep far too much to be a night person, I'm afraid.  As I've gotten older I have found that I truly enjoy an early morning spent in solitude.  Summer mornings spent on the front porch swing, listening to birdsong and gathering my thoughts for the day...now that's what I'm talkin' about.  : )

9. Do you prefer books or magazines AND what is your favorite book/magazine you've read?
Seriously?  What's not to love about either of them?  I subscribe to several women's magazines and I typically devour them each in one sitting.



But sometimes I want something more substantial.  Something that will draw me in and make me want more, more, MORE!  Dean Koontz, Patricia Cornwell, Jonathan Kellerman...they all see to it that I am adequately entertained.  I learn so much from these amazing writers because they care enough about the stories they craft to make sure that what they put out there isn't just fluff.  Intricate plots; realistic, well-rounded characters; everything that makes you keep turning the page.


However, don't totally write off the fluff!  Fluff is GOOD!  Sometimes I want to escape and I don't want to think.  That's when I grab a Janet Evanovich, a Susan Wiggs, or a Dorothea Benton Frank.  Fabulous stories that can transport you to another place, away from the mundane everyday-ness of your own life, and provide a terrific little retreat from reality.

Nothing wrong with a classic now and then either.  Lucy Maude Montgomery's Anne series is absolute perfection.  Anything by Dickens is great.  Steinbeck is deep and Poe is haunting.  Take your pick.  




Can you tell I love to read?  : )


10. What do you collect?
Right now I'd be inclined to say MEMORIES.  I'm enjoying my kids and grandkids.  My husband and I are making more time for each other and rediscovering why we married in the first place.  Two of my kids are in their 20s, and then there's a 14 year old and a 9 year old.  Those two older ones grew up so quickly and it gives me a pretty good idea of what to expect with my two 'babies'.  I refuse to allow time to slip through my fingers without making plenty of great memories to comfort me when the nest is empty.


Aside from that, you know by now that I'm doing my best to declutter.  Collecting things?  Just not necessary at this point in my life. 

11. What is your favorite hymn?
The Old Rugged Cross; Amazing Grace; Thank You, Lord.  


Oldies but goodies, ya know?  : )

Well, there are my answers to the questions Melanie sent to me.  Now I'll take some time to come up with eleven questions to send to a few bloggers I think might enjoy participating.  I think it's fun to learn a little more about each other, don't you?  : )

Miscellany Monday

I know that most folks think there aren't a whole lot of reasons to love Mondays.
Sometimes I feel the same way, but mostly...well, I kinda like 'em.  ; )
I've told you before how Mondays are like 'fresh start' days to me.  The beginning of a whole new week and new chance to make it a good one.  Nothing wrong with that!
I also love linking up on Miscellany Mondays over at lowercase letters.  Carissa is pretty amazing.  I love reading her posts because she's always so uplifting.  Life is no more perfect for her than it is for any of the rest of us, but through her faith and her love of Jesus, she sure does find a way to put a positive spin on things.  I don't know about you, but I can use all the positivity I can get!  ; ) 

Now I do believe it's time to get random.  : )

(1)

I am addicted to CBS Sunday Morning.

I love the randomness of the stories they cover.

I love the quirky way the cover those random stories.

I just love hearing about all the 

crazy/touching/monumental/under appreciated/overly sensationalized

things that take place in this wild and crazy world in which we live.

It makes you realize that there is so much out there, 

outside that snug little cocoon in which you exist,

and you have no idea until you 

open yourself up to see it.

Yesterday they ran a story on 

Dr. Richard Olney.

Dr. Olney spent 20 years treating patients suffering with ALS.

He was a leading researcher doing everything in his power 

to come up with treatments that would help his patients 

handle the debilitating illness that would rob 

them of control of their body and, 

eventually, their lives.

In 2004 Dr. Olney received his own diagnosis of ALS.

I hope you'll take a few minutes to watch this video clip of the story.

What an amazing man.

Dr. Olney on CBS Sunday Morning

(2)

This gentleman is Bill Wahl.

He is a typewriter repairman.

Cool, huh?

Okay, so maybe some of you don't find that to be quite as cool as I do.

But think about it!
In this day and age of laptops and iPads 

and netbooks and all things computer,

how cool is it to still have a place to take your typewriter for repair?

What?
You don't have a typewriter?

Oh.

Well, I do.  : )
I have a super old one that I found at a yard sale a few years ago

and while I admit that I bought it to adorn the desk in my parlor

and not really to type on,

I love my typewriter.  <3

I think I also still have an old electric one in the attic.

You know, the kind that has its own little suitcase

so you can carry it around wherever you go.

That's the one I used when I first started writing 

fiction and poetry when I was very young.

Single digits young.

(Yes, it's an antique!)

Anyway, you can see Mr. Wahl's story here:

The Typewriter Guy

Very cool, to an ol' gal like me.  ; )

(3)

I'm fighting yet another sinus infection.

I didn't let it get as out of hand this time before seeing a doctor.

Z-Pack is my best friend at the moment, along with 

cups of hot cider and an

occasional dose of ibuprofen to dull the 

aching/throbbing in my face.

(4)

Brie found a new location for her bakery and we'll be 

getting her moved at the end of the month.  : )
It's pretty exciting because she needs space

and this new place certainly offers plenty of that!

She'll have room for tables and will no longer be

carry-out only.  She can go back to serving those delicious

lunches and there will even be a little sitting area 

where you can peruse a book or magazine

while waiting on your order or enjoying a 

smoothie or cup of coffee.  : )

She should be up and running in the new place by the 

middle of March.

Now I need to get busy and get some work done around here.

I need to dust, vacuum, scrub a bathtub or three,

make some potato salad (because I'm hungry for it) 

to accompany the burgers I'm going to grill 

for dinner this evening,

and I'm sure a dozen or so other things I'll come across 

that need to be done.

So have a happy Monday, folks!  

Cruise on over to Carissa's place and join the link party!  : )

SUNSHINE!

On vacations: We hit the sunny beaches where we occupy ourselves keeping the sun off our skin, the saltwater off our bodies, and the sand out of our belongings.
Erma Bombeck


I have loved the words of Erma Bombeck ever since I was just a kid.  I was probably 12 when I first discovered her wit and wisdom.  She always had such unique views on motherhood and life in general; the kind of things that make you go "Hmmmmmmm...she's right!  Why didn't I think of that?" 


Today we have SUNSHINE!  Lots and lots of beautiful, warm, golden sunshine!  It is positively glorious.  So when I found a moment to sit down and write a blog post, I decided to search for some quotes on sunshine.  Erma's name immediately caught my eye and I  just knew I had to use this one.  : )


This talk of beaches is almost making me long for the end of winter.  Almost.  I mean, I'd really like to have a good, heavy, deep snow that sticks around for a few days, causes school to be cancelled and gives the kids plenty of good snowman making material.  We haven't had 2" of snow TOTAL all winter!  This just isn't right.  We need it.  We need a few days for folks to have to stay at home, giving all of these nasty bugs and viruses a chance to die off.  Everyone has had more than their fair share of the crud this winter.  Most of all, I think everyone needs to be reminded to slow down.  Nothing like a good snow to show you who's in charge.  ; )


But....the beach.

The sunshine (even though I do need LOTS of sunscreen) and the sand (even though I do fight to keep it from invading every nook and cranny of our clothes and shoes and hotel room) and the saltwater (even though it stings when it gets on all those areas where the sand has chaffed my skin.)


Yeah, a couple of days with my family, digging our toes into the warm sand, listening to the waves crashing, relaxing with a great book...


That sure would be nice.  : )


What about you?  Where would you like to be right now?  Who would you like to have with you? 


*Sorry for the pictureless post, but Blogger has decided that I don't need to have pictures on my blog today.  Isn't that sweet?  ; )*