I'm on a whirlwind of stuff going on...but trust me...it's good stuff. I'll be sharing it with you in another blog post soon. In the meantime.... 1) The house is infested with these flying creatures that sorta resemble mosquitoes but have long legs and fly. Although I'm not sure what they are, they are really good at playing dead. I'm considering trademarking them and selling them as pet buggies. 2) Baby Boo is 3. I wish I could turn back the hands of time when her and I first laid eyes on one another. She was 3 1/2 months old. I love that I have been a part of her life for as long as I have. She is a constant joy. I'm looking forward to the adventures of a three year old. Two was kind of filled with pee on the floor, the sofa, the chair....three has got to be more adventurous! 3) I have the pleasure of interviewing an author of 18 books which three of those are being made into movies. I'm both thrilled and nervous at the same time! (The interview is today.)...

First, I have to say thanks for the word verification fun. You all are GOOD! I'm seriously thinking about writing a word verification dictionary. :) ___________________________________________ Have you ever saw someone that you weren't sure you could trust? Maybe they were grungy or dirty or appeared to be a thug or uneducated or dangerous? Do you tend to stick with people who on the outside appear to be "safe"? But, are they really safe? My mind is going in a lot of directions as I piece together thoughts as they come. I have been thinking about my pitbull, Humble. I've talked about him and you know that he has a special place in my heart like my two shih tzus do. Yet, his breed is considered "unsafe" or a "bully breed that mauls or kills". Stick with me on this.... Do you know how many people who have promise of being more than what they are, are considered, unsafe? But do you know that it's not what is on the outside that makes them safe...

Am I the only one that will look at the word verification and attempt to pronounce the word and come up with a meaning? I don't normally have word verification on my blog but in order to get you all out in the sun and enjoying the spring weather, I'm going to keep this post short. Before you comment, type out your word verification word here and then, either tell me what it means or use it in a sentence. It can be anything. I just want to see how creative you all are! I'll go first. Check out my attempt on my comment. Have fun!

This is not supposed to be my blog template. With one little push of a save button, I saved a template, deleted this and moved that. Before too long, I had made a huge mess of my blog design. Has that ever happened to you? You attempt to fix one thing and while doing that, someone else or something else happens and puts a twist on the mess that's already been made? Unfortunately, I'm notorious for it so thank God, there is a such thing as super glue, duct tape and sheepish grins to cover it all. But when it comes down to it, not ever mistake is a bad one. I have learned much from a quick push of a button. I'm also learning that where there is one "oops", there is soon to be another. It's like biting my tongue, not once but three times in the same place! I hate that but it never fails to happen! I'm bracing myself for a few more before the day is over. But in the meantime, you know what I'll be doing for my creative Saturday!

Exciting Giveaway on my daughter's blog - Apricot-tea is having a giveaway for a Wii system AND a Wii Fit Plus. Go here for the details. This is one giveaway you don't want to miss! ****************************** 1) I get irritated when Boo picks out all of the pecans out of the can of mixed nuts but I admit that I also pick out all of the Brazil nuts. 2) I have not been the same since the time has changed. I feel like I'm walking in slow motion. I'm not hungry when I'm supposed to be and hungry when I'm not supposed to be. I am considering moving to Arizona just so I can feel like "me" again. 3) I think my Wii Fit Plus is malfunctioning. One day I got the cheers and sprinkling of the stars for having "lost" five pounds and meeting my goal. The next day, sad music playing and saying I gained 2 pounds. I think my Wii Fit has split personalities. 4) The worst thing to experience early in the morning is Humble coming back inside after supposed...

My dad is definitely my grandpa's son. (The grandpa that didn't "know me".) He is gentle, funny, engaging and caring. I honestly don't think he realizes that about himself. What I know for sure is that my dad really wanted a son and finding out that twins were on the way, he anticipated at least one boy in the bunch. Instead, he got two little rambunctious girls. When we weren't climbing over chairs or up trees, we would sit still as he held us in his lap in his favorite reclining chair. After being in California for over 40 years, he and my mom relocated to North Carolina. It was tough. My dad is one that loves routine and familiarity so the trip was a difficult one for him. Plus, that meant having to say goodbye to his twins. Now that he's settled in, I talk to him regularly...in fact, every Sunday because he expects that I will call on Sunday and close to 11:00 my time. If not, then he will begin to wonder if I'm going to call or not. He is a man of...

Have you ever felt frustrated and couldn't pinpoint the exact reason? Aside from being unemployed, which is a frustration in itself, I knew that something else was causing this feeling. So, I brought out a 1000 piece puzzle and sat and quietly fitting in pieces. Boo came past and said, "Whatcha doing?" My reply, "I'm thinking." And I was. It was like a light came on after awhile. I thought about how in the past, creating was my joy! I lived and loved to create...new recipes, new drawings, new poems, new songs...anything I could create, I did. That's when I discovered that I'm not frustrated, I'm bursting! Bursting is when the creativity is trying to come through but is being kept still and quiet instead. Sometimes, my thoughts are swirling like 110 mph and all I can do is push them back until I "make time" for them. At the time when I was at my most creative points was when I had a successful daycare and pre-preschool program. I was abl...

Denene of MyBrownBaby has written a blog post on Everybody Should Read Black Children's Books. The post is a good one and if you have a moment, head here to read it. The post is close to me for a few reasons. One of them being that my twin sister and I have written a children's book about a set of Black twin girls who get themselves in plenty of trouble while doing their best to reach out and help someone. The book was written not just for Black kids to read but for kids of all nationalities. There are characters in the book who introduce other cultures as well. After reading some of the comments posted on the forum in parenting.com, I was shocked to see how some people are against their children reading books with a Black character as the central character. Not only that, but a few of them feel strongly against their kids receiving Black dolls or books about Black children as gifts. For those of you that are not Black or do not have a child that is Black, would you be offend...

Today is the first day that I actually feel close to getting back to normal, whatever normal means. Last night, as I fought this bug/throat thing, I kept having vivid dreams. In one of the dreams, I woke myself up yelling, "Don't play me!" In the dream, I was kicking a guy in his lower regions for trying to harm my mother. **************************** I'm so thankful that my daughter is a licensed cosmetologist. I have a standing hair appointment today. I can't leave home until she comes to my rescue. **************************** Boo is adorably clueless when it comes to the computer. He always goes to a search engine and types in the actual website address like: www.google.com Finally, I told him, "This is where you type the address...it's why they call it an address bar." **************************** I was tickled to talk to my 99 year old grandpa on the phone the other day. I told him who I was and once more, he said, "I don't know you....

1) Kid germs mutate for adults and turn into gigantic flesh eating organisms that won't let go.....my throat is on fire but there's nothing to put out the flames! 2) Since being on Facebook, I've discovered that there are some people that were annoying in high school that are still annoying in their adulthood. Thank God for the "hide" button. 3) I have moments when I think of my big brother and I miss him all over again. It could be riding with the car windows down and smelling the air that makes me think of him. I wish he were here. 4) Of all the shoes that Humble can tear up, why does he chew up mine? And WHY must they be my favorite shoes? I am not amused by his cuteness anymore. 5) I have no problems with turning down parking lot kids who are selling candy, calendars, cookies and a digital pedometer. There is no guilt factor in my "no". I say it with gusto. Boo on the other hand, can't say no so he says, "What do you think Babe?" and le...

The opportunity never came to tell Mrs. Kilby my opinion about her. But, my sister and I led our own personal revolt and refused to participate in her class program where she gave us the roles of Zulu warriors. My mom flat out said, "No way, no how!" and with smiles on our faces, we told Mrs. Kilby, we wouldn't be participating. She turned red and announced to the class that "it was too bad that the twins have decided not to be a part of the program". The other kids actually looked like they were in awe of our stance. Instead, we read books while the others danced in pretend loin cloths. I loved being identical to my sister but there was this thrill of doing something different too. So, in high school, I decided to be gutsy and join the Speech Club. I didn't realize that that meant preparing and memorizing a 7 minute speech to share in front of the whole student body. This wasn't typical behavior for me...the shy, four eyed girl who often had bad hair da...

My mom never found out about my "assistance" in the laundry room. In fact, when I told her years later, I really don't think she believed me. (That's what happens when you're a rebel but no one see it in you.) I was a shy kid growing up. You would be too, if you were an identical twin and everyone was always tugging and pulling and making us stand side by side and staring at us to see if they could tell us apart. What finally made the difference was when I got my four front teeth knocked out by hanging upside down...rebel style. I saw red...but I'm sure my mom saw green as she rushed me to the dentist office. It was a bad rap...no longer could I eat apples, use a straw, or whistle (I still can't whistle to this day). I decided to be good at something, although I didn't know what. I collected rocks really well but my older sister did that too. I could hide my peas under my plate rim pretty well, but my twin sis did that too. So, I secretly cursed in my...

You can ask anyone and most people will say, "She's so sweet...yada yada" but a few will also attest that I'm stubborn as all get out! I hate being told "no". It just makes me want to push harder to prove anyone wrong that tells me "no". I think it began when I was first born. My twin sis and I were supposed to be born in September but we both decided that July was our month and with rebel force, we appeared. I was a bit on the small side, 3 lbs, 8 ounces and ended up staying in the hospital while my twin was spoiled rotten. I told her that by the time I got home, they had run out of spoiling so I got none! :) No, seriously...that wasn't the truth... We were both "good girls". Aside from scribbling on the walls in crayons, eating flowers, licking fiberglass insulation, catching bees...rebel type of stuff that most of the time led to a butt spankin'. One day, though, curiosity got the best of me. I was riding my red tricycle in a p...

I have loved doing the used book giveaway the last couple of months... so it's my pleasure to announce this month's winners.... Mari of My Little Corner of the World She's the winner of The Help by Kathryn Stockett and the next winner is........ NSGirl of Looking for the Secret .... She is the winner of the book Fearless Loving. Please send me your names and addresses and I will get it out to you both. Thank you for participating!! Have a happy day!

Don't forget about the Used Book Giveaway . Go here to read the post and to enter. Things I've Learned.... 1) It is possible for a dog to demolish every towel hanging in the bathroom in seconds and then greet you with a smile. 2) When a kid is naughty, try not to play the blame game...i,e. "She's on cold medicine" or "She is really sleepy" or "She misunderstood that being disruptive isn't cute." Baby Boo was a stinker at library school. She knocked two kids down, stood in front of another kid until the teacher told her to have a seat. All the while, I waited for her to catch my eye so I could give her "the look". She never once looked my way. I guess she figured she was home free. 3) I'm feeling lousy that the animal control officer came to the door with a note saying that our neighbors have complained about our dogs barking. There's one culprit and unfortunately, we have tried everything but a bark collar. I don't wa...

Welcome to the second month of my used book giveaway. In keeping with my goal to read two books a month, I've decided to give away two books as well. The books are used and I try my best not to spill spaghetti sauce on the pages or smudge them but if they are smudged, my apologies. (The books are in a non-smoking house....for anyone that wants to know.) The first two books are books that weren't chosen from the last give away. Please go to the link here to read their descriptions. The first book is The Help by Kathryn Stockett. In my opinion I would definitely give it five stars out of 5. It kept me reading from the front of the cover to the very end of the book. The next book is Suddenly by Barbara Delinsky. I like almost all of Barbara Delinsky's books but I really found the characters and the realness of this book, charming and heartwarming. Remember, for a synopsis of the above books, please go to the previous used book give away post here . I just finished this one......

Betcha bottom dollar there'll be sunnnn... It is 2:22 a.m. and that song is running through my head. Why?? Years ago, when Married Boo was two years old, she developed a fondness for this movie: She not only watched the video at least three times a day but wore a raggedy looking dress and "dressy" (tacky) shoes without socks because she thought that Annie was so cool. She would get up in the morning, grab an apple and turn on the VCR (at two years old) and watch Annie. It's now coming back at me in the form of Baby Boo. She can't get enough of watching Annie. Yesterday she watched Annie at least 6 times. (Not consecutively...but with major interruptions.) Forget Sponge Bob! He's been replaced at the moment! Boo was watching sports when Baby Boo "asked politely" to watch Annie. He said, "Daddy is watching sports...." What did she do? She cried big tears. Boo, being the daddy he is, gave her access to her precious video once again. What a guy...

Have you ever done something unintentional and hurt someone? When my oldest daughter was a baby, I remember getting her out of her car seat and not watching that her head cleared the car and bumped her head hard. I felt bad. She had a knot on her head and of course, she cried. Last night, I was grooming my puppies. Sam is my million dollar dog because every vet trip spells "MONEY" and lots of it. The last time he went to the groomers at Petsmart, he bit the groomer in her lips and tore off half of her lip. He's not normally a biter but he has only one eye and is more sensitive to sounds and sudden movement. So, I've been grooming Sam myself. I use rounded scissors to cut the hair that tends to grow by his only eye that he sees out of. I cut the hair, dried him off and put him down for him to run around in pure madness until he is air dried. This time, he came running past me with one side of his face, red. I had cut him under his eye and I felt so bad. I kept apologiz...

Trust me, I've been creative but in little spurts here and there. It started out with a handwritten note and a Payday candy bar for Boo. The note said, "I hit Payday when I fell in love with you." He was totally beaming at the gesture, although small, it said volumes. I also went out shopping for a puzzle mat. It's a mat for working puzzles that can be rolled up and not disturb the puzzle pieces when putting it out of Baby Boo's reach. Of course with a puzzle mat, there has to be a puzzle so I went in search of one as well. I have always enjoyed working puzzles since I was a kid...especially when the weather is rainy and cold. Plus, it gives me a chance to chill out and not think too much...just be. Then followed my creative Saturday with the most creative place on earth, Joann's crafts and fabrics. I saw so many projects I wanted to tackle but decided to wait until I have finished the painting on my easel first. Now comes time to relax!! How was your Creative...

I promise to tell the story of the Attempted Suicide in the Chatroom....tomorrow....but today is Thursday and you know what that means.... Things I've Learned Thursday 1) Man colds are worse than me catching a cold. I counted 10,238,492 groans of how Boo hates being sick. I counted 6,243 times that Boo asked if he should take more cold medicine. Boo used 2,345,800 Kleenex. Boo coughed 20,567,873,999 bazillion times (still coughing). Now, trust me, I'm a very sympathetic woman when it comes to her man not feeling well but what is it about man colds that makes a man turn into a little boy all over again? 2) Long fingernails and piano playing does not mix. I sadly had to cut my fingernails. It was a sacrifice but a good one, I think. 3) I spend entirely too much time at the Walmart Superstore. That was evidenced when the checker greeted me with, "You're here again? Weren't you here the day before yesterday?" 4) I totally enjoyed having lunch with a blogging frien...

I was given an award from a great blogger, Ace who has decided that I'm worthy. So, thank you, my friend. In accepting this award, I have to name 7 things that I am a master at. If you'd like to also take this award, help yourself. I don't stick to the rules when it comes to accepting awards. I feel that everyone that blogs is deserving! 1) I'm known as Dr. Mom in my family. If you have a toenail ache or tickle in your nose or maybe an ingrown hair, I can usually make a diagnosis and find a cure (most of the time). It's not unusual for my girls to call and ask for Dr. Mom advice. 2) I'm a master at picking out the best See's chocolates in the bunch. I don't have to poke at them. I just "know" which pieces are the best just from looking at them. 3) I've got skills when it comes to interpreting my puppies expressions on their faces. All it takes is a tail wag or a squinty eyed look and I know exactly what is being communicated. Right now, th...

This is my 351st blog post and I've only been blogging for a year and a half. I guess it took that realization for me to question whether there is a purpose to my blogging in the first place. Actually, what really got me thinking was someone so very adorable and sweet...another blogger. Mandy of Mandy's Life After 30 is celebrating her one year blogiversary on her blog. As a part of her celebration, she gave her followers an opportunity to talk to her via phone. She even volunteered to write a poem for a loved one...just because she's so talented like that. I chose to give her my phone number, knowing that with a toddler, she was perfectly harmless and wouldn't sell my number to a Nigerian scammer. I LOVED hearing her voice and her sweet Southern accent. Most of all, it made my day to hear her precious baby girl count to 20 for me. She is only 2 1/2 and can count like there is no tomorrow. After talking to her, I realized just how much I value hearing someone's vo...