Award-a-polosa!

Both of these awards were given to me by Lucy from Lucy's World. You are a dear! Thank you for giving them to me. Only problem:

I am going to get too big for my britches!

My head is going to swell

Seeing as how I just bought a new pair of jeans and due to my short legs, I had to pay $12 to have them hemmed plus the fact that I am eating my way through a whole week of the soup diet to make sure that those jeans don't shrink, I would say that I can not afford to have my britches expand. I know that my head is a tad small for my body but I am concerned that I will not be able to control the head swelling and may not be able to stop its growth before it explodes.

Maybe the honest scrap award will help me out a little bit! Yes, that is what is needed to bring myself back down to earth instead of floating around up in the air with any other bloggers who have acquired balloon heads. I did not see any of them in the 5 minutes I was up there but I am sure there must be some. This award is not really an award until I write 10 honest things about myself. This way I can humble myself and still be awarded. It will comfort me when the men in the white jackets come to get me. I am sure it will be traumatic to divulge such deep and honest confessions.

1. I read my books backwards. I am too impatient to wait for the story to unfold as the author intended. I almost always know the end before I get there. This does not ruin the story for me. This will drive Becky nuts: I knew the end of the latest Tad Williams series by book two!

2. I rock myself to sleep. No, that is not quite right. I wiggle myself to sleep by moving my foot back and forth rapidly. I have been doing it since my birth. Oops! that is a small fib. Whew, this is hard for me as:

3. I am prone to exaggeration. While most of what you read here is mainly true Urghh at times I do embellish things, but only for your reading pleasure!

4. I like to eat chocolate syrup on toast. This is torture for me to write because this is not on the soup diet.

5. I find lists like this hard. While I do have a random brain with lots of bits floating around in it, most of it is useless and very hard to access.

6. I would laugh if you tripped. I would laugh harder if you fell face first into a snow bank. It would be hard for me to help you up because I would be laughing too hard.

7. I laugh when I trip. I laugh harder when I fall face first into a snow bank and am helpless to get up without help.

8. I hide snacks from other family members. This habit started when the kids were little. If I did not do this, they would have ate all the snacks when I was not aware of it. The only problem with this strategy is that they were very aware of the fact that I hid snacks. They got very good at looking for them. They still look for them sometimes. I am sure. I simply find new and better hiding places. I need help. Help me! I can not stop.

9. Sometimes I do not answer the phone when it rings. Sometimes I do not answer the phone when it does not ring.

10. I do not like feet. This is funny because at one time I was seriously entertaining the thought of becoming an pedicurist. I have trouble taking care of my own feet let alone the feet belonging to another person. I must stop thinking about this now. I am making myself sick.

Now it is time to pass on the baton. Getting awards is really like a relay. Run with it my little chickies! Run!

Honest scrap award
Eve- Adam's Wife Weblog
Susan- Prairie Lilly
John- The King
Trav- Is It A Blog?
All the rest who would like this award: if you can post 10 honest things about yourself you will have earned it!

Butterfly Award
I can not choose. I award it too all! You are all cool.
If I did not think so I would not be stopping by so often.

Awards rules: Pick up your award and post it on your blog. Link back to who you received the award from. Pass it on to ten other people. Sorry I did not do this. I confess...it is a lot of work and I think that Mr. Linky gets tired. If you can not award it to ten just do the best you can.

Meme From Eve

I received this meme form Eve over at Adam's Wife web blog. I have tagged her back because what kind of a meme would it be if I could not include her. I also tagged a couple of people that Eve already tagged so you guys can consider yourselves double tagged. Haha! Eve got his meme from Jenifer at Tropical Fruit. I have listed the following to be a part of this meme.

1.Sweetisu

2. Fluffy

3. Becky

4. Saucy

5. Momisoides

6. Theinvisablemo

7. Melissa

8. Adams Wife

9.Fab Grandma Karen

10. Heaveninbelgium

1: What is your favorite post from number 3’s blog?

That is a very, very hard decision to make. I have so many favorites. Her blog does feature some of my favorite people after all. I will just throw this one out there as one of my many favorites because I could spend hours going through her archives and still not be able to decide on any one post.

2. Has number 10 taken any pictures that have moved you?

She has taken many pictures that have moved me. I have been on walks with her and traveled to places that I will never get to see with my own eyes. Through the lens of her camera, she has made me feel many different emotions, everything from laughter to utter peace.

3. Does number 6 reply to comments on their blog?

Yes...she always replies.Because of that I have got to know her and we have become blogging friends. We are going to be able to meet as she lives near Seattle. I am so excited.

4. Which part of blogland is number 2 from?

She is up a creek in lower slower Delaware and it snowed there today. Seriously, it is beautiful where she lives. I enjoy the wildlife photos that she takes from her yard.

5. If you could give one piece of advice to number 7 what would it be?

I don't think she needs any advise. She seems to have a very level head and is a fantastic wife and mother.

6. Have you ever tried something from number 9’s blog?

I have not but that is because I have just recently found this blog. Fab Grandma has lots of fab tips and I am sure that I will be trying out some of them.

7. Has number 1 blogged something that inspired you?

Yes...she is one of the most inspirational bloggers that I have had the good fortune to find. She is a cancer survivor, entrepreneur, immigrant ,mother and wife.

8. How often do you comment on number 4’s blog?

I comment pretty much every time I read it. This blog is very interesting and I would say colorful. You never know what she will come up with next. I can't leave without saying something. She also asks questions...I gotta answer...right?

9. Do you wait for number 8 to post excitedly?
Always. I miss her when she has took little vacations from blogging. I was very happy when she decided to do NaBloPoMo because that meant she would be posting every day.

10. How did number 5’s blog change your life?
While she may not have changed my life she certainly has enriched my life. She is a very sweet kind and caring person.

11. Do you know any of the 10 bloggers in person?

Yes...Becky is my daughter and Melissa is my daughter-in-law.

12. Do any of your 10 bloggers know each other in person?

Of coarse...Becky and Melissa know each other.

13. Out of the 10, which updates more frequently?

Momisoides and Heaveninbelgium have posted everyday for the last year.

14. Which of the 10 keep you laughing

I would have to say that the whole lot of them have caused me to spit coffee and fall off my chair laughing.

15. Which of the 10 has made you cry (good or bad tears)?

Sweetisu, Momisoides and Adams Wife. Never bad tears...maybe some sad tears though.

There you go. I hope that you stop by and visit these blogs and the people who write them. I hope I tempted you...

I hope that you want to do the meme. I had fun doing this one.

Two Birds, One Stone

For a belated earth day: A Mennonite perspective on the environment.

I have bee tagged by Jientje. These are the rules:

1. Pick up the nearest book ( of at least 123 pages).

2. Open the book to page 123.

3. Find the fifth sentence.

4. Post the next three sentences.

5. Tag five people. & post a comment here once you post it to your blog, so I can come see.

I will tag: 1. Fluffy ( she probably has a knitting book right beside her) 2. Susan ( I am sure you are reading something) 3.Travis ( I haven't tagged you yet and I am curious) 4. The King (well, we can always hope to get him blogging) 5. Melissa (she won't mind having blog material)

The Nearest Book is:
The Town That Forgot To Breath
By: Kenneth J. Harvey

Page 123: On nights like these, she would eagerly anticipate being tucked in her bed, already warmed by two heated beach rocks from the top of the stove, and gaze up at her father, who would tell her stories or sing songs while the rain roused memory itself. He would tell her about his voyages to Labrador, the Eskimaw and their strange behaviours, the way the women strapped their babies to their backs and first chewed food for the babies before passing it into their little mouths. He would explain about Dog Island where the savage dogs that pulled the Eskimaw sleighs in winter were abandoned to run wild in summer.

I have not read this book yet. I got it on sale so I took a chance and bought it. It is written by a Canadian author.

Begins With The Letter C.

I have been tagged by Sandy C. over at Momisodes. Actually she tagged me for Crazy Eights but this one looks easier so Ha! I am going to do this one instead. Well lets see how this turns out. I may be eating crow by the end of this innocent looking and short meme.

Here’s how it works: Use the first letter of your name to answer each question. Must be places or names…Nothing made up. Can’t use your own name for boy/girl’s name question. If you can’t answer, skip to next one.

1. Famous Singer: Celine Dion- I love the prayer song that she does with Andre Botticelli. I really love Andre Botticelli and this was a way to get his name in here with out cheating.

2. Four Letter Word: Cute- I say that a lot. My grandkids excel at cute.

3. Street: Caramello- Located in Colorado Springs...I lived here as a young girl. There was a golf course across the street. We would collect golf balls that made their way over the fence and sell them back to the golfers after my dad got first pick at them. He did pay for his then he would help us price ours. We would set up a drink stand outside the fence of the fifth hole sell the thirsty golfers lemonade and their golf balls back.

4. Colour: Cherise- I think this is French for red.

5. Gifts/Present: Cow kettle- given to me by my sweet heart. He thought I was loving barn yard decor for my kitchen when all the chickens started to show up. While I like the cow kettle I would really, really love a chicken kettle. This one is rusting on the spigot so I shall sit him down and have him check out E-Bay and see if there is such a thing. Yes...rust away cow kettle!

6. Vehicle: Celica-I remember when my brother bought one brand new and it had a CD player in it. I had not even heard of a CD player before let alone seen one in a car! Can you imagine? His car cost 20,000 dollars. My house had cost only 47,000 dollars! I was flabbergasted!

7. Things in Souvenir Shop: Curios- Ha! What else would you get in a souvenir shop?

8. Boy Name: Caleb-Hebrew name that means dog. I kid you not! I looked it up!

9. Girl Name: Candy- I knew a girl called this. I always thought this was a strange name. I hope I have not offended any readers who may happen to have this name. I also know a girl who changed her perfectly good name to Star. I also knew a horse with this name. I hope I have not offended any readers who happen to have the name Star.

10. Movie title: Catch Me If You Can- a true story. I was reminded of this movie when I read the newspaper article about the man who got away posing as a nurse for two years in Winnipeg. I enjoyed this movie.

11. Drink: Cappuccino-yum! Even better Mocha Cappuccino!

12. OCCUPATION: Cosmologist- I actually trained for this and had my license. School was a hoot. I went in with long hair and came out with very, very short permed and colored hair. I worked hairdressing for about a grand total of three months. I found that I got paid more working at the hospital and got to take my coffee breaks. I did save money by cutting my children's hair.

13. Celebrity: Connick, Harry Jr.- croon to me Harry...sigh

14. Magazine: chickaDEE- I was hoping to find a magazine titled Chickens Today or maybe even Chickens Rule but this is a close as I could get. I do remember having this magazine when I was little. I also found one called Cheeps.

15. City: Cornhill on Tweed- Wouldn't you love to go and see what is there?

16. Sports: Cricket- I have never participated in this sport but I have seen it played sort of. My son played it for a little while. I don't understand it at all.

17. Fruit: Cantalope- I used to love this but alas this is one of the food items that have become repugnant to me due to the viral damage I sustained to my olfactory nerves.

18. Reason for Being Late to work: cat kept me up half the night with it incessant prowling and howling so I slept in.

19. Something that you throw away: Crap or clutter. Same difference. Now I know it this is all a matter of opinion. It is very subjective. I have learned that what I call crap, somebody close to me calls treasure. That is why I urged my husband to build a garage. I have now reclaimed my laundry room.

20. Something you shout: TURN THE T.V. DOWN! IT IS WAY TOO LOUD! HELLO! CAN YOU HEAR ME? HELLO! TURN IT DOWN!

This was harder than I thought. Now I will pass this along. Susan, Melissa and Margaret...you are it! Angela...I would love to see what you would do with this. Fluffy, Eve and Jeintje...Tag! Anybody else who wants to take on this challenge...go for it! I think the Crazy Eight tag would have been easier! Becky, I will leave you alone. You are still working on the last tag plus I am hoping you will post a music video of your music. Everybody else will want that too so I don't want to be blamed for holding that up.

Meme...ME....ME....ME! Taged Again

Hmmm. Somehow I managed to get through November without getting tagged with even one meme. This one is not to hard. I think I can do it. Yes...I am sure I can do it. So can you! Hahah! Here are the rules: Go through your archives and list your favorite or most popular post for each month in 2007. Cut-link-paste! Bata-Bing-Bata-Boom! Anybody who wants too can do this but I am specifically tagging: Becky(you have so much to choose from) Melissa (this should help you in your 365 endeavors) Angela(because you never post so we can at least enjoy the past) Margaret(cause you did the last tag) and Jen(who is also doing 365)

From My Archives

January- nothing
February-I don't know what to say
March-Accupunture/trips/surgical insanity
April- nothing
May-I don't know what to say
June-Oh No!
July-Warning This Could Happen To You!
August- nothing...well not entirely true but the post is politically incorrect.
September- Shrimp Fest
October- nothing
November-Honey Buns
December-Christmas and the Pitiful Wretch

Christmas Hoopla!

1. I love to do Christmas baking. I could bake for days amassing ridiculous amounts of delectable treats beyond my families capacity to consume. Its an obsession. I have to exercise restraint or that is all my family would get for Christmas diner.
   
2. I dislike cooking. I am happy that I have adult children who will help create the Christmas meal. I will try to do a little as I can possibly get away with. I would rather clean. My husband told me the other day that I was an unimaginative cook. While I hate too admit it he is probably correct.
   
3. I used to have to lock the Christmas baking up in the camper due to the fact my children would to pilfer the loot out of the deep freezer. They would eat the frozen butter tarts and cookies and cook up the verinikie for lunch and make sure to hide all evidence leaving me to discover I had only a few crumbs left on Christmas morning.
   
4. Even though I hated Santa as a child...I have collected quite a few of them as an adult. I have no idea of how many I have. I quit this collection a few years back and now collect angels. The Santa's live in "Christmas in the basement" where all tacky things go. Santa, you should enjoy the company of the Rooting Tooting Moose who farts as he sings and dances.
   
5. My favorite gifts for Christmas tend to be large. In my mind big is better. I loved the seven foot giraffe that my kids got me a couple years ago. He lives in my African theme bedroom. I loved the giant teddy bear I got as a child. I named him Teddy. what else... silly one!
   
6. In keeping with my "big is better" mindset, the Grandpa and myself purchased humongous Tonka firetrucks for each of the grandkids. I think we are going to be in so much trouble. LOL Maybe we can dismantle the sirens if we need too.
7. I hate tobogganing. Usually during the Christmas holidays my family would talk me into this dubious activity. They would plead, wheedle and whine until I would find myself sitting out in the cold instead of in a nice warm car, staring down an ice coated- freezing hard- steep- bone breaking hill. I can still see them all and hear them all giggling and laughing. They would say: "There she goes...giggle giggle...Oh No! Look out mom!...Dad go pick mom up and help her back into the car...does she need stitches?"
8. My favorite activity at Christmas is the Christmas Eve candle light service at our church. I love to sit there with the dimmed lights...candles glowing...music flowing...outside snowing...heaven close to earth.
9. Every year we gather with our large extended family. My husband comes from a family of 10 children. While some of them have moved to British Columbia a substantial amount have stayed here in Saskatchewan. We do miss you transplants and no matter how much you protest I know that you are all still Saskatchewanites at heart. LOL
   
10. Every year over the Christmas holidays we play a few of our traditional and rousing games of Balderdash. This is a must! We don't play to win. really...the looser actually wins because this is the person who has played to make others laugh.
11. I love little children in new pajamas. I used to get he children new pajamas for Christmas Eve. They would have something to open. A bath for all would follow. They would be all so cuddly- cute- cozy and angelic. Well...that is not entirely true! They were cuddly-cute-cozy and wound up...impossible to get to sleep bunch of wild children!.
12. I used to love waking the children with loud noise on Christmas morning. This was payback for getting up every hour on the hour and asking me "is it morning yet?" I had a loud musical mechanical Santa that I would send on a trip down the hall. Years later when they had grown and no longer woke me up all night long, my daughters took up this tradition by waking up their brothers with their trumpets! A couple of very grumpy boys would come rolling out of bed to the delight of their sisters and their screams of Merry Christmas. So...trumpets playing...Santa's swaying...Merry Christmas to you all!
    

I have been tagged by Momisodes for this post. I am tagging the following people. Yes blog about your Christmas Hoopla! I hope you can all find the time to play. LOL Yes...I know that you are all busy but maybe you will have insomnia or something and be able to get at it. How to play? List twelve random Christmas things about yourself. So simple...Ha...not! I was ready to give up at about item 5. Tag a few other people and let them know. Link them to your site.

So...tag!...Hehehe...

Margaret Braun Bunch
Susan Prairie Lily

Melissa Less is More
Angela Mouth of Toad
Becky a Little Smoother
Footsack
Carol From the Petting Zoo
My Better Half The King