Saturday Morning Cartoons

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One of these things is not like the other things?













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I miss the muppets. Found this courtesy Ben's YouTube favorites.


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This came in the MJ facebook Inbox yesterday at 4:55pm--from my brother Ron:
Pavel just gave me tix to red wings for tonight and i had to turn them down....am i sick? can u b here by 7:30? we could go!

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What if the Hokey Pokey is what it's all about?

What Goes Around ... Gets Dizzy

Besides a couple trips to Chicago …
I’ve been kicking my own unorganized booty in the a** and taking names.

The Dog.
So Ben wouldn’t have to come over and implement power of attorney, I took the dog to the vet. Without $400 in diagnostic testing (including us collecting evidence) the vet diagnosed: cancer, stomach tumors, or old age.

Rusty
Ralph
Half & Half
Laddie
General
Biscuit
Sandy

Those are my pet names.

The MacBook:
I’ve spent the last 2 weeks on the computer.
iPurged, iCleansed, iDeleted, iHelped JGP & DEF, iDidlotsofwriting.
iAlso: viewed, updated iWeb, organized, burnt, labeled, and filed 11,000 photos.
I switched from Safari to Firefox, and from Yahoo to the BBC as my home page. I then took a rubber scraper to my favorites and sent hundreds into the cyber the trashcan.


Never put a folder on your desktop and label it “Stuff” or "Miscellaneous." Just don’t.
My Categories are now as such: Write, Daily, Create, Family, Global, WPW, JGP, DEF, and Manuscripts. And I found the cutest retro icons for each. The desktop is from my VW bug window somewhere along US 24.

The MP3 Player:
I deleted all the duplicates on my iPod, so I’m down to 1,396 songs. I’ve had it on continuous song play for my organizational frenzy and may or may not have fastforwarded the Christmas songs. Yup.

The DVR:
My favorites are all on a season pass. The goal is to not waste one minute watching commercials. Survivor, The Amazing Race, and Project Runway. The Bonnie Hunt Show just might replace Ellen in my daytime repertoire.

The Basement.
is still the basement. My party barn did not come to fruition this summer, but that doesn’t mean the basement can’t be the gym. Dance Away the Pounds, party of one now seating in the lower level.
We’ll see.

The Near Future.
A trip to Detroit, (you read it here, Ron) the Breathe writing conference, an Indianapolis wedding with JGP. The annual Halloween party and once in a lifetime Retirement Day at UPS. Maybe, just maybe I'll send off an absentee ballot and drive to Ohio on Nov 4th to catch a YA show, then drive the ‘rents to Florida. The fall fun is just around the corner.

The Internet:
Two new weddings, a Senior, and a baby at the Gallery.

The House
My mama always used to say: "Why does everyone want to play in the rooms that I just cleaned?"
The garage could actually house two cars in it this winter. And I’m on my way upstairs to make a retreat/office for myself, just in case retirement gets messy and the middle floor grows cramped.

Everybody needs a little time away.

Speaking of Chicago, how ‘bout them Cubs?

The Jerk (as in Steve Martin's Navin R. Johnson)

Well I'm gonna to go then. And I don't need any of this. I don't need this stuff, and I don't need you. I don't need anything except this. [picks up an ashtray] And that's it and that's the only thing I need, is this. I don't need this or this. Just this ashtray. And this paddle game, the ashtray and the paddle game and that's all I need. And this remote control. The ashtray, the paddle game, and the remote control, and that's all I need. And these matches. The ashtray, and these matches, and the remote control and the paddle ball. And this lamp. The ashtray, this paddle game and the remote control and the lamp and that's all I need. And that's all I need too. I don't need one other thing, not one - I need this. The paddle game, and the chair, and the remote control, and the matches, for sure. And this. And that's all I need. The ashtray, the remote control, the paddle game, this magazine and the chair. [walking outside] And I don't need one other thing, except my dog.

And I don’t even need my dog.

The End

Question For You

Let me get this straight ... 

When I overdraw my bank account, they charge me $35.00  

When a bank does the same, the government pays the $85,000,000,000.00 overdraft fee, with the taxpayers money?

Mmmm-k then, I just wanted to be clear on that.

Gooooooood Morning Blogland

Said in my best Robin Williams voice!

6:30am 9-2  I love to see children playing outside, but not 20 feet from my bedroom window at 11pm.  So yeah--news flash--to the high schoolers that thought the new subdivision road might be a cool place to start a hang out.  Don't. Because if neccessary, I will come back out there, shoot the sh** with you for a bit and then kindly ask you to move along, again.  And this time I might not take the time to change out of my pajamas. 

9:01pm     I'm out.

7:26pm     In 44 business days Mark will finally give up the browns.  

6:50pm     Start to wonder about dinner

6:49pm     Cubs lose.

6:48pm     Cubs behind 3-0, tying run on base, bottom of the 9th

6:47pm      If anyone wants to call me, that'd be cool.

6:33pm      I'm kinda bored with the whole blogging experience.

5:16pm      Napping.

4:28pm     Start watching Cubs

3:56pm     Final Tigers score 13-9! 

3:01pm     Quit watching the Tigers

11:59am    This is fun, isn't it? Don't answer that.

10:11am     Everything I know about politics, I learned from fruit.

Strawberries and Blueberries. Strawberries are red. Blueberries are blue. Both are fruit. Both have nutrients. Both are grown from the land. Strawberries are grown from a vine. Blueberries are grown from bushes. I prefer strawberries. Doesn't mean I don't like blueberries and once in while I get wild and crazy and throw both in my yogurt.  Sometimes I get tired of both those fruits and I opt for a bunch of purple grapes.  

Once in a while you get a rotten one. 

9:35 am        Two new JGP weddings up here.

9:02 am        Checking out GMA and Gustav.  Cindy McCain needs a haircut.

8:47 am        My dilema: It's lovely out here, but can't keep my coffee hot so I'm goin' in.

8:29 am        No one can accuse me of not being an honest blogger.

8:12 am        Just finished catching up on my favorites, e-mails, and "Streams in the Desert" Sept 1 reading.  In essence;  

God runs a costly school,  for many of His lessons are learned through tears. The world's finest china is fired in ovens at least three times; Dresden china is fired many more than that. Why is it forced to endure such intense heat?  Shouldn't once or twice be enough?  No, it is neccessary to refire the china so the colors are brighter, more beautiful, and permanently attached.  We are fashioned after the same principle.  The human trials of life are burned into us numerous times, and through God's grace, beautiful colors are formed in us and made to shine brighter.  

Just as I haven't decided whether to drink my last drop of Obama kool-aid, I may or may not be a fan of this school of thought.  

 

7:33 am       Happy New Year from the porch---wrapped in a down comforter!  Thought I might try a little live blogging today.

 

Julee Ann's New Mantra

Lest I forget, July 18 is:

Kate & Mark's 27th Wedding Anniversary

My Dad's 80th Birthday 

Kami no kogo

神の祝福を

Japanese for:

God Bless You!

We'll Always Have Paris

I think that possibly

Maybe I'm falling for you

Yes

There's a chance that I've fallen quite hard over you

I've seen the paths that your eyes wander down 

I want to come too 

I think that possibly

Maybe I'm falling for you

No one understands me quite like you do 

Through all of the shadowy corners of me 

I never knew just what it was about this old coffee shop I love so much 

All of the while I never knew 

I never knew just what it was about this old coffee shop I love so much 

All of the while I never knew 

I think that possibly

Maybe I'm falling for you

Yes

There's a chance that I've fallen quite hard over you

I've seen the waters that make your eyes shine 

Now I'm shining too 

Because

Oh 

Because I've fallen quite hard over you

If I didn't know you I'd rather not know

If I couldn't have you I'd rather be alone

I never knew just what it was about this old coffee shop I love so much 

All of the while I never knew 

I never knew just what it was about this old coffee shop I love so much

All of the while I never knew

All of the while

All of the while it was you

You

You

You

Been playing on  the new mac today.  Calm down, it's my day off.

So, I'm positive you're wondering what the title has to do with the video and what the video has to do with--well--anything.

 

Let me explain, as if it will help.  Basically, it's just a montage since the last montage.  My life isn't crazy exciting right now, and it's fine by me.

 

First of all it's Bastille Day in France (rhymes with Dance). We've been watching the Tour de France (rhymes with sconce or kinda like Martin Short's character "Franck" would say it in Father Of The Bride). 

I have weddings on the brain. I've helped Jen photograph 7 out of the last 8 week-ends. I'm thinking of becoming a wedding planner.  Seriously, I could boss help so many people.

  

Secondly--actually, wedding talk was second This is third:  I usually whine reiterate when we reach the 1/2 way mark. And today I heard a cicada so consider this post my annual I-can't-believe-we're-on-the-backside-of -summer.

Lastly, Landon Pigg's Falling In Love In A Coffee Shop is my new favorite song. It's not really about the house, the tree, the city, the camper, the homestay, the sold cottage, or the homestead. It's about the memories collected there. I've decided that there's no use crying about uprooted trees.  It wasn't the tree, anyway.  

It was you.

Link-a-lot

I remember well, the exact time and place when I began to write in earnest ~  Benjamin Grahm
I know he doesn’t like a lot of fuss, but I kinda feel like it’s my writing birthday, too.

Ben,
Congratulations on your recent award winning movies from the 48-hour film festivals.
The movie Home proves my leaving a legacy post exactly. It has the texture of a professional movie trailer.
Have a great day and I hope you get your pie and eat it too.
Love, Mom

 

Because of my new friend over at, Confessions Of An Apron Queen

here's more breaking of my self-imposed blogging rules.

My Bucket List

Visit our Australian friends

Rent a house in Tuscany

Write a book

Publish a book

Start and operate a camp for troubled families

Own and restore a vintage travel trailer

Travel by train; here and/or abroad

Help in Africa

Spend Christmas in New York

Ride on a big rig run with my brother

Visit Paris with my husband

Live simply

Simply live

Tag. You’re it.

Summertime, And The Viewing Is Crazy

da na na na na na na
na na na na na na na
na na na na na, na, na na
na na na na na na
da na na na na na na
na na na na na na na na

        WIPEOUT

Stellar TV with casting; 

the likes of which I haven't seen since the hippies

on Amazing Race.
Brilliant hosts; 

that are to funny, what Randy Jackson is to repetitive.

On the other hand,
They're calling Celebrity Circus a new show????? Heads up, hollywood--this is not new. If we want to see a celebrity circus, we’ll just tune into Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood, Th E Channel, or the Yahoo home page.

And speaking of stupid:
Appearently, you can rent designer handbags. The little number shaped like the Eiffel Tower, from Sex In the City Movie, can be yours for one month at $619.00 per month. Not $6.19, not even $61.90. But wait, it’s discounted to $595.00 per month if you’re a member at bagborrow or steal. The above pictured pink fendi can be yours for a mere $221.00 per week. Too bad it’s on a wait list.

The tag line on the web site says, “It’s a trend-setters dream come true. Carry next season’s bag-now. Everyone will wonder how you did it!"
I’m drop dead serious.

And this just in from the Yahoo Home Page:
Messy neighbors bring down value of your home.
Verbatim from the video news* clip:
Homeowner, “Well, let’s just put it this way, ours is a $600,000.00 investment and theirs is only $300,000.00.  (Not $30,000.) parenthesis mine
Reporter “Who wants these kind of relationships in your life, especially if they’re bringing down the value of your home?” 

Did I mention the Homeowner and Reporter said this verbatim?

And then from the more reliable news* feed, Rueters:
16,500 condoms arrived for the 125 scientests stationed at the antartica McMurdo base station. All supply flights in and out of the station are halted during the winter months. (Which, the last time I looked, lasted for 3 months)
That’s 90 days. 

16,500 divided by 125 = 134 condoms per scientest. Not per 2 scientest (I figure they needed them for sex, which usually involves 2 people) so double the 132 days to 264. Then divide that by 90 days.= almost enough for 3 times a day. 

Whew.

Oh, and by the way, your tax dollars were hard at work buying the condoms. Their thinking* was that it might embarrass the scientists if they had to buy them at the base station 7-11.

*operative word

I Survived  A Japanese Game Show: And they call Imus racist.

Baby Borrowers: Are you freakin' kidding me? It's a super nanny jailbreak.

Swingtown: Once again, hollyfreakinwood, you insult me!

And as if the Cyrus family needs a job, Billy Ray is reading cue cards on The Nashville Star.

Not on my watch.

Coming soon: Pictures from A Japanese YA Tour

Chain Link

At Grover's suggestion, I replaced my chain link cool retro pattern. It's looks like buttah, don't ya think?
I deleted the countdown until Melissa gets home. It was depressing.
I moved the retro Christian music playlist down the row, if you're interested.
Generation Hope is almost a non-profit organization. Click on picture -->
Not only that, but I've torn down some other blogging walls, and am breaking a few of my self-imposed rules.
Enjoy!

Amy at In Pursuit Of Proverbs 31 comes pretty close.

Cindy at Notes In The Key Of Life is always in tune, never pitchy.

Angela at Too Much Too Ask doesn't.

Shauna at Celebrate Every Day writes like she does.

Todd at Crisis Mode, will you marry my daughter?

Rachel at Writerae could write a book.

Amy at I Attack With Love motivates me

Shannon at Rocks In My Dryer left them there and went to Africa

Simon at Up From The Stump is an interesting read and guy.

Someone at MSchoir has taken my spot on their 2nd Brazilian tour. Shotgun on 3rd trip.

Spice Girls Mama at My Life With Little Women makes me wish I could parent all over again.

The Apron Queen at Confessions of an Apron Queen is really me in a former life.

There may or may not be 700 fence posts between me and the beach, but I'm a fixin' to walk or ride my bike past each and every one of them today.

And I Thought Paula Had A Hard Time Stringing Words Together

I Believe In Evolution

I simply cannot stop thinking about the Chapman family. While reading more about the tragedy I discovered that the family was hours away from hosting their son’s graduation party. May God bless you, keep you, wrap you in His peace, and make His face shine upon you, as you mourn and try to celebrate together.  www.stevencurtischapman.com

Yesterday I hibernated upstairs and stirred the pot on a few pieces I’ve been working on. As always, when I go up to the cottage, I tend to drift. For quite some time I’ve been researching and writing about the music I was raised on. This is by no means ready to send out, but I felt compelled to share a condensened version. This is how music, and Christian music in particular, has played such an integral role in Julee Ann's Journey.  Winona Lake is where "christian" music first appeared in the form of--well, something other than hymns--in my life. But, let’s back up a bit, shall we? To be honest, I would have to say, The King’s Trio was my first taste of boundry pushing music. And by boundry pushing, I mean sticking a tiny little toe into the non-hymnal bathwater.

Call me hokey, cheesy, and/or just downright tasteless, but give me some good 'ole down home twangy gospel with a side of tacky please, and I'll still get goosebumps every time I hear "I'll Fly Away" or "Will The Circle Be Unbroken"  

This is where Darwin's theory comes into play.

If you did not grow up  in my era, or had a more secular music filled home (part two of my research), you may get a bit lost while walking down my memory lane, so I’ve provided some links and a sidebar playlist filled with my favorites. You're welcome.

As I look back, ALL my favorites  had songs that tanked, and I  even enjoyed their mistakes. Wait, I take that back Butterfly Kisses  never sat well with me, and went from bad to worse in it’s repetiveness. Too much air time can turn a great song sour, as in Michael W. Smiths' Friends.    When asked if she wrote and sang songs she regrets, Amy Grant will mention one about a raisin. Love Song sang about sitting in the back seat, while God did the drivin'.  In the height of you’re-going-to-hell-if-you-listen-to-anything-but-hymns-era, Larry Norman titled one Why Should The Devil Have All The Good Music.

 
So consider the source here folks. If you want to argue with me, I’ll only listen, if you label yourself anything but a: 

Midwest 

50ish

Baptist

Female

Living in a constant emotional state. 

  

If you live in that state with me you'll love every song and word in this post.

So yes, I’ve evolved. 

Today my iPod shuffles through the likes of Kirk Franklin, Seven Glory, Chris Thomlin, and Mercy Me. Cutting edge, I KNOW! I might need to make reservations for Springhill’s 2nd Annual Music Festival this fall.  Maybe even some Rothbury reasearch for the article.

 I had a friend in college who shall remain named Mark Thompson. He believed music is amoral and shouldn’t be considered Christian or non Christian. I agree wholeheartedly and try not to label people, places, or songs. 

Just look how I said absolutely nothing negative about The King’s Trio—seems we raked that little blast from the past over enough coals at our family reunion last week-end.

But for the sake of my nostalgic argument I give you:

My bucket list of Christian singers, songwriters, and favorite groups. For old song’s sake, click Play on the Retro Christian playlist to the above right or visit the websites. 

Push Fast Forward or Rewind to scroll over all songs.

In order of  no particular:

1.    Steven Curtis Chapman

2.    Amy Grant

3.    Michael W. Smith

4.    Larry Norman

5.    DeGarmo & Key

6.    Love Song

7.    dc Talk

8.    Newsboys

9.    Keith Green

10.  2nd Chapter Of Acts

Honorable Mention:

The Imperials 

Ralph Carmichael 

Bill & Gloria Gaither

Sandy Patti

$4.

I'm angry now and ready to fight

Today is the day I'll change my plight

Nonchalant 'til the four dollar mark

Is the only solution to put it in park?

Prices rise hour upon hour

Supply and demand produces the power

Bound to come true in far off places

Oil wells run dry, then egg on whose faces?

Ethanol, Hybrid, drill in Alaska?

SUV graveyard the size of Nebraska

The answer is right in front of our face

Relinquish a luxury-set a new pace.

Renewable resource, my feet take a hike

Grow weary of walking, I'll hop on my bike

Mad at the start my rage now grows quiet

Glass half full and the start of my diet. 

May Day, May Day

Did you know today is the National Day Of Prayer?

It's also my friend Marti's birthday. 

And tomorrow is my sister Ruth's birthday.

Saturday is my son-in-law Tony's birthday. 

May 3rd is also my niece Ashley's birthday and

the 134th running of the Kentucky Derby.

May 9th is my nephew Joel's birthday.

May 12th is my sister-in-law Deanna's birthday.

May 13th is my niece Greta's birthday.

May 15 Melissa begins serving her 6-month YA sentence.

Ya got your Mother's, & Memorial Days.

Cinco De Mayo, Pistons, & Redwings Games.

The Survivor and American Idol finales.

National Scrapbook Day is Saturday, and the first ever 

National Train Day is May 10. 

How about that?

3 Words...

...Daf  Fo Dils

Baby I'm-A Want You...

... and by You I mean summer.
Who sang that song?
It's a group from the 70's and also a staple in most sandwiches.  It's raining and I'm angry enough to just waste the day away on the computer, now that I can't watch Oprah anymore. Ang says it best ... and she says it all right here.
Did I mention it's cold and windy, also? Reason enough to start HH hour-on a Thursday-by myself.I guess Melissa had a harrowing plane ride to CA. But she's on a week-long vacation visiting friends, auditioning, and trying to decide between East coast and Europe (Sweden, Switzerland, Poland, Spain, Gilbraltar, Netherlands, Germany) for the fall. Geez! Don't we know the answer to that already? That's after a summer in Japan. I think she should Keep Smiling. Who sang it?
D_ _ _ _ _ W_ _ _ _ _ _ I feel I'm making these too easy.
Thank goodness Kate is posting vacation pictures and stories.
I'm at home, in the snain, wishing I could learn to draw. Anyone up for virtual happy hour? I could have been through the desert on a horse with no name by now. Who sang it? 

A _ _ _ _ _A Yes, definitely, too easy.
I always say, "Why limit happy to an hour?" OK, maybe a napkin said it, but I agree. Both Joy and Ruth are losing weight. Joy talks about it here. Who's with me on Ruth getting a blog?
I guess, I'll have to join the cause ... I wouldn't want them to go through the valley alone. First one to zero wins? Final thought for today. I promise.
This too shall pass.

And evening and morning came, marking the third day. Then God said, "Let lights appear in the sky to separate the day from the night. Let them mark off the seasons, in days, and years. Let these lights in the sky shine down on the earth." And that is what happened.

Chapter and verse, anyone?

See, not everything needs to be traced to a song from the 1970's.




Artwork and Photos curtesy of me and Photobucket
That's a bowl of limes next to the CC & Diet

A Few Words...

It's official.
I have too much time on my hands.

The object of six word memoirs is to write a self portrait in six words. No more, no less.

And so I did. Multiple times. (You can vote in the upper right sidebar.)

1. Still want to change the world.

2. Left it all on the blog.

3. In lieu of flowers, send prayers.

4. When I grow up...too late.

5. Family is my pride and joy.

6. Raised hands on rollercoaster, in church.

7. Hate housework, love being a mom.

8. Once isn't enough to go around.

9. Sunrise sunset 19,118 times so far.

10. It is well with my soul.

Deal Breaker Or No Deal

Bachelor? What? Me? Naaah...
...I'd rather vote for Hillary.
I am looking forward to Dancin' With The Stars.
Happy St. Patrick's Day.
Been keepin' busy.
Taxes filed.
24 hour trip to help Tony

with a few projects around the house

(plus Jen said she thought he was lonely--ya think?)
By the time we got to Ben and Annie's
to deliver their care package...

...I felt like I was in my fifties.
The girls are doing well.

I don't want to steal all their thunder,
but I'll have a few more updates.

E-mail from Kate:
"You are almost into single digits for the homecoming--

Easy on the green beer you temporarily empty nesters!"

Matt, maybe ya shoulda copyrighted your idea.
Send me your Tee's and Sweat shirts.

Not sure what my title means, although I'm thinking of returning to iWeb.

In The Great Scheme Of Things

I have always loved maps...

And reading a good book(s)...

Also, a new challenge...

Don't forget how much I love this, too...

Also reading and trying not to be too hard on myself...

AND... I'll have what Grover's having...

Also...
Happy Hour
Coffee Breaks
Cheap Tickets
Phone calls from kids
Apples
Photos

Music

Laughter
Family
Jesus

These are a few of my favorite things.


Suddenly I see (Suddenly I see)
This is what I wanna be
Suddenly I see (Suddenly I see)
Why the hell it means so much to me?

No News Is Good News

I guess Jen got through to Tony for about a minute (after SH put her on hold) on her birthday. They weren't sure about internet accesss after the first week-end so while I'm waiting to hear from them I found some internet gems. I blatantly plagurized this little nugget from Cindy @ Notes In The Key Of Life:

“It was easier for me to submit myself to him [her husband] when I was younger and thinner. . .  But then I got older and gained weight, and it’s harder for me to submit to him. Because basically I think I can take him.”

While I was over at Cindy's I found Anita Renfroe (William Tell Overture Mom) singing Faith Hill's: (Don't) Breathe. 

Enjoy.

I don't know where I got it but I didn't draw it or say it...somebody else did.  Nevertheless, my kind of humor.