The Mystery of "Why I still feel like ass" solved.

Seems like the nice folks at, rhymes with "Smallgreens" filled my prescription wrong. I caught it this afternoon.

So I still feel like ass.

Pay it Forward

Pass this one around guys!


Army Times is looking for heroes. Not the types who make headlines for combat exploits, but rather the quiet, everyday heroes whose dedication, professionalism and concern for their fellow soldiers and community set a standard for us all.

They are unsung heroes who lead by example — giving their time, sharing their knowledge and inspiring others — without drawing much attention to themselves.

Through April 7, we are accepting nominations for the sixth annual award. The only way someone is nominated is by our readers.

To nominate someone, send us:
• Your name, address, commercial phone number and e-mail address.
• The name, address and commercial phone number of your nominee and his/her unit commander.
• An explanation of why your nominee deserves this award in 300 words of less.
• Names and contact information for three people who can verify nominee’s achievements that took place in 2005.
You can submit nominations in one of four ways:
• Online at www.armytimes.com/soldier.
• By e-mail.
• By fax to Army Times Soldier of the Year Award at 703-642-7325.
• By mail to Army Times Soldier of the Year Award, 6883 Commercial Dr., Springfield, VA 22159.
The awards presentation will take play July 13 on Capitol Hill in Washington.

Stone Age

Zonker has brought it to my attention, that I am not the only one suffering with kidney stones.

Elisson, is suffering as well.

I am sensing some sort of conspiracy.

Overheard at Casa De Dust

Me: "Dash, get your feet out of your cereal"

Yeah I actually had to say that this morning.

Where is My Mind?

Where is my mind?Ever since Saturday, prior to my ER visit, I have found myself in a state of exhaustion. Something I am not used to. I am sooo exhausted, that I could go to bed right now.

Sunday morning, the pain meds they gave me at the ER gave me weird dreams. I was in a break--dance off, in "Breakin the movie". I also had a dream that "the collective" kept climbing on top of everything in the house, only to jump off. Scared me to death.

Maybe when this infection clears up a little, I will feel better, and feel a little more rested.

They are mine.....

The photo session Friday went well, I can hardly believe my luck.

Paging Dr. McSlow

Well, as some of you know, I spent my Saturday evening at the hottest spot in town.

"The Emergency Room"

I spent I spent 10 hours at the hospital, to find out.

1. I have been to bus stations with cleaner bathrooms than this hospital.

2. It takes 5 hours to get out of triage and in to the actual emergency room.

3. People are snoopy.

4. Everyone has a cell phone, and nothing to say.

5. A complaint of pain, that is worse than childbirth with second child, will only get you pain medication 7 hours after initial complaint.

6. It takes 2 phlebotomists, and 4 sticks to draw minimal blood from me.

7. It takes 2 nurses and 4 attempts at starting an IV.

8. The contrast they made me drink prior to CAT SCAN of abdomen, and kidneys, is disgusting, and made me vomit.

9. My cell phone works from every place in the hospital, but the emergency room.

10. Even with a white blood cell count of 19,000, I do not run a fever.

11. A white blood cell count of 19,000, is cause for ruling out appendicitis.

12. Demoral makes me very sleepy..........Very sleepy.

13. Demoral makes me very itchy...........Very itchy.

14. When in the hospital, always have a puke bucket handy, because when you push the button and tell them you are puking, no one will come with one.

15. Bring your own blanket, it is freezing in there, and even if you request a blanket from 6 different staff people you will not get one.

16. An I-pod, is a must in the E.R. it drowns out all of the screaming, and crying, and neighbors vomiting.

17. It takes about 10 hours to be diagnosed with Polynephritis, with possible passing of kidney stones.

18. A white blood cell count of 19,000, makes me tired.

If I Were Emma Peel.....

Incognito, would soooo work for me.

A reminder from the Swimsuit Council

Say Cheese

This photo is almost 2 years old, and it really is representative of most photos in "our personal collection". One of "The Collective" standing, screaming, eyes closed, or pulling the others hair.

So today, I have the good fortune of being in charge of portraits. I can hear all of my favorite Mothers moaning in despair.

The Spring ensembles have been chosen, down to the socks and shoes. Color theme, is baby blue. Basic theme of portraits is "smiling, we are sweet".

I scrubbed the children to a shiny pink last night, and washed the blonde hairs for the occasion.

This morning, I am taking my chances with pancakes and maple syrup. Nothing says portrait, like hair standing straight on end, with the aid of maple syrup.

So wish me luck. Getting them ready for this occasion is one thing, getting out of the photographers studio with "actual" photos is another.....

May God have mercy on my soul.......

You----

Shake Your Junk----

Tis The Season....or (I am so phucked)

For Self deprecation and Loathing...

Great, my Blog Mom Tammi, reminds me it is "that time" of the year.

Yes it is the season of "perversion" for the red blooded males on the planet. The Sports Illustrated magazines have start to arriving on the doorsteps of millions of homes all over America. All other publications have followed, and it seems EVERYONE has a swimsuit edition these days.

So it is time to crawl out of my hibernation, with my pasty skin, and familiar cellulite, and go out into the wild. Into that bright, vast jungle of dressing rooms all over town. Complete with terrors that are sure to frighten any self respecting to be 36 year old Mothers of 2. There is the 360 degree mirror, which on its own has given me nightmares, and on occasion has brought me to tears, oh and lets not forget--the first year after the first baby, the damn mirror drove me over the edge. No swimsuit that year, only a chocolate binge and a Husband with the number of a great "nervous hospital". These dressing rooms, add insult to injury by making available to me the most fantastic, antiquated fluorescent lighting available in the free World. Ahhhhhhhh.....Nudity under fluorescent lights, it is almost apocalyptic.

In case I do not remember the horrors adequately, I will read this post, from last year to remind myself.....

If I Were Emma Peel.....

I would be drunk off my ass by noon.

Music to blog by.....

Tesco entertains me this morning, SKA month here at Casa De Dust....

Need something to blog to?

If you can sit still, I would suggest...SKA....AGAIN!!

The Day I was Born.....

This was the #1 song....


1970 ... "Mama Told Me (Not to Come)" by Three Dog Night

I cannot make this kind of stuff up people.

I also will add here, I was unplanned.....

What is your "birth song"....click HERE to find out.

Defeat

Monday I spent about 30 minutes in line at Wal-Mart, returning and exchanging merchandise. Dear Husband was sitting in the truck with a sleeping Pink Ninja, and I enlisted Dash, as my personal assistant.

So we are standing in the customer service line, and I note a homeless man sitting in a chair in the Customer Service area. He is transferring all of his belongings from a clear vinyl backpack with a large tear in the side, to a newer, bluer, larger and sturdier pack.

I knew this transaction, was a private one for him. But, I couldn't help but watch. I was interested to see how he packed and what he packed.

My Dear Husband, had worked corrections while putting himself through college, and I remember him telling me that he could tell who was a Veteran by how they packed. I also remember him saying, you could tell a persons level of sanity by how they packed.

So I watched this man from the corner of my eye. I watched him pull out a tube of toothpaste wrapped in a McDonalds napkin, and then the toothbrush wrapped in another napkin. I watched him pull out a file folder,that was filled with torn out newspaper articles, and notes he had written. In my mind I imagined he might have had a letter from children, or a wife inside, but I didn't see any. There was a lot of paperwork in that file. He pulled out a brush, a back plastic fork with a tine missing, a small plastic baggie filled with paper packets of salt and pepper. I noticed there was no clothing in his bag. Maybe he was wearing all of it, after all 17 degrees in this part of the country is a rarity.

So I stare ahead, and imagine what I would pack in my bag, if I was homeless. I listen to him hum and sing sweetly as I wait for my turn in line.

He looks at Dash and I and tells us, "I think I will keep this old bag, I think I might be able to fix it". I nod in agreement.

We exchange or merchandise, and leave the store.

When I get in truck I tell my husband about the guy, and then ask him "what is the strangest item you had found in a homeless persons bag at the jail?"

He answers "a hatchet, and 2 dogs feet".


I guess the mans dog had been run over by a train, and the guy couldn't bear the death of his dog, and wanted to carry a part of the dog with him.

I am glad, I wasn't behind that guy at the Wal-Mart. Although, I might have learned to respect a person's privacy.

Fantastic Way To Start The Day!!

~A Strange Kind of Love
from Deep


A strange kind of love
A strange kind of feeling
Swims through your eyes
And like the doors
To a wide vast dominion
They open to your prize


Tesco does it AGAIN.....and (*whispering go over and listen----shhhh*)

Mayor of Poopville....

Don't ask, I am just saying.....

Oh, and before I forget, I would like a raise.

Getting to know you, getting to know all about you...

I have been tagged by Blonde Sagacity, with the following Meme.....
1: Black and White or Color; how do you prefer your movies?

-Both


2: What is the one single subject that bores you to near-death?

-"Celebrity"
-Nascar



3: MP3s, CDs, Tapes or Records: what is your favorite medium for prerecorded music?

-MP3



4: You are handed one first class trip plane ticket to anywhere in the world and ten million dollars cash. All of this is yours provided that you leave and not tell anyone where you are going ... Ever. This includes family, friends, everyone. Would you take the money and ticket and run?

-No *cough*



5: Seriously, what do you consider the world's most pressing issue now?

-Apathy



6: How would you rectify the world's most pressing issue?

-Accountability



7: You are given the chance to go back and change one thing in your life; what would that be?

-Are you kidding, just one?




8: You are given the chance to go back and change one event in world history, what would that be?

-Western Expansion in the United States, and how it affected aboriginal peoples.





9: A night at the opera, or a night at the Grand Ole' Opry --Which do you choose?

-I would love to go to both, and have never been to either. I really want to see Puccini's La Boheme. I would have loved to have seen Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys.



10: What is the one great unsolved crime of all time you'd like to solve?

-Any unsolved crime that takes 90% of the time in the MSM.



11: One famous author can come to dinner with you. Who would that be, and what would you serve for the meal?

-I cannot pick just one, are you kidding me?
Hunter Thompson
J.D. Salinger
John Steinbeck
Anais Nin

Cocktail hour would last forever....and I would not take the time to cook for dead people.



12: You discover that John Lennon was right, that there is no hell below us, and above us there is only sky -- what's the first immoral thing you might do to celebrate this fact?

-Never leave evidence behind.

I am tagging Harvey, Sgt. Hook, Seawitch Bad Catholicism, and There's One Only

Love and Rockets

I had been over to 100 records and requested Tesco post some Love and Rockets. So he does....

I am amazed that my memories have been hijacked by an image of an album cover, and not by the sound, or the taste of gin and tonics. An album cover.

So, I have spent part of my day recollecting a drive to a funeral and friends I miss. I am trying to recall my exact age, and circumstances around those around me. I must have been 16, or 17. The memories of a year or two-- or three are clouded by the fog of gin and tonics mixed with late nights, and probably some other "recreational" use of one thing or another.

The album cover I stared at while passenger in a car across the highways of Nebraska lined with corn, and alfalfa, beans, and irrigation pivots. The album cover I stared at on the way to a funeral to bury a friend in a sleepy little farm town in the middle of nowhere.

I do not remember Mark and I talking during the drive. I remember the music sounding like a train as we drive past a hundred miles of empty track. No train in site. And I remember feeling sick to my stomach the entire day. So Mark drove across the desolate highways, over rolling hills. I sat in the passenger seat, I do not recall a word passing between us.

So I sat here today and thought this would trigger feelings of the friend that we had lost to himself. It did not. Seeing the album cover made me miss my friend Mark, the driver. Mark that taught me how to mix a great gin and tonic, the difference between a quinella, and trifecta at the track. We would spend hours at the track, watching dogs, or horses, and drinking gin and tonics or beers, playing darts, shooting pool. The things a 16 or 17 year old girl needs to know how to do.

I wonder if he is still writing stories, drinking gin, and gambling?

If I were Emma Peel....

I would be enjoying 85 degree weather.

Trapped

Well, no drunken noodles for us at Casa De Dust. There is no way I am driving across town only to get killed by some dumbass that doesn't know how to drive in ice or snow, for chilles. So menu modifications will be made. Hmmm, must get out cookbook.....

The local news people have been entertaining us this morning with reports of "freezing temperatures", and "ice", young on the scene reporters freaking out on the television with gortex on. Showing us that there is actual ice out by scrapping windshields. Very comical. In Nebraska they call this sort of weather "nice" or "normal".

Arts and Crafts today at Casa De Dust will consist of paper, glue, 2 empty boxes, scissors, and old magazines.

Pictures of whatever may be posted later today.

Brrr........

Hey Good Lookin', What Cha Got Cookin'

Doesn't this recipe sound delish? If the roads are clear in the morning, I must get to the market for Thai chilles. I found it on Bon Appitite'. Yummmy. I should try cooking in my pearls, dinner would surely taste better.


DRUNKEN NOODLES


There isn't a drop of alcohol in this dish — the name refers to how much you'll want to drink to combat the heat. We suggest a nice cold beer or sparkling wine.

2 14-ounce packages 1/4-inch-wide flat rice noodles*
1/4 cup vegetable oil
12 garlic cloves, chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh Thai chiles*
1 1/2 pounds ground chicken
1/4 cup fish sauce (nam pla or nuoc nam)*
1/4 cup black soy sauce*
1/4 cup Golden Mountain sauce* or light soy sauce
1 tablespoon sugar
4 large plum tomatoes, each cut into 6 wedges
4 Anaheim chiles or Italian frying peppers, or 2 green bell peppers (about 12 ounces total), cut into strips
1/2 cup fresh Thai basil leaves* or regular basil leaves


Cook noodles in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite, stirring frequently. Drain.
Meanwhile, heat oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add garlic and Thai chiles; sauté 30 seconds. Add chicken and next 4 ingredients and sauté until chicken is cooked through, about 4 minutes. Add noodles, tomatoes, and Anaheim chiles; toss to coat. Transfer to large platter, sprinkle with basil leaves, and serve.

*Available in the Asian foods section or produce section of some supermarkets, and at Southeast Asian and some Asian markets.

Makes 6 servings.


Bon Appétit

Baby its cold outside.....

It was 75 degrees here yesterday. 75 degrees people. Tonight it is coooold. Brrrrrr. We are supposed to get hit with ice. I can do snow, lived in it for most of my life, but ice. Ice, in a place where people are not used to ice. A nice way to get yourself killed.

I just sent Dear Husband out of doors to cut my daffodils. No sense loosing the dainty things in the ice. They are gorgeous shades of light butter yellow, and sunshine yellow. They are sure to brighten things up in here for the next couple of days.



Weather Channel says.
Precip: 80%
Saturday 18
High Winds
Light Freezing Rain High
31°F
Low
17°F
Precip: 60%


I have two yoga classes I can attend in the morning, I am hoping the bad weather does not appear until afterward.....otherwise it could be a very long weekend.

Swing Batta Batta Batta.....SA-WING!

Well since soccer was a wash due to Dash's age , looks like the sport de jour is baseball. Which I will not mind one bit. I love baseball, I know baseball, I grew up playing baseball. There are a couple of problems. Dear Husband is not a fan of the sport, too slow moving, he is simply not a fan. The other problem is Dash. There is a lot of down time in "t-ball". Lots of turn taking, and standing in the middle of a field, lots of time to wear your glove on your head. Remember, we are talking about the kid that cannot walk normally across the living room. He either has to jump, or hop, or run, or roll, or fly. I have no idea how he will manage. I was hoping for soccer, for the running folks. I know a lot about baseball, nothing about soccer. The only thing I know about soccer, is that it would kill me. There is a lot of running, and because of that, I thought it would be great for Dash. To run in an open field, with a pack of other 4 year olds, it makes sense. Baseball, and being four makes no sense. I can hear it now.

"Dash, get your hand out of your pants."

"Dash, throw the ball."

"Dash, wait your turn"

I was hoping for soccer folks, I was. I was hoping to say--

"RUN, RUN!!"

So it looks like I am joining the ranks of House of Bou, and become a baseball house for the season.

Yeah, you are right, that was a dumb idea.....

My lack of common sense is amazing me this week.

There is a reason I do not have a scale in the house.

A fantastic way to ruin a perfectly wonderful day?

Step on the scale.

%#*$ing A.

Should I?

Getting ready to head to the Pediatrician office for "The Collective's" 2 year and four year physicals. The children appear to be in good health, shiny coats, smiles, active --certainly.

So do I dare step on the scale myself?

I vote no, but am curious enough to.

No, I do not keep a scale in the house.

So can I handle the fallout?

Maybe not today.

I will let you know how it goes.

It might depend on the crowd near the scale.

Think light as a feather......

If I were Emma Peel....

I would take of this silly hat put the cake down, and make sure everyone knew that The Mil-Blog Conference is now offering OPEN REGISTRATION!!!

So run over and take a look at the roster! Approximately 200 seats, and only 2 months left.

Position of the Week #14

"All love is expansion, all selfishness is contraction.
Love is therefore the only law of life.
He who loves lives, he who is selfish is dying.
Therefore love for love's sake,
because it is law of life, just as you breathe to live.

- Swami Vivekananda


Gomukhasana (Cow Face Pose)

Great pose for warming arms, back and shoulders. You will also find that one side may be easier than the other.
You can either hold the posture while the breath is held or you can try holding the posture while breathing gently through the nostrils. If you choose to breath, then hold the posture for thirty seconds to a minute. Repeat the gomukha-asana two to three times on each side.
This is a wonderful chest and hip opener, and it includes one of yoga's most classic arm positions. To experience the full benefits of this challening arm position, it's important to focus on more than simply clasping hands behind the back. Gomukhasana can be thought of as a preparation for both headstand and shoulderstand, by developing the alignment necessary to support the body in each inversion.

Do Not Count Your Chickens ...

Well it seems as if parenting lesson 12,982 has reared its ugly head. Damn. I had went to the community center yesterday and signed up "Dash" for "youth soccer" ages 4-5. I filled out the paperwork, gave my insurance information, wote the check and walked away thrilled with the idea.

I walked in the house, and announced to Dash, that he would be on a soccer team. Complete with other kids, a uniform, and a coach! Dash was thrilled with the idea, he even jumped more and higher than normally. He was so excited he was squealing.

Fast Forward to this morning-------

This morning my phone rang, and it was the community center lady. Dash missed the birthdate by about 5 months. Crap. Dash really needs this, he is 4. He needs some physical confidence building, cooperation, turn taking, oh and running with other crazy cubs. I need him to run, and run and run.

He cannot play until August, damn.

I refuse to disappoint this little guy I refuse. So now I must start another search for another soccer league, or something. Oh and fast.

Damn....note to self

*keep mouth shut until all systems go*

If I were Emma Peel....

I would take advantage of the Pre-Registration period over at The Mil-blog Conference Website Pre-registration ends today.

Love Hangover

If there’s a cure for this
I don’t want it
Don’t want it
If there’s a remedy
I’ll run from it
From it

Think about it all the time
Never let it out of my mind
’cause I love you

~Diana Ross
Sweet Love Hangover

Recovering from my "day o love". Casa De Dust had a lovely time, candy, flowers, a lovely dinner, and proclaimations of love.


So now there is the sweepin' up to do, someone needs to get the rose petals off of the floor. Ther is also chocolate for breakfast dessert, and lunch dessert, and dinner dessert, and for snackin.

Tesco was a doll and sent over this in the comments. Mazzy Star, a very good listen for those of you recovering from yesterday.

Love-Fest

I was invited to celebrate Valentines Day over at Mommy-Bloggers by Jenn the Java Diva . So, even though I have been in the creative "dumps" as of late, I played along. Heck I even posted a 5 year old photo of us.....so go on over and celebrate being a Mom, Daughter, Dad, Sister, Friend.....

Thanks for inviting me Jenn, and here is too the slow lifting of fog, as you grieve the passing of your own mother.....I have been thinking of you.

more

I think of you
night and day, day and night
under the hyde of me , theres an oh such a hungry yearning burning
inside of me
and this torment wont be through
till you let me spend my life making love to you
day and night, night and day

~Cole Porter
Night and Day

More....

I want to hold the hand inside you
I want to take a breath that’s true
I look to you and I see nothing
I look to you to see the truth

~Mazzy Star
Fade Into You

More Love......

She killed his past
With her kiss
All past was but a lie
She killed his head
She killed his mouth
And opened up the sky





-HIS CIRCLE AND HERS MEET
~Peter Murphy

St. Valentines Day

"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength; loving someone deeply gives you courage."
~Lao Tzu

100 Records does English Beat....

Ok, the folks over at 100 Records, have done it AGAIN, by putting up The English Beat, you cannot help but dance to the entire album. Go over and give it a listen.

If I were Emma Peel....

I would be making my flight reservations today. The First Annual Mil-Blogging Conference is just around the corner you know! So if you are a mil-blogger, active military, former military, Veteran, or a spouse, get your tail over there and take advantage of the pre-registration. Then run over to Andi's place, and give her a standing ovation for lining this up folks!

A picture is worth a thousand words...

Dear Husband and I are currently in argument over which side of the family "insanity" runs in.

*bets should be on Dear Husband's family

Because your Mine.....

The taste of love is sweet
when hearts like our's meet
I fell for you like a child
oh, but the fire went wild..
~Ring of Fire
~June Carter Cash

I finally got to go see Walk The Line. I had read Cat's review in December. I had also read Eric's post.

So I go looking forward to seeing the Man In Black, I want to hear his story. It is funny to me how three people can go to the same movie and walk away with 3 very different opinions. I did love the movie. The performances were outstanding.

I did know a little about Cash before going to the movie, so I did know about the death of his brother, and I do think one moment can change your life.... A life driven by guilt, and imprisoning self. There are a lot of ways we can put ourselves behind bars folks, booze, pills, drugs, self loathing. There are times, when some folks are able to set themselves free. Sometimes we need someone else to give us a key, or open the door.

Folsom Prison Blues was written by a young serviceman, who had never actually been inside a "real prison".

Guess that proves something.


Then one day he was gone, and no one ever saw him 'round,
He'd vanished like the breeze, they forgot him in the little town.
But all the girls still dreamed about him.
And hung around the cabaret until the doors were locked.
And then one day on the Hit Parade,
Was a little dark-haired boy who played the Tennessee flat top box
~Tennessee Flat Top Box
~Johnny Cash

Valentines Gift Suggestion #2

There is also the gift of traditional flowers, always a nice impractical gift. I always enjoy flowers, although they are not a favorite unless Dear Husband cannot be here for a special occasion. I like flowers as a surprise gesture. Most women do.

However, I know some of you will buy your lovely lady flowers this year. She will love them I am sure.


Here are a few places to get beautiful flowers, so you have enough money left to take her to dinner as well.

Hallmark

FTD (the tulips are a steal at 29.99)

Heck even Martha Stewart herself, has quite a selection for under $50. (a dozen pale pink roses, for 39.99)

If you are a married man, perhaps a "copy", of your brides wedding bouquet, would be the most thoughtful gesture.

-going to watch American Beauty this weekend.

A Sandwich, just isn't a Sandwich folks...

The Straight White Guy, continues to take us on his journey, flashes of images of food, women, exercise equipment, sandwiches. The guy loves a good Sandwich. I was recently offended when reading his post on "The Reuben Sandwich". Everyone, debating over where one goes to get the BEST REUBEN...Even Jimbo with this little ditty...(read in your best Joisey accent)

"I love it when you Southern gentlemen talk shit. There are several secrets to a good Reuben, but first and foremost is the bread, and you just ain't packin' the gear in the Soutn. It's gotta be real Jewish (or Russian) rye bread. "

Folks, I hate to surprise you with this, but Nebraska does a MEAN ASS REUBEN. In fact the orgin of the Reuben sandwich is Omaha Nebraska folks. We folks in Nebraska have very little to brag on, we got Fred Astaire, and a damn Sandwich.....

Treat Retreat

The "yoga and wellness retreat", went well. My upper arms and pectorals are screaming motrin this morning. Taking the day off from the "usual" is exactly what I needed. I came home last evening, and was exhausted. Insomniac AWTM, took the night off and I went to bed at an unheard of 9 or 9:30pm. Amazing.

The written reports from the Mothers Day Out were good and hilarious. More on that later.

I must go and spend time playing with "the collective", they missed Mommy. Plus, even though I was 100% caught up on laundry yesturday, it has already caught up with me.

Overheard at Casa De Dust

Pink Ninja: "Mommy, look at the moon up in the sky"

Me: "Where"

Pink Ninja: "Right there, up in the sky, I can't reach it" (While trying her hardest to)

I Sang


I sang to you and the moon
But only the moon remembers.
I sang
O reckless free-hearted
free-throated rythms,
Even the moon remembers them
And is kind to me.

Carl Sandburg

Tiny Dancer

Little Dancer Aged Fourteen
1879-1881

MATERIAL: Yellow wax, hair, various textiles, wood base
DIMENSIONS: 99 cm (39 in.)
COLLECTION: National Gallery of Art, Washington DC. Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon
ACCESSION NUMBER: 1999.80.28

I got to see her once on display in Omaha at the Joslyn, and when I went to Washington D.C. to the National Gallery I got to see her again. She is beautiful.

Position of the Week #13

Warrior One or Virabhadrasana I

This powerful standing pose develops strength and stamina, warms and invigorates the body, strengthens the leg, spine, and shoulder muscles and nurtures flexibility in the feet, legs, hips, and shoulders.


I led yoga class again last night. It was a brief 45 minute class. One of my fellow classmates is involved in a battle with breast cancer, and I could not focus. She did manage to make it through the 45 minutes of class. I was not sure if I should continue with a full class, but found that I could not. I was distracted. The last 2 classes have been hard for her, as she has been receiving her pathology reports over the last week or so. The news has not been good. However I noted all of us were having a hard time focusing our energies. At meditation time last night, instead of guided meditation or olfactory meditation....I requested that we all just spend 10 minutes of quiet. I think we all spent that time in prayer, or thinking of our friend.


I have been asked to attend a day long "wellness retreat". A day of yoga and meditation, is exactly what I need. So posting will be non-existent or light tomorrow.

This weeks pose Warrior...To my friend who is one.

Namatse

If I were Emma Peel....

Steed and I would be running over to The Mil-Blogging Conference web-site for pre-registration!! There are 300 seats total, the first 150 going to mil-bloggers, and military community. Please go to Andi's place for the details, and leave her a note of thanks folks this has taken some REAL DOING!

Vouch

As a Member of the Bad Example Family....


I am vouching for this Mother....

Why?

Her blog is snazzier than mine, she has children and has proved Motherhood is survivable, and she is cute too....

Valentine Gifts for Her suggestion #1

What lady does not like jewelry?

Depending on your income, this can be a hard one to swing...


For those of you that like the idea of jewelry, but have financial limitations I think these are great ideas...


Jules

K. Robbins designs-

Donna Silvestri

Linda Clifford

Sharma Designs

Hop, Skip and a Jump

I was just enjoying Dash turning 4. I was really enjoying him.

He is my snuggle bunny, and can carry a conversation now. Even if the conversation is weird. We can sit and talk. He can express himself now. This is HUGE for me. Dash has had a few issues, he seems to have sensory intergration issues.

However, about 3 months ago we started noticing that he does not "walk" any longer. It started with the occasional hop, or jump. He has entered some sort of energy surge, that I am guessing is common. I was not prepared for it. Dash was my "book worm", the child with the 2 hour long attention span. He no longer sits. If he is reading a book, I will find him sitting on his head, 1 minute later he will be reading and balancing on one leg and one arm, a minute later he is upside down. It has started driving me nuts, because I guess I am the one with sensory issues. He has overloaded my visual circuits.

The other night I said to Dear Husband, "watch us try and walk across the living room". (My living room is small). I told Dash I wanted him to hold my hand and walk 10 steps with me. Do you know the kid couldn't take 2 steps without hopping or kicking or going backwards, or shaking his behind? It was insane to me.

I have been trying to work this out with him. I know how it is to have excess energy physical, emotionally, or mentally. I know energy has leave the body, otherwise it will effect ones chi. So I have been running him, making sure his physical energy is spent. We have been out of doors kicking the soccer ball around, racing, chasing, climbing. I will add here, it is hard to spend it all. We always come in the house with extra.

Soccer and swimming will not start for a few months, does anyone know where I can get a treadmill for a toddler? Maybe a hamster wheel that could be intergrated into the towns power grid. I think he could provide enough energy to run at least my wash machine, dishwasher, and maybe even a lamp.

Stick to T & A

I am a sucker for boots, ya'awl know I am. So I see this add, for a boot sale at Victorias Secret. Of course I click and click, and click. Imagine the horror when this is the sort of boot they are selling!!
I still am sick from the experience. Sick I tell you. So Please Victorias Secret, stop selling boots. Stop now.

Stick to bras and panties, and ecoutrements....PLEASE.

If I were Emma Peel....

I would be getting ready to register for The Mil-Blogging Conference in Washington D.C.

Mil-Blogging Conference!!

Mrs. Hell on Heels has done it!! She has managed to organize The First Official Mil-Blogging conference.


I am dying to go, I really am.

Take a look at the list of Panelists!!

Master of Ceremonies:
Austin Bay


Panel #1 - Milblogs: Past, Present and Future
Moderator:
Buzz Patterson
Lieutenant Colonel, USAF (Ret)


Panelists:
CJ from A Soldier’s Perspective
Matt from Blackfive
JP from Milblogging.com
John from The Officers’ Club






Panel #2 - Milblogging Family Style
Moderator:
Andi from Andi's World
Panelists:
Carla from Some Soldier's Mom
Carren From My Position
Chuck From My Position


Panel #3 - Blogging From Theater
Panelists:
Bill Roggio from ThreatsWatch
Jeff from Dadmanly



Official Conference Bloggers:
Kit and Heidi from Euphoric Reality
Lynn from GunnNutt
La Shawn from La Shawn Barber's Corner
Holly from Soldiers’ Angels – Holly Aho
Lisa and Chris from Two Babes and a Brain

Void

Always good for a laugh

I need this shirt, and think I found Christmas presents.

No Girls Allowed!!

-The following was found scribbled on a magna doodle-



I am sick of Dora.

I am sick of Pink.

I am sick of my Thomas the Tank projects being demolished by my sister.

I NEVER, nor have the desire to touch her baby dolls, or anything pink.

Never, ever let your baby Sister talk you into letting her in your room especially when you spent 2 hours building a fishing dock, for the pond at Island of Sodor. I have been contracted by Sir Topham hat to complete several city expansion projects. It is serious work.

So in order to protect my rights, I am writing this decree....

No Girls Allowed

~Dash~

Chances of Snow?

Ick Ick Ick. That is what the weather man is saying. Chance of snow.

I did manage to get "The Collective" out of doors yesterday. We played a short game of soccer, and than they got into the mud. I went ahead and let them. They were making mud cakes, pies, and other baked goods. 3:00pm was bath time, by necessity.

Today snow? I am unsure what we will do.

Play-doh cookies?

Indoor bowling?

Camping?

I have chores I need to be doing, bedding to wash, and a Sunday paper with my name on it.

I am sleepy today. I do not want to leave Casa De Snot.

It is a great day to curl up with a book, under a blanket.

What are you doing today?

If I were Emma Peel....

I would be cooking a delicious lunch instead of dressing "the collective" for the third time this morning.

Fight Club

"The first rule is not to lose. The second rule is not to forget the first rule."
-Warren Buffett

Looks like Mr. Blackfive has fight club over at CNN. .

"On The Story" will air 7-8pm ET.

Appears Mr. Blackfive had plenty of assistance getting ready. Although the photos I have seen offer very conflicting information.

Wish him well, and remember no shoes at fight club.

Weather Wussifacation

The weather man tells me 51 degrees today. Brrr.... I spoke with my Sister in Nebraska this morning, and she told me it was 16 degrees, with wind. Which leaves the folks back home, feeling like it is 2 degrees. ICk... I do not miss freezing my ass off all winter. I miss wearing my wool coat, cashmere scarf, and leather gloves with fur at the cuffs (very Emma Peel). 2 degrees though, that is weather to die in. I do not miss scraping windshields, and that pain you get in your skull from inhaling such cold air. I do not miss the cold weather echoes you hear on the plains.


My blood has been thinning, and the gradual process of becoming a "cold weather wuss", is almost complete. I will never be able to return to the Midwest with my head held high. In fact, I will never be able to return to the Midwest in winter again. A Midwestern winter may kill me.

When I was a child and we were thrown out of the house on a Saturday to mountains of snow, I do not remember feeling cold ever. I remember when gloves and mittens were simply impediments to fort building, snowball making. Whenever, the neighborhood kids got together, the mittens made from yarn, ended up in a wet frozen pile. Mothers from down the street would pop they're heads out of front doors with frozen white puffs following the screamed phrase "GET YOUR MITTENS ON", about every 30 minutes.

I do not recall being cold once as a child.

I sit here in my warm kitchen, drinking hot coffee, in pajamas and a robe, and slippers and am cold just thinking about it.

I need to get these kids out of the house today, but a high of 51? Brrrr.....tooooo cold.

My folks back home are hanging they're heads in shame.

Skankin it Slow

So I am trying to ween myself from my like 9 days of soul music, and I am having a hard tme doing it.

The natural transition I have no idea....

I think I found the ticket HERE!! 100 RECORDS does it again.....

Now for some skankin''

Huh?



1) To dance to a reggae or ska beat. Usually consists of nodding, swinging your arms at a 90° angle or so, and kicking around your feet. Can be done alone, but is more fun in groups.

2) One who does not exhibit desirable forms of personal hygiene.


3) Paris Hilton AKA Tara Reid: redefining skank.

S.O.S.

Keep My Soldier Safe, sends out an S.O.S., one of our brave men needs help."This soldier has a temporary disability (40% and the Army will re-evaluate in November of 2006) from the Army and is struggling to make ends meet on a very small amount of money each month."


Go over, and e-mail the information to everyone you know. Please.

Soldier's Angels information as always

Soldiers' Angels
Humpreys Family Assistance
1792 East Washington Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91104

Casa De Snot

It appears that "Casa De Dust" is under new management this week, and should be called "Casa De Snot".

Yes, I said it snot. Sneezing, running noses, snot on my shirts, and coughing in my face. A kleenex box on every table. Saline nasal drops in every cupboard. Dear Husband replacing "old vaporizer", me filling new ones. Dash and Pink Ninja smell like Vicks vapo-rub. Sick. Yuck. Now where did I leave the lysol?

I am beginning to feel the beginnings of this. Despite my attempts to drown cold virus out with vitamins, and Airborne.

Today is the kind of day, where we will stay in our jammies. There are a million things I should be doing, but I think I will call one of those "bathroom monkeys", and leave the cleaning to them.



-Today's AWTM, brought to you by

Kleenex
Airborne
Lysol
Vicks Vapo Rub
Bathroom Monkey Cleaning Co.

Bathroom humor

Do you need to laugh this morning?

I would suggest going over to Air Force Family.

Or try going to The Reality Ranch, read it, and welcome my newest blog-sister to the sphere while you are there.

"I want you to want me"

I am taking a break from "soul" today.....I have been saturating myself in it. Turned the radio to "classic rock".

I hear Robin Zander's voice.

I am transported.

I am 8 or 9 years old, and I am at "Alco". I have 5$ birthday money and I buy my first album.

Shell Game

I run across the street to visit Tammi. I understand this, although on a different level than Tammi. I used to be able to eat my weight in lard, and not have it matter. I was the tall skinny girl, by chance and not effort. This is probably a good thing looking back, because I could have easily had an eating disorder, if not for my high metabolism. When I graduated high school I was 5 7' and 98 pounds, and thought I was "a big girl"....(If you go back into my archives, there are a million self deprecating posts on my own body issues, ok maybe not a million---close). However it all changed once I got pregnant and older. I am curvier now, "curvier". It is a daily struggle for me to look in the mirror, or pictures. The food is a struggle, I am from very Hearty European stock (sausage makers by trade). Plus I love food, I love cooking for people, and hearing the gratifying "ummmmmmmm" from a chewing mouth. It too pleases my ear.

So I sit here and try and think of ONE, just ONE woman I know who is happy with her body. I have known a lot of beautiful women. I cannot think of ONE single woman I know who is completely "happy" with her shell.

If I find her, I want her secret, because I want my daughter to be that ONE woman.

Obsessions, Dysmorphia, Pleasure, .......A delicate balance for most of us.

-So I am reading Tammi, and I look down at my yoga book. My instructor has hand written at the top of the page

"Yoga allows me to keep my body as such that it will not become a distraction"

The yoga has helped, I do not look svelt, or like I did 10 years ago. I am far from my old 98 pounds. However, I am so much stronger. My body is stronger, I can breathe, I can use my breath to hold poses for a great length of time. I am proud of myself, and my progress, my body.

Guess What I am Watching?

Her Majesty's Secret Service.

Diana Rigg, AKA Emma Peel becomes the ultimate "Bond Girl" by marrying Bond.

Wanna Take This Outside?

Perusing this morning, and I read this. I feel like I can take a deep breath now, because someone said it. Chuck also said it much more eloquently than I could have.

Mr Blackfive, has said it before.

When will they get it?

I am reminded once again, that we need to remember those doing our fighting for us.

I think The ARMOR UP project is the way to do that this week.

I am going to ask you do something extra though. The blogosphere is really only sooo big, and although I think the blogosphere is filled with some of the most generous people on the planet, the pockets are only so deep. I think it would be a great idea to print off the ARMOR UP information. Take it to the streets folks. The bulletin board at the community center, library, grocery store are great places to remind your community that our men and women should not be forgotten.