tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45112879273819982732012-02-14T08:49:10.824-06:00shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.comBlogger3691100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-47562689469335245002012-02-10T08:53:00.000-06:002012-02-10T12:00:40.437-06:00

When the wedding invite says, dinner and dancing, please follow through with food substantial enough to be considered dinner. Or, simply state "hor d'oeuvres and dancing" (dancing hor 'doeuvres?). This guest would have been quite happy, at this point preferred, to feed herself in one of the many restaurants she passed on the way to the wedding location. If you do serve hor

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-33046769463462406052012-02-06T11:26:00.000-06:002012-02-06T11:30:15.078-06:00

Through A Daft Scots Lass I linked up with Xmas Dolly's Monday's Music Moves Me to share a few of my favorite tunes. Thought I'd pick a few less-than-likely-to-have-been-heard-before songs. Great way to start a Monday, my way of thinking. This song by Sun Volt, I first heard in my first house in Austin.  A true driveway moment.  These guys played on Austin City Limits, I just learned

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-47852731992085138692012-02-03T12:45:00.002-06:002012-02-03T12:45:32.293-06:00

Read these roommate notes and remember how bad it was back in college. We're starting out with light and cute and will move our way to downright nasty.  Priggish readers, you've been warned. Although, who would complain about heat set at 60 degrees?  Or have I been living in Texas too long? Now, this one below?  I sent to Sam because I know he would appreciate

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-3876502347301395472012-01-30T20:43:00.005-06:002012-01-30T22:03:49.198-06:00

Yesterday I chose a movie to watch instantly, Restoration, starring Robert Downey, Jr. Restoration takes place during the reign of King Charles II, mid-17th century England . I had never heard of this movie despite loving RDJr and old English period pieces. The Restoration Period, I learned from the internets, occurred during the second Reign of the Stuarts, the "first kings of the united

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-69634983190002779932012-01-20T10:33:00.001-06:002012-01-20T10:46:18.168-06:00

I was looking in my many cookbooks online for a chicken and dumplings recipe, a dish made to Daring Daughter's perfection by the mom of her BFF.  I can't seem to duplicate the dumplings to DD's satisfaction no matter how many different ways I try.  But try I may. In the midst of my dumpling search I stumbled across Karen's Quaint Cottage.  I used her recipe for broth, give or take. And here is

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-55675021196669477072012-01-06T09:26:00.000-06:002012-01-06T09:26:49.759-06:00

So many times in my personal life and in my office I get asked some version of the eternal question, Why is he so selfish? A wife or partner of a man tells me that while she is always thinking of his needs, he seldom recicprocates. I hear things like, I go to his action movies but he refuses to come with me to a chick flick. Or, For weeks I think of the perfect present for him

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-64016703010580652052011-12-17T11:34:00.000-06:002011-12-17T11:36:06.411-06:00

Like most people, I find the holiday season one of such mixed feelings. On the one hand there's the season of love and giving and Santa and of course the baby bejeebus (credit, Hokgardner), all combining to bring out our kindest selves. On the other hand there is Christmas shopping and navigating a crowded parking lot.  This recent spate of frantic beat-the-rush browsing has brought to the

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-77960562909705693132011-12-09T07:00:00.000-06:002011-12-09T11:12:49.116-06:00

Sam and I spent our 20th anniversary in San Antonio.  Some random pictorial highlights: First things first.  Thanks to Karen for her restaurant suggestion.  Homemade hot sauce with roasted .. peppers or tomatoes, or both... was superb.  Cheese enchiladas... perfecto.  Margarita... excellentay: Sweetly sour, salt around the rim and stout. A word about the corn tortillas.  When it comes to

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-54029339041877715502011-11-24T12:56:00.001-06:002011-11-24T14:29:24.819-06:00

We interrupt the preparation of your family's Thanksgiving feast to bring you a special announcement. Be it stuffing your turkey with oranges (like we do) or making a last minute grocery store run for parker rolls (like I wish we didn't do) or preparing a blender full of liquid fortification in anticipation of Aunt Martha, who, every year, without fail, puts on her unique version of the martyr

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-30857085011775323162011-11-15T18:12:00.004-06:002011-11-16T09:02:13.952-06:00

You could say I've been in something of a cooking rut. With three teens going three different directions, a dog (because there's always a dog, isn't there?), five chickens including three new young chickens introduced to the coop (creating a pecking order situation that has brought out my fierce, Inner Mother Hen), and one sorely neglected beta fish named Molly, I haven't had much time to think

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-50704130857849412362011-11-03T07:37:00.000-05:002011-11-03T08:57:48.163-05:00

Beware the Ides of Twinness. Because it's a guarantee. One of your twins will beg you to get braces. You will spend fifteen minutes at the dinner table explaining the many reasons why she does not want braces: they hurt, the many foods that can't be eaten, how gross it is to get food stuck in the braces. And then? The other twin will be told she needs braces. And you will spend fifteen

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-37371558133182091482011-10-22T13:53:00.012-05:002011-10-22T19:55:12.085-05:00

How exactly does one announce a blog name change? How does one inform of a profile name update? Send out cyber printed announcements? Commission a video? Hire a plane to pull a banner, a la Mrs. Brightside's post?I came up with Coffee Yogurt one night in December several years ago. I didn't know what the blogsphere was all about, exactly. I was looking for some virtual connection with fellow

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-31271896117341821962011-10-19T20:20:00.001-05:002011-10-19T21:15:20.103-05:00

A huge thanks and nod of appreciation to my regular readers who haven't given up on me. Especially those who continue to leave comments despite my EPIC FAIL as a reciprocal blogger.My excuses are as follows. Work has been kicking my boo-tay.Playing limousine driver to my not terribly grateful twin tweens has been kicking my boo-tay. My husband's rants about the Aggies leaving the Big 12

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-63182494335101384962011-10-19T19:15:00.002-05:002011-10-19T22:30:38.949-05:00

Today Jenn's Sensational Haiku Wednesday theme is ...beautiful man, theregraceful handsome courteousdance with ... who me? yes!

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-18353661256584867602011-10-14T07:10:00.001-05:002011-10-14T07:10:00.547-05:00

Am I willing to march with the 99% protesters? Meh. Not so much.Am I willing to march with the 90% protesters? Hell to the yeah!Who can support this growing economic disparity? Better question: What the hell is wrong with Tea Partiers and other tax cut harpers who think the way out of this recession is more of the same? Thank you Mother Jones for the above chart and others that point out

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-6103112857754226362011-10-06T07:08:00.001-05:002011-10-06T11:52:55.526-05:00

For various reasons, I didn't get to breastfeed my kids. Not beyond the first few weeks, anyway. So I wince a little when I remember those shark nibbles hear breast feeding moms make claims that nothing brings a mother and her baby closer than the feeding the way mother nature intended. Used to be, when I heard smug mommies claim breast is best my stomach would lurch. I wondered if I missed

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-31850753987345440012011-09-30T14:57:00.023-05:002011-10-01T09:22:13.747-05:00

A few Friday mornings a year I manage to take a solo walk around the Lady Bird Lake, formerly known as Town Lake, or, in the case of most longtime Austinites, stubbornly referred to as Town Lake. This morning I walked (highlighted in yellow, above) from the south side of the pedestrian bridge at Lamar Boulevard (PFLUGER Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge), crossing onto Congress Avenue Bridge (aka

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-45287981819492840102011-09-18T10:07:00.005-05:002011-09-18T11:14:06.557-05:00

Shame on the Tennessee Department of Revenue, Taxpayer and Vehicle Services for denying their citizen, Ms. Whitney Calk's personalized license request because they jumped to the conclusion that she intended something "vulgar." Leave it to a red state, pork barbecue eating, bible belt bureaucrat to miss the wholesome, health promoting, true intent of a vegetarian enthusiast. Redeem yourself,

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-83930748407130945842011-09-13T23:08:00.006-05:002011-09-13T23:44:38.690-05:00

Sally Kern Oklahoma State Representative House District 84 "...every day our young people... are bombarded at school, in movies, in music, on TV, in the mall, in magazines, they’re bombarded with ‘homosexuality is normal and natural.’ It’s something they have to deal with every day. Fortunately we don’t have to deal with a terrorist attack every day, and that’s what I mean... that it’s more

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-79952205511100412052011-09-11T09:45:00.003-05:002011-09-11T09:50:15.467-05:00

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-58900676883059774082011-09-07T19:37:00.004-05:002011-09-07T20:05:05.627-05:00

A potential solution slash compromise to the sad and dangerous state of the state of Texas as vented loudly upon previously:Thanks to The Oatmeal for solving the riddle sucky ass Texas Education Code's* bogus answer to the sex ed problem. *Section 28.004

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-90211452142121447482011-09-02T13:26:00.008-05:002011-09-02T19:25:07.634-05:00

I'm none too happy with the state of Texas right about now. And I'm not talking about our current drought or the record setting heat wave. Did somebody say 23 days of 105 or hotter? I only thought it was hot two years ago. No, what I'm p*ssed off about is man made. Woman made. Ignoramus made. I ranted before about how Texas' public school kids are getting lousy information when it comes to

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-37382758107393942312011-08-30T00:01:00.001-05:002011-08-30T00:01:02.128-05:00

Don't you love it when you go through the forgot your password prompts and you answer your secret questions correctly and they tell you your new password has been sent to your email address and then, you know what comes next, you have no idea which email address you used. Gotta love backyard chickens, too. You go through the trouble of cutting up veggie scraps, taking said scraps to the

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-4458785859770993822011-08-22T06:24:00.000-05:002011-08-22T06:24:00.755-05:00

Every time I hear a right wing Christian preacher ranting about the evils of the gay lifestyle or some neo-con politician up for re-election warning that the legalization of gay marriage is the antithesis of family values, my blood boils. Because I have listened to too many heartwrenching stories about the true and actual evils bestowed by Christian parents upon their gay children. These

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-67731009057784986042011-08-19T06:08:00.000-05:002011-08-19T06:08:00.441-05:00

Every year in Luling, Texas there's a Watermelon Thump, where thump equals festival. Every year I say I want to go and every year I miss it for one reason or another, usually because I forget all about it when the weekend arrives. This year we had just returned from vacation and I opted to stay home and luxuriate in doing nothing. It's called a watermelon thump for an important reason.

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-79375536202853645012011-08-16T19:29:00.015-05:002011-08-16T20:28:20.814-05:00

Took one of my kids and three of her friends kayaking this afternoon. Playing super mom, my husband Sam called it. We rented three kayaks and set out for Town Lake, aka newly-named-but-seldom-referred-to-by-the-locals-as Lady Bird Lake. First we paddled under the Barton Springs Footbridge. Here's a view pedestrians see when walking along Town Lake Hike 'n Bike Trail: Then we paddled

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-75618622114278148252011-08-12T11:25:00.002-05:002011-08-12T11:56:16.558-05:00

yogravation - the feeling you get when you rearrange your week's schedule to attend a particular yoga class, only to show up, mat in hand, and find it was cancelled. fortunately, there is help. everydaypeoplecartoons by cathy thorne.

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-45829985057974235952011-08-05T09:00:00.001-05:002011-08-05T09:00:08.152-05:00

1. How can I be sure you really are a Young Rascal?2. What would weed-ius do?3. My hair obeyed my every command today.4. Family reunion avoiders anonymous.5. My favorite summer fruits are cherries and mango.6. Yumm, that was delicious, thanks... er wait ...what was that?7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to watching instant movies on Nitflex, tomorrow my plans include tennis

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-87448861195729922452011-08-02T20:36:00.004-05:002011-08-02T20:49:30.160-05:00

If Edvard Munch were still alive, a photographer, in Austin, and sitting on my side porch in the 108 degree heat, here would have been his inspiration for The Scream. It is that hot and it isn't just my candle that is melting around here.

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-40266993504603292832011-07-30T10:41:00.009-05:002011-07-30T11:55:28.309-05:00

I have been waiting, I kid you not, months, if not 3 years, 7 months and 3 days, for my pathetic 96 followers (the number 96, not the actual persons following) to grow to an awe inspiring 100. And guess what? It happened. Today. (Check sidebar to the right to verify). Ding! Ding! Ding! (Insert 3-second soundbite).(Which I couldn't find so I inserted this 4-minute music video instead, Gunther's

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-91497528484426570332011-07-28T21:55:00.006-05:002011-07-28T23:56:04.659-05:00

Whereas I am ever one-pay-scale-away from becoming a device-slut, it could be said that Sam has bought a ticket on the slow boat to digi-land. As in, - it was the year 2010 before he replied to his first email - 2011 before he composed one from scratch Put a nail gun or a miter saw in his hand and he is home on the range. Digital texting? Not gonna happen. Until tonight. He is away tending

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-75441099841189832252011-07-23T11:57:00.006-05:002011-07-23T12:35:49.124-05:00

Amy Jade Winehouse (14 September 1983 — 23 July 2011) I am stunned but not surprised. Sad to the point of tears. I loved this young singer's voice. So bluesy and raw. This decade's Janice. I remember so clearly the first time I heard Amy's music. A driveway moment. Saturday night. Sitting in the living room of friends. Vodka and cranberry in my hand. A vintage orange and pink tumbler.

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-42654869235784924302011-07-17T22:12:00.013-05:002011-07-18T00:32:23.793-05:00

When it comes to cleaning it's always been this way for me - I don't need to clean so much as I need a reason to clean. This weekend I had my reason. My sister and two little nieces are flying down from the north country. While I was cleaning and vacuming the car (twice a year affair, if that) I found myself smiling despite the one hundred degree temperature and the sweat dripping down my nose

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-59994760066981445402011-07-14T08:42:00.000-05:002011-07-14T08:42:00.761-05:00

And not for the movies. I've got Nitflex for that. I want to get HBO so that I can watch this guy:

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-90026821611878316582011-07-09T07:51:00.001-05:002011-07-09T07:51:00.280-05:00

I was reading Jenn's post about a group of bitter divorcees who were handing out advice to their kids on how to avoid a bad marriage: wait until you're at least 30 years old to marry.I replied that I thought it was ridiculous to pick an arbitrary age and think that is the magic bullet. I married around the age of 30 and I think I have a pretty good marriage so you might think the bitter divorcee

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-84949879161833581022011-07-04T22:25:00.007-05:002011-07-04T23:34:39.173-05:00

It's been so long since I've posted. I wish I could say the reason for my neglect is that I was vacationing at some gloriously beautiful destination like the one pictured above ... and ... well actually, I will say that. Because it's true. San Francisco. Muir Woods. Santa Cruz. Henry Cowell State Park. Monterey. Big Sur. My dream vacation. First trip to California (I know, I know). I

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-80387482300478871312011-06-07T11:15:00.006-05:002011-06-07T12:30:21.805-05:00

The Alamo Drafthouse is a chain of Austin theatres where food and drink is served. A whole menu of food plus adult beverages. The caller in this audiotape is angry because she was kicked out of the Drafthouse for texting. Because texting might disturb fellow movie goers. The Drafthouse was so tickled with the voice mail they posted it to Youtube:Really?I don't know. Texting doesn't bother me.

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-85512463833552135912011-05-28T08:31:00.003-05:002011-06-23T11:23:33.727-05:00

Not that kind.This kind. The real deal. Geococcyx Californianus.I've lived in Texas for over 25 years and have only seen a handful of roadrunners. The first one I saw was in Big Bend National Park. Sam and I were vacationing, no kids at the time (what? is that possible? a vacation by ourselves? surely I dreamt that up). We were walking up one of the many trails and between us walked a huge

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-59380128063947783082011-05-24T22:49:00.011-05:002011-05-24T23:34:12.573-05:00

1. Give the psychologist you wish to testify on behalf of your client more than two hours notice especially when she has no idea you're going to call her to the stand. Doubly so when (a) she has no idea she is going to be called as a witness and (b) the courtroom is located in the next county. We do have other clients to consider. We do have several years worth of notes to review. And we

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-86741341774421020772011-05-22T16:39:00.008-05:002011-05-22T17:56:01.247-05:00

We've got three teens in the house. We are staring down the barrell of a financial shotgun called college tuition. A few weeks ago we were stunned to learn from a friend whose high school senior got accepted into UC Berkley for the fall that the annual cost of tuition, room, board, books, etc. would be $50K. No financial aid packages available. California would prefer to take a check in full

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-66436316905846687762011-05-16T07:14:00.000-05:002011-05-16T07:14:00.871-05:00

Goodbye Cruel World.Because there are times when the world is too harsh, too unforgiving, too filled with head lice. Our first battle was five years ago. Two second graders and one fifth grader. Three long haired kids, thousands of strands to be searched. We managed to rid the oldest two of their affliction within two weeks. The third child? Long, fine, light brown, copper highlighted locks

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-8083095953084023262011-05-12T08:41:00.000-05:002011-05-13T15:36:30.693-05:00

You know how when you use the last of the gallon of milk for your bowl of cereal? And then you pour your second bowl of cereal and the Fruit Loops get a little soggy from the leftover milk? And then you reach into the fridge and realize there is not another gallon of milk in there? That's when you know you should just get back in bed and stay there.

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-55609304273575706102011-05-05T23:42:00.003-05:002011-05-06T12:28:16.425-05:00

A flat tire, a dead battery, a fender bender, and keys locked in the car. All within the past six months of my teen's new driving career. All taken care of by johnny on the spot his dad. Though to give my son proper change-tire-credit, he did get the jack properly situated and was successfully lifting the car when his dad arrived to save the day. All the while his mom stood by playing with

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-48853005578002326462011-04-27T20:18:00.000-05:002011-04-27T22:42:21.054-05:00

I was driving in the car with my 15 year old son. Or to be more accurate, I was being held hostage in the passenger seat wishing I'd asked my doctor for some beta-blockers.My son was three weeks away from taking his driver's test.I was three weeks away from marching up the steps to the Governor's mansion to demand he issue an executive order to pray for rain raise the driving age to 18 21.

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-25640928695468640782011-04-21T22:12:00.009-05:002011-04-21T23:08:46.051-05:00

You may have seen the story on the national news. A wildfire burnt 100 acres in southwest Austin last Sunday. Five homes were burnt to the ground, twenty homes damaged. Apparently enough smoke and ash made it's way to our fair Governor's temporary mansion that he felt touched in the head enough compelled to issue an official proclamation.Governor Good Hair proclaimed the next three days

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-13995864662261281942011-04-16T23:35:00.013-05:002011-04-17T01:42:22.048-05:00

I watched this tonight with my daughter who had already seen it. I kept having to pause the movie to ask her what was going on. Not to mention rewinding again and again in order to hear what the heck was being said. Asian man with French accent, what? French actress imitating an American accent, who? What I did like about Inception, though, was noticing the layers under the layers that the

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And they make history again. The Fightin' Lady Ags beat the Fightin' Irish Lasses 76-70. An exciting game, I was on the edge of my sofa the entire time. The game was played in Indianapolis so it may as well have been a home game for the Indiana based Irish. Even the refs seemed to be favoring Notre Dame, especially early in the second half - five fouls called on the Aggies in the first three

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-58321193561579164162011-04-03T22:32:00.003-05:002011-04-03T23:24:08.500-05:00

Way to go, Aggies! They beat number one seed Stanford to win a spot in the national championship game. It's the first time Aggies have made it to the NCAA women's basketball finals.We've been following the Lady Ags all season and have seen some exciting basketball. Sam and I took our girls and two of their friends (all played on their middle school team) to see the Aggies beat the hell outta

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-58400981814691762922011-03-28T23:14:00.003-05:002011-03-28T23:35:55.587-05:00

Because when I wake up? I'll be a half-century old.Next stop, Old City. So, yeah. These are my last few minutes of 40-something. I remember that I liked saying I was 30-something. It was a cool, hip television show. I took pride in 40-something. Visions of a woman in her sexual peak.But 50-something. Where is the comfort in that? So tomorrow? I will gladly accept gratuitous gifts of TLC.

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-57869846447683221592011-03-24T17:04:00.007-05:002011-03-24T17:31:19.722-05:00

Don Haase was appointed by current Alaska Governor Sean Parnell (R) to sit on their state's Judicial Council, a panel that nominates state judges.Haase testified Wednesday that he believes it should be illegal for Alaskans to have sex outside of marriage.Yes, you read that right. Haase wants to see Alaskans prosecuted for the crime of pre-marital sex. For some reason I find myself wondering...

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-26956017273924231172011-03-20T19:35:00.008-05:002011-03-22T09:18:19.347-05:00

Sorry I haven't been around much. I haven't been visiting my own blog let alone anyone else's. My excuse is a pretty good one. I am, as they say, technologically swamped. How do I claim that? Let me count the ways:1. I'm finally getting rid of a dinosaur desktop that still runs Windows 2000. The task of combing through old files and forgotten photos has given me headaches and backaches.2.

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-44150113022366376372011-03-14T07:22:00.001-05:002011-03-14T07:22:00.347-05:00

It's spring break week in Texas. Port Aransas is a small island off the coast of Corpus Christi. A town of less than population 4000 is expecting anywhere from 60-100,000 students. It's an invasion! So my husband is in the lobby of our Gulf Coast condo and takes this picture of another type of invasion. Apparently the powers that be in the four corners of the universe want in on some of the

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-49824897555432819002011-03-10T08:08:00.004-06:002011-03-10T08:17:21.941-06:00

I'm not much of a pump wearer, but I will gladly rock my red flats. Thanks to My Piece Of Mind, I am now aware that today is National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Every 10 minutes an American is infected with HIV. The threat is still alive. So we all need to spread the word and Rock the Red Pump. Please check out the website, sign up, promote this day of protection on your blog,

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-44708944870036369962011-03-09T07:36:00.000-06:002011-03-09T08:50:39.082-06:00

I'm pretty sure my very first pair of official blue jeans were hip huggers. The hippie version of today's low rise. I was probably eleven or so when I got them. I remember the feeling as I wore them. Hip. Cool. Seventeen. At some point in junior high I graduated to my first true love: Levi's. I wore them until I wore them out. They came in blue denim, brown corduroy, and painter pants

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-41771816179319199702011-03-03T23:01:00.000-06:002012-01-20T09:16:35.573-06:00

1. Bring your favorite adult beverage.2. No cover charge and drinks are included.3. A good margarita is exactly what I need right now.4. Well, you see, officer, it all started when she spilled her drink on me.5. I'd better get out of here soon!6. But what if nobody answers? Do I get to make another call?7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to kicking back and relaxing, tomorrow

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-3067412906863211772011-02-25T17:38:00.002-06:002011-02-25T18:08:44.411-06:00

I just came from seeing The King's Speech. Really wonderful movie. I made sure my tissues were in hand when the opening credits rolled. Besides some great performances by three of my favorite actors, I enjoyed the happiest of surprises. Warning. Spoiler alert if you are a BBC-P&P fan. I knew I'd see Mr. Darcy but who knew Eliza Bennett would appear on the scene? Good thing I was

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-60347483436957801312011-02-22T21:29:00.000-06:002011-02-22T23:00:52.473-06:00

This post by Blue Yak got me thinking about one of my most embarrassing on-the-phone moments. I was maybe a junior in college. I was kinda seeing, kinda dating but mostly just wanting to be friends with this guy who I will call Thomas. I really liked Thomas. He was a kind, smart, shy, poetic stoner with twinkly brown eyes and some of the most awesome, sexy hair. I think he had gone to my

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-41502545362430103312011-02-12T08:24:00.008-06:002011-02-12T17:48:38.374-06:00

There is a large family gathering this weekend in a small Texas town that my husband, children and I will not be attending. Why, you are supposed to ask?We won't go because one individual attending is guilty of (though not to be confused with feels guilty for) years of hounding harrassing stalking me in the form of letters.Lengthy, hand written letters, perfect in penmanship, perfectly straight

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-64966599560490678002011-02-09T08:36:00.006-06:002011-02-09T15:33:52.673-06:00

In my last post I commented on this sonogram legislation proposal currently up for debate in the Texas legislature. Now that I've had time to think on it, I recommend the Texas Senate committee consider the following addendum: Before a man can be approved for a vasectomy he first needs to watch a series of videos showing cute little baby sperms fertilizing the ovum. Serious videos and not so

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-17400326127580929842011-02-07T20:37:00.003-06:002011-02-07T20:42:28.579-06:00

Woke up to this on the front page of today's paper. A proposed law by Texas State Senator Dan Patrick (Republican-7th District) will make it mandatory for women seeking abortions to have a sonogram and listen to the fetal heartbeat.Patrick has been proposing laws of this nature for years. His 2009 law was watered down, mandating that women be informed of their right to the procedures but

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-47612523540683503162011-02-03T08:27:00.002-06:002011-02-03T11:15:53.283-06:00

I recently mail off my copy of Remembrance of Things Past, Volume I: Swann's Way, by Marcel Proust. Unfinished. About 400 pages worth of unfinished. I'd heard about Proust from a number of sources, spoken with a reverence reserved for the likes of James Joyce and Dostoevsky. I didn't finish Ulysses either though I loved Crime and Punishment. So when I brought home Swann's Way it was with a

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-83077862923348348182011-02-02T00:45:00.003-06:002011-02-02T00:53:21.577-06:00

This week's theme: Disclosure. I spend most of my work week encouraging disclosure. Sometimes it's easy because people badly want a place to divulge. To feel listened to and validated. Other times its really hard to let go of secrets. tell the true storythis is the place to revealeven if it hurtsWant to join in the Haiku fun? Visit Jenn's You know ... that Blog? Check out the guidelines

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-76568219282675465072011-01-27T00:05:00.001-06:002011-01-27T01:13:12.483-06:00

Isn't it exciting? So much history in the making, right before our very eyes. First we have Barak Obama, the first African American President of the United States. Then we have Nancy Pelosi, the first woman Speaker of the House. And now we have John Boehner, first African American Speaker of the House.I mean, come on. His skin is two shades darker than President Obama's.

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-2212499032197399512011-01-24T20:00:00.000-06:002011-01-24T20:35:10.317-06:00

Just the way I am. That's right. You heard me. Everything about me is perfect, at this moment, always, all ways. Perfect.This was the end meditation in a yoga class after we were all stretched and relaxed. In the Savasana pose, I believe it was called. When the instructor first suggested this perfect idea, I nearly jumped out of my freshly yoga-tized skin. What the hell kinda self talk is that

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-16213607344789732992011-01-19T21:08:00.008-06:002011-01-19T22:31:36.383-06:00

So I've joined the army of resolutionists. I admit it. A regular January warrior. I didn't plan on being one but it snuck up on me unexpectedly. In the form of my husband suggesting we start back up again. In other words, it wasn't even my idea, my resolution, as pathetic as that is. My workouts had been flagging for months when the gym decided to do a large overhaul. The renovation left

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-69250476151335780962011-01-13T21:08:00.009-06:002011-01-13T22:47:31.708-06:00

Astrological Idendity Disorder. For more years than I care to reveal I've been solid in my ability to answer the dreaded question, "What's your sign?"Aires has been my firm answer. Til now. According to experts of the astrological kind, "Due to the Earth's changing alignment in the last 3000 years" the sign I was born into is now different. I'm now, these experts say, a Pisces. But hold on.

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-49717589984629345122011-01-08T18:21:00.018-06:002011-01-08T21:12:01.828-06:00

At some point on our slow weekends there's a good chance you'll find Sam and I walking in the woods adjacent to our backyard. We're really lucky to have a mini-greenbelt behind us, protected by local environmental laws. Here's a look at some of my favorite sights along our trail.Nandina berries give such a bright splash of red against their dark green leaves. Some people cut it down. A nuisance

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-87655763454293200312011-01-06T09:29:00.006-06:002011-01-08T10:41:07.686-06:00

This week's Haiku theme at Jenn's You Know... That Blog? Resolutions.steps on the treadmillor elliptical for meburning caloriesI usually try to avoid new year's resolutions. The January invitation to February guilt. But this year, in the very back recess of my brain, I heard a whispering.Get back to the gym. So far I'm two weeks into success. More stepping. Less couch dwelling. Good. Good.

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-60757252150596601972011-01-03T20:42:00.000-06:002011-01-03T20:44:00.422-06:00

I know this guy, this oldspouse. He's a friend. He's not all that old. He's younger than me, in other words. So of course I think that makes him a young spouse. But I suppose that doesn't make for a very good blog name. Old or young, I happen to know he makes a very good spouse to his wife, also a friend of mine. I also happen to know this old spouse writes some funny stuff. I hope you

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-51390350443839839142010-12-25T20:10:00.008-06:002010-12-25T20:40:57.390-06:00

Christmas cut out sugar cookies.Chocolate chip cookies with red & green M&Ms.Raspberry thumb print cookies.Pot of gumbo.Fresh cranberry garland for the Christmas tree.Cranberry bread.What I did manage to accomplish:Two days on the couch with a heating pad under my neck. My neck seized while I was engaged in the complicated arm pretzel yoga pose known as "brushing hair into a downward bun."

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-16637533540113193192010-12-24T00:10:00.001-06:002010-12-24T00:10:00.990-06:00

Sneaking out of bed on Christmas eve, sliding behind the living room sofa, hiding and waiting to see Santa come down the chimney. Lucky for me I was lying on a hardwood floor beneath a window with a down draft. I climbed back in bed to get warm and fell asleep. Santa was safe for another few years. Watching my aunt, who was visiting from the south, make footprints out of fireplace ash so that

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-31898374581308931482010-12-08T22:25:00.001-06:002010-12-09T00:38:01.067-06:00

The evaluation is complete. The tests interpreted. The diagnosis is in. The One Hundred Twelfth United States Congress suffers from TCTDDD (Tax Cut Trickle Down Delusional Disorder). Haldol, anyone?"Yes! Extending the existing tax cuts will create jobs. Because the only way out of this mess is to keep things exactly as they are." -Stephen Colbertp.s. Great minds think alike.

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-13604784509057994102010-12-01T22:47:00.018-06:002010-12-02T00:09:00.982-06:00

I'm one of those people who needs to join Lip Balm Anonymous. I keep a tube of lip balm (or three) in my car, a tube (or two) in my purse, a tube in my desk, a tube in my jeans pocket, and an ever-changing number of tubes in my kitchen medicine cabinet depending on how many of my kids nab one as they leave for school. The tube in car door well is nearly empty. Or empty to the point where I can

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-6920581040732931852010-11-27T11:02:00.008-06:002010-11-27T12:35:09.871-06:00

Ever have one of those bad blogger days when you realize you've misspelled a word in your post or mixed up a metaphor and hope your readers don't realize you really are an idiot in the disguise of a wannabe writer? Well, fear not, friends. Whatever your bloggulous blunder, your metaphorical misstep, it shrinks to a mere speck on the ass of a gnat that lands on the wing of a cow by comparison to

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-2363224208004398232010-11-23T07:45:00.001-06:002010-11-23T12:00:37.417-06:00

I made a potentially life altering decision yesterday. One that may lead my husband to divorce me and my children to file for legal emancipation. Our Thanksgiving meal, for the first time in 19 years, will include the turkey stuffed with oranges but will not include these:You know, those tired, store-brand white parker dinner rolls that come on a waxy cardboard tray. Or the ones that are shaped

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-59495909694609887792010-11-21T22:13:00.003-06:002010-11-22T00:15:09.741-06:00

nor tolerate those who do.Last night the Fightin' Texas Aggies beat #9 Nebraska. If you watched the game you saw this scene: Husker, Ben Cotton, drawing two consecutive 15 yard penalties after this pile up. The video clip gives a whole new understanding of that Cotton kicking Cornhusker.I hear this kinda thing goes on all the time in football pile ups but I sure don't like to see it, least of

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-22786861218909806832010-11-19T07:59:00.001-06:002010-11-19T07:59:00.093-06:00

1. Why doesn't everyone believe in quality health care for all Americans?2. Sailing on a luxury yacht would be a great way to see the world.3. Thank you for reading my blog.4. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because we get to watch the Aggies beat the hell outta t.u.5. I am SO grateful for the good health of my family.6. We can only be as happy as we make up our minds to be.7. And as for the

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-9528656961876202212010-11-13T15:01:00.006-06:002010-11-13T16:21:34.141-06:00

Wisdom doesn't necessarily come with age. Sometimes age just shows up all by itself. -Tom Wilson. Most people complain about aging: the wrinkles, the gray hair, the aches, the pains. I, on the other hand, like to focus on all of the good things aging brings. Wisdom, for example. Wisdom in the form of an ever expanding vocabulary. Not a week goes by that I don't add at least one new word to my

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-14265761226369412082010-11-11T20:43:00.003-06:002010-11-11T23:21:37.011-06:00

She's at it again. Debbie Riddle, un-esteemed State Rep. (R) from Tomball, Texas, won't be shamed out of her relentless pursuit of anchor babies and terror babies in this here grand state. Apparently Texas can't let Arizona beat it at making racist headlines. Intent on proving everything is not only bigger but also stupider in Texas, Riddle camped out all night at the Texas Capitol on Sunday

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-9065064471852835002010-11-08T00:01:00.000-06:002010-11-08T00:01:01.155-06:00

but it took Steve Martin to come up with the song.

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-37113015564864296822010-11-03T10:44:00.004-05:002010-11-03T21:09:41.173-05:00

Ok, American voters, if this is the way you want things to keep going, you might just get your way now that you've sent a Republican controlled congress back to Washington. In our great country, the one that stands for equality, the bottom 80% (wage and salary owners) own only 7% of the financial wealth. The top 1 percent (upper class) own 43% of the wealth. Another way of putting this, " ..

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-68936683032453355842010-10-31T23:39:00.013-05:002010-11-01T01:29:50.706-05:00

If you were one of the seventeen million people who attended The Rally to Restore Sanity like I did, which is to say, in spirit, you will appreciate this re-cap in pictures:If you haven't seen enough, you can see more pictures here.Update: I originally spelled Glenn with only one "n." Which made me think, isn't spelling Glenn with two "n's" kind of gay?

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-81657612622485029262010-10-29T18:44:00.003-05:002010-10-29T18:54:52.919-05:00

1. While the cat's away the mice will go on kitchen strike.2. Voto? fabuloso!3. Children are the one thing that makes aging worthwhile.4. I change into sweat pants when I get home from work or shopping or what have you.5. This may seem odd, but I have not been in the mood to raid the Halloween candy.6. Fridays are for sipping a cold one with friends and that seems like a fine idea to me!7. And

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-58901198101434971582010-10-22T07:54:00.001-05:002010-10-22T09:49:40.074-05:00

I heard the song Sister Christian yesterday. By Night Ranger. It's a great song with a catchy tune, but the lyrics. WTF? If your memory sucks like mine, you might need to hit the play button on the video before you remember what song I'm even talking about.For years and years I've been singing along to this song only to stop at the refrain and think ... what the flip is he saying? Motor

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-20231660095899327762010-10-15T08:46:00.013-05:002010-10-15T18:56:19.363-05:00

I just woke up from a bad dream. Or I guess you could call it a middle-aged-married-woman-with-three-kids version of a nightmare.In this dream I was driving in an unfamilliar area out in the countryside looking for the house of friends. My husband was there waiting for me and we were meeting for dinner. I remembered his directions, "If you drive into the historic part of downtown, you've gone

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-7861572768130735622010-10-11T08:00:00.002-05:002010-10-11T12:41:31.193-05:00

I have just found Crystal Jackson's blog, Fight stupidization. Her recent post talks about Delaware Senate candidate Christine O'Donnell's campaign commercial.You know the one: "I am not a witch. I am you."Jackson rejects the notion that the Average Joe is the best man for the job. But it's a question worth asking: Why do (so many) voters find the Average Joe so appealing when it comes to

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-69984346037396050192010-10-03T00:08:00.018-05:002010-10-03T02:13:06.939-05:00

One thing about motherhood that keeps it exciting: So often the way things play out is completely different from what I pictured.The first expectation changer: Every moment with my newborn will be soft cuddles, sweet smiles and baby powder smells. You know, like those Johnson & Johnson commercials. You too?The latest expectation changer: Dress Shopping at the Mawl. 4I envisioned our first

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-89540037523604970912010-09-28T23:10:00.001-05:002010-09-29T01:02:02.345-05:00

Have you read this yet? The ace mom who insisted her children (7 and 3 years old) watch their baby brother's birth despite the children repeatedly stating they did not want to do so? You might want to check out the Salon article before reading my heated response so you can follow the bouncing ball. I don't buy the "planning doesn't come naturally to me" faux excuse. Sounds suspiciously

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-59548931675322309522010-09-26T09:26:00.000-05:002010-09-26T14:53:49.614-05:00

I spend a lot of time complaining about the demands of motherhood. At least in private, I do. The time, the impatience, the bickering, the driving, the driving and the driving.But it's all nothing compared to the hard of standing on the sidelines as my kid takes a hit, a rough tackle, right to the heart. Where I fight off an irresistible urge to rush onto the field, whistle in mouth, yellow

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-62642088143297131842010-09-20T07:49:00.003-05:002010-09-20T07:49:00.128-05:00

And speak up, women. If you're saying it's okay, how is he to know? You'd think it would be a no-brainer but when someone is told "no big deal," often enough, he starts to believe it. Be as generous to yourself as you want him to be. This postcard is courtesy of PostSecret.

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-16794723451493673632010-09-17T07:55:00.006-05:002010-09-17T08:08:34.886-05:00

(With no stated obligation to complete the remaining meme-parts).1. Are you happier now than you were five months ago?Yes.2. Have you ever slept in the same bed with anyone that you shouldn't have?I try to eliminate shoulds from my vocabulary. Rather, wish I hadn't.3. Can you sleep in total darkness?My best sleep, yes.4. Your phone is ringing. It’s the person you fell hardest for, the one who

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-31260257881381017192010-09-13T12:23:00.009-05:002010-09-13T13:11:34.655-05:00

You know when you have been watching an ebatty item for several days and you wait until the last few seconds to bid, I believe this is called sniping, and then you see that you are currently the winner with barely 3 seconds left? Your heart is all pounding and you feel all triumphant because the item you won at $54 is actually worth $179? And you have $20 left in the bid kitty? You know that

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-81798742625713177592010-09-11T13:56:00.007-05:002010-09-11T14:34:40.016-05:00

And the winner of the Who's Kissing Governor Ahnold Contest is ..... Agent X Rae! Come on down! Woot! I feel something akin to ambivalence here. And misplaced guilt. With the need to defend myself so I can eliminate the guilt. And suspicions. Let me explian. This is my first blog giveaway. My first experience choosing a random number via an online tool. Agent X happened to be number

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-88653926731657857772010-09-03T09:57:00.006-05:002010-09-03T10:37:47.684-05:00

I've had my mind set on participating in Friday Fill-Ins for quite some time. Just because they look like fun. But typical, something bad memory always got in the way. But today? Here I am. So without further ado, introducing my first Friday Fill-Ins:1. Family outings make my weekend.2. I'm considering entertaining this weekend but I keep going back and forth.3. I love a novel that I can't

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-53162995764623829992010-09-01T19:15:00.012-05:002010-09-01T20:18:18.087-05:00

I found what is apparently Governor Ahnold's secret revenue generating strategy in my spam box: I like such themes and everything connected to this matter. Can't you just hear Ah-nold and his ach-cent? And ever-ting connected to dis mah-ter. And dis ting and de udder and ever-ting like dat.I wish he were turning his Terminator charms onto the true spamminators. Making him the Sperminator.

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-78234621549825281942010-08-24T22:00:00.006-05:002010-08-29T15:06:53.204-05:00

Gather up, cowgirls and cowpokes.You don't want to miss this.The latest in a long line of Texas' finestguv-mint 'fishals spoutin' off at the mouth. Without further ado, I inner-duce you to one of Texas' State Representatives, Debbie Riddle, Republican from Tomball, Texas.Don't know whar Tomball is? Why it's just east 'o Waller, down the road a middlin' from Stagecoach. Whut? Don't know whar

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-37498933001134984252010-08-22T12:59:00.013-05:002010-08-22T14:44:35.291-05:00

Here is one example of how the Democrats prioritize we the people: As of today, thanks to the Credit Card Act, gift cards must be good for a minimum of five years.And thanks to President Obama for signing it. He promised change and in my book this is change worthy of a toast.You can read more about how the law effects credit cards and fees, here and here.I don't think I've ever had a gift

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-71732582146572864812010-08-21T10:22:00.011-05:002010-08-21T11:58:14.917-05:00

Sssssh. My girls are still sleeping. Our plan for this morning, after much begging, whining, stomping, threatening, crying, doors slamming, and teeth knashing (ok, no teeth knashing, but only because I don't know what that means), which all took place yesterday between the hours of 11am and midnight, and most of which ill behavior was conducted by me, is to take them shopping for shoes. Shoes

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-85921818859723117792010-08-17T17:46:00.013-05:002010-08-17T20:46:25.643-05:00

In one particular backyard in Austin.One flower bed of parched and brown-leafed zinnias.One evaporated and moldy bird bath.Three forgotten and forlorn koozies.AKA huggies, if you are blonde and live in south Jersey. One empty and discarded beer can.Too hot to pick it up. Don't judge. It's that hot.And south Austin's official sign of a heat index of 110? One downed pink flamingo.Flamingo's have

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4511287927381998273.post-89745849590616590672010-08-10T13:03:00.001-05:002010-08-10T14:24:04.470-05:00

1. Check and double check the names on your plane tickets days or weeks before pre-boarding time, not 18 hours pre-boarding time, or at least check the names during the hours your travel agency is open. And by double check I mean get your husband or best friend to check, because if you have a different last name than your husband and kids, you may not notice that the travel agent listed your

shrink on the couchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13271891110211081990noreply@blogger.com22