Wordless Wednesday..Blunt Card & Retro Pic Funnies Edition

Musical Monday..Bin Laden's Dead Edition

It's the news we are all waking up to in the United States of America. U.S. Navy Seals had raided and in that raid, KILLED Osama Bin Laden.

Don't believe me (which took me a confirmation news post, too!), then read THIS HERE.

So, for Musical Monday, I have three choice song pieces to share..Maybe four. Here's the first one. Guys, remove your hats, please!



And yes, I stand up and say, "God Bless The USA!", along with Al Greenwood.



Here's a real tear-jerker from Allen Jackson about 9/11..."Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)"?



This is a historical day in our generation's history. A heartless and tyrannical killer has been infiltrated and justly (for us in America) killed. An "eye for an eye".

Here's a classic, but I'd love to re-write just one word to make it say, "Ding-dong, the Bastard's dead".

Tuesdays From The Terrarium

Today is Tuesday. So, it's time for another installment of "Tuesdays From The Terrarium". It's the day for Gobi, our family's Bearded Dragon, to shine, be seen and talked about.

It's what I call a "plog", or a post full of pictures of our beloved Gobi, with at times, a funny caption of what he may have said (if he could speak, of course). All in all, it's just a light-hearted look in to the world of reptilian ownership, love and companionship.

                                  ("What you lookin' at, bub?!?!")

                   (Gobi's now-cramped terrarium cage. He's growing fast!)

            (Gobi's taken a big liking to my nephew, who is still a bit timid about him. Mainly when he walks fast or jumps.)

                             (Snack time! Mealworms. YUMMY!!)

                                      ("Now you see me.")

                                   ("Let's play 'Find The Gobi.")

Next week, you will get to see Gobi's new digs (40 gal. terrarium tank), what kinds of foods he likes to munch on and whatever other things I can catch him doing on camera.

Gobi says have a great week!

Come Hop With Me on This Easter Weekend!

Hello, friends!! I hope your week has been a good one. It's the weekend, so you know what that means, don't you? It's time to link up with For The Love Of Blogs and have some fun with their blog carnival, Weekend Wander.



For The Love Of Blogs is a wonderful community. Everyone is supportive, kind, helpful and social.

Yesterday wasn't the best of days for me as far as Twitter goes. To find out what happened, READ THIS POST.

Now, after (or before) you decide to go read about the Twitter-twat-waffle, LINK UP with me and also be sure to go check out FTLOB and their Weekend Wander posts.

Monday Mingle...Twitter Thoughts

True, Tough Cookie Mommy has yet to place her MM post up, but I need to get in gear with my post, as to get on with my busy day that is staring me down.

If you want to participate in her Monday Mingle, click on the MM button below and check out her page and learn how to jump in and join in.



Twitter. I haz one.

My Twitter Account Page Link

As do many people all over the world. Some of us only follow a few people. Some of us follow over what should be obtained (seemingly) by the imagination. Just like on here at Blogger, I don't do a "follow back for a follow". I go with the flow and if I like ya, I follow. Sure, I do the Friday Follow stuff (#FF) on Twitter. But I don't follow everyone else that others post up on their #FF posts.

I think that Twitter can tell a lot about an individual. Their likes, their beliefs, a piece about their life and how they live it.

All in who they follow on their page.

Take for instance, I follow a number of Science pages. And being I have a Bearded Dragon, well, I follow many other owners/breeders/enthusiasts of Beardies also.

Then add in the fact that I love the ABC Daytime Soap Opera, "One Life To Live", which the Exec of ABC, Brian Frons underhandedly canceled and said will last air in January of 2012. So I follow many of the people that are a part of the cast, or are fellow fans of the show.

Also, being that I am a Corneal Transplant Recipient, I follow some of the Donate Life pages, and other pages that promote and educate about Organ/Eye/Tissue Donation.

I'm a Paranormal enthusiast by night after being a wife and mom by day, so I enjoy shows like Ghost Hunters and follow a few of them from TAPS. Plus some other people that are in to the paranormal as well.

All in all, I'm a pretty well-rounded individual with many interests, tastes and experiences of various sorts. As you can probably tell with my "Following" list. And if you stop by to check me out on Twitter, then also be sure to look in to who I am following as well.

What does YOUR Twitter page say about you? That is, if you have one.

Sunday is...

..Comment Love Day!!




The main rule is that you MUST leave a GENUINE comment on posts. None of that copy/paste schpeel or "I'm a new follower, follow me back!" crap. REAL comments.

I'm participating through For The Love Of Blogs and this is how it goes, per THEIR rules of playing along...

Link up below and then leave a comment.

After commenting, please visit the blog who commented before you and leave them some comment love. Remember, no cut and paste!

Then visit 2-3 other blogs from the hop and make some new friends!

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday..Funny Edition

Come Hop With Me!!

I'm feeling a little froggy this morning! This is the Weekend Wander post where we can hop on over to the Weekend Wander, hosted by For The Love Of Blogs. Just click on their button below, and you will go directly to jail their blog.



But before you do that, be sure to link up HERE with me. Just be sure to follow the directions that I have set forth in regards to posting your link here with me.

Have a fantabulous weekend...And if all goes well, I may do ANOTHER hop midweek. And MAYBE with NO RULES attached (except for the "follow me" thing, seeing as it IS aggravating AND in all honesty rude, and even shows you do NOT care to read other's pages).

Fab Friends Will Understand When I Say "FAWK YOU".

Yes, indeedy. I am once again jumping on two wagons at one time. Who knew I could do the splits? This week, I am joining in with Angel and Boobies in "FAWK YOU FRIDAY", and also joining Vic and For The Love Of Blogs in Fab Friends Friday.

For one, we ALL need FRIENDS that we can bitch and whine to here and there. And of course lend a reciprocating ear.

Also there are times that you just want to tell someone or something happening within your world.. FAWK YOU!

Want to join in the fun, then join in with us!





1. FAWK YOU!!..To the dreaded tummy bug. Your ass hasn't been to my home ALL Winter long. Now you wait until TODAY to smack my son with yourself? And on a Friday for one. And on a BEAUTIFUL and very Spring-like day where I could have gone for a walk and volunteered for once, seeing as I have missed almost a month.

2. FAWK YOU!!.. School system. You have screwed my kid over for long enough. Now I'm bringing out the big guns. Disability Rights Advocates. Told ya I'm not one to trifle with.

3. FAWK YOU!... To a certain family member who thinks that people will just drop what they are doing as to do something for them at the very last second. It's called work around your schedule better. Last time I checked you were an adult.

4. FAWK YOU!.. To debilitating disorders. You really played with my kid last Thursday. He didn't know if he was coming or going because of his extremely risen anxiety level and not knowing how to "act accordingly" (when to cry, mainly) during the experience of attending his first funeral.

5. FAWK YOU!! To family and/or friends alike who decide to "shy away" from my kid who is different. If only you really TOOK TIME to "know" your cousin or nephew. Yes, he is jittery and talks fast. Or stumbles on words and sentences. Or hugs himself constantly. But damn.. He IS still a human being who needs ALL the family SUPPORT that he can get. And above all, UNDERSTANDING.

6. FAWK YOU!..To myself for not writing this over on The "Mental-ist" Mom now that I realize the patter of this post. LMAO!

I *HAD* A 'Fab Friend' a few Friday's Ago

It's that time again over at For The Love Of Blogs for Fab Friends Friday.



While I relish in participating normally, I had contemplated for most of this week as to whether I should even write this post or not, seeing as so much in my family's life is going on. But here it goes..

There's a friend of mine from a good while back that has seemed to have distanced themselves from me and a few of our mutual friends. We met about three years ago via an internet website. From there, we were practically inseparable, going and joining other sites together as we found them and figured the other would enjoy being there as well.

But in the recent weeks of past, if not about a month or even longer, seeing as I'm really not keeping count this person has strayed and basically "dropped" our friendship off on the wayside.

Yes, both of us have a lot going on. But I have tried to get "something" from the person to acknowledge that I indeed exist in their world. We both are on FaceBook together. But alas, my words fell on "deaf eyes".

I'd noticed the change after this person started writing in their blog of things that NORMALLY, I'd never see from this person, seeing as in all honesty, was very highly out of context for the blog's "theme of writing" that I had come to know and even respect.

But now, this person does nothing but writing prompts and blog carnivals at least 95% of the time. No longer do I see REAL substance in the writing. So I had decided after somethings that were written of a "personal" nature and more than my eye's fair share of writing prompts, to un-follow their blog.

And then I finally stopped following the person on Twitter as well, thanks to never being "spoken" to anymore over there in any way, shape or form. Between both places, this "friend" has yet to even acknowledge that I am no longer on either of their lists as a follower. Or realized we are no longer even "speaking" with one another.

This past week has apparently been REALLY hard on both of us. But unlike them, I made it no "secret" as to what has happened within my family. Not on here, Twitter or FaceBook.

The ONE person that I thought that I could count on, the one I was SURE would be there for me, my husband and our children was nowhere. Not to say sorry to my kids for their loss or to my husband who lost his beloved grandfather.

Yes, I did write something on their wall. But to no avail. And because I didn't know until after the fact of what they are going through, what I had written in some ways I wish I didn't. But then again...

Needless to say, even that post I made on their wall went unnoticed and/or just ignored of acknowledgment.

This person KNOWS I don't do the "one-sided, one-way-street, all give-and-no get" type of friendship.

This person talks with a certain other friend on all these sites ALL of the time. Acknowledging their posts on their page, and converses on their own page when said friend posts there.

If that's how it's going to be, then I think that this person just needs to tell me that our friendship is over. Because obviously I'm not running with the right "clique" or the "cool crowd" of bloggers. Or on Twitter for that matter.

I'm honestly DONE trying.

TGIF!! It's "Fab Friends Friday" with For The Love Of Blogs.

YAY!! Friday is back. Thank goodness. It only took Friday six days to come back around.

If you haven't done so yet, stop on by For The Love Of Blogs and check them out. It is a WONDERFUL community of bloggers. Vic, Ashley and the crew are awesome peeps to get to know. And the community is VERY organized.

Click on the Fab Friends Friday button below, and see what I'm talking about. And feel free to become a member of FTLOB and join in the Fab Friends Friday Hop.



To read my latest blog entry titled, "Blogging vs. "Too Personal" Writing (Also known As "When To Keep It To Yourself")" click on said title and it will take you right to it.

Also over on Twitter, For The Love Of Blogs is hosting their first-ever Twitter Party! Everyone is invited to join in the Twitter-ific fun. The party begins at 12 PM, EST on March 5th.

Use the hashtag #FTLOBPARTY when answering or asking questions to make it easier for @taylordates, @scenicglory or @ashley_plus3 to keep up.

Have a great Friday, everyone! And here is to hoping that you will be hopping with FTLOB too.

Monday Mingling w/Tough Cookie Mommy

Yeah, I thought I would try this Blog Hop out. My Bloggy pal, Tough Cookie Mommy is the glitterific chica that came up with the idea. If you want to check out her blog, TOUGH COOKIE MOMMY, click on the name there in highlight and it will take you right to her.

Below is her direct linkup button for Monday Mingle. You can get to her page through it as well.



For my new followers, I guess I'll do a bit of info about me and mine.

1) I'm an "old lady" (as in married around these parts of the South).

2) I've got three chitlins (that's kids around these parts, mind you).

3) I'm constantly driven crazy by my four...erm..I mean, three kids (being my husband can be just as big a kid as the real ones) as a Stay At Home Mama (Mom or Mommy to everyone else around the country).

4) Chocolate (of pretty much all kinds but German (blech!)) and I have had an ongoing love affair for YEARS. And yes, my hubby is a-okay with it. BONUS!

5) Where my kiddos go to school, I volunteer at least one day a week. More as needed, depending on upcoming activities and planning schedules.

6) You would never think that I was REALLY born and raised in the San Fransisco's East Bay Area of California, seeing as I have more of a Southern nature (and twang in the voice) since I have now lived here for over twelve years.

7) I also Tweet on Twitter, Face up on FaceBook and Pog on Pogo.

8) We have three cats and a (new) Bearded Dragon Lizard. Hopefully soon, we can also add back the almost 40-gallon tank of fish. Between them and the kids (and the hubby) it truly is a ZOO around here!

Now, go have a hoppin' good time over at Cookie's page and LINK UP! I may just do this again next Monday. But with something more than just stupid tidbits about yours truly.

Have a wonderful week, my fellow Bloggers and readers alike!

Double Dipping Again.. Pouring My Heart & Cleaning Out The Closet

I'm extremely choosy of what blog carnivals/Blog Hops/Memes I choose to participate in. And honestly, I only participate in a couple. Here they are...

For The Love Of Blogs'




and Shell's



**Before we proceed further... Let it be known upfront that with BOTH of these blog hop's rules, NO NEGATIVITY is allowed in the comments of the post. So go by the cardinal rule. "If you can't say something nice, don't say nothing at all". Leave it at the door and post negativity on YOUR OWN posts/blogs.**

I love my family. I really do. I love being a wife and a mother. I love to volunteer at the school that my children attend. I love watching movies as a family. And doing things as a family.

But a fellow Blogger (Tough Cookie Mommy) and her post REALLY got me thinking.. When is it MY turn for ME? She is going through the same "crisis".

I'd grown up as an only child. After my medical catastrophe at birth, my mom didn't want to chance having another baby "like me". After my mom died my paternal grandmother moved herself in against my dad's wishes and "parented" me. That's where my life of "privacy" waned and went to the wind.

Ever since then, be it under my father's roof, living with roommates or with my former or current husbands and our children, I have never really gotten the chance to do for ME. All my decisions and what I do are intricately centered (rimarily) around the kids and my husband.

I can't shower (most of the time) without at least one person busting in to use the bathroom. Using the toilet even can be a non-singular chore.

Television? I have to try and watch my ABC Soaps in the afternoon (nothing is really appealing to me in the morning hours) before my kids are home. Then no more TV for me until 9:00 at night if I'm lucky and/or not too tired.

Naps...Can't take them in the middle of the day. It's "unnatural" to me. I take them in the evening, after dinner, if I feel that I need one. My husband sleeps for a while after coming home from work in the afternoon. When he sleeps (past when the kids get home from school) NO ONE disturbs him for anything. IF I take one, then all three kids (most times) come in one after another to ask me something...HELLO! You DO have a dad to ask to. Ya know?

There are days that I honestly ask myself the age-old question of many mothers/wives, especially of those of us (like myself) thanks to Reba McEntire, "Is There Life Out There"?

I KNOW I am *more* than JUST a "wife". I am *more* than just a "mother". I am STILL a person. A human being. One who STILL likes to have ME time to figure MYSELF out. Be it during a nap. Or during an uninterrupted shower. Or even having the ability to say MY turn for what I wish to watch on the Television or on DVD.

It's bad enough that my husband and I NEVER, EVER (or shall we say quite rarely do we) get an entire evening alone. Be it to go out or just hang out quietly at home. It's worse to know that you are ONLY being seen as a "wife" or as a "mom".

Would you care to be a *FEATURED* Blogger?

I'd love to have a new little "getting to know you" adventure. How would you like to be a feature guest? Gain a little exposure, and get possibly some new followers as well.

Thanks to Vic, who runs a WONDERFUL blogging community, For The Love Of Blogs, I've thought about doing this for some time, but just never got the "balls" to try it out. But now, why the heck not?

So, if you feel like this may be of interest, feel free to leave me a comment and I will get back to you. I'd like to model it after FTLOB and Vic's way of running it. From there, I will contact you via your private email address with the instructions and my return email addy, as to send me the finished product.

Basically, you will write a blog post about yourself, your life, and your blog. And it would be great to have some pictures included, and of course a link to your blog, as to let the readers find your direct page.

Each weekend, the featured blogger will change over. Each Sunday, a new Blogger will have the page to themselves.

**Entries must be in no later than the next Saturday.**

*VIEW OUR FIRST EVER FEATURED BLOGGER HERE*

*FEATURED* Blogger of the Week (Week 1)

"Featured" Blogger; for a newbie that stirs-up little chills that scoot up, and down, the spine. Suddenly, after sharing your thoughts, experiences, recipes and more, people take notice of you and little doors pop open with smiling faces on the other side. It's very exciting!

My door is wide open in return; you are so very welcome to come inside for a visit. By the way, my name is Patty.

Coffee is ready, served in one of my favorite Robinson Ransbottom mugs and, right over there, on a table, is the rough draft of a book I'm writing called "Another cookie, please!"

What's the book about?

This collection of memories is a bittersweet journey through my late mother's difficult life and later battle with dementia. Ironically, I became the caregiver for that parent who, for years, turned her back on the abuse of her only child. Somehow, I've grown to become an old married lady of 40 years, mother of 3, grandmother of 4 and a fairly productive woman. Then, a few months ago, I entered the world of blogging.

My humble creation can be found here.

http://anothercookieplease.blogspot.com/

What do I do?

Well, as a licensed hairstylist, I have the privilege of being a support specialist to women suffering from cancer, helping them maintain a positive outlook and appearance as they go through treatment and look ahead to recovery. My nickname "Slidecutter" pertains to a style of hair cutting/texturing done with shears specific to that procedure. Just thought that needed explaining..



Where am I from?

Upstate New Yawk...New York for anyone else. We have our own little accent here, in The Empire State and it's true about that "New York minute"; everything we do is at warp speed and 24 hours in a day is never enough!



Why do I blog?

Through the eventual publishing of my little book, and blogging, my hope is to reach out to other caregivers who might be struggling, who are angry and overwhelmed with the consuming task of caring for a loved one afflicted by dementia, other illness or disorder. I don't pretend to be an expert and I'm very candid, even sarcastic, in my opinions at times, especially now that I've gotten past the fear of being judged as I share several personal experiences in my postings; things like dealing with my own ADD, and my son's ADHD. For years, I've managed to deal with the ups & downs of this disorder, focusing on the creative things I love doing most while always fighting that battle to stay organized in other areas.

As I read over blogs from so many kindred spirits, I've been learning to step beyond my own sadness while finding there are so many positive things I can share with others. There is such a wonderful menu of creativity and meaningful posts to choose from; each day brings a refreshing new delight.

You're invited to visit me at http://anothercookieplease.blogspot.com/ , leave a comment and follow if you really would like to do so; if not, thanks so much for stopping here today!

**Message from Missy.. If you wish to be the next "*FEATURED* Blogger of the Week", then please be sure to go and read up on how I'm doing it, and where I obtained the inspiration to do my own Blogger's Feature by CLICKING HERE. Each Sunday, a new Blogger will have the page to themselves (minus this message to coincide lol). Entries must be in no later than the next Saturday.**

TGIF!! Join me & my FAB FRIENDS.

As a child, I had to struggle with being "different". Never mind the buck teeth or the (boy like) short hair cut (thanks MOM!). My kind of "different" was well..different.

My outward, physical appearance made me "look" different. I was at the time (legally) deemed handicapped, due to the nature of the medical problems I had as a kid, and the fact that I had to carry specialized medical equipment with me for emergency basis.

What was my "difference"? I had a tracheostomy from the time of my birth, up until almost the age of thirteen. It looked like the following graphic (or at least pretty close to this one)..

Now I'm sure as you can tell, with the way elementary school children CAN be, that I wasn't the most "popular" kid on the playground. I took it all in stride. But what friends I did in fact have, they were REAL as well as TRUE friends.

They looked beyond the trache and had seen just another kid. Just another girl. Just another tom-boy. I liked to do many of the same things as they did. Imaginative play. Riding bikes. Coloring, swinging, and all the other cool, crazy, fun things that all the other kids liked to do.

While I have ALWAYS valued my childhood friends and their friendships, one always has, and most certainly always will stand out in my mind.

Danielle. Though we all called her "Dolly". She and I were like peas and carrots (thanks "Forest Gump"!). Pretty much, we were inseparable. We did EVERYTHING together. At home, at school.

But she too was "disabled". But unlike me, her disability was hidden. Dolly had a Congenital Heart Defect, and a hole in her heart at birth, that they did patch. But in later years, her heart began to go in to Congestive Heart Failure. We were about six and seven years old at the time.

Eventually, Dolly had to be placed on the National Transplant List. And like now, of course, children's organs, especially hearts and lungs were hard to come by. But finally, her waiting was over and she was able to receive a new heart.

The transplant its self was a success. And yes, I knew, even at the tender age of six, that my BFF was really sick and had to get a new heart. My parents didn't hide it from me.

But, within a few hours of the transplant, her heart was starting to be rejected by her body. And the doctors did EVERYTHING in their power to get her heart to settle and stabilize, even going as far as getting her right back on the list.

Sadly within the first twenty-four hours post-op, Dolly's body couldn't take anymore of the beating that the rejection was placing on her and her heart. She died at the tender and innocent age of seven years old.

For three years, we were like peas and carrots. Side by side. But this is one thing I could not do with her. I couldn't walk her to the Gates. When my mom told me she passed, at first I didn't believe it. I ran out of the house, next door to Dolly's house. As soon as I walked in and had seen all the sad faces and the crying, I knew then that really my friend was gone.

To this day, I still think of her from time to time, and the friendship we had shared. And all the crazy things we would do. And tucked away, up in a box within my attic, I have the last picture that we had taken together, not too long before her death.

So, take my advice...VALUE your friends and your friendships every single day. Don't take for granted what there is in your life. Because one day, they could suddenly be snatched from your life. You never, EVER know what life is going to throw at you or at them at any given moment.

Now, first of all, add your link to my Linky Tool down below and share your blogs with us. And then, head on over to meet some more of my Fab Friends over at For The Love Of Blogs by clicking on the "Fab Friends Friday" button.

Come click, comment, and link up!

Good Sunday to everyone! I'm participating in For The Love Of Blog's "Comment Love Day", where you go and click on other blogs and leave GENUINE comments. Not just copy/pastes of "Nice blog." or "I'm following you, please follow me back.". It is a chance to REALLY know the writers and get a good chance to REALLY read what is on their mind or important to them.



But before you go over there, be sure to also leave your link here as well. And feel free to also check out the links to my other two blogs.

If you wish to be a *FEATURED* Blogger, CLICK HERE.

If you want to see my (former) *haunted* home, where I grew up, CLICK HERE.

If you wish to see about the new group and chat area for parents of Special Needs children, CLICK HERE.

Would you like to be a *FEATURED* Blogger?

I'd love to have a new little "getting to know you" adventure. How would you like to be a feature guest? Gain a little exposure, and get possibly some new followers as well.

Thanks to Vic, who runs a WONDERFUL blogging community, For The Love Of Blogs, I've thought about doing this for some time, but just never got the "balls" to try it out. But now, why the heck not?

So, if you feel like this may be of interest, feel free to leave me a comment and I will get back to you. I'd like to model it after FTLOB and Vic's way of running it. From there, I will contact you via your private email address with the instructions and my return email addy, as to send me the finished product.

Basically, you will write a blog post about yourself, your life, and your blog. And it would be great to have some pictures included, and of course a link to your blog, as to let the readers find your direct page.

Each weekend, the featured blogger will change over.

Magical Monday With 'For The Love Of Blogs'

It's yet again another beautiful Monday here in bloggy land. Not so much around where I live. It's cloudy and cold. And it looks like more of the white stuff is in my future. No! Not THAT white stuff. Flakes on the ground, not in my hair, silly.

I highly suggest that if you have yet to do so, to join a wonderful, friendly, and well organized blogging community. It's For The Love Of Blogs. Best thing (besides getting your blog out there)? You do *not* have to be a blogger yourself to join. It's also meant to be a wonderful tool for readers to find new blogs to read that are of their interests.

Stop on by today, and tell them that Proudmom (Missy) sent you over. No, I won't get a prize, but I'm sure that they love hearing where others and newbies are coming over from as to scope them out. Just click on the blog button (below) to hop on over to their site.

BUT!! Before you do, if you have a blog or two (or more) that you wish to promote, feel free to also do so here in my linky tool area (also below, at the very bottom of the post).

Have a great Monday, everyone!

Get A-Hoppin'! It's Magical Monday. (blog hop)

Hello and Happy Monday. I've got a lot going on around here so I'm not really writing much. But as soon as the "storm" passes, all will be well again.

But I had to at least get up the Magical Monday post for the blog hop from For The Love Of Blogs. The link to their hop is down below in their Magical Monday Button.

Before jet setting over there, feel free to also link up your blog here as well on the linky tool provided at the bottom of the post.

Happy Monday to all, and to all a good week!