What Every Man Wants in Bed

Yes, I know my hubby would go for this! In fact, he's the one that sent this to me. I had asked him to help me out and give me some hints for what he would like for Christmas. He is just the hardest person to buy for! Usually, if he sees something he wants he just goes and gets it and says afterward, "I've been wanting one of these." I have to remind him that it would be nice if he let someone else get it for him. He would feel good and they would feel good. I'll keep looking...

Early Kodachrome Images

If you're a photography buff, please check this out.

It's pre-WWII pictures that trace history all over America.

We have all had our worries, and trials, and fits of hope in spite of it all. But nothing like what our parents and grandparents experienced.

The world has come so far, good or bad, mostly good.

But we're so busy now, in such a hurry.

Christmas time especially is a manic race to buy so much, have so much, and get so much.

I took my mother to the mall last week for a little shopping. She was outraged at the prices of things and at the sheer volume of junk for sale.

Made me think of what Christmas must have been like in her youth. Not much under the tree I think. Simple things, but things that still made them happy.

This year, less junk. More love.

Tagged!

I've been tagged by Heather! I'm always up for a game as well and what a great way to learn a bit about other people in the bloggy world!

Although...when I read the "rules" I realized (and worried) that I'm not real savvy on links. But as with all things that I don't know, I had to go figure it out in the help pages!

I love learning new things, not that it's always a happy venture (this one was). When I do finally catch a clue I feel like I've accomplished something.

So let's see, seven random or weird facts about me....

• I was a blackjack dealer for 7 years in my early 20's.


• I have been in several local television commercials.


• I do voicework for radio and television commercials.


• I started blogging as a self-help tool. :)


• I have three wonderful children.


• I am married to an awesome man that was a hit-maker on radio in the 70's.


• I am an optimist. My glass IS half full!
  

So here are the rules for the next taggees:

1. Link the person who tagged you.


2. Post the rules on your blog.


3. Share seven random or weird facts about yourself.


4. Tag seven other people and include links to their tags - meryl, janice, jennifer, Meili Lo, Kimberly, Jen, and Simply Heather.


5. Let each of the other people know by commenting on their blogs
   

I haven't been blogging for all that long, so if I happen to tag someone who has been tagged before or too recently...'scuse please!

Thank you Heather for giving me an opportunity to learn!!!

Christmas Recipe Exchange

1. Janice Janice_Mathis@comcast.net
2. Lisa shabbygirl@cox.net

You've been invited to be a part of a recipe exchange. Please send a recipe to the person whose name is listed in the number 1 position above (even if you don't know them). It should preferably be something quick, easy and without rare ingredients. Actually, the best one is one you know in your head and can type out and send right now.

Then, copy this letter into a new e-mail, move my name to the #1 position and put your name in the #2 position. Only my name and your name should show when you send your e-mail. Send to 20 friends.

If you cannot do this within 5 days, let me know so it will be fair to those participating. You should receive 36 recipes. It's fun to see where they come from. Seldom does anyone drop out because we can all use new recipes. The turnaround is fast because there are only 2 names on the list.

Circle of Life

I am so fortunate to work at home. My office has a window right next to my computer that looks out to the mountain in the backround and directly outside looks to where I feed the birds and bunnies.

As I was pondering what I was going to write for Pictures, Poetry, & Prose this morning, a large Cooper's Hawk landed beneath the red tip bushes.

That area is always teaming with all sorts of birds. I feed them because watching them makes me happy. Must come from all those Disney movies back in the day, right? Remember all those happy, chirpy birds?

The little birds, ever watchful, saw him coming and filled the red tip bushes. I watched the hawk walk around looking up into the bushes, seeing the birds and trying to figure out how to nab one. He was also aware of me looking out the window. I realized I was holding my breath, being as still as those birds in the bushes. Was all I could do to keep from waving my hands or making enough noise to scare the hawk off.

He turned to look at me just before taking off into the air to circle and tip the top of the bush just enough to shake several birds out of it. They were just fast enough this morning to not become his breakfast.

What I've learned since moving to the desert is that this can be a tough place for wildlife to survive. Maybe because there are wide open spaces here and opportunities to see the cycle and circle of life, I have come to respect that I don't decide who gets to eat and who doesn't. But I was quite happy when the hawk flew off to find breakfast somewhere else.

What can I say? What can you say?

Tequila Christmas Cake
Ingredients:
1 stick butter
1 cup of water
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup of sugar
1 tsp salt
1 cup of brown sugar
Lemon juice
4 large eggs
Nuts
1 bottle tequila
2 cups of dried fruit
Sample the tequila to check quality. Take a large bowl, check the tequila again. To be sure it is of the highest quality, pour one level cup and drink. Repeat. Turn on the electric mixer. Beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl. Add one teaspoon of sugar. Beat again. At this point it's best to make sure the tequila is still OK. Try another cup... just in case. Turn off the mixerer thingy. Break 2 eggs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit.
Pick the frigging fruit up off floor. Mix on the turner. If the fried druit gets stuck in the beaterers just pry it loose with a drewscriver.
Sample the tequila to check for tonsisticity. Next, sift two cups of salt. Or something. Check the tequila. Now shift the lemon juice and strain your nuts. Add one table. Add a spoon of sugar, or somefink. Whatever you can find. Greash the oven. Turn the cake tin 360 degrees and try not to fall over. Don't forget to beat off the turner. Finally, throw the bowl through the window. Finish the tequila and wipe counter with the cat.
BINGLE JELLS!

The Gift

This is an email that is going around. I just love it. I love being older and the freedom that comes with that.


Old Age, I decided, is a gift

I am now, probably for the first time in my life, the person I have always wanted to be. Oh, not my body! I sometimes despair over my body, the wrinkles, the baggy eyes, and the sagging butt. And often I am taken aback by that old person that lives in my mirror (who looks like my mother!) , but I don't agonize over those things for long.

I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become more kind to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend.

I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant.

I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.

Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon?

I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60 & 70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a los t love .. . I will.

I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set.
They, too, will get old.

I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things.

Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.

I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.

As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think.. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong.

So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I
am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day. (If I feel like it)