Words of Whimsy

ELVIS LIVES!

2010-12-02T21:34:00.000-08:00

Here's Nick in a ROCK AND ROLL CHRISTMAS CAROL ..... Merry Christmas!

2010-06-16T16:05:00.000-07:00

Need I say more?

and again -- singing

2010-06-04T15:28:00.000-07:00

Here they are again!

A band in the family....

2010-06-04T14:44:00.000-07:00

Here they are in all their glory! John's excited that he's finally getting his own band -- and he doesn't even need to pay them! Home-grown music at it's finest.

Graduation

2010-06-04T14:34:00.000-07:00

It seems like yesterday that she tugged at my hand from way below and whispered "Mama you're my best friend...." What an exciting journey we've had and I wouldn't change any minute of it for the world!!

2010-05-27T17:50:00.001-07:00

Track and Field Day!

2010-05-11T16:24:00.000-07:00

And from Anna.... the last time she'll perform on the high school stage!!! It was a musical called "The Great Ghost Chase" and she was Madame Mysteria -- a crazy, eccentric mystic!

2010-05-11T15:58:00.000-07:00

Nothing like a homemade mother's day gift. . . .

Oh and excuse the dog clicking and his little sister screaming in the background!!

My Review of Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Standard AutoFocus Lens - USA

2008-09-13T18:55:00.001-07:00

Proud Mama

2008-04-06T18:38:00.000-07:00

I've gotta tell you, my kids are the bomb!! It's incredible to see your children explore their talents, create, succeed, grow. It is truly one of the most rewarding things in this world to see them actually utilize their skills and talents! So many people forget about their talents -- they find them useless, they pack them up in a suitcase, store them in the back of their minds, and simply never see them again. What a waste! If you have a talent, it's for a purpose. Whether your talent is in medicine, in education, in entertainment -- everything has a reason and has a place in this world. One's skill and talent in chemistry is no more important that another's talent for writing or music. Just different. Embrace your talents and you'll find the secret to enduring and enjoying life.

Here' a video of my son -- starring in Willy Wonka a couple of months ago (as Willy Wonka). He's my comedian of the family, the one who repeats Saturday Night Live skits and entertains us every other night with some new song. All three kids are just a complete joy. . . more to come on the others at a later date. While they all shine, this one's for him -- I'm proud of you buddy!!! You made me cry, laugh, smile, and beam with pride -- I play these videos all the time for friends!! You really rocked the stage, you always do. You're incredibly confident and sure of yourself -- don't ever doubt your talent and your road in life, no matter what your direction! Remember what John says: "Have faith, and faith will follow!"

Every Woman Needs a Red Pair of Shoes . . .

2007-10-03T07:25:00.000-07:00

NOT just any red pair -- but a slick, patent leather, shiny red, open-toed, slingback pump with 4 1/2" heels. Yes, that was my "she's-pms'ing-very-upset-and-mad-at-the-world" shoe that I purchased on Monday.

The story goes like this:
I was a little more than stressed out (you know, same old issues -- money, work, children, teenagers, men, diets, etc, etc.) And I was a little more than sad (three days before my period, I'll cry if the gas station doesn't have the right sugar for my coffee). So Monday I left early from work and headed to TJ Max to get some Egyptian cotton sheets (thinking sleeping on silky, expensive sheets would inspire me to be happy).

I cruised through the aisles, shopping peacefully, and then I saw them. On an end cap. Shiny. Red. Well-built. Sexy. I was in love. With Jessica Simpson, patent leather, red high heels. I picked them up and held them. I passed. Then I came back, tried them on. Then passed again (too expensive -- although really not too bad; too high -- although really quite comfy; nothing to wear them with -- although who really cares; I'm too old -- although they make me feel young).

On my next pass through, I grabbed them and shoved them in my cart right next to the barbie doll, the sheets, and the tablecloth. It was a thrill, I tell you! A total rush of adrenaline! I had to call my best friend, Elle, to tell her about my purchase. I laughed as I left her a message I'm sure her teen-age daughter got a kick out of: "Hey. I'm standing in TJ Max and you know what I have in my cart?! A pair of red patent leather shoes with a 4 1/2" heel, Jessica Simpson brand......." My sentence trailed off into an exuberant giggle.

Amazing how a pair of way-too-high heels can change your mood. My entire drive home, I was thrilled that I had this little stash of happiness hiding in the back of the car. Before I got home, I told everyone I saw (my sister-in-law, my belly dancing teacher, the mother of one of my children's friends) about my red too-high heels. Everyone wants to know what I'll wear them with. Shoot. Does it really matter? I HAVE 4 1/2" HEELS IN RED PATENT LEATHER WITH A SLING BACK AND SLIGHT OPEN TOE WITH JESSICA SIMPSON'S AUTOGRAPH ON THE SOLE!

When I returned home that evening, I put them on (my first chance to wear them). I could hardly stand, let alone walk. I came around the corner and I'll never forget the look on John's face. He wasn't sure whether to smile, laugh, or run away. I was rolling with laughter - the first time in three days. He said, "Oh-Oh. Now I'm in trouble." So I sat on my living room chair, hanging my legs over the arms of it, twirling my feet around and staring at my red shoes. All my worries, my sadness, my panic attacks, my stress, rolled down my body and shot out of the 4 1/2" heels.

I sat there for a long time, my four-year old poking at the shoes and trying to figure out how she could get them off my feet. She said I had Dorothy shoes and I clicked my heels together and said, "There's no place like TJ Max." She giggled and I told her I'd get her a pair of red shoes too (but sparkly ones with no heels). She was content with that and stopped trying to pry the shoes off my feet.

My shoes sit next to my bed. Waiting for me when I get home. I'll put them on and just stare at them. Strange, I know. But somehow 4 1/2" spikes give you strength, power and a good laugh. Mostly, when I tell people about my shiny shoes, they say "what?" like they don't understand. And when they ask the questions (where? with what outfit?) I tell them: "I will wear my red way-too-high heels in my living room, sitting on my couch, in my sweatpants. Sometimes with a good magazine, and sometimes just twirling my feet off the edge."

Some people drink when they're upset, some smoke, some sleep. . . I buy gorgeous, shiny, sexy, red, patent leather, open-toed, sling-back shoes with 4 1/2" heels that I'll probably never wear outside of the house (but I will pack them in a bag occasionally and bring them along so I can show people). It feels way better than a beer and lasts a lot longer. (Try it!)

Added later: To feel powerful and strong in way-too-high shiny red patent leather Jessica Simpson opentoe slingback pumps (that's a mouthful!) go to my squidoo page: http://www.squidoo.com/bakedbeans/ and scroll all the way down to see them in my pretend shopping section. Give them a vote. They deserve it!

Lady in the Blue Dress

2007-09-16T22:19:00.001-07:00

LADYINBLUESMALL, originally uploaded by missty_333.

Finally, I was able to clean my office yesterday. So I grabbed some paintbrushes and was able to have a few moments of painting this afternoon!

She has a wonderful story. And the photo does no justice (it's much softer with a vintage, romantic look in person.) But, I'll save her story for another day when the clock decides to move a little slower for me. Enjoy!

Ty