Last SPF of 2006

It appears Kristine has abdicated the SPF assignments and Shaun is taking the helm and wielding the power at Random and Odd. So, here is his last SPF assignment of 2006!!!!

The simple assignment (or not so simple) is:
1. Something that you won’t have in your home in 2007
2. Something random and odd
3. 07…..pick seven of something. Or with the number 7. Whatever. Be creative.

Ok, this one won't be too terribly clever. It is pretty obvious.

It is my 2006 Lord of the Rings day-to-day calendar. I couldn't find another one, so I have a Star Trek version for 2007.

Ok, something random and odd.

These are the race cars in the pond in front of Texas Motor Speedway. You have the truck series, Indy car and Nascar. My kids love seeing these whenever we drive to Fort Worth. Looked like the truck came off its perch a bit and was in the water a little too much on one side like it had gone muddin' and got stuck.

And, lastly, seven of something.

If you count carefully, you'll see seven stuffed animal fishes in this picture. The kids were having a ball at Cabela's and begging for a stuffed fish. Uh, no, kids. Let's go pretend to shoot something, instead *see post below.*

So, didja play? Didja?

He's a dead-eye

I just keep thinking about that line in A Christmas Story when Ralphie is daydreaming about shooting bad guys in his back yard and the dad turns to the mom and says "He's a dead-eye."

We went to Cabela's today and the kids played in the shooting range.

Stinkerbelle was pulling the trigger for me and her dad. She can't be left out.

Mean Green in Training

Took Hot Rod to a UNT Mean Green basketball game tonight. He had such a good time. One of his little buddies was there, too, adding to the fun.

In the kids' zone, there are basketball jerseys and shoes for the kids to try on. Too funny. This jersey almost went to the floor on Hot Rod and he isn't a small 7-year-old. Too cute. He had his UNT shirt on for the game, too.

Happy Birthday Mom

Today is my mother's 69th birthday. Whew. It is hard to believe the old broad has made it that long with heart problems, breast cancer, a stroke and my family. But, she has made it and I'm glad. Seldom does a day go by that we don't talk and we certainly don't go more than two or three days without talking. I'd be lost without her.

Happy Birthday Mom.

She loves this little girl more than anything in the world, I think.

She is good to me and my kids.

This picture cracked me up. Little Bit was making the goofiest face here. This is my mom's little Christmas tree.

Happy Birthday Mom. Here's to many more.

Christmas morning

Christmas morning pictures are always fun. I made sure the kids were all wearing pajamas, so the pictures would be nice and clean.


Pickle had a Sonic the Hedgehog kind of Christmas.

Here is Hot Rod checking out his new Minnesota Twins calendar. He has a Vikings football on one side and a Vikings bear on the other. Turns out the Twins are in town ON his birthday. Can't beat that.

Little Bit got lots of Play-Doh for Christmas. It is one of her favorite things, along with markers and coloring books. She just posed like this on her own as soon as she opened it. I guess she knew I was going to snap a picture.

Here is Hot Rod with his mini marshmallow shooter and his alarm clock Rescue Pet.

Little Bit wanted a Mickey Mouse house, but I couldn't justify the expense when she has two dollhouses already. The talking Mickey and Minnie were her next best bet.

The biggest hit of the holiday was the marshmallow shooters. The boys were loving life with these things.

My daughter was trying to open everyone elses' gifts after she opened all hers. Here she is trying to open some of her Granny's and PaPa's gifts, too.

All in all, a great holiday. I got new undies, new perfume, some diamond bling, a LOTR calendar and more. I'm spoiled rotten. I even got some of that love I was wanting, too. :)

Up on the rooftop

Reindeer paws, out jumps good old Santa Claus.

He came to visit us on Christmas Eve. Shhh, don't tell, but it was Uzz as one of Santa's helpers. We were watching Santa's progress around the world on Norad, so the kids were sort of surprised to see Santa at our house when we just saw him on radar over Florida. But, Santa explained that he is magical and can do those sorts of things.

Darn, I have cute kids.

Santa explained to the children that he had some special Christmas Eve gifts for them, but they had to go on a treasure hunt to find them. The envelopes contained the first hint, which was to go find their maps in their rooms under their trees.

Little Bit loved Santa and gave him a big hug before he left.

Santa and our Christmas Eve guests. It is wonderful to be surrounded by friends and family on the holidays.

Terrible Owens

No particular reason. Just cuz I thought it was appropriate.

Burglars hit the jackpot

This was in the police blotter for today's newspaper:

Someone broke into a car and stole a number of Christmas presnts, according to a crime report. The owner said the burglary occurred Thursday night or early Friday morning. The burglars took two DVD players, a pair of tennis shoes, a gift-wrapped DVD copy of Girls Gone Wild and a Big Mouth Billy Bass talking fish.

Now, I know the theft of someone's gifts shouldn't be funny, but the thought of someone actually buying and wrapping a Girls Gone Wild DVD for someone's Christmas is sort of amusing to me. Now, I did get sexy undergarments for Christmas from my husband, but to whom do you give a Girls Gone Wild DVD?

Gift-giver: We're celebrating the birth of a savior, dude, here's a DVD featuring drunken topless hoochie mommas. Nothing says 'happy birthday, Jesus' to me like some horny sluts who don't mind getting naked on video in front of strangers in exchange for a T-shirt.

The thieves hit the jackpot on that one. They got the DVD and the Billy Bass was just icing on the cake. I'm sure there is a pawn shop in town with two DVD players for sale today or someone's old lady got a new one for Christmas. Lovely, nothing says love to me like a stolen item for Christmas, either.

Nothing but net

I was reminded last week of one of the many reasons I love basketball: tall, attractive young men. As a teen, I always dated basketball players. I never dated guys who played other sports. Weird, isn't it when I'm only 5-foot-nothing?

But, I have always loved the game. I was pretty good at it, too, even for a short gal. But, I should be since my mom was a basketball coach.

But, I digress. AoD and I took the little kids (our term for Hot Rod and Stinkerbelle) to a UNT Mean Green beat down on Jarvis Christian. It was great because the university gave vouchers for free tickets for elementary age kids and it was only $5 a piece for the rest of us. Not a bad way to spend the afternoon. With it being an afternoon game, the place was relatively empty and we were on the front row. Hot Rod was very excited that a player almost landed in his dad's lap. I was too busy snatching Little Bit and shoving her to the side so she wouldn't get hurt that I couldn't enjoy the courtside excitement.

But, then, I saw him. *heart beating faster* The young, cute and very skilled Collin Mangrum. Tall, blond and handsome. He turned 19 earlier this month. *yes, I know I'm a pervert* But, it was really funny. As soon as I saw him, I turned to mush. He was THAT cute. AoD just looked at me and smiled. He said he knew I'd turn to putty as soon as he saw that player step on the court. He knows his wife.

Mangrum is more than a pretty face.

According to UNT's bio of Mangrum, he was part of NT’s early signing class that was ranked 29th in the nation (including Keith Wooden) by HoopScoop, Mangrum was ranked No. 38 out of the state’s top 100 seniors by TexasHoops.com and No. 123 by PrepRoundBall.com in the class of 2006 when he signed with NT ... Named first team all-district, Class 2A All-Region 2 and All-State as a senior ... 2005-06 preseason second team all-state selection among all classifications by Texas Basketball Magazine was a big part of Howe High School’s preseason No. 9 state ranking ... Alongside current North Texas center Justin Howerton, Mangrum helped lead Howe High School to the Texas Class 2A State Semifinals as a junior ... Howe finished the 2004-05 season ranked No. 3 in the final state rankings and Mangrum was named an all-state selection after averaging 15.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.7 steals per game ... He was also named to the Texas State All-Tournament Team, tabbed All-District 13-2A and a first team all-region selection ... Also recruited by TCU, SMU, Baylor, Tulsa and Stephen F. Austin before deciding to sign with North Texas.

My camera batteries died during the game, so I didn't get any really good action shots of him. But, I managed to get the batteries to last for a few post-game shots of the autograph session the players do for the fans. Here is Mangrum with some of his fans. We suspect the gal is his sister and not his girlfriend because they never stood next to each other. :)

There is another one of the players signing for a kid, too.

Here is Mangrum signing for Little Bit (you can see the top of her head at his knee!!!)

And, here is Calvin Watson signing for Hot Rod. UNT does a nice job of putting out these nice team schedules and arming all the players with Sharpies. It doesn't get much better than that. We're going back Thursday for what will likely be another beat down on Belhaven this time.

Aging, Cat in the Hat Style

Hat tip to my FIL for this one.

Treasure

Every once in a while, I have a rough day or two and the pity party gets started. Then, something reminds me of all the blessings I have in my life.

I have a husband who wants to spend too much money on me for Christmas. I have a best friend who is so incredible that I am humbled that she thinks of me as her best friend.

She is so incredible. I find myself so jealous of her sometimes. She is beautiful. She has worked really hard and is down to a size 4-6. She is kind, she is sweet and she is so giving that it is almost hard to believe someone could be such a good person.

In October, she did a three-day 60-mile walk for the Susan Komen Foundation. She and her mom braved two cold nights in a tent to walk and raise money for breast cancer research. Her MeMa is a breast cancer survivor, like my mom, but I don't think I have it in me to do something like this walk. The time to train, the hard work, the fundraising - it all seems too much to me. She had to pledge $2,500 of her own money - through a credit card - if she didn't raise the money. She came pretty close (like maybe $25 short).

My friend called me on Christmas night. It is a tradition of ours since we were about 12 or so. We would call each other to talk about what gifts we received. I can tell you that I have the best gifts of all - love from my family and friends. I am so truly blessed to have the wide circle of friends that I have, a great relationship with my ex and the grace of God not to smite me down for the things that come out of my mouth and the sins I commit. Count your blessings and say a little prayer of thanks. I am.

Here are some pics of her during the 60-mile walk.

That is my friend's mom, one of the ladies they walked with, and my friend under the banner for the walk. The gals made friends with another group of women and spent the walk with them.

Here are the ladies they walked with. I like their sense of humor.


Here is my pal (on the far right) with her mom (far left) and her MeMa. These gals are like family to me. I spent as much time at their home growing up as I did my own. What a treasure to have women like this in my life!

How to get a man

I like the way this gal thinks.

Seek out and nab a geek and you have a man for life. One thing this gal fails to mention, though. If you seduce him appropriately, you will have him wrapped around your finger because - face it - most nerds don't get too much action. So, if you do it right, you can probably have him all to yourself.

I remember my high school sociology teacher telling me that geeks are the way to go. For one, she said, he wasn't highly sought after by other girls, so she safely had him nabbed. Secondly, they are usually smart and can make a lot of money. Third, they are very loyal since they don't have a wide circle of acquaintances.

I think she may have been on to something. Of course, I chose a hunky dude with a small geek strain. I think I got the best of both worlds. Now, if I can only get the hussies at bars to stop rubbing his head, we'll be in good shape.

Blue Christmas

I think this is a great idea. My friend, Kelvinator, told me about Blue Christmas services, which aren't Elvis-themed, but designed to help those who are suffering and mourning get through Christmas without all the cheery stuff.

I could have used this at the Dec. 24, 1998, eucharist I attended in Waco. It was my first Christmas without my family in tact. My then 2-year-old son (Pickle) was with his dad that evening. I sat in the service and sobbed. I couldn't help it. I was so sad that it was my favorite time of the year and I didn't have my family any more. My baby was somewhere else without me. It was probably one of the saddest days of my life aside from the day my divorce was final. I have only encountered a few other days as sad as those two.

A Blue Christmas mass might be just what some hurting souls could use to get through the holidays.

Merry Christmas Eve

We have encountered at least three different Santa's this season. This is my favorite. He is a local and one of the area banks hosts him each year for free pics with the children and cookies and cider. It is one of the nice traditions of living in a small town.

Not the greatest pic of my big guy. We have a nostril thing going on here, but he was happy to see Santa.

My all-American boy with the blue eyes and blond hair. He is digging his holiday sweater vest, which is pretty cute.

For whatever reason, this guy is Stinkerbelle's favorite Santa. Could be familiarity. We see this guy every year at least once a season, sometimes two or three times (since he is local).

I thought this was a funny (and cute) pic of the three kiddos. This bank usually has one really large Western themed tree. This year they didn't do that. But, Pickle noticed that this grouping of three trees matched the sizes of the kids: a big one for him, middle one for Hot Rod and a little one for Little Bit.

I love the way her hair falls across her face like this. Too precious. She got to talk to "Santa" (aka Uzz) on the phone the other day. She was really sweet. She heard me asking him if he was coming by Christmas Eve as Santa and she got all excited. Are you on the phone with Santa, she asked. So, she talked to him. Uzz was a good sport about it, too. I hope each of you has a blessed holiday season.

Merry Christmas!

Elfin' cheer

Look at me, I'm an elf. I'm an elf. You can be an elf , too.

Hat tip to Mo at Six Degrees of Blondeness.

My friend, T in Odessa, made a total elf of herself, too.

My Christmas wish list

Here is the "short" list of what I want for Christmas this year.

1. Talladega Nights on DVD
2. Tom Petty's greatest hits CD
3. Pirates of the Carribean 2 on DVD
4. sexy panties that do NOT go up my butt
5. a Peyton Manning football (like the one in the Gatorade commercial - where he hatches out of the ball)
6. perfume
7. to once again have a prominent chin and not one that disappears into my neck
8. a meal at the Grand Luxe in Dallas
9. a Cowboys victory over the Eagles
10. hugs and kisses from my family

That's not too much to ask, is it?

Some humor at the expense of men

SUMMER CLASSES FOR MEN AT THE LEARNING CENTER FOR ADULTS

NOTE: DUE TO THE COMPLEXITY AND DIFFICULT LEVEL OF THEIR CONTENTS, CLASS SIZES WILL BE LIMITED TO 8 PARTICIPANTS MAXIMUM.

Class 1
How To Fill Up The Ice Cube Trays --- Step by Step, with Slide Presentation.
Meets 4 weeks, Monday and Wednesday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM.

Class 2
The Toilet Paper Roll --- Does It Change Itself?
Round Table Discussion. Meets 2 weeks, Saturday 12:00 for 2 hours.

Class 3
Is It Possible To Urinate Using The Technique Of Lift ing The Seat andAvoiding The Floor, Walls and Nearby Bathtub? --- Group Practice.
Meets 4 weeks, Saturday 10:00 PM for 2 hours.

Class 4
Fundamental Differences Between The Laundry Hamper and The Floor --- Pictures and Explanatory Graphics.
Meets Saturdays at 2:00 PM for 3 weeks.

Class 5
After Dinner Dishes --- Can They Levitate and Fly Into The Kitchen Sink?
Examples on Video. Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM

Class 6
Loss Of Identity --- Losing The Remote To Your Significant Other.
Help Line Support and Support Groups. Meets 4 Weeks, Friday and Sunday 7:00 PM

Class 7
Learning How To Find Things --- Starting With Looking In The Right Places And Not Turning The House Upside Down While Screaming.
Open Forum. Monday at 8:00 PM, 2 hours.

Class 8
Health Watch --- Bringing Her Flowers Is Not Harmful To Your Health.
Graphics and Audio Tapes. Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.

Class 9
Real Men Ask For Directions When Lost --- Real Life Testimonials.
Tuesdays at 6:00 PM Location to be determined.

Class 10
Is It Genetically Impossible To Sit Quietly While She Parallel Parks?
Driving Simulations. 4 weeks, Saturday's noon, 2 hours.

Class 11
Learning to Live --- Basic Differences Between Mother and Wife.
Online Classes and role-playing. Tuesdays at 7:00 PM, location to be determined

Class 12
How to be the Ideal Shopping Companion Relaxation Exercises, Meditation and Breathing Techniques.
Meets 4 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday for 2 hours beginning at 7:00 PM.

Class 13
How to Fight Cerebral Atrophy: Remembering Anniversaries and Other Important Dates and Calling When You're Going To Be Late.
Cerebral Shock Therapy Sessions and Full Lobotomies Offered. Three nights; Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 7:00 PM for 2 hours.

Class 14 The Stove/Oven --- What It Is and How It Is Used.
Live Demonstration.Tuesdays at 6:00 PM, location to be determined.

Upon completion of any of the above courses, diplomas will be issued to the survivors.

*In my man's defense, he changes the TP rolls, so does my eldest man in training.

Hat tip to my friend, Kelvinator.

SPF: Christmas style

We are seriously missing Kristine (no offense to her other half, SuperHeroShaun) over at Random and Odd. But, in her stead, Shaun has offered this assignment:

1. One decoration. Pick an ornament, or light, or beer can. Whatever one thing in or around your home that you’d like to share with us.
2. One gift. Wrapped, unwrapped. Show off your favorite present without looking snobby! Show off some incredible gift-wrapping skills. Whatever. Pick a gift.
3. Something stuffed in a stocking. Be creative with this one!!

Ok, here we go. Some of my favorite decorations:

My brother gave me this hand-painted ornament years ago. I collect penguins (in case you didn't know).

My Twins ornament, which was purchased at the Mall of America this summer.

My favorite Christmas decoration, Little Bit.

2. A gift

Gifts decorated by Pickle for Army of Dad. I think that is some version of MegaMan and a Viking.

3. Something stuffed in a stocking

This is Little Bit stuffed (by RC) into her brother's Rudolph and Vikings stockings. She wanted to wear them on her legs after this little stunt.

So, did you play? This one was easy and fun.

The last Harry Potter book title

Apparently, the title has been announced. However, if you want to find it out for yourself, you can go play a game at JK Rowling's site. Her site has hangman game you can play to discover it.

Are you ready for some football?

Vikings-Packers are on the NFL Network today. The animosity is at a high right now. We'll have to hit a sports bar to watch any of it. We may or may not do that depending upon if Army of Dad gets out of work in time. It is annual inventory for him. I gave him a kiss goodbye Wednesday morning around 6:15 a.m. He got home last night after 11 p.m. So, I don't know how good it looks for today.

Here are some pics from my Cowboys-Colts game on Nov. 19. Yeah, yeah, I know. Better late than never.

Of course, we have to have the obligatory cheerleader pictures.

This was our view from the primo seats AoD scored from a vendor. These are with my old camera. My new Kodak kicks my FujiFilm camera's ass. Of course, it is also five years newer.

Parcells and Romo. Good luck Monday guys.

On the big screen

I'm in love.

Murtagh from Eragon.

*thumping heart*

It is a good movie and worth the $4 matinee price I paid. It isn't LOTR or Harry Potter, but it is pretty good. It was a little scary for the 7-year-old (thusly the PG rating), but he got through it just fine with the help of his brother telling him to cover his eyes when he anticipated something scary happening. I bought the book and look forward to reading it. The movie lends itself to a sequel, which looks like it has more promise to me. The big stand-up promo for the movie at the theater said something about this being the first of a trilogy.

All good things

Looks like J.K. Rowling is almost done with the final installation in Harry's seven years at Hogwart's.

Talk is that the book should be on the shelves in 2007. Again, I'll be there

in the wee hours to get my copy early. And, I'm sure, this is all I see for a few days till I get my turn.

No time like the present

To procrastinate about work. It isn't like I have any bills to pay or $1,800 worth of root canal, crown and resurfacing of AoD's tooth to pay for.

So, why is it that I'm only on No. 32 out of 168 names on the database I'm going to be paid handsomely to update for a regional magazine?

Oh yeah, it is called pro-cras-tin-a-tion.

*sigh*

Hump day gridiron hunk

Gotta love the record-breaking TCU Horned Frog, QB Jeff Ballard. When I crashed for the night, the Frogs were crushing Northern Illinois.

QBs always have that same look, don't they?

The litte curled up hand is the Horned Frog hand symbol thingee. You curl down your index and middle finger like little bunny foo-foo and then hold the other three fingers like you're doing a peace sign and there you have it. I almost went to TCU. My dad tried to bribe me with a new vehicle if I'd leave Baylor and go to TCU. The catch was that I had to live at home. No thank you, dad. My old Toyota was just fine by me.

Check out the arms in both of these pics.

Yep, enjoy ladies.

Is this dude for real?

I just shake my head when I see the promo for Man vs. Wild or whatever the hell it is. The guy is freaking nuts. They drop him out in the middle of nowhere and make him survive. Last one I saw, he was drinking something from elephant poop.

But the best part is his name, Bear Grylls.

Ewwww

While taking a short walk with my honey in our neighborhood tonight, we encountered one of these ugly little creatures. He ran across the road in front of us and then seemed to be walking the same direction we were (except he was in our neighbors' yards). It was really disgusting.

Yuck. I had never come that close to a live possum before. Dead ones, yeah. Live ones, no. Why couldn't it have been a cute little bunny or something? (I feel like Ron Weasley saying that. LOL)

Football fodder

Lots of football on my mind this week.

The Cowboys have four ProBowl picks, which was pretty cool.

The NFL Network broadcast of the Cowboys game Saturday was pretty bad. Bryant Gumbel bites and we will likely miss the Vikes on Thursday night unless we can make it out to a sports bar with the kids in tow.

I have to amend my comments about T.O. I can no longer say T.O. sucks. Now, I have to say he spits.

Go Frogs!

Tonight, the TCU Horned Frogs play in the Poinsettia Bowl on ESPN2. They're playing in San Diego, so we'll see lots of LT and lots of mentions of his play while at TCU. The Horned Frogs are exciting to watch and it is sad that they don't get more exposure because they're in a cruddy conference.
Go Frogs!

Be vewy, vewy quiet

I'm going on a dentist hunt.

Seriously. This is the proverbially pain in the gums. Dearest husband has a toothache and we've had bad luck with dentists. We went to one quack who jacked us both up and charged us out the mouth. We both have problems as a result of this guy.

We went back to Doogie Howser DDS, but got the feeling he wasn't much better.

So, now with the toothache, I'm on a dentist quest. I've had a few referrals, but one is booked solid for the next two weeks. The other doesn't take patients on Fridays. We had a good one a few years back, but I think we might owe him money, so I feel bad going back there.

Back to calling. I'm on my third call now.

Mainlining Janeway

Wow. I have been wondering when Voyager would make it to the world of syndication and it looks like it has happened on Spike TV. It is on every day this week during the day. It might be hard to work.

What I'm getting for Christmas

*adult content advisory*

Don't watch this around your kids. But, I think this is what I'm getting for Christmas. Except it isn't Justin Timberlake's, it's AoD's.

In a weird hat tip, Uzz told me about this video.

On another hormonal note, the Monday night game is the battle of two the hottest QBs in the NFL - Carson Palmer vs. Peyton Manning. Testosterone is dripping through my TV screen.

Santa and Baseball

How much more American can you get? Not much.

The Fort Worth Cats hosted a "Kiddy Christmas Party" today in an effort to sell gift packs of tickets and goodies for holiday gifts. It was working for them, but ticked me off a bit. They promoted it like an ongoing party from noon to 2 p.m. and made it look like they'd have lots of stuff going on. Nope. We showed up at 12:30 and the guests of honor - the mascot, Dodger, and Santa - weren't even there. The kids were loving the cookies and juiceboxes, though.

Once Dodger and Santa arrived, my kids were thrilled. The two little ones enjoyed running and playing in the 75+ degree weather while we were waiting.

This Santa was a good one and, of course, Dodger is a hit with the kids. Pickle is showing off his Dodger autograph (from two years ago) on his Cubs cap.

I love the double thumbs up.

I just noticed that Dodger's eyes have an F in one and a W in the other for Fort Worth. Gees, I'm slow sometimes.

Little Bit was scared of Dodger and Santa, at first, but she warmed up to them with patience from both. They were really good.

You can see the sweet Santa listening to Little Bit in the background and really helping her warm up to him.

Finally, a shot of the girl with Santa. Both of the boys had their pics with him, too. Hot Rod wanted a picture with the 2006 division champ trophy that the Cats won this year (for the second year in a row).

And, of course, my eldest (who has been told about Santa, but chooses to hear the bell - ala Polar Express).

He has the photo smile down, doesn't he?

It was a pleasant diversion to the afternoon.