Thursday, January 31, 2008

Dearest Nintendo Company..

It's me again, Muffy from Texas. Still no word from you on the Wii console letter I sent you a few days ago. I sure hope you got it.

I've been dreaming about your Wii gaming system lately. What a funny thing to be dreaming about, but there I am with my family - laughing and having a good time as we engage in a friendly game of tennis, bowling, or Mario Brother's Olympics. There I am, looking svelt (thanks to your Dance Dance Revolution Game) and happy because we are finally gaming together instead of apart (as we have all this years past). Everyone is laughing. Friends of ours are over sharing in the fun and laughter. They too can't believe how much fun your Wii games are. But then I wake up joyous and invigorated only to find out we don't have a Wii and we are still doing our own things. How sad don't you think?

Your Friend and Devoted Fan,
Muffy

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Dallas..The Real Windy City

I've never been to Chicago, but I think that I can say with some certainty that today (at least), Dallas is the Windy City.

I have no idea what the wind gusts are today (something like 50-60 mph I think - I'm no meteorologist though), but hot damn it's windy out. Today wasn't the best day to be out driving. I bet the guy (formerly) towing his camper behind his pick up wishes he had learned that lesson before today. I don't know the specifics of the accident, I was having trouble keeping my own vehicle on the road let alone be bothered to look around, but some guy had his camper flip over while getting on the interstate near my neighbourhood. I'm pretty sure the incident was wind related, THAT'S just how windy it is. No one was hurt, but it did back traffic up quite a ways. I'm just glad I was headed in the opposite direction.

And of course, today was trash day. My neighbourhood is filled with stupid people. Why in God's name do you not put a lid on your trash can if it's windy out? Why do you not secure your boxes down? Oh oh oh, better yet; why do you not securely close your trash bags so that when the wind picks up your trash bag and hurls it down the road, it doesn't open up and the garbage go flying EVERYWHERE?! Where is the common sense people? Oh yes, and if your bin gets knocked over and your trash spills out, at least have the decency to pick up your mess! Needless to say I was disgusted.



These pictures don't accurately depict how trashy the neighbourhood looked, in my opinion at least. They don't really do the scene justice. It was attrocious.
Also, I apologize for the sad photographs. I was a little busy dodging garbage cans, swirling trash, and the poor garbage men (God bless them) dutifully cleaning up the dirty diapers, food containers, paper, and everything else strewn about to really care about getting a good shot.

Monday, January 28, 2008

Dear Nintendo Company,

My name is Muffy and I'm 33 years old. For Christmas (or earlier if you can see fit), I'd like a Wii console. I know it's only January and you aren't Santa Claus, but either I wasn't a very good girl last year (which I know not to be the case - cross my heart) or the jolly guy just doesn't have the clout that he used to because there wasn't a Wii waiting under the tree for me this past year.

Now I've tried to buy myself a Wii, but your company must be holding on to them with iron fists or something because I just can't seem to find them in the stores. Maybe I just haven't looked hard or long enough? I'll continue to diligently look for said gaming system, but I could really use your help.

Either way, I'm a little sad. You see, my Mama has a Wii and when we visited there this summer my little critter fell in love with the bowling game. He can't play it mind you, but he gets so excited when he watches others and cheers loudly when someone does well. You should see him light up. Won't you help me give my son that joy at home? Pretty please? I promise to continue to be on my very best behaviour. Amen.

Your Friend,
Muffy

Sunday, January 27, 2008

One Week Down

Well, I've managed to survive the first week of my Mama's 3 week visit. My sanity is intact..for now, but my bank account has taken a huge hit (by our standards at least).
She's a shopper..bless her heart. I, however, am not. I mean, I can do it and I'd like to do it IF I had oodles of money. I don't. A lot of what I've purchased aren't necessities in the sense that we need them to live, but it is nice to have a house that feels like a home with pictures and other things hanging up on the wall, curtains, or knick knacks to decorate with. We haven't had that since we lived in Oklahoma over 2 years ago. I'm not great at that sort of thing either. I know what I like, but I'm not the visionary Mother is. So..she designs..I spend and Big Daddy..well..he loses his mind.

There are a few plans for Mother's visit on the horizon. There is a short trip planned to San Antonio and Austin the week before she leaves. Big Daddy has to go there and do some business so we're tagging along to be tourists and the like. Knowing Mother, we'll probably end up shopping some (I'm leaving my check book at home though).
Other then that, her visit should be a quiet one. This week we'll do a bit of painting and putting up the pictures..strategizing for when I can afford to do some more decorating. It's a process.

Have I mentioned that I'm so tired these days? I miss my alone time too. One week down!

Sunday, January 20, 2008

When Mother Visits




Mother is flying in for a visit on Tuesday and the race is on to prepare the house for her arrival. Big Daddy (and Critter too) helped me do my spring cleaning a little early this year. It's what we did the entire weekend and believe you me when I tell you that I'm tired. I'm so tired my dawgs are barking.

Okay, so I'm a neat freak but it hardly comes close to what my mother is. If there is a level or three above that, that's what she is. Though unintentional, Mother has my sister and I trained. We're like her little dogs. When she rings her little bell and announces that she will be coming for a visit, we start cleaning immediately. I don't think she actually does it, though I can't be certain, I think she goes around my house inspecting it for dust and dirt. She's like the cleaning Nazi. Me, I'm the athlete training daily for her once a year visit. Her visits are my Olympics and I'm just waiting to be judged.

Tomorrow is more of the same, but the cleaning schedule is not near as heavy as it was today. Much of it is done and I can take my time and not be so stressed, which is what always happens.



Big Daddy showing O how it's done - after Mama shows Big Daddy :)

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Bond..Sibling Bond

Here in my house recently, there has been some discussion about having another child. For the longest time we, meaning me, have said that there would be no more kids. In fact, we weren't planning on having any children when I got pregnant with O. But here we are going back and forth on the issue. Most days I'm middlin' to con, while Big Daddy is a resounding pro. I have a list a mile long as to all the reasons we shouldn't or I don't care to have another child, but that isn't what this post today is all about. There has been one pro argument that has been sticking in my brain now for a couple of days; the bond between siblings (typically)and their shared life. And the reason it sticks out so much for me is because of the great relationship I have with my sister, Kid and how much she means to me.

If Big Daddy and I decide that one child is enough for us, Critter will grow up never knowing that kind of relationship, that bond that comes from growing up in a house together and experiencing much of the same things. I can't imagine not having my Kid sister in my life.

Kid was born just 2 years after me. I was happy to have a sibling, but Mother says that I have been wishing for a baby brother. I suppose I forgave Kid for not being a boy. I don't know that I actually would have liked having a younger brother. Besides, Kid's good people. Well, she's more then that really. She's my best friend, my girl Friday. When I have a bad day, I call her. When I've got an idea or a mind that needs clearing, I call her. When I need to vent or cry, I call her. And she'll be the one that I call when I need to hide the bodies. :P

Kid and I didn't always see eye to eye growing up. She was a pesky little sister that used to like to tag along with my friends and I. She pulled my hair (I have the pictures to prove it). She conned me into looking over the edge of the top bunk to where she lay on her bottom bunk. I, of course, fell from my top bunk the long..loooooong way down to floor and onto my head. What a sweetheart, huh?

Later when our parents divorced it was just Kid and me against the world. We were inseparable (for a few years at least). High school saw us on different paths and in different houses more often than not. For years the relationship was tumultuous, but we were still sisters..blood. We loved each other but we didn't agree on much and it caused a bit of a rift. In fact, there were a few years in which we did not speak to one another (perhaps a story for another time - perhaps). Thankfully though, those years have passed and our relationship with one another has been restored. They were some of the hardest years of my life; ones I wish never to repeat.

We live miles apart these days and it breaks my heart sometimes to live so far from her. I miss the goofing off we used to do and just being in her company. Even though she is often cynical, pessimistic, and a big ol grumpy butt she is my little ray of sunshine.

This is what I will regret never giving the Critter should we choose not to have another child. This crazy beautiful relationship with someone of his blood.
And Kid, in case that wasn't clear enough for you, you punk, I love you!

Friday, January 18, 2008

Kids Do The Darndest Things

There are times these days, that if I wasn't in the middle of disciplining my child, I'd be in hysterics laughing at some of the things he does.

Case in point; Right now, Critter is at that age when he takes everything I say literally. Just the other day I was on the phone with Big Daddy, who happened to be away working. Critter, being the social butterfly that he is, was wanting the phone and was climbing up onto my lap to try and take it away. At first I shooed him, pushing his little hand away. I told him politely to give me a moment and I would hand the phone over to him so he could talk. Unfortunately he has his mother's patience, which happens to be non-existant. He lost control of his temper and felt that smacking his mother was his best course of action to get what he wanted. Not a smart choice on his part. I paused mid-sentence to tell him to march hiself straight to his room. I had intended to quickly say goodbye to Big Daddy and go deal with the matter, but all of a sudden I hear "march, march, march" chanted over and over again by Critter as he made his way down the hall to his bedroom..actually marching! As he turns back to look at me over his shoulder, with a smile no less, I shoot back a stern look at him that says "don't mess with me, son". It was all I could do to save myself from the fit of laughter I felt welling up inside. Oh my word! Once he was in his room and out of ear shot, I laughed quietly into the phone and repeated the the events to Big Daddy who was still on the end of the line going "hey, what just happened?"

Of course he laughed when I told him. Mother laughed too; to the point she almost cried. I think she some how felt vindicated, even though I was the good daughter! Kid had a good laugh at the situation herself. I don't blame her though, well maybe just a little. I believe she took some pleasure in the fact that it was my son, who whether he intended to do (or realized) it or not, was a total smartass. Codster, bless his heart, can be a handful sometimes and so I'm sure she was tickled pink that it was my child this time.

It really was funny, even I had to admit that despite my frustration with him at the time. I'm waiting for the day that I can share this story with his children so I too can sit back, let out a good belly laugh and feel vindicated when his children do these kinds of things to him.

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Threesomes

Three people who make me laugh:
- Kid
- Big Daddy
- Me (I think I'm funny at least :))

Three things I can do:
- Fold my tongue in half (front to back - not side to side, though I can do that too)
- Drive a stick shift
- Code web pages

Three things I can't do:
- Make "soft chew" cookies (I'm always over cooking them. Good thing I like'em that way)
- Eat cucumbers
- Vote (at least in the U.S. where I live - I'm not a citizen)

Three things I'm doing right now:
- Reading blogs
- Waiting for Big Daddy to return home from work
- Enjoying the peace and quiet

Three things I want to do before I die:
- Travel to every continent on the plant
- Skydive
- Become a Geneticist

Three things I hate the most:
- Telemarketers
- Rude people
- Wal-mart

Three things that scare me:
- The thought of losing my son
- Men that are strangers
- The shape that this world (and it's people) are in

Three things I don't understand:
- Physics
- The obsession with people who are famous
- Why we can't all just get along

Three skills I'd like to learn:
- Spanish
- Glass blowing
- How to take great (ok..amazing) photographs

Three ways to describe my personality:
- Compassionate
- Caring
- Warm

Three things I think you should listen to:
- The Critter's deep belly laughs
- Big Daddy when he talks in his sleep (too freakin' hilarious)
- Your own advice

Three things you should never listen to:
- Negative people
- Politicians
- Advice (parenting or otherwise) from Britney Spears

Three favorite foods:
- Potatoes (baked, mashed, scalloped)
- Potatoes (fried, twice baked, french fries)
- Potatoes (chips, hashbrowns, salad)

Three beverages I drink regularly:
- 100% fruit juice
- Water
- Milk

Three shows I watched a lot:
- DIY network
- Grey's Anatomy
- Rachel Ray/Oprah/Ellen

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

The Results Are In..

...it's definitely writer's block. No distractions today and I am STILL having trouble finishing a post. Too many scattered thoughts to make a cohesive post. Sorry y'all.

Sunday, January 13, 2008

The Whole Kit and Caboodle

It occurred to me not all that long ago that I neglected to introduce the cast of characters you'll find here in this blog. So without further ado, the cast of Life...Unscripted:

Main Characters


MUFFY: The slightly neurotic, slightly OCD, controlling, moody, witty, intelligent, shy, loyal, friendly, animal loving, compassionate, and spunky Canuck turned Southern Belle. Loves cooking, traveling, genealogy, DIYing, dancing, reading, writing, photography, sports, spending time with family and friends, and all things done outdoors. She is a stay-at-home Mom. Dislikes the whole vegetable concept (though she does eat plenty), changing poopy diapers, dusting, doing dishes, cigarettes, and snow.

BIG DADDY: The hardworking, outgoing, fun-loving, dedicated, honest, fiercely loyal, driven, happy-go-lucky, unorganized, scatterbrained, messy, pain in the butt redneck husband of Muffy. Big Daddy loves to eat, sleep, play with his son, sports, eat, watch television, eat, sleep, eat some more, Thee Ohio State Buckeyes, hogging the covers, lifting weights, eating, and picking on his wife. He detests cleanliness, sweet and sour anything, brussel sprouts, any person behind a wheel (besides himself), dusting, and bugs (can you believe a grown man of 6'2" is scared of bugs? It's so funny to see actually).

"O" aka THE CRITTER: The adorable, sweet, happy-go-lucky, adventurous, charming, outgoing, social butterfly, fickle, loud, incorrigible, sometimes obnoxious, often OCD, and independent offspring of Muffy and Big Daddy. He likes to eat, run, jump, chase, dig in dirt, swim, and animals. He loves cars, trains, planes, trucks, motorcycles, going for car rides dancing and singing. He is a regular ham. He dislikes vegetables, sleeping, having his bum changed, and people when they don't do what he wants them to do.

Supporting Players


MOTHER: Muffy's Mama.
KID aka SISTER: Muffy's younger sister.
KEEN: Muffy and Big Daddy's nephew. Offspring of Kid and Yo.
CODSTER: Muffy and Big Daddy's nephew. Offspring of Kid and Yo.
THE GIRLS: Muffy and Big Daddy's identical twin nieces. Offspring of Kid and Yo.
FURY BABIES aka CHINA PEARL and ADAIR: Muffy's (and Big Daddy and Critter's) cats
SUPERSTAR: O's best friend. The next door neighbour's boy.

Players Yet to be Seen

PAPA: Mother's spouse. Muffy's Step-father.
YO: Spouse of Kid.
GRANDADDY: Muffy's Father.
GRAN: Muffy's Step-mother
KELLYKINS: Muffy's youngest sister.
GOUBY: Muffy and Big Daddy's nephew. Offspring of Sac and Suz.
THUMB SUCKER: Muffy and Big Daddy's niece. Offspring of Sac and Suz.
SAC: Muffy's Step-brother.
SUZ: Former spouse of Sac.
LC: Muffy's Step-sister.
PASSGO: LC's spouse.
CINDER-ELLA: Muffy and Big Daddy's niece. Offspring of LC and Passgo.
HAWK: Muffy and Big Daddy's nephew. Offspring of LC and Passgo.

MAMAW: Big Daddy's Mama.
PAPAW: Bid Daddy's Father.
TT: Big Daddy's younger sister.
UNCLE D: Big Daddy's younger brother.
NAE: Muffy and Big Daddy's niece. Offspring of TT.
COWLICK KID: Muffy and Big Daddy's nephew. Offspring of TT.
QUICK DRAW MCGRAW: Muffy and Big Daddy's nephew. Offscpring of TT.
BABY GIRL: Muffy and Big Daddy's niece. Offspring of TT.
NANNY: Big Daddy's Grandmother.

Friday, January 11, 2008

A New Year, A New Outlook

Failure is not the only punishment for laziness; there is also the success of others. - Jules Renard

For so long I've watched others live their dreams; accomplished what they've set out to do while I've done very little. I have goals, dreams and aspirations (and always have - big ones at that), but there have always been excuses for not meeting my mark. 2008 is a new year, my year and I'm no longer content to just sit back and watch. This year failure is not in my vocabulary.

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Distracted Much?

Despite having plenty to write today, I'm having a case of writer's block. I've been sitting here for the last half hour with a blank screen not knowing where to start. Or maybe I'm just easily distracted this morning? I look around my living room and see that the floor needs vacuuming; O has a huge pile of toys spilling out from his playroom (and he's only been up for an hour - it was neat and tidy when he got up); I just heard the washing machine stop. All of this crud is beckoning to me.."Muffy, oh Muuuufffffyyyy". Ughh. Then there is the matter of the little critter, who won't leave my side today for some reason too. Yup definitely distracted.

10:40 am - I'm hungry and now I'm distracted by food. Yesterday I started back on the treadmill and eating the way I should be (smaller portions and good for me carbohydrates). I feel better then when I'm lazy about my eating habits, but I always feel hungry in the first couple of weeks. Big Daddy says I don't drink enough water, and I don't, but baby steps I say. I drink as much as I can tolerate right now. Maybe I should have put drinking more water on my new year's resolution list.

Oh and there goes the buzzer for the dryer. Distracted again!

12:46 pm - So as I mentioned in my previous post, I've been apprehensive about this photography club I joined. I talked with Big Daddy about it after writing in my blog and it helped some. He helped me to see what was causing my anxiety and was very supportive about it too(it was only the third time I had tried to talk to him about it with very little..anything from him).

Word of the day kiddies..is distraction. The critter is supposed to be sleeping upstairs in his bed, but I can hear various bangs and bumps that mean he isn't. Time to sit in his doorway thereby forcing him to stay in bed and hopefully go to sleep.

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Un-Muffy

I've just joined a photography club. The very first meeting is this Thursday and for some reason, I'm very apprehensive about it. I suppose this fear is something that needs to be analysed more, but not tonight. It seems like it has been a very long day and I'm just not feeling much like myself. I think that I'm just going to call it a night.

Perhaps all the anxious feelings will have left me and I'll be more like Muffy in the morning.

Goodnight to one and all.

Monday, January 7, 2008

For G..

Here are some of the pictures that I took the other day. There were only a small few that I was very pleased with. Others just..look nice. I hope you enjoy.




It was a great day regardless of what turned out and what didn't. The family had lots of fun and as I said we plan to return to do it again soon. I didn't realise it, but we were really very close to where JFK got shot. We happened to see the grassy knoll and memorials on our way on to the interstate. It was pretty interesting. One last picture: The critter..exhausted.

Saturday, January 5, 2008

I've got a Secret...

This morning Mother called at 6:45am. I was sleeping of course, along with the rest of the household. This isn't normal routine for her thank goodness:

Her: "Did I wake you?"
Me: "Uhhhhhhhh." That's the sound of me trying to wake up and appear semi-coherent.
Her: "I thought you would be awake by now."
Me: "Uhhhhhhhh..what time is it?" I having a real hard time waking up.
Her: "6:45am your time."
Me: "Uhhhhhhhhhhh.." ..really REALLY hard time.
Her: "This is pay back for all the early mornings you woke me up when you were a baby."
Me: "Uhhhhhhh..thanks Mama."


The conversation didn't get much better. Thankful it was short and sweet. Big Daddy, who had answered the call, made a couple of incoherent comments (they may have been coherent, but I don't recall much of anything), rolled over and went back to sleep. I was almost back to sleep when O woke. I gave a little nudge to Big Daddy, who was my hero, got up and got him so I could sleep in. An hour later..my sister and nephews called:

Me: "Uhhhhhh..Hello?" Me barely awake again, wondering who the heck was disturbing my day to sleep in now.
Them: "Hellooooooooooooo" This is pretty much screamed into the phone by my 3 yr old nephew.
Me: "Hello?" Sounding just a touch more awake, though still groggy.
Them: "Hellooooo Auntie Erin" Again screamed into the phone by the Codster.
Sister: "You awake?" Her sounding all pleased with herself.
Me: "I am now thanks" Rubbing my eyes and trying to see what time it reads on the clock. "What time is it?"
Sister: "8 am your time. I was hoping you'd still be sleeping." Obvious laughter coming from their end.
Me: "Uhhhhhh..gee..thanks." Said in mock-ungrateful voice.
Sister: "Oh you're welcome." She says in bright chipper voice.
Codster: "..you look like a monkey and you smell like one too." More laughter.
Me: "I love you too little man."
Codster: Profuse laughing and random song.


Later that morning, my family and I drove into the city and walked around downtown Dallas. I was a little tired of my country view, wanting something a little more urban for today's photo adventure. I couldn't have asked for a better day. It was 80 degrees and sunny. There was a mild wind, but boy..it was gorgeous. We walked around for close to 3 hours taking pictures of the city scape. We still hadn't explored all we had wanted to when my camera beeps "Memory Card Full"(I'll be sharing some of those pictures when I have the time to resize them). We called it quits for the day with the promise to return. It was a fantastic time!

The rest of the day and evening were filled with more time spent outside playing in the yard and later friends (and neighbours) came over for an hour or so to hang around and chat. Critter and their son (who we call Superstar) had a blast playing with every toy they could get their hands on. What hooligans those two are when they get together! Lord love them.

...today is my birthday! Shhhhh

Friday, January 4, 2008

Chocolate Crack Corn..

..that's what it should be called at least. Big Daddy's Mama sent us some gourmet popcorn as part of the family's Christmas present and oh boy, let me tell you, she hit the nail on the head with that gift. Big Daddy and the critter have found their newest obsession, chocolate covered popcorn..aka chocolate crack corn. O can say "popcorn" perfectly, but when he gets all excited and sees the sinful, sweet goodiness (thank you G for such a lovely word)popcorn, it comes out sounding like "crackcorn"..which is sooooo fitting. You can't just stop at having one piece. One piece turns into 5, which turns to 20, and then before you know it, the bag is half done. Thank goodness it's a huge bag!

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

The Morning After

So here it is kiddies..my first post of 2008! Aren't you excited? Okay, so maybe not, but you should be though. I hope each and every one of you had a lovely New Year's Eve filled with the love and laughter of friends and family.


The first day of the new year was a pretty pleasant one. Let's hope that it's a sign of things to come. I decided the night before that I was going to get up early to go out and take some photographs of the country side. For some reason I got up a touch too early so I spent a good half hour driving around in the dark. Not much to be seen at that time of the morning except a drunk Mexican cowboy stumbling down the road. I contemplated stopping to get his picture, but even I know better then that. It wasn't a great day for pictures, but to the right was the best shot of the morning and it just so happened to be the first picture of the new year.

The majority of our day was spent watching football (I was humouring Big Daddy seeing as college ball is almost done for the season)though each of us spent time working around the house while O slept (for 4 hours - oh sweet sweet quiet time). We're waiting for the big game next week when our Bucks play LSU and so yesterday was just a root for Big 10 day. We even cheered for Michigan believe it or not (forgive us Lord for we have sinned).

For weeks I had been planning a surprise date for Big Daddy and I..sans critter. What a lovely evening it was! Friends of ours looked after O while we had a nice long leisurely dinner. It was so nice to get out just the two of us for a change. It had been a few days shy of a year since we had had the opportunity to do that. But that's what we get for living so far from family. We were also happy to hear that O had behaved himself and he wasn't the hooligan that he is at home. Maybe they'll be willing to watch him again some time (keeps my fingers crossed).