The assignment

The wonderfully wicked Kyra tagged with her own MeMe… It took me a while… I guess the point is to give old and faithful readers a walk down memory lane.. and new and cherished readers a glimpse into my journey. Here goes. First, I have to post the rules.. So, here they are: Go back through your archives and post the links to your five favorite blog posts that you've written. ... but there is a catch: Link 1 must be about family. Link 2 must be about friends. Link 3 must be about yourself, who you are... what you're all about... Link 4 must be about something you love Link 5 can be anything you choose. I think this is a great way to circulate some of the great older posts everyone had written, return to a few great places in our memories and also learn a little something about ourselves and each other that we may not know. Post your five links and then tag five other people. At least TWO of the people you tag must be newer acquaintances so that you get to know each other better.... and don't forget to read the archive posts and leave comments! Link 1: Family… it starts with a mother’s love Link 2: I made friends for life accompanying Mom on her journey … and I grew more than I ever thought possible. Link 3: I relived memories with this one… Cruisin… Link 4: A post about something I love… well.. love! What we should all strive for. Link 5: This post earned a me a very humbling nod… a post of the Day by The Rising Blogger… so here it is: a day in my life . As much as I love Kyra, and want to do the whole thing as per the rules (who am I kidding.. rules?? HA!). Besides, I don’t think there’s anyone left to tag. But, if you find yourself wondering why you started blogging in the first place.. what kept you blogging.. this is the MeMe for you. Hope you enjoy, Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!

For Travis...

My big bro Travis keeps pulling my pigtails, and as I was looking through some old pictures (I really do mean old.. some of the pictures I was looking at are of me as a very wee lass!), I came across this one and it made me think of him. Wasn't I just adorable? Come on now, I can hear you say :"awwwwwwwwwwwwww!". Until you get a look at what my mother felt could pass for appropriate little girls footwear! (ACK!!) Yes dear readers, THOSE shoes are most likely what is at the root of my passion for shoes... WOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOO!! Hey I just thought of something. Now I have an excuse everytime I walk through a shoestore! It's therapy! Can I pass off a Jimmy Choo purchase as a medical expense on my income tax do you think? Will my insurance company cover that? Hmmmmm.. better have a look into that. Maybe I could write-off the Richmond trip since Pia, The Chicklet and myself did have a look at lovely shoes... If there are any Canadian Tax Specialists out there please drop me a line, I'd be interested in discussing the finer points of those lovely forms we fill out every spring. You can impress me with your wizardry with numbers. I'll ooooh and aaaah as you explain some obscure tax law for trappers and furtraders. In order to make amends for the ickiness of what looks like junior army boots *shudder* I'll have to find a lovely shoe, something with a nice open toe, or something strappy .. anything that actually shows off the ankle. Yes folks, you couldn't tell by that picture, but I actually have ankles (and WTF with the socks???) Want to know what else disturbs me? They propped me up on a ledge! Travis, here's a paper bag... breathe dear. Don't ask me HOW I ended up on this video.. but Travis, your knee thingy is SO much better! Love you more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!

Dream about...

One of the songs on heavy rotation in my car right now... Jonas Tomalty.. homegrown talent! yeah... all about the music... Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!

For Dixie and Matt

I’m an only child as some of my older (not aged, I mean long-time… well, and older.. I mean really, Vinny... you are older than me - smooch) readers know. Last year I met a woman (well, I met her virtually…) that has changed my life, although I don’t think I ever came right out and said it. I’ve had more laughs with her in one year than with some people I’ve known my whole life (and no, it’s not cause I come from a sense-of-humour-deprived family… they laugh with me all the time – or is it at me???). We’ve also cried together. When her father passed, I mourned him with her… when my mom passed, I knew she was there. I felt her over thousands of miles… We’ve spoken on the phone, chatted and e-mailed about the weirdest things... and some of them have been fairly steamy (I know, shocking ain’t it!) and I suspect that’s what you do with a sister. My ‘sister by choice’ has to do something that no mother ever wants to do. This Monday, her son Matt (a fine looking and sweet as sugar young man), my ‘nephew by choice’ is leaving the nest. She has to hand over her baby, her only son, to the United States Marine Corps. He’s going to boot camp in Parris Island where he will be drilled and trained to become a part of a whole, a team. A man. My logical ‘industrial-firefighter-safety-manager’ self knows what a truly inspiring, rewarding and valuable journey he is embarking on. And believe you me, it’s something I firmly believe and have told her many times over. That being said, my heart… well… it aches that I can’t reach out and hug the both of them until they turn blue (it’s a Marine colour right?). I have the greatest respect for the fine men and women of the military. I make sure and thank each and every one of them that crosses my path when I travel. I view Remembrance Day as one of the most important holidays on my Nation’s calendar and took my Chicklet to attend the ceremonies in Ottawa last year so we could stand at the foot of the Unknown Soldier’s Tomb and pay our respects. Members of my family have served, my father was in the Canadian Army in the 1940’s, my cousin was in the Navy… It dawned on me that someone, somewhere, will cross Matt’s path in the near future and hopefully walk up to him and offer their thanks by shaking his hand. But, as you might not actually get a chance to do that... I join my dear and wonderful friend Vince (you know, the dude who’s older than me and hangs out on a Big Leather Couch) and ask that you please pay her blog a visit. Show your support, offer Matt your thanks, your wishes for a safe journey. Give one of the most giving and loving women that God has deemed just and right to send into my life a hug and comforting words. Show the rest of the family, the adorable and smart-as-a whip Kaitlin and her devoted just-as-good (cause no man is ‘better’ than my sis) other half Tony you care and appreciate the sacrifice they are making. (Thanks to the ever wonderful Kyra for this... You rock!) Dixie, my sister-by-choice, there are no words in any language to tell you just how much I love you. You are a force to be reckoned with and I know you will be the shining example of a proud military Mom. You’ve given your family the best a mother can give, Love. Matt, I am so very proud of you. You’re the kind of man I hope my Chicklet fancies enough someday to see fit to marry (when she’s 30, I am soooo far from willing to let go of my baby). Stay safe. Thanks Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!

I detect a theme...

I.. um.. well.. just watch! Nice.. it eliminates the "strange washroom hover"! Seriously ladies (and Hoochies...), would you use this? Now, on to the next one: Can I buy one of these for my house? Does it clean anything else? Are we one step closer to the WC that will wipe your butt? I'd still hover... Last but definitely as disturbing : Holy crap! Anyone else feel creeped out? Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes (but only once you've washed your hands)!

The best laid plans...

I was tagged by Kyra the Lusty Wench over at The 108 to do a meme she concocted... I knew it was going to take me a while so I had planned to sit down last night in front of my puter as I searched for some posts to drag out for her... HA! Seems my Internet supplier forgot to rotate something or dust the inside of some router or something.. you got it.. NO INTERNET! I wasted 45 minutes unplugging the friggin cable, turning the power off, powering the puters down and starting them back up... trying to call the friggin techs (you know.. the dudes who man the Helpless Desk over in India)... I watched some boob tube (woooooooooo! a FOXTROT)... tried to read a bit.. got the mouse twitch and kept trying to right click the man-wand (TV remote for you man-challenged individuals).... finally I gave up, grabbed my stuffed monkey and went to bed. It came back in the middle of the night.. I checked. I'm sure you're happy for me. So.. this clip illustrates exactly how I felt (I'm the dog by the way)... yup... I'll try and get to it tonight... unless the morons at the power company decide to test their voltmeters and short the friggin grid out... Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!

Wordless Wednesday - lunchmeat

Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!

A quest...

Hello again, Remember me? I think I'm the one who usually posts here... I've been trying to figure out what to do with a lot of things lately, this blog for one of them... Maybe I'll keep it going, we'll see. I'll try and update things, visit my blogosphere friends more regularly, eat more broccoli and drink my 8 glasses of water a day... (did the year end already? what's with the resolutions?) I took some time for myself this weekend and packed my luggage for an overnight trip, a possibly momentous overnight trip. Next time I do this I'll have to remember to bring a map and those glowstick thingies (it got dark on my way - a LOT of rain fell and I thought I was driving through a carwash for a while). I entered into this journey wondering: if I run into that tunnel of discovery, will I get hit by a train or something like Wile E. Coyote, Supergenious? Or am I the Road Runner (meep-meep) and I might actually find that light they say is supposed to be there (or at the very least a bowl of Acme birdseed)... It's one thing to go looking for something, but then you have to figure out what to do with it when you get your hands on it (dirty minds out of the gutter please... yes Turnbaby and Dixie.. that means you! LOL). It's like, when you're hungry (I mean it, out of the gutter right now!). You open the pantry, pull stuff out... You open the fridge... pull stuff out. But you don't actually have a recipe and you just have to wing it depending on the ingredients you pulled out. Just put one ingredient different and instead of a chocolate soufflé, you end up with borscht. Okay.. more than one ingredient, and it's a totally different dish (and for all the borscht-loving folks who may read this, I'm not putting it down... so no nasty ''how could you it's nutritious and delicious'' e-mails or comments please). You get my point! Look, I drove for a long time, AND, I haven't done the blog thingy in a while.. I'm rusty (maybe it's all that friggin rain I hit... both ways)! So, as I was saying before I interrupted myself: I made it back all in one piece. I found light - no, it wasn't a rainbow after the friggin rain! But I kinda feel like I found a pot of gold and there was no leprechaun guarding it.. so it's MINE!! Bwahahahahahaha!! ALL MINE!!! I still have some questions I have to find answers to.. but at least now I know the direction in which I'm going (for a change). I'm going to have my work cut out for me, but the payoff will be worth it. So, now I'm faced with "How-to" questions.. and no... Red Green can't help me. Duct tape does not work for my next project. Ummm...If you don't know who Red Green is... well, watch this (if you do know, you might want to watch, just for a chuckle): Now, I have a serious and possibly life-altering question for you.. let me set the scene if you will. As I was making my way home on Sunday afternoon, I got hungry... figured I'd have a quick bite, stretch my legs (again with the dirty gutter minds.. sheesh). Before ordering something, nature called. I drank a LOT of water on that drive (all that friggin rain made me thirsty, that and I have that nifty mid-year resolution to boot...) and the seat belt was playing a number on my bladder, one akin to the drumline on The Runaround. So, nature called... Nothing surprising it happens to everyone .. stop staring please. Ok. So... I made my way to the little girl's room. Ah Yes! The little girl's room..That wondrous land of mystery to most men, where women lounge amidst bowls of pot-pourri that smells of new and luxurious Italian leather shoes, big screen TV's showing 24 hour "Sex In The City" marathons (I enjoy a much more satisfying version of the girl talk with my sister Hoochies Dixie, Turnbaby, Pia, Mary and Busy) and boxes full of bonbons (there goes the broccoli resolution...). I mean, why else do you think the lines are so long... and that we go in in pairs? You think it's just to tend to 'business'? HA! Actually, gentlemen, we go in in pairs to talk about all y'all and your performance in the boudoir. Liked option number one better?! So... I am hovering (proper women do not sit on public toilet seats, we do not put our purses down on the floor - seriously) as I attempt to TCB when someone enters the stall next to mine. With time, you learn to "go" even when a stranger is next to you but of course you hope they'll "go" at the same time so you can't really tell who's doing what and making which sound (don't look at me like that... I'm perfectly normal... really!) and of course you know should you (God forbid) toot.. it will be melodious, in tune and sparkles will come out your butt (you read right.. SPARKLES!). So... where was I? Oh yeah... Hovering... Now she's talking away as she gets into the stall, and I figure she's having a conversation with the other half of the usually compulsory "pair" ( well colour me happy! I just figured out another reason to go in pairs.. so you can TCB at the same time and it's the whole drowning out of the "sound" thing that happens... ha! I learn something new every day!!). Normally those restrooms are filled with people and you end up waiting in line... but on Sunday, the only other person who had been in there at the same time as I had already left. And I had the whole place to myself (LUXURY!!! Any mom will understand what I mean...) until chatty Cathy came in with her.. wait just one cotton pickin' minute! There was no one else in the bathroom! Just she and I.. no friend followed her in! I did a quick scan for feet under the door... unless her friend could float... AND there was no two way conversation... At this point, there are two options: a) she's crazy and I'm stuck next to her in a confined space with some of my bits exposed, or b) ... no. It can't be!! People don't do THIS??!! Chatty Cathy is ON HER CELL PHONE!?! Whadadadadadadadadadadadadawhat???? ok.... wait.. there's still the chance she may just have ducked out of work because her dark overlord of a boss doesn't allow any private calls and the best excuse she could come up with was having to tinkle... and she just entered a stall looking for a semblance of privacy... BUT NO!!!! I hear tinkling!!!! So here are some questions: What 'business' could be so urgent it has to be concluded while you're TCB??? Can you imagine how germy that cell phone must be??? Think about all the things someone does while handling that phone of theirs before you use someone else's cell... How would YOU feel being on the receiving end of such a call? I mean, they're bound to know! You can control your OWN flushing (unless it's one of those 'self-serve-fully-functional-as-you-hover-it-flushes-for-you-and-you're-not-done' kinda WCs - think they'll come up with one that'll wipe you too?) in your own washroom in the privacy of your own home... but in a public multi-stall restroom??? WTF!!! All I can say is... darn I shoulda tooted... So, I make it quick, do all those things the 'engineers' over at the WC factory haven't figured out how to automate yet and get my completely covered (I checked) unsparkled butt OUT of the stall and over to the row of sinks to wash my hands as skeeved out as I was (well insulted is actually more like it really) I certainly wasn't going to walk out without washing my hands! I'm far too proper a lady (shut up!) to skip that part! Push to start the water (I hate these faucets.. water conservation my non-tootin-unsparkled-patootie!)... quickly run hands under water to get them wet... push soap dispenser thingy to my right.. nada... argh... push soap dispenser thingy to my left... we have suds!... how long am I supposed to do this? I can't believe she's on the PHONE talking about 'can you believe the dress she was wearing?' while hovering!! I bet she isn't even ladylike enough to hover! *snarf*... Oh God! she flushed!!WHILE ON THE PHONE!!! Rut roh.. out she comes.. Well Holy Shazam! She just walked out! I'm going to the vending machine... no way am I eating something from where this chick works... Okay.. so.. here's the life-altering question... What's your pleasure? Sweet or salty? (what a shame there ain't no broccoli in there...) Um.. girls.. the candy is on the RIGHT of the picture! Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!

For Amy's dad...

Seems my group of Soul Patrollers have been going through more than our share of loss and turmoil lately. So many of them are in my thoughts, heart and prayers... It's with a very heavy heart than I learned of my very bubbly and welcoming friend Amy's father's passing. He left this world yesterday evening. I hope I gave her a big enough hug when I was so warmly welcomed in her home on my trip to Richmond. Love ya Amy... way more than any luggage! Hugs, Hugs, Hugs...

Maybe if I put up a few pics...

Sorry dear readers, I know some people have been waiting for an account of the trip and a review of the show. I haven't been in a frame of mind to write lately, and Youtube kept eating my videos (I know.. Taylor is yummy.. can't really blame Youtube for eating.. um... wait! it's all about the music! right Travis?) and I'd about given up. I thought maybe I should put a few pics up of The Chicklet, myself at the concert (man it was hot out there...) and a few of the Soul Man himself. I must say we had a blast with our Hoochie sister and Chicklet's auntie Pia, and we had a blast with some fellow Soul Patrolers. There are stories of thongs and a few inside jokes (Whadawadawadawadawadawhat? DUCK???). We met a sweet and humorous waiter who waited patiently as I attempted to stop laughing long enough to answer him (I don't believe I was successful). The Chicklet got her flight wings and after a few short flights, has become a seasoned traveler (although she still reads along with the safety card during the preflight message and knows all about how to open the exit doors). I tell you, there are only a few grey seats in those airplanes and on EVERY flight we were seated in the grey rows.. (something to do with Taylor? I say yes!). What can I say about the concert... the man was outstanding and demonstrated to us what true showmanship is. He mixed it up, had us singing along and when he blew that harmonica... *sigh*. He was in GREAT form! Wait.. did Youtube actually relinquish some of my videos??? Quick, somebody pinch me! (But not too hard, I don't want y'all to leave a mark.. *giggles*). The high pitched squeal? Chicklet! A great time was had by all, women fought over a sweaty towel, Chicklet loves the South and wants to go back. And I'm jonesin' for the next Taylor concert. That's all folks, Love you all more than my luggage (which only carried 3 pairs of shoes)! Hugs, smooches and gropes!

Oh Boy Oh Boy!!!

SQUEEEEEEEEEE!!! Luggage (mine red, hers pink.. hot pink... LOL) packed.. well almost.. Loading The Chicklet's MP3 player... current task...ok check No liquids exceeding 3 OZ... (what if Chicklet and I both bring 3 OZ of.. say... wait... are blogs monitored for 'sensitive" words?) I admire the folks at the TSA.. truly I do... (phew! International incident averted) Cannot wait to hug Hoochie Bodacious. Apparently Amy's hubby is curious about meeting the "Canadian"... what shall I do to him... hehehe !!! Memories... for those of you who were ther... WOOOOOOOOOO!!! For those of you who weren't.. oh man, you missed something great! Have a great weekend all y'all! Love you all more than my (basically all packed) luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!

Matt, I was serious...

Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!

July 4th... where will you be this Independance Day?

Great men and women have made the United States the country it is today... These men and women keep it that way... Happy Independence Day to all my American friends! Last time I flew, I saw a member of the United States Military sitting on the ground at the aiport terminal, listening to his tunes and waiting for his flight. He looked like a child. So young. I watched as so many people walked right by him, maybe they didn't notice him.. he was wearing his camo gear after all (yup blends right in to the wild decor of America's airports... Washington Dulles looks JUST like the desert - Heaven Knows there ain't much alcohol in the Nation's Capital). I made my way over to him, crossing the stream of people walking hurriedly on their way (like salmon going up a stream to mate - well, you never know what the purpose of some trips are now do you). I stopped at his feet and crouched down, creating an obstacle, understanding how rocks in a stream might feel as salmon jump over them in their frenzy (yeah, I know.. rocks don't have feelings... they don't right?). He looked up at me with a slight look of wonder on his face, such a young face. I felt a little twinge in my heart, I imagined how his mother, sisters, girlfriend might feel. I smiled at him and extended my hand, although the mom in me just wanted to reach out and hug him. He beamed back at me, and I caught a glimpse of the little boy he had once been, standing on the edge of a lake, skipping stones with his trusty dog by his side. I shook his hand, this boy, this man, this hero. All I could say was: 'Stay safe' He smiled, big, REAL big, and thanked me. I gave his hand an extra squeeze and said:'No, Thank YOU sweetie.' I let go of his hand, stood up and disrupted the flow of passers by and walked away, towards my next destination. I was going home to my family and I was going to hug them BIGTIME. (I looked back once, to take one of those mental pictures... so young). I get the feeling this hasn't happened to him very often if at all. Leave it to the Canadian to promote goodwill! (we are nice aren't we...) I don't know where he is today... Is he with friends and family, enjoying a backyard barbecue? Will he be holding his sweetheart in his arms as they watch the fireworks tonight? Or will he hear the sound of guns and bombs go off, the night sky filled with fire as he huddles with his comrades in arms, defending his flag. Remember the price of FREEDOM. And no matter how you may feel about that war, respect the soldier who would die for you, for your flag, your freedom, your right to disagree. Stay safe my friends. Enjoy your freedom. Thank a soldier. Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!

Why do I do these things...

Cause I felt compelled I suppose... Oh well! That and I didn't want Clay to make me walk the plank... (I swear I saw a shark in da water!) Well, I’ve been tagged by the adventurous and charming Clay and the funny and outrageous Angell to share eight bits of truth about me and my luggage (feeling an urge to break out in a snappy song and tap dance number all of a sudden... ). Seems I have to post the rules of the meme before I share my little tidbits (Matt, get your mind out of the gutter). If you play, you must post the rules first (wait I just said that... oh well). Then you share your little bits (I don't have big bits, what can I say...). In the end, when you're all exposed, you tag 8 wenches or pirates and dare them to share their treasures! (insert pirate yohoho or aye here) . Post their names and go over to their blogs to let them know their fate by leaving a comment so they can come read your blog and find out what their assignment is. So... 1. I love quotes (I know, if you've been reading for a long time I've already said this). This one.. I love! "The legs aren't so beautiful. I just know what to do with them." - Marlene Dietrich YUP! 2. When I was a child, I had a pet bullfrog. His name was Oscar and he lived wild in the back yard. And he came when I called his name. I s*** you not! Mom was working for the Canadian census bureau at the time and the fine ladies that would go around door to door for the census would congregate at the house, in the basement where mom's makeshift office was and they would be given their assignments (there was no one named Charlie on the phone ...) Anywho... one day Mom told them about Oscar, and like all of you doubting thomases they didn't believe it. I stood outside next to the house, facing the backyard and it's two apple trees (which have been replaced by a pool) and called to my bullfrog... he came. Just call me the Bullfrog Charmer of The Great White North! Ironic.. I've kissed a lot of frogs whilst looking for my prince, but never thought to kiss that one! Then again.. I could never marry an Oscar... too many weiner jokes... Which leads me to the next little bit... 3. When I was pregnant with The Chicklet, I developped an aversion to Italian sausages. I didn't want them anywhere near me, couldn't see them, smell them, couldn't eat anything made with them. Merguez sausages were fine, any other kind of sausage was fine.. just not Italian sausages... 4. I must go to Ireland at least once in my life. Dad's Ma came from Ireland and I need to walk the green rolling hills. That plus, all the pubs! Oh.. and I wanna kiss the Blarney Stone. 5. I can't clean the house unless music is playing. Come to think of it, I can't cook without music playing. I also have music on when I take a shower... Ummm, I need music now... 6. I can sit still and "just be" longer than most people. Too few people actually spend time with themselves. (Maybe it comes from being an only child). 7. I truly hope to be a grandmother someday... I think I'd be a good one. Just don't call me Gammy.. or Grandma... hmmm... 8. My parents offered to get me a pet parrot when I was a kid after I had started pestering them for a pet (I got a cat in the end - well.. no.. I didn't get a cat in my.. oh you know what I mean! Sheesh...). I refused because I knew at some point it would say: "Ann, time for you to go upstairs and go to bed"! harumpfffff! OK.. that was painless enough... Sorry, but a ninth thing about me is.. I don't always like to follow rules (my inner wench I suppose). So, if you feel like it... go ahead and tell us 8 things about yourselves. Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes.

Happy Canada Day!

What makes my country great? They do... Thank you. May the fallen rest in Peace and Honour knowing they kept us The True North, Strong and Free. To our troops, may you always make it home safe. May our flag fly on high and never have to drape another brother or sister lost in combat. You make us proud. Love you all more than my luggage eh! Hugs, smooches and gropes!