Mo's Manic Monday - Bud

Bud.... hmmmm... Okay, so I decided to close my eyes and see where this word would lead me. Oddly enough, as much as I'd love for spring to finally get it's sh*t in gear (yes, I used an asterisk because I have no intention of calling Mother Nature out again and ending up with a snowstorm), what came to mind was not this: And despite how much time I spent chatting yesterday, I also didn't come up with this either: So, what popped into my head? 'Nip it in the Bud'... also known as: deal with a problem while it's small before it has the opportunity to grow into something serious. Not an easy thing to do... but it sure does save a lot of aggravation and heartache. I think it's one of those wise sayings (even though apparently Barney Fife kept saying it.. and he was just plain old silly) like : 'never go to bed angry'. This is really more about not letting feelings of hurt and anger sit there thinking they'll magically disappear... they won't.. unless you stop caring of course. So folks, if you have any, tie up your loose ends... or you might end up tripping on them like Jack Tripper and end up in some poor woman's cleavage... hmmmmmmmm... wait... that's a bad thing, right? ;) Join in the fun and say hey to Mo over at It's a Blog Eat Blog World... mkay? Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!

Manic Monday - Eggspect to be dazzled!

OK.. not really dazzled... More like informed. So: Interesting facts about eggs. 1. If you hold an egg in the palm of your hand and then try to squeeze your hand into a fist, you won't crush the egg. (and no... it isn't because I'm a weak girly girl... sheesh!) 2. Eggs don't crush under the weight of a mother bird when she sits on the nest because she hovers.. like when we women folk go to a public restroom. Actually, I was just kidding about the momma bird hovering part - however we women do in effect hover quite nicely. The reason the egg isn't crushed is because of the "design" of the egg. When a force is applied to an egg, the curve of the egg distributes the force over a wide area away from the point of contact. 3. Hens with white feathers and earlobes produce white eggs, and hens with red feathers and earlobes produce brown eggs. Does anyone know what a chicken's earlobe looks like? 4. If you accidentally break an egg on the floor or a counter top, sprinkle it heavily with salt for easy clean-up (in case you try number 1 and it turns out you're a freak of nature or something). OK.. I've shared enough egg facts. I'm off to make French Toast (Pain Doré) and bacon... YUMMO! Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!

Manic Monday - Carol

I sit at my computer, sipping a lovely cup (well, Santa mug really) of delicious and sweetly aromatic chai tea. I'm waiting for the storm after the storm that will come when my Chicklet learns that she in fact, as she predicted last night, gets to stay home from school for her second snow day since the it's-not-winter-yet-but-you'll-have-a White-Christmas-cause-you-all-complained-last-year unofficial start of the winter season. 15 inches... it never seemed so big... oh well! Mo chose a theme word once more this week, a word in keeping with Christmas (for those of us who think in the obvious way). Well, finding the inspiration for this edition of Manic Monday was easy... Last year, my daughter spent quite a bit of her free time at school practicing for the school's Christmas choir. She practiced in the washroom, in the car, humming in her classroom I was told, at the dinner table, she sang to her doll, she practiced in her bed... basically, she sang Christmas carols all over the place. Considering what our family was faced with she managed to bring JOY and the magic that comes with Christmas into our lives. For the not so long time reader... my mother was in the terminal phase of what was a losing battle with cancer. They recorded a lovely song written by a man named Jean Naty-Boyer about the children of the world... and the wish for a peaceful Christmas. Thankfully, Mom got a chance to hear it. Noël Des Enfants du Monde (with a so-so translation by moi... my apologies!) Enfants de Palestine (Child of Palestine) Ou enfants d'Israel (Or child of Israel) D'Amérique ou de Chine (From America or China) En ce jour de Noël (On this Christmas Day) Que ton regard se pose (Whether you should look) Sur la terre ou le ciel (Upon the earth or up to the sky) Ne retiens qu'une chose (Remember but one thing) Il faut croire à Noël (You must believe in Christmas) Matin couleur de cendre (Be it an ash colored morning) Ou matin d'arc en ciel (Or morning filled with rainbows) Qu'importe il faut attendre (No matter, you must wait) En ce soir de Noël (On this Christmas night) Que les fusils se taisent (For the guns to fall quiet) et répondent à l'appel (And answer the call) De cette parenthèse (Of the spirit) Qui s'appelle Noël (That is Christmas) Un jour viendra peut-être (Hopefully a day will come) Un jour au goût de miel (A day as sweet as honey) Où l'on verra paraitre (Where we'll see appear) Un oiseau dans le ciel (A bird in the sky) Aux plumes de lumière (With feathers of light) Un oiseau éternel (An eternal bird) Colombe pour la terre (A dove for the Earth) Un oiseau de Noël (The bird of Christmas) As we prepare our houses for the coming of Christmas, as we grocery shop for the Christmas dinner, as we plan what type of cookies we'll bake for Santa... some children may not have enough to eat. The United Nations World Food Programme manages the funds raised through Freerice and numerous other donations, and they have distributed rice in many countries... Myanmar... Nepal... Cambodia... Phillippines... Sri Lanka... Bangladesh... Cote d'Ivoire... India... Madagascar... Ecuador... May your holidays be filled with love and laughter... and may their stomachs be filled. May the guns fall silent and may we all find PEACE. As a quick note... I received a wonderful e-mail late Friday and have had a few exchanges with the author since... more about this is another post. My thanks to Turnbaby who promoted Freerice once again on Turnbaby Talks. SMOOCH! Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!

Manic Monday - Ornament

Yup... me... This walk down memory lane is brought to you by Morgen. Mom and Dad had great glass ornaments. Dad would climb up on the stepladder to the trap door that reached the attic and bring down boxes and boxes. And he even let me climb up there and have a peak while he held on (but told me not to tell Mom cause she'd have had a conniption). I remember the birds Dad had... I'm going to go hunting in the attic and see if they're still there. While I do... play a little... Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!

I might be a little rusty..

I haven't played this in a while but felt compelled to for some odd reason... (Please interpret as: she needed a distraction from housework!) (Holy crap! It has been a long time...) Today's word is: RANK And this is what popped into my head before reading the definitions. (You mean besides the smell coming from the back of the basement closet? You know, the one you haven't gone through yet cause you're playing word games?) I'm gonna put you in the basement closet... (HA! No room, good luck!) Hold on... wait a minute. (You were about to tell them what you instantly thought of... focus woman!) I know! I know why I felt compelled to do this! (Oh good grief... here she goes...) Don't tell me to get on with it I've just had an epiphany! A EUREKA moment! The proverbial lightbulb -a lovely blinking Christmas one at that- just came on! A revelation! Hark-the-Herald-angels-can-you-hear-the-trumpets-a-light-shines-down-on-me-from-the-parting-clouds moment... get the picture? SEE!! Moi, on a nature walk, clouds part, angels, ray of light TADAH! (I'm sure they do. Now, get on with it already! Before "Dear Reader" clicks the "NEXT BLOG" button.) (Hey! There's no snow in that picture! That can't be ...) SHUT UP! It's because of Free Rice -see how I worked that in there!? (Matt-man is right.. you're like a crack pusher... of course Jeff was nicer about it.. we like Jeff, he's nice) Hey voice.. who's rambling now? (harumpffffffffff!) I know, you figure this is the confirmation that I'm certifiable, that I'm off my rocker, that I'm losing my mind... (They figured this out now? gee how perspicacious!) Great... just great! The "voices" from The Couch got past security and snuck in the luggage compartment.. I can hear them like squirrels frolicking in the Christmas tree... oh crap in a hat! (Turnbaby says that.. not Mister "watch-me-cook-gravy-in-my-kitchen-in-my-socks". Now get on with it...) Maybe, but the "harumpfffff" gave you away, don't think I didn't notice. You see, playing the Free Rice word game had me seeking out other variants of word games, and Mo's Manic Monday fits! Ok.. I'M ready now... (finally...) but you have to remember to go play and feed the world! (you really are indefatigable, pertinacious, tenacious and persistent aren't you!) I'll make PROSELYTES (converts...) out of you before long. Even the smartass in my head benefits from the Free Rice word game it seems. Where was I? (I'm not keeping track anymore - that "NEXT BLOG" button looks appealing and inviting.) Oh yes, RANK! As I was saying, this is the first thing that popped into my head when I read Mo's selection: Rank(noun): a row, line, or series of things or persons: orchestra players arranged in ranks. (That's it? sheesh!) Enjoy visiting other Manic Monday participants! Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!

Manic Monday - Fishing for birds

I haven't participated in a Manic Monday in a while, and imagine the glee when I saw what the word was... CLUE!!! Some people are just clueless... Enjoy and take comfort! There are folks that are more stupid than you. From the Blue Collar Comedy folks... Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!

Manic Monday - heat...

What to do with such a topic... Chelsea's no longer in heat as we've had her "fixed"... I really don't want to talk weather... unless... I have to dance around the house singing... Canned Heat at Woodstock...a classic.. makes me wanna go skinny dipping, but without the lifevest.. gets in the way (wink wink Turnbaby!) Who doesn't love a little Napoleon... Canned Heat baby! Oh... and when there's heat...there's... Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!

Manic Monday - Survive

Survive There are days when I don’t think I will… There are days when I don’t want to… She isn’t here, Holding my hand Reminding me that so-and-so’s birthday is coming Calling me and ask me ‘What’s new?’ Baking my Father’s birthday cake Mending her granddaughter’s favorite socks Making her infamous chicken and shells soup Giving me advice I didn't ask for. She fought to live To nurture To listen To give To speak To love To breathe To survive… And she does… In my daughter’s giggles In my hands In my father’s memories In my daughter's kindness In my eyes In my father's soul In my heart... and so will I.… Thank you Morgen.… I love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!

Manic Monday - Sun

I dare you to make it through this without shakin' what your momma gave you.. KC and the Sunshine Band... WOOOOOOOOOOO!! *sigh* Nice walk down memory lane... For the more traditional SUNSHINE post.. visit Saturday's posts... Love you more than your luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!

Manic Monday ... SNAP

Snapping turtles? The views expressed in the previous video are not necessarily a reflection of the views of the blogger who has posted it.. but it’s damn funny I tell ya! And I needed a good laugh today... man I hate being snapped at. For My Queen Dana That’s right Matt-man… dancing meat… and you heard right.. steak sauce! On a serious note, today is the anniversary of the Battle at Vimy Ridge. It was a defining moment in Canada’s history. Quoted from an article written by Tim Cook - The Battle of Vimy Ridge, 9-12 April 1917 “Attacking together for the first time, the four Canadian divisions stormed the ridge at 5:30am on 9 April 1917. More than 15,000 Canadian infantry overran the Germans all along the front. Incredible bravery and discipline allowed the infantry to continue moving forward under heavy fire, even when their officers were killed. There were countless acts of sacrifice, as Canadians single-handedly charged machine-gun nests or forced the surrender of Germans in protective dugouts. Hill 145, the highest and most important feature of the Ridge, and where the Vimy monument now stands, was captured in a frontal bayonet charge against machine-gun positions. Three more days of costly battle delivered final victory. The Canadian operation was an important success, even if the larger British and French offensive, of which it had been a part, had failed. But it was victory at a heavy cost: 3,598 Canadians were killed and another 7,000 wounded. The capture of Vimy was more than just an important battlefield victory. For the first time all four Canadian divisions attacked together: men from all regions of Canada were present at the battle. Brigadier-General A.E. Ross declared after the war, "in those few minutes I witnessed the birth of a nation."” Sadly, our troops in Afghanistan remembered it today while mourning the loss of 6 of their comrades who were killed by a roadside bomb on Easter Sunday. This was the worst single-day toll for the Canadian Forces in Afghanistan. In Memoriam Sgt. Donald Lucas, 31, of Burton, N.B. (but raised in St. John's). Cpl. Aaron E. Williams, 23, of Lincoln, N.B. Pte. Kevin Vincent Kennedy, 20, of St. Lawrence, N.L. Pte. David Robert Greenslade, 20, of Saint John, N.B. Cpl. Christopher Paul Stannix, 24, of Dartmouth, N.S. Cpl. Brent Poland, 37, of Camlachie, Ont. My most sincere condolences to their families. Thank you, your sacrifice does not go unnoticed. Lest we forget… Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!

Manic Monday ... SPRING

He just SPRINGS out of nowhere doesn't he? Did that little girl SPRING a leak? hehehe Love you all more than my luggage! hugs, smooches and gropes!

I think I'm here.. Manic Monday - yellow edition

Well, it’s official… I no longer have a little girl. Morgen.. hope you don't mind sharing! LOL My child has morphed into the mythical mysterious creature that is …. **cue sinister music **(or boy band music.. just as sinister.. even scarier… like, say Boyzone for instance… very scary) … a ‘tween’… Lord help me! If you actually sat throught the whole video... I apologize... Bwahahahahahaha! Oh Travis.. dude! Yesterday, I sat on the loveseat in my ex-mother-in-law’s living room, watching as my daughter The Chicklet coddled her younger cousins at her 9th birthday party. She’s growing up. I still remember the day I brought her home from the hospital and took her into her bedroom for the very first time. Not that she actually slept there in the beginning… but that’s another story. Because we hadn’t wanted to know if the baby was a boy or a girl… wait, I feel the need to correct that statement… I wanted to know that it WAS either a boy or a girl.. just not which specifically of the two! Alright, I can go on now. Where was I? Ah yes… Because we hadn’t wanted to know the sex of the little invader that had taken up residence in my stomach, seemed keen on using my bladder for a Yoga Ball, felt the inner décor would be greatly improved if my rib was way up there instead, and had taken over my taste buds (Italian sausage had become my mortal enemy and green apples made me salivate), we (not the royal mommy married we), my ex and I, had decorated the nursery with a lot of yellow. It was a bright and cheerful room, with a lovely old fashioned wood rocking chair and the greatest invention since the clapper.. a deluxe diaper genie! Nothing equals the stench of a breast-fed baby’s yellow poopy diaper… the diaper genie was my new best friend! And now, as she is 9 years old and I’ve managed to put off redecorating her room other than buying new furniture and bedding, I will.. with great sadness.. be forced to remove the white and yellow striped wallpaper and paint her room in a tween approved hue of some form of girlie pastel (most likely blush or lavender) before the official teen years and she wants her room painted black or dark blue or red…. Ok.. it really has nothing to do with any sentimentality… I hate the thought of tackling that damned wall paper… the walls are PLASTER!! Do you have any idea what a pain it is to remove wall paper from plaster? With two crazy dogs hanging around and trying to steal the wall paper as you peel it off? It’s enough to make you want to pack up and move… I’m fortunate. I have a healthy, vibrant (yellow is vibrant) child who still loves to cuddle and actually actively seeks out hugs and kisses. She and I are both healthy. And, I get along very well with my ex and my former in-laws. When a child is involved, it feels like you become inextricably linked to the people who have, in some way, contributed to the history and genetic makeup of your child. Not everyone is this fortunate though... and I'm well aware of that. My ex mother-in-law knew that I couldn’t bear to throw a celebration for my daughter’s birthday this year at the house… so she organized one as only a grandmother can. That woman has been in my life somehow for close to twenty years and knows the pain of losing a mother. Next week my daughter gets to spend some time with her, and it brings me some peace to know she still has a grandmother she can be close to. I’ve been remiss in my blogging in the past week. I’ve had a terrible time at work- an employee’s career possibly resting in my hands. That coupled with the knowledge that my daughter would celebrate her first birthday without Mom... both these facts were weighing heavily on my heart. By the grace of God and the support of a two very special people, I’m back to myself again. Yup.. you’re in for it now folks… Love you all more than my luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes!

Happy Birthday Morgen.. Manic Monday Minions Celebrate!

Welcome one and all to Morgen’s around the world birthday celebration EXTRAVAGANZA! I thought long and hard.. what to do for the fearless leader of the crazy manic minions he has been inspired. Plus, let’s face it any excuse to haul out the new and improved snazzy luggage.. and I’m a happy girl! It was an extensive trip and I apologize for being so late but you try and cover so many countries is so little time.. I mean.. I must have lost the greatest part of my time explaining to Customs officials all around the world who this Morgen is and why he’s dressed like a pharaoh (the gold lame is FAHBULOUS DAHLING!) So.. I got my luggage, my passport, my world map, a picture of Morgen, Fodor’s guide to the universe and a nice hat ( I decided against the pith helmet, it didn’t match my shoes). Our trip begins in New Zealand, where after the birthday candles are lit, everyone gathers and sings the Happy Birthday song loudly and usually out of tune (look, I’ve only been there once it is NOT my fault! I hear Matt’s the one responsible). Once the singing is mercifully over, the birthday person then receives a clap on the back for every year they’ve been alive and of course one more for luck. 41 claps… hmmmm… This might take a while, but thankfully you have enough friends to go round Mo. Kia huritau ki a koe! (in Maori) I head off to the home of the BentoBoxx…Japan.. (um.. Morgen? A Samurai?) Otanjou-bi Omedetou Gozaimasu! Happy Birthday in Japanese... or so I'm told... actually it's that or your mother sat on a walrus... Well, but of course, tradition says one must wear new clothes one one’s birthday! Ok..well, I know it applies mainly to kids, but Mo.. you are young at heart! ( An excuse to shop.. WOOOOHOOO!.. and who says new clothes says new shoes!) I'm not sold on the parasol... We head off to Russia… Ok.. I have an issue here.. PIE? See, it seems the Russians don’t have a birthday cake.. it’s a PIE!! With wishes carved on the crust! Knowing that this won’t do because Mo loves cake, I promptly grab a case of vodka and head off to my next destination… Pazdravliayu s dniom razhdjenia! - again.. I think that's right.. but.. cabbie looked drunk... I was secretly hoping Mikhail Barishnikov would be on the flight.. but alas… Bello! Welcome to Italy… Buon Compleanno! Ah yes… now, as I was busy roaming the piazzas I encountered a lovely darling man who was so very helpful and offered to squire me around on his vespa… through my um.. adventures… I managed to do some research, and I found out that on their birthday, an Italian child’s ears are pulled (no this is not code for.. um.. never mind) I was saying, a child’s ears are pulled as many times as how old they are turning. Ok.. I admit it.. this picture has nothing to do with Italy.. but seriously.. Mo.. who cares! I'll give you a moment to reflect... *sigh* Right... so.... where to next? We hop on a river cruise... and cross the sea.. taking a trip to the Nile to visit Egypt (you didn't think I would forget to take you cruising in Egypt did you?) In Egypt people invite many friends and family to their birthday parties, and will often serve two birthday cakes (makes up for the stupid Russian pie tradition!). One cake has candles while the other one doesn't. A great deal of food is served such as cookies, sesame breads... Eid milaad saeed! (In Arabic, I'm not even joking about this one...... nope.. nosiree!) Homes are decorated with paper garlands called zeena that look like chains of snowflakes. These are hung all around the house. (Hung? Hey what just walked out of the water?) We board a flight across the Atlantic down towards South America for a stop in Peru where guests at a birthday party often receive two kinds of party favors. The first favor is a goody box or bag and the second is a pin made in honor of the event. And there are almost always fancy paper hats (how attractive!). You sir, receive a crown! Feliz Cumpleaños! And we take you back to North America.. where all your friends are gathered to wish you... HAPPY 40TH BIRTHDAY MORGEN! Love you more than my New and Improved Luggage! Hugs, smooches and gropes! Thanks Vince