Yeah I Crossed Over the 200 Follower Mark

I hit the 200th follower today.  Yeah, thanks Steph!!!

Peace, Love and Chocolate
 

My First Marriage At 5

Now for some of you, you may feel that kindergarten is too young for marriage, but not I.  I was prepared to take the plunge and be a wife.  I knew how to care for an infant without her head rolling off.  I could cook gourmet meals with my plastic food and delicate pastries with my easy bake oven.  I vacuumed and moped, keeping a nice clean rubber floor and my mat was always made up.  I was the perfect catch.  Then the cutie pie and I started our whirl wind courtship that with shared snacks that led to a kiss underneath the round table.  We were then ripped apart by our teacher, for she did not understand our love.  At the 3 o'clock we waved good-bye.  The next afternoon he came over as I cooked lunch and presented my with a ring telling me we were now husband and wife.  He didn't quite get my size, as it was a little too big for my finger.  That afternoon I came home and showed off my gift telling everyone I was now Mrs. Chapman.  When my parents caught a glimpse of the precious bauble they demanded that I return it immediately.  In fact the next when we got to school my husbands mother was waiting.  We made the introductions and she said, "I believe you have something of mine".  I looked down, "but he gave it to me".  She in her nicest voice said, "but sweetheart it's my wedding ring and I would really like it back".  My father nudged me and I took it off and gave it to her.  That was the end of our brief marriage, an annulment by our parents.  They just didn't understand our deep love.  He chasing me around the playground, punching me and breaking our children's necks.  Ah, it was a good first marriage, if only it would have lasted more than 24 hours.

"Anyone Else Had Some Young Love Before?"

Peace, Love and Chocolate
 

Mmmmmm, I Love Porn

I do love me some porn. I can watch it all day long licking my lips and smacking them till I finally break down and have to go get me some.  I'll get it on the corner and bring it home and have my way with it.  I will pay whatever price is asked of me, if I feigning for it.  Even while I am enjoying the goodies I will still watch the porn on tv, which makes me crave for more.  I'm not talking about that ind of porn, I'm talking about something better---food porn.  The Food Network and Travel Channel reels me in with shows about food that drive me insane.  I love to eat---almost anything.  Tonight the guy was eating one of my fav dishes---roasted bone marrow.  OMG, if you have ever had it, you know how good it is and all I could thin k of was the last time I got to have this.  And folks wonder why I cook a steak with a bone and why I enjoy that round bone in a ham steak.  Lordy I am so hungry right now.  I could eat almost anything right now.  Doesn't matter, breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, snack or dessert, I can enjoy my porn anytime of the day.  I just have to keep the moans of enjoyment at a minimum.  Yeah my lip has drool on it right now.  My sister is always laughing at me because I am always headed to a restaurant trying something new.  Now intestine and eyeballs turn me off, but everything else makes me sit upright when I am watching these shows. Ahh, food porn, who needs a man unless he can cook.  Now that's some good porn.

Peace, Love and Chocolate
 

I Can Sleep Through Anything

Watching the news today I was in shock to hear that 3 people had been shot less than one black away from my house and I had no idea.  This all transpired Saturday night and it took till today for me to hear about it on the news.  Apparently someone is running an "after hours" shindig in their basement.  I guess the drinks and the fish dinners were a bit pricey and someone decided to retaliate by shooting 3 19 year olds.  Now I am thinking that the police must have driven down the street without flashing lights and sirens, as they notoriously do around here.  Thinking about it now, I prob heard the shots and rolled back over to sleep.  The arrested the homeowner for getting in their way when they entered the home.  He just didn't want them messing up his lil business.  C'mon what's wrong with having a mini nightclub in your basement? ("Everyday I'm Hustlin" is playing in my head) Who needs permits, these folks are getting a deal on the dinners and drinks.  Not to mention they are allowed to smoke.  Now that's a win-win situation.  The news even said that this house has had issues for over a year now and that the police have been called several times.  Really?  It's amazing that either police are doing a crappy job of letting their presence known or I have become so complacent that I don't recognize violence in my neighborhood anymore.  No we don't take cover at the sound of gunshots, otherwise I would be on the floor all summer long, but I do keep it in mind with decisions I make for myself and my family.  Hopefully these folks will go down for selling alcohol and the rest of the summer will be quiet.  Hmmm, maybe not too quiet or else I won't be able to sleep.  I need someone to run down the street screaming every now and then or the bass from a car to rattle my windows.  Oh by the way, they still haven't caught the shooter, yeah for my neighborhood.

Peace, Love and Chocolate
 

Stealing Sunday

Sunday Stealing: The Eighty Meme, Part One

Cheers to all of us thieves!
1. What curse word do you use the most?

The F-word, several times a day but never in front of the kids

2. Do you own an iPod?

Yes, it is way tooo old

3. What person do you talk to on the phone the most?

Probably my sisters, equally, 3 to 4 times a week.

4. Do you still remember the first person you kissed?

Brent Chapman, kindergarten, under the big round table.  The next day he gave me his mothers wedding ring.

5. Do you remember where you were on 11/9/01?

Probably visiting my father at the nursing home

6. What was the last movie you watched?

The Informant

7. Has anyone ever called you lazy?

Yes, my mother says it daily even if I am working in front if her

8. Do you ever take medication to help you fall asleep?

Only if I am sick

9. Has anyone told you a secret this week?

Yepper

10. What is the first thing you notice about the opposite sex?

Eyes, then lips, then arms, then the abs, then the butt and then overall height.
11. What are you looking forward to?

Thanksgiving, hee hee hee.

12. Do you own any band t-shirts?

Yeah but they are so faded I don't know who is on them anymore.

13. What will you be doing in one hour?

Standing in front of a fan trying to cool off

14. Is anyone in love with you?

Doubtful

15. Last time you cried?

3 days

16. Are you on a desktop computer or a laptop?

Netbook

17. Are you currently wanting any piercings or tattoos?

Yes, I can't wait to get another tattoo.  Not sure as to what butterfly or rubber duck

18. Would you ever date anyone covered in tattoos?

As long as their neck, hands and face were clear of them, I would be fine. Oh they have to be real tattos, not your cousin wrote on you or you got them in the clink.

19. What were you doing before this?

Trying figure out what to eat for dinner
20. When is the last time you slept on the floor?

About a month ago at a party

21. How many hours of sleep do you need to function?

4

22. Do you eat breakfast daily?

Nope but I know that I should.

Peace, Love and Chocolate
 

A Day Of Pancakes

Today was a long day.  First I woke up late, which is not normal for me.  I got up and realized that I wanted to cook something unique for breakfast, so I decided on blueberry ricotta cheese pancakes.  OH MY GOD, they were so freakin good, especially with the honey syrup.  I was a pig and sucked down about 6 pancakes before I pushed myself away from the table.  My mother ate about 10 and my boys would only taste them.  So we left out to go to Home Depot, which I never wanted to do.  The quick trip to Home Depot started at 10:45, we didn't make it home till 3:45.  Beign the nice mother I am, I took the boys to Best Buy, where we spent way too much time, then to Sam's Club because they wanted to snack.  As we were leaving I ran into the guy that I was in love with when I was in 9th grade.  We chit chatted before we were finally ready to leave.  Again being nice and asked the kids did they want a float.  They of course aid sure and we stood in line and the chose the flavor that they wanted.  That's when hell broke loose.  My middle son got his and began to frown saying he didn't like floats and didn't know it was ice cream.  I turned and point to the sign that he had read.  ICE CREAM FLOAT.  He began to cry and complain.  I told him we were leaving and that that there would be no exchange.  As we got out into the parking lot he started screaming and crying throwing a tantrum.  I look ed at him and sad, "wait till we get home".  Upon opening the door, my mood changed.  I went upstairs and the only thing on my mind was beating some butt without getting sweaty, as I had a party that I was already late for.  I tagged him good, quickly refreshed and was on my way.  I got to my friends house to only realize that I was there an hour early, so I sat there talking as she cut up bell peppers and cucumbers.  2 hours later it began and I realized that it was a sex toy party.  I must admit that this girl was one of the most laid back presenters that I have ever seen.  We had a break where she sat and talked with us making jokes.  Even after her presentation she sat down and chit chatted about whatever we were talking about.  In the end she and I ended up being the last people to leave the house because we were talking so much.

Now this girl was hilarious.  Every story she had was funnier that the first.  She is the kind of person that always has to help a wounded animal, which gives her a long list of exes.  I couldn't stop laughing, thinking about all these crazy stories of her running into her exes and how she keeps running into them and all the drama that they have brought to her life.  From police visits to the house guest from hell, she has experienced it.  It's always nice to meet someone new.  When I got home I rocked in my chair and got another plate of pancakes, another fun day to an end.

Peace, Love and Chocolate
 

The Basement Sucked Me In

I have been AWOL for 3 days now because of that spot in my house called a basement.  It finally sucked me into the abyss and I got down and dirty with it.  I pulled out oxes galore and sorted through childhood memories, laughing at the fact that I still own the tea set I played with and all my Barbie dolls.  I had even kept notes that my friends and I had written when we were in junior high and high school (I'll be sure to post a few, some of them were hilarious).  I think I have every stuffed animal that I have ever been given.  I still have my Popple, Furskin, Puffalump, My Child, Rainbow Brite and a Sprite, Care Bears, 6 Cabbage Patch Kids and I think My Little Pony might be in that bin too.  I guess you can call me a pack rat, but at least it isn't empty beer cans or eggs (um yeah I do collect ducks, but I only have one box full).  Most of the basement is full of kitchenware and Christmas decorations.   I was willing to part with old Halloween costumes, Easter baskets, St. Patrick's Day, St. Valentine's Day and Thanksgiving Day decorations (all my 4th of July stuff was stolen out of my yard one year), as my kids are interested in the holidays as much anymore.  Yeah they still like to decorate for Halloween and only wear a costume for trick or treating, so I kept all the scary masks.  Christmas is all me.  I usually make all the decorations for my tree, garland and wreaths.  Yes, I hand make Christmas decorations.  I have had a butterfly tree, Christmas stocking, gingerbread man, crowns, gloves, birds, snowflakes, and icicles.  Everything was cut out, decorated and painted, except for the glass icicles which took 5 years for me to collect.  As the plastic bins were pulled out of the damp corner I began to realize how much I actually own.  After consolidating and getting rid of about 6 tubes, there were still 10 that were filled to the brim with lights, houses, garland, bulbs and everything else that yelled Santa Claus or Jesus.  I felt like the two guys playing the longest match in Wimbledon history, "when will this end".  We spent 3 days down there and I still need to go into the cabinets and tackle what is next to the dryer, which will take another day or so.  The people in my neighborhood were cracking up as me hauled about 50 bags of trash to the curb and to think I have to do it again next week is not a happy thought, as my back is killing me now and my feet are numb.  At the basement is clearing out and I will soon have a place to send my children to when they are annoying me.  Too bad for them there is no tv, so it will be solitary confinement.

"Anybody Else A Pack Rat?"

Peace, Love and Chocolate
 

Is It Better To Have Lusted And Lost, Then Have Never Lusted At All?

This is another convo that I probably should not be having with a certain friend of mine, but I can't help myself.  He asked would it have been better if we never knew about our mutual attraction.  I of course said no, as a enjoy our flirtatious friendship.  I think that our friendship changed my life (the way it was before he got married or was even dating anyone).  It made me more aware of what I wanted and made me a think about myself more.  That's another story, he then went into the fact that it sucks wanting what you can't have and that the basis of his marriage was not a truthful one.  There is nothing worse than thinking you are reconnecting to someone and then later finding out they aren't who you thought they were.  That's what he believes that he has found himself in, but vows were taken so the commitment stands.  Anyhoo, back to the lecture at hand.  I know there is a line that should never be crossed but how do you drown out your attraction to someone else.  Yeah you may be setting yourself up for a potential problem if you go beyond the yellow lines but don't we all look across and wonder?  Wonder what could have been or what could be before you turn and run screaming into the hills.  I don't know, I feel like I am rambling and from the looks of it I am.

"Is better to lust after someone that you know that you can not have or is it better to settle for what you have?"

Peace, Love and Chocolate
 

Stealing Sunday

Sunday Stealing: The Oh My! Meme, Part One 

1. The phone rings; who don't you want it to be?
The Police, never a good thing.

2. When shopping at the grocery store, do you return your cart?
Always, I hate floating carts in the parking lot.

3. In a social setting, are you more of a talker or a listener?
Talker, but I listen and talk about what everyone is talking about.

4. What was the last compliment that someone gave you?
Pretty hair.

5. Do you play the lottery?
Only if it is over 200 million

6. If abandoned alone in the wilderness, who would you want with you?
The guy from man versus wild

7. Do you like to ride horses?
Never have

8. Did you ever go to camp as a kid?
Yes I did, girl scout camp for a week.

9. What is your favorite party game?
Any game where I can win a prize.  I am really competitive.

10. If a sexy person was pursuing you, but you knew he/she was married, would you go for it?
No answer

11. When was the last time that you lied?
Today when I told my boys I forgot something

12. Could you date someone with different religious beliefs than you?
Yes, it would be difficult hopefully we could get through it

13. If you have a S/O, who pursued who? If not, do you like to pursue or be pursued?
Who doesn't like being pursued

14. Use six words to describe yourself.
sweet, funny, sexy, lovable, carefree, quirky

15. Name a song that could make you cry?
Run To You  by Whitney Houston

16. Are you pleased with your education?
No


17. How do you feel about gun control?
Should be stronger

18. If your house was on fire, what thing would be the first thing you grabbed?
My family

19. How often do you have a romantic weekend?
Never

20. Do you think more about the past, present or future?
The past so that I will never repeat it, but I look to the future

21. What was the last adult magazine that you have read?
Zane

22. What are you told about your eyes?
That someone can get lost in them

23. How tall is just right?
6 feet

24. Where is your dream house located?
Somewhere just outside a busy city, where I can still see the lights, but can enjoy the quiet

25. Do you have a secret fetish?
purses and shoes

26. Have you tried bourbon? If yes, what type?
nope

27. Have you ever seen a male or female stripper?
Yes and he ruined a perfectly good glass of wine

28. When was the last time you were at TGI Fridays?
One month ago

29. When was the last time you were at Church?
Easter

30. Where was the furthest place you traveled today?
Pick moms up

31. What was your favorite job?
working with lots of people

32. What condiments do you like at your BBQ?
BBQ sauce

33. Bud is hosting Thursday Thunks this week. Will you play?
um who, what

34. Do you look like your mom or dad?
Of course I tolerate her everyday

35. Who was the last person that you showered with (it's okay to leave out the name)?
Man I miss him



Peace, Love and Chocolate
 

Happy Papa's Day

Father's Day around here use to mean cheesy gifts for my dad from my boys and a breakfast that I would cook for him.  He would always be happy to open his cards and read them and then proudly display them on the mantel.  Then he went to the nursing home and Father's Day was never the same.  He'd never open a card again or even visibly acknowledge a gift.  This now is the 4th Father's Day I have had without my father. There are still cards to buy and cheesy gifts to make but it not the same.  My boys only remember Papa from visits to the nursing home and those random times we would bring him home to visit until he stopped walking, making it impossible to do.  We'd always take food, gifts and cards and decorate his room for Father's Day even though we knew the Alzheimer's was robbing him of the ability to participate and smile at all the silly cards and clay hand prints the boys had made in school especially for him.  I usually would sit and stare at him hoping that he would make eye contact with me, so that I knew he was there, but it never happened---not until the last Fathers Day he was alive.

We decided to have chicken that afternoon at the nursing home,  I told my mother it was cruel and usual punishment to sit there and eat chicken in front of Dad and he not be able to have any, but she insisted.  It was like all other visits.  We sat and talked to him, reorganized his things, I think my mother even shaved him.  As we were leaving, my mother went over to kiss him on the head like always when he said, "skirt too short".  We all were stunned since he hadn't spoken a word for almost 2 years now.  I looked down at my skirt in response and said, "it's not that short Daddy".  He didn't respond and that would be the last time I would even here his voice. All those years of visiting I thought that he was looking through me as if I weren't there, but he wasn't.  I still get choked up knowing that his last words were to me, his baby girl, who blamed herself for the 7 years of his sickness.  I am blessed to have that memory of Dad.  I never wore that skirt again.  Love you and miss you Daddy, Happy Father's Day all!

Peace, Love and Chocolate
 

The Cereal War

This morning in my house spawned an argument of arguments.  Who put a bowl of cereal in the sink?  Any parent knows that wasted food in so freakin annoying.  I know who the culprit is but I have no way of proving it, so I must punish them all.  No cereal for the rest of the summer.  I know that may be harsh but thinking about how much money I spend on cereal and milk for a week and they just pour it down the drain like it's no biggie.  So I just won't buy any except the cereal that I eat.  My 2 oldest are highly upset and have been arguing with my youngest trying to convince him to own up to it and eat, but he has refused so now all is chaos in the house.  The oldest are shunning him and threatening not to play with him or allow him to play with any of their stuff because of it, but he isn't cracking.  Instead he is sitting watching Alice in Wonderland with me.

 I have already told him that I know it was him because he is notorious for putting half eaten food int he refrigerator all the time.  Half eaten hamburger, pancakes, hot dogs and chicken, always in little plastic bags in the door.  I usually don't notice them until they are piled up and I am wondering why the things in the door are sticky.  I even gave them a strike against them on their quest to go to Cedar Point.  I think I am going to make a board and put on the fridge so that they can see strikes, so they know how close they are to losing it.  Kinda makes me mad because I want to go, as I am a roller coaster buff and I have been since the year I found out I was preggers with the youngest.  So alas there will be no cold food in this house this summer.  I think I will make grits and oatmeal every morning in the 90 degree heat (we have no AC).  Nothing like a hot bowl of oatmeal on a hot day.  All someone had to do was eat the cereal but no one wanted to do it.  Oh well money in my pocket.

"What Food Gets Wasted In Your House?"

Peace, Love and Chocolate
 

Whatcha Mean There Is No Tylenol?

I guess I missed the news yesterday when they announced that they were recalling more of extra strength Tylenol.   In fact they recalled almost everything.  I can only take Tylenol because the doctor specifically told me no ibuprofen and now it is gone till they figure out how some chemical got on the outside of the bottle.  This is driving me nuts.  I made my way to a half dozen Walgreens, a few Rite Aids and CVS hoping to find it still on the shelf but no.  I almost felt like a crack head in search of a hit.  Now I do not take them daily but I do take them if a headache is coming on or if I have some back pain.  Now I am without my little blue and red Rapid Release capsules and my plain extra strength.  This is the same way I felt when they recalled Alka-Seltzer.  That afternoon I ran around to stores stocking up on the only thing that has ever relieved the flu or a cold.  I think I ended up with about 15 boxes in the end.  I shared them with my sister because she was addicted to them as well.  Soon they came out with a new formula, which didn't taste the same and it didn't make me feel any better.  to this day whenever one of us gets a cold we wish for the Original Alka-Seltzer.  Again I was acting like a crack head.  Trust me if I could I would get it and take it when I had a cold.  "Plop, plop, fizz, fizz!"
  
Peace, Love and Chocolate
 

I have a love affair with it every morning and something in the afternoon.  He's dark, hot, rich, ready for me in the morning and can be complex if I take my time when indulging myself.  Its my coffee and he is the one thing that I can count on everyday.  His aroma coasts me out of bed and past everything else and I thank him for the wake- up call he has given me.  Everyone knows not to mess with me till I have had my coffee and there better be some cream in the fridge.  I love my coffee so much I leave creamers in my car, at my sisters house and in my office at the school.  Yes I am Starbucks, Caribou Coffee, Arabica, Gloria Jeans and Dunkin Donuts coffee freak.  So bad that 2 of the places know me when I walk in.  They don't know however what I am going to order, as I change it every time I go in.

The other morning I woke up to sheer panic.  The coffee maker was not working.  I shook it, beat it, slapped it, I even kicked it.  Water splashing everywhere as I yanked it from the wall and plead with it to work.  "Please coffee maker, just turn on.  I just want some coffee.  I just didn't have you plugged in right, right?"  After reasoning with it some more I took it outside and slammed it into the trash can.  That morning I had to go to the gas station, for that sludge that they call Colombian blend.  I was soooo nauseous.  The next day I vowed to buy a new maker.  After weighing the pros and cons of getting a Keurig (they are wonderful), I bought a Mr. Coffee for $19.99 instead of $89.99 on the one I actually wanted.  First I can't fathom spending $90 on a coffee maker, second, Macy's is having a huge sale on Saturday morning and I may buy one if it's around $60.  Now you none coffee drinkers may think I am crazy but I'm not.  It's one thing that I can have everyday that I love and I want to have it perfect every dayum day.  I can be dirt poor but I will pull together my pennies and get a cup of coffee (Starbucks laughs when I do this when I forget my wallet at home).  I love you Juan Valdez.

"Anybody Else Have An Absolute Need For Coffee In The Morning?"

Peace, Love and Chocolate
 

You Can Use It If You Can Pay For It

Whenever my kids have asked to use anything in the house besides the t or microwave, I ask, "can you pay for it, if gets broken"?  Of course they say no and I say, "there's your answer".  Now that my son is 13 everyone has coerced me into giving him washer and dryer lessons.  "Your son doesn't know how to wash his clothes?", yes I hear it all the time.  He knows how to separate but the different functions he is a bit fuzzy on.  I showed him how everything worked he even did a load.  I told him under no circumstances was he to use the bleach.  I would kick his skinny little butt if I ever came downstairs to bleached out clothes.

 I was feeling in the giving mood and even let down my guard and let him cook a grilled cheese sandwich since they always say, "you don't cook them like our dad".  Really when did he become Emeril.  My boy did fine but I still instructed him to never use the stove without my permission because I know that if something caught fire he would stand there like a deer in headlights as he does when he knocks anything over in the kitchen.  Me: "You knocked the milk over."  Him: *stares at me with a blank face as then looks at milk pouring from jug* Me: "Do you hear me?  Pick it up!  And clean it up!"  I am patiently looking forward to the day that he will cook everything on his own and I can sit back and say, "I don't like that, can I make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich instead?"


Peace, Love and Chocolate
 

CHOCOLATE OF THE WEEK

Mmmmmmm, hold wait for it, wait for it, ahhhh.  That was def good for me.  Today I sampled what has found its way to my top 25 pieces of chocolate.  This home produced chocolate comes from Honadle's Fine Candies in Ohio.  The name Becky Bars.  I have no idea where the name came from but whoever the namesake is, must be a great person because the chocolate is stellar.  Becky Bars contain dark chocolate, cashew, peanut butter and caramel chews.  How can you go wrong with peanut butter, chocolate, cashews and caramel?  You can't, it's not possible.  Now I usually share the chocolate with my kids, but not this time.  "These 4 little squares of goodness are mine, now back off!"

Peace, Love and Chocolate
 

Your Behind Has Become A Prime Target

I was cracking up this afternoon when I was driving down the street when I saw a guy running.  First thing I did was put my car in reverse because I had no idea what he was running from.  I had plenty of time because this fool was running so slow, almost like he had a limp.  It wasn't till he go closer to me that I realized that he was trying to run with his pants sagging below his butt.  I have a hard time understand how guys walk in pants that far down.  I am guessing that they spread their legs as far as the can and then imitate a cowboy, moseying down the street.  I couldn't back up anymore and I was fearful that the cops could be chasing him even though I didn't hear the siren (yeah these idiots will speed down neighborhoods with nothing but flashing lights).  As he tried grabbing his pants a yanking them up one last time, I was a brown thing shoot around the corner and tackle him in the butt.  It was Cujo, alive and well, snarling.  My mouth was wide open.  I was stunned that the dog could jump that far.  All you could hear was the guy yelling and the dog growling as he dug his teeth in.  The guy was trying to punch the dog but that was only pissing it off.  I rolled up my windows and locked the car door because I wasn't trying to have this fool jump in.  Another car approached and used a stick to get the dog off the guy.  It ran away and the guy stood up limping away talking on his phone.  The car guy asked if he needed help but he just waved him off.  Car dude shrugged his shoulders at me and drove off, I did the same.  After getting down the street I busted out laughing.  In fact it was hysterical laughter.  He seemed ok, so I felt ok doing it.  I couldn't help but think that if guy he his pants properly fitting then he may over outrun the dog but the pants slowed him down.  I could imagine how much this would slow someone down in a police chase and so why would anybody do it.  I guess if you are willing to drop trou then you'll be fine but that would require the loss of shoes and we know guys are not going to let that happen.  I need to be able to run with anything holding me back.  If I have on heels they are coming off.  A skirt will get hiked up and a dress will be carried.  All I know is that I am going to avoid the dog.  I guarantee tomorrow this guy will be back on the same corner complaining about his puncture wounds, wearing another pair of over sized pants.  He better watch out because if he gets chased again I might start yelling, "Run Forest Run, Run Forest".

Peace, Love and Chocolate
 

Ah The Cartoon Fetish

 

There are a few cartoons that have left an impression on me.  I watch them every opportunity I get.  From old Tom & Jerry to the Justice League, I loved them.  Even in college we would sit around and watch Johnny Bravo and Space Ghost Coast to Coast.  Some of my favorites that I even got my kids hooked to watching are Ren & Stimpy, Invader Zim, Courage the Cowardly Dog, Looney Toons, Rocko's Modern Life, Thundercats, Animaniacs, Tiny Toons, He-man, G.I.Joe, the original Transformers, the original Speed Racer, Pepper Ann, Recess, Codename: Kids Next Door, Rugrats, Doug, X-men, Hey Arnold, Daria and many many more (I'll even include Spongebob, who is still going strong).

   

There was a time that Saturday morning was all about the cartoons and you could find kids from ages 5-16 sitting in front of the boobtube at 7am, with a cereal bowl, getting their fill.  I think we sat there till almost 1pm because they always showed a special movie from O.G. Readmore.  We were out of our parents hair and were in a constant trance, as the commercials were just as exciting.  After the cartoons we had lunch and then we were outside till dinner (our parents had it good on a Saturday, we were oblivious).  Now the cartoons are lacking for the most part and aren't even on ABC, NBC, FOX, CW or CBS.  There are a few for maybe a 2 hour window before infomercials and sports begin.  Their not even funny.  Most of them don't make sense.  I don't know if it's the adult in me but I usually get up and let my kids watch like Chowder and Bakugan. Yeah, my kids watch Nickleodeon, Cartoon Network and all their spin-offs, but it is not the same.  I get excited when reruns come on, like right now, KND is on and my kids have dropped everything to watch episodes that they have seen ten thousand times.  I am sure when they become adults they will have their share of favs and have their kids watch them too.

"Any Cartoons You Guys Miss?  Any That You Just Don't Understand?"

Peace, Love and Chocolate

What To Ask Oprah When I Meet Her

I had a dream the other night that I got the opportunity to meet Oprah.  I was dreaming something about working for my sister in Chicago and sitting having lunch when Oprah comes in and a waiter spilled something on me.  I don't remember the rest as my dreams tend to fade when I am abruptly woken.  I started thinking about how cool it would be to meet this lady (after all she is on my vision board).  I know that some people think she is a sell out but she's a badazz and there is a lot to be learned from her.  I think I shall start a campaign, "I Want To Interview Oprah Winfrey" or "I Want To Drop Oprah In My Bucket(list)", hmmm choices.  The only other problem is I have no idea what to ask her when I meet (as I know I will).  I could go there and ask the stupid stuff like, "Does Steadman walk the dogs", "Is Gayle really your best friend", "Is your hair real", "What do you do with all those shoes", "Since you know Nelson Mandela could you ask him to get me a vuvazela", "Do you need a new personal assistant, hell I will walk the dogs and clean up after them, happily".  Or maybe I should stick to world issues, "Oprah do you know how to stop the oil leak in the Gulf" or "Are you planning to fly to the Gaza strip and help attain peace" or even better "Do you have a red phone directly to the White House".  I don't know but I am sure it will be the best interview ever.  Hmm, I wonder what should I wear?

"What Should I Ask?"

Peace, Love and Chocolate

Take To Go To School Sonny Boy

Today my son went back to school after his 1 week summer break.  Yes, he is in school during the summer but it not summer school.  My son keeps his gpa at about 3.4, not great but good enough to keep my from making him sit in a room reading a book all summer.  This program is called S.T.E.P. (strive towards excellence program).  It's a pre-college program that starts the summer before 7th grade where he continues is schooling for an extra six weeks during the summer.  Yepper 5 days a week from 7:45 to 4:30 he is taking math, reading, writing, science, public speaking, karate, swimming and dance classes at the University with other kids.  Everyone says that I am putting a lot of pressure on a 13 year old but I don't think so.  He needs to be prepared for what is to come in high school and college. I am also a product of this program but I got caught up with bad things and wasted a full scholarship to college, so I am really trying to keep my sons eyes on the prize.  After he finishes this summer he is headed to Upward Bound.  I am sure there are some of you that have heard to this program where high school kids are living on campus at the university during the summer taking classes as well learning college life and what is expected.  These were some of the best summers of my life.  Sleeping in a dorm with roommates, having scheduled study hall to help get us in a routine, then there was the summer trip.  We went everywhere, DC (2x), ATL, NY, Chicago, Canada and for our Senior Trip we did a southern college tour visiting Grambling, Morehouse, Spellman, Clark Atlanta, UNO and etc.  We went to the Bayou Classic and spent the evening in French Quarters looking after ourselves ( yes they dropped us and gave us a time to meet back and we always came back on time except when we went to concert and got caught up).  I have met some life long friends and appreciate what the program taught me.  I hope that my son (and hopefully my other 2) will use this chance to experience a world outside of what he knows and make connections with people that he may well have never met.  This year he is headed to Boston for whale watching and lobster bakes (yeah I'm jealous).  I still talk to 90% of the people in this picture ( yeah I am the goof ball with the giant smile).

"Anybody Else Participate In a Pre-College Program?"

Peace, Love and Chocolate

Sunday Stealing:The Dark Side

Sunday Stealing: The Dark Side Meme

1. You’re building your dream house. What’s the one thing that this house absolutely, positively MUST HAVE? (other than the obvious basics of course)
I must have a full finished basement, so I have a place to send my children to.
2. What is your dream car?
Aston Martin DB4
3. What is your favorite website that isn’t a blog?
Amazon, shopping shopping shopping
4. iPhone 4 or Droid, which do you want?
iPhone
5. When you’re feeling down or lonely or just generally out of sorts, what do you do to cheer yourself up?
Chocolate, need I say more
6. Tell me about something or someone that you love that most people seem to hate.
Pork skins, mmmmmm good.
7. What do you want to be when you grow up?
An productive adult
8. Would you go on a reality show if given the chance?
Hell yes.  As long as it doesn't require any physical activity.
9. Who was your favorite teacher when you were growing up. (Grade school, Middle School, Jr. High or High School only.)
It's a toss up between Mr. Romano or Mr. Drone, they both were freakin awesome.
10. You get one pass to do something illegal or immoral. What are you gonna do?
Rob a bank.
11. What were you doing 10 years ago?
I had a 6 month old and I was taking care of my father who had Alzheimer's disease.
12. By this time next year, I ...
Hope to have a real job.
13. Do you think the United States will elect a female President in your lifetime? Do you think this would be a good thing?
Yes I 
14. Which fictional, TV show character you would shag anytime?
Dr. Jackson Avery from ER.
15. What is your greatest pet peeve?
Liars
16. Tell me about your most recent trip of more than 100 miles?
Went to Columbus was the most recent weekend getaway.
17. Which do you use more often, the dictionary or the thesaurus?
Thesaurus
18. Do you have a nickname? What is it?
I have a few.  Mom calls me Jessie, my uncles calls me Tiff Stiff, Sister Loo, Tiffy, Sunny, and Duckie.  Oops the boys call me Mimi.
19. What are you dreading at the moment?
Summer alone with my boys
20. Do you worry that others will judge you from reading some of your answers?
Nope, I don't care
21. In two words, explain what ended your last relationship.
PTSD
22. What were you doing this morning at 8am?
Taking my summer to his pre college program.
23. Do you have any famous relatives?
Margaret Munnerlyn Mitchell, the woman who wrote Gone With the Wind
24. How many different beverages have you drank today?
6
25. What is something you are excited about?
Cutie pie coming to town.
26. When was the last time you spoke in front of a large group?
PTA meeting
27. When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought?
When will these scars go away.
28. What were you doing at midnight last night?
Online reading email
29. What’s a word that you say a lot?
Damnit
30. Who is your worst enemy?
Me

Peace, Love and Chocolate