Give me Sleep!

Remember how I mentioned during the summer that I really need 8 hours sleep? here it is the second day of school, and we ended up having a emotional meltdown with a SON last night and didn't get to bed until almost midnight. UGH!

And I was supposed to get up at 6 am and get everyone moving? Didn't happen. I didn't even hear hubby get up and go swimming. He had to come home and wake everyone up. Good thing he did, I was dead to the world. He was like, "bad night?" I just looked at him with my half shut eyes, wondering where his night had been spent. How do some people get by on 6 hours sleep?? I'm sure he'll be falling asleep at work again though...I know him.
Anyway...onto life. If I didn't have tennis this morning (my favorite sport in the world) I would go back to bed when my youngest got on the bus. sigh. I might still crawl back in for a few minutes...
"The Seamonkey has my money..."

Wow...all in a few hours...

Well, like I said yesterday, there was much rejoicing in the world today when 8 am hit. Of course, most of that was mothers, waiting anxiously for the bus to take her sweet child to school so she could go spend the morning with other mothers and enjoy her freedom...LOL

Like that's gonna happen. Let me give you a run down of my morning:

up at 6 am, wake up kids and get baths goings. Hubby home at 6:20 (he goes swimming before life even thinks about coming to my body) we have prayers, he runs to work, children start line up of baths. Oldest two have breakfast (if I can force them) and run out the door at 7. Younger two take a little longer in the tub, and then get dressed, eat cereal and then wait anxiously by the door for the bus that doesn't come for another 20 minutes for one, and 40 for the other. I get the one to do the dishes he didn't do last night, and then catch up on email while they're waiting. Finish the book I started yesterday (The Lemon Meringue Murder - okay read)while waiting for youngest bus. He is way excited for school, can't believe he's in 6th grade. sigh.

At this point my body says it wants to go back to sleep, so I go lay on my bed for 15 minutes, only to have some big semi use it's air brakes right outside my bedroom window 10 minutes later. groan. I get up, get dressed, make my bed and proceed to wake up youngest daughter-she doesn't get to sleep in ALL morning. I grab some breakfast, start a load of laundry and then unload and load the dishwasher again, which is the last of yesterday's mess. It's now 9:30 and I've already done more than I've accomplished all week...LOL

So, after going to Curves and getting my work out in (which hopefully I'll get my oldest daughter to go with) I'll be set for a morning of editing. Should be a full day...sometime I need to get some sewing done.

Summer is Over?

Well...tomorrow a cry will be heard all over the state as school starts for 2007-8. My kids will be among them, as they head off in the yellow bus for the big brick buildings...lol

My oldest son is a senior this year, and it's going to be hard watching him graduate and go on toward bigger and better things...like the Army. sigh.

I'm excited, but I also know I'd better keep myself busy or I'll find myself getting all mushy...
sigh.

Monday Monday...la la, la lala la la....

Okay, now that I've been transported back to the 60's, LOL but I felt the song was appropriate! Didn't get any responses yet on the brownies, but at least I found a substitute yesterday. I used a regular mix and added chocolate chips (semi-sweet). Oh yeah...much better. They didn't even need frosting.
I got to see my sister's new little girl from China yesterday, she is soooo cute! She's skinny and long, and doesn't have a lot of hair, but she's cute. She doesn't speak any English, but she doesn't speak much anyway, she's only two. My sis brought me back a darling little china tea pot, and I just love it. She kind of likes me, ya know? grin.
Hope everyone has a wonderful day!

Brownies Rule!

Okay...in keeping with the blog I wrote Thursday, I am in search of the perfect brownie recipe. I have looked on the internet, and one of them looks interesting, but I want to hear from you.

The one that comes up with the best recipe, wins a small print of one of my drawings - one of your choice of what I've already done. (if I can figure out all the legal ramifications of that.lol)

I really love chewy, rich gooey, frosting dripping brownies. I really like them with ice cream and fudge topping!

So...may the best cook win!!!

Day of Rest

Yesterday I got to play almost all day with my daughters! It was so much fun, and I don't get to do it often now that one has moved out. We went to lunch with some neighbors, and then they insisted on taking me to see the Bourne Ultimatum.

If you haven't had a chance to see it yet, and like the first two movies, you want to see this one. The first half is totally mind blowing, the second half is more brutal. So, I guess you could say it has something for everyone. lol

After the movie, to which my niece came as well, we decided to get the rest of the family and go swimming. Nothing like playing for the whole day, right? Well, my niece is going off to school this weekend, so we were enjoying her company while we could.

And then the typical thing happened while we were in the pool...a thunder storm moved in. Sigh. We have been kicked out of the pool three times now for lighting! It's getting old. We watched the clouds roll in, wondering how long they were going to give us. Sure enough, they blew the whistle and kicked everyone out with 35 minutes left to swim. Oh well...we were ready to leave anyway.

Turned out to be a good thing because our oldest daughter had left to go to her night class and ended up getting stuck because her car wouldn't start. Dad to the rescue!

It was a busy day. Same ol', same ol', huh? In other words, life as a mom!

I'm A Chocolate Gourmet...I think

I went to the library with my kids yesterday and picked up this book by Sandra Boynton (one of my favorite authors). I figure anything she writes about chocolate would be worth reading, and I was reading it during breakfast this morning, which was my first mistake - laughing and eating at the same time can cause problems, ya know?

Anyway, my favorite section is when she talks about white chocolate and carob. White chocolate (in her definition - no offense to anyone who likes it!) looks, smells and tastes like paper, and carob is considered a good enough substitute for chocolate because when you add enough veg fat and sugar, it looks and feels like chocolate. She feels the same can be said for dirt.

I knew there was another reason I liked her!

She also recommends avoiding non-chocolate situations, like weddings which are notorious for white cake and white frosting. Well, my hubby and I beat that one. We made sure our cake was chocolate!! LOL

Anyway, for someone who needs some light reading today, or in the future, I highly recommend this wonderful little book. It's good to snack to. grin.

I think I'm going to have to make some brownies today... if nothing else, I'll find the bag of semi-sweets...(which is the sign of a refined palate, if you didn't know)

Have a good one!

Okay, but wait a minute...

So I do the quiz, and then post the results. But isn't that in and of itself a little prideful? sigh. Had to laugh...

Your Pride Quotient: 20%

You the furthest thing from prideful - truly humble. You don't consider anyone or anything beneath you.

How Much Pride Do You Have?

Summertime and the Skys are Gray

Okay...so this past weekend we had the county fair. It was kind of small...I don't know what was going on. Someone else said that Thursday was packed... I entered a painting that received a third place ribbon. I'll post it at my website when I get it back. I told my hubby that I was tired of coming in Third place. I realize that's still good...but it doesn't mean anything anymore. It's like all I have to do is paint anything and I'll get third place. What kind of motivation is that?

Anyway, it was fun. I entered photographs, but they didn't win anything. I thought perhaps the one I took of wild flowers would, but there were lots of good pictures.

Anyway, I thought we were going to get dumped on in that wild rain storm, but it didn't happen. It sprinkled a little, but otherwise it was great until about an hour or so into it, and then the sun came out and it was hot!! ugh. So, we went home. It was a good night.

What was crazy, is they've started charging for parking! And, closing off the sides of the roads until you get to the housing development to the west of the fair grounds. What a pain. It's a little county fair, for goodness sakes. At least it's still free to get in!

I think I'm getting crotchety...LOL

I Thought I Knew Some Big Words...

I had to laugh at this one. Not bad, huh? Of course, Tristi had an A. I'd like to see what makes an A+!

Your Vocabulary Score: A-

Congratulations on your multifarious vocabulary! You must be quite an erudite person.

How's Your Vocabulary?

My Name Means THAT?

Okay, I saw this on Tristi's blog, and I guess I'm copying greatness...lol. I thought, since my name is a little unusual, I'd do it. It was kind of a lame thing, I would imagine they use the same attributes for everyone with the same letters. Interesting. I have to add to hers, lucsious is something associated with food...hmm, I'm thinking these guys are leaning toward cannibalism...grin.
I'm going to have to stop looking at these...lol

What Gaynell Means

G is for Gentle A is for Active Y is for Young N is for Natural E is for Elitist L is for Luscious L is for Loving

What Does Your Name Mean?

I'm Not Sure About That...

I just finished a book by Richard Paul Evans called A Perfect Day. I usually like his books, I like his style of writing, but this one totally set me back. I'm not sure what I want out of writing now.

I want to be published, but I've never had any illusions that I would become a best seller. I just want to have my books get out there.

Anyone who wants to be an author should read this book and think of where they want to go with their writing. It's a cautionary tale, and it's going to be with me for a long time.

It also makes me wonder if he's still part of the church or if that's just the way he felt best to get the message across. At least going to the national market he hasn't given in to the language or smut...lol

A Film Writer?

I got this from Tristi's site, and again, it was hard to answer the questions, but it really is true. I would love to write film scripts if I thought they would go anywhere...I guess part of it is my writing is a movie in my head...lol

I don't mean to do these so often, but I'm getting a blog ready for the other site tomorrow, so I'm too busy for today to be anything other than this. Go take the test and see what you are...

You Should Be a Film Writer

You don't just create compelling stories, you see them as clearly as a movie in your mind. You have a knack for details and dialogue. You can really make a character come to life. Chances are, you enjoy creating all types of stories. The joy is in the storytelling. And nothing would please you more than millions of people seeing your story on the big screen!

What Type of Writer Should You Be?

Celebrity Look Alikes?

Took a little work for this one...I guess my face isn't that workable...LOL It didn't like the photo I use for the blog, so I had to find something else. At least I didn't have to include the men...ugh. And I like Gena Davis!! Easy way to fill my blog today though...LOL

I'm Waiting...

I thought it was very astute! LOL Fall is my favorite time of year!

You Belong in Fall

Intelligent, introspective, and quite expressive at times... You appreciate the changes in color, climate, and mood that fall brings Whether you're carving wacky pumpkins or taking long drives, autumn is a favorite time of year for you

What Season Are You?

Move your Body

Let me say that I'm a bonefide member of Curves.

I used to belong to Gold's Gym, but it was too expensive and I was tired of feeling intimidated. Everyone (okay, 95%) that I saw was always in spandex and looked like they were aerobics instructors. Curves is my kind of place. You don't have to wear anything specific, I've even shown up in my work clothes (I'm not one of those that sweat profusely) and no one says anything. No one cares if you are on the heavier side, and there are plenty of us there, let me assure you.

It's a wonderful thing.

I finally got one of my daughters to join with me, it's only $10 for them if I'm a member. Today I forced her out of bed at 10 am...(sigh) and made her go with me. She likes it, she just isn't a morning person. So, she never makes it before work, and rarely after.

I have been a member now for over 8 months, and it's been a gradual thing of wonder. My heart rate is slowing, I can move around better and my back hasn't hurt for a long time. I have even had fewer headaches! Just because it's easier to make myself go to a place instead of try at home on the treadmill.

But...at least I am seeing benefits from it, and that is a positive thing that will keep me going. Yeah Curves!

Interesting little tid bit...

Your Power Element is Water

Your power colors: blue and aqua Your energy: deep Your season: winter Like the ocean, you evoke deep feelings and passion. You have an emotional, sensitive, and spiritual soul. A bit mysterious, you tend to be quiet when you are working out a problem. You need your alone time, so that you can think and dream.

What's Your Power Element?

Never Forget!

This is the neatest thing I've seen in a while. This photo is a rendering of what the USS New York will look like.

Here is an excerp from Wikipedia-
USS New York (LPD-21), a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock, is the sixth ship of the United States Navy to be named for the state of New York. The ship is designed to deliver a fully-equipped battalion of 699 Marines.

Shortly after 11 September 2001, Governor of New York George E. Pataki wrote a letter to Secretary of the Navy Gordon England requesting that the Navy bestow the name USS New York on a surface warship involved in the War on Terror in honor of September 11's victims. In his letter, the Governor said he understood state names are currently reserved for submarines, but asked for special consideration so the name could be given to a surface ship. The request was approved 28 August 2002.


Oddly enough, a previous holder of the name, USS New York (BB-34), had its keel laid on September 11, 1911, exactly 90 years to the day before the WTC was attacked.

Twenty-four tons of the steel used in its construction came from the rubble of the World Trade Center, with seven tons melted down and cast to form the ship's "stem bar" — part of the ship's bow.[1] The construction workers reportedly treated it with "reverence usually accorded to religious relics", touching it as they walked by.