Confusion

This week I taped a show

for the grand kids.

It is kind of strange

but Caroline liked it.

It is the story of the

friendship between a five-year-old boy 

and a goldfish princess who yearns to be human. 

The daughter of the king of the ocean(really weird), 

Ponyo is no ordinary goldfish because

she has all the magic of the sea

at her disposal. 

As we were watching,

I felt like something was oddly familiar about it.

Had I seen it before?

 Then it occurred to me...

 Oh yeah.

Princess Ollie/Ponyo.

12. cold medicine

36. snuggles with the grand kids

52. a warm garage 

retakes and more retakes

 I cannot take a good picture

to save my life.

Adding in 5 little ones 

and a husband...

 

Finally we say "good enough".

Happy Halloween.

 

No not I

I have problems

just like everyone has problems.

Some little and some bigger.

My girls call with a problem or a question

and I always say...

"pray about it."

But, when it is my predicament

I sometimes try to fix the situation myself.

Why don't I practice what I preach every time?

Tonight I am remembering his promises.

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; 

and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

                                                                                Proverbs 3:5,6

I know God is good and prayer works.

So tonight, little or big...

 I am giving it to God.

His will be done.

219. my bible study girls

253. a time to be silly

278. God is on the throne

TV head

I love reading.

I adore television, 
especially in the cooler months.

I did a blog back in February 

about my love for things televised.

I DVR everything.

I am spoiled by this invention 

and now can hardly abide "live" TV.

I will start a show 20 minutes after it airs

just so I won't have to watch commercials.

Bonus point: It keeps me from ordering 

the pajama jeans and Ahh bras. 

Without commercials you can watch an hour show

in about 35 to 40 minutes.

That's the part I really love.

This fall I am glad 

to be welcoming back 
some of my old faves.

Modern Family,

Saturday Night Live,
30 Rock,

Parks and Recreation,

Big Bang Theory,

Harry's Law,

American Restoration,

and

Auction Kings.

 But I have some new ones

and they surprised me.

Most are dramas 
and that is unusual for me.

1. Revenge

The sets are beautiful. The characters are not.

I am not a grudge holder and I don't condone it.
Forgiveness is where it is at, but this show has got me 
loving the whole "get even" mind-set.

2. Pan Am
The characters aren't as messed up and the plot isn't isn't as gripping as Mad Men, but  I watch the show for the backdrops and the fashion. I want to live in the sets. I want the pencil skirts and the pointy pumps. Add in a little spy action and I am hooked. I am digging it baby.


3. Prime Suspect
Maria Bello is fantastic. I was a Law and Order fan for the first
100 years but then I got over it. I am not much of a cop show girl, but this one has me. The plots are good and her character is the best. Tough but loveable. She lets the camera show her uneven skin and messed up hair. For once you feel better about yourself and your flaws. And you wanna wear a fedora.


4. Up All Night
I am a fan of Christina Applegate from the "Samantha Who" days.
Maya Rudolph and Will Arnett ( Amy Poehler's husband) are fun in it too. The birth episode was ridiculous and hysterical. My favorite is Maya's character though...out of touch, narcissistic and hilarious.

From the looks of this, 

one wonders how I have time to read,

hang with family,friends, and blog.

In a word or three or four...

DVR...  

I thank you.

Unexpected Blessings

Today was my dear friend, Bev's birthday.

My good friend Carolyn, Bev and I 

started the party with coffee and gifts at my house.

We gave her no details of the day.

We took her to lunch then hit up 

a nearby small town for antiquing.

We had not been to these towns in years.

We junked and gabbed.

On the way out of the first town,

we drove by a lovely home and garden.

We decided to drove around the block to get a better look.

Bev said "go down the alley!"

I said "okay but she is in the yard raking

so I'll pull over an you tell her her garden is lovely."

I stopped and Bev called out to her.

The lady said " pull in and get out and I'll show you around.

The best part is hidden".

Bazinga!

I didn't take my camera with me,

so I took a bunch after we got back to the car.

She was an elderly lady.

and just so sweet.

The house was where her grandparents had lived.

The frame house they first lived in burned

and they rebuilt a 5 room brick bungalow.

Over the years she added on to it.

Now it has 11 rooms.

The garden is fabulous.

She told us people from

St. Louis Botanical Garden had stopped to see it.

Just when you would be dying over a little "room"

there would be another little "room."

So many fountains...

cobble stone patios...

pergolas...

arches...

magazine worthy.

Then to top it off she says

"well, come on in the house."

Holy house walk!

We were dying.

I wanted to high five my pals

and "stir the chili". ha

It was so charming.

Wood paneled walls, 

coffered ceilings, and

balconies overlooking the gardens.

It was just brimming with the love of it's owner.

She was an absolute delight.

We stopped to tell her how lovely her home was

and ended up being so blessed by the experience.

We plan to return to see it in the snow

and again in full bloom.

I hope we become friends.

We left her with hugs until next time.

 We were blessed and happy.

The best part of the party...

A beautiful garden and a beautiful gardener.

273. birthday parties

164. fern fronds

100. giving a gift

Covert Operation

Each Autumn 

I receive the calling.

It is a call for my A-team to assemble.

This year I put out the message.

Roll was called.

1. Jamie, (the sis-in-law)

Absent for wiener roast, exhaustion / unexcused

Pardoned because of a large UN-trustworthy dog.

2. Jamie, (the pal)

 Absent for other plans, better offer?? / unexcused

Not pardoned.

3. Melissa, (pal)

Absent for newborn baby girl/ excused

Pardoned. 

4. Abbie(daughter)

Absent for lame dating anniversary date 

after being married for years/unexcused

Not pardoned.

The team members that were present 
were issued new uniforms.

Ellen, ( treasured niece)

wounded foot, but willing and ready.

Jackie, (sister and new member)

swine flu-like cough, yet giddy and excited.

Annie(daughter)

Nursing and more nursing, but in attendance.

Beautiful baby in tow for a bit.

Maggie,(daughter)

nursed-up and left child with the daddy.

Primed for action.

 And me

proud, anxious, and incontinent.

Mission,

to prank some of the ones we love most. 

 After suiting up,

we gathered preparations.

Bacon for the friendly? dogs.

 Water for the team's hydration.

The victims honored...

1. A fave brother-in-law and his honey.

We decorated their new-ish home.

2. A beloved nephew.

We support his campaign for our nation's leader.

   

You can too by going here.

Please support by liking the cause.

3.  A sweet newly-wed.

We threw her an Open House and 

a huge garage sale.

 And of course we didn't forget 

our rogue team members.

Jamie (the pal.)
A landscape potty for your efforts. 
You are welcome.

And for Abbie...
 A lovely porch/yard to welcome you home.

All your underwear under your fitted sheet,

short-sheeted bed, and re-arranged cabinets...

we have no knowledge of that situation.

New members are being accepted.

However, please note...

blowing us off

for other things

will result in

consequences and repercussions.