{Wednesday Hodgepodge} Girlin' It Up

First Wednesday of the summer for me, so hopefully I can visit a couple of blogs and read their answers. I'm linking up with Joyce; click on the image above to visit and meet some awesome people!

1. What color is prominent in your home? Are you glad about that or wishing you could cover it up or remove it?
My living room & hallway is gray, but my kitchen is yellow, spare bedrooms are "mushroom", and master bedroom is a shade of green. So, I don't think I have a prominent color.

2. What's something you'll NEVER do again?
Ride an overnight train. When I went to Germany with the high school group, we rode a night train from Munich to Berlin. Between trying to make sure my hair looked okay & still trying to get some sleep, I got very little sleep. And my back hurt from trying to stay in one position all night.

3. Tell us a couple of ways you fit the stereotypes associated with your gender, and a couple of ways you don't.
I like shoes, and I love to get pedis.
I don't like to receive flowers as a gift, and I'm not a big jewelry person.

4. May is Motorcycle Awareness Month. Have you ever owned a motorcycle? Ever ridden a motorcycle? If the opportunity presented itself would you hop on a motorcycle and go for a ride?
CH is down to 1 motorcycle. At 1 point, I thought about learning to ride, but I'm not observant when I'm in my car. It's best that I stay on 4 wheels. I've ridden a little with CH, but not a lot.

5. If someone wanted to understand you, what should they read, watch, and listen to?
I asked CH, and he said there is no book. So, there you go. 😀

6.  Insert your own random thought here.
We have a new granddog. MS was at a friend's house and she was there. Someone asked the family if they would watch her, but they never came back for her. Being a terrier, some of her actions are like Pepper (my Jack Russell Mix), so I think MS kind of fell in love with her.
MS calls her "Girl Dog", but I'm trying to get him to find a more suitable name.

Sweet Solitude

What a good weekend!  I think last weekend was the first weekend I've ever spent completely alone.  Nobody to worry about, nothing to do for anybody except myself (well, except for their laundry), and no plans.
CH & YS went to "March Moto Madness":  a "by invitation only" kickoff rally for the motorcycle season.  They went last year, but this year YS was invited; he wasn't considered CH's guest.  YS doesn't ride; he went as a cook.  CH bought a dutch oven to go into the fire, and YS was set.  Almost.  When I got home on Friday, I saw the cooler sitting by the garage door.  I looked and inside, and saw their food.  A quick call to CH to ask if there was a reason the cooler was in the garage, followed by  a couple of "I thought you got it."  Luckily a friend of CH's volunteered to ride the cooler on the back of his bike up the next morning.
With last Friday being a "First Friday", I went to the church for the Rosary, Mass, fish dinner, and then Stations (in that order).  I got home, checked e-mails, and called it an early night.  Saturday I got the house clean and laundry done.  I don't know about y'all, but I can clean much better if there's nobody here.  I got a LOT done.  Saturday evening I went to Mass (so I could take it easy on Sunday and sleep in...if the girls would let me) and then to dinner with my parents and 2 other couples.  Then I settled in and watched a couple of movies from RedBox.  I was just a tad bit disappointed on Sunday when CH & YS got home around 1:30.  I was in the middle of a movie, and was enjoying watching it all by myself.  I don't think I'd like to be alone all the time, but every now and then sure is a nice thing!

Picture Pages

Remember that song from a children's show?  It's running through my head now, and I have no idea what show it came from!  Maybe someone can help me out?
Anyway, I'm posting some of my husband's pictures from his trip this far.  Enjoy!

This was his campsite a couple of nights ago.  I love the colors in the background.  You may have to click on it to get the full effect!

This is known as "Aspen Alley".  It's apparently one of the most photographed scenes among Adventure Riders.

OS is having the time of his life.  This is the farthest he's been from home, and the first vacation he's had (not counting trips to the beach & DisneyWorld with the family).  He and a friend went 4 wheeling for his friend's birthday.  A little bit of bad news here:  The vehicle my son was on had something wrong with it when he returned it.  I'm sure it was just wear & tear; nothing different than what happens on a daily basis.  BUT, the policy is that you have to pay 1/2 of the repairs.  OS was extremely upset because he didn't have the extra money to pay for it.  It's just his luck that something would happen to his vehicle.  

Here are a couple of his pictures:

He is loving it out in Wy.  I have a feeling if he gets the chance, he's going to be out there after he graduates!  He's having a great time, and he deserves it:  he's been working hard in school, and trying very hard to do the right thing.  

Hope you've enjoyed the pictures!  Have a great day!

Wild, Wild West

Y'all know how husband enjoys riding his motorcycle (aka "the ugly green bike").  2 years ago he and a couple of friends rode to Alaska, making sure they rode to the Arctic Circle.  This year he planned on riding the Continental Divide with those same 2 friends.  About a month ago, his friends told him they couldn't make it for various reasons.  OS had  planned on going with him and spending a few  days with some friends of his who are river guides.  So, what did husband decide to do?  Here's a hint:

Saturday husband loaded up the car with the ugly green bike in tow, and he & OS headed west.

I have proof that they didn't kill each other on the way over, unless some stranger took this picture:

Yesterday was husband's birthday...these are a couple of his  birthday views:

(I told you the bike was ugly!)

When I was growing up, birthdays weren't that big of a deal.  I guess when you have 10 kids, it's hard to make a huge deal out of everybody's birthday.  That being said, when husband said something about not being with the family for his birthday, I pretty much shrugged it off and told him it was just another day.  (Yes, I can be mean that way.)  It looks like  he's enjoying himself.  Prayers for a safe journey would be greatly appreciated!

MS is in his first full week of college life with classes.  He's dropped and added a class and has found something to occupy his time (like he needs anything else):  rugby.  Whatever.  I don't understand it, and don't understand why a group of big sweaty guys would want to get together and hug each other in the middle of a field.   But, hey, if that's what he wants to do...

I did get an amusing text from him today.  It read:  "You have to pay to wash clothes here."  No _____, Sherlock!   (Sorry, there's nothing else can describe that text!)  He just cracks me up!  I have no idea what he thought....this university takes it to you every which way ($250 for a parking sticker if you live on campus is a bit much!), of course they aren't going to let you wash your clothes for free!  Oh, the life lessons he's learning!

As a plus for husband being out of town:  YS made dinner today! We tried something new:  Carne Guisada.  He said next time he'll put in some refried beans for some awesome burritos.  (We believe in eating carbs at our house!)  


Okay, guess that gets everybody in a post!  It doesn't happen very often, does it?  Hope everybody is having a Terrific Tuesday! 

Photo Roulette

This is a meme that I've been meaning to participate in for the past few weeks, but have had other things going on.  Yesterday, the Flashback Friday's prompt was pretty good, especially since last night was YS' high school's first football game.  (3 hours away.  Because no one in the state will play them.  Because they've won the past 6 state championships in their class.)  Here are the "rules" for this meme:  Cara at Mischief and Laughs randomly (I'm assuming) picks a folder and picture from the photo album.  This week was the 3rd folder, 25th picture.  I didn't have 25 pictures in that folder, so I picked the 5th instead.  You post the picture and give a description of it, then go link up.  Yes, it's that simple!  Here's my picture:

 This is Youngest Son (YS) with his bike in 2008.  Husband is an avid biker (he has a couple of bikes...no Harleys allowed in this house, though!) and he really wants one of the boys to share his love of motorcycles.  OS rode for a while, and will occasionally ride; MS has never expressed a desire to even learn; so husband bought this bike for YS in the hopes that he would learn to ride.  Husband says YS is doing well with the learning, we just have to get down to the DMV for him to get his bike permit.


As with any meme, if you join in and want to meet new people or share your picture with others, go visit Cara for Photo Roulette and link up!

Another Random Without Linda

I thought Linda would be back from her Random Break, but I guess she needs more time off from having to think so hard!  I still can't blame her;  my brain is still on summer break.  Once again, I give you a random half-dozen of things that have been going on here in the small town:

1.  Getting into a "new routine", one that consists of husband & I going to work, and YS to school...alone.  It feels kind of weird just getting up 1 boy for school.  At least the one that I have to get up does really well getting out of bed when he's suppose to!  Pepper helps him by "doing her job":  she'll  jump on the bed and bestow morning kisses until he gets up.

2.  Does this need any words?

Husband was going for a ride on Saturday; this is how he was dressed when he came into the kitchen, and yes, I was laughing!  He waited for me to grab my camera and take a picture.  He said something about me mentioning in a blog post that he had to marry me so he wouldn't walk around looking like this!

3.  This trifle bowl:

This was my mother's bowl.  This is the bowl I use when I make Mexican Trifle Bowl.  I knew if I borrowed it enough, mom would  tell me to just keep it, since I'm the only one who uses it.  Well,  it happened last Thursday:  When I told her I needed to bring it back, Mom told me to just keep it!  She said if she ever needed it, she knew who to borrow it from!  One of my sisters called me a brat when we talked about the bowl at the 4th of July.  Hmmmm...wonder what she meant by that!  (hee-hee!  I love being the youngest girl!)

4.  Flowers not only surviving, but thriving!

                                                    May                                                           

July

                                                May                                                                    

                                        

July

(No, I didn't get mulch out, and I didn't take a picture of the groundcover that may or may not make it!)

 

And hummingbirds stopping by for a quick snack:

 

5.  It has been so dry this summer that the hickory tree outside of our living window is already losing its nuts:

 The squirrels are having a field day, but the nuts falling and hitting the house startle us from  time to time!  There's also a lot of crunching going on when we drive out of /into the driveway.


6.   Reality update: 
Tuesday night's Real Housewives of New Jersey was relatively calm.  Danielle made a point to say that her daughter's Sweet Sixteen Party was very expensive, but that everything was donated.  I thought it was interesting that they never mentioned  the charity where they were donating the money, or how much they raised.  It was nice that her daughter's father/ her ex-husband showed up, but, man, did he look extremely uncomfortable when she hugged  him!  And of course, she turned on the tears.  No doubt it was because she saw the $$ that got away!  Next week's preview showed Kim G. finally having it with Danielle and really letting her have it.  Can't wait!  
Sunday night on Next Food Network Star I was shocked that Aria pulled a fast on on Aarti.  I really liked Aria in the past, but apparently she's a wolf in sheep's clothing.  If you didn't see it, Aarti was in charge of talking to the dinner guests so she could introduce their concept.  Aarti has a bit of a confidence problem to begin with, and Aria decided to be a little  sneak and get her rattled.  After a couple of sentences, Aria broke in and interrupted. Aarti did a good job of not appearing to be rattled, and Aria claimed that she wasn't sure if Aarti wanted her to introduce the concept or if she was going to do it herself (even though she asked as they were going out and Aarti said she'd  do it.).  What goes around comes around:  Aarti won the challenge, and Aria was in the bottom two.  You know what they say about Karma...!  Unfortunately, Serena (who was a little weird seeing before she presented) was the one who was sent home.  I  bet Aria isn't going to be far behind!


I know that long posts are some people's pet  peeves, so I'll end it here.  Hope everybody has a good  "Hump Day"!

It's Gonna Get Crazy

This week is going to be absolutely C-R-A-Z-Y.  District Soccer Play begins tonight:  It's do or die time:  If they lose from here on out, they're done.    They shouldn't have too much of a problem tonight:  they beat the other team by 8 goals the first time they met.  Tomorrow may be a little iffy:  If they play the team I think they will, it may be close.  MS' team only won by 1 goal during the regular season.  If they win tomorrow, I think they'll play again on Thursday for the district championship.  And, if it plays out the way we hope it does, they will be playing either the team that beat them by 2 goals 2 weeks ago, or the team that beat them by 1 last week (those 2 teams tied during their regular season game).

On top of all the soccer going on, I'll be finishing up meetings this week, winding down the school year.  (Only 1 more Monday!)   I'll have one more meeting next week:  The last week of school!

And, to top that off, MS graduates on Friday.  That means a few out of town guests, a house that needs to be cleaned, weeds that need to be killed, a cake, fruit tray, and veggie tray that need to be ordered, and figuring out what else we're going to eat after the ceremony.  I.will.not.get.stressed.  My mom asked if there was anything she could do.  Sure, mom...how about letting us borrow your yard so that the dogs won't be in anybody's way?  Unfortunately, we don't have a fenced in yard so the girls can't be out without supervision.  That's where my parents' yard comes in very convenient!

I hope everybody had a wonderful Mother's Day!  I woke up to this on the kitchen table:

I was also given this card:

Just in case you can't read what it says, here's a close-up:

Yes, I was laughing when I read it!  MS must've taken a lot of time looking for "that special card"! He said that it was stuck in with the Mother's Day cards, and didn't realize it said "Birthday" until he was home.  He keeps us laughing, for sure!  He redeemed himself with this:

WHAT?  I'm on a what?  I know, I know, but sssshhhhh, don't tell MS that I've cut out sugar!  I did have one...just one, mind you!  Surely if I just have one a day, it won't hurt, will it?  I mean, it's not like there are a bunch in the bag; there can't be more than 10 in there.

I spent a little time down at my mom & dad's house in the afternoon.  My sister, Jeffy, her husband, and my brother (the guitar player)  were there while I was there.  (I've gotta tell y'all something about Jeffy:  she rides a Harley:  not a girlie sportster, either.  I got educated on such things while I was visiting with them this afternoon.)  That's one of the neat things about living in my hometown:  getting to see my parents and siblings without having to think about a 4 hour drive, or getting home at a decent hour to get the boys in bed because they have school the next day. 

Anyway, back to me:  we were going to go to dinner at a new place in town that just opened up last week.

 We tried to go there on Friday night, but were told there was a 90-140 minute wait.  When we pulled in the parking lot, it looked as full as it did Friday, so we went to Chili's instead.  We only had about a 15 minute wait.  As we were leaving, it was getting pretty packed.  We're really getting uptown now: Here's what opens up today:

It's going to be about a month before we get into eat at that restaurant; betcha! 

If my postings aren't as frequent this week (especially at the end of the week), don't lose any sleep over it:  I'll just be really busy!

Hope everybody has a spectacular week!

Last Friday's Fave 5 for April

Here are my Fave 5 for this week:

1.  Dinner at my parents' house: A cousin and her husband (who live in S. Tx.) are participating in the Rock & Roll 1/2 Marathons, and they went to Nashville to participate in the one there.  Since they weren't too far away and have friends that live nearby, they came in to have dinner with us.  We don't have cousins coming in a lot, so it was a real treat to see them.

 (This is a picture of the "older" cousins!)

2.  Screenings at one of my schools:  It's a nice break from the regular routine, and it means that school is almost out for the summer!

3.  My favorite comedian is coming to town.  Unfortunately, I won't be going to see him.  He is hilarious!  (Or, maybe it's just my warped sense of humor!)  Here's a clip:


If you've never heard of him, I bet that wasn't what you were expecting:  An Asian with a southern accent!  God Bless America!

4.  Here's another youtube clip from a new bloggy friend that found me this week!  I think I'm going to enjoy reading about what she's up to:


5.  The view as I was driving into work on Thursday morning:

I have to throw this picture in for my husband.  This was one of his Faves of the week:

New motorcycle  boots!  He wore them around all night to "break them in".

Have a great POETS Day!  (Pee On Everything, Tomorrow's Saturday!)

FINALLY!

It's finally here...the first day of Spring!  I was finally able to ride in the car with the windows rolled down!  I also decided it was time to put a little "Spring" on my blog!

Yesterday I met a friend at her condo and we walked to lunch at The Tomato Head.  This was my first time eating there at this location.  It's downtown (or as we used to call  it:  "Cowtown") with tables sitting out front.  I was going to take a picture, but didn't want anybody to think I was a stinkin' tourist, or a local who has never seen tables outside on the sidewalk before.   Even though I could eat meat yesterday, I stuck with the plan and had a Cheese Melt, which was delicious, by the way.  It's probably a good thing I didn't look to see what the dessert specials were, because you tell me if you could've passed these up:
The “Guten Nacht Gorilla” Special Dessert: Whole Bananas Spiraled with Cinnamon and Brown Sugar and Wrapped in Pizza Dough – Topped with Vanilla Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream
Cupcake of the Day: Strawberry Tiramisu
Vegan Cupcake of the Day: Red Velvet
Cobbler: Blackberry/Blueberry/Raspberry with a Scoop of Vanilla Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream

I didn't think so!  We took the long way to get there (my friend forgot exactly which street it was on!) and the short way back.  This friend is my "football" friend:  Ever since we moved back, she is who I sit with at high school football games.  Her son is MS' age and she has a daughter who is a year younger.  I call her daughter my "surrogate daughter".  I absolutely love her, and if I had a daughter, that is what I would hope mine would be like.  She (the daughter) has come to away games with my husband and I a couple of times.  She's a great kid, and my friend is doing a wonderful job being a single parent. (And, no, she's not reading this!)  On the way back, we saw these signs of Spring:

And this when I got home:

Okay, you gardeners out there, tell me if these are weeds:

I know they look like clover, but they're actually really little and dainty.  And these:

I know that they're all weeds, but they really are pretty...too pretty to pull right now.  And there are so many of them!  My plan is to spray weed killer on them and save my back.  I really, really thought about pulling them, but I did get in there and rake the leaves and dead weeds out, so it actually looks like a nice weed garden instead of a crazy, messy one!

Husband and YS went camping last night.  They put 2 of the motorcycles on the trailer, and drove up to the mountains to camp. Husband's thought is that there are fields so he can let YS get more comfortable on the bike.  He has high hopes that YS will want to ride and they can take long rides together.  OS rode some and MS has no interest whatsoever.  And, I think I've mentioned how I feel about it.  YS wanted a picture and suggested I put it on my blog, so here it is:

Since it was just myself & MS, he decided he wanted to take advantage of being able to eat meat on a Friday during Lent, and wanted to go to Burger King.  They do have the best french fries, y'all!  As we're heading over to BK, he gets a phone call and is talking to a friend.  Then I hear, "I'm heading to Burger King with my mom.  We're on a Burger King Date!"  MS is my son who has never had a problem with coming up to me in front of his friends, and grabbing me and hugging me and telling me he loves me.  He is forever my Snuggle Bunny!

In other news:  MS has made his college decision.  Looks like he will be donning Big Orange in the fall.  This is really crazy, but even though the school is only 15 minutes away, I'm really nervous about him going there.  It's just so big, and that, to me, is scary.  I guess it's just the unknown for me:  I didn't go there because it was too close to home; I was ready to get away and be my own person.  I told him that he needed to meet people from other places and not run around with people from this county or that he ran around with in high school.  I don't want it to be an extension of high school;  I want him to meet people from other backgrounds, and I want him to be ambitious enough to want to get away from this small town, even if it's only for a short time during his life.  He needs to see what else is out there.  If he lives on campus, I don't want him coming home every weekend; he needs to develop relationships with people who aren't from here.  But, he wants to be there for this:

and even this:

I can't say I blame him, because if he goes to the school I went to, this is all he'll get:

Now I'm sure everybody is wondering how many pictures I can get in one post!  Hope everybody has a nice Saturday!  I'm going to leave you with a link up to Then Sings My Soul Saturday (TSMSS) with Amy over at Signs, Miracles, and Wonders.  This is one of my favorites; another one that I've played over and over and over!