The Dude Abides

As you may have read in a recent post right after the election, I tried to rename our dog (which has been named The Dude for 4 years now)- I tried to rename him John McCain, but he just looked at me like I as below average intelligence, and then peed on our two plastic pink flamingos Harry and Potter(yes we really have those! They stopped making them so will be valuable in a few years:) Anyway, I was thinking that even though The Dude has a nice blank happy stare most of the time- he's probably an old wise man inside who has way more foresight than any of us. Also- I went a whole few days without flinching every time "O"s name was mentioned in the news. We may go further and go "cableless" again soon...that will take care of that problem:) just joshin kids...we have to wait till football is over- then there's b-ball....maybe next year! Have a good evening...hugs to everyone. JM

Multiple choice...

I love getting up at four a.m and changing dirty diapers.....
I love watching the sun come up with a good cup of coffee.
I love having a husband who understands me and doesn't think I'm weird.
I love Nick throwing cheerios on the floor for the Dude to eat.

Only 3 of these is true!

Have a great Saturday kids! It's chilly down here in Tampa Bay. All of our hibiscus flowers are shriveling up and the citrus is falling off the trees to rot on the ground but I love the cold!

Christmas ideas...

We're coming up on a thrift Christmas season so I have some ideas for those of you living under the radar this year... don't be embarrased- Phillip and I have been married for 6 years and have always been proud of being thrifty- it keeps things simple and surprisingly low- stressed. Also we still have alot of fun and enjoy life to the fullest....

1. 1 large malt beer from the gas station down the road. What a treat! Your loved one can put this in the fridge for a rainy day and thank you when they need a cold one on the hot day in the summer.
2. Homemade soap, candles, etc- now don't laugh- I've done this one before! It's fun to make and you feel so "crafty" without spending tons of money. Get your bum to Michael's and join the knitting/scrapbooking crowds. Help keep your family members stink free with some lavender scented goat's milk soap. Hey- they'll ever use it or stick in their bath cupboard to harden into a brick for the next ten years. Either way- you got crafty!
3. Pass along unopened fruit cake or office cookies that no-one ate. It's so tacky but thrifty!
4. Get a $5 gift certificate to your loved one for Starbuck's- normally we send out some heftier ones to the SB fans we love, but this year- they're only getting a cup and a-half.
5. Buy bottles of wine at the Dollar General....they're cheap and dressed up with a bow they look just like Mondavi...
6. Get your kids a box full of crayons the easy way- take the ones home that they always give out at restuarants- like Bennigan's, etc. They'll never know! It's not really stealing- more like paying it forward.
I'll have to break now for some family time and check on our dog- The Dude- the cold air is making him bark at the squirrels and drive any other endangered Florida wildlife away..
ta ta for now kids.

Merde! I've a got a freakin cold.

As if the week wasn't bad enough for me to endure (all the Obama kids and their naive hoopla), I got a cold yesterday. When I mean that I "got" a cold, I mean it got me...grabbed me during a perfectly fine and mellow Friday evening following a nice Saturday jaunt with the family down to an afternoon wine festival.
The cold grabbed me by the shoulders and neck, threw me down with fury and rage...well, it's like an alien from hell has taken over my body. So now, with runny nose, stiff neck, buring forehead, I write from my castle of misery. Thank you Afrin, Tylenol Cold and a nice warm comforter. Thank you husband and child for not screaming too much today while we brush your teeth and change your diapers. I had to miss church, miss a perfectly good day outside (the heat makes me feel weird) and miss another day at the gym...maybe tomorrow. Well, I hope you all are doing good. When you're out having fun with your family and friends on this beautiful Sunday, remember out there, somewhere, is your pal JM suffering in agony.
From the outpost, J.M.

Another gorgeous day!

The only advice I have for today is get out, be around people who make you happy, and enjoy life. It's Friday kids. I am so blessed to have gotten back in touch with old friends who helped shaped my past life and who I am now. Thank you for all the memories and future ones now that we're making plans to visit more often!
Our wonderful son is walking around shirtless since the temperature has decided to revisit the lower 80 mark. But it's so nice out and luckily, there's alot going on this weekend- art fair, wine fest, church and football.
Don't forget to put out your flags for Vet's Day.
Ta ta for now, and stayed tuned for my review of "Into the Wild" which I finally viewed last night. I know this has been out for over a year, but we do the Netflix thing, and the most current movies are not always our first choices. This movie gave me mixed emotions but made a lasting impression that will not soon fade. What a haunting ending...anyway go hug your parents today or tell them you love them. Back soon... JM

I tried to rename our dog The Dude

This afternoon I threw the tennis ball around for our wonderful dog, The Dude. I tried to rename him John McCain, but he won't come when called. Dumb dog. Maybe he's too old to run anyway.

Something's happening tonight

Another election- the years go by fast, don't they? It has been interesting to me to notice different types of voters during the past 4 elections, in the towns we have lived. We're in a different town now, and I like to think of it as a nice safe place... meanwhile, I went to the gym several times this week so far. My back muscles and core need strengthening in order to pick up all the change that's coming my way! Also, the free Starbuck's coffee was an added bonus. Nick is doing great, loves to give "ten"now, instead of "five" (he's a capitalist in training) and looks more like a little child now, not a baby :(
I hope to write more about music soon, but need to do a little research on some new music I've heard about. These days, I play alot of mixed downloads- Johnny Cash, MIA, The Foos, White Stripes, and alot of old 70's mellow stuff like Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Not a big fan of the old 80's hair bands but do enjoy the 80's Euro Pop and Techno (The Farm, Stone Roses, Depeche Mode, etc.)
Well, here's to an evening of peace and good thoughts for all. Tomorrow, there will be another person in charge whom everyone can blame for their own personal woes and mistakes down the road. Both candidates are brave souls. God bless them. Ta ta for now, JM