The laws of physics: Knob of dresser + Lauren = Boo-boo!!
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Sunday, December 17, 2006
A Soldier's Silent Night
A Soldier's Silent Night
TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, HE LIVED ALL ALONE,
IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF PLASTER AND STONE.
I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,
AND TO SEE JUST WHO IN THIS HOME DID LIVE.
I LOOKED ALL ABOUT, A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,
NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS, NOT EVEN A TREE.
NO STOCKING BY MANTLE, JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.
WITH MEDALS AND BADGES, AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,
A SOBER THOUGHT CAME THROUGH MY MIND.
FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT, IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,
I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER, ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.
THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING, SILENT, ALONE,
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.
THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE, THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER,
NOT HOW I PICTURED A UNITED STATES SOLDIER.
WAS THIS THE HERO OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO, THE FLOOR FOR A BED?
I REALIZED THE FAMILIES THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.
SOON ROUND THE WORLD, THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,
AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.
THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS, LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.
I COULDN'T HELP WONDER HOW MANY LAY ALONE,
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.
THE VERY THOUGHT BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE,
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES AND STARTED TO CRY;
THE SOLDIER AWAKENED AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,
"SANTA DON'T CRY, THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;
I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM, I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,
MY LIFE IS MY GOD, MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS."
THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP,
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT, I CONTINUED TO WEEP.
I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS, SO SILENT AND STILL
AND WE BOTH SHIVERED FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.
I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,
THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR SO WILLING TO FIGHT.
THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER, WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,
WHISPERED, "CARRY ON SANTA, IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE."
ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH, AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT."
Friday, December 15, 2006
To B or not to B....
I'm sure Bobby is just thrilled that his wife is about to mention her boobs....but I have to!
You see, I've been a 36C as far back as I can remember. Even in my heaviest of days, years ago, my boob size never changed. Never. Two boys and 100 lbs lighter...still a 36C. So what gives?
Lauren.
She is what gives. My pregnancy alone was way different than the boys. I gained tons of weight with both of them. Lauren...just 10-15 lbs. The boys I tried breastfeeding but just wasn't adult enough or too lazy to give it my all. Lauren...breastfed till she was 13 months old. I was 100 lbs overweight while pregnant with the boys. I was a 100 lbs lighter while I was pregnant with Lauren. I didn't exercise before, during, or after the boys. Lauren....ran up till the day I gave birth and am still running.
Anyway, you get the drift. Now I'm done with all things infant and pregnancy and my boobs are deflated balloons with a bad case of Atlas roadwork. It's frightening. They barely fit in my old bras. So I went to Walmart to try on a few different sizes. Down a cup size. NO! Heck, maybe two cupsizes. NO! Some bras I was a 36B. Some I barely fit into that. A 36A maybe? I guess I could have gone back and grabbed some of those but didn't want to find out! I'll be happy in the B's for now. But I swear if they shrink or deflate anymore......I demand a boob job!!
Or I'll have to go back to the age of 13 and stuff my bras!!
You see, I've been a 36C as far back as I can remember. Even in my heaviest of days, years ago, my boob size never changed. Never. Two boys and 100 lbs lighter...still a 36C. So what gives?
Lauren.
She is what gives. My pregnancy alone was way different than the boys. I gained tons of weight with both of them. Lauren...just 10-15 lbs. The boys I tried breastfeeding but just wasn't adult enough or too lazy to give it my all. Lauren...breastfed till she was 13 months old. I was 100 lbs overweight while pregnant with the boys. I was a 100 lbs lighter while I was pregnant with Lauren. I didn't exercise before, during, or after the boys. Lauren....ran up till the day I gave birth and am still running.
Anyway, you get the drift. Now I'm done with all things infant and pregnancy and my boobs are deflated balloons with a bad case of Atlas roadwork. It's frightening. They barely fit in my old bras. So I went to Walmart to try on a few different sizes. Down a cup size. NO! Heck, maybe two cupsizes. NO! Some bras I was a 36B. Some I barely fit into that. A 36A maybe? I guess I could have gone back and grabbed some of those but didn't want to find out! I'll be happy in the B's for now. But I swear if they shrink or deflate anymore......I demand a boob job!!
Or I'll have to go back to the age of 13 and stuff my bras!!
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
FIRST CHAIR!!!
This was our first time to see Eric play. We had no clue how well he was doing. Evidently well enough....he's first chair in the Beginner's Band (6th grade) in the French Horn section. We couldn't be anymore proud!
That's our boy!!!!
That's our boy!!!!
Before the Christmas concert.......
The Band!You Raise Me Up
Sung by: Josh Groban
When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.
There is no life - no life without its hunger;
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly;
But when you come and I am filled with wonder,
Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.
When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.
There is no life - no life without its hunger;
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly;
But when you come and I am filled with wonder,
Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Score!!!!
Wednesday, December 6th
Well, most of you have seen my "polka-dot" pictures. If you haven't...scroll down. This is the story of this most fateful day................
I run. I shower. I notice a few dots trailing up from my right hip to the underside of my left breast. I freak out. I thought I had scabies! Ewww! I freak out some more. "How did I get this?" I ask myself. So I spend most of my morning fretting over this.
Later in the morning, I go do my business in the bathroom and decided while I'm in there I'll have another look-see in the mirror of these dots. After flushing the toilet, I go the the mirror in my bathroom and raise my shirt. "What the hell?" I scream to myself. The few dots were now all over my abdomen, both boobs, my chest, my sides......and as I take off my shirt.....notice them on my upper arms. Aaaaaaaagh! What happened. So now I'm frantic. I immediately call the same-day appointment line on post. No appointments. They are all full. Of course they are. I decide to head out to the ER. The dreaded ER. Ugh! Luckily Lauren has already eaten. But I hadn't. Oh well. "I'll eat when I get home." I think to myself.
We get to the ER. It's 11:30am. Not noon yet. As I walk in, every seat is filled and some people were standing up against the walls. Ugh!!!!! It's going to be a long wait. And it was. It took them an hour to just triage me. You know....the nurse assesses you, takes your vitals and determines if you are going to die in the next minute. Well, to make this as short as possible, we were there for 4 hours. At that time, it being 3:30pm, the boys should be home. I call. No answer. Okay. I'll just wait a few more minutes. Them being boys and all were probably taking the long route home. So at 3:35pm, I call no answer. Okay. My heart beating a little faster, I wait a few more minutes more. It's 3:40pm. I call. No freaking answer. I'm getting panicky. "Where are the boys?" Fear is now squeazing my heart. So every minute on the minute I'm calling the home phone. No answer.
Now I'm freaking out. I know I'm about to be called. The people that I knew that were there before me were being called back. I was getting closer. But where were my boys. Something was wrong. Go home or wait to be called. I went home, of course! So on the way home I'm whipping in and out of traffic with my cell phone stuck to my ear. Yeah, I was that person I most despise....an erratic cell phone driver. I think what usually takes 15 minutes to get home took me 5. I get home and there by the porch are their backpacks. So I drive my truck around the street to their friend's house. I knock on the door and there they were. I'm yelling. My heart is pounding. Out of fear, out of anger, out of fear. In that time of yelling, Eric tells me he forgot his key. Eeergh! Of all the days he has to forget his key..........
I go on and on about how he should have called my cell phone to let me know where they were at. I could still be at the ER waiting patiently for my name to be called. (And I just know as soon as I walked out they called it. I just know it.) Eric tells me that he doesn't know my cell phone number. Okay. Mental note: Give Eric my cell phone number.
Then as we walk in the door, Eric proclaims....."Mom, IF I HAD A CELL PHONE, you could have gotten a hold of me and you wouldn't have been worried."
Score, Eric.
Eric 1, Mom 0
Well, most of you have seen my "polka-dot" pictures. If you haven't...scroll down. This is the story of this most fateful day................
I run. I shower. I notice a few dots trailing up from my right hip to the underside of my left breast. I freak out. I thought I had scabies! Ewww! I freak out some more. "How did I get this?" I ask myself. So I spend most of my morning fretting over this.
Later in the morning, I go do my business in the bathroom and decided while I'm in there I'll have another look-see in the mirror of these dots. After flushing the toilet, I go the the mirror in my bathroom and raise my shirt. "What the hell?" I scream to myself. The few dots were now all over my abdomen, both boobs, my chest, my sides......and as I take off my shirt.....notice them on my upper arms. Aaaaaaaagh! What happened. So now I'm frantic. I immediately call the same-day appointment line on post. No appointments. They are all full. Of course they are. I decide to head out to the ER. The dreaded ER. Ugh! Luckily Lauren has already eaten. But I hadn't. Oh well. "I'll eat when I get home." I think to myself.
We get to the ER. It's 11:30am. Not noon yet. As I walk in, every seat is filled and some people were standing up against the walls. Ugh!!!!! It's going to be a long wait. And it was. It took them an hour to just triage me. You know....the nurse assesses you, takes your vitals and determines if you are going to die in the next minute. Well, to make this as short as possible, we were there for 4 hours. At that time, it being 3:30pm, the boys should be home. I call. No answer. Okay. I'll just wait a few more minutes. Them being boys and all were probably taking the long route home. So at 3:35pm, I call no answer. Okay. My heart beating a little faster, I wait a few more minutes more. It's 3:40pm. I call. No freaking answer. I'm getting panicky. "Where are the boys?" Fear is now squeazing my heart. So every minute on the minute I'm calling the home phone. No answer.
Now I'm freaking out. I know I'm about to be called. The people that I knew that were there before me were being called back. I was getting closer. But where were my boys. Something was wrong. Go home or wait to be called. I went home, of course! So on the way home I'm whipping in and out of traffic with my cell phone stuck to my ear. Yeah, I was that person I most despise....an erratic cell phone driver. I think what usually takes 15 minutes to get home took me 5. I get home and there by the porch are their backpacks. So I drive my truck around the street to their friend's house. I knock on the door and there they were. I'm yelling. My heart is pounding. Out of fear, out of anger, out of fear. In that time of yelling, Eric tells me he forgot his key. Eeergh! Of all the days he has to forget his key..........
I go on and on about how he should have called my cell phone to let me know where they were at. I could still be at the ER waiting patiently for my name to be called. (And I just know as soon as I walked out they called it. I just know it.) Eric tells me that he doesn't know my cell phone number. Okay. Mental note: Give Eric my cell phone number.
Then as we walk in the door, Eric proclaims....."Mom, IF I HAD A CELL PHONE, you could have gotten a hold of me and you wouldn't have been worried."
Score, Eric.
Eric 1, Mom 0
Friday, December 08, 2006
Viral Rash??
I puffed up the stomach to make the rash more clear to the eye. No it doesn't normally look like that! And, yes, that is my belly button!
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Another day in the life............
Ahh! Just blew my nose. It's clear for the next minute or so before I'll have to blow it again. I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired. Curse the cold virus! My nose is raw and sores are forming from the blowing and the cold, dry air that has now chapped the skin that surrounds the two caves that allow human breathing. My head floats above my shoulders from the use of medication that is supposed to dry up the waterfall of sinus drainage. Instead it leaves me a little light-headed. My throat is red and raw from the constant coughing and clearing of said drainage. Can I just be a cat? They have the life....eat, sleep, sleep, sleep, sleep, poop/pee, eat, sleep, sleep, sleep, and sleep some more. Now that is the life....................
Last night was "scout night" as I have termed it. The night where I wish there were two of me. I drop Matt off at the elementary school, we might hang around awhile to hear the latest news, then Eric, Lauren, and I (plus a few older scouts that I might take with us) leave for Boy Scouts in the next town. We always arrive just when it starts. I drop Eric and the others off. I leave and head back to Matthew's meeting just in time to pick him up and head back to Eric's meeting where we sit for an hour of doing nothing. Okay, I might be chasing Lauren around the DAV and Matthew brings his GameBoy and plays that to whittle away the time. What fun! NOT!
Then it's a rush to get back home, put everyone to bed, and to lie there wishing for death to take me because I have this "bleeping" cold.
On a good note:
Eric has his very first band concert on the 11th. A Chrsitmas concert. He's very excited. They will be playing 4 songs and then the Honor Band will play. If Eric gets better, he can play in the Honor Band next year. I'm looking forward to this.........my baby's in the band.
Must go now. My nose is in need of clearing.....again.
Last night was "scout night" as I have termed it. The night where I wish there were two of me. I drop Matt off at the elementary school, we might hang around awhile to hear the latest news, then Eric, Lauren, and I (plus a few older scouts that I might take with us) leave for Boy Scouts in the next town. We always arrive just when it starts. I drop Eric and the others off. I leave and head back to Matthew's meeting just in time to pick him up and head back to Eric's meeting where we sit for an hour of doing nothing. Okay, I might be chasing Lauren around the DAV and Matthew brings his GameBoy and plays that to whittle away the time. What fun! NOT!
Then it's a rush to get back home, put everyone to bed, and to lie there wishing for death to take me because I have this "bleeping" cold.
On a good note:
Eric has his very first band concert on the 11th. A Chrsitmas concert. He's very excited. They will be playing 4 songs and then the Honor Band will play. If Eric gets better, he can play in the Honor Band next year. I'm looking forward to this.........my baby's in the band.
Must go now. My nose is in need of clearing.....again.
Sunday, December 03, 2006
An Old Wound....Refreshed
Lauren strikes again.
Other than my l. shift key, I now have a caps lock and ctrl key gone. Bye-bye! Just ripped them off like a new scab. Oh, I think I can fix these since the pieces are still intact but it will never be the same. Ugh!
My pretty keyboard....not so pretty anymore.
When will I learn to close the case, instead of leaving it open for her prying little fingers? Eeergh!
Other than my l. shift key, I now have a caps lock and ctrl key gone. Bye-bye! Just ripped them off like a new scab. Oh, I think I can fix these since the pieces are still intact but it will never be the same. Ugh!
My pretty keyboard....not so pretty anymore.
When will I learn to close the case, instead of leaving it open for her prying little fingers? Eeergh!
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Monday, November 20, 2006
Just one word.
"Mama."
Lauren said it to me. Not gibberish.
With determination in her eye, she said my name and meant it.
"Mama!" as she hands me a book to read to her for the 100th time.
Then I melted into a puddle of goo...........
Lauren said it to me. Not gibberish.
With determination in her eye, she said my name and meant it.
"Mama!" as she hands me a book to read to her for the 100th time.
Then I melted into a puddle of goo...........
Friday, November 17, 2006
Folk Song Phenomenon
Matthew!
ROFLOL!!!
Yeah, that is me up there. I was a "lucky" one to participate in this shin-dig.
It's over, when it's over.Egads!
Has it really been that long since I posted anything here. Oopsies!
Well, I've had a lot of highs and a lot of loooows this week. Yesterday, well, discovered the vinyl siding of our house on one side was blown off the day before. We had sustained winds of 40mph with gusts as high as 60mph! As my Mom said, "A little hurricane came through here." So I have an exposed part of my house which is like an open sore. Anything can get in and "infect" my house, even though I've been reassured it's all in my head. Okay...whatever. It's still an ugly sight to see though.
Matthew had his 3rd grade play last night! It was neat. He was in the choir portion of the whole thing. I wish I had brought the tripod because I was a little preoccupied with Lauren...so there are lots of movement in the pictures. Eric took still photos with the digi camera and still haven't looked at those. I'm afraid to look. LOL! I'll post what I can of those later.
Bobby should be home for Christmas vacation......Dec.18-Jan.2. He was hoping for more time off since he has over 60 days of leave that he has acquired from his tours to Iraq. We are still up in the air on when he will come back for Thanksgiving. From what he tells me, he might have to "work" the Wednesday before the holiday. If so, he will leave after his duty and drive then. Problem: Means he'll get here Thanksgiving morning. I think he wanted to sleep-in...not sleep-through...that day. Hopefully, the command there, will be nice and let him have Wednesday off so he can travel that day. What? Be nice......yeah, right!
You won't believe what I did yesterday afternoon? Really. You won't. I.....spent 2 hours on the floor....legs spread (get your head out of the gutter guys!!!!)....surrounded by........Christmas wrapping paper and ribbon! I wrapped all the gifts, minus layaway, that I had in my closet. I only have 2 people yet to get for......and, of course, they are men! I spent all of Lauren's nap time and got it done! Now I just have to keep the cats off of them (don't want their nails from their hind legs to tear up the hard work I did) and keep Lauren away (she now has hands and fingers that are nimble enough to pull at wrapping paper and tear it to shreds!)
Well, that is all for this week. Next week, well....we'll be up North with family.
NaNa...if you are reading this....the orders are in. Matthew wants lots and lots and lots of mashed potatoes and Eric wants lots and lots and lots of turkey!!! LOL! Oh, they crack me up!
Well, I've had a lot of highs and a lot of loooows this week. Yesterday, well, discovered the vinyl siding of our house on one side was blown off the day before. We had sustained winds of 40mph with gusts as high as 60mph! As my Mom said, "A little hurricane came through here." So I have an exposed part of my house which is like an open sore. Anything can get in and "infect" my house, even though I've been reassured it's all in my head. Okay...whatever. It's still an ugly sight to see though.
Matthew had his 3rd grade play last night! It was neat. He was in the choir portion of the whole thing. I wish I had brought the tripod because I was a little preoccupied with Lauren...so there are lots of movement in the pictures. Eric took still photos with the digi camera and still haven't looked at those. I'm afraid to look. LOL! I'll post what I can of those later.
Bobby should be home for Christmas vacation......Dec.18-Jan.2. He was hoping for more time off since he has over 60 days of leave that he has acquired from his tours to Iraq. We are still up in the air on when he will come back for Thanksgiving. From what he tells me, he might have to "work" the Wednesday before the holiday. If so, he will leave after his duty and drive then. Problem: Means he'll get here Thanksgiving morning. I think he wanted to sleep-in...not sleep-through...that day. Hopefully, the command there, will be nice and let him have Wednesday off so he can travel that day. What? Be nice......yeah, right!
You won't believe what I did yesterday afternoon? Really. You won't. I.....spent 2 hours on the floor....legs spread (get your head out of the gutter guys!!!!)....surrounded by........Christmas wrapping paper and ribbon! I wrapped all the gifts, minus layaway, that I had in my closet. I only have 2 people yet to get for......and, of course, they are men! I spent all of Lauren's nap time and got it done! Now I just have to keep the cats off of them (don't want their nails from their hind legs to tear up the hard work I did) and keep Lauren away (she now has hands and fingers that are nimble enough to pull at wrapping paper and tear it to shreds!)
Well, that is all for this week. Next week, well....we'll be up North with family.
NaNa...if you are reading this....the orders are in. Matthew wants lots and lots and lots of mashed potatoes and Eric wants lots and lots and lots of turkey!!! LOL! Oh, they crack me up!
Friday, November 10, 2006
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Snazzy!!
| You Should Shop At Banana Republic |
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Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Origin of Halloween
Halloween's origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in).
The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France, celebrated their new year on November 1. This day marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death. Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. On the night of October 31, they celebrated Samhain, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth. In addition to causing trouble and damaging crops, Celts thought that the presence of the otherworldly spirits made it easier for the Druids, or Celtic priests, to make predictions about the future. For a people entirely dependent on the volatile natural world, these prophecies were an important source of comfort and direction during the long, dark winter.
To commemorate the event, Druids built huge sacred bonfires, where the people gathered to burn crops and animals as sacrifices to the Celtic deities.
During the celebration, the Celts wore costumes, typically consisting of animal heads and skins, and attempted to tell each other's fortunes. When the celebration was over, they re-lit their hearth fires, which they had extinguished earlier that evening, from the sacred bonfire to help protect them during the coming winter.
By A.D. 43, Romans had conquered the majority of Celtic territory. In the course of the four hundred years that they ruled the Celtic lands, two festivals of Roman origin were combined with the traditional Celtic celebration of Samhain.
The first was Feralia, a day in late October when the Romans traditionally commemorated the passing of the dead. The second was a day to honor Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. The symbol of Pomona is the apple and the incorporation of this celebration into Samhain probably explains the tradition of "bobbing" for apples that is practiced today on Halloween.
By the 800s, the influence of Christianity had spread into Celtic lands. In the seventh century, Pope Boniface IV designated November 1 All Saints' Day, a time to honor saints and martyrs. It is widely believed today that the pope was attempting to replace the Celtic festival of the dead with a related, but church-sanctioned holiday. The celebration was also called All-hallows or All-hallowmas (from Middle English Alholowmesse meaning All Saints' Day) and the night before it, the night of Samhain, began to be called All-hallows Eve and, eventually, Halloween. Even later, in A.D. 1000, the church would make November 2 All Souls' Day, a day to honor the dead. It was celebrated similarly to Samhain, with big bonfires, parades, and dressing up in costumes as saints, angels, and devils. Together, the three celebrations, the eve of All Saints', All Saints', and All Souls', were called Hallowmas.
The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France, celebrated their new year on November 1. This day marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death. Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. On the night of October 31, they celebrated Samhain, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth. In addition to causing trouble and damaging crops, Celts thought that the presence of the otherworldly spirits made it easier for the Druids, or Celtic priests, to make predictions about the future. For a people entirely dependent on the volatile natural world, these prophecies were an important source of comfort and direction during the long, dark winter.
To commemorate the event, Druids built huge sacred bonfires, where the people gathered to burn crops and animals as sacrifices to the Celtic deities.
During the celebration, the Celts wore costumes, typically consisting of animal heads and skins, and attempted to tell each other's fortunes. When the celebration was over, they re-lit their hearth fires, which they had extinguished earlier that evening, from the sacred bonfire to help protect them during the coming winter.
By A.D. 43, Romans had conquered the majority of Celtic territory. In the course of the four hundred years that they ruled the Celtic lands, two festivals of Roman origin were combined with the traditional Celtic celebration of Samhain.
The first was Feralia, a day in late October when the Romans traditionally commemorated the passing of the dead. The second was a day to honor Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. The symbol of Pomona is the apple and the incorporation of this celebration into Samhain probably explains the tradition of "bobbing" for apples that is practiced today on Halloween.
By the 800s, the influence of Christianity had spread into Celtic lands. In the seventh century, Pope Boniface IV designated November 1 All Saints' Day, a time to honor saints and martyrs. It is widely believed today that the pope was attempting to replace the Celtic festival of the dead with a related, but church-sanctioned holiday. The celebration was also called All-hallows or All-hallowmas (from Middle English Alholowmesse meaning All Saints' Day) and the night before it, the night of Samhain, began to be called All-hallows Eve and, eventually, Halloween. Even later, in A.D. 1000, the church would make November 2 All Souls' Day, a day to honor the dead. It was celebrated similarly to Samhain, with big bonfires, parades, and dressing up in costumes as saints, angels, and devils. Together, the three celebrations, the eve of All Saints', All Saints', and All Souls', were called Hallowmas.
History of the Jack-o-Lantern
Pumpkin carving is a popular part of modern America's Halloween celebration. Come October, pumpkins can be found everywhere in the country from doorsteps to dinner tables. Despite the widespread carving that goes on in this country every autumn, few Americans really know why or when the jack o'lantern tradition began. Or, for that matter, whether the pumpkin is a fruit or a vegetable. Read on to find out!
People have been making jack o'lanterns at Halloween for centuries. The practice originated from an Irish myth about a man nicknamed "Stingy Jack." According to the story, Stingy Jack invited the Devil to have a drink with him. True to his name, Stingy Jack didn't want to pay for his drink, so he convinced the Devil to turn himself into a coin that Jack could use to buy their drinks. Once the Devil did so, Jack decided to keep the money and put it into his pocket next to a silver cross, which prevented the Devil from changing back into his original form. Jack eventually freed the Devil, under the condition that he would not bother Jack for one year and that, should Jack die, he would not claim his soul. The next year, Jack again tricked the Devil into climbing into a tree to pick a piece of fruit. While he was up in the tree, Jack carved a sign of the cross into the tree's bark so that the Devil could not come down until the Devil promised Jack not to bother him for ten more years.
Soon after, Jack died. As the legend goes, God would not allow such an unsavory figure into heaven. The Devil, upset by the trick Jack had played on him and keeping his word not to claim his soul, would not allow Jack into hell. He sent Jack off into the dark night with only a burning coal to light his way. Jack put the coal into a carved-out turnip and has been roaming the Earth with ever since. The Irish began to refer to this ghostly figure as "Jack of the Lantern," and then, simply "Jack O'Lantern."
In Ireland and Scotland, people began to make their own versions of Jack's lanterns by carving scary faces into turnips or potatoes and placing them into windows or near doors to frighten away Stingy Jack and other wandering evil spirits. In England, large beets are used. Immigrants from these countries brought the jack o'lantern tradition with them when they came to the United States. They soon found that pumpkins, a fruit native to America, make perfect jack o'lanterns.
People have been making jack o'lanterns at Halloween for centuries. The practice originated from an Irish myth about a man nicknamed "Stingy Jack." According to the story, Stingy Jack invited the Devil to have a drink with him. True to his name, Stingy Jack didn't want to pay for his drink, so he convinced the Devil to turn himself into a coin that Jack could use to buy their drinks. Once the Devil did so, Jack decided to keep the money and put it into his pocket next to a silver cross, which prevented the Devil from changing back into his original form. Jack eventually freed the Devil, under the condition that he would not bother Jack for one year and that, should Jack die, he would not claim his soul. The next year, Jack again tricked the Devil into climbing into a tree to pick a piece of fruit. While he was up in the tree, Jack carved a sign of the cross into the tree's bark so that the Devil could not come down until the Devil promised Jack not to bother him for ten more years.
Soon after, Jack died. As the legend goes, God would not allow such an unsavory figure into heaven. The Devil, upset by the trick Jack had played on him and keeping his word not to claim his soul, would not allow Jack into hell. He sent Jack off into the dark night with only a burning coal to light his way. Jack put the coal into a carved-out turnip and has been roaming the Earth with ever since. The Irish began to refer to this ghostly figure as "Jack of the Lantern," and then, simply "Jack O'Lantern."
In Ireland and Scotland, people began to make their own versions of Jack's lanterns by carving scary faces into turnips or potatoes and placing them into windows or near doors to frighten away Stingy Jack and other wandering evil spirits. In England, large beets are used. Immigrants from these countries brought the jack o'lantern tradition with them when they came to the United States. They soon found that pumpkins, a fruit native to America, make perfect jack o'lanterns.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
A Pound of Snot
Lauren has gotten her first cold...ever! My poor baby.
This morning I sat here trying to figure out how in the heck she got it. She had it before we went to Sarah's. As a matter of fact, her nose was running before we went over there. She started coughing the night before. Hmmm? We don't go over people's houses. We rarely go anywhere unless it's WalMart. I know she can get it there. But she seems to be getting hard all of a sudden. Then it "clicked"! I know where she got this nasty, miserable cold. The ER!! We had to take Eric to the ER last week for something so stupid. There were sick babies all over the place. Yep! She got it there. I'm 99.99% sure that is where she contracted this virus.
So now, as I sit here, she seems a wee bit better. I just took that nose-sucker thingy and sucked out a pound of snot! EGADS! I look at her and there is river flowing out of her nose, yet again! It's not yellow or green...still clear. That's a good sign. No infection. But I just hate seeing that face....all smeared with slimy boogers.
This morning I sat here trying to figure out how in the heck she got it. She had it before we went to Sarah's. As a matter of fact, her nose was running before we went over there. She started coughing the night before. Hmmm? We don't go over people's houses. We rarely go anywhere unless it's WalMart. I know she can get it there. But she seems to be getting hard all of a sudden. Then it "clicked"! I know where she got this nasty, miserable cold. The ER!! We had to take Eric to the ER last week for something so stupid. There were sick babies all over the place. Yep! She got it there. I'm 99.99% sure that is where she contracted this virus.
So now, as I sit here, she seems a wee bit better. I just took that nose-sucker thingy and sucked out a pound of snot! EGADS! I look at her and there is river flowing out of her nose, yet again! It's not yellow or green...still clear. That's a good sign. No infection. But I just hate seeing that face....all smeared with slimy boogers.
Monday, October 30, 2006
The Making of a Future Librarian..........
The mess......
The "librarian".....
A librarian's work is never done..........
Job is done........
It's time to play now..........TEXAS
Texas sung by George Strait
Steven Dale Jones/Phillip White
There wouldn’t be no Alamo
No Cowboys in the Super Bowl
No Lonesome Dove, no yellow rose
If it wasn’t for Texas
I wouldn’t be a Willie fan
Nobody’d swim the Rio Grande
I wouldn’t be an American
If it wasn’t for Texas
Chorus:
Fort Worth would never cross my mind
There’d be no Austin city limit sign
No lone star of any kind
If it wasn’t for Texas
I’d never gone to Tennessee
To sing my songs and chase my dreams
Only heaven knows just where I’d be
If it wasn’t for Texas
Repeat Chorus
It made me the man I am
Thank God for my old stompin’ ground
I wouldn’t be standin’ right here right now
If it wasn’t for Texas
If it wasn’t for Texas
If it wasn’t for Texas
Steven Dale Jones/Phillip White
There wouldn’t be no Alamo
No Cowboys in the Super Bowl
No Lonesome Dove, no yellow rose
If it wasn’t for Texas
I wouldn’t be a Willie fan
Nobody’d swim the Rio Grande
I wouldn’t be an American
If it wasn’t for Texas
Chorus:
Fort Worth would never cross my mind
There’d be no Austin city limit sign
No lone star of any kind
If it wasn’t for Texas
I’d never gone to Tennessee
To sing my songs and chase my dreams
Only heaven knows just where I’d be
If it wasn’t for Texas
Repeat Chorus
It made me the man I am
Thank God for my old stompin’ ground
I wouldn’t be standin’ right here right now
If it wasn’t for Texas
If it wasn’t for Texas
If it wasn’t for Texas
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Saturday, October 21, 2006
The BIG Reason I want a Tummy Tuck!
I'm standing straight up and my tummy is hanging straight down. Not a good picture but you get the drift.
I'm bent over and I have about 3 inches of skin hanging from my stomach. Eric actually called me on it one day when I was bent over blow-drying my hair. "Mom! What is wrong with your stomach?" A very embarrassing situation. I couldn't believe how much was hanging off. I'm sucking my gut in and the skin tone didn't even change. It needs to be sucked, tucked and tied off!!Heating Pads
How many cats does it take to keep you warm at night?
5
Yeah, 5 cats! One to warm your feet. One to warm your right side. One to warm your left side. One to warm you back (if you lay on your stomach). And one to keep your head warm. How would I know? Because it was such a cold night last night, my loveable furr balls decided it was a good night to share my bed!
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Neighbor Woes
I sit here in tears.
My neighbor is a stupid jerk.
The story:
I come home from dropping Eric off at school and making a quick trip to Walmart. As I am getting groceries out of my truck, I smell this fowl smell. I look down and there is the neighbors dog. A puppy. It's a Basset Hound. He's the cutest thing but smells awful. The nails are terribly long, obviously hasn't had a bath, and something else that totally blew my mind. The poor thing has a weeping wound around his neck. The collar is dirty and rancid and the neck is just festering. So guess who is calling the Humane Society. Why get a pet if you can't take care of it? They are our friends and they depend on us. If I could, I would keep him. But then Bobby would kill me. He is so terribly cute and he's friendly. Why, oh why??? Oh, and I went next door to let the guy know his dog was loose......there was no water, no food where he chains him up. Yeah, chains him up! Eeeergh! I don't like seeing chained dogs. They deserve a back yard or let them live inside as long as you can walk them.
My main concern is that he'll get hit by a car or die before the "neighbor" finds him. The neighbor wouldn't answer his door and I know he is there. I thought to put him in the back yard with Daisy but she wouldn't have any of it....and then the thought occurred to me that the poor thing might be carrying something and I didn't want Daisy to get sick. So I had to regretfully put him in front of the neighbors door and run home.......and cry. I'm just hoping the HS gets there. I can't stand watching this poor thing suffer!
Why do I have to care so much???
My neighbor is a stupid jerk.
The story:
I come home from dropping Eric off at school and making a quick trip to Walmart. As I am getting groceries out of my truck, I smell this fowl smell. I look down and there is the neighbors dog. A puppy. It's a Basset Hound. He's the cutest thing but smells awful. The nails are terribly long, obviously hasn't had a bath, and something else that totally blew my mind. The poor thing has a weeping wound around his neck. The collar is dirty and rancid and the neck is just festering. So guess who is calling the Humane Society. Why get a pet if you can't take care of it? They are our friends and they depend on us. If I could, I would keep him. But then Bobby would kill me. He is so terribly cute and he's friendly. Why, oh why??? Oh, and I went next door to let the guy know his dog was loose......there was no water, no food where he chains him up. Yeah, chains him up! Eeeergh! I don't like seeing chained dogs. They deserve a back yard or let them live inside as long as you can walk them.
My main concern is that he'll get hit by a car or die before the "neighbor" finds him. The neighbor wouldn't answer his door and I know he is there. I thought to put him in the back yard with Daisy but she wouldn't have any of it....and then the thought occurred to me that the poor thing might be carrying something and I didn't want Daisy to get sick. So I had to regretfully put him in front of the neighbors door and run home.......and cry. I'm just hoping the HS gets there. I can't stand watching this poor thing suffer!
Why do I have to care so much???
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
I wish!
| You Are 31 Years Old |
 Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe. 13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world. 20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences. 30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more! 40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax. |
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Blitzed
| You Are Blitzen |
 Always in good spirits, you're the reindeer who loves to party down with Santa. Why You're Naughty: You're always blitzed on Christmas Eve, while flying! Why You're Nice: You mix up a mean eggnog martini. |
Chicken of the Sea
| You Are a Mermaid |
 You are a total daydreamer, and people tend to think you're flakier than you actually are. While your head is often in the clouds, you'll always come back to earth to help someone in need. Beyond being a caring person, you are also very intelligent and rational. You understand the connections of the universe better than almost anyone else. |
So True, So True!
| 1985 by Bowling for Soup |
 "Where's the mini-skirt made of snakeskin? And who's the other guy that's singing in Van Halen? When did reality become T.V.? What ever happened to sitcoms, game shows?" You took the bitter with the sweet in 2004 - and kept laughing. |
From a purple thong??
| What Your Underwear Says About You |
 You enjoy wearing nice underwear, even if it comes at a hefty price tag. You're a closet exhibitionist who gets a thrill from being secretly naughty. |
Mild??? Bummer........
| You Are More Mild Than Wild |
 |
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