The Story of My Life

My contribution to enriching your LEAP DAY Friday..... 1. Learn a new word today. Here are some for you- temerarious \tem-uh-RAIR-ee-uhs\, adjective:Recklessly or presumptuously daring; rash. I f you know that one.... menagerie \muh-NAJ-uh-ree; -NAZH-\, noun:1. A collection of wild or unusual animals, especially for exhibition.2. An enclosure where wild or unusual animals are kept or exhibited.3. A diverse or varied group. And if you know that one.... lacuna \luh-KYOO-nuh\, noun;plural lacunae \luh-KYOO-nee\ or lacunas::1. A blank space; a missing part; a gap.2. (Biology) A small opening, depression, or cavity in an anatomical structure If you know those 3, you don't really need to learn a new one anyway. Good for you! (Hey!! Spell check didn't even know #1....it knew 2 and 3.) 2. Write down a story from your life that you may not have told anyone or that you would like to pass on. 3. Write a poem. My son and I have been reading Shel Silverstein this week- Where the Sidewal...

Favorite Spot Friday... Oldsmar , Florida Probably Never heard of it. Me either, until the day I went down and bought a house there!!! I don't have to say very much as to why it is one of my favorite places. Just look at the map. The Red Star is where we lived. Oldsmar is located very close to Tampa, Clearwater and St. Petersburg . It is also located close to many city, county, and state parks, a great BMX track, many of the Best Beaches of the Year Awards, the Buccaneers , The Yankees and many other spring trainers, 1.5 hours from Disney and Universal Studios, Sea World - only 30 minutes from Busch Gardens, 15 minutes from the Tampa Airport, in good traffic, Ybor City, Tarpon Springs and the Sponge Docks, no smoking in restaurants, the greatest, most fun, loving neighborhood we could ask for.....complete with driveway parties all the time and martini Christmas Cookie swaps. I shall stop there but could go on.... Now, there are bad things about living there i must confess. ...

My son called binoculars "occucameras". He called taxi's-- tackies- and would point to a beat up car or a painted, "fixed-up" car.....I pointed to one once and commented that it was tacky. So he was confused. He called ants- "Jo's" because his aunt's name was Jo. Called chanukah -Harmonica. Tries to be politically correct- calls African Americans, Native Americans Called Scissors, electrical outlets, and bugs "biteyous " Called Pickles "Frogs" Said his favorite food was chicken, not real chicken with faces that live in a barnyard, but the kind you EAT. Called the ATM the money station, as opposed to the gas station ----He is almost 9 now.....They grow up so fast.

My maternal grandmother- the one I wrote about cherishing her dining room suit....was my Nana. She lived close to use growing up, just around the bend. She worked at a vending machine company and on Saturday's she would bring us a grab bag full of the best little trinkets in the world. She was the one that always cooked the big, southern cooking meals and made the to-die-for desserts. She always wanted us to spend the night so she could stay up late with us, playing the piano for us to sing, watching movies or taking us snail hunting. Nana loved family and people. Every year since my mother was a child, she had a huge 4th of July picnic at her house and I went every year of my life. It was huge, sometimes over 100 people. And Nana loved it....lived for it all year. Good food. Good friends. My grandmother passed away in June of 2002. Although she was old and in a nursing home, it was a sudden thing for us. In fact, I had visited the night before and taken her a bowl of fresh fruit...

What a beautiful day! After our visit to the bookstore- I mean library- we played outside and enjoyed the sunshine. Hurry SPRING!

We had a busy and nice weekend at our house. My son, Mr. Social, had a friend to spend the night Friday night, had Tae Kwon Do and baseball on Saturday, went to another friend's house Saturday night and had a friend over Sunday afternoon. I will never see him when he is a teenager. I asked him why he was so popular. He said because he was cool! It was FREEZING Saturday and a rather nice SPRINGY day yesterday. Baby girl posed in her new spring, Easter bonnet at the park yesterday. Sally had a friend over and went to another one's house too. She loves Sunday School but thinks her brother should not be allowed to go because he gets to go to school. He gladly said he would trade with her and SHE could go to school. I told Sally that we would go to the public library today and get new books. She was all excited until I got to the part where we had to keep the books for awhile in a special library book bag so as not to get them mixed up with our own books because we had to return the...

As I thought of HR PufnStuf, I also thought about the Osmonds cartoon. I LOVED IT!!! I had a coloring book of the series. I remember it so clearly! My mother took me to see the Osmonds in Concert. I still have the concert program. Later in life, I had Donnie and Marie Barbie Dolls dressed in purple outfits. I wish I had kept some of these things.

Favorite Spot Friday: Guntersville, AL We built our home in Guntersville in 1999. It sat on the edge of the mountain overlooking the lake. This was the view from the house- all huge windows across the back. It was kind of like waking up on vacation every day. The extra curvy roads leading up to our house were not unlike the roads in Gatlinburg- a bit scary but fun. Guntersville is a small town with lots of character. My favorite eating spot was Covington's Cafe. Reese and Julia Covington owned this wonderful place, featuring wonderfully fresh salads, sandwiches and desserts. My FAVORITE thing was the Towne Tea!!! In fact, I may have to drive up and get a gallon to go. The Blue Parrot has awesome Apple Martinis and was directly below my house at Covenant Cove Resort. I could sit on my screened in porch and hear the music. We used to joke and say we needed to put in a sky lift from our neighborhood down to the lake. Some SATURDAY mornings, the Bass Master's tournaments would kick...

That witch was the scariest thing ever to me when I was a child. She even has her own website!!! www.billiehayes.com You can order a Witchiepoo necklace. This is the first thing I remember watching on TV. The research said it was on 1969-1972. I love the Internet!!! I am not sure why I woke up and thought of this.

5. Work a puzzle of some kind. Stretch your brain. I enjoy MahJong- the tile game. There is even a version on Webkinz. They say it helps keep you young to exercise the brain. See, Webkinz is not bad for grown ups. It keeps you young, HONEY. 4. Watch an old home movie/DVD. I love watching the Kids' movie from when they were born. I have our wedding too, but do not crank that out very often. Several years ago I converted all of our videos to DVDs, edited them, added photos, titles, menus - the works...it was a time-consuming process but so worth it. Priceless memories. 3. Send your mother a card and pictures in the mail just because. She will love the suprise. What mother wouldn't??? I am sure your Mom has done plenty of nice things for you as mine has for me.... 2. Paint your little girl's fingernails and toenails.....if you have a little girl. Mine likes to have a spa day- get in the big jacuzzi tub, trim hails, paint nails, fix hair. If you do not have a little girl, have ...

Well, it has been a yucky cold, rainy day- a perfect "Pajama Day" for my daughter and me. My mother came up to stay a few days and had to drive back to Gulf Shores in the rain. I sure am gonna miss her, and so are the kids. No matter how old you are, it is always nice to have your mother come and take care of you. She has all my laundry done, played Power Ranger with Sally, took Fred to Tae Kwon Do and kept me company in my drugged state. I had a small medical procedure on Tuesday and she came to help me recover. She asked was ok and ready for her to leave. I should have said NO! This is the first time ever we have watched American Idol. My son and I have enjoyed it. I was more impressed with the women overall than the men. I think that there are a few standouts. We liked Michael Johns best of the male performances. And I did not want to like Brooke White because she seems so DINGY, but her performance was good. Lots of the female performances stood out, so I do not have a fa...

Maxine was driving down the street in a sweat because she had an important meeting and couldn't find a parking place. Looking up toward heaven, she said, 'Lord, take pity on me. If you find me a parking place I will go to church every Sunday for the rest of my life and give up sex and martinis.' Miraculously, a parking place appeared. She looked up again and said, 'Never mind. I found one.'

I am a collector if things. I have to be careful because tend to get carried away with obsessive compulsive tendencies.....but nevertheless, I manage. I have a collection of old things, antiques. Most of them family heirlooms passed from generation to generation, some worthless in monetary value, and priceless in sentiment --as well as a few vice versa. The sentimental value is, however, priceless to me- especially as I get older. I look forward to passing these family possessions and stories down to my own children. Probably my most precious antique is the dining room suite I ate so many meals on growing up. My Nana and GrandDad were my mother's parents, and from the time I was very small, they lived only a mile or so around the bend from the church from us. My Nana was always cooking for us. As I grew older, I suspected it was to get us to come visit often...but the food was always plentiful and good ole' home cooking. We always joked and asked for something off the wall beca...

I have made so many friends in the blogging world and have only been doing it since the first of January! Today, another package arrived for me from the blogging community! I made did some graphic design work for my friend Leigh for her prayer blog . Check her out. She is am amazing, Christian Mom!!...... ....... And the cutest springy, pink purse arrived for me today for my services !!! It is 65 here in Alabama...Spring enough for me....so I unpacked my old purse and packed this new one. She also sent me a DVD of her speaking and a Mommy Moments Devotional that I can't wait to watch and read. So, Thanks, Leigh !! Anything else I can do for you, please let me know!! The bag is ADORABLE!! So scoot on over to Leigh's Blog, read her inspirational blog and get a cute purse for your ownself!!!

I have been saying that my son is the sweet one..... Evidence #1: Son's homework is missing. Friday morning, finally find homework under my bed with about 100 holes poked in it with a pencil. Ask daughter if she knew anything about it. She smiled and said "You found it?". I Said yes and that it was ruined and that it was not a very nice thing to do. She said, "Next time, I hide it somewhere else."

I Love Chicago ! I love to go there to shop and eat. So in honor of my Valentine day Swap Partner, my husband's birthplace....and in honor of being able to think of food today .....I salute 2 of the places we bring a cooler to and carry on food for the trip home ! Portillo's has the greatest ROAST BEEF SANDWICH EVER!! Italian Beefs with drippy, yummy "gravy" to we southerners...... My husband always gets the sandwich and the Chicago Style hot dog because he can never choose. If you have never had the pleasure of going to Chicago and do not plan on getting there anytime soon, you can order party packs online, which we have done several times and have it delivered straight to your door. Portillo's has a website with a menu and ordering details. One of my favorite places to eat after a long day of shopping ! The next place is in the suburbs - Skokie, my hubbys old stomping ground--and we always go to this wonderful deli to take home bagels, corned beef and many oth...

My Valentine's Day was off to a bad start. I awoke with the stomach bug that my son had last week! I can't ever tell when it is just my intestinal problems or a bug but this one feels like a yukky bug...... Not a good thing for a Mommy to be sick. Usually when I am sick I just suck it up and go, which I did this time in true Mommy fashion.... I was in charge of the craft for my son's school party- at 1:00. I made a picture of all the kids on Tuesday and got the stuff to make a cute picture frame for thier parents... I got up long enough to go make the frames and hit the bed again. I know, I know....I should not have spread the germ, but I am assuming that his school is where it came from anyway. And my son was so disappointed when I said I felt bad and he was afraid I couldn't make it. They turned out cute. Then I got the nicest suprise from my Valentine's Day Swap partner, from Paris , I mean Chicago. I could tell she had GREAT taste from her blog and she sent me t...

I began my family tree search as a class project in the 7th grade. I still have the colored pencil tree I did BACK THEN in my now huge Family tree notebook. I was lucky enough to have met several of my great grandparents and had a good start to my tree, but we started then with the search back on all sides of the family. Back then, my mother and I went to libraries and searched census records of microfiche and microfilm. We photocopied records, made a notebook and added to the colored pencil tree as we went. After I was grown, married and an educator, I did a family tree project with my students and started again working on my Roots project. I made huge posters showing my family tree to show them. We made the same colored pencil tree as their project, only I made it pretty on the computer. As the computer age grew, so did my geneaology project. I purchased software and transferred everything to the computer. I use Family Tree Maker to keep up with all my people now! I also sunscribed t...

Gotta know you live in Alabama when it was 75 degrees yesterday and 28 degrees today! Ah....I do like the change in seasons, but the LAST 2 years, we spent every weekend at the beach in February and I had a great tan. Did I say I missed living in Florida?

10. Attempt to Get Sharpie marker off of a couch, wall, canvas portrait and a child's face. (Not all the same day. My daughter has a Sharpie issue and is obviously a slow learner. Or I am, one.) 9. Grab the Kids's Dora toothpaste in the night instead of the Desitin Ointment. 8. Clean up baby throw up out of a BMW with leather seats and stop to buy a $5.oo travel size Lysol spray at a Chevron. (My best friends'new car, Thank God.) (Thank God, it was not mine or that she was my best friend???) 7. Try to sweep and mop up a whole bottle of baby powder from a hardwood floor. I like an idiot, tried mopping first. 6. "Honey, do you think we can get a wall installed in my SUV, like those in the police cars, so I so not have to hear them on road trips??" (To husband) 5. Laugh at the joke, "If you are American in the living room, what are you in the Bathroom?" ( a Eur-o-pean) 4. Toss offending items out a moving car window during a road trip. (Loud Happy Meal toy...

Success To laugh often and love much; to win the respect of intellingent persons and the affection of children; to earn the approbation of honest citizens and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to give of one's self; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived - this is to have succeeded." - -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

I have so many ideas for posts that I am working on, but just can't seem to focus on one today. My daughter went home with my sister and brother to spend the night so it has been very quiet and productive. I have to say I do miss her. The family took Sally because I had to go to the doctor today. I get treatment every 6 weeks for my previously discussed medical condition, IV- 4 hours of reading Cosmo. I call it my spa day- well minus the needles. It is a beautiful spring-like day. My son and his friends just packed a lunchbox full of food to go to their fort in the woods. I recall doing the same thing. Building forts, whitling sticks, digging holes. My son is an outdoorsy, country-living kind of guy. I never have to worry about him curling up in front of the TV or video game or computer for very long...unless it is after dark and I make him come in. So he is loving the sunshine. My dad, PawPaw, is taking Baby Girl out to dinner and them meeting me half way between our houses to bri...

I had a wonderful time today at my first art class. Trying something new and meeting new, very FUN friends is always a terriffic way to spend the afternoon. Throw in snacks and an Apple Martini and it can't get much better. There is a reason this is my first art class, painfully obvious from my creation. I am creative- just not in an artistic/painty way. My creative talent starts and ends with a camera and computer. Oh well, I knew the instructor was trying to be nice, but also knew enought to catch her drift when she said my tree had a Picasso feel to it. NONETHELESS, it is hanging in my kitchen (well, really laundry room hallway) to remind me that trying new things is good for the mind, meeting new friends is good for the heart and laughing is good for the soul!

I am a saver of sentimental things. I have these rules, still saved on my computer, transferred from various, many computers over the last 8 years. Rules, I, obsessive-compulsive first-time mother, left for my Nanny when I went back to work after my son was born. My Nanny, whom I may add, was my favorite 1st cousin, super-intelligent, also "slightly"obsessive compulsive, wonderfully talented child-care provider. Why she accepted the job as nanny for a crazy woman is beyond me. This is the actual document I printed and hung on the fridge for her, to just to be helpful. (No joke here.) ( Comments added later in Blue .) Daily Schedule for BabyScott August 1999 Washing/Sterilizing bottles: Look in Baby’s room, living room and my room for empty bottles from the night. ( Bottles are the cylindrical clear objects on the counter) As you use a bottle, rinse with hot water and put in big plastic pan of soapy water. Sterilize bottles in the morning and make up all bottles for the day...

I am thankful today for my life. While I do grow restless ( and poorer in monetary things....)and need to pursue my career, I am so blessed to be a stay home mom for the time being and be richer in blessings being here for the kids. As I cleaned up the house this morning, I picked up and folded one of my all time favorite gifts. When I first found out I was pregnant with my son, in fact, after my first doctor's visit, my Mom and I went shopping at a baby boutique close to Brookwood Hospital. She bought me my first baby gift that day, and I still treasure it. I have purchased it several times since for baby gifts. How to Really Love a Child Be There . Say yes as often as possible. Let them bang on pots and pans. If they're crabby, put them in water. If they're unlovable, love yourself. Realize how important it is to be a child. Go to a movie theater in your pajamas. Read books out loud with joy . Invent pleasures together. Remember how really small they are. Giggle a lo...

1. Learn Something new today . This is not hard. Pick a subject. Type it in on Dogpile.com , my favorite search engine. Read. There you go. Then, there are great instructional videos in YouTube on so many subjects. I have learned some really advanced cool Photoshop tips from PhotoshopMama who graciously shares her knowledge freely in very nice screen shot videos with step by step guidance. 2. Plan a vacation. Long, short, day trip or 2 week trip.... It doesn't have to be for right now. It just gives you something to look forward to. 3. Take an art class . I am about to take my first tomorrow . (Thanks, Leigh!!!) Should be interesting since my artistic talent stops when I take my hands off a camera or computer. I don't think you are ever too old to try something new, so I guess this is an extension on #1- learn something new. Although I have been singing since my recent American Idol obsession and my family tells me I should not try to learn that particular skill for some rea...

I have too many favorite spots and too many pictures! I have been looking for a favorite spot photo for today and my mind keeps going to food today-- well most days, but today especially. I have been missing some things about living in Florida really bad this winter- since I had not had winter in several years...... Aside from the weather, the beaches and the unlimited list of things to do, the next thing I miss is the FOOD. My favorite spot today is a simple one. Every Saturday- almost for 3 years.....we had the same thing for breakfast. No, not healthy. But OH SO GOOD. My husband would get up while the rest of us slept ( ---I know, He is a keeper, but don't tell him I said so.....) and go right to the corner and bring home breakfast. Dunkin Donuts.. He got a whole warm dozen and we ate them all.....mostly chocolate varieties. My daughter would even retrieve the box from the trash when empty to scrape for left over icing. And their French Vanilla Coffee...so much better and cheap...

I have been doing photography for awhile and other forms of design as well. I have been learning how to make some custom cards, announcements and wall hangings. I have lots of new sofware and a new computer, so I took the time to take some online courses and some hours to practice. I think they are turing out great!!! Here are my first 3. Let me know if I can do anything for you....... http://www.charnitasXpressions.com/

2 Perfect Spelling Papers...... My son is not a straight A student. Not because he is not capable, but other perfectly explainable reasons, like playing outside, and not caring. His first report card this year, he har Far from an A in Spelling. In fact, the letter on the F ar other end of the grading scale F rom A, i F you know,what I mean. He improved some with the Christmas grading period, but since then..... WOW!!! TWO Perfect papers. How is this possible, you may ask??? A new way of studying.... And I just happen to say, "I will give you $20 for every perfect spelling paper." That was 2 papers ago........

Monday Morning in a Bedroom Community We did not go to church yesterday because my little one was sick. Coughing, runny nose, ill-tempered. My son spent the weekend at our best friends' home, which was nice. Having one child is so easy when you are used to 2~! So we just had a lazy, uneventful weekend. I did want to hear the intended message this week......We have been attending a church since we moved here that is a change in denomination for us. I am enjoying the relaxed worship and the uplifting music, my kids love the kids stuff and my husband loves the coffee! The messages have been about the bedroom community that we live in- the family of today, specifically in this town. The just of the series: Why are you here at this point in your life??? Here in Helena ??? I know everyone has a story. Some more intriguing than others. But I, now more than ever, believe that I was directed here, to this place, for many reasons that are beginning to unfold. I have heard my brother and many...

1. Clean out a closet today. I am so Mrs. Anti-Clutter. I do this probably weekly, on garbage day. Clean out something. (Maybe daily, but I will not admit this because that would be abnormal). Try to take out 1 bag. Oh, I am a keeper of important, sentimental things-- just not clutter. Probably a bit of my OCD, but it woun't hurt anyone to do it. Ok- maybe not your way to get happy on Friday, but it makes me happy to make more order in the world in some small way. 2. Look at old photos. I do this and it is rubbing off on my kids. 3. Make brownies with your child just to lick the bowl. 4. Help Make a bathroom for your child's new Webkinz. Sally has this on our list for today. She informed me at 11:37 last night. And play the slot machine while you are there.-- (AKA Wishing Well).--If your child does not have Webkinz or you do not have a child, buy one anyway. The games are so addictive. 5. Buy yourself something. Doesn't have to be big or extravagent, just a small reward for...

Located at the southern end of St. Pete Beach, Pass-a-Grille Beach has long been considered the jewel in the crown of west coast beaches. There is a lot of beach, the sand is white and powdery, and the emerald gulf is warm and inviting. There are lots of things I miss about living in Florida. Spending every weekend in February at the beach, this beach in particular, is one of the top things.