Who's Looking at This?

You may have noticed a map on the sidebar that tracks the locations of those checking out my blog. It's been confined to the US until this morning (at least that's when I noticed it). Look at all those hits from all over the world! I have to admit to a little case of envy when I would see all the hits Lauren had. Now I have my own.

Then I had to wonder what had drawn these curious people to my little old blog. Could it be the news of my new hair cut had been broadcast far and wide? As I pondered this possibility, it dawned on me that perhaps it's the word "buzz" in the name. Reckon these poor unfortunates were looking for a connection of a certain kind? Imagine their disappointment when all they found was a grandmother from the South bemoaning her hair dilemmas and bragging on her husband!

I Did It! Gulp!

Well, I bit the bullet and cut my hair today. After wearing the same style for about 7 years, I was ready for a change--or so I thought. Midway thru the cut, my stomach started hurting and I was having second thoughts. I'm always disdainful of those people on "What Not to Wear" when they cry over getting their hair cut, but I felt and understood their pain today. I'm not very adept at making my hair do what I want it to, so I'll probably be pulling it out by the roots tomorrow. But for now, it looks good and Darrell likes it. I'm reserving judgment till I've had a chance to mess with it myself. Maybe I'll post more pix tomorrow.

AARRGGHH!!!

I am SO aggravated with myself this morning. I got up last Monday morning determined to drink my water, take my vitamins, work out each day--my jeans are just too tight. I did pretty good. If I set a goal to work out every day and only make it 3 or 4, I consider that successful. If I shoot for 3 or 4 times a week, I'll only exercise once or twice. I do really well during the week when my days are fairly structured, but on the weekends, it all goes to froofenhoffen! In the last two days, I've undone the hard work of five days! Right back where I was last Monday morning! I start with renewed vigor today. And just call me Scarlett O'Hara--my motto is "tomorrow is another day".

Husband Tag

1. Where did you meet? 1st time at a friend's birthday party in 1972--officially at my high school teacher's house in 1975
2. How long did you date before you got married? 4 months
3. How long have you been married? 32 years (and they said it wouldn't last!)
4. What is your favorite feature of his? his beautiful face
5. What is your favorite quality of his? his compassion
6. Does he have a nick name for you? not really, though he usually calls me sweetheart
7. What is his favorite color? Blue (bet you thought it was orange, didn't you!)
8. What is his favorite food? Steak
9. What is his favorite sport? Football
10. When was your first kiss? honestly don't remember
11. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? sitting in the hot tub
12. Do you have children? yep, 4
13. Does he have a hidden talent? he can do just about anything--constantly amazes me
14. How old is he? 53
15. Who said I love you first? don't remember that either
16. What is his favorite type of music? 70's
17. What do you admire most about him? his selflessness
18. Do you think he will read this? yes
* I tag: anyone who loves their man

Here's a real thought provoker...

I search: for peace, but usually in the wrong places

I regret: not appreciating the good friend Shana was

I love: sitting in the hot tub late at night talking with Darrell, looking at the stars and watching planes

I care: about others more than I let on

I always: carry all my makeup with me--just in case (I was caught in the rain once and spent the day at work looking like a drowned rat)

I worry: about losing Darrell or one of my children or grandchildren

I am not: as good a housekeeper as people think I am

I remember: when a quarter could get you a soda and candy bar

I believe: in love at first sight

I sing: terribly (I knew Darrell really loved me when he would let me sing in the car and not shut me up or make me walk)

I dance: about as well as I sing

I don't always: prepare my Sunday School lesson like I should

I argue: because sometimes I forget that different from me is not necessarily better or worse, just different

I write: on this blog, because I can't always say what I really feel

I win: when my family is happy

I lose: when I try to force my opinions on others

I wish: I was more outgoing

I listen: but not as well as I talk

I don't understand: why I'm not happier because I have so much to be grateful for

I can usually be found: lately sitting in front of this computer

I am scared: of losing someone I love

I need: more friends

I forget: way too many things all too often

I am happy: when my family is all together

Time for all bloggers to think and post this on your blog, b/c I tag YOU!!!

Happy Birthday to our Miracle Baby

Today is Grant's first birthday. There were times in the beginning when I wasn't sure we'd see this day. But here we are! Darrell and I just got a new computer and haven't transfered our pictures yet, so go to uswheelers.blogspot.com and see Lauren's post. You will then be better able to appreciate the gratitude we have today that this sweet little boy is in our lives. He has already been through more than most of us will ever go through and yet he is happy and sweet and precious.

Happy Birthday, Grant! Wish I was there!

Melody's Recipe for Potato Soup

For you adventurous cooks, here is my 7-year-old granddaughter's recipe for potato soup in her own words. Let me know how it turns out.

the resapy for potato sope:

a pot of boullerd water
1 can of sweet potatos
1 can of corn
2 cans of green beans
2 cans of peas
1 can of chili
salt. peper.
mix. coule. put in mikerwave and serve.

YUM. YUM.

8 Things...

I've been tagged!

8 TV shows I love to watch:
1. Jeopardy!
2. M*A*S*H*
3. American Justice
4. Cold Case Files
5. Dr. Phil
6. Don't Forget the Lyrics
7. Reba
8. Decorating Cents

8 Things That Happened Today:
1. Worked out
2. Attended Elias's 5th birthday party
3. Ate too much pizza and cake (thank goodness for #1)
4. Wasted time on the computer
5. Got spit up on (thanks, Grant)
6. Tried unsuccessfully to break a pinata
7. Got hotter than I meant to
8. Had my keys "stolen" by my son

8 Things I'm Looking Forward To:
1. Yard sales this weekend
2. Christmas
3. Grant's 1st birthday
4. Finishing the Book of Mormon by the end of the year
5. Losing 10 lbs
6. Getting my hair cut shorter ;-)
7. The end of football season
8. Time Out for Women in Nov

8 People to Tag:
1. Sharon
2. Cheryl
3. Susan
4. Lauren ;-)
5. Marlena
6. Tamara (got ya back!)
7. Nicole
8. Ashley W

I've Got to Get Away....

Darrell and I spent last weekend with our very best friends Dale and Kris. Hard to believe we've known them almost 20 years. We always have too much fun together! Dale has quite the quick wit and makes interesting observations that an ordinary person probably wouldn't see. Kris is just one of those people you love to be around. Warm and funny and always smiling or laughing. The picture below is from our trip to Gatlinburg about 18 months ago.

We met in Bryson City, NC and stayed in a beautiful cabin, playing pinochle, eating too much (can you say Jimmie Mac's?), and catching up on kids and grandchildren. We rode the train up into the mountains, which was gorgeous. The leaves were just starting to turn. I won't bore you with a ton of pictures, but will post enough so you can get the gist.

Below is Fontana Lake--usually 10,000 acres of water. Unfortunately, they haven't had any significant rainfall or runoff in the past four years and this is the result. Scary, huh? The water is generally up to the tree line.

My ABCs (Thanks, Tamara!)

A. Attached or Single? Very much attached!

B. Best Friend? Darrell, of course
C. Cake or Pie? Probably cake--coconut, no German chocolate, no coconut, definitely coconut--or maybe Key Lime Pie or apple pie with vanilla ice cream. I'll pick D--all the above.
D. Day of choice? Don't have one
E. Essential Item? Flat iron
F. Favorite Color? RED
G. Gummy Bears or Worms? Neither! It's a texture thing.
H. Hometown? Clarksville, TN
I. Indulgence? Depends on my mood--sometimes chocolate, sometimes ice
cream, sometimes shopping, sometimes girly things (manicure, facial, etc)
J. January or July? July--I hate to be cold.
K. Kids? 4
L. Life is Not Complete Without? Diet Mt Dew!
M. Marriage Date? April 10, 1976
N. Number of Brothers and Sisters? 4 half-sisters, 5 half-brothers
O. Oranges or Apples? Apples
P. Phobias? Spiders, Falling, water I can't see into (lake, ocean, etc)
Q. Favorite Quotes? "It's never too late to become what you might have been"; "Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"; "Did I tell you I loved you today? I loved you today."; "And that's the ball game!"
R. Reasons to smile? Darrell, grandchildren
S. Season of choice? Spring--I love when the earth seems to be coming alive again
T. Tags? Liz, Nicole
U. Unknown Fact about me? Before getting married, I seriously considered bodybuilding as a career
V. Vegetable? Potatoes
W. Worst Habit? buying something close to what I want because I'm too impatient to wait till the exact thing comes along, and being dissatisfied in the long run
X. Xray or Ultrasound? Ultrasound
Y. Your Favorite Food? O'Charley's Chicken Harvest Soup, Hawaiian Pizza
Z. Zodiac Sign? Taurus