IIIIIIIIIII Want Can-dy! IIIIIIIII Want Ca-an-dy!

Step 1: invite cool friend over for Sunday dinner.
Step 2: cool friend will bring fixin's for caramel apple making with your kids.


Step 3: take pictures of the fun




Step 4: Say things like, "hey next time, we should add chocolate chips to the pecans....ooh and then just drop them onto wax paper" ---basically, just eliminate the only healthy part of this autumn treat, all together, and have some candy.
Step 5: Enjoy caramel apples and be really glad you know cool friend.

Hurricane Quincy

The latest climate report from the Willy house states that Hurricane Quincy is currently a Category 5.

...meaning all it takes is 5 minutes for a perfectly clean room to look like THIS.
Is that my clean laundry slung across the sofa? I think so...it was used for 2 minutes as a doll blanket because "baby cold".

Driver Move That Bus!

Now what will I ever do with my spare time???

Hahaha...spare time. That is a joke in itself. A LOT of sleep was sacrificed for bathroom numero dos.
Love that textured, glittered (gold) wallpaper and matching gold mirror.
goodbye carpet, hello tile!!!

The sink before
I have new brushed nickel hardware for the cabinet (to be installed) to match the NEW light fixture. (goodbye 10 inch frosted glass globe lighting hanging from 2 ft golden chains. you will NOT be missed) The new light is not pictured, but it looks just like the one we put up in the other bathroom.

See that cute little antique soda crate? I'm gonna fill it with wash cloths and tiny glass jars of soap and lotion. My new favorite thing. It has IOWA Bottling Co. stamped on the sides. Cute!

And now for that bathtub...

More to come later.

People Are People, So Why Should It Be...

For your viewing pleasure...
Photos of the neighbors!

They came back to get mail, WASH THE TRUCK AGAIN (not kidding), and put some trash on the curb.
My favorite part of this picture is the camper on cinder blocks in the background.
They waived when they saw me taking their picture...as discrete as I was (standing in the street in front of my mailbox with a camera)

Let's zoom in, shall we?

Here we have the 19 yr old boyfriend. He yells a lot and plays with fireworks in the yard year round...which makes the girlfriend angry, and once she threw one at him.
On the right is the older son. He's a nice boy, and he REALLY likes his trucks to be clean.

By the way, I've decided to disable anonymous comments. It's my blog, right?

Also...I've never given out a blogging award, so here is the first! They go to my sister, HolleeAnn at Dandelion Wishes, and my friend, Sarah at the Three Bears, for your courage to speak your mind, AWESOME blogs, shared appreciation for finding humor in life, and being some of the funniest people I know. I award you each with

the Brave Heart Award.... an aluminum lion yard ornament to don your blogging real estate.

...and because I am "tacky", I am naming them "Itty" and "Bitty" in loving memory of what will no longer be barking all night, outside my bedroom window. Congratulations, ladies! Choose your prize!

Tell Me How You Really Feel About Me

Dear Anonymous,
It is pretty clear to me that we do not know each other, because you do not understand my intentions at all. Maybe we HAVE met...but you do not know me. I invite you to quit reading my blog at any time. I write for me, my friends, and my family. People who do not know me are welcome to blurk, as long as they realize that they, as you said yourself, "never know where these ladies are coming from in their life". Unfortunately, NOT knowing me puts A LOT of things I write out of context, from your perspective. I feel sad that you are offended by my posts, but I really don't feel a need to apologize for what I write. If you REALLY knew me, you would more than likely have a different reaction to my blog. I totally respect your decision to post anonymously. I like to 'dish' ...and as I am (obvious to anyone who knows me) totally aware of my many imperfections, I am also willing to 'take'.

And I don't "seek out" opportunities to make fun of others. They just happen to me. It's a sequined flapper dress with FLEAS....how does one NOT find humor in that?

Sincerely, Meg

Ok. I did not post this to mock the person who left this comment. (It feels strange that I should even have to SAY that. Does anyone know me at all?!) I had 2 reasons for doing this.
1) hope that anonymous would see the post and read my reply
2) remind everyone that most blogs are written with intended readers. On our blog, all readers are welcome, but understand that not knowing me automatically puts you at a disadvantage and you just might not "get it".

My blog had 121 hits yesterday. I don't think I even know 121 people.
I am certain that everyone who reads this blog has an opinion, whether you know me or not. With as many people that stop me in the street, grocery store, gas station, park, library, bank, hardware store, and Sam's Club, I am starting to think that it must feel REALLY REALLY good to tell me exactly what you think of me. Since many of us are so far away from each other, the likeliness of "running into me" at the store just isn't there. I'd like to provide all of my readers with this same opportunity to feel REALLY REALLY good. Soooooo...
Today is an official free for all! Tell me how you really feel about me. HolleeAnn, you KNOW I can't wait to be "validated".


I promise to "exercise my patience" as I read all 121 comments.

What's That You Say About Bad Karma???

In order to fully appreciate this post, you should probably read this and this.

On Thursday, Aaron came home and said, "hey, get a sitter for Saturday night. We're going out."
Where are we going?

Dancin' at SNOW'S BIG RED BARN with Carl and Barb!

Who are Carl and Barb? The 80-somethings that live across the street! They even had us come over Saturday morning, so they could "put on a record" and teach us how to Texas Two Step and Country Waltz in their living room.

Here they are giving a beautiful demonstration...


And here we are, desperately trying not to step on each other's toes, and failing miserably. If only I had thought to take a photo of Carl and Barb's expressions after witnessing our first attempt at dancing since our wedding reception almost 7 1/2 years ago.

Side story: (because when doesn't one of my posts include at least one of these?)

Please Note the awful state of my hair. It was taken PRE-shower. It is leftover from Friday night's YW Board Meeting adventures. I would blog the whole story (because there is OH SO MUCH MORE to be told), but won't, out of fear of actually offending people. But trust me, it would have been a way better post than this one. Let's just say that Friday night involved dinner at a friend's house, a 3 hour "conversion story" from unexpected visitor: 50 year old hippe-turned-Christian Singer/Songwriter, who found Jesus through Saturday morning cartoons, a torn ACL, and a LOT of heroin and LSD (which he quit cold turkey after his conversion 30 years ago), a 30 minute live concert from said performer (acoustic guitar and what else-a harmonica), some team-building-super-fun home-made cheers, a swim in a supposedly mink-infested (yes, mink...like the animal before it's a coat) lake at 1:30am , and a (swimsuits ON) communal bath (again, SWIMSUITS ON...the night was weird, but not THAT weird) with friends and aromatherapy.
All crazy, unexpected, bizzaro-world randomness aside, I had a great time. I came home at 3:30am from the longest board meeting of my life only to find that we had NO HOT WATER. No hot water=no shower=bad news bears for Mego. The Neighbor of the Year Award goes to Jenny for helpin' out a stinky girl in need and letting me use her shower to get the lake water/schwetty pits from social discomfort/ aromatherapy smell out of her hair. Thank You.

Friday night was my first sign that Mr. Bad Karma had found my address (probably from the naughty list...I'm pretty sure I'm on THAT this year) and was coming my way.

Carl and Barb were actually very patient with our lack of dancing skills and we finally started to catch on once we muted the football game in the background. For those who know us, that clue should be an indicator to source of our dancing issues.

We took separate cars to the Big Red Barn, because Carl and Barb ride with their best friends and dancin' buddies Tom and Virginia every week and we wanted to go "munch on some grindage" before the dance.

Sticking with our theme

Carl dressed Aaron in one of his western shirts and his favorite DENIM hat. I silently laughed at the thought that Aaron just had to be wearing denim, of all things. Barb told us some stories about their years on square dancing teams in Oklahoma. She said that Carl had a shirt and hat to match every one of her dresses. I then made the mistake of asking her what I should wear.

"Well Sweetie, you mean to tell me you don't own a denim dress? I'm sure you could find one to borrow from a friend. You HAVE to match your partner."

Shoot. A DENIM DRESS.

I shamefully admitted I had one in the back (WAY BACK) of my closet.
"then all you need are some boots, Baby, and you'll be all set" She cheered.

Behold, I give you BAD KARMA:

I doubt if this dress has even been worn since I left the denim homeland. I don't know how it managed to escape all those garage sales I've had! I think my favorite part is that even though it is STRETCHY DENIM, it has still been "distressed" and sandblasted to look worn out, where it should. (kind of like jeans that already look worn out in the knees and seat).

I want to know WHO at the Denim Dress Factory thought that the thighs and boobs of the dress would be the most "high traffic" area??! It also has a zipper down the front and the brand is a rhinestone tag that says "HOT KISS". I was down with J Lo when I bought this dress. enough said. Feeling rather self conscious, I picked up our babysitter and was donned in these FABULOUS Brighton Boots and hat by Jocelyn. She found them on a miracle sale for $27, but still, I will NEVER judge someone for paying $375 (the normal price) for boots. My feet were IN HEAVEN. Thank you Jocelyn!!! I didn't want to give them back.

I admit that I am shallow enough that I actually felt like a better person with these beautiful babies on my feet. Which is the opposite of how the denim dress made me feel. I was brought back to reality when I had to unZIP my ghetto fab dress to apply deodorant before we left.

I was reeeeally excited about my pork....and my feathered hair.

What's the score, Baby?

When we arrived, they were seated at their usual table by the band (which is reserved for them every week)
I wish I had a picture of Tom and Virginia-they were wonderful. Paired with our neighbors, they were some of the most pleasant people I've ever had a conversation with. Virginia looks and acts a lot like my MiMa, and Tom was wearing a HUGE white cowboy hat, a white suede jacket, dark slacks, a shiny western shirt and RED boots with flames on them. His teeth glowed in the dark and his eyes sparkled when he looked at you. He was like an old time movie star. Aaron immediately fell under Tom's magical spell and stared at him all night, deep in thought, muttering things to himself like, "well...maybe the boots...Hmmm...I just don't know if I could pull off the jacket"

I did my best to console him "---Oh you don't? Really Aaron? you don't say. Well, maybe when you're 90."

Carl, Barb, Snow's Big Red Barn Band, and Virginia on the far right
I was fully prepared to take pictures and make fun of everyone at Snows. Larry the Cable Guy was there...er, well, 3 of his long lost twin brother's were there, anyway. But apparently Mr. Bad Karma brought his two friends, Tact and Shame along with him and I suddenly respected our fellow dancing strangers too much to take their pictures. I'm not sayin' there wasn't anything blogworthy to see-because THERE WAS....Larry the Cable Guy, hello?! And member's of the band had names like Sonny and Dub. Seriously. Everyone knows everyone by name at this place. Carl and Barb have been dancing at Snow's just about every Saturday night for the past 14 years. I can't put down their people....tempted as I am. We were just having so much fun....and they gave us such a warm welcome. We will definitely go back again...and some friends with us, for sure! A little shout-out to my knight-in-shining-belt-buckle. Although I took several spins around the room with Carl and Tom my guy danced ALL night long. Barb and Virginia taught him a few sweet moves, and by the end of the night we felt like superstars....until we danced together again and realized the glory had ALL come from our seasoned partners. We actually almost fell over once.

They only did a handful of line dances, but I caught on to Elvira and Tush Push pretty quickly. (NOTICE: again, ZERO sandblasting on the tush-push of this denim ...no natural wear and tear either-which tells I got smart enough to finally check a mirror and bury it's belted, stretchy, goodness in the back of the closet)

I've been humbled by the denim.

But Mommy Can I Grow One When I'm Bigger?

I knew the day would come.

Reese tried to pee standing up.

We Are Fam-i-ly! I Got All My Sistah's With Me!

I found this old picture and thought I'd post, even though it has to be at least a year and a half old. I have several recent pictures, but I thought this one was just....touching. I love that my daughters are friends. Lately, Reese has been very concerned with her sister's emotions...and is quick to let me know when Quincy is upset. Of course, now that Quincy is talking she tells me herself. (That girl will NOT be ignored when she's got something to say. I love it.)
When I saw this picture:
I thought about the friendship my MiMa (grandma) has with her sisters, Ruth and June.

I thought about the friendship that my mom has with her sisters.

I thought about the friendship I have with my sisters.

I thought about my little girls.

I am grateful that this legacy of friendship, love, and sincere appreciation is already visible in my 4 and 2 year old daughters.

I hope they stay best friends forever.

Just When You Think You're In Control, Just When You Think You Got A Hold, Just When You Got On a Roll...

How Did I Miss This?

Well if you read Kasey's blog, then you've heard the whole story already. Basically, girls weekend o' fun TOFW extravaganza ended on a high note. Free VIP seats front and center to Soul Asylum. who's that? you say...you know

"runaway train, never comin' ba-ack,
runaway on a one way tra-ack"

-those guys.
It was awesome.




Story Time:

Sooo...we are in the lobby before the concert and notice this huge...i meah hu-UGE dude chillin' on one of the teeny tiny sofas there. He is wearing the largest pair of red overalls I have EVER SEEN. Like they were baggy on him even. Even his sunglasses (that he had on at night, inside) were huge. I think, "WOW. BIG GUY." and then I see the SMOKIN' six foot stick-with-blonde-hair-and-boobs-trophy girl he has with him and I think "how the heck did THAT guy get THAT girl?"
Ok Ok, I don't want my comment box to be full of comments like "hey now, fat guys can get girls, too." Of course they can, that's not what I'm sayin' at all...
You just should have seen the guy....or the girl. Or even just the overalls on the guy. Or just the rack on the girl. It doesn't matter, the two did NOT match up. Like rap stars. What chick wants a guy with a diamond in his front tooth? Yet they always have a 6 foot rent-a-hottie on each arm. What's that all about?

THEN I think, ok. He must be loaded. He LOOKS loaded.

YEAH he's LOADED!
Imagine my surprise when he sat behind the drums on the stage.

He's in the band.
She's with the band.
Life makes sense again.

I could be with the band...

This is why I shouldn't dance.