Memorial Day

Wordless Wednesday

Queen Meme Tuesday

The Let’s Go To Dinner Meme

We all love to wine and dine with our families and those we care about. Some of us talk about it. Some of us don’t. Regardless, we all have stories to tell…. past and present. Take a trip down memory lane or unfold your fantasy night out on the blog for all to read. We’re all ears. Waiter! Waiter!


1. When is the last time you went out to dinner with someone special? Tell us about it. I always go out to dinner with special people!! Last week, Mustang Man, Mustang Girl and myself went and ate some amazing sushi. My favorite part is that the place we go makes this roll called 'The Bali Hai', and it is so amazingly delicious that I always get one that is just for me =)

2. Show us a picture of your favorite cuisine. Uh, there isn't enough room here, and I don't have a picture of the 'Bali Hai'. Next time, I promise

3. What is the funniest thing a man/woman has said to you lately? "Traci, is it okay if I have a nip off your growler?"

4. What makes a gentleman a gentleman in today’s dating world? Are there any left? I firmly believe there are gentlemen left. They usually have really good Mama's. For me, what makes a gentleman are things like this:

a. He has respect for everyone

b. He doesn't tell tales where he shouldn't be.

5. Is there anything you won’t tolerate when out to dinner with your significant other? Yeah, I won't tolerate not sharing!

6. What type of ambiance do you enjoy in an eating establishment? A big pet peeve for me are places that are so loud and noisy with music that you cannot hear yourself thing, or hear the conversation that you are trying to have with your dinner partner. I prefer not to leave dinner with a headache, thank you.

7. Tell us about the worst public dining experience you ever had, whether it be a date or with your family. Hmm. Let me think. There was the one time my Dad came to the table wearing a toilet seat sanitizer paper thingy on his head....

No really. He did.

But, the worst experience I have had that wasn't funny was when MM and I went out to eat at a new to us restaurant. We sat down, on a nice summer evening, at a table towards the back of the patio of this particular establishment. We got one iced tea, and then our waitress went home. Without turning us over, to anyone. We got another drink, maybe an hour later, and we even actually, eventually got a meal. And then ONE free dessert when we finally made a complaint. Why did we stay? I honestly don't know. The food was okay. The night was nice. But we've never gone back.

8. What is the lamest or rudest thing a man/woman has said to you lately? A man that I work with, and sadly, have really no tolerance for, called me "honey". This might sound inconsequential to most of you, but I have such an intense loathing for this particular individual that it made my skin crawl.

9. Are you a good tipper? If I get good service, I am a GREAT tipper. If I get ignored, well, as my friend Jimmi would say, 'Va Fongule'.

10. Do you ask for doggie bags when you leave food on your plate at a restaurant? If I've really enjoyed the meal, then absolutely. Restaurant leftovers are the best.

11. What is your pet peeve about restaurants and dining out in general? Hmmm. That they don't deliver?

12. Do you prefer to order yourself or do you ever let your significant other order for you? I do order for myself, but would trust him implicitly if he ever decided he was going to step in and do it. It might be a nice surprise.

13. Describe your most intimate romantic dinner ever. (fantasy or real)A few years ago, we went to dinner on 'Talk Like A Pirate Day'. It was a nice restaurant, we were both in a good mood, and the stars were just aligned. It was fun, we laughed a lot, I set a napkin on fire with the table candle, and it was like we were in our own little bubble of intimacy. It just worked. We both still talk about that night.

14. Do you enjoy piano bars?Not really, because I find them rather loud.

15. If you could go anywhere in the world for dinner, where would it be and who would you be with? I would take MM to Paris, and have dinner at the restaurant that is in the middle of the Eiffel Tower.

for more fun, go here

Monday Darylization

Here is my picture stimulation for the week!

Sam was one determined fella.

When he had that stroke in 09 he promised himself that he was going to regain his independence, no matter what. Each day, he got closer and closer.

Today, though, was a huge milestone. He was going to take the bus, and go buy flowers for Ruth.

She'd stuck by him, no matter what, through everything. She'd been the one to exercise his numb hand, and she'd been the one to encourage him to do his exercises, both at the hospital, and at home. And when he had tried to give up, she had been the steel backbone that didn't let him.

They had been married for 67 years, and his heart still beat sped up when he woke up to her each morning.

He only hoped he didn't get to the flower market too late for the Tulips...

Friday Mieography

Wilma Rudolph was a premature born baby, who weighed only 4.5 pounds when she was born. She was the 20th of 22 children. Her father worked as a railroad porter, and handyman, and her mother did laundry, cooked, and house cleaned for wealthy white families in their area. The family had such little money, that the girls frequently wore dresses made of flour sacks. She was sick often when she was little, there was no hospital for the colored in town, and the one black doctor would cost money. So her mother nursed her through measles, mumps, scarlet fever, chicken pox, and even double pneumonia. She did need to go to the doctor when she lost sensation in her left leg, and it started to become deformed. They were told she now had polio, and she would never walk. Her mother took her to a black medical college in Nashville, which was fifty miles away, twice a week for two years. Wilma started to walk, wearing a metal leg brace. The doctors taught her mother how to do the physical therapy at home. Her brothers and sisters helped her. By the age of twelve, she could walk normally, without any crutch, brace, or even a corrective shoe. It was then she decided she wanted to try athletics.

In high school, she played basketball first, and set state records for scoring, and her team won a state championship. She also ran track, and participated in her first Olympics when she was only 16 years old. She won a bronze medal in the 4x4 relay. She continued on, participating in the Olympics, and in Rome, 1960, she became the first American woman to win three gold medals. (100m dash, 200m dash, and as anchor of the 400m relay). She was hailed as the "Fastest woman in history". She retired from track at age 22, married her high school sweetheart, and had four children.

She is in the Olympic Hall of Fame, and the national Track and Field Hall of Fame, just to name a few honors. She also has a portion of US route 79 in Tennessee named after her. She got a full scholarship to Tennessee State University, where she got a bachelor's degree in elementary education. She worked as a teacher, coached track, and was a sports commentator on television.

Sadly, in 1994, she was diagnosed with brain and throat cancer. She died at age 54 of the same.

Wordless Wednesday

Queen Meme Tuesday

Damn this is a LONG one... she is making up for last week I think

Under The Covers Meme
(Read it and sleep)

1. Name 2 things you have done under the covers in the last week. Sleep, and Not Sleep ;)

2. Do you know what a woobie is? Do you have a special one? I do know what a woobie is. No, I don't have a special one. I think I need one for my neck, though...

3. What prompts you to pull the covers over your head and hide from the world? Sometimes, it's something as simple as the telephone ringing...

4. Firm or soft? In between, if I can find it

5. Silk or flannel? Flannel in the winter time, for sure. Not a big fan of silk, actually. Too slippery.

6. Lights on or off? depends

7. Fan or no air? Fan, please!!

8. Completely dark or nite light? Completely dark.

9. Windows open or shut depends on the season. If it's snowing outside, I prefer closed windows!

10. Sweet dreams or nightmares? Usually very sweet dreams

11. PJ's or……PJs...

12. Set bedtime? Not really, that's hard to do, working nights

13. What do sheep count when they can't sleep? They count shearer's, of course

14. What does your alarm clock sound like? I don't use an alarm clock anymore. My body wakes me up. When we have to be up, then MM is my alarm clock, and he's a nice one!

15. White noise or music Silence is golden

16. TV or IPod? Neither one

17. Can you recall a pleasant dream you'd like to share? When I was a child, I once dreamt that I found a McDonalds made entirely of chocolate chip cookie dough.... true story.

18. Under the covers or outside the covers Duh, covers keep the monsters away

19. Insomniac or sleep angel? Sadly, Insomniac all the way.

20. What is your favorite sleep aid for those tossin' and turnin' nights? I have no advice for that. I end up getting out of bed, and doing something. I hate laying there, awake

21. Morning person or night person Night person, thats why I work nights.

22. Bedtime snack? Not usually

23. Hot or cold room Cold room, warm blankets

24. Bedtime ritual? Just to use the restroom first, so that I don't have to get up in the middle of the night

25. Twin, Queen, King, Bunk or Futon Queen

26. Socks or naked feet Bare feet for sure! Socks are nothing but dream traps

27. Bedroom door locked or unlocked? Unlocked. And it has only come back to haunt us, once...

28. Tent or hotel room Either one, depending on my mood, or where its at!

29. If you could be bored to sleep, what would bore you? Used to be some of my nursing school textbooks

30. Prayers or mantra? Prayers

31. What was the worst nightmare you ever had? That everyone left me, and I was alone

32. Please share any ideas on how to stop a person from snoring.
I'm all ears. You know, I just got used to it. Now I have a hard time falling asleep without "gentle" snoring in my ear...

33. If one purely pleasant thought could ensure fast and sound deep sleep for you every night, what would your one thought be? Security....

34. How many hours do you normally sleep? Depends. On nights that I work, and I am trying to sleep in the day time, usually six. Weekends? As many as I can

35. Thunderstorms or quiet starry night? Starry nights. Gentle rain is good, but Thunderstorms alarm me

36. Warm bath or hot shower? I hate going to bed with wet hair... hot shower, I guess

37. What is the craziest thing that ever happened in your bed? When I first got it, the people who set it up didn't do it right, and I turned over, and one side of bed collapsed, so the mattress tilted, and I found myself on the floor... to say I was a little pissed, is an understatement

38. Name a song you could fall asleep to. If I listen to music to fall asleep, it's classical. Anything with words makes me think, and not sleep. I have to work very hard to quiet my mind before I sleep.

39. Who last told you a bedtime story? I don't remember, really... thats a good question...

Whew! Done! Go here to read more

Monday Darylization

For my picture this week, as always, go here

Mike walked down the street seriously worried. He knew the Peter Noone look alike contest was somewhere within these blocks. His friends had been making fun of him for weeks because he had intended on participating, but he just knew that this was his ticket to happiness.

Sure, Herman's Hermits had been over for years, but, everyone still knew who he was, right? I mean, he was on the cover of time magazine once, and everything! He even played a song written by David Bowie! He also starred in some movies. So why were his friends making fun of him?

Glancing around, he tried to deduce which way he should go. Left, Right? The guitar was getting heavy. He'd bought it just for this contest....

Down the block, the organizers of the Peter Noone look alike contest were getting very worried... no one had shown up.

Then, Mike finally walked in, and There's a Kind of Hush.....

Friday Mieography

Shirley Temple was born in 1928, in Santa Monica, California, to George and Gertrude Temple. Her mother was very progressive for that time, and wanted to influence her daughters future by using prenatal association, specifically with music and art. She listened to records, read books aloud, and attended many dance recitals and concerts. She continued to do this after Shirley was born, especially reading books, and performing the characters in those books. Shirley began to mimic her at a young age.

They were luckier then most families during the depression, as their house, and their car were both paid for, and Shirley's father had been very careful with his investments. Mrs. Temple spent much time with Shirley, teaching her the words to the popular songs, and simple dance steps. When Shirley was three, her mother enrolled her in a dance school in Los Angeles. She also, at this time, began the ritual of styling her daughters long, thick hair into exactly fifty-six ringlets, trying to copy the style that was being worn by Mary Pickford. While Shirley was at this school, a film director named Charles Lamont came in for a talent show, and encouraged Shirley to try out for a series of one liners called "Baby Burlesks", trying to compete with the popular "Our Gang" comedy shorts of the times. She did go try out, and was signed for a two year contract, at a whopping $10.00 a day for four day shooting schedules. The preschool aged actors were not paid for any expenses or rehearsals, and sometimes had ten days of rehearsal time. When one of the kids got in trouble, they were put into a small "black box" isolation chamber, with a block of ice as their chair. On her first day, she worked twelve hours (with two naps). She appeared in all eight films of the series, and then graduated to a new series, where she began to make $15.00 a day, and $50.00 a movie. To underwrite the costs of the film, she, and her little co stars were used as models for gum, cereal, and candy bar and cigar promotional ad's. She was also loaned out periodically to other studios. She wound up under contract, eventually with Fox Films after her first studio went bankrupt. It was at Fox where she really blossomed, doing films such as "Stand up and Cheer!", "Little Miss Marker", and "Bright Eyes" the film where she sang "On the Good Ship Lollipop", which became an instant hit. She was awarded a special miniature Oscar in special recognition of her contributions to the film entertainment of 1934. She also got to add her hand and foot prints to the sidewalk at Grauman's Chinese Theater.

F0x then merged with Twentieth Century Pictures, and the studio head, Darryl F. Zanuck focused the company resources in turning Shirley into a Superstar. There were nineteen writers known as the "Shirley Temple Story Development Team" working there, writing and adapting stories for her to star in. She was making four films a year. At one point, a British critic panned one of her films, and accused her of being too nubile for a nine year old. He was sued for libel, by Shirley, and Twentieth Century Fox, and they won. She used the money to build a youth center in England.

By 1940, after countless movies, her last two being a flop, it was obvious that her career as a child star was over. Her parents sent her to "Westlake School for Girls" to continue her education. Within a year, though, MGM contracted her, and had plans to help her come back. Those plans failed, as did every other attempt to bring the older Shirley into any further films. In August of 1950 Shirley officially retired, and married Charles Alden Black. She had been married previously, and had a daughter from that marriage. They had a daughter together, as well. Shirley appeared sporadically on television, and enjoyed her time as a house wife, and mother. She also became active in the California Republican Party, and, at one point, ran for the House of Representatives (unsucessfully). In 1972, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, and had a radical mastectomy. She announced her diagnosis to the world, one of the first prominent women to speak openly about breast cancer.

She continued on with her political career, and has been a United States Ambassador to two countries, Ghana, and Czechoslovakia. She also served on multiple boards of directors for large companies, including The Walt Disney Company, Del Monte, Bank of America, and the National Wildlife Federation, just to name a few.

In all during her career, Shirley starred in 14 short films, 43feature films, and over 25 storybook movies.

She currently lives in Northern California.

Wordless Wednesday

I hate it when this happens!

I had this great, somewhat deep topic that I was so totally going to blog.

Really I did.

Then, things happened.

Like Saturday, a good friend and I took mustang girl Prom dress shopping. THAT was fun. Except, when we tried to leave the mall, and because of very poor event planning and too many people wanting to see some X games people (I am clueless who they were), we spent 50 minutes just to get out of the parking garage.

But I still remembered my blog topic at that point.

Then Sunday, we all went to the local Renaissance Faire. THAT was fun.

Until it started raining while we were watching the cool magician with the funny accent.

But I still remembered my blog topic.....

Then, yesterday. Monday. I almost sat down and wrote that post....

but I was kind of tired from the weekend, and I needed to go grocery shopping, and when I did they had an amazing sale on Filet mignon, so of course I got some to make for dinner. Then it started snowing on my drive home, and I really needed to build a fire to make us warm.

But I STILL remembered the blog topic.

Until I got up this morning and sat down to blog, that is....

Monday Darylization

For my visual stimuli this week, go here, as usual. My brain is kind of short circuited today, though. Something about it being Monday, all the rain, coming a fun, but busy, busy weekend...

"Yes, Mom, I am sure there are two babies. I know, I know. You weren't expecting two. Do you think I was expecting two? Wait, what? Two babies is an inconvenience for YOU? Really? You don't say..."

Wordless Wednesday

This is Hoover. He's a very cool fish. What makes him so cool? He will "hoover" up the sand, looking for food, and then the sand gently flutters back out of his gills as he swims along.... so my fish tank has a vacuum =)

Queen Meme Tuesday

The following statements are true. Your job is to explain why you think they are true. Just offer up your usual amusing quips! I'm betting we'll have some hysterical responses. Remember that somewhere somebody in the world needs to know these things and your tax dollars probably paid for the research that went into proving them true.



1. More people are killed by donkeys annually than are killed in plane crashes. Its the teeth, I just know it is. When a donkey smiles at you, you know it means business. I've seen someone drop dead just from a donkey smile alone. (though, admittedly, the donkey breath didn't help). If you get past the ever feared donkey smile, then, well, they bite. And the bite is always lethal. I'd MUCH rather get on an airplane then go face to face with a donkey. Unless it's donkey basketball. Then, they're harmless. Those donkey's do love their basketball.

2. Donald Duck comics were banned in Finland because he doesn't wear pants. You are going to laugh and make fun of me, but I know the actual answer to this one. What happened is, they made a Donald Duck book of the epic Finnish poem, the Kalevala. This poem is revered by the Finns, it is a backbone of their history, and for years was passed down orally. Then, someone (Elias Lonrot, if you're curious) wrote the Kalevala down, finally, preserving it for generations to come. Having a pant-less Donald was an insult. Not to be born. YES, I am of Finnish descent. YES, I have a copy of Kalevala on my bookshelf. :)

3. If you keep a Goldfish in the dark room, it will eventually turn white. Because goldfish are actually from New Jersey, and that orange is their spray tan. Without sun, and interaction, it fades. Just like their accent.

4. The shortest war in history was between Zanzibar and England in 1896. Zanzibar surrendered after 38 minutes. Why were they fighting in the first place?

They were fighting over who got Donald Ducks pants.

5. Women blink nearly twice as much as men. Its because we think faster.

6. The ant always falls over on its right side when intoxicated. Because all the alcohol the ant drinks goes directly into the right legs. The left legs are for picnic fare.

7. An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain. Because the only thing an Ostrich really thinks about is how quickly it can shove its head down under the dirt, so it can't be seen.

8. In England, the Speaker of The House is not allowed to speak. This originated because in the very first house, there was a man who just droned on, and on and on and on.... his fellow housemates got together and brainstormed a way to shut him up. They decided that they would make it look like an honour (extra u provided because this is an English topic), but they could not think of a better title then "Speaker of the House". So, they bestowed it upon him, then forbade him to speak. The tradition carries on to this day, and the Speaker of the House is always the most annoying house member.

9. By raising your legs slowly and lying on your back, you cannot sink into quicksand. Duh, its QUICK sand. By doing anything slowly you won't sink into it.

10. On average, 12 newborns will be given to the wrong parents daily. Because we aren't micro-chipping yet. But its coming, I know it is...

12. The electric chair was invented by a dentist. Its the only way they could think of to keep their patients in the chair. Plus, the shock helped to treat the mental disorders of the people who would actually seek out dental care during that era...

for more Queen fun, go HERE

Monday Darylization

For my picture inspiration, go here.

"Yes, I am serious, I want you to polish my shoes!" said Kelly. "I know that we are broke, and this is how you are making money, but I hardly ever get to see you, anymore." Frustrated, she wiped a tear that escaped the prison she was trying to keep it in.

Jim sighed, and studied his wife over the shoe he was currently working on. Money had been very tight lately, and both of their wardrobes showed it. Neither one of them were fashion plates, exactly, but, they had really gone downhill from there.

"I know, I know, it doesn't thrill me either" he said, continuing to work on the shoe in his hand. "I miss seeing you, too, Kelly, but we really need the money. The rent just increased, and I don't want to give up our apartment. I've built up a steady stream of clients on this corner, and, this isn't so bad, really it isn't.

"But you used to work on Wall Street!" she wailed, unable to hold back, any longer.....