Wordless Wednesday

Texting Conversation

Kayla and I, discussing the fact that she wants a snowboard and accessories for Christmas...

Kayla: All im saying is that its what i want from santa lol
Me: Santa is experiencing difficult economic times.
Kayla: He lives in the north pole not america lol
Me: Santa just laid off 20% of his elves. Sad.
Kayla: Santa also has the magical power of ebay

Quotable Quotes

"Girl world is a battlefield." --Violet, age 11

Lu: What do you call a twitchy cow?
Me: I don't know. What?
Lu: Beef jerky!

"Christmas only comes two months a year..." --Kayla, age 16

Texting Conversation

Lu- Haha you forgot
Me- Got busy at work!
Lu- Haha you still forgot :P
Me- :P
Lu- :P :P
Me-
:P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P
Me- I win! I have copy and paste! Neener!
Lu- Just a sec
Lu- FWD: Msg from Mom
:P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P

Inspiration

Over at the Wayfaring Wanderer, I was encouraged to write a post about my favorite photographer.

I would have to say that honor currently belongs to David, over at Authorblog.

Why do I like David's photography so much? I think it boils down to this: He is an expert at taking photos of everyday objects, and making them look fabulous. He also sees photo opportunities where others wouldn't even notice.

David, you inspire me to become a better photographer and to look at the world just a little bit differently.

Morning Conversation

While taking Kayla to the bus stop this morning, she asked me a question:

"What do you think the greatest failing of humans is?"

Wow. The question kind of took me aback for a second. Then I thought. Finally, I answered, "Lying. I think if people were truthful, there would be a lot less contention and problems in this world."

She responded, "I think it is that humans are never content with what they have. They always want more. If they have a house, they want a bigger house. If they don't have something their neighbors have, they want what the neighbors have. They're not happy with what they've already got."

That's some profound thinking from a 16-year-old. I spent the rest of the drive to work contemplating whether or not I was content with my life as it stood.

I would have to say, "Yes."

That is not to mean I won't work hard to attain things I'd like for me and my family, or to be complacent about my life.

But right here, right now, I am content.

Wordless Wednesday

Texting Conversation

Kayla, riding home on the public bus...

Kayla: Ew some creepy low lives are trying to hit on me
Me: Yuck
Kayla: They are about seniors who are so creepy ugh
Me: Better than 40-year-old guys...
Kayla: Thats true... But thats what theyll be in a few years anyways
Me: LOL
Kayla: Its true!
Me: And you'll be 2 years behind them. :)
Kayla: With pepper spray

Thanksgiving Comes First

Suldog, I've been saving this one just for you.

Texting Conversation

Violet:

I froze an egg!

Me: Cool! Now what are you going to do with it?
Violet: Im going to wait till Shay gets here and show her
Me: What about after that?
Violet: We're cracking it

(A couple minutes later...)

Violet:

Photography Meme

Over at dlyn's place, I got tagged for a photography meme just because I saw hers. (So, of course, that means you're now tagged, too, if you'd like to participate!)

Directions: Go to the fourth photo folder on your hard drive, and then choose the fourth picture. Post it.

I found:


Haha! Fun story. This is a photo of Violet's 10th birthday party. She has just opened up a pair of headphones, for her electronic keyboard. Her sisters got them for her because they were tired of listening to Violet play on the keyboard for hours on end. It drove them batty. She knew exactly why they got her the present, and showed her "disgruntled-ness" in this photo. :)

Here's a pic of her birthday cake:



And her later joy at realizing she got the Mother Of All Birthday Gifts, an iPod. :)



If you decide to participate in this meme, please link to your post in the comments so I can come see!

What's Your Bias? (Round Two)

Some of you may remember the little bit of fun Lu had near the beginning of the school year. Her English teacher gave her a "test", which ultimately lead her and me to speak in front of the school board. We were told that the matter would be taken care of, and that the teacher would be talked to.

Lu received another assignment from this teacher. I told her she was NOT allowed to finish it. I am contemplating taking the matter up the food chain a bit further, to the State Charter School Board. I am SO upset.

Directions: You are to match up column one with the right answer in column two. The teacher specifically told the class to pronounce the second column with a "Chinese voice" to complete the worksheet.

Column One:
1. Real stupid fellow
2. We suspect you are harboring a fugitive
3. He's cleaning his car
4. Your body odor is offensive
5. Not very good
6. Oriental swindlers
7. Serving drinks to people
8. Very bashful man
9. This is a tow away zone
10. You know the lyrics to the Macarena?
11. Are you conserving electricity?
12. Time to bathe
13. I thought you were on a diet?
14. Hawaiian vacation agreed with you
15. I bumped into a coffee table
16. Cleaning automobiles
17. I got this for free
18. Left a wakeup call for 9 and it's only 8
19. Cigarettes are hazardous for your health
20. Vocalist rock band
21. Has your flight been delayed?
22. N.A.S.A.'s crowning achievement
23. Stay out of sight
24. Small horse
25. They have arrived
26. There's no reason to raise your voice
27. TV's "Hawaiian Heat"
28. Premature infant
29. Reason for face lift
30. Approach me
31. Who fertilized the garden?
32. Prices are too high here

Column Two:
a. Ngo Tsmo Kin
b. Hu Rang Yhr Lee
c. Lao Zhi Sho
d. Yu Shao Ah Nao
e. Wah Skin Kah
f. Hu Yu Hai Ding
g. Lao Zhi Ting
h. Sum Shai Gai
i. Yu Mai Titan
j. Ten Dhing Bha
k. Wai Yu Shao Ting
l. Sum Dum Gai
m. Tai Ngi Bei Bi
n. Hip Sin Gah
o. Wai So Dhim
p. Tai Ngi Poh Ni
q. Khan Men
r. Kun Hia Yu
s. Mhun Lan Dhing
t. Ngo Bai Dat Ting
u. Hu Flung Dung
v. Chin Tu Fhat
w. Wa Shing Ka
x. No Pah King
y. Ai Bang Mai Ni
z. Hao Long Wei Ting
aa. Wai Yu Mun Ching
bb. Hei Dei Kum
cc. Yu Stin Ki Pu
dd. Wai Yu Sing Dum Song
ee. Ai No Pei
ff. Lai Lo

Wordless Wednesday

My cute niece, Jane!

Winter Has Arrived

Guess what I woke up to last Wednesday?

Surprise!

Life Philosophy

I named my blog what I did because I have a LOT going on in my life. I haven't even put a portion of what goes on in my crazy life here... I think that posting it would actually be a downer for readers, and they'd see a side of me I rarely show in Real Life.

At work the other day, I was fixing a computer for a lady who works in the ER. A gentleman she had been working with was pretty down on his luck, and she had to deal with him as he complained about his life. He wanted to end it all, but was 'too chicken' to commit suicide. She felt a lot of pity for this man, and could see why he felt the way he did because of his circumstances.

I listened to her for a minute, and said:

"It's not what life throws at you that is the problem-- it's how you choose to deal with it. Attitude is everything."

I explained that I have things going on in my life that are pretty significant, and yet I try to wake up each day and make it a good one. I briefly outlined a few things I'm currently dealing with (severe chronic pain, having to get a stalking injunction taken out on my sister, my ex-husband's suicide, remarriage and blending families of teenagers together, etc.). She looked dumbfounded, and expressed that she never knew what kind of troubles I had been dealing with, even though she has known me for over 2 years.

I quietly offered to her, "I believe that while you may not have control over many circumstances in your life, the attitude you choose to handle those circumstances is under your control. Attitude determines your level of happiness."

Abraham Lincoln once said, "Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be." I firmly believe there is much wisdom and truth to his words.

Historia de un Letrero

Funniest Thing I've Seen In Ages

Google

I love Google for so many reasons... It is the Internet Guru, the answer to every question (mostly), and provides hours of entertainment. I even have Google Analytics on my blog, so I can obsessively watch with interest how people land on my blog.

The best search sentence EVER just popped someone by here today. It was:

"an interesting life of a famous person"

I'm the first one at the top. Whoohoo!

Random Joke

A Blonde is watching the news with her husband when the newscaster says six Brazilian men die in a skydiving accident.

The blonde starts crying to her husband, sobbing, 'That's horrible!'

Confused, he says, 'Yes dear, it is sad. But they were skydiving, and there is that risk involved.'

After a few minutes, the blonde, still sobbing, says, 'How many is a Brazilian?'

History

"Rep. John Lewis, a civil rights hero, said he was hardly able to believe that 40 years after he was left beaten and bloody on an Alabama bridge as he marched for the right for blacks to vote, he had cast a ballot for Obama."

I do not think my children comprehend fully why yesterday was so important. I tried to explain it to them, but it didn't quite sink in. Maybe when they're older, and are more well-versed in our country's history, the significance of yesterday will make sense to them.

Wordless Wednesday

Violet, at Delicate Arch. Arches National Park, Utah.

Health In The Age Of Google

I think that maybe I have pneumonia. At least, my symptoms match the ones I've found on the internet. With so much health information right at my fingertips, it's amazing how many diseases I think I probably have.

I wonder how many people self-diagnose themselves before they set foot in a doctor's office with a ream of printed paper clutched in their hands. The internet is like the ultimate candy store for hypochondriacs-- one stop shopping to match your symptoms against thousands of diseases, all for the taking! You could even be a discriminating hypochondriac, only choosing diseases that fit your lifestyle and needs at the time. Plenty of information to help you decide.

In the meantime, I think I will continue to scare myself to death, thinking of the possibilities of what I might be sick with. When I get freaked out enough, I'll haul my sorry self into the doctor's office and look pitiful. Only then will my worst fears be realized, as I come to know that my internet searches were right. Or maybe not.

Kayla told me the other day she thinks she has diverticulitis. She did an internet search, too.

Daylight Savings Time

I hate it. Absolutely HATE it. For the next month, I will be stuck in varying stages of zombie from having my sleep patterns screwed up. That, combined with my estrogen deficiency, will turn me into the Sleep Deprived Zombie from Estrogen Forgetfulness Hell.

Why can't they just pick a time zone and call it good?

I need to move back to Arizona, I guess. Stupid Daylight Savings Time.

Howard Gardner's Eight Types of Intelligence Test

Over on Michelle's blog, there was a link to take an Intelligence Test. I scanned through her results, and immediately thought, "I'm going to be a Logical person." I have enough Vulcan in me to know what my test results were gonna be. (Here's the part where I should brag about all my scores being "higher than my peers" in all categories, but that would be letting my Type A Personality show too much...) Instead, I will give you the website's linky code, so you can go take the intelligence test yourself.

And contrary to some peoples' beliefs, I actually have some intelligence. At least, according to the test, I do....

What this test didn't come right out and say, though, is that I'm hopelessly, completely, and always will be a geek. I can't even hide it from an online test. I'm doomed.

Your result for Howard Gardner's Eight Types of Intelligence Test...

Logical

"This area has to do with logic, abstractions, inductive and deductive reasoning, and numbers. While it is often assumed that those with this intelligence naturally excel in mathematics, chess, computer programming, and other logical or numerical activities, a more accurate definition places emphasis less on traditional mathematical ability and more reasoning capabilities, abstract pattern recognition, scientific thinking and investigation, and the ability to perform complex calculations.

Careers which suit those with this intelligence include scientists, mathematicians, engineers, doctors and economists." (Wikipedia)

Take Howard Gardner's Eight Types of Intelligence Test at HelloQuizzy

Blogtations

Want to find some new blogs to read? My suggestion is to go check out the awesome quotes at Blogtations. Find some blog quotes that tickle your fancy, and go check 'em out. I've found some great blogs through it.

Pretty soon, they're going to be celebrating the 500th blogtation on the site. You can join in the fun, if you'd like, by reading through quotes and finding one that you love to pieces.

For example, from Steenky Bee:

I purposely watch some television programs on our wide screen television so that the actresses look wider than they actually are. This makes me feel better about myself.

How can you not resist checking out her blog now? :)