tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83987041319416233322024-03-12T19:26:05.679-05:00The Sky is Only Dark Between the StarsSmiles help me remember that the sky is only dark between the stars.
-Nathaniel Kent LeathamJodie | Velourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05934490293293685281noreply@blogger.comBlogger270125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398704131941623332.post-71708829433359354342011-03-02T22:19:00.001-06:002011-03-02T22:22:13.153-06:00Just repeat after me: Who's-yer-Daddy<div style="text-align: center;">I made this velvety dream of a pie last Memorial Day weekend. </div><div style="text-align: center;">They call it <a href="http://www.countryliving.com/recipefinder/hoosier-sugar-cream-pie-recipe-clv0510">Hoosier Sugar Cream Pie</a>. I call it Who's-yer-Daddy Pie.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguWvoD2n2ozZvm5Tjl4wnZbuXRcG1KBNdSw7Rc_4EJamBJ8vqBtlws0u1lyZhUQ-B8bveaMW4O6h8fgp5NENBOXVoSiP6ODXrQ9XwALZzegTki7xmmLpigaLBHDGjimKOdKy2MAu_hV4Q/s1600/Hoosier-Sugar-Cream-Pie-0510-recipe-th2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguWvoD2n2ozZvm5Tjl4wnZbuXRcG1KBNdSw7Rc_4EJamBJ8vqBtlws0u1lyZhUQ-B8bveaMW4O6h8fgp5NENBOXVoSiP6ODXrQ9XwALZzegTki7xmmLpigaLBHDGjimKOdKy2MAu_hV4Q/s320/Hoosier-Sugar-Cream-Pie-0510-recipe-th2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">It tastes like a pie made of creme bruleé. Really, do you need any more enticement than that?</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Ingredients</div><div style="text-align: center;"><ul><li><span class="amount">2</span> <span class="unit">cups </span> heavy cream</li>
<li><span class="amount"> 1/2</span> <span class="unit">cup </span> all-purpose flour</li>
<li><span class="amount"> 1/2</span> <span class="unit">cup </span> brown sugar</li>
<li><span class="amount"> 1/2</span> <span class="unit">cup </span> granulated sugar</li>
<li><span class="amount">3</span> <span class="unit">tablespoon(s) </span> granulated sugar, for sprinkling</li>
<li><span class="amount"> 1/2</span> <span class="unit">cup </span> whole milk</li>
<li><span class="amount">1</span> <span class="unit">tsp </span> vanilla extract</li>
<li><span class="amount">1</span> <span class="unit"> </span> (9-inch) store-bought piecrust</li>
<li><span class="amount">1</span> <span class="unit">Tbsp </span> unsalted butter</li>
<li><span class="amount">1</span> <span class="unit">tsp </span> ground cinnamon</li>
</ul></div><div style="text-align: center;">Directions <br />
<ol class="directions"><li>Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. </li>
<li>For filling: In a medium bowl, combine heavy cream, flour, brown sugar, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, milk, and vanilla.</li>
<li>Fit crust into a 9-inch pie pan and dot bottom with butter. Pour filling into crust. Combine cinnamon and remaining 3 tablespoons sugar and sprinkle on top. Bake pie until set and center is firm to touch, about 1 hour. Cool on a wire rack.</li>
<li> </li>
</ol></div>Jodie | Velourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05934490293293685281noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398704131941623332.post-80815657159722428242010-08-02T12:03:00.001-05:002010-08-02T12:07:14.831-05:00I May Benefit From Some CounselingSo I've noticed only a few of you have come to my new casa and are following me there. Come on, it's nice there. It smells good.<br />
<br />
You know pretty soon, I'm gonna start thinking it's 'cause you hate me.<br />
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It's not 'cause you hate me, is it?<br />
<br />
Come on, don't leave. I'll do better. I promise I'll change. <b>Give me another chance!</b> This time it's gonna be different. You'll see.<br />
<br />
In most cases that's a pack of lies, but not this time. Pinky swear. So come, follow me. <br />
<br />
Desperately Seeking Social Affections (and maybe some cheap therapy),<br />
xo, JodieJodie | Velourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05934490293293685281noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398704131941623332.post-60731178136311172482010-07-24T08:10:00.091-05:002010-07-25T15:26:42.231-05:00Denouement and The Alpha<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>As it concerns this blog, I've done some thinking and I've decided on some things. <br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-large;">-1-</span> The name feels long and exhausting to me. I want something short. <a href="http://velourblog.blogspot.com/">One word</a>. So I'm pulling an <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0149691/">Adele August</a>. Who knows? Maybe before long I'll get a really good deal on a sweet, gold Bimmer and all of my problems will be solved by going for ice cream.<br />
<br />
It could happen.<br />
<div style="text-align: right;"><br />
sidenote:</div><div style="text-align: right;">[I always thought it was <i>Beamer</i>, </div><div style="text-align: right;">but I was wrong. <a href="http://www.bmwccbc.org/misc/tech-and-trivia/bimmer.html">I got taken to school</a>.]</div><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-large;">- 2 -</span> This is my last post here. I'll be spending the week sprucing up my new <a href="http://velourblog.blogspot.com/">crash pad</a>, and that's where I will be hereafter. There's <span style="font-size: large;">alot</span> I like about this place and at first I was hesitant to start over, but I think that a fresh start is what's best for me now.<br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">- 3 -</span> </span>I'm starting a new feature <a href="http://velourblog.blogspot.com/">over yonder</a>. Calling it <b>The Sunday Six</b>... where every Sunday, I list 6 things I love (<i>complete with links, in case you fall in love too and must have these things for your <b>own</b> self!</i>) I know you just can't wait so guess what?! Today being Sunday...<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-large;">I won't make you!</span> </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">May I now introduce to you,</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>The Sunday Six: The Alpha</b>. <br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">[<i>and the crowd goes willlllldddd!</i>]</div><br />
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<b>one, two, three and four</b><br />
[<i>tell me that you love me more</i>] <b></b><br />
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This outfit: a perfect marriage of cuteness and comfort.<br />
I'd prefer a red print cardigan. Only I couldn't find one I really <i>loved</i>. So the gray one is a good stand-in. I like it alawt.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj__Lcdc-eRiaIzoxdg3qXZrVMTqMxPiZGpmkNlK3JuZ4yJp9crzOY2vcgw5Y7aHmtVMuu8zunR13pvl-v7KauYa3RKeaFryrq9zSrMAxoJoZcE4UHsb8BKVZ1IcJWSeFwntmSlDz_cFbB/s1600/outfit+collage+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj__Lcdc-eRiaIzoxdg3qXZrVMTqMxPiZGpmkNlK3JuZ4yJp9crzOY2vcgw5Y7aHmtVMuu8zunR13pvl-v7KauYa3RKeaFryrq9zSrMAxoJoZcE4UHsb8BKVZ1IcJWSeFwntmSlDz_cFbB/s640/outfit+collage+1.jpg" width="139" /></a><br />
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<div style="color: #444444;"><a href="http://www.forever21.com/product.asp?catalog_name=FOREVER21&category_name=sw_cardigans&product_id=2076806579&Page=1">cardigan</a></div><div style="color: #444444;"> <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?subCategoryId=CLOTHES-BLOUSES-RUFFLES&id=013283&catId=CLOTHES-BLOUSES&pushId=CLOTHES-BLOUSES&popId=CLOTHES&sortProperties=&navCount=750&navAction=top&fromCategoryPage=true&selectedProductSize=&selectedProductSize1=&color=011&colorName=IVORY&isSubcategory=true&isProduct=true&isBigImage=&templateType=">top</a></div><div style="color: #444444;"> <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?subCategoryId=CLOTHES-DENIM-BOYFRIEND&id=18734251&catId=CLOTHES-DENIM&pushId=CLOTHES-DENIM&popId=CLOTHES&sortProperties=&navCount=25&navAction=top&fromCategoryPage=true&selectedProductSize=&selectedProductSize1=&color=093&colorName=Storm&isSubcategory=true&isProduct=true&isBigImage=&templateType=">jeans</a></div><div style="color: #444444;"> <a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?subCategoryId=SHOES-HEELS-LADY&id=043531&catId=SHOES-HEELS&pushId=SHOES-HEELS&popId=SHOESBAGS&sortProperties=&navCount=115&navAction=top&fromCategoryPage=true&selectedProductSize=&selectedProductSize1=&color=004&colorName=GREY&isSubcategory=true&isProduct=true&isBigImage=&templateType=">shoes</a> </div><br />
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<b>five</b><br />
Because that outfit was begging me for something red:<br />
I give you <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/49899843/tula-necklacered">this little pretty.</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLiYq9_fB3-jEWyxV0ddaZKhNzzL-EeCEwrdQFLR5LFXCQ-OEzhTlzGaVeYBcERzj5oFKo8B1T3_oZM6_rrdzKvBuW11r0rVQR4xyqY9fhuEV8MdL3YsLjZPYlVfkxgRUnmohCnCikrFPa/s1600/il_430xN.152973347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLiYq9_fB3-jEWyxV0ddaZKhNzzL-EeCEwrdQFLR5LFXCQ-OEzhTlzGaVeYBcERzj5oFKo8B1T3_oZM6_rrdzKvBuW11r0rVQR4xyqY9fhuEV8MdL3YsLjZPYlVfkxgRUnmohCnCikrFPa/s200/il_430xN.152973347.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">six</span></b><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">This boy, whose birthday is today. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Happy Birthday you precious boy!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">I love you more than a thousand</span><b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></b><span style="font-size: small;">baby bunnies.</span><b><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_K3JevEqwVH-98EVe7PQHOzo5RXSo_S_nhL2EEPsT4z7DFfYneRfjU9CXG-J9BWcn7XUq5T2WblFUForq56xbcY2B1LST4RDdLo-9cc9BfnSzAGzWNgU3iDoiHC-mQzBuMtnZrMg5zsQ/s1600/puddin1_picnik.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_K3JevEqwVH-98EVe7PQHOzo5RXSo_S_nhL2EEPsT4z7DFfYneRfjU9CXG-J9BWcn7XUq5T2WblFUForq56xbcY2B1LST4RDdLo-9cc9BfnSzAGzWNgU3iDoiHC-mQzBuMtnZrMg5zsQ/s320/puddin1_picnik.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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And that's all she wrote!<br />
See you all at <a href="http://velourblog.blogspot.com/">my new casa</a>, lovelies! xo, JodieJodie | Velourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05934490293293685281noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398704131941623332.post-71717762034790260722010-07-13T17:29:00.002-05:002010-07-16T10:08:36.906-05:00My New Favorite CondimentI was born a mayonnaise girl.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;"><b>sidenote:</b> </div><div style="text-align: right;">[Any time I say 'I was born...',</div><div style="text-align: right;">I think of The Jerk, and Steve Martin saying,</div><div style="text-align: right;">"I was born a poor, black man."]</div><div style="text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">No burger or sandwich-type-thing is even worth the trouble without it in my estimation. Wellllll, I recently decided to go vegan. Regular mayo is a no-no on the vegan train, so what was I to do? Would I really have to be without my beloved? Nobody likes a sad ending.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I didn't have high hopes of finding a replacement as I've tried other types of NON-mayo before and unless you like yours to look and taste like watery, soupy white filth, well then. Insufferable.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Until.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Enter Vegenaise! <i></i>[<i>cue super-hero noise</i>] I don't know quite how to pronounce it <b>but who cares</b>! It makes me happy!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">It also makes me want to eat cucumber sandwiches all day long! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQwZj7F9kG3jRKitJCqpMSnEJODZwk4GFogjh4_3I16ToFX-P06H84MD-1JzAVMKhg00JxHDYcPGAtOA4gUGZku1Iq6B6ESiDYj3m4SGWcDlYBzPeFgHS1riiugy9WMmScIJuIx2GjHI/s1600/Grpsdvegenaisepair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQwZj7F9kG3jRKitJCqpMSnEJODZwk4GFogjh4_3I16ToFX-P06H84MD-1JzAVMKhg00JxHDYcPGAtOA4gUGZku1Iq6B6ESiDYj3m4SGWcDlYBzPeFgHS1riiugy9WMmScIJuIx2GjHI/s320/Grpsdvegenaisepair.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">I'm not sure why I'm telling y'all this except that it is great news and great news must be spread.</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
Much the same as Vegenaise. [<i>du du doosh</i>]</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
The End and Amen. </div><div style="text-align: left;"></div>Jodie | Velourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05934490293293685281noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398704131941623332.post-67226644893831406462010-07-06T11:55:00.002-05:002010-07-16T10:08:36.907-05:00A mother sees mischief. A grandmother, genius.There are lots of words I could use to describe my third child to you. I could give you a lengthy list of adjectives: boring to read, but the antithesis of boring to live with. <br />
<br />
Instead, I give you this:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="color: #666666;">Once upon a time, a small boy, only two, </span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;">wanted to do something really badly, </span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;">as small boys of two are apt to do,</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;">but his mother disallowed it. </span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;">Undeterred, the small boy </span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;">went into the kitchen </span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;">and spilled a cup of juice.</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;">As his mother knelt to clean it, </span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;">he smiled and ran off </span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;">to the very thing she had made </span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;">unmistakably clear he could not do.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: black;">His grandmother's love this story. </span></span></div></div>Jodie | Velourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05934490293293685281noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398704131941623332.post-55462955364355437522010-07-02T22:21:00.001-05:002010-07-16T10:08:36.909-05:00Fakebook Update : A Tall Order<div style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">My status:</span></div><br />
Jodie needs a good red lipstick, please? Taking suggestions. I know you're all beauty mavens, so help a sista out. <br />
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Also, it would help if you were brunette with blue eyes and an olive complexion.<br />
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Also also, let it not be $20 lest I go without glamour forever.<br />
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Amen.Jodie | Velourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05934490293293685281noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398704131941623332.post-77555603059449997972010-06-29T13:06:00.003-05:002010-07-16T10:08:36.910-05:00A Medley of Announcements<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #444444;">When I see the word medley</span></span> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">I think of cafeteria food. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">If this post that I'm offering up today were a school lunch, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">this is what would be on the MENU </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;">[<i>which I used to think</i></span><i><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"> was pronounced me-new... </span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">being a WordGirl is something</span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><i> </i></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><i>that has developed over time</i>]. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Salsbury Steak</b></span></span></div><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">The flava has returned</span> to my mouth! Ha-lay-lou-juh. [<i>pronounced with a J sound, not a Y, cause it's funner to say that way.</i>] [<i>No, funner is not a word, but funner is funner to say than more fun.</i>] </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Mashed Potatoes & Gravy</b></span> </div>My foot is <a href="http://darkbetweenthestars.blogspot.com/2010/06/cat-like-reflexes-i-have-not-and-it-can.html">still bothering me</a>. It hurts across the top, where all the lil' bones are. I find that it feels better when I tippy toe than when I'm flat footed. What does that mean, do ya think?<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Dinner Roll</b></span></div>I've been listening to <a href="http://www.vagrantcafe.com/review/rvw100portraits.html">100 Portraits</a> again for the first time in years. About 9 of them. Years, that is. It is <i>so</i> good that I rarely want to hear anything else. Do you get fixated on music that way, too? I am <i>fixated</i>, except for right this instant, because I'm listening to Pandora and they do not have a 100 Portraits station. <i>What is this world coming to</i> is what I have to say about that.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Vegetable Medley</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">(corn, peas and green beans)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>For a long time when I'd ask if he wanted to potty on the big potty Puddin' would say, "<i>No, I tiny baby</i>." He is now starting to use the potty and is pretty proud of himself. [Part of the excitement is getting to "thlush" when he's all done.] <br />
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Also, how can the summer be enjoyed when it's too hot to even walk outside? Right now it's breezy out there which amounts to this: It was already hot as HECK, but then someone went and turned on a<i> fan heater</i>. Sitting out there makes you wish you had an internal sprinkler system installed.<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">Lastly, <br />
I just heard this line: </div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Oh LORD, God of our fathers<br />
this day let it be known<br />
That you Lord, are God of the present tense.</i></span></div>I love that.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">That's it for today. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I hope you enjoyed your meal.<br />
Come Again! </div>Jodie | Velourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05934490293293685281noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398704131941623332.post-56913774277546483382010-06-24T15:37:00.000-05:002010-07-16T10:08:36.911-05:00Fakebook Update<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-large;">There is no joy</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #444444;"> to be found</span></span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">in eating when you can't taste anything. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">What will bring back my ability to taste? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Benadryl? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Zyrtec? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Nope. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Neither. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Got any suggestions?</span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm eating at P.F. Chang's tomorrow </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">and it would be enormously sad </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">if I couldn't taste my lettuce wraps.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">How do I fix this problem STAT?</div>Jodie | Velourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05934490293293685281noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398704131941623332.post-58936383501223330102010-06-21T15:15:00.001-05:002010-07-16T10:08:36.911-05:00Fakebook<span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-large;">Hello, Lovelies!</span> Today I want to talk about Facebook, and how I really miss Facebook sometimes. Like really really. Occasionally I just feel like I want to post a status update, so what I've decided I'll do is to just post them here as I feel the itch.<br />
<br />
Like now, for instance.<br />
<br />
And from now on, I'll just be calling these my Fakebook Status Updates. Here goes.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Title: A Desperate Situation</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">(Oh yeah, and I might post Titles to my Updates </div><div style="text-align: center;">((like the title of a poem)), </div><div style="text-align: center;">especially when I'm feeling extra fancy.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>PETA PETA Punkin' Eata </i><br />
<i>is so concerned about the conditions of the wildlife in the Gulf </i><br />
<i>because the situation is so unfortunate. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>They should see the fish at <b>Wal-Mart</b></i><i>. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Feel free to <b>Like</b> and <b>Comment</b> at will. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Thanking you in advance.</i></div>Jodie | Velourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05934490293293685281noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398704131941623332.post-3572485421289714972010-06-17T13:25:00.002-05:002010-07-16T10:08:36.912-05:00Changing the Face of the Barnyard, Pixar is.<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;">There are myriad reasons</span> why Puddin' could have easily been nicknamed The Cuteness.</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>myriad</b> </span><span class="pron" onclick="pron_key()" onmouseout="m_out()" onmouseover="return m_over('Click for pronunciation
key')" style="font-size: x-small;">(m<img align="absbottom" src="http://img.tfd.com/hm/GIF/ibreve.gif" />r<img align="absbottom" src="http://img.tfd.com/hm/GIF/prime.gif" /><img align="absbottom" src="http://img.tfd.com/hm/GIF/emacr.gif" />-<img align="absbottom" src="http://img.tfd.com/hm/GIF/schwa.gif" />d)</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">: </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Constituting a very large, indefinite number; innumerable</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Let me exampilate:<i> </i></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Puddin':</b> Mama, duck shay? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Mama:</b> Quack Quack</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Puddin':</b> Uhhhhh, cow shay?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Mama:</b> Moooooooo!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Puddin':</b> Horse shay?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Mama:</b> (<i>I can't spell that one </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>but you just gon' hafta believe me, </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I do a pretty good horse sound.</i>) </div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh! I have one! What does a donkey say?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Puddin':</b> Get out o' me swamp!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPnjvOvqr8Ngi-LobxTWNMxanbxujHZitjL3PhgtYLBpisEQJvBoDy5K5-o3wwt_n7kY-2SBDZFV6mK8XgOqDbrkmGiArrxMSAQQg_S_2MfGjebm4Em0Xz5QQvcaTF_zHQRFwDgeWtpdU/s1600/shrek_donkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPnjvOvqr8Ngi-LobxTWNMxanbxujHZitjL3PhgtYLBpisEQJvBoDy5K5-o3wwt_n7kY-2SBDZFV6mK8XgOqDbrkmGiArrxMSAQQg_S_2MfGjebm4Em0Xz5QQvcaTF_zHQRFwDgeWtpdU/s320/shrek_donkey.jpg" /></a></div>Jodie | Velourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05934490293293685281noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398704131941623332.post-50422590308795504572010-06-14T13:45:00.001-05:002010-07-16T10:08:36.913-05:00Cat-Like Reflexes, I Have Not -and- It Can Always Be Worse<span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-large;">I went to church this morning</span> to drop the kids off at day camp. To get to our final destination-o-fun though, we had to complete a maze. <br />
<br />
From this room up those stairs into that room then the next room then down those stairs on through the next room into this pitch black backstage alleyway, and finally onto the main stage. Getting my bearings straight and my eyes readjusted to the lighting, I stepped down onto the steps leading down to the main floor and --- That wasn't the steps!!! <br />
<br />
o<br />
h<br />
<br />
c<br />
r<br />
a<br />
p<br />
<br />
is what <span style="font-size: large;">I</span> said! <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">I twisted my ankle and brush-burned my knee. </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>From a medical standpoint, </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I think it's either bruised or sprained or both, </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>whichever one garners me the most sympathy. </i> </div><br />
The auditorium was packed to the brim with people: grown folk and chi'ren folk. Thankfully the Children's Pastor came out just then and started amping the kids up about camp, causing a welcome distraction from the lady on the floor. Truly though, I was in so much pain I had little room left for embarrassment.<br />
<br />
People rushed to my aid and gave me ibuprofen and ice, then I went off and licked my wounds. <br />
<br />
The only thing that could've made things worse is if I'd been wearing a skirt (because that <i>did</i> cross my mind as an outfit possibility this morning). That and if I'd knocked out some teeth.<br />
<br />
Half-naked fashion + toothless.<br />
<br />
Like a redneck family reunion. Yeah, that's definitely worse.Jodie | Velourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05934490293293685281noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398704131941623332.post-79008348306376179142010-06-11T08:30:00.003-05:002010-07-16T10:08:36.914-05:00The Night I Made It to the Big Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWOAomf3iubqNIelTM2maBs9xiLZweUvbTAvNWR8OgP6dGE_xERbrJeiCPGmpE7brEWKmicnfQtzpek4UqVd16XxZ0NaLda5xCum0m4uAttqJa_k-cy1uo_my4YxN1i2CmV3G6CnH5NCM/s1600/funnytitlecover_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWOAomf3iubqNIelTM2maBs9xiLZweUvbTAvNWR8OgP6dGE_xERbrJeiCPGmpE7brEWKmicnfQtzpek4UqVd16XxZ0NaLda5xCum0m4uAttqJa_k-cy1uo_my4YxN1i2CmV3G6CnH5NCM/s320/funnytitlecover_web.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #444444;">So last night</span></span> I was at Barnes & Noble but I wasn't buying a new journal as you might suspect, which is what normally brings me there. I was building my fame.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">By the way, <br />
Why do people have so much trouble </div><div style="text-align: right;">pronouncing Barnes & Noble? </div><div style="text-align: right;">Barnes & Nobles? Barne & Noble? </div><div style="text-align: right;">People are all confused about the crooked letter.</div><div style="text-align: right;">Throws 'em off. In the </div><div style="text-align: right;">mispronunciation department, </div><div style="text-align: right;">it's up there with Wal-Mart. Think about it.</div><br />
<a href="http://store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/event/3045284">I was invited to a <b>New Authors Book Signing Night-O-Fame Celebratory Convention</b></a> (key words: book signing and fame) and I think it is an understood thing in all cultures that when Barnes and Noble calls, you go! There were 8 authors invited altogether. One of the local news channels (<i>Channel 3/KATC - for all my local yocals - whatup Marcelle Fontenot?! Call me! Actually, don't call me. You'll just make me nervous.</i>) came out to cover it and I had a cameo appearance on the 10 o'clock news last night! It's like I'm famous now.<br />
<br />
I was the one over the shoulder of the guy they were interviewing...but clearly it was ME they were showcasing. He was just a decoy.<br />
<br />
Obviously.<br />
<br />
I only sold (1), BUT I had a good time and also, I felt pretty 'cause I had gotten all gussied up and I smelled <a href="http://www.bathandbodyworks.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4049855"><i>really</i> good</a>, so all was not lost. (<i>When somebody smells the perfume or cologne, we like to say they "smell the ha-na-na"</i>.)<br />
<br />
Plus, I was on the news and I was invited to a <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1276259628_0" style="border-bottom: 2px dotted rgb(54, 99, 136); cursor: pointer;">book signing</span> AT BARNES & NOBLE! And I was on the news.<br />
<br />
So I think that means I made it to the Big Time. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Public Service Announcement:</b> </div><div style="text-align: center;">To order my book online, and thereby increase my growing fame (yes please!), click <a href="http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/insert-funny-title-here/4873419">here</a> or <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Insert-Funny-Title-Jodie-Dardeau/dp/0557066034/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1245357395&sr=8-1">here</a>, please and thank you! Exclamation point!</div>Jodie | Velourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05934490293293685281noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398704131941623332.post-80701222921998830802010-05-13T20:26:00.001-05:002010-07-16T10:08:36.916-05:00And now I know what herpetology means.We recently acquired a pet, and by "we" I mean "they". But mostly him... my sweet 7 year old who loves reptiles (and who is also losing teeth faster than I can count. Makes me squeamish at all the wigglyness and also swoonish at all the cuteness).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-DrZGoKx7izBVopOD-QpWb498KYWEFjARdzyRbj6RTQVv62GNLM77KOFrz7PnRCgH0w4JG2HIAL34ZqOj5sFXqFqPbBFGrnDQYID6QuucptE4tv7e8eTuiXcmCARw1vJzJmlCmNLv-lc/s1600/anole_green.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-DrZGoKx7izBVopOD-QpWb498KYWEFjARdzyRbj6RTQVv62GNLM77KOFrz7PnRCgH0w4JG2HIAL34ZqOj5sFXqFqPbBFGrnDQYID6QuucptE4tv7e8eTuiXcmCARw1vJzJmlCmNLv-lc/s200/anole_green.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
Anyway, a <i>green anole</i> <span class="pronset"><span class="show_spellpr" style="display: inline;"><span class="prondelim">[</span><i><span class="pron"><span class="ital-inline">uh</span>-<span class="boldface">noh</span>-lee</span></i><span class="prondelim">] </span></span></span>is what we got (although it is sometimes brown, so I don't know why it's called "green"). Until I consulted Mr. The Google, I just thought it's proper name was <i>yard lizard</i>. Because that's where I caught it. In the yard.<br />
<br />
It lives outside in the wild. Well, outside in an aquarium-like "reptilian habitat" filled with black and white rocks and also plastic plants, so it's like the wild... only with less danger. And more plastic leaves.<br />
<br />
So, paradise, basically.<br />
<br />
Here's the thing though. It won't let us watch it eat. What do you think of that? We pour in crickets, we wait. Nothing. Here's how I imagined it though. Lizard + Crickets = instant Animal Planet Hunting Showdown Extravaganza. A veritable feeding frenzy!<br />
<br />
So far though, the young lad (lass?) ain't down with that. It likes to eat alone, all private like, which is okay because I can respect a thing's privacy, but I only wish it weren't so shy. I like to observe the science. Like shedding, and devouring crickets. *eyebrow raise* Yummy.Jodie | Velourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05934490293293685281noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398704131941623332.post-61120990830731266022010-03-26T16:49:00.005-05:002010-07-16T10:08:36.917-05:00The Lunatic Squirrel Meets Jesus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju85wlRXn5Ds5-H9sHeXbH3vk6KW3t4zaHIyLWQdp3OnILinUfSpWZcb5asQYqr2wax4ZudWxbq9ZC0rzbIVAkQdkg68siTlo5WVkdMN-DWF-FqsaOZ7wRH03G44othWFcaCahWe8Z568/s1600/66352195.kCHR3rMH.DSC_0095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju85wlRXn5Ds5-H9sHeXbH3vk6KW3t4zaHIyLWQdp3OnILinUfSpWZcb5asQYqr2wax4ZudWxbq9ZC0rzbIVAkQdkg68siTlo5WVkdMN-DWF-FqsaOZ7wRH03G44othWFcaCahWe8Z568/s200/66352195.kCHR3rMH.DSC_0095.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
I never leave home without a notebook. Just in case. I have hundreds upon hundreds of links bookmarked on my computer so that I have them if I should ever need them. I do occasionally go back and use those ideas but the ones that I don't are legion. Yet I keep collecting. The fear of needing them nips at my heels. <i></i><span style="font-size: small;"><i> </i></span><br />
<div style="color: #666666; text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Don't stop or it's going to</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i>get you</i></b></span><span style="font-size: small;">.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Like a [deranged] squirrel, I gather. I'm a constant gatherer. If life were a big tabletop, I'd lean over as far as I could, spread my arms out wide and sweep as much information as I could grasp, pulling it into my belly, heaping it upon my feet.<br />
<div style="text-align: right;"><br />
And then I'd secretly panic<br />
about what was left on the table, </div><div style="text-align: right;">because what if <i>those things </i><br />
were<i> </i>the ones I'd really need later on?<br />
<i><span style="color: #444444;">It's better to have and not need than need and not have</span></i>,<br />
the voice reminds me.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">Is it though?</div></div><br />
In my zeal, I gather gather gather<br />
(<i>MUSTN'T. </i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>STOP. </i></div><div style="text-align: right;"><i>GATHERING.</i>) </div>leaving little time for application, little time to enhance the lives around me. <i style="color: #444444;"><span style="color: #444444;">How can you stop and apply it when there is more information to be had? What if you miss something important? </span><b>Then</b></i><span style="color: #444444;"><i> what'll happen to you?</i> </span> Adding to the trouble is that my mind seems to work like a sieve, retaining way less than I can be comfortable with. The stress works against me. The more I depend on myself to not be forgetful, the more forgetful I become. <br />
<div style="color: #666666; text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="color: #444444;">What is left only makes me panicky about what has left.</span><span style="color: black;"> </span> </div><br />
How does one relax in such a state? How does one "loosen up" so as not to fret so much about getting more? About getting enough? About getting the <i>right</i> things? And also, what's driving this madness?<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">FEAR. It's a she-witch.</div><div style="text-align: right;"></div><div style="text-align: right;">She whispers lies.</div><div style="text-align: right;"><i></i></div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: right;"><i>You're in charge of making sure you <b>get it</b>.</i></div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: right;"><i>You better get it right the first time.</i></div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: right;"><i>Your mistakes will ruin you... will ruin <b>them</b>.</i></div><div style="text-align: right;"><i></i></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">But not Jesus. </div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>My sure hand is beneath you, just as surely as it is beneath your children.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Don't worry. I know what you need before you even ask.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Take my hand, and I will guide you into all the truth there is.</i><br />
<i>Great grace is covering you. </i><br />
<i>Peace, be still.</i><i> </i><br />
<br />
His sweet words are like a hug, making me free to breathe again, to ease up a bit and to believe the truth that He's working day and night making me into what I ought to be. It's not up to me to find and implement the exact equation of information to ensure that I am who and where I need to be... All I have to do is to believe the love, because I'm already accepted in the beloved. I don't have to fix myself. And that's exactly the thing the heart of this lunatic squirrel needs to be storing away.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i></i></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"></div>Jodie | Velourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05934490293293685281noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398704131941623332.post-66021120665671979282010-03-22T08:42:00.002-05:002010-07-16T10:08:36.918-05:00meanwhile + a guessification and also some announcements<div style="text-align: center;">This song is sort of what's keeping me away for so long.</div><br />
<object height="265" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ueP05bkWVvQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ueP05bkWVvQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="320" height="265"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">If I were to prognosticate, (<i>which I am</i>), I'd say I'll be back somewhere in the space of the next 8 to 10 weeks or so. Just speculation though; a feeling in the bones. (Which may or may not mean anything.)</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><u>Oh, and a few announcements:</u></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> + I'm no longer on Facebook. I deactivated this week... I've felt for a long while now that I needed to lay that down but tried other methods instead, like cutting back, because <i>I can quit anytime I want, gosh!</i> Except that I couldn't, in fact, and kept being sucked back in within a matter of days, so I decided to drop it like it's hot. In ya face, Facebook!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> + The other thing is this: </div><div style="text-align: left;">A while back I changed <b>Post a Comment</b> to <b>People Love Me</b> and I've come to regret that word choice - only now I've gone and disremembered how I did it so I have no way of going back and undoing it. </div><div style="text-align: left;">My search, thus far, has been feckless so maybe I will one day be so fortunate as to find how I got myself into this pickle in the first place and correctify my actions. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Anyyyray...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Everything rides on hope now.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"></div>Jodie | Velourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05934490293293685281noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398704131941623332.post-41744027622701469942009-09-26T13:37:00.003-05:002010-07-16T10:08:36.922-05:00Coup de Grace<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">coup de grace ("blow of mercy") means<br />a death blow to end the suffering of a wounded creature.</span></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Act 3, Final Scene </span><br /></div><br />Five.<br /><br />That's how many drafts I have waiting to post. Revised, edited, rewritten over and over. Every time I go back they become more and more dull and lifeless. My postings, more and more sporadic. It is a sign.<br /><br />I keep coming back to this place. Beating the horse, <span style="font-style: italic;">"Hey dude, is there life left in you? Are you gonna get up? Are you <span style="font-weight: bold;">sure</span> you're dead? Cause I think ya got a few more miles in ya."</span> Ugh. <span style="font-style: italic;">"Don't be dead. Come <span style="font-weight: bold;">on</span>!", </span><span>and then I kick it, </span>because I want it to live.<br /><br />How many times have I circled this mountain? <a href="http://darkbetweenthestars.blogspot.com/2008/02/to-do-what-really-matters-for-our.html">Once</a>? <a href="http://darkbetweenthestars.blogspot.com/2009/03/indefinite-hiatus.html">Twice</a>? Now again?<br /><br />I feel like such a flake. Do I have no stick-to-it-ive-ness? For once, I'd like to just make a decision and stay with it. But I'm so weak. Y'all say things to me like, "<span style="font-style: italic;">I'm gonna miss you</span>", and "<span style="font-style: italic;">I miss your blog</span>", and "<span style="font-style: italic;">You're so awesome it's stupefying!</span>" Well, not so much that last one but I would totally be okay with it... What I'm saying to you is my co-dependence on your comments disables me.<br /><br />Plainly, it's your fault.<br /><br />Oh! But I've been so bored with my own writing lately I want to chew off my own arm and throw it into an abyss of death the next time I see one.<br /><br />Every time I've done this (<span style="font-style: italic;">quit... not chew off my arm</span>), it has been with good reason. Very good, legitimate reason (like responsible time management), <span style="font-style: italic;">(although the chewing can be easily justified, too)</span> and still I find my way back. Maybe it's like peeling an onion? One layer at a time... God knows that to rip it away all at once would be too grievous for me, His tender little onion blossom.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Dang it</span> though! I'm gonna miss it here... even though I've been so utterly lame lately. So lame it bruises me and crushes my very soul. Every time I look through my old posts, I wonder, <span style="font-style: italic;">what has happened to me</span>?<span style="font-style: italic;"> I used to be better at this!</span> <span>Is this God's way of causing me to let it go?</span> This gradual dulling of my mind, my posts increasingly tedious -- increasingly boring.<br /><br />Unsuitable.<br /><br />Flat.<br /><br />Whether or not that's by Design, I can't say, but it does make walking away more easily done, even if only <span style="font-style: italic;">slightly</span><span> more easily done</span>. Disobedience to this inner leading though could only mean more of the same lame that deteriorates into more and more lame. Who wants to continue that kind of legacy? And besides, my ego can't take that.<br /><br />I'll tell you what this is about. God is totally gunning for me. He is trying to <span style="font-weight: bold;">kill</span> me. It's true. I'm not making that up and it's not a Conspiracy Theory. (<a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2012:24&version=MSG">See for yourself: Jn 12:24</a>) I never want to sacrifice blogging. This is the thing I hold to with the most tenacity. I WANT TO KEEP THIS THING!<br /><br />I can't say for certain why I feel God leading me here. I can't articulate the reason except to say I feel it has something to do with death to self, and also faithfulness to follow through with what I hear God saying to me in this moment, whether I "get it" or not. (<a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2012:1-2&version=MSG">See Rom 12:1-2</a>)<br /><br />I'm trying to think of some spiritually awesome analogy for y'all, to paint you a beautiful word picture, but all my brain will give me is this: <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">My acorn of a blog is entering the Fall<br />and then after that, the Winter,<br />where it will go down, down, down into the dark soil,<br />buried for a little while in the quiet darkness,<br />seen only by God and the worms.<br />There, God will do things to it and maybe one day<br />it will grow into a beautiful oak tree (down) by the river.</span> </div><br />I'll wait while you get your tissues 'cause that was moving, right there. I just know it blessed your heart.<br /><br />I hope that while I'm gone, y'all don't write anything awesome. If you do, email me the link okay, because I don't want to be the last to know. That would be like the Three Amigos... when one <span style="font-style: italic;">(that would be me)</span> goes off to the bathroom and the others <span style="font-style: italic;">(the rest of you)</span> have a secret meeting without him <span style="font-style: italic;">(me)</span>.<br /><br />(If you're liking that little bit of genius Three Amigos prose right there, well, watch The Office more often and you can hear gems like that from Michael Scott, the little buttercup himself; and then you can gank them from him like I did just there.)<br /><br />So I guess this is my <a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/swan%20song">swan song</a>, my coup de grace, until God releases me and I can write something that isn't loathsome trash. Hopefully that release will come relatively soon. Meantime, y'all promise to miss me okay?, and email me some time. I like the social aspect of the internet very much. Y'all are my friends, and I miss you already. (PS -- You don't have to say you're proud of me. Just pray for me, because this is really hard.)<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(heavy sigh)</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Exit Stage Left</span> <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Curtains</span> </div>Jodie | Velourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05934490293293685281noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398704131941623332.post-14450504784986205962009-09-23T08:16:00.006-05:002010-07-16T10:08:36.923-05:00I bet I could eat all those doughnuts in one sitting and other random thoughts.<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-scOH7SONz6FgwfTgCMF4-m0g6SyeAu_PPqcsRzIyUgNpYILI6uE3NvdzFwEmrIC_1l_1dExutb5PWiF5LJSf4jtZ6lBCWyZOX5Z05YzmVSjTx16CcsIn4g5d-mHBqAHE3srxNzJcJg4/s1600-h/random+dozen.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 159px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-scOH7SONz6FgwfTgCMF4-m0g6SyeAu_PPqcsRzIyUgNpYILI6uE3NvdzFwEmrIC_1l_1dExutb5PWiF5LJSf4jtZ6lBCWyZOX5Z05YzmVSjTx16CcsIn4g5d-mHBqAHE3srxNzJcJg4/s320/random+dozen.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384373285367485170" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. Please share one middle school memory. It can be good, bad, ugly, funny. Pictures or words, I don't care, just share.</span><br />Middle School... that would be 7<u>th</u> and 8<u>th</u> Grade? Those were the <span style="font-weight: bold;">worst</span> of all my school years. Those were the years I was in serious emotional trouble; a danger to myself. I hated my life <span style="font-style: italic;">in every way</span>.<br /><ul><li>I spent several class periods in the Guidance Counselor's Office, dodging PE and also, brooding and sulking.</li><li>I obsessed over, pined after and lost my identity in a thug (who I thought was<span style="font-style: italic;"> so fine!</span>) who had no interest in me. That's the year I learned the meaning of the word "unrequited" and also "infatuation". </li><li>I wasn't good at putting on make-up (but still snuck the little bit I'd gotten from my mom or stolen from Wal-Mart into my backpack so I could apply it at school since I wasn't yet allowed to wear it.)</li></ul>I was in trouble, y'all.<br /><br />I know that's a heavy starter but it was that, or you know, lie.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. What's your favorite Beatles song?</span><br /><br />I like the Beatles.<br />Especially,<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I'm Looking Through You<br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;">When I'm 64</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. If I asked you to describe your most comfortable outfit, what would it be?</span><br /><br />Pajama pants and a baggy t-shirt, but I'm not sure that qualifies as a real "outfit", as in "something I might wear on an outing". If that's what "outfit" means, then I vote for my black knit dress. It's as comfortable as my first choice, only better looking.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4. Would you rather host a party or be a guest?</span><br /><br />I enjoy a little of both.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">5. Do you think we will move completely from traditional books to digital ones, and if we do, are you OK with that?</span><br /><br />I should dearly hope not. Digital books do nothing for me. What pleasure is there in reading a book you cannot feel or smell?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">6. Do you learn best by reading, listening or experiencing?</span><br /><br />I'm tactile. I learn best by touching. I enjoy the other two, but doing something myself is the best way for me to actually remember what I'm learning.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">7. If you are (or when you were) single, what is the kiss of death for you concerning the opposite sex? (That is, what is one trait or behavior or habit or anything at all that immediately turns you off from considering that person a potential match for you?)</span><br />All of these criteria rose up <span style="font-style: italic;">after</span> I got sober. Before that, let's just say I was less demanding.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />A.</span> Violently sucking food out of his teeth<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">B.</span> Wearing socks with sandals or super-reflective lens sunglasses<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">C.</span> Acted needy or clingy or seeming desperate in any way<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">D. </span> Smelling like an ashtray or taking the pot<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">E.</span> Having snaggleteeth or halitosis<br /><br />I would date: <span style="font-weight: bold;">None of the above.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">8. Snacks. Salty or sweet?</span><br /><br />I'm weak. I fall for both.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">9. Look around you in a four foot radius. What object is around you that you didn't realize was there or forgot was there? How long has it been there?</span><br /><br />A bunch of cassette tapes. They've been there for 6 years--as long as we've been in this house. They've been in my possession for years and years though. I keep them because <s>I'm a packrat</s> they provide me with some much-appreciated nostalgia <s>and dust</s>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">10. What is your favorite Tom Cruise movie?</span><br /><br />I'm not a fan.<br /><br />Now Tom Hanks? That's a horse of a different color.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">11. You buy a bottle of shampoo and discover that you don't like what it does to your hair at all. What do you do with that full bottle?</span><br /><br />Glare at it and scold it for being a <span style="font-style: italic;">selfish</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">unfeeling</span> waste of my money.<br /><br />Then I give it away because maybe someone else can benefit from my misstep.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">12. Your favorite Fall comfort food?</span><br /><br />Warm pie, the orange kind.<br />You know the ones....The usual suspects. Sweet Potato and Pumpkin.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> (leaning in to whisper)</span> Although truth be told, I cannot tell the difference.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX4ZzguzDsf9-_ZEfWA_K8p0o12rw7xr6uZvJ9nHpIBNc0pr7vheMxOICkdch-9RIHPanZQQRJIjjMxmzfKffj5D7zdz4CbcCp_WT3Z0S7s2qL97VbYrX2SDfLtS66pmkfC160hqRRV2g/s1600-h/pumpkin-pie-2.jpg"> </a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX4ZzguzDsf9-_ZEfWA_K8p0o12rw7xr6uZvJ9nHpIBNc0pr7vheMxOICkdch-9RIHPanZQQRJIjjMxmzfKffj5D7zdz4CbcCp_WT3Z0S7s2qL97VbYrX2SDfLtS66pmkfC160hqRRV2g/s1600-h/pumpkin-pie-2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 294px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX4ZzguzDsf9-_ZEfWA_K8p0o12rw7xr6uZvJ9nHpIBNc0pr7vheMxOICkdch-9RIHPanZQQRJIjjMxmzfKffj5D7zdz4CbcCp_WT3Z0S7s2qL97VbYrX2SDfLtS66pmkfC160hqRRV2g/s320/pumpkin-pie-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384408989255429394" border="0" /></a><a style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX4ZzguzDsf9-_ZEfWA_K8p0o12rw7xr6uZvJ9nHpIBNc0pr7vheMxOICkdch-9RIHPanZQQRJIjjMxmzfKffj5D7zdz4CbcCp_WT3Z0S7s2qL97VbYrX2SDfLtS66pmkfC160hqRRV2g/s1600-h/pumpkin-pie-2.jpg"> </a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-pSlUgpkgp46n96pRHFK1neWQay40471Qntf1vYzaqPrtoaYYnwfbalRc-kjvR0jImSHAxDJeTcAKsts-V6HnwHpToa7JZd0qn7MjGIjBgGt4spECUn4fqwciZV3Jo2q5ds0FUyoNmS4/s1600-h/Sweet-Potato-Pie-1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 195px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-pSlUgpkgp46n96pRHFK1neWQay40471Qntf1vYzaqPrtoaYYnwfbalRc-kjvR0jImSHAxDJeTcAKsts-V6HnwHpToa7JZd0qn7MjGIjBgGt4spECUn4fqwciZV3Jo2q5ds0FUyoNmS4/s320/Sweet-Potato-Pie-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384409473442936402" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Can you?</span><br />There's more where this came from. Go to <a href="http://2nd-cup-of-coffee.blogspot.com/">Lid's place</a> to partake.<br /></div></div>Jodie | Velourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05934490293293685281noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398704131941623332.post-35627802039015577192009-09-12T11:50:00.006-05:002010-07-16T10:08:36.925-05:00Happiness is...<div style="text-align: center;">Something I recognize in myself is that I find it disturbingly easy to complain about things. I find myself far too easily slanted in that direction, but today I'm thinking happy thoughts about happy things. This is by no means extensive, only a small conglomeration of things that make me supremely and incandescently happy.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" > WORDS </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0);">sunshine</span> </span><span style="font-size:85%;">real </span><span style="font-size:85%;">whipped cream</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153); font-weight: bold;">rainy nights</span> <span style="font-size:85%;">embroidery hoops</span> <span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" >ribbon</span> <span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102); font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >velvet</span> simple but unusual jewelry <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:180%;" ><br />wire baskets</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> {</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">especially chicken wire</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">}</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">t-strap mary janes</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);font-size:130%;" >good jeans</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">sweater coats</span> <span style="color: rgb(153, 102, 51);font-size:85%;" ><br />my first cup of coffee</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);">bluebirds</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);font-size:180%;" >springtime</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">{</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">le printemps</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">}</span> <span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" ><br />french</span> <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:180%;" >thrift stores</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);font-size:130%;" >fabric</span> <span style="font-size:180%;">notecards</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"><br />NESTS</span> shipping tags <span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);font-size:85%;" >kraft paper bags</span> <span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">COLOR</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">{{glitter}}</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 204, 204);"> </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 204, 204);font-size:130%;" ><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">baby's breath</span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">{</span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">the real deal and the flowers, but especially the real deal</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);">} </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />bunnies</span><span style="font-size:180%;"> the smell of newborn babies</span><br />[twig pencils] <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">crafting</span></span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);font-size:85%;" >running outdoors with my iPod</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);">used book sales</span> {<span style="font-size:130%;">Pride & Prejudice}</span> <span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:180%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><br />air mail {par avion}</span><br />handwritten notes</span> solitude <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">REAL FRIENDS</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 0, 153);">crowns</span> <span style="font-size:130%;">hobby stores</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">|red & white stripes|</span></span> <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Christmas</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">my family's belly laughs </span></span><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);">children's art</span></span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">a good deal</span> <span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);">snow</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">finishing a project</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> Mad Libs</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153);font-size:85%;" >diagramming sentences</span><br />finding the perfect purse<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">books that make me feel I should read with a British accent</span> <span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);font-size:180%;" ><br />{believing God}</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(204, 153, 51);"> well timed jokes</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51);font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"><br />a perfectly situated tree alongside a bubbling brook</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" > </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 51); font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" ><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 51);font-size:100%;" >cottage gardens</span><br />{family togetherness}</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What about you?</span><br /></div>Jodie | Velourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05934490293293685281noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398704131941623332.post-16702818071656753122009-09-11T15:23:00.007-05:002010-07-16T10:08:36.926-05:00A Case for Bacon -or- My New Favorite Health Foods<a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090911/ap_on_re_us/us_obit_oldest_person">This lady</a> may have just ruined my propensity to diet forever (<span style="font-style: italic;">"propensity", because let's be real, I'm not a consistent dieter, even though I try and I sure think about it a bunch</span>. <span style="font-style: italic;">Does that count for something?)</span>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Cheers! To long life and to bacon!<br /></div><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span>Jodie | Velourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05934490293293685281noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398704131941623332.post-75592048749943280282009-09-11T10:43:00.005-05:002010-07-16T10:08:36.927-05:00Status Updates<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">As you can see, <a href="http://darkbetweenthestars.blogspot.com/2009/08/what-is-best-for-you.html">I'm still thinking in status updates</a>. You know what they say about habits--<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">[<span style="font-style: italic;">Powerful indeed is the empire of habit.</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="font-size:85%;">(Publilius Syrus said that.)]</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />Ironically, Publilius was one of the names we considered for our last born.</span><br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />[<span style="font-style: italic;">Old habits are strong and jealous.</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"> (That would be Dorothea Brande.)]</span></div></div><br />...even Magic Eraser can't help me now. There is more permanent marker on my little one this morning... it'll take a week and miracle to get his arms clean again.<br /><br />...just realized Grandparent's Day is this weekend - time to start cranking out some sincere handmade cards!<br /><br />...wishes that when I decide to go on a no-sugar diet, that sugar would suddenly become repulsive to me. Sugar is my unrequited love.<br /><br />...loves getting new vitamins/supplements in the mail! They make me feel so hopeful.<br /><br />...just played a little <a href="http://www.thefreedictionary.com/">Spelling Bee on The Free Dictionary</a> (nobody's revoking <span style="font-style: italic;">my</span> Nerd Card), and I feel like such a little smarty when I get the expert words right! And then I'm zapped back into reality when I can't even understand the next word's pronunciation. Oh well, I still have the win of my 4th Grade Spelling Bee, where I correctly spelled the impossible word "fraction", and that beautiful trophy of a gold spectacled bee holding a book was <span style="font-style: italic;">in the bag</span>! (<span style="font-style: italic;">I wish I still had it. I would totally rock it as the best bookend ever</span>.)<br /><br />...is now in favor of human cloning. Two of me <span style="font-style: italic;">has</span> to be better than one. Although... now that I think about it, it's not misery that loves company, but laziness. Two of us would probably do even less than one, so nevermind. Better press on.Jodie | Velourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05934490293293685281noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398704131941623332.post-78424688384109864232009-09-08T16:55:00.005-05:002010-07-16T10:08:36.929-05:00Funny is funny because it is TRUE.I just got this email from one of my favorite friends ever, Melissa. I'm telling you like I told her, <span style="font-style: italic;">I needed this laugh today, lest I run away from home.</span><br /><br />It's been a beautiful day. (<span style="font-style: italic;">Now's when that sarcasm font would be handy-dandy.</span>)<br /><br />Like I said, this was an email, so you know, completely plagiarized.<br /><br />(I should know because one day, I "plagiarized" one of my parents' signatures on a <span style="font-weight: bold;">Disciplinary Action Report</span>, and then I had to write the Webster's full definition of plagiarism pert-near a thousand times.)(I still hate my parents for that one.)<br /><br />(The <span style="font-style: italic;">actual</span> amount is a bit cloudy, but I still have a pencil groove in my ring finger on my right hand to prove it was a whole HECK of A-Bunch.)<br /><br />(There went my hand modeling career, like a fart in the wind.)<br /><br />Anyway, I hate to put off the laughs, so let's move along, shall we?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-style: italic;">-I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">-More often than not, when someone is telling me a story all I can</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> think about is that I can't wait for them to finish so that I can tell</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> my own story that's not only better, but also more directly involves</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> me.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">-Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> when you </span><span style="font-style: italic;">realize you're wrong.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">-How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet? </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">-I would rather try to carry 10 plastic grocery bags in each hand than</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> take 2 trips to bring my groceries in.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">-The only time I look forward to a red light is when I’m trying to</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> finish a text.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">- Whenever someone says "I'm not book smart, but I'm street smart",</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> all I hear is "I'm not real smart, but I'm imaginary smart".</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">-What would happen if I hired two private investigators to follow each other?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">- Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> person died.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">- I find it hard to believe there are actually people who get in the</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> shower first and THEN turn on the water.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">-I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">- Bad decisions make good stories.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">-Why is it that during an ice-breaker, when the whole room has to go</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> around and say their name and where they are from, I get so incredibly</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> nervous? Like I know my name, I know where I'm from, this shouldn't be</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> a problem....</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">-You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> when you've made up your mind that you just aren't doing anything</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> productive for the rest of the day.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">-I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> if I want to save any changes to my ten page research paper that I</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> swear I did not make any changes to.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">-I hate being the one with the remote in a room full of people</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> watching TV. There's so much pressure. 'I love this show, but will</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> they judge me if I keep it on? I bet everyone is wishing we weren't</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> watching this. It's only a matter of time before they all get up and</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> leave the room. Will we still be friends after this?'</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">- I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">-When I meet a new girl, I'm terrified of mentioning something she</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> hasn't already told me but that I have learned from some light</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> internet stalking.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">-My 4-year old son asked me in the car the other day "Dad what would</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> happen if you ran over a ninja?" How do I respond to that?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">-It really ticks me off when I want to read a story on CNN.com and</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> the link takes me to a video instead of text.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">-The other night I ordered takeout, and when I looked in the bag, saw</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> they had included four sets of plastic silverware. In other words,</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> someone at the restaurant packed my order, took a second to think</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> about it, and then estimated that there must be at least four people</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> eating to require such a large amount of food. Too bad I was eating by</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> myself. There's nothing like being made to feel like a fatso</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> before dinner.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">Laughing must really be good for you, because I just laughed a bunch and now, I'm slightly less twitchy and a little more certain that everything is gonna be OH-KIZ-AY.<br /></div></div></div>Jodie | Velourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05934490293293685281noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398704131941623332.post-66552708132079828202009-09-04T17:15:00.008-05:002010-07-16T10:08:36.930-05:00The silver lining: Where there's smoke, there is NOT fire.My house smells atrocious right now.<br /><br />Atrocious.<br /><br />I was feeling very domestic earlier and set supper to start on the stove and decided to bake some egg-free sugar cookies for my allergy ridden family to enjoy.<br /><br />(<span style="font-style: italic;">Actually, only the baby has the egg allergy but earlier in the week, I made chocolate chip cookies that he was denied so I was feeling bad for him.</span>)<br /><br />Supper was to be bean burritos, but I had to cook the dry beans first. I set them to boil, added some water a bit later as I saw the level dropping and then headed outside and promptly forgot all about it.<br /><br />Much time passed (probably close to an hour) and my Sweet Pickle asked to come inside for some milk and then came quickly back out the back door exclaiming, "Mama, the house stinks. Why do your beans smell like that?"<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;">"Oh my gosh! The beans!! I forgot all about them!"<br /></div><br />There goes supper. It's looking like a great night to eat out.<br /><br />The house is hazy like a youth function. Fans are on high, windows are thrown open and I keep spraying Oust, only to see it (smell it?) quickly defeated by the ghastly bean odor.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">In conclusion,<br />Today will be "affectionately" remembered as<br />The Day She Set The House On Smoke.<br /><br />And also, the day I changed the smoke alarm batteries,<br />because they have made nary a peep in all this excitation.<br /></div>Jodie | Velourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05934490293293685281noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398704131941623332.post-73623883612011049572009-08-10T19:20:00.006-05:002010-07-16T10:08:36.931-05:00What is best for YOUWhile it may not be <a href="http://strangerinastrangerland.blogspot.com/">insidious</a> by nature, with my present circumstances it is most certainly insidious to me.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">insidious - awaiting a chance to entrap; harmful but enticing; having a gradual and cumulative effect<br />syn. treacherous, seductive, subtle<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">Facebook is the beast of which I speaketh.<br /><br />I think we can all agree that by nature, Facebook cannot be called a beast.<br /><br />What I'm talking about here is conviction. Mine. I've been under some heavy stuff since I was recently challenged by this question: <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">What is the purpose in your pursuits this past week? </span><br /></div><span><br />These words struck me, too:</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Every commitment needs a purpose you can articulate & define.</span><br /></div><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">We must learn to differentiate between distractions & duties.</span><br /></div><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span>Well okay then.<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span> That certainly clears things up then, doesn't it?<br /><br />How does Facebook fit into my life? Distraction or duty? Can I articulate the purpose of it for me? Yes. It's a diversion from my duties, which is to say it's a diversion from my family.<br /><br />For clarity's sake, the only reason I felt any conviction at all is because I know the time I've spent there, "just checking". I've begun to think in terms of status updates. My life is not a series of status updates.<br /><br />We're homeschooling this year for the first time, and when I consider <a href="http://darkbetweenthestars.blogspot.com/2009/07/famous-last-words.html">the purpose behind that</a>, it makes the whole issue of Facebook very clear for me... and nothing grand just happens, I must remind myself.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Self to self talk:</span> Well then ya know what ya gotta do, huh? You gotta drop it like it's hot!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And so that's what I aim to do - because I want to <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=run%2C+prize&qs_version=NIV">run as to get the prize</a>, not chase multiple pursuits aimlessly.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">So, at some point today, Facebook will suddenly drop off my radar.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<br /></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">When I went to </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/">Bible Gateway</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span>(which is a great site, by the way)<span style="font-style: italic;"> to get the "prize" reference, this is what greeted me at the door:</span><br /><br /></div>“<span style="font-style: italic;">This is what the LORD says—<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:<br />"I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you</span>,<br />who directs you in the way you should go.</span>”<br />Isaiah 48:17<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Left to myself, I would chase rabbits and shiny things (and Facebook) all day, and then complain at the end of the day (or at the end of my days) that my life is what it is. I know, because I already have that nasty habit.<br /></div><br />I am so grateful for the leading of my Redeemer (who redeems me from myself, among other things) because His guidance leads down the roads that lead to the desires of my heart...<br />family togetherness and a house filled with love...<br /><br /></div></div></div>Jodie | Velourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05934490293293685281noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398704131941623332.post-69863886802088320082009-08-04T14:50:00.007-05:002010-07-16T10:08:36.932-05:00Unpacking Your (lengthy list of) AdjectivesThis year, being our first year <a href="http://darkbetweenthestars.blogspot.com/2009/07/famous-last-words.html">homeschooling</a>, there will be many days that I have to get things done and I will have to learn to brave the rapids (<span style="font-style: italic;">of grocery stores and car rides and such</span>) with all three of my <u>squeamish</u> children <span style="font-style: italic;">and no one else</span>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohgrSkpSivvUuF8P3pLZp6DHDd-PMs_C7stJfDULbZ5-q3I2dnqFEJoPFTmrQMgU1YQjbiH6nFY8mWOYOEJ-I4_HrDQbs3hcaHCuMsyu0GkvjqVQR5wyS4mBDhjS_oIDrc4jS8X74WHA/s1600-h/shopping.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 232px; height: 297px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohgrSkpSivvUuF8P3pLZp6DHDd-PMs_C7stJfDULbZ5-q3I2dnqFEJoPFTmrQMgU1YQjbiH6nFY8mWOYOEJ-I4_HrDQbs3hcaHCuMsyu0GkvjqVQR5wyS4mBDhjS_oIDrc4jS8X74WHA/s320/shopping.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366214303884404370" border="0" /></a>This weekend, I got the chance to practice.<br /><br />But Mama didn't raise no fool. It was the<span style="font-style: italic;"> weekend</span>, which meant I <span style="font-style: italic;">might</span> not have to go it alone. I'll practice next time.<br /><br />I called my sister (Backup! Holla!) to see if she'd like to come along with me (and my three <u>wretched</u> little shoppers) to go do a little shopping. She said she'd be delighted (or something like that). All I heard was yes, and I was golden.<br /><br />Together, we braved a few <u>fierce</u> stores, and the <u>callous</u>Mall, which is no <u>debonair</u> task. Thankfully, one of the stores had an enclosed play area, with a high, <u>resolute</u> wall, in place to discourage climbing out (which almost worked).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;">SIDENOTE:<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I just love it</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">when a children's store</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">is set up in a way</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> that<br />makes room for actual children.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I find it incredibly helpful</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">and supremely awesome.<br />Thank you!<br /></span></div><br />We shopped close by and kept our eyes on the kids while they had the most fun shopping in as long as they could remember. (It was also the most fun <span style="font-style: italic;">I've</span> had shopping with kids in as long as I could remember.)<br /><br />It's not that they're bad shoppers. I mean, they <span style="font-style: italic;">are</span>, but it's because they're just not made for it. Their Mama loves to shop and I have to explore all of my <u><a href="http://somethingaboutparenting.typepad.com/">frumpy</a></u> options before making a decision which makes for <u>deranged</u> and <u>nostalgic</u> shopping trips.<br /><br />We figured we could tackle that <u>lugubrious</u> beast, the Mall, mostly because we could bribe them with treats, like candy and McDonald's. We went into a shoe store where I had to continuously remind them to stop taking the <u>dashing</u> shoes off of the <u><a href="http://afuturepastorswife.blogspot.com/">crispety-crunchety peanut-buttery</a></u> shelves to ask us if we liked them or thought they were cool. <span style="font-style: italic;">How 'bout asking me if I think my head might explode, because yes, Yes, I think it may! </span><br /><br />When it was finally all said and done, we made good on our <u>putrid</u> candy and chicken nugget promises, and partook of a few of the <u>boorish</u> tasties ourselves. French fries can cure almost any ailment, far as I can tell.<br /><br />In closing, if you elect me President, I promise that all stores will have a high-walled embankment for keeping little ones safe (<span style="font-style: italic;">perhaps from their own mother's who might squish them in an effort to just make them be still for goodness sake</span>). And also, every woman will have a sister to shop with at all times. Amen.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">(All adjective offerings have been <u>underlined</u> and linked wherever possible</span>,<span style="font-style: italic;"> and do keep in mind that they were chosen at random. Thank ya very muuuuuch!)</span><br /></div>Jodie | Velourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05934490293293685281noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8398704131941623332.post-10755551647233028362009-07-29T12:17:00.005-05:002010-07-16T10:08:36.933-05:00May I Have A Word? | Chapter 3I've always been a big, big fan of <a href="http://www.madlibs.com/home/">Mad Libs</a>, especially for the element of surprise. It's something that snagged me way back when, in like, middle school, and has never turned me loose. But I don't mind, 'cause I had love them lil' Mad Libs. It's a match made in Heaven. God made me to love language, and then He made somebody else make Mad Libs. And then we met, me and Mad Libs, and I fell in love.<br /><br />So, as a way to work that sort of fun into my little blogging world, I'd like to present to you the <span style="font-weight: bold;">May I Have a Word, Unpack Your Adjectives Edition</span>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">By way of review, in case you're a little foggy,<br /><i style="font-style: italic;">an adjective modifies a noun, distinguished by one of several suffixes such as -able, -ous, -er,</i><span style="font-style: italic;"> and </span><i style="font-style: italic;">-est, </i><span style="font-style: italic;">or by position, directly preceding a noun or nominal phrase.</span> </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Here is a short list of possibles:<br />colossal<br />lumpy<br />paltry<br />unkempt<br />husky<br />glistening<br />thrunchy<br /></div><br />In order for this to work like actual, real live Mad Libs, what I'll do is write down your offerings and draw randomly from a bowl and use them when I find myself in need of an adjective... and perhaps, I'll write a little more descriptively, to make more room for more adjectives.<br /><br />Also, I have not forgotten about your other offerings that have not yet seen the light of a posted post as opposed to a draft --- they will soon surface as well. Do not despair.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">So go on now, and Unpack Your Adjectives so I can use them to tell you my tales.<br />And have a pleasant day!<br /></div>Jodie | Velourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05934490293293685281noreply@blogger.com5