"Being Human" on BBC America

YouTube - Judy Whacks The Turnips! (Thanksgiving 2009)

Well, Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Here's an awesome treat for you...my Mom, showing us exactly how to cut a turnip! With her bird on her head & a cameo by Beau *don'tblinkyou'llmissit* plus a pan over to the chihuahua who, frankly, looked kind of frightened...but it's too dark to see her. Filmed by Noelle, my niece. I was just sitting there minding my own beeswax. Haha. Enjoy!!

YouTube - Judy Whacks The Turnips! (Thanksgiving 2009)

'Remember Me' trailer

Six Word Saturday 10/10

I had a good day, regardless...

Everything, everything ends.

Death Cab For Cutie - New Music - More Music Videos

Six Word Saturday

I miss my Dad so much...

New Moon Trailer ~ Call me a geek, but I LOVE IT!

Movie Trailers - Movies Blog

oh, i completely forgot to mention

i have a new computer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

and it's awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

and i'm lucky!!!!!!!!!!!!

and thankful!!!!

<3<3<3

okay day, number two

during the course of my 'good day'
yesterday, something happened that wasn't so good

not at all
no. good.
but i kept the mantra close to the
tip of my brain and remembered
'it's a good day it's a good day it's a good day'
and after that
not at all good thing happened
i continued on with my good day

i think this may be the first time
that i really truly realized that i do have the power
to decide what kind of day
i'm going to live.

feels good.

I have a feelin'

...that if I tell myself at night to go ahead and have a good day tomorrow that it just may happen. I have a feelin' that looking at everyone & everything with a whole 'nother attitude will help to heal the most busted up soul. I have a feelin' that I'm going to be havin' to tell myself this over & over again before it sinks in.

Which one needs the Garnier Nutrisse?!? Hint: It's not Aunt Nub!

Hmmmmmm.

Um...harumph.

Why didn't anybody tell me? I hadn't looked at the
TOP OF MY HEAD!!!

Need hair color much, Phinney??
How embarrassing!

A Yankee Cow!!

Liz (Aunt Nub) picked me up ~ she from New York
and me from Connecticut.
We went to
Yankee Candle Factory Village in
South Deerfield, Massachusetts.


I love this cow :)

summer rain

thunder & lightning & a quick, torrential downpour yesterday

a crack so loud i jumped in my chair

then another
each time sounded like electricity hit
nearby

i looked out the back door
almost expecting to see a tree or something tall
broken, or smoking
(or on fire? does a lightning strike set something on fire?)

all 3 of my cats
inside the house
2 accounted for, but one found such a secure hiding place
i couldn't find her for almost half an hour

anyway
it scared me
but you know how scary things can be exciting?
get your adrenaline pumping
like riding a roller coaster that speeds straight downhill, or the loud booms
of the exploding fireworks at the end of the show

i felt revved up
alive
i watched the rain make a three foot wide
rushing river by the curbside in the street & marveled at the water
pouring down over my wind chimes

then the sun came out & it was over
raindrops sprinkled for a few more minutes
sticky humidity hung in the air
ten minutes later it pretty much looked like it hadn't rained at all

this summer has been the rainiest in memory
in all my forty-seven years
and i'm loving it

Six Word Saturday

"I'm desperately wanting to live again."

Thanks to Lisa for the link. I think I'm on my way back...

Daddy

Calvin Douglas Mills, 72, of Plainville,
passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family,
on Tuesday, May 19, 2009, following a long, courageous battle with cancer.

Affectionately known to many as Cal, he was born in Bristol, on October 8, 1936, to the late Charles Wilder and Dorothy Ella (Purdy) Mills. He attended Suffield Academy, class of 1954, and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1955. Cal married his best friend and childhood sweetheart, Judith Ann Woodruff, with whom he would have shared 50 years of love and devotion on May 28th of this year. He was a lifelong resident of Plainville, and longtime member of Faith Bible Church, which was founded in 1902 by his great-grandfather Purdy. Cal had a love for music, singing for the church choir and the Plainville Choral Society of which he enjoyed being a member. He was employed for over 30 years by White Oak Corporation, retiring in 1999. A cowboy at heart, Cal had a fondness for horses and dreamed of ranch living. He had a great love for the outdoors, taking his family on countless camping trips and often visiting his favorite rolling hills of Vermont. He enjoyed model railroading and cheering on the UCONN Women’s Basketball team. He has now “gone home”, and will forever be remembered for his deep faith and great love for his family.

He leaves his devoted wife, Judy; his three daughters, Laurie Gonzalez and her husband, Luis, Cindy Mills-Niedzwiecki, and Lisa Mills and her husband, Samuel Parkinson, all of Plainville; his grandchildren, Matthew, Alyssa, and Holly Gonzalez, David Jr., Allen, Eric, and Beau Niedzwiecki, Noelle Mills, and Autumn Parkinson; and his brother, Ronald Lee Mills and his wife, Dolores, of St. David, ME.

A celebration of Cal’s life will be held on Saturday, May 23, 2009, at 11 a.m. at Faith Bible Church, 168 Unionville Ave, Plainville. Burial will be held privately at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, Cal may be remembered with contributions to the Faith Bible Church. Bailey Funeral Home, Plainville is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences can be shared with the family at www.bailey-funeralhome.com.

Calvin D. Mills 10/08/36 to 05/19/09

smiling dave in the phillipines

the 7th of may

The latest photos of our family's heroes in Iraq - Eric & Allen.


I was so excited about getting my new camera recently. I haven't taken many photos, but I have taken a few nice shots. And a couple of terribly adorable videos of Brittany. The problem is this: I installed the software disk that came with the camera and tried to follow the steps to get my pics onto the computer.

As you can see, it didn't work. This computer is a dinosaur.

David Cook's brother, Adam, has died.

A Daily AntheM

Behold the Woman

"Whatever you give a woman, she will make greater. If you give her sperm, she'll give you a baby. If you give her a house, she'll give you a home. If you give her groceries, she'll give you a meal. If you give her a smile, she'll give you her heart. She multiplies and enlarges what is given to her. So, if you give her any crap, be ready to receive a ton of shit."

emotional rollercoaster

This moment

"We have this moment to hold in our hands and to touch ~ as it sifts through our fingers like sand. Yesterday's gone, and tomorrow may never come. But we have this moment ~ today."

I'm pretty sure I'm in love with you, I'm just sayin'

I know he's living in Hell every single day

I should probably make a new blog just for posts like this.

The one where Beau makes the Honor Roll.

Beau brought home his 2nd Trimester report card yesterday. I didn't expect that he would do as well as he did last time, and he didn't. Luckily, I was prepared. He had a great many absences this winter, and I knew that it would affect his grades. Even though he told me that he made up his missed homework & assignments, I knew there was no substitute for actually being there every day. But it's okay, it really is. He's been having to deal with so much, and sometimes he's just not dealing very well. He did make General Honors, having all A's & B's in all subjects. I know, some parents pray for those grades and I can't take it for granted that every report card will be straight A's, because it won't. He's still my brilliant son, LOL.

My new camera seems to work nicely, but I still have to get an SD memory card for it. The one that came is faulty and is going back. So, no new photos yet. My plan is to go buy one tomorrow. The one I had was a 2GB, I think I'll see how much a 4GB is. I also have absolutely NO ink in my printer, and the cartridges I took to have refilled at Walgreen's failed their 'print test', so that was no charge, but they are going to Staples to be recycled and I have to purchase brand new ones. So instead of $25 to refill, it will be about $40 to buy new. That's on hold until it's really, really urgent. We can send things to Mom's to be printed.

My Dad isn't doing well. I just can't get into it...but he's really not well. It's heartbreaking. The cancerous tumors are back for the third time in the brain. Just thinking about the prognosis makes me feel like vomiting, so I'm surely not going to write about it. Please, keep sending your good thoughts.

There is no school today and it's the first day of Spring. I think that's a good enough reason for a vacation day, don't you?!? Beau & his buddy, Alex, are playing outside in the backyard. I just had to shoo them out of the living room, as they were doing some sort of very noisy wrestling/play fighting thing that sounded like it was about to damage something! It's sunny out, not really warm, in the low 40's - but pleasant! The window next to my desk is open right now for the breeze. And for some reason, I keep getting a whiff of baking brownies! I'm not baking. Weird! OH! Speaking of baking, Monday night we were treated to a batch of very special Snickerdoodles made by Miss Emma Lou Lou. The best part is that Emma & her Momma delivered the cookies in PERSON! We hadn't seen each other since August of 2005 (holy crap, really?!) but we all felt like regular friends who spend time doing things together all the time. I'm glad they decided to come over, and we plan to do something during April vacation next month. Not sure what, maybe just browse the new bookstore in town, play, have a casual meal...sound good, Lisa? Thank you for coming and for being a good friend to us! Next time we will visit Mom!

So what else...well, plenty, I guess, but I've just lost my whole streak of concentration I had going. I know I don't write anything anymore, and yes, I post a lot of David Cook stuff - but: the Cook stuff is mostly for me to keep, so I can watch it in the future when I want to and I'll know where it is. The writing thing is, well, a whole nother thing entirely. As Kat would say; It Is What It Is. I think I will write again later, or at least before the weekend is over. Opinions on the new blog layout? Boring? Dull colors? Or alright for early Spring? I tried all these flowery/springy/eastery ones, and they were blech, just yuck. Made my brain quiver. Happy Spring! XO

Heroes

"Did you come here to see the hat...or this???"

Talkin' 'bout the tewer

Friday Five

Five in a Row

1. Name one thing you do every day.

I tell my son I love him.

2. Name two things that you wish you could learn.

I would love to know how to sit down and make beautiful music on a piano, and I want to learn to drive a standard shift auto.

3. Name three things that remind you of your childhood.

1.lightning bugs 2.wiffle ball 3.camping

4. Name four things you love to eat but rarely do.

1.baked stuffed shrimp 2.steak 3.calzones 4.funny bones

5. Name five things that make you feel good.

1.when my son is content 2.laughing 3.getting my house really clean 4.hugs 5.snuggling into bed at night

Friday Five is found here at Quiet Life

Butt-ass Cold

No news is good news...?

Or, alternately titled: I am a believer in that phrase 'if you have nothing good to say, don't say anything at all'? No, that's not it. 'Cuz I don't really believe in that. Okay, anyway, some good stuff: I feel good that I have been able to spend some time helping out my Mom & Dad, and that I am able to be there when I'm needed. I got to spend some time, even though it was all too short, with a great, close friend who I don't get to see nearly often enough, and I'm so grateful for her friendship. She means the world to me. :hug: I thoroughly cleaned and organized my den/office/stamping space and even though the walls are still not prepared & painted, it looks - and works - better. One night last week, I cleaned one entire half of my basement. It looks twice as large as it did before and for some reason, it gives me a calm feeling. I ordered a camera and it should be arriving in the next day or two. I am very excited to start taking photos again. It was 10 degrees when we got up this morning, but it's going to be getting warmer soon. I'm sure of it.

You have to watch. this. video!

If you don't like LOUD, you won't wanna watch this one

David Cook & Carrie Underwood ~ Duet!

Boo hoo

No birthday party today. Brittany is sick. I will spend time with my Beau and continue the cleaning of my house that's nearly complete. Well, as complete as it's going to get, hahaha. Have a love-filled day today!!

A Valentine birthday =D

It's Valentine's Day.

(Yuck.)

It's also Brittany's 2nd birthday!!!

Her party is today at my house.

Fun!!!

DC sings Fleetwood Mac

Icy

I don't know when I last saw ice this thick on my sidewalks & driveway. It's at least an inch thick, in most spots, more. School was canceled yesterday and delayed 90 minutes today. I've been cleaning the house this morning after us all making a big mess yesterday with toys & games & homemade pizza! The kitchen is all spiffed up and I've got a lot of energy so maybe I'll keep going. Or maybe I'll sit here a while and change my blog background for the 12th time. Decisions, decisions. It's not that I don't like the ones I choose ~ it's that I like so many of them I like to rotate them so I can use them all!!

Congratulations, President Obama!

"We have chosen hope over fear." ~President Barack Obama, January 20, 2009

I've been watching TV all day. Strangely, I didn't get bored! I listened attentively to every word our new President spoke. And I liked it.

While watching his speech, one line popped out at me and at the end, I wrote it down, saying to myself, "That spoke powerfully to me, that was the best part. THAT is what I'm going to remember most about this speech!"

I get online an hour ago and what do I see? The exact - EXACT - line I wrote down. True story.

I love him. I love THEM! Did you see how she playfully slapped him on the chest and he laughed? Did you see, while watching a band march by during the parade, he was dance/swaying a little, and he 'bumped' Michelle with his hip and they laughed!?! I think I really love them.

I feel recharged today.

"Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many.

They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America - they will be met. On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord. On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics." ~ President Barack Obama

*can't get the paragraphs or format right to save myself! i giveth up!

Bar-ba-sol

I don't know, so don't ask me.

I'm not writing lately because I have nothing to say. But that's not true! There's plenty going on inside my head. I've hit one of those plateaus again, where writing it in black and white and actually reading it over, just looking at it - makes it too real. That's always been the most difficult thing for me.

I'm full of sadness lately, but there is joy as well. I am worried about so many things, yet confident that it will be okay. I'm conflicted. Always. I am a Gemini, so much so that I almost never read a horoscope and think, "Well, that was crap. That's nothing like me." And yet I rarely read my horoscope. I suppose because, deep down, I do believe it's all crap!?

I shoveled more snow today. I've lost count of how many storms we've had. If I guess, I would say 6? Not sure. There have been 2 snow days, with no school. There's also been a delayed opening. I think there was only one. The storm before this one, on Wednesday, was all sleet & ice. That was hard to clean up. I'm out of rock salt for the driveway, have to go buy more. And more Ice Melt for the porch and steps. Found out last year that rock salt eats holes in my steps. Oops. But it worked great on the driveway! Turned an inch of ice to slush in 1/2 hour, so I could go out and push it aside.

Beau is doing alright. He missed several days of school in the past few weeks. He had a cold and then a bit of an anxiety problem...but that's better now. I haven't watched little Brittany in almost 2 weeks, because her mother is now in-between jobs. I still have a house full of little girl things, a lot of her clothes, diapers, toys, etc. I really don't know if I will be watching her again. Seems most of the anxiety my son was suffering was because of the babysitting situation. She is a wonderful, extremely well behaved toddler, but he had his own issues and reasons for being upset with her being here. I am missing the extra cash. A lot. It sure did help me tremendously when I was Christmas shopping! Beau received everything he wanted, all that was on his list. He was very grateful, and I reminded him just HOW I made all the money and that I thought it was worth it! I spent nearly all of it on Beau, and virtually nothing on myself. I literally bought myself one large package of ultra-fine Sharpies, and a DVD of 'The Dark Knight', 'cuz it was on SALE.

For Christmas, I got 2 movies from Beau and he got 2 from me, LOL! I have watched them all, and have taken some out from the library recently. Dave Jr. spent several nights with us, we watch movies and cook, he sleeps on the sofa. He and I shopped for groceries the other night and cooked a big pot of chili together! That was really nice, and fun! He's doing really well. He starts college classes on Jan. 23.

I haven't been in any swaps since before Christmas, I just couldn't get to them. My crafting desk is a mess, as I started cleaning out the drawers, and was organizing stuff on top of the desk. I walked away from it a few times, and haven't finished up yet. I was going to do a couple of ATC swaps this month, but I've dropped them for now (sorry, Liz!) because I'm just not confident that I'll get them done in time. I've made some informal resolutions for the new year, one is to ORGANIZE my things! I started in the basement, and now that's a work in progress. My desk is next, and it's been started. I have photos literally in every room of the house. One goal is to have all the photos in one room, haha. They don't have to be in albums, but boxes would be nice. I have loose piles of photos in dresser drawers mixed in with my socks, I swear to God! I don't know how I got so sloppy! My long term goal ? To have photos organized by year, and then subject! All in photo boxes stacked on the closet shelf! I'll let you know how that's going. Har-dee-har.

ATC "Dunce Cat" by Marie, Barnhart, MO - August, 2006

2009, Day 3

I meant to post a Happy New Year entry sooner.

Like, 2 days ago.

Really, I did.

I've been lazy.

And busy.

But mostly lazy.

Happy New Year! Good health & much wealth to everyone!!

Oh, and my boyfriend says "Hi." His video, 'Light On', is back up to #1 on VH1 today!!