Fight or Flee?

I have had the MOST STRESSFUL day
which evolved around a dental appointment.
"God help me I thought I was gonna die."
I'll spare you the details,
but for the record, my life flashed before my eyes.
I think my head spun just as I began to foam at the mouth.
Picture the "HULK" as he transforms from an average man
into a huge, green, angry monster.
That was me.
I could feel my blood surge as my "fight or flight" senses kicked in & I went into automatic pilot. Laid back, easy-going, Southern Belle be damned; I was livid, and I told them so.
I think "pissed off" was where I began,
and heaven only knows my MaMa would slap my jaws if she knew.
I used to "cry & run" when I found myself in such a predicament, but not any more. (perhaps it has something to do with hormones, or the lack thereof) Whatever the reason, I have found my "fight" and whether I like it or not, it seems to serve me well in an emergency.
Who knew?
And where was my emergency Valium? Not in my purse! Darn!!
Did I mention I prayed?
Yep. Went into the restroom and fell to my knees.
Sometimes we just have to "get to the other side" of a problem
the best we know how.

How about you,
when your back is to the wall
do you "fight or flee"?

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Blog Envy

I spent hours on this darn computer today getting it all "dressed up" and in "show off" mode. . .(this is where I begin to cry & curse) only to have the power in my house
BLINK,
and my computer shut down.
Do you feel my pain?
My brain actually cramps when I think of all the time consuming detailed work I did to appease my Blog vanity. But alas, I have been humbled and once again my Blog is here for the world to see as a "Plain Jane"; no offense to Jane, as I'm sure she is a lovely person, but she can take this darn blog and . . . cause the next time I spend half a day getting this thing all flounced up in black & purple stripes will be when . . .
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now THATS a pie

For the record,
I have the nicest neighbors in the WORLD!!
On Christmas Eve they brought over this homemade Breakfast pizza. It was wrapped in foil on a disposable aluminum pizza pan. I was told to remove the foil before baking (the next morning) and bake for 20 min.

Wah Lah! Breakfast for Christmas morning!!

Was that not a Fan-tab-u-lous idea, or what??!!
Besides a gift for Christmas breakfast, wouldn't this be great to bring this to a new mom when she comes home from the hospital, or perhaps for a Mother's Day breakfast for your own Mom, or to friends arriving home from a vacation. . .lots of possibilities here.

Breakfast Pizza

1 pound sausage
1 pkg. (frozen) crescent rolls
1 cup loosely packed frozen hash brown potatoes thawed
1 cup sharp cheese shredded
5 eggs (4 if extra large)
1/4 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons parmesan cheese

Cook sausage until brown, drain fat (or use brown and serve sausage). Place crescent roll pieces in an ungreased round 12 inch pizza pan with points toward the center of pan.
Press crescent roll pieces together to form a single "crust."
Spoon crumbled sausage on top of crust, sprinkle potatoes over top of sausage.
Top with sharp cheese.

In a bowl beat eggs and milk, add salt and pepper.
Pour egg mixture on top of crust.
Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

Bake at 375° 25 to 30 minutes.


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Movies in Review

I've seen a lot of movies recently and per Shawn's request, here is my review. Bear in mind my family says I have a very bizarre sense of humor, course they are wrong. Humph!

Agree?
Disagree?
If you've seen the movie let me know what you think. I can take it, if you're gentle. *batting eyelashes here.

"Seven Pounds"
Fantastic.
It is an intense drama, but to say anymore would ruin the movie for you. Don't ask anyone what it's about, cause if they tell you the movie is a "bust" for you. You don't want to know.
I LOVED this!!

"Four Christmases"
Light hearted, funny fare.
I laughed all the way through it.
It will make you feel good and you'll leave smiling!

"Australia"
I like it, but I didn't love it.
Hugh Jackman is soooo handsome in it, but the movie is tooooo long. I would have enjoyed it more as a rental so I could "pause" when I wanted to. Beautiful scenery.

"Yes Man"
Funny, but not silly like so many Jim Carey movies.
It actually has a plot and there is a moral to the story.
I liked it.
*note: bare booties abound, so you might want to know this before taking young children.

"Marley & Me"
My son called from Atlanta to tell my husband that I am not allowed to see the movie. He seems to think I would melt down and cause a public scene. The dog dies and the entire theater is left crying, according to him. This is only for those who can fit an entire box of kleenex in their purse; valium would be good too. My son's right - I know I couldn't take it. . .So, if you've seen it, "how did you do?".

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Movie Marathon

Since we've moved to Louisiana we are away from our extended family on Christmas Day, so we started going to a movie on Christmas afternoon to feel the "family" void. Now the tradition has expanded. It's not the "Twelve Days of Christmas", but it is "The Five Days of Movies Marathon".

So far we've seen:
"Australia"
"Yes Man"
"The Four Christmases"
"Seven Pounds"
tomorrow "Marley & Me" is scheduled.

Perhaps it would have been cheaper to just fly our entire family to Louisiana to see us.

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If you're even thinking about going to Walmart. . .

If you're even thinking about going to WalMart tomorrow (Christmas Eve), be sure to take a tank, you're gonna need it!

I went there today to buy groceries and it was not pretty. And the baking isle was in full gridlock.

*This has been a public service announcement.

A "Girl Thang"

Hi there to my friends in Blogland!
I'm delighted to actually have made some new Friends.
OK, Friends, so where are you today when I'm here giving my house a spit shine? I could certainly use some help and it's for sure not going to come from JB or Princess. . .But don't pack your windex and your mop to head to Louisiana, cause I'm DONE!!

We're heading to Tulsa in the morning, bright & early, (the reason for my house-cleaning frenzy today - cause we all know that no one likes to come home to a messy house. It's a "girl thang" and that reasoning is totally lost on JB.)

We'll be there for our extended family Christmas Parties. I don't like the drive (6 hrs), but it's worth it. I just have a problem sitting still for that long, unless I'm blogging my brains out here on the computer - which JB is happy to point out. Imagine that! So I usually sleep for part of the drive and eat the rest of the way there. If I don't quit this eating I'm gonna have to invest in some elastic waist pants, ya know?! On to more important things - I have some NEW SHOES to wear to the Christmas gatherings. I wanted to put a photo of them in right here to show you, but obviously I couldn't figure out how to do that, which is why they're front & center at the top of the page. Don't know if you can tell from the photo but they're black patent leather & silver and they're even fairly comfortable. I wish I was one of the gals who would/could wear really high heels with my jeans, but I am just not into suffering, so flats it will be.

I'll tell you all about my family of characters (!) when I get home. In the meantime, all you Blogger Girls have a GREAT weekend...I'm off now to read your Blogs!

Mistakes.

Mistakes.
I've been thinking about just that, "mistakes".
I've come to realize that mistakes actually fall into two categories:
those I make, and those others make. I'm far more merciful about the first, and not so much about the latter.

I went to the dentist to have the Permanent Crown set on a tooth.
He did the procedure, charged me what I once paid for my first car, and told me to come back in 3 wks. At such time he would remove the Temporary Crown and put the Permanent Crown into place...Fast forward to 5 weeks later, when the Permanent Crown actually came back from the lab. . .

I returned to the dentist.
The nurse tried to remove the Temporary Crown, but it didn't budge.
The dentist entered and tried the same.
The Temporary Crown had settled well into my gum (after 5 wks) and didn't want to leave. So the dentist gave me a BIG HONKER SHOT to numb the gum. As he waited for the novacaine to do it's magic, I heard him say, "Oh Dear." He then showed me the Permanent Crown; it is of a lovely Banana Yellow hue. "The lab has sent us the wrong Crown." he said.

"Someone" had made a BIG mistake, so I left with a fat lip and no Permanent Crown.

I was so ticked!
It seems mistake after mistake after mistake has been made.
I waited 5 weeks for this Crown, after being told it would only
be 3 weeks. Then, I needlessly received a BIG needle into my oh-so-delicate-sweet-baby-pink gums. (yes, I exagerate a bit.) Then, I'm out the time for the appointment during these extremely busy days before Christmas. And who knows how long I'll wait now with the Christmas/New Year holiday upon us. ?????

Can't people just do their job and get things right?
Is everyone so poorly trained or so given to sloppy work that a person never gets what they pay for? So, I must suffer because of the mistakes of others.

Then, my mind did the virtual "V-8 slap" inside my head, and I was reminded of a day, many years ago, when a neighbor hired me to make a birthday cake for her young son, "Brian"...I worked all day on that cake to proudly present her with a chocolate cake with vanilla frosting, just as she had specified. Amidst the clown & balloon that I had placed on the cake were my words, written in red butter cream frosting -

"Happy Birthday Brain"

Guess we all make mistakes.

L is for lagirl

Today I spent a bit of time stalking other Bloggers just to see what was goin' on in Blogland. I came across a Blog that is new to me, but well-known to others, "Cinnamon & Honey". I loved her idea -

"Using the first letter of your real name or your blog name,
list ten favorite things. Easy enough, right?"

I decided to give it a try, using "L" for lagirl. Duh! *smile

1. Loot
Hope Santa brings me lots of it!

2. Love
Couldn't we all use a bit more of this?!

3. Lipstick
It's my obcession. I cannot pass the makeup counter without buying a
new one.

4. Loss of poundage
I'd love to lose my 10 lb "muffin top".
(It pains me to even admit this. Ouch!)

5. Laughter
The best medicine in the world and my favorite pass-time.

6. Lime Pie aka Key Lime Pie (I know, I'm stretching it on this one.)
Oh-so-good, and the reason for #4!

7. Loreal, Excellence Hair Color. Light Brown, #6
Another, "have to have it".
I stockpile it when it goes on sale.

8. "Lonestar"
If you're not familiar with their music check them out.
You're in for a treat!! You can thank me later!

9. "Lipton Mixed Berry Diet Green Tea"
I'm not a water drinker, so I drink this instead.
The liquid of my life.

10. Liver? nah.
Luggage? not really.
Livestock? "excuse me!"
Liposuction? way to scarey.

I'm stumped!
Can you suggest something I can add to complete my list?

edited to add:

I've got it -
10. Louisiana!
Gladys asked me (in her comment) about
which part of the state I lived in. Then the
"light" came on & I was reminded of just
how much I LOVE Louisiana! Ta Dah!!

The Power of the spoken word. . .

Today I overslept and had scramble to make it on time for a dental appointment; then I hurried to the Bank to beat the noon rush. Afterwards I drove straight to the Library and hurriedly checked out some audio books before heading to the Mall to make a quick purchase. I looked for a short line so I could pay and be on my way, as I had other stops to make before heading home. I found the line and took my place. Waited for a bit, then a middle-aged black lady, with warm brown eyes looked up from the cash register and motioned for me,
"Come here, Precious".
I looked to the right, then to the left, and over my shoulder.
There was no one else close by.
She was talking to ME.

"Precious?"
When was the last time someone called me "Precious"?
It was quite obviously her gentle manner of speech for everyone, but I took it personally. I felt my stress subside and a smile cross my lips.
I was reminded of a simple truth I had been taught in childhood,

"There is power in words;
so choose them wisely."

I'm going to do better choosing
my words from this day forward.

"Thank you, Precious one, for pausing to read my Blog today."

How's that for a start?


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Say, What?

It's a romantic full moon, when Pedro said, "Hey, mamacita, let's do Weeweechu.

"Oh no, not now, let's look at the moon!" said Rosita.

Oh, c'mon baby, let's you and I do Weeweechu. I love you and it's the perfect time," Pedro begged.

"But I wanna just hold your hand and watch the moon." replied Rosita.

"Please, corazoncito, just once, do Weeweechu with me."
Rosita looked at Pedro and said, "OK, one time, we'll do Weeweechu."

Pedro grabbed his guitar and they both sang.....

"Weeweechu a Merry Christmas,

Weeweechu a Merry Christmas,

Weeweechu a Merry Christmas,

and a Happy New Year."

"MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

**OK, I hear ya groaning. LOL

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I received this in the mail

I received this in the mail yesterday.
It was addressed to my dog -

Hi Kramer,

I'm sorry you have been sick, but glad to hear you are feeling a lot better now. Ask your mommy to buy you a doggie treat with this money - something you like to eat. (She enclosed $5)

Bye for now,
[my Mother's name]
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Isn't this hysterical??!
Couldn't believe she did this.
She is usually quite serious, so I was taken by surprise.

I suppose I will buy Kramer some Cheetos; his favorite!

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The Perfect Storm

Be advised:
Conditions are right for "THE PERFECT STORM!".

Princess and JB have gone out Christmas Shopping together.
He is in a hurry and Princess has money in her pocket.
I predict that JB will lose his religion
and Princess will have a major melt-down.

*You can take this one to Vegas - it's a "sure bet"!

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Beware of Psycho Drivers!

If there was a way to throw confetti online you'd be pickin' up tiny polka-dotted paper bits right now. Woo Hoo! Woo Hoo! Woo Hoo!
"I HAVE FINISHED MY CHRISTMAS SHOPPING"

However, "Beware of Psycho Drivers"; they're everywhere. Everyone is in a hurry and no one wants to wait their turn. They're color-blind too, can't tell a red light from a green one. Imagine that!!

...now, if I only had a Christmas Cookie, or 10!

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Christmas Shopping Finale

Tomorrow I am gonna cram all this chocolate into my mouth at breakfast, grab my purse, then head to the mall. I'm off to finish my Christmas Shopping and I won't come home until it's done...If you see me, stay out of my way. As they say, "All is fair in love and at a Sale".

Creepy Little Christmas Creature

Several years ago I went to an Ornament Exchange Party. I took a delicate, ornately beaded, Ornament.
I came home with this!

It's good for a laugh when I put it on the tree each year.

Cinderella at Catfish Village

Some people only dream of wonderful, festive, Christmas parties - then there are those like me (and Cinderella) who actually get to attend.

JB invited me to attend the Christmas Party his Investment Club was throwing.
He marked it on our calendar over a month ago.

What: Christmas Party
Where: Catfish Village
When: 10:45 am (this is NOT a typo)

Now, who actually has a Christmas Party at 10:45 in the morning? Who????
And, if one was to have an "a.m." party, would not a Brunch be the way to go?

Nooooooooo!Not if you live in Louisiana.
(no offense intended)
If you live here you get up early, throw on your Christmas finery and head down the road a bit to "CATFISH VILLAGE".

Nothing says "Christmas" quite the way catfish served before noon does.

Fa-la-la-la-la. The tree is UP!!

Princess and her BFF decorated our Christmas Tree.
And I only helped in a supervisory capacity!! Yea!!
Course I had to feed 'em.
You just can't get good help anymore.
(Do you see Kramer? Even he took a break.)

Poor Kramer

Poor guy turned 14 yrs old last week and has been sick ever since. We had to Board him for a few days while we traveled and he has not been well since. *sigh

Took him to the Vet today.
He has pancreatitis.
He got a shot (poor baby!). . .
and some IV meds (really, poor baby!),
as well as some special food and oral med's.

I'm praying he's well soon.
He's sorta pitiful in his Santa hat, isn't he?

Poor, pitiful, sweet, Kramer.

R U a Christmas Slacker?

1. Do you simply hate the thought of crawling into the attic to retrieve the family Christmas decorations?

2. Do you dislike rearranging all the furniture to make room for the Christmas tree?

3. Do you think it's silly to spend entire days redoing the deco of your home only to have to "undo" the redo 3 weeks later?

4. Do you hate Egg Nog?

5. Do you still have Halloween/Thanksgiving deco in your line of vision?

6. Do you find the "S" word (shop) obscene?

7. Do you lack the energy (or the desire) to utter "Fa-la-la-la-laah"?

8. Does your gag reflex kick-in when you see gaudy Christmas sweaters and goofy red & green neckties?

If you answered "Yes" to more than one of these questions, then you my friend, are a Christmas Slacker and in desperate need of a BIG dose of "Christmas Spirit".

Hello.
My name is lagirl and I am a Christmas Slacker.

Party!

I received an email last week from one of JB's co-workers. She knew JB had a BIG birthday coming and they wanted to get together at a restaurant to celebrate the occasion. Fast forward to tonight at the restaurant. There were THIRTY people there!! I was totally blown away. Couldn't believe that many people would gather after work for this event.

JB has always been an out-going sort of guy. He's not the least bit shy and he enjoys a fun evening, but he seemed to have left this part of his persona in Okla. He's never really liked it here in Louisiana and hasn't particurly gone out of his way to make any friends, or so I thought!! WRONG!!

I told him if he could make 30 friends at work then he could surely make 2 or 3 at church.

He's busted!

Oprah's annual "Favorite Things" program has already been recorded. Word is this year she dramatically scaled down her "favorites" and the audience was quite disappointed in their "take home".

My first thought was "How greedy can people be?!"

My second thought was, "Just my luck I would be in the audience the year they didn't give away any good stuff".

Guess I have an Angel on one shoulder and the Devil on the other!!

Anyone share my thoughts??Be honest!! LOL