Monday Musings-November 30

Dear Carolina Panthers,


Come on guys. You're making it awfully hard to defend you! And I'm talking to you, too, Jake. 4 interceptions? Seriously? And you, offensive line, where was Jake's pass protection? I realize there were a couple of questionable calls by the refs but those, in no way, can not explain away the stinky game you all played. I'll be pinching my nose and hanging my head low this week.  


Your (struggling to be loyal) fan,
Mrs. Sister


PS   I wonder if it's too late to scratch the Panther jersey off my Christmas wish list? Nah. I still love you, Jake. Besides, after this year it may even be a collector's item!

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Happy Birthday Mark!


Today is my little brother's birthday. He would have been 47. You can read all about him here. 

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Awards Monday!


Last week I was awarded a couple of recognitions. First, I received the Lemonade Stand from Betty over at CUT AND DRY. Go check out her blog. It's a wonderful mix of one woman's life experience. I've thoroughly enjoyed her recent posts regarding her trip to Belgium.


I've recently received and awarded the Lemonade Stand to several bloggers (see this post) but will use this opportunity to recognize a newly found blog and an old friend: 

Just Because my Pickle Talks...: One mom's experience with an autistic child. Love it! Love him! Love her!
The Domestic Mama: Beautiful food photography, awesome recipes and pretty nifty giveaways. Need I say more?


The next recognition comes from a new friend of mine: Weezer over at Weezer's Haven. You have to check her blog out. Really. I think you'll like it. Anyway, I received the Hot Shot award for being a frequent commenter on her blog. 

In the same vane, I will award this to my frequent commenters as well.


Su at This Stop Willoughby
LB at Muddy Runner
Christie at Who Has the Thyme
Nicole at Tattoos and Teething Rings
Kys at Stir Fry Awesomeness
Lee at Headaches, Hotflashes & Hormones
Bibi at From Misery to Happiness in 365 Days
Holly at 504 Main
Holly and Charisse at Life Laugh Latte
Julie at My Good Babushka
Cynthia at Running With Letters
Lissaloo at One Step at a Time
And right back at Weezer from Weezer's Haven

It’s All About Me Week!

I know many of my bloggy friends are also All Recipes addicts. Much to my surprise and delight I found out that I was chosen to be the featured “Cook of the Week”! Go on, check me out! Just click here and scroll a little down the page. I'm center right. Now you can go out and tell all of your friends that your bestest blog buddy is a famous C.O.W.!

The Lemonade Stand

I received this sweet little award from my dear friend  Ms. Bibi over at From Misery to Happiness in 365 Days. She’s amazing. Check her out if you have the chance. Anyway, the rules are as follows:

- put the lemonade logo on your blog or within your post.
- nominate at least 10 blogs with great attitude or gratitude.
- link the nominees within your post.
- let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
- share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award.

I would like to nominate the following recipients

Diedra from Jumping Tandem

Heather fromThe Extraordinary Ordinary

Cynthia from Running With Letters

Christine from Marvelously Mundane 

Lissaloo from One Step at a Time

Julie from My Good Babushka

Michelle from Musings of a Catholic Lady

Jimmie from The Catholic Daily Reading Reflections

Larry from Yesterday, Today and Forever

Tugce from Boulevard of Broken Dreams

The above blogs all approach their writings in a positive manner, whether guided by faith, art, love of the written word, and all things literary or simply just the joy, awe, and wonder of their children and the world around them. It’s well worth your time to check them out.

Theta: True Authentic Mom Award

I was tagged by Christie over at Who Has the Thyme? She’s an awesome pontificator and mom extraordinaire!  This award also comes with some rules:

If you are tagged you must list 5 things that make you a true, authentic mom and then pass along the tag to 5 other deserving bloggers.

Before I begin my 5 characterisics I would like to nominate the following:

Luis at Muddy Runner. He may not be a mom but he is an outstanding parent who dotes on his wife and 2 little girls. A true THETA in my book.

Katie at Katie’s Korner. She’s not quite a mom, yet. After years of trying, she’s about to be one soon. I so look forward to reading her future posts as she comes into her “THETAdom”!

Tracy at Iced Karma Coffee. She’s one of the best THETA “grand” moms around. She has the cutest little grandbaby and I am always looking forward to seeing what sort of mischief grandma and grandbaby get themselves into.

Jenn at Rook No. 17: She’s such a marvelous mix of contradictions…she says so herself. One of her mottos is: CREATE, GIVE, INSPIRE, LEARN, READ, TRAVEL, SAVOR, INVENT, PLAY. Definite THETA mom material.

Last, but definitely not least is my dear friend Thamesarino over at Yesterday’s Tomorrow. Her journey to THETA mom status is a remarkable one and well worth reading.

So. What makes me a THETA mom? I honestly don’t know but I will give it a shot.

1.    - From the beginning my husband and I put forth a concerted effort to raise polite, responsible, and well behaved children. They have always been held accountable for their actions. Any unacceptable behavior was nipped in the bud very early on. And no, we did not use a shock collar! (see yesterday’s post)

2.   -  If I am wrong I will apologize.  This is hard for me to do. I hate being wrong and it is very difficult to admit it. I grew up in a home where “perfection” was idolized. That made it quite challenging to come to terms with your mistakes.

3.    -Our children do not get everything they want. They do, however, get everything they need.

4.   - I stay involved (but not overly so as there is a fine balance) and am my kids’ advocate. For example, when Munchie Boy required certain therapy, as an infant, and insurance denied it, I spent hours, days, and weeks researching his condition, along with his and my medical records. I was able to demonstrate how the therapy was medically indicated and necessary in his case. I won the arbitration.

5.    -God and my faith journey. 

Heartfelt Award

I received this sweet little award from Holly at 504 Main (awesome blog for those who haven’t stopped by!) Want to hear something funny? She already gave me this award before! I have proof. So I am DOUBLY honored! Because of that I am going to forward this on to EVERY SINGLE ONE of my bloggy friends. Whether you're serious or irreverent, silly or kind, this award is yours. For I know all of my blog buddies write from the heart. Take it! Let’s keep the circle of love flowing!!!!

Monday Musings-January 11, 2010

Dear Carolina Panthers,

I missed you yesterday. I hope you're somewhere warm soaking up all of the sunshine. It still feels like the arctic tundra over here. We're looking forwards to the tropical heat wave predicted by mid week. Highs in the 50's? Whoo Hoo! Bikini weather for sure! (Not that I would ever be brave enough to wear one!)

Stay warm,

Mrs. Sister

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Dear Bethany,

Mommy is so very proud of you! Why?

1.  You stood up for what's right and let your moral compass guide you.

2.  You've grown into quite a remarkable young lady.

3.  And the straight A's were just icing on the cake.

Well done, Sweet Cheeks!

Love,

Mommy

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Dear Mr. Virus,

Go away! Now! I have not appreciated the major headache for the past 3 days. Nor have I enjoyed the extreme fatigue that has gone along with this. Or those waves of nausea. I'm not having any of it! You've overstayed your welcome and I'm kicking you out. Sayanora you miserable, annoying, punky, evil, vile, unwelcome scum bucket that you are. Don't let the door hit you on the way out!

Not at all yours (don't even THINK about it!),

The 5th

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Awards Monday

Thank you, Erin (from Cultivating Rosebuds) for my lemonade stand. I love this award. I take it to mean that when life throws you lemons, make lemonade!  Although I have received this award prior (see here and here for my nominees) it is something that never goes out of style. Thank you my newest blogging friend! And for those who do not know Erin, please take a moment to check out her blog. She's such a sweetie!

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On a final note: Do you want to know why I walk Daisy before the sun comes up?

I don't want to scare the neighbors, that's why!