I have an award and IT'S FOOTBALL TIME IN TENNESSEE!!!!!!!

Sandee over at COMEDY PLUS has honored me with the You Make Me Smile Award. Sandee was honored with this award by Bridget from over at ..."And Miles To Go Before We Sleep..." Here is what Bridget had to say about this award: The thing that I love most about blogging is that I learn so much about a person just by reading their blog. I have met MANY wonderful people with wonderful stories to tell and I am grateful every day for each person that I have the pleasure of crossing paths in life with. I wanted to create something special for the top ten people who have inspired me through their blogging; the stories they tell and the lives that they lead with grace and dignity. I visit their blogs for inspiration and encouragement. Although there are MANY people I want to give this award to at this very moment, I am going to choose ten bloggers: Please grab your badge and wear it proudly, and pass it on because you inspire and encourage me, thank you! Well now it's my turn to find 10 people that inspire me... so here we go Tish @ CRAZY WORKING MOM Toni @ AIR FORCE WIFE aka Special K Family BOND @ The Big Leather Couch LOIS @ Low Down from Lois Linda @ ARE WE THERE YET? ANNDI @ Anndi's Luggage TRAVIS @ Trav's Thoughts TURNBABY @ And As The World Turns Dessert Songbird @ THE ICE BOX AMAZING GRACE @ Echos of Grace Now grab your award and pass it on to 10 other people who inspire you! IT'S FOOTBALL TIME IN TENNESSEE!!!! GO VOLS!!!! Hope everyone has a great weekend! SMOOCHES~

NANA NANA BOO BOO

Bet you'll never guess who is off work until Tuesday, September 4.... Oh what shalll I do... let's think about this.... maybe I should 1. Start my diet - nawwwww that's no fun... too much food over the holdiay weekend 2. Sleep late everyday - can't do that on Thursday or Friday, have to get Kaitin up for school... maybe I will go back to bed.. that sounds really good to me... 3. Run a Labor Day marathon - who me???? I can't even walk a marathon little lone run one... highly doubtfull... 4. Clean my house - now that's no fun either... 5. Wash my car - ummmmmm I don't think so we are under a water ban 6. Lay around in outside in the pool - Hey now that's an idea... highly considerable 7. Write Matt letters - you know I'm going to do this one... can't miss one single day doing this 8. Write a daily blog - well I can't promise this but I can promise that I won't be AWOL 9. Go visit my step-daughter at college on Saturday... that's a most definite 10. Go shopping - very doubtfull and I'm saving my money to go to Matt's graduation Will I get all my blog rounds made - I sure hope so but if I don't please forgive me. So what will I do with myself the next few days? I haven't a clue. I know for certain that I will lay out in the pool, that I will write Matt, that we are going to Murfreesboro on Saturday to visit Brit... the rest of the time well I'll let you know later. Now let me dig back in my archives and see if I can find a good chuckle for you.... Ahhhh yes... GRANDPA ON THE PORCH A man came to visit his grandparents, and he noticed his grandfather sitting on the porch, in the rocking chair, wearing only a shirt, with nothing on from the waist down. "Grandpa, what are you doing? Your weenie is out in the wind for everyone to see!" he exclaimed. The old man looked off in the distance without answering. "Grandpa, what are you doing sitting out here with nothing on below the waist?" he asked again. The old man slowly looked at him and said,"Well... Last week I sat out here with no shirt on, and I got a stiff neck. This is your grandma's idea." SMOOCHES~

Not feeling very well today. I'm really not in the mood to write very much. I've got a lot of things racing through my little southern brain but none that I really want to go into right now. So there are a few things that I want to share with you today - Just for laughs... One thing though... Sandee over at COMEDY PLUS has awarded me with "I ♥ Your Blog! - Spreading The Luv One Blog At A Time." So now it's my turn to pass on this award.... hope I don't miss anyone... BOND from The Big Leather Couch Toni from AIR FORCE WIFE aka Special K Family TURNBABY from And As The World Turns AMAZING GRACE from Echos of Grace ANNDI from Anndi's Luggage MATT MAN from Bagwine Ruminations MIMI over at Bloggingham Palace So grab your award and SPREAD THE LOVE BABY!!!! WOMAN'S PERFECT BREAKFAST She's sitting at the table with her gourmet coffee. Her son is on the cover of the Wheaties box.Her daughter is on the cover of Business Week.Her boyfriend is on the cover of Playgirl.And her husband is on the back of the milk carton. WOMEN'S REVENGE "Cash, check or charge?" I asked, after folding items the woman wished to purchase. As she fumbled for her wallet, I noticed a remote control for a television set in her purse."So, do you always carry your TV remote?" I asked."No," she replied, "but my husband refused to come shopping with me, and I figured this was the most evil thing I could do to him legally." UNDERSTANDING WOMEN (A MAN'S PERSPECTIVE) I know I'm not going to understand women.I'll never understand how you can take boiling hot wax, pour it onto your upper thigh, rip the hair out by the root, and still be afraid of a spider. MARRIAGE SEMINAR While attending a Marriage Seminar dealing with communication,Tom and his wife Grace listened to the instructor,"It is essential that husbands and wives know each other's likes and dislikes."He addressed the man,"Can you name your wife's favorite flower?"Tom leaned over, touched his wife's arm gently and whispered, "It's Pillsbury, isn't it? WIFE VS. HUSBAND A couple drove down a country road for several miles, not saying a word. An earlier discussion had led to an argument and neither of them wanted to concede their position. As they passed a barnyard of mules, goats, and pigs, the husband asked sarcastically, "Relatives of yours?" "Yep," the wife replied, "in-laws." WORDS A husband read an article to his wife about how many words women use a day... 30,000 to a man's 15,000. The wife replied, "The reason has to be because we have to repeat everything to men... The husband then turned to his wife and asked, "What?" CREATION A man said to his wife one day, "I don't know how you can beso stupid and so beautiful all at the same time. "The wife responded, "Allow me to explain. God made me beautiful so you would be attracted to me;God made me stupid so I would be attracted to you! WHO DOES WHAT A man and his wife were having an argument about who should brew the coffee each morning. The wife said, "You should do it because you get up first, and then we don't have to wa it as long to get our coffee. The husband said, "You are in charge of cooking around here and you should do it, because that is your job, and I can just wait for my coffee."Wife replies, "No, you should do it, and besides, it is in the Bible that the man should do the coffee."Husband replies, "I can't believe that, show me."So she fetched the Bible, and opened the New Testament and showed him at the top of several pages, that it indeed says .......... "HEBREWS" THE SILENT TREATMENT A man and his wife were having some problems at home and were giving each other the silent treatment. Suddenly, the man realized that the next day, he would need his wife to wake him at 5:00 AM for an early morning business flight. Not wanting to be the first to break the silence (and LOSE), he wrote on a piece of paper,"Please wake m e at 5:00 AM." He left it where he knew s he would find it.The next morning, the man woke up, only to discover it was 9:00 AM and he had missed his flight Furious, he was about to go and see why his wife hadn't wakened him, when he noticed a piece of paper by the bed. The paper said, "It is 5:00 AM. Wake up."Men are not equipped for these kinds of contests. God may have created man before woman, but there is always a rough draft before the masterpiece. SMOOCHES~

Manic Monday Thank you Mo for "Faith" The Official Motto of the U.S. Marine Corps is Semper Fidelis, Latin for "Always Faithful". SEMPER FI

TGIF!!! Yes, it's Friday... wooooooooooooooo I am picking up Matt's best girl friend Samantha today and she is spending the weekend with us. She so misses Matt... I think she just wants to sleep in his bed... Go ANOTHER letter from Matt yesterday. Two letters in one week... I don't know how to act.. ;-) Momma, Today was pretty easy, we had church, then after church we had drill and of course people were screwing up so we went to the sand pit. Everyone said sand fleas are bad... I've only been bit by one and that was at PT one morning. I need you to call SSGT S and ask him about my promoition to PFC if I got it or not. Now about me getting a new vechicle before I go to North Carolina. I want to get an SUV or some kind of a full size truck extended cab. So just look around for me. I don't want a Ford though and try to find a 4 x 4 or Z71 or a newer model Blazer. Anyway I gotta go do I can do some stuff around the squadbay. Love y'all Matt Now remember I am typing his letters exactly as he has written them. I will try and get pictures of Kaitlin's game last night up next week. I forgot the cord this morning. Desert Songbird made a very interesting comment on my blog last Friday, one that really got my attention. Well, wouldn’t it get yours? As I had told her I would do some investigation and that is exactly what I did. Now we all know that Yes, one does burn calories during sex… but just how many calories does one burn. Calories Burned During Sex The Act of Insertion If the man is ready (same vice-versa) 174 calories If the woman is not (same vice-versa) 274 calories ________________________________________ Satisfying Partner (organ size) Most experts agree that size means nothing. Shape is what counts, and the man with a shaped organ can write his own ticket. In those rare instances where a man has a genuinely small member, he may have to compensate by working slightly harder, but this is good for weight loss. A man with a really large organ, while he might not have to work as hard once inside, may exhaust himself just trying to convince his partner to let him put it inside. Normal size – 22 calories Oversize – 15 calories Tremendous – 8 calories Teensy-weensy – 163 calories (WTF???) Now what a minute guys… I didn’t write this. This is after investigation. So don’t blame me. ________________________________________ Positions Man on top, woman on bottom (facing each other) – 20 calories Woman on top, man on bottom – 25 calories (Many women find that in addition to its inherent sexual possibilities, this position affords a better view of the clock.) Ummmm how many times have you looked at the clock?? ;-) From the rear (Mysterious variation) – 40 ½ calories Standing: Both partners of equal height – 18 calories Standing: Woman 1 foot taller than a man – 90 calories Does this one call for shoes??? While in traction – 124 calories (very useful during ski season) ________________________________________ Locations: On a bar stool – 20 calories Rear of a Honda Civic – 38 calories In a phone booth, standing – 14 calories In a phone booth, lying down – 274 calories On an airplane, aisle seat – 24 calories On an airplane, middle seat – 42 calories On an airplane, in the lavatory – 100 calories ________________________________________ Possible Side Effects of Intercourse Bouncing – 7 calories Sliding around – 9 calories Serious Skidding – 12 calories Full cartwheel – 20 calories Whiplash – 27 calories Knee burn – 6 calories Chafed elbows – 5 calories Chafed nose – 11 calories ________________________________________ Sex Related Noises Short gasps (per gasp) – 3 calories Wheezing – 5 calories Squeals – 4 calories Estatic moaning – 11 calories Low growling – 8 calories Squishing – 10 calories Shouting – 16 calories Screaming – 18 calories Urgent begging – 22 calories Any short speech giving partner directions – 25 calories (“Please don’t stop” “Faster” “Just a little more” are common examples) ________________________________________ Approaching Orgasm Letting go – 5.5 calories Controlling yourself – 79 calories Digging nails into your partner’s back – 11 calories Trembling – 15 calories Shaking – 20 calories Shuddering – 25 calories Trying to keep eyes open – 33 calories ________________________________________ Orgasm - This is very important Real – 27 calories Faked – 160 calories ________________________________________ Orgasmic Intensity Scale Expression didn’t change 1/2 calorie Face turned purple – 15 calories Orchestra swelled – 6 calories Magical explosions – 10 calories Blazing sheets – 25 calories Earth moved – 30 calories Vesuvius erupted – 47 calories You began moaning in Latin – 60 calories ________________________________________ Pulling Out After orgasm – 1/4 calories A few moments before orgasm – 500 calories ________________________________________ Multiple Orgasms For women: 2 – 14 calories 5 – 30 calories 8 – 47 calories Depending on greed, a woman can enjoy around 8 orgasms within an hour period without loosing consciousness or disarranging her hair. As the number increases, however, she may begin to experience a form of “reduced sanity” that will temporarily interfere with her ability to cook, worship and ride a Moped. For men: 2 – 21 calories 3 – 39 calories 4 – 57 calories For a man, it’s a different situation, perhaps due to physiological and biological reasons. Many men can enjoy up to 4 orgasms in an hour with little discomfort except for the slight ringing in the ears. With few exceptions, however, a man who tries to achieve more than 10 orgasms within that same period is flirting with irreversible brain damage. Oh believe me there is a lot more. I am having to break it up into two parts. I didn't want to overload y'all with too much information. Just let me know when you want part 2.. ;-) Have a great weekend! SMOOCHES

One more day!!!! I got another letter from Matt yesterday. He really seems in real good spirits. Here is what it said ... Watsup Momma, How's everything going? It's the same ole shit here. The temperature gets up to 115 with the heat index at 130! Yea, it's hot! Right now I'm on the toilet and I'm still sweating! It's so humid that the envelopes stick and they're inside. Well enough of that. Boot camp isn't all that bad, so far. That kid Hunter you was asking about, yeah I know him. This place is kinda cool, but at the same time it sucks, because I NEVER stop sweating. Well shit, I gotta go cuz free times over. We spent most of it passing out mail. I love y'all Matt P.S. Send some pictures I laughed at him sitting on the toilet... thinking of me.. ;-) Got this in an e-mail yesterday I will survive remix……You’ll find yourself actually singing along….but don’t sing out loud!! SING IT GIRLS!!! At first I was afraid, I was petrified. When you said you had 10 inches, Lord I almost died! But I'd spent so many years just waiting for a man that long, that I grew strong, and I knew that I could take you on... But there you are, another lie, I was ready for a Big Mac and you've brought me a French fry! I should have known that it was bulls***t, just a sad pathetic dream Should have known there was no Anaconda lurking in those Levi Jeans! Go on now - go! , Walk out the door, Don't you promise me 10 inches, then turn up with only 4! Weren't you a brat to think I wouldn't find you out!? Don't you know we're only joking when we say size don't count??!! Chorus] I will survive! I will survive! Cuz as long as I have batteries, My sex life's gonna thrive! I will always have good sex, With a handful of latex! I will survive! I will survive! Hey! Hey! It took all my self control not to laugh out loud, When I saw your little weiner standing tall and proud! But to hell with your ego and to hell with all your needs, Now I'm saving all my lovin' for a cordless multi-speed! [Chorus] I will survive! I will survive! Cuz as long as I have batteries, My sex life's gonna thrive! I will always have good sex, With a handful of latex! I will survive! I will survive! Hey! Hey! Well it's really busy here at work today. I don't have much time to post. Just wanted to let you know what he said. SMOOCHES

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY EDITION #45

So here's the Deal... I suffered from a major brain cramp today. I had absolutely forgot that I had already done this... so for this Monday y'all are getting a TWO FOR ONE DEAL!!! Thanks to Mo for this weeks Manic Monday - DEAL... I really had a lot of fun with this one. Let’s Make a Deal was a television game show based around deals offered to members of the audience by the host Monty Hall. The contestants usually had to weigh the possibility of an offer for a valuable prize or an undesirable prize which was referred to as a “zonk”. When the series began, studio audience member wore suits and ties or dresses. Over time the show gradually evolved into the audience wearing costumes. Decisions, Decisions, Decisions! Do you want what’s in the Box or what’s behind the Curtain? Borrowed from letsmakeadeal.com One of the most popular television game shows of the 1960’s and 70’s, Let's Make A Deal is the show where contestants buy, sell, or trade anything and everything from Aardvarks to Zithers. Lawyers, doctors, plumbers, and even Beverly Hills housewives dressed as kumquats and turnips hoping to trade a hard boiled egg for a Cadillac. What would be behind the Curtain?… A Car or a Zonk (a worthless, ridiculous prize)? Just before taping, thirty-five or so contestants were selected for each show from the studio audience to become the day’s possible Traders. Of those people seated on the Trading Floor, about eight people were chosen by Monty Hall to participate in three or four deals plus the Big Deal which involved major cash and/or merchandise. To start the dealing, would-be Traders brought unusual odds and ends from home which they may have retrieved from their attic or garage or even made themselves. Wearing costumes was the audience’s idea. To attract Monty’s attention, the contestants got creative to out-do each other. Someone brought a sign, someone wore a crazy hat, then one day someone dressed as the Jolly Green Giant and the show was never the same again. Sometimes when a Trader had decided to “take the Curtain,” Monty offered to buy it back again… $1,000… $2,000… $3,000 not to take the Curtain! Traders never knew how high he would go. Prizes were disguised so that Traders were never sure whether a garbage can, for instance, contained a mink coat or just garbage, or which of three envelopes contained $1,000. The decision-making was exciting and suspenseful. Would it be a Car or a Camel? A First-Class Trip to Hawaii or a Live Cow dressed in sunglasses and feather boa? Would Carol Merrill point out the features of a new Refrigerator or would Jay Stewart be dressed as an old granny in a Giant Rocking Chair? Part of the time, contestants played various games relating to the price of small items, pricing items of greater and greater value or matching the prices to the items, for example. Contestants began playing those games on Let's Make A Deal in the 1960’s. Near the end of the show, Monty asked those who had already played if they wanted to keep what they had, or trade it for a chance at the Big Deal of the Day. The first two Traders who decided to risk their cash and/or merchandise for a chance at a grand prize got to choose between Door #1, Door #2, or Door #3. There were no Zonks in the Big Deal, but it was possible to trade down. After the Big Deal until time ran out, Monty continued to make Quick Deals. One of the most famous... “I’ll give you $50 for a Hard Boiled Egg.” Whether their dreams came true or they got Zonked, the Traders had a good time… And so did the viewers.

Soooooo how was your weekend? As I posted late Friday afternoon, I got Matt's letter. Yes, he seems extremely positive in it but it just breaks my heart. Especially after he wrote "don't worry"... I've cried all weekend. How does a man of 18 tell his momma not to worry? No matter the age of your children you will always worry. It's been 4 weeks since he left and it seems like eternity. I miss him so very much. But I know that this is the very best thing for him. He is fulfilling his dream. Something that he has talked about since the age of 14. He will start his 5th week of training Monday and this starts Phase II. Yes, I am jumping for joy that he has made it through Phase I. I wrote him back and sent it Saturday, after NOT sleeping in, telling him that I knew he could do it. That once he puts his mind into doing something that he will do it no matter what. That I was so very proud of him, that I loved him and missed him. I told him that he was my hero. Yes folks, you read it correctly, I did NOT sleep in Saturday. I guess it comes from worrying about Matt. I have really had him on my mind this weekend. Actually, I've been rather lazy all weekend. My house looks like a freakin tornado has hit it. There is no sleeping in on Sunday's at all. Church starts at 9:00am so that means getting up early... I cried during church... Matt on my mind. Now it's Sunday afternoon and I'm sitting here on this computer, listening to Kaitlin and her friend Judy outside in the pool screaming their fool heads off. Oh to be a kid again... not a care in the world. Kaitlin cheers her first ballgame Monday night. I will have pictures to post. Y'all she looks so cute in that little cheerleading outfit. I am going to have to find one of those chasity belts though or lock her in her room one. She came home Friday afternoon and announced that she has a boyfriend and he's a football player... rut-roh... So that basically sums up my weekend. Crying and lazy.... How was yours? SMOOCHES~ P.S. Thanks to everyone who has sent stamps to Matt. I know that he truly appreciates it. I too sent him stamps Saturday. I bet he's wondering how y'all knew he needed stamps... ;-)

STICKY POST 2nd posting today- I'm interrupting my regularly scheduled blog ... Can someone please explain to me how, when you think things are about to turn for the worse you get something like this? Then you go and read the comments and this is what is says: Congratulations! You have touched people with your writing. You are a blue-ribbon blogger! P.S. I'll be sending a special faerie to watch over Matt. I got another letter from Matt today ... here is what is said... Momma, Hey it's Sunday and I'm sitting here waiting to go to church. Things here are going ok, but I have to start pushing beyond the limits of my ability and improved or I'm getting dropped back, but don't worry I'm gonna make it. Me and Deason are working out during free time. That's why I haven't wrote as much because I've been trying to improve physically. Mentally I've got it figured out, SCREAM and you've got it made. My voice is gone. But the only thing hinduring me is running. I've lost 10 lbs since I've been here. My double chin is gone. Send me some pictures of everyone back home. Oh and send some envelopes and stamps. I gotta go now and get my stuff togethr for church. I'll try and write again tomorrow. I love y'all. Matt I called the recruiter and asked what this meant. He said that what this means that if he is having problems they will work with him and get him up to where he needs to be. If need be then they will put him in a platoon just for this. It's not a bad thing. He's more than likely not the only one struggling. What this does mean is that IF it happens then it would push his graduation date back. I want to give a HUGE THANK YOU to the Blog Fairy. Sometimes things just come along when you least expect them to, don't they? Now I'm going to ask everyone to say a special prayers for Matt. He has never really been much of a runner. He's always been a little slow with his running. You may now return to today's regularly scheduled reading.

HEY.... I SAID HEY... DID I GET YOUR ATTENTION????? IT'S FINALLY FRIDAY!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOO Let the party begin!!!! Y'all just don't have a clue as to how glad I am that it's FRIDAY!!!! The end of the work week which mean I GET TO SLEEP LATE TOMORROW. Now everyone that knows me well knows that I like to sleep in on Saturday. When I say sleep in that's exactly what I mean. I've been known to sleep to close to noon. So unless it's a true emergency like you've just died and gone on to that big mansion in the sky ... don't call me.. ;-) I've got a little Friday funny for ya...one of which I can almost remember and relate too... One that before long my dear daughter will be suffering from. God, I hope she's not like I was... if she is then I will have her pushing up daisies. Dear Kotex, I recently noticed that the peel-off strip of my pantiliner had a bunch of "Kotex Tips for Life" on it. Annoying advice such as: *Staying active during your period can relieve cramps. *Avoiding caffeine may help reduce cramps and headaches. *Drink 6-8 glasses of water a day to keep you hydrated and feeling fresh. *Try Kotex blah blah blah other products... Obviously the individual behind this was someone who has never possessed a functioning set of ovaries. Go ahead and tell a menstruating woman that drinking 6-8 glasses of water will help keepher feeling fresh. Like we need more fluid inside our bloated bodies from hell...but go ahead...I triple-dog-friggen-dare-ya... See what happens and report back. I'll wait. While you're at it, dump out the coffee at work and remove the chocolate from the vending machine. I garan-damn-tee you that the first responders will be females who just ovulated. Staying active will relieve headaches & cramps...well guess what, the only activities that interest me is eating..sleeping..bitching or crying for no apparent reason.. ...and oh...does ripping someone's head off count as a friggen' activity????? Look, females don't need or want tips for living on their feminine hygiene products. Younger girls are already hearing "helpful" crap like that from elderly relatives. Veteran females have already concocted their own recipes for survival, many containing alcohol & barbiturates. Printing out crap advice while sneaking in ads for the brand that was already purchased is just plain annoying, not to mention rude, and is enough to send a girl running to the Always brand. It's not a fun time, but DO NOT try to cheer us up by adding smiley faces or bunnies or flowery cutesy crap to your products or the packaging. Put the crap in a plain brown wrapper so we can throw it in our carts discreetly and have it blend in among the wine and beer. There is nothing more annoying than having a blinding pink package announcing your uterine state to everyone in the store. Why don't ya just add an in-store microphone to the damn package & announce that...helloooo, another female in the store is on the rag!!!!! So take your tips for living and your cute bunnies & the smiley faces and shove them right up your ass! P.S. How about adding a free sample of Pamprin & maybe a shot of Bourbon to your packages instead? Stay motivated to exercise - We all know exercise is good for us. For many of us getting started isn't as hard as keeping going. Here's some simple tips to "keep you going." 1. Set goals. Start with short term goals. Decide to exercise for 10 minutes five days and week after lunch. 2. Reward yourself. Recognize your efforts and throw yourself a celebration for achieving your goals. Perhaps a new CD, or walking shoes? 3. Make it social- Exercising with others makes it social. You can support each other and cheer each other on. It really helps you stick with it. 4. Track your progress - This is probably what people hate to do the most, but it's so motivational to look at where you started and see how far you have come! 5. Have fun! Try lots of different things to see what you enjoy. Remember, exercise doesn't have to mean a gym, walking or running, etc. It can be a cha-cha class, kayaking on the lake, working in the garden, playing hoops with your kids....... Hope y'all have a good weekend. SMOOCHES~

Thursday 13 Edition# - Unknown Thirteen and then some questions and answers that I've sent to Matt. This is for him to complete and send back to me. I know he's busy and maybe this will help. If y'all can add anything to this let me know and I'll gladly add. This is for Phase I only. I have another set for Phase II. So let the questions begin... 1. When you stepped off the bus at MCRD, and placed your feet on the yellow footprints, your first thought was: A. I’ve changed my mind and I would like to go home now. B. I want my mommy! C. Bring it on – OOHRAH! D. Other (please explain) ________________________________. 2. The first time you and your SDI stood toe to toe, nose to nose, you: A. Fainted. B. Threw up. C. Wanted to throw up. D. Cried. E. Repeated silently to yourself …..….”Find a happy place, find a happy place”. 3. What time do you get up in the morning? A. O’dark thirty. B. 7:00AM C. 9:00 AM D. Whenever we feel like it. E. Other ___________. 4. What time do you go to bed? A. 9:00 PM B. Marine Recruits don’t need sleep OOH-RAH! C. Other ____________. 5. When you received your inoculations you: A. Fainted. B. Went to the end of the line so you could do it again. C. Other (please explain)___________________________. 6. Which answer best describes the notorious Parris Island sand fleas? A. What sand fleas? B. Oh my God! They’re all over me! C. Mildly annoying. D. Extremely annoying. 9. On a scale of one to ten, how would you rate the chow? _____________ 10. What is the worst thing about boot camp so far?_______________________. 11. Article 86 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice prohibits: A. Making fun of the SDI behind his/her back. B. Absence without leave. C. More than a five minute break, after 10 minutes of one-armed push-ups. 12. During Upper Body Strike training you: A. Came out all bruised and battered. B. The other guy/girl came out all bruised and battered. C. Other (please explain)__________________________________________. 13. On training day 9, Throws and Falls you: A. Threw your SDI flat on his back. B. Your SDI threw you flat on your back. C. Other (please explain)____________________________________________. 14. When the SDI is in your face screaming, you should: A. Grin and bear it. B. Not laugh as they would not be amused. C. Look him/her right in the eye. D. Other (Please explain)_________________________________________. 15. When the DI yells your name at the top of his/her lungs, you: A. Hide B. Pretend you have amnesia and don’t know who you are. C. Ignore him/her and continue what you are doing. D. Snap to attention. E. Grovel in fear. F. Other (please explain)___________________________________. 16. The moment a DI walks on deck, what does everyone say? A. Howdy! B. Run for your lives! C. S’up dog? D. Other (please explain)___________________________________. 17. During bayonet training you: A. Pretended the dummy was your SDI. B. Had way too much fun stabbing the dummy. C. Both A and B. 18. When you have Fire Watch, it means you get to: A. Make sure no one plays with matches. B. Be the one playing with matches. C. Build a big bonfire and roast marshmallows. D. Other (please explain)_____________________________________________. 19. What color belt do you earn for the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program? A. Purple B. Tan C. Pink (female recruits only) D. Blue 20. For Phase I, if you could pick one word to describe your boot camp experience so far, what would it be? ________________ I'll let y'all know the answers once I get them! SMOOCHES~

STICKY POST We interrupt todays post to announce that I've been bestowed an award. My wonderful friend Sandee from Comedy Plus has awarded me with the Nice Matters Award. Here is what she had to say. I lurves this chickie.... Dixiechick @ Dixie's Heart & Soul. First off she gives the best cyber smooches around. Here's a gal that loves to laugh even if she is laughing at herself. She tells it like it is, but never does anything to hurt anyone else. I'm telling you if you visit her a time or two you will be a regular. Now I must bestow this award on someone other people. Is it okay if I add them later? I've got to think on this one. Thank you so much Sandee... SMOOCHES~ You may now return to today's regularly scheduled post.

TAGS, TAGS & TAGS I have been tagged with not one, not two, not three, but FOUR... I think maybe more, meme's... so today I'm going to have to do them... Thanks Bond and Comedy and if you have tagged me and I forgot who tagged me... sorry.... just beat me... oh wait... I may like that... ;-) Just let me know and I'll get right on them. I'm taking an oath now that I will NEVER let these meme's back up like this again. I know I'm missing some... I can just feel it in my bones. Sandee @ COMEDY PLUS has tagged me to do the brand spanking new "Ten Lies My Mother Told Me" meme. The originator of this meme is Mimi, Queen of Memes. She created this nifty little meme and tagged five bloggers, who to my knowledge do not reside in Bloggingham Dungeon. Hopefully I'll be able to get out of the Dungeon as I am hanging on by a very bare thread ... I shall attempt to complete these. "Ten Lies My Mother Told Me" 1. Quit making those faces or one of these days your face will freeze and stay that way for the rest of your life. 2. Yes Santa Claus is real. 3. Yes there is a Tooth Fairy. 4. Yes the Easter Bunny does exist and his name is Peter. 5. If you eat those carrots you'll improve your eye sight and they will make your cheeks rosey. 6. Eat all the food on your plate because there are millions of kids dying of starvation in China. 7. Don't make fun of people because your kids will be just like them 8. If you keep swallowing gum it will stick to your intestines and you won't be able to poop. 9. These clothes are all going to come back into style if I just wait long enough. 10. One day you will find your Prince Charming and he'll be just like the one in the fairytales. The WVb A blog about everything and nothing created this meme called the 7 P's in an effort to learn more about the blogs they read on a regular basis. My tag buddy Sandee over at COMEDY PLUS tagged me with the 7 P's meme. When I complete it I have to tag 5 other pals that I read on a regular basis. I have found that I have some of the same "P's" as Sandee so you may think that you are seeing double. WHOOPS... I'VE BEEN DOUBLE TAGGED.... Tisha over at CRAZY WORKING MOM has got me too... So without further ado - Let the games begin. Passion: Family, friends, and extremely good looking men. Purpose: To enjoy life to it's fullest. Pursuit: Happiness. Position: Any position that my fat old body can contort into. Pummeling: All governmental idiots, skanks, and destructive personalities. Progress: Being the best person I can be. Personality: Fun loving, carefree, happy, and very goofy. The HOTTIE BOND has tagged me with this Meme... Pretty simple and straightforward... Here are the rules: 1. You have to post these rules before you give the facts. 2. Players, you must list one fact that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of their middle name. If you don’t have a middle name, use the middle name you would have liked to have had. 3. When you are tagged you need to write your own blog post containing your own middle name game facts. 4. At the end of your blog post, you need to choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog. I am an adopted child. I was 6 weeks old when my parents obtained me. I have both of my parents middle names. Daddy's middle name was Lee and Mother's middle name is Ann so that's how I got my name. My middle name is Ann ... A - anxious to see my son. N - Naughty... yes I'm very, very naughty in more ways than one ;-) N - Nice ... one must always be nice when being naughty... ;-) Well there you have it. Now we have to select one person for every letter...so...hummm...let's go count...1, 2, 3 *jumps up and down* Yippee I only get to tag three people....better go back and see who Vinny tagged. Wait, I'm late in doing this meme so if you haven't been tagged, tag yourself and let me know so I can read it. I have another tag from Sandee at COMEDY PLUS . Dang this chickee has been busy.. but I still lurves her, but I"m going to have to put in on another day because it's so long. Gosh, I hope that I've got caught up.... If I haven't then just, just, just... well you get the picture... I'm only human you know.. ;-) SMOOCHES~

I so look forward to getting the mail now. It's takes everything I've got to get through the day... anxious to get home to see if I have a letter. I have another letter today!!!! WOOOOO HOOOOOO ... and here is what it said... Hey momma, Everythings going great! Coming during the summer wasn't half bad. They have a thing with flags like green flags, yellow flags, red flags and black flags. On red and yellow flags all we can do is go from Point A to Point B and black flags we can't nothing. Have you gotten any of my letters yet? I've wrote about 5 or 6. Remember how all of us thought that the beds were gonna suck? Well, they're not that bad. It's a regular mattress on a bunkbed, but it's nothing like home. I've lost 10lbs since I've been here. I'm constantly sweating no matter what I'm doing. Just like now I'm sitting down writing and I'm sweating my ass off. Even though you said I could get a crotch rocket, I'm thinking of trading my truck in and getting a full-size truck, 4x4 or something. The weeks are flying by now. It seems like yesterday it was my birthday and it's been a week. Before I know it I'll get to see y'all again. Well the DI just called 5 minutes left for free time and I gotta go but I'll write again when I have a chance. I love all ya'll and give Grandmother a hug and kiss for me. Your future Marine, Matt This definitely makes a moms heart rest much better. I like these kind of letters. He's going to make it!!!! In 9 weeks he'll be a Marine! Thanks to all y'all for all your support. I couldn't have gotten this far without y'all! SMOOCHES~

I am loosing my mind! I have a horrible case of CRS or is it Alzheimers! I can't remember.. or maybe I dreamed it... I DON'T KNOW!!! Please somebody refresh my memory... WHO SENT THE STAMPS TO MATT??? I was writing him last week and wanted to remind him to send a thank you note to whom ever sent him the stamps and for the freakin life of me I CAN'T REMEMBER...So if you have sent stamps to Matt, please let me know... Thank you very much... Next order of business... I GOT ANOTHER LETTER FROM MATT.... Here is what it said... Mom & everyone back home, Thanks for the card. I really appreciate it. Once again I'm pressed for time so this letter won't be that long. Tell everyone I love them and that I miss everyone. O yea just in case you're wondering Boot Camp is kind fun at times once you get passed all the bullshit Drill Instructor games. But I gotta go I'll write again soon. Love, Matt I do believe that he is going to be ok... That just totally made my Friday when I got that. Oh by the way, went shopping this weekend at Wal-Mart and lookie what I found.... ;-D)~ Happy Monday! SMOOCHES!

Ok, I'm sick. Tony and I both have been battling some type of stomach virus since late yesterday afternoon. Yes, I've been tagged with multiple meme's but I just don't feel like doing them. I have them saved and will try and work on them this weekend. I went back into my archives and found a post that I'm going to re-run today. Three things in life that can destroy a person - Anger Pride Unforgiveness Anger - Anger is a normal emotion experienced by all people at various times in life. Some believe anger is always a destructive emotion, while others believe it can be used in a constructive way. Anger is very destructive if you allow yourself to blow up and vent your anger upon another person. Some people call this "letting off steam", when in reality, it is the sinful use of anger and wrath to destroy or manipulate another person. The use of anger in this manner is clearly a violation of God's commands, which ultimately hinders effective communication and relationship with others. The only way anger can be expressed constructively is it must be restrained and controlled. Is this possible? Solomon declares, "It is prudent for a man to restrain his anger (Prov. 19:11, Berkeley Version). "He who is slow to anger is of great understanding, but whoever is hasty of spirit exalts folly" (Prov. 14:29, Berkeley Version).Scripture makes it clear that anger can and must be restrained and controlled. Pride – Pride kills relationships, including your relationship with God. Pride has quiet the history. Pride it seems was the very first sin. Pride not only appears as the first sin, but it is the core of all sin. From God’s perspective, pride seems to be the most serious of since. I am convinced that God hates this more. When his word revels those things that the Lord hates, it’s the proud man’s haughty eyes that head up the list. Proverbs 6:16-17 Pride takes many forms, but only has one end… self glorification. That’s the motive and ultimate purpose of pride… to rob God of his glory and pursue self glorification. The proud person seeks to glorify himself and not God. No wonder God opposes pride. No wonder he hates pride. Unforgiveness – You may think that is it impossible to forgive someone who has done you wrong. You must forgive others not matter what they have done. This is a commandment from God. Forgiveness is NOT optional. If we desire God’s blessings and fellowship, we must forgive others has He has forgiven us. John 3:16 says” For God so loved the world that he gave his only son” Forgiveness is not a feeling. It is a decision to quit holding something against someone. When we forgive, we must release them and forget. This issue is addressed in Matthew 6:12, “And forgive our debts as we forgive our debtors”. Forgiveness is a gift. Have a great weekend all! SMOOCHES~

Y'all I am so very proud of my son. He has yet to amaze and suprise me. What else is this great child of mine going to do. I received an e-mail from LOIS over at Low Downs from Lois yesterday. This is what she said ... "Guess who I just got a note from? Your sweet son! You raised him right. He's a good guy! :-D)" Now let me tell ya, I never in a million years expected him to do this. I can't promise that he will send a note to each and everyone who writes but I'm sure he will try. I have raised a good boy, haven't I? I mean young man... After I received this e-mail from Lois, here pops up another one... I have never seen this one. It definitely choked me up. I sat in my seat of the Boeing 767 waiting for everyone to hurry and stow their carry-ons and grab a seat so we could start what I was sure to be a long, uneventful flight home. With the huge capacity and slow moving people taking their time to stuff luggage far too big for the overhead and never paying much attention to holding up the growing line behind them, I simply shook my head knowing that this flight was not starting out very well. I was anxious to get home to see my loved ones so I was focused on my issues and just felt like standing up and yelling for some of these clowns to get their act together. I knew I couldn't say a word so I just thumbed thru the "Sky Mall" magazine from the seat pocket in front of me. You know it's really getting rough when you resort to the over- priced, useless sky mall crap to break the monotony. With everyone finally seated, we just sat there with the cabin door open and no one in any hurry to get us going although we were well past the scheduled take-off time. No wonder the airline industry is in trouble I told myself. Just then, the attendant came on the intercom to inform us all that we were being delayed. The entire plane let out a collective groan. She resumed speaking to say "We are holding the aircraft for some very special people who are on their way to the plane and the delay shouldn't be more than 5 minutes. The word came after waiting six times as long as we were promised that I was finally going to be on my way home. Why the hoopla over "these" folks? I was expecting some celebrity or sport figure to be the reason for the hold up. Just get their butts in a seat and let's hit the gas I thought. The attendant came back on the speaker to announce in a loud and excited voice that we were being joined by several U.S. Marines returning home from Iraq !!! Just as they walked on board, the entire plane erupted into applause. The men were a bit taken by surprise by the 340 people cheering for them as they searched for their seats. They were having their hands shook and touched by almost everyone who was within an arm's distance of them as they passed down the aisle. One elderly woman kissed the hand of one of the Marines as he passed by her. The applause, whistles and cheering didn't stop for a long time. When we were finally airborne, I was not the only civilian checking his conscience as to the delays in "me" getting home, finding my easy chair, a cold beverage and the remote in my hand. These men had done for all of us and I had been complaining silently about "me" and "my" issues I took for granted the everyday freedoms I enjoy and the conveniences of the American way of life. I took for granted that others had paid the price for my ability to moan and complain about a few minutes delay to "me" while those Heroes were going home to their loved ones. I attempted to get my selfish outlook back in order and minutes before we landed, I suggested to the attendant that she announce over the speaker a request for everyone to remain in their seats until our heroes were allowed to gather their things and be first off the plane. The cheers and applause continued until the last Marine stepped off and we all rose to go about our too often taken for granted everyday freedoms. I felt proud of them. I felt it an honor and a privilege to be among the first to welcome them home and say "Thank You for a job well done." I vowed that I will never forget that flight nor the lesson learned. I can't say it enough, THANK YOU to those Veterans and active servicemen and women who may read this and a prayer for those who cannot because they are no longer with us. GOD BLESS AMERICA ! WELCOME HOME! AND THANKS FOR A JOB WELL DONE!!!!! This is a ribbon for soldiers fighting in Iraq SMOOCHES~

Just a few rambling thoughts today My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is: Imperial Majesty Dixie the Radiant of Giggleswick on the Naze Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title In other news from your Imperial Majesty - Guess who made the Cheerleading Squad yesterday!!! Yup, you guessed it... Kaitlin. I was so very proud of her. Will post pictures as soon as I get some. Two weeks ago a contest was started over at BESTEST BLOG, allowing the fans to vote on the winners of the BESTEST BLOG OF THE DAY to select a BESTEST BLOG OF THE YEAR. Congratulations to BOND over at THE BIG LEATHER COUCH for his award of BESTEST BLOG OF THE YEAR! Now I'm not going to brag but I did make it down there around #38 or so... ;-) Y'all know sometimes people just don't think. A excellent comment was made yesterday on my blog by .... "Simply Bananas said... Dixie, a small word of advice,posting his address although meant for friends to write him, could also endanger him later as the Marines will continue to forward his mail to wherever he ends up serving. Imagine if someone bent on harming a Marine used that information to send a biological agent in an envelope. I know it's worst case scenario but it's what the Marines taught me, prepare for the worst while praying for the best. " I never thought about that. Thank you Simply Bananas for pointing this out. I have removed Matt's mailing address. If anyone needs it just e-mail me and I will send it to you. SMOOCHES~

I get home today and I have a letter from Matt!!!! It's short and sweet but at least it's something. I tried to get it to upload but Blogger didn't like it... so here is what it said ... Hey mom, I know I haven't wrote you yet but I've been real busy. I know this won't be long because I don't have long to write, but I just want to say I love y'all and I'm doing great. Matt P.S. Send me the bible Momma Ann gave me, and send me Uncle Chris', Justin, Nana and Grandmother's addresses. I love y'all The letter was post marked August 3. So this was after his wanting to come home. He should be getting our letters by now. I know he's busy and doesn't have much time to write but at least it's something. In my opinion, if he still felt the same as he did last Wednesday he wouldn't have said that he was great... do you? SMOOCHES~

Oops, I've made a small mistake. Now this isn't a real big deal. However, I put Matt's name wrong on his letters... it should be REMOVED FOR SECURITY - THANK YOU SIMPLY BANANAS... If you would like please e-mail me and I will send it.

All in all was a good HOT weekend. Did some school cloths shopping on Saturday but basically that's all I did. Actually weekend was rather quiet, HOT and boring. Haven't heard one single word from Matt so I guess NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS... or that's what they tell me anyway. I have sent him a letter or card every day since Wednesday. Hopefully he'll start getting them this week. I'm back to work in Jackson. My desk... oh lord... my desk... I've been gone from here since April. Only coming in here one day a week... Yup, it has piled up. I'll try to write more from home tonight. I've got to get my butt to work. Something from my e-mail files... For Mom's... Definately will make you Smile:) I was out walking with my 2 year old daughter. She picked up something off the ground and started to put it in her mouth. I took the item away from her and I asked her not to do that. "Why?" my daughter asked. "Because it's been on the ground, you don't know where it's been, it's dirty and probably has germs" I replied. At this point, my daughter looked at me with total admiration and asked, "Mommy, how do you know all this stuff? You are so smart" I was thinking quickly. "All moms know this stuff. It's on the Mommy Test. You have to know it, or they don't let you be a Mommy." We walked along in silence for 2 or 3 minutes, but she was evidently pondering this new information. "OH...I get it!" she beamed, "So if you don't pass the test you have to be the daddy." "Exactly" I replied back with a big smile on my face. SMOOCHES~

Y'all I'm really pissed, upset, wanting to bite a nail into. Yesterday, I called Matt's recruiter to get his mailing address. The recruiter said "I was just about to call you" I laughed and said "We are on the same brain wave today." "Yes, I guess we are." Here is how part of the conversation went... "I don't want you to be alarmed or upset but we got a call from Matt's DI today. He had Matt in the office and Matt has expressed that he wants to come home." "He wants to do what?!" Matt said that he missed his family and friends... basically what it comes down to his that he is homesick and experiencing a major culture shock. So here is his address. Please write and send him some encouragement. I have already sent him his birthday card yesterday and mailed him another letter this morning. REMOVED - PLEASE SEND E-MAIL FOR ADDRESS I am really worried and sick to my stomach. I'm praying hard that he will make his another week and a half. Then he should be ok. Please remember letters only ... no packages of any kind. Sure don't want him to get in trouble with the DI ... especially after yesterday.

STICKY POST We interrupt this regularly schedule post --- I'm leaving Pulaski today going home. I will be back in Jackson on Monday. If I should get Matt's mailing address before then I will post it here. Have a great weekend all... You may now return to reading your regularly scheduled post below - Wordless Wednesday SMOOCHES!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY Edition #41