The Mysterious Cat of “The Voice” and NaBloPoMo

      After much debate and going back and forth about “whether” I want to commit to accepting the challenge of blogging each and every day in the month of March for NaBloPoMo, I have decided to go for it!  It just might be fun.  This month the theme is “whether” or “weather” which seems pretty appropriate for the unpredictable month of March.  It could rain, it could snow, it could be warm, or it could be cold.  Either way I am going to take up the gauntlet and run with it!

       The worry that I won’t find enough to write about that anyone in their right mind will really want to read hangs over my little head.  Hells bells, not that much happens in my neck of the woods!!  Still, I have some definite opinions about some things that scream to be addressed.  For example, I love watching “The Voice” every Monday night.  There is only one thing about the whole show that perplexes me and leaves me in a state of giggles…Cee lo Green and his mysterious disappearing and reappearing pussy cat.  One minute he is chilling out listening to the contestants on “The Voice” giving their all and the next he is holding the most gorgeous white pussy cat one ever hoped to see. Where in the hell did the cat come from?  I know that they can do awesome things with camera tricks, but one minute there is no cat to be found, and the next…he is holding this cat.  The next minute the cat is gone.  The disappearing-reappearing cat has become a standing joke in my living room.   My kids and I joke that he MUST shove the cat down his pants or in his shirt and then whip it out when the mood strikes.

          While watching the show this last week, another little tidbit made us laugh like crazy as well.  Not that long before the airing of the show a friend of mine had posted a picture of Adam Levine on Face Book wearing only his tattoos and a smile.  It was one of those pictures that jump out at you and get your attention like a physical slap.  Realization slowly dawns that “Hey that is Adam Levine from “The Voice” and then the realization hits that the guy is obviously naked!  So at an opportune moment when Adam was giving his humble opinion of why someone should be on his team I spoke up out of the clear blue sky “Wonder if he knows I seen him naked on Face Book?!” which got some crazy looks from the kids before we all laughed ourselves silly once again.

           There are a lot of great reason’s to watch “The Voice’ besides Cee lo’s pussy cat sightings and Adam Levine.  There is the task of checking out that outfit Christina is almost wearing or falling out of.  There is Blake Shelton, who is cool without trying.  There is all the awesome raw talent that is being discovered.  Will they turn their chairs around or won’t they?? Will they all end up with mascots?  That is the question!  


        

        Without even trying, my post comes full circle and I am back to the subject of Cee lo’s cat.  After a little research I have discovered that Cee lo’s cat “Purrfect” is his secret weapon and is near and dear to his heart.   Not only that, Cee lo’s cat is on Twitter!   Anyway you slice it, “The Voice” is a fun show, no doubt about it and you can bet money I will be tuned in every week!   Will I be able to write everyday in March?  Considering I just wrote a post about nothing in particular about “The Voice” right off the top of my head, I would say it is pretty likely I will be able to pull it off.  Stay tuned until next time I give another glimpse into the life of a trucker’s wife.

Wordless Wednesday: Morning Reflection

My Favorite Movies- BFF 171

     I love all kinds of movies often for very different reasons.  To ask me to name one favorite is like trying to pinpoint which star is the brightest in the sky.  I simply can’t. Obviously I love to laugh, and have a wicked sense of humor, so some of my choices are because of that simple fact.  I tend to like history, so some of my choices lean toward things that have really happened in the past.  Last but not least, I tend to like thrilling fantastical things so some of my choices come about because of that.  Some movies I love because they are romantic, some move me, and some fascinate me.  Needless to say, I have a huge movie collection and each and every title is in my collection because I loved it for one reason or another.  Since I can’t make up my mind on one, I am going to list some of my current favorites.

       The award for favorite comedy goes to “The Hangover” and “The Hangover 2”.  Both movies describe a wild and raunchy bachelor party that has run amok.  In the first installment we meet the “Wolf Pack” for the first time.  Each of the actors is hysterically funny in their own right.  Of the four, Phil is my favorite. Not only is he played by the ruggedly hot Bradley Cooper, he is ultra cool.  Four guys take off to Las Vegas to raise hell.  The morning after they realize they have lost the groom and can not remember a thing.  They spend the entire movie trying to retrace their steps in the hopes of finding their lost friend.  The second installment focuses on another bachelor party in Bangkok, Thailand.  Once again they lose someone, but this time it is the bride’s brother. They get in some worse scraps in the second installment.  Where the first movie was hilarious, the second is shocking and funny!  Both movies draw you into the men’s predicament, keep you engrossed, and kept me laughing throughout.

       
       The award for favorite drama with historical flair is “The King’s Speech” starring Colin Firth.  Even if I wasn’t a British Royalty buff, I would be into this movie. Colin Firth brilliantly plays King George VI. The story line follows the struggles of the king as he is suddenly forced onto the British throne after his brother’s abdication.  To do his job well and be a proper king in a world that is dominated by radio, he must find a way to overcome a lifelong speech impediment and lead his nation through the war.  His wife finds a speech therapist, played brilliantly by Geoffrey Rush, in the classifieds and takes her husband to him in hopes he will help him overcome his affliction.  Not only does the therapist help the King overcome, he becomes a close, dear friend and advisor.  It is an amazing true story and I love it!

  

        The award for all time favorite classic goes to “Gone with the Wind”.   I love this epic movie with it’s larger than life characters of Scarlet O’Hara and Rhett Butler played by Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable.  I love that it takes me back to a long ago era before the civil war when men were gentlemen and the women wore hoop skirts and were the belles of the ball.  Considering the movie was produced in 1939, the effects are phenomenal and timeless.


        

      Finally, last but not least I love all the Harry Potter movies for their ability to transport me to the world that J.K. Rowlings describes in such minute detail.  I love the magic, Hogwarts, and the fact that the movies follow the books story closely.  I could go on and on about even more movies if given the chance, but will leave it at these chosen few until next time when I give you another glimpse into the life of a trucker’s wife.    

Tasty Tuesday: Tex-Mex Meatballs

1 pound ground beef
1 egg
1 (7 ounce) package of Spanish rice
1/2 cup water
2 (15 ounce) cans stewed tomatoes
1 large onion, sliced
1 large green pepper, sliced
2 tsp chili powder
1 package tortilla chips
1/2 cup shredded Monterrey Jack cheese with jalapenos

Combine ground beef, egg, rice mix, and water in a large bowl; mix well.  Shape into 1 1/2 inch meatballs.  Chill for several minutes to firm.

Brown meatballs in a large skillet over medium-high heat; pour off drippings. Add tomatoes, onion, and green pepper.  Sprinkle with chili powder.

Simmer, covered, for 20 minutes or until meatballs are cooked through and rice is tender.

Arrange tortilla chips in serving dish. Spoon in meatballs and sauce. Sprinkle with cheese and serve. 

Simplicity

      Have you ever wondered why some people’s lives are so complicated??  They are constantly at odds with the universe and completely out of control. They are the ones who find chaos at every turn, that go to the bar, get drunk, and create a bar fight with some random person they don’t even know.  They love to stir the $hit, get into people’s business, and make promises they have no intention of keeping.  Their relationships are a mess, and they insist on World War 3 at every major holiday.  People like this blow through our lives leaving destruction, chaos, and sorrow in their wake.  They are a complete mystery to me and bring on chest pains and an ulcer just thinking about the crazy $hit they get up to.  I don’t even try to understand them, and I don’t even want to!  


         When I was growing up my Grandpa had several little sayings that have stuck with me to this day.  The biggie is the one that popped into my head as soon as I discovered the GBE2 challenge prompt this week. He always used to say “Keep it simple stupid.”  It pretty much says it all, doesn’t it?    Another classic saying he said constantly was “Assume nothing, when you assume you make an a$$ out of you and me”.  You tie those two together and you have excellent rules to live by. 


         I keep things pretty simple in life.  I mind my own business and avoid those complicated people who I have found from experience are just a nightmare waiting to happen.  You can’t make these folks happy no matter what you do.  No matter what you say to them, they will twist your words and create major chaos in your world.  They can’t be trusted and you can’t take anything they say as gospel. There is always an underlying motive behind everything they do.  Even if you try to avoid them at all costs they will come looking for you eventually to see if they can throw a monkey wrench in the works or pi$$ on your parade.  For the record I HATE people like this.  In my opinion, someone should truly stop the world and let them off.  They make my brain tired.

         After a while you live and learn.  You learn to assume nothing, and to keep things simple.  You get up every day, do your thing, mind your own business, keep to yourself, and celebrate your life leaving the time bombs to their own devices.  It sucks when you happen to be related to people like this.  I have found isolation and avoidance is the key to survival.  

          At some point everyone comes across folks who think that if they explain something with all the technical mumbo jumbo they are being extremely impressive. The next time you do this, stop!  Look around at your audience!  If they have a deer in the headlight look on their face and are gazing around in all directions, cut to the chase!  State your case, because your audience is about to bolt!  If you keep it simple, it is more than likely no matter who it is you are talking to from your husband to your 6 year old…you will get your point across before they tune you out.

      Over the years I have discovered that life is all about choices.  I have chosen to simplify my life and cut out the people that get their jollies out of torturing me and making my life a hell on earth. Life marches along quite nicely without them.  I am happier.  I really don’t need the chaos.   Life is simply too short to deal with people who make you miserable.  There are still those times when I have no choice but to rub elbows with them.  At that point I take Grandpa’s advice. I keep it simple, roll my eyes, assuming nothing, and count the minutes until I can escape until next time when I give you another glimpse into the life of a trucker’s wife.

Gratitude- BFF 170

      Gratitude is an attribute I have tried to instill in both of my children from birth.  As important as it is to say “please” and “thank you”, it is equally important to be grateful for all we receive regardless how small a gesture it is.  To thank others for their time, their gifts, and their thoughtfulness is a given.  Thanking G0d for blessings received is a must.


  

     I have stood back and watched the effects not teaching kids about gratitude can have.  The kid grows up to be a rude, obnoxious a$$hole who thinks they are entitled to things and someone’s admiration simply because of who they are.  They would have been better taught to expect nothing and celebrate everything.   I can name names of people who don’t care enough about their kids to instill a sense of gratitude, but I won’t.  Their kids are the epitome of what I described above and I have no use for them and especially don’t want my kids rubbing elbows with them in case their bad example rubs off.  Sorry folks, it isn’t just because they are teenagers.  It is because you didn’t care enough to teach them how to act or set a good example yourself. 

       My kids are not allowed to act in such a fashion.  As long as I have breath in my body and have anything to say about it, that behavior will not be tolerated, ever.  They both know it too.  They know my attitude which is I don’t have to do anything except pay taxes and die, anything above and beyond that they should be grateful for.  Although they are far from perfect, 99% of the time they are grateful, polite, and good kids.  They have integrity and care about others.  They understand the need to earn respect and the value of the almighty dollar.  They also understand that time spent together is a far more precious commodity than stuff will ever be.  If you can’t be grateful at home, you sure aren’t going to be gracious elsewhere.

         As far as my own gratitude goes, I have a lot to be grateful for.  I am grateful for each and every person who reads what I write.  For those that leave comments, you are a blessing that brings a smile to my face and warms my heart.  I love that you wave both hands, jump up and say by leaving a comment “I was here!”   I am grateful to have two smart, healthy, well adjusted kids who my life wouldn’t be complete without.  I am grateful for my husband who sacrifices precious time with all of us to be on the road and make a living.  I am grateful to him for allowing me to stay home with our kids and hold down the fort.   I am grateful each day for the roof over my head, the bills we are able to pay, the food on the table, and the clothes on my back.  Without G0d, nothing would be possible and I count my many blessings everyday. 

        There is ALWAYS something or someone to appreciate no matter how bad things seem.  I have a knack for finding the sunshine.  Maybe today I can’t, but maybe tomorrow I can.  Life can be hard, but life is a lot better when a person can find a reason for being glad much like Pollyanna did until next time when I give you another glimpse into the life of a trucker’s wife. 
          
       
       

The Fog Lifted and All Became Clear

      Did you ever have one of those weeks where absolutely nothing went as planned and nothing was as it seemed?  I really don’t like change, upheaval or anything that upsets my applecart in any way. I would just rather drift along in the status quo. Unfortunately, that wasn’t in the cards for me.  Although I planned to post everyday, those plans went to hell in a hand basket in short order.  Instead of giving a specific topic, the Writer’s Post blog hop challenge is to write anything of my choosing.    I could write about why the little birdie flies upside down on the Peanuts cartoons or I could explore the mystery of why my dog Jolly is capable of blowing random fart juice when the urge strikes, but that would be just a little too much.  Instead I will give you a view of just what my week was like.

      We tried out a new 4H club and were happily impressed.  The meeting started promptly when it was supposed to and the club actually had an agenda!  We didn’t have to wait another half hour to see if any latecomers wandered in.  Instead of the leader running the whole meeting and complaining about her involvement at every turn and continually repeating all the major decisions were to be left to the under 13 age group who stared ahead clueless, the president rapped his gavel on the table and the meeting commenced.   There were promises of barbeques and ice cream in the future and even mock judging so the kids could tweak their projects and stand a better chance at a blue ribbon.  

        By Wednesday, I was still fairly optimistic.  My daughter had been experiencing severe headaches and I finally had the money to have her eyes tested.  The result was the obvious…she needed glasses to read.  I scored two pair for her for the bargain price of $59.00 and the eye exam was free.  I love it when I actually get a great deal!


       

         At the butt crack of dawn Thursday morning my cell phone roused me from a deep sleep.  I reached over and answered it.  The superintendent of schools was calling to announce a two hour delay due to weather.  Since I had no clue any bad weather had been forecasted, this was news to me.   When I let out the dogs I discovered the world blanketed with a dense layer of fog.  I reset the clock to reflect the two hour delay and happily burrowed back under my warm blankets quickly falling to sleep.  From the deep abyss of dreamland, once again the rings of my cell phone jolted me awake.  Once again I answered to discover the superintendent of schools on the other end.  This time he was canceling school altogether.  Back in my day we would have had to have snow clear to our armpits and a wind chill of 60 below to catch a break and get to stay home!

       The fact that both of my kids got a day off school didn’t change the fact that I had things to do and errands to run so we all piled into the blazer and took off.  I didn’t get far before the windshield wiper malfunctioned.  Instead of traveling across the windshield the stupid thing was jerking completely off the window and then only going half way back.  It was raining and I barely could see where I was going so I turned tail and hurried back to the house. We switched vehicles, and continued on our merry way.  By the end of the day my son was complaining of a sore throat and pain in his neck.  Needless to say, he was home sick Friday.

          So in light of everything that happened this week, the fog lifted on more than one front.  I was enlightened about fart juice and a new 4H club, my daughter got glasses and her vision cleared, and my son is on antibiotics.  After all that, I hope I have fulfilled the challenge in some capacity while bringing you all up to speed until next time when I give you another glimpse into the life of a trucker’s wife.

Wordless Wednesday: Through the Net

Solitude -BFF 168

       Everyone everywhere needs a daily dose of solitude to reclaim their sanity.  Sometimes it helps to step back and just breathe.   I was being conditioned to enjoy solitude from as far back as I can remember.  I didn’t always enjoy it and at times dreaded time alone, felt tortured, and isolated.  Somewhere along the way I realized I needed to learn to enjoy my own company, then I got to the point I preferred it.  
    
  

        Because there was a 7 year age gap between me and my sister, I learned early that as far as playmates went, I didn’t have any.  She certainly wanted absolutely nothing to do with the likes of me.  I had to learn, and learn quick how to amuse myself and be comfortable playing alone.  I would have given anything to meld perfectly with a group of friends that accepted me and wanted me around.  Even if I felt included in early grades by the time puberty hit, I was abandoned by my peers and forced to wander the outskirts of the social clicks. 

        My feelings were shattered by the rejection.  I always felt my mom was in denial about my level of popularity among my peers.  Just because everyone I passed said hello at school functions, it still didn’t mean they included me.  They were friendly, and I was always the outsider, although in hindsight after being hurt time and again I believe I learned to hold everyone at arms length.  After a while I found I loved to read and far preferred my books to the ridicule I found outside their pages.  It certainly was more fun than trying to figure out why I wasn’t accepted or what was wrong with me.

        Up until the time of my mom’s death, I had her as a faithful companion.  We had so much fun and were like two peas in a pod.  When she died I was forced into a solitude like I never had known before.  I went to work and came home to a deathly silent house.  I began to watch videos and play piano to break up the monotony.  I would do anything in those dark days following her death to break the silence.   I rushed out to the bar scene, made friends that were here today and gone tomorrow, and when my Dad came home slowly became dependent on his company.  I realized how much I enjoyed my Dad’s company and how funny he truly was.  By the time he died, I had a daughter and a husband who thought the world of me.

         I devoted all my time and energy into my kids.  I became the epitome of the stay at home mommy.  Last fall, my son left me for kindergarten.  I came back into the house and noticed the house was silent, felt empty, and I was utterly alone again.  By the time this hit, I had learned to enjoy the solitude.  I reveled in the quiet.  I busied myself with my writing, buried myself in books as I always had, and got more housework done than ever before.  After a week it dawned on me that no one else was in the house save me and my menagerie of pets.  If I wanted to play music full blast, who would care?  If I wanted to wear pajamas all day, who cared?  As long as I was dressed and pressed before my little darlings arrived from school it was all good.  I discovered what it was like to go to the store without a couple of kids attached at the hip.  I discovered freedom, and I discovered I liked it!  I liked the silence broken only by the soft hum of the dryer.

             I use this time to reconnect with myself.  I have realized that being alone is very much apart of who I am as a person.  Why else would I have married a man who chose a profession that has him gone all but 4-6 days a month?    It isn’t a life for everyone, but very much a life for me.  I enjoy spending time with my husband and kids, but love my solitude and alone time as well.  I keep to myself, and always have.   After 43 years on this planet, I finally have decided that my love of solitude is OK.  It is in these moments when I hear G0d most clearly.  When it comes right down to it, I am never totally alone because HE is always with me until next time when I give you another glimpse into the life of a trucker’s wife.

Tasty Tuesday: Rocky Road Brownie Pizza

2/3 cup all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 ounces unsweetened chocolate

1/4 cup melted margarine

1 cup sugar

1 egg 

1 tsp vanilla extract

Topping

1/4 cup chopped mixed nuts

1/3 cup peanut butter chips or milk chocolate chips

1/3 cup miniature marshmallows

1/4 cup coconut flakes

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a 9 inch pie plate with cooking spray.  Combine salt and flour;set aside.

Melt chocolate in a sauce pan; remove from heat.  Mix in margarine and sugar.

Add egg and vanilla to chocolate mixture in pan; mix until smooth.  Stir flour mixture into chocolate mixture.

Spread batter in prepared pie plate.  Bake until set, about 15 minutes.

For topping, mix nuts, peanut butter or chocolate chips, marshmallows and coconut together.  Sprinkle mixture over brownie layer.  Bake for 10 minutes or until pizza pulls away from sides of pan.  Cool before cutting. 

Bon Appetit!