Sunday is snow fun

This gal was born to play in the snow...

The view behind our house

Yes, that is my husband...

Sidney was a fan of the 'noballs' (read: snowballs)

The boys, Archie and Jace - they love to eat the snow!

It's a little bright out there...

Another view looking down the road...

Sidney wanted to make snowangels, Justin wanted to make a snowman

Hubs and me

Sidney started to attack Justin's pitiful snowmound (that's no snowman to me!)

Justin tried to save our big beautiful bush - it was to the point of breaking from the weight of the snow

We love snowy Sundays

I keep saying..

I'm still rooting for my other blog, rallying support and looking for new followers

None So Pretty as You

So if you get the chance, just stop by and see all the pretties I'm showcasing there. I add things daily for you to look at, so stop by any time!

dotcomland

Don't you love it? I love it...

I am now officially and forevermore located at http://www.mommaruthsays.com/ !!!

That's right, baby. Dotcomland, we are here :)

Thanks for sticking around, you beautiful crazy people you!

Dear Snow

GO THE HELL AWAY!

I, for once, am not looking forward to this weekend's snow. I, for once, am hoping that this just blows over and we don't get anything near what they're predicting. I, for once, am not excited about the idea of it coming a freaking winter blizzard when we're inching closer to spring every day. I, for once, am not happy with this season and it's constant teasing; just the other day it was warm and sunny and completely pleasant. Now? We're supposed to get up to 14 inches in the high elevations. I, for once, don't want to see this crap; it's one thing when you're in school and the possibility of getting to stay home and play in the snow excites you - not so fun when you have a job and responsibilites and a full month's worth of meat in the freezer at home.

I, for once, am hoping that the weathermen are wrong and this snow isn't at bad as they're predicting. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, snow - I politely ask you to go the hell away already!

P.S. I've got the VDAY gift guides scheduled just in case we lose power again; they'll still get posted regularly. Look for another one on Saturday morning!

VDay Gift Guide: You & Me

(Spotted on Felt & Wire)

(hearton's etsy shop)

(sisterink's etsy shop)

(kuber's etsy shop)

(sparklegarden's etsy shop)

(LolasRoom's Etsy Shop)

(spotted on Wrapables)

VDay is almost here!

And to help you celebrate, I've been putting together gift-guides! It's always been such a headache trying to buy Justin something in the past for Valentine's Day. And then it occurred to me a couple years ago that we don't need to go all-out for this silly little love-centered holiday. So now we just buy sweet little gifts that are inexpensive (for the most part) and tend to be more meaningful than 'meaty', if that makes sense.

Hopefully, I'll have a little something for everyone to enjoy - and who knows, you just might spot the perfect item for your loved one! So check back tomorrow to see the first set of VDay goodies!

mobile uploads

I've been busy going through blogs - deleting ones who haven't updated in months (seriously, who does that?) and ones who aren't interesting to me anymore. I'm cleaning up my blog reader and making room for more exciting blogs to follow (any suggestions?)!

So in the meantime, here are some mobile uploads from the past couple months - just something to use as a place holder until regular blogging resumes tomorrow!

Wide-eyed in the morning

Beautiful evening sky- can't believe I got these colors to come through!

Eating lunch with my best girl - we were at this amazing cajun place ran by a couple who left New Orleans during Katrina. They make authentic creole food that is amazing!

She's too cool for school

My dad and HIS FIRST DEER KILL ever - he's been hunting 25+ years but never managed to get one until this past fall.

Best coffee-brewing system ever - keurig is amazing!

Snapped this the morning after I had a very rough night and stayed at Mom's (basically 'cause I couldn't make it home) - SidMo came bouncing in the next morning demanding we take a 'bass' (read: bath) and so we did :)

The only way to travel - someday we'll actually be able to afford a car with a built-in DVD system (or at least headphones that were made in this century)

Girly cupcakes I made for no reason whatsoever!

The day of the endless sickness

We've got to get her to ditch that thing - she's almost two and half. It's almost time.

at BINGO! one night with (from L-R) my mamaw, my mom and my aunt

Minnie Pearl and her barely-born 8 Basset Hound puppies!

I love the sleeping cheeks - I could gobble them up whole!

at Pizza Plus, our home away from home it seems sometimes!

SidMo update for inquiring minds

J: "I don't see how she has this much energy!"
M: "It's all that coke she's been doing..."
J: "She hasn't drank that much Coke-"
M: "No, not that kind of coke" [insert nose suction here]
J: "Oh. Well, coke's a hell of a drug I guess."

This was the conversation we had last night about our little rugrat. Lately she's had this extra zest for life - all of this energy that comes out of nowhere and lasts for hours and hours and hours and hours. She's like the energizer bunny on speed. And with all of this go, go, go comes emotions that are just as volatile and extreme. She's either REALLY happy or REALLY sad or REALLY mad.

And that's fine - I mean, I'm all for expressing one's emotions and all. But the kid needs to find a happy balance. The extreme happy I love and adore and cherish for the cuteness. But the extreme sadness is overwhelming. It's hard to explain things to a sobbing toddler. Once they reach that meltdown point, there's no going back, no salvaging the situation and getting things back on track. You have to step away from the whole thing, take a little time to regroup and then reassess how you're going to move forward (and usually you only have about 15 seconds to figure all this out - especially when you're in public and a tantrum happens).

Now that SidMo has started this new medicine for her reflux, I keep having these reoccuring nightmares where we're swimming in a sea of grape-smelling nastiness and we're drowning over and over again. Sidney hates taking medicine; like LOATHES it. It takes two people to successfully give it to her - one to hold her down and control her thrashing body and the other to hold her mouth still and give her the medicine little by little so that she doesn't choke on it. Sounds awful, right? You have no freaking idea. It's just a nightmare. And poor SidMo, whenever she sees the medicine bottle she starts crying and saying "I better! I better! I better!" It's the most pitiful thing you've ever seen...believe me.

But other than that, SidMo is a bouncing ball of life and happiness. She's getting so smart - lately she's started piecing more words together to make bigger sentences. She's learned more words in Spanish and Chinese (thanks to Dora and Kai-lan) - and I'm not sure if it's a good thing or not, but she can tell you what episode is coming on for any show out there within the first 0:03 seconds. The girl has a memory to rival 100 elephants (she doesn't get that from me)! She's doing amazing, despite all the stuff that's trying to hold her down. I'm so proud of her - so proud to be her mother and to be a part of her life. Nothing in the world rivals being a mother...absolutely nothing.

Even if you are the mother of a wild and crazy toddler who spends her days running naked through the house making fart noises.

blogs and posts

Here are some blogs you should go check out and posts you shouldn't miss.

Breed 'Em and Weep - "Can I Sell My Busted Intuition on Craigslist?"

Pacing the Panic Room - "Slowly but Surely"

Straight from the Bottle - "IUDisasterville"

Preheated Oven: Where is My Bun - "Both Babies!"

Junket Juice - "Three Little Birds"

Journey of the Mocha Bean(s) & Mummy - "Cull and Lockdown"

Schoolteacher by Day, Superhero by Night - "Zoe's Story"

The Spohrs Are Multiplying - "Annabel Heads Home"

halestorm happy

I know I've been on a music-talking kick lately - but I can't help it. And since I can't help it, I'm going to go ahead and keep talking about music-related things.

I'm in love with Halestorm. Seriously, how did I not know about this band? Usually rock isn't my strongest passion, but this band just rocks (is that corny?).

I heard this yesterday for the first time yesterday (thank you 99.3 Z-Rock) and I'm hooked. Can't get enough. I've been on youtube watching videos, putting their songs on my playlists and snatching up ringtones. AND as if that weren't enough, Halestorm is going to be in Knoxville on the 3rd!!!! With Theory of a Deadman no less (another rock band I likey) and I'm hoping that maybe, just maybe I might possibly get to go. That is, if we can afford it and if I can find someone to go with me! I might just have to hogtie my husband and force him to go, even though he loathes concerts.

This one might be worth it!

you can NEVER shorten it and wear it again

Honestly, how many brides tell you that about your bridesmaid dress(es)? It never happens - ever. Okay, well maybe once every 1,000 years it happens BUT 99.9% of the time it just never exists.

So what's a girl to do with her old bridesmaid (and prom) dresses that lurk in the back of the closet, haunting you with their familiar calls of skinny days gone by? Here's a project I'm really enthused about:

The Cinderella Project

All you have to do is donate your old dress(es) that are collecting dust-bunnies, and you will help underprivelaged girls have a night they can remember forever! Dress-shopping was always the most fun part of prom anyways in my opinion; it breaks my heart to think there are girls out there that never get to experience the thrill of the hunt, the rush of the purchase and the excitement of wearing a gorgeous gown that makes them feel special, if for one night only.

So what do you have to lose? Nothing - some old gown that you'll never shorten and wear again, no matter what some bridezilla told you. And what do you have to gain? Everything. Closet space, if nothing else. But you know it'll be more than that - you'll know that you're helping make a teenaged girl smile somewhere in the world. And that's reason enough for me.

Check out The Cinderella Project and follow (@HouseofJules) for more information.

honorable mention

I *heart* espadrilles - nothing says summer fashion to me like a cute pair of them! They come in all sorts of sizes, colors, fabrics, heights - from daytime to nighttime, they're perfect for summer!

(Loles)

I love them so much, I wore them at least three times a week during the summer of 2006. I wore them to my HS graduation - did all that walking and standing and picture-posing, and never got tired. My feet never hurt. I think that's the major reason I love them; so many heels make my legs and ass hurt ridiculous amounts (because I never wear heels).

(Genoveva)

Who wouldn't want a cute pair of these to slip on during those warm summer months? They're seriously perfect for everything - any time day or night, any location casual or fancy.

(Fabiola)

(Mariposa)

(Phoebe)

Seriously, summer cannot get here fast enough.

happy birthday, FIL

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEON!

the one where I keep talking about Avatar

So, yes, I did go see Avatar again (if you're keeping count, that only makes twice...same amount of times I saw New Moon) this past Friday night. Dobby ended up getting stranded in Radford from the ice storms that passed through there over the weekend; and Cassie had a family emergency that needed immediate attention. Justin already had plans elsewhere for that night, and since Mom was keeping SidMo, I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to go see it again - by myself no less.

This freaked everyone out; that I was just so nonchalant with the idea of going to the movies by myself. But just like I told them all, you can't talk during a movie anyway. Why should it matter if someone you know is sitting next to you or not (with the exception of a scary movie - total strangers aren't always nice/friendly/clean when it comes to snuggling up to them during the scary scenes!). So, I paid the ridiculous $11 to see Avatar in 3D WHICH WAS POINTLESS. Completely pointless, I will say. Totally and unavoidably, beyond comprehension, without a doubt, the most absolutlely POINTLESS money I've ever spent on a movie ticket. Why, you ask? There's no need to see it in 3D; it's not the kind of interactive 3D where the screen pops out at you. It's just a little bit more demensional than 2D, but not by much. I was pissed about that - but what's a girl to do? I really wanted to see my movie.

So, into the theater I go, cussing about that pointless $11 ticket. I'm about 15 minutes early, so the place is already moderately crammed. I pick a seat in a row that no one is sitting in, and yes, I go straight to the middle as to completely hog the entire section if possible. Right before the movie starts (I thought I was in the clear) here comes this little old couple (and you all know how much I love old people - and no, that's not sarcasam. I love old people!). So sweet - I think it was their first time seeing a 3D movie. The old man that sat next to me kept gasping and making all these 'ooh' and 'aah' noises throughout the film. Had that been an annoying teenager I would've lost my cool; but coming from this old sea dog it made me smile. I wanted to take him by the hand and say 'look here' and 'don't miss that', but I resisted temptation. Believe me, it took all I had to contain myself. This guy's excitement was contagious.

I loved loved loved Avatar just as much if not more the second time around. The effects and colors and design are all just beautiful. The more I learn about the creative production that went into making this film, the more I seem to appreciate the beauty of it. It's just a piece of cinematic beauty that no one should miss, even if it's not your kind of tale. I've been reading articles and blogs and tweets - and some people talk about how it's a racist film, one that chronicles the recycled tale of the 'white' saviour figure falling in life with a native beauty and saving an entire population by himself. I've read where it's rip of Fern Gully (a movie I also adore) or Dances With Wolves or Pocahontas*. I've read that the scene where Jake Sully claims his Ikran (the flying dinosaur looking thing) is reminiscent of rape scenes and is distasteful. Honestly, it's just a movie. It's a beautiful, breathtaking, groundbreaking, historically money-making movie BUT it's still just a movie at the end of the day. What you take away from it is your own interpretation, your own views and your own feelings. They may be triggered by what you see on-screen, but that's it. I don't like it when people over-analyze every little detail of something until it's no longer enjoyable. Avatar is a wonderful movie - one to be enjoyed for ages to come. Let's not plan on burning copies of it in the street because it hurts someone's feelings.

I have some questions about Avatar - some things that I didn't catch the first time around that I got this time. But I won't talk about them now; let's wait a few weeks (maybe more of you will go see it in the meantime) and then we I can talk about it. It's highly likely that I'll go see it again this weekend when/if Dobby gets to come home (she said it 'hurt her heart' I had to go alone Friday). So if I do, expect more Avatar-talk. Because even though my husband loathed this movie, it's quickly becoming one of my Top 10 movies ever**. Please, go see it. Just don't waste your $$$ on the 3D version (unless you live near an IMAX theater - then I say go for it)!

*Thanks to Sarah (@sarah_mcmahan) for linking this to me - a funny read!

(click to enlarge)

**A movie post for another time.

he and me: not on the same musical page

Justin and I have vastly different musical tastes. The first time I heard him say he "hated" Lynyrd Skynyrd was this past summer; I almost fell out of the car. Our convo went something like this (as 'Simple Man' played on the radio):

He: "I hate them..."
Me: "What are you talking about?"
He: "That damn Lynyrd Skynyrd band. I hate them."
Me: "WHAAAT?! How can you hate them? They are the epitome of Southern rock!"
He: "So? I just don't like their music. Never have."
Me: "Nothing? Not even one song? Not Simple Man? Or Gimme 3 Steps? Or even Free Bird?!!"
He: "Especially Free Bird - that song is like 30 minutes long! All of their songs are too long!"
Me: "You should've said something a long time ago; we can't get married if you don't like Free Bird."
He: "Whatever, Mary Ruth."

WHAT KIND OF SOUTHERN MAN DOESN'T LIKE LYNYRD SKYNYRD? It still baffles me. For shame, my husband. For shame.

Anyway, the point I'm trying to make is Justin and I don't appreciate music in the same way. Justin says that he either likes a song or doesn't; it really doesn't have anything to do with who's singing it, what kind of music it is, or when it was made. He either thinks it's good or bad - there is no in between with him. I'm much more picky and in-depth with my musical selections. I have certain parts of songs I love and certain voices that resonate with me; bands that I worship and songs that I want played at my funeral because they just represent the soul of me! I'm in love with music - I always have been. It's not in the sense that I play music or appreciate the specifics of it (like notes and range and tone); I just love music as a generic listener, someone who hears what I want to hear from a song. (I swear I'm getting somewhere with all of this)

The other night, as we were watching American Idol, the last contestant was some good ole country boy who'd done jail time and who I fully expected to sing something Hank or Willie or Toby or Garth. But no, he sang "Trouble" by Ray LaMontagne - and I almost fell out of the chair! I shrieked and looked at Justin...

Me: "DO YOU KNOW WHO THIS IS?" 
He: "Didn't they say his name was Chris or something?"
Me: "NO - THE SONG HE'S SINGING! DO YOU KNOW WHO ORIGINALLY SANG THAT SONG?"
He: "No. Why, who is it?"
Me: "RAY LAMONTAGNE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

I might as well said something in German; he had zero clue who I was talking about. So I insisted he give me the laptop so I could show him who I was trying to talk about. I played Ray's cover of "Crazy", originally by Gnarls Barkley. I kept saying to him:

Me: "Doesn't he have the most amazing voice?"
He: "It's okay..."
Me: "OKAY?! It's a-m-a-z-i-n-g. Second only to Steve Perry."
He: "Who?"
Me: "OHMYGODJUSTIN! You don't know who Steve Perry is?"
He: "No. Should I?"
Me: "The lead singer for Journey!!!"
He: "Well then, why didn't you just say Journey?"
Me: "Because....because Steve Perry is the one singing."
He: "Well no one knows that - just say Journey."
Me: "EVERYONE KNOWS THAT!!! I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW YOU DON'T KNOW THAT?"
He: "Whatever, Mary Ruth."


Point: I'm trying to make a point here, dammit! Musically, Justin and I are not meshing well. Apparently, we never have but now that we've been living together for almost nine months it's becoming crystal clear. We tried to listen to music the other night together - it started out okay. He played 'I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry' by Hank Williams, and SidMo and I waltzed (she kept calling it 'walking' when I tried to tell her we were 'waltzing'). Then I asked him to play Janis Joplin's 'Me & Bobby McGee' - he wasn't buying it (I think he said something along the lines of 'screaming, ugly lesbian'). So then we tried a little Bob Seger, which was okay - except I like to sing along with the music and Justin does not. So there's a lot of "shutup" and "I'm trying to sing here" happening! Finally, I took control of the music and played a little Fleetwood Mac, Chubby Checker, Bette Midler, Allman Brothers ('Rambing Man' is my latest musical obsession) and Elton John. Somewhere in all of that, SidMo got tired of dancing and Justin got tired of listening.

So there I was, lost in my favorite music - begging either one of them to just *hear* how wonderful the songs were. But like 99% of the time, they both just gave me that "you're crazy, woman" look and continued on with their happy little lives. It's not my fault I'm so inspired by music - and that they're not.

Maybe one day we'll all get it together and form a family band. Then again, maybe not. At this point, I'd settle for all of us settling on a song we all like. But I don't see that happening anytime soon, either.

Whatever, Mary Ruth.

proud gal

I'm really hoping someday this whole photography habit of mine can become a full-fledged working reality. I hope I can continue learning, continue growing and honing my skills. I want to provide for my family through the lens of my camera. I want to look back on these baby steps of my photography career and smile, knowing that I had passion and drive and the want-to. Because I really want to. I want to be so much more than I am right now, doing so much more - seeing so much more when I look at my photos. I'm so incredibly proud of myself for getting out there, putting my reputation on the line and allowing people to see my work and give me feedback. I've had some amazing people take chances on me and allow me the opportunity to take their portraits. I am such a lucky gal! These are the people I'll treasure forever; the ones who gave me my break, helped me to make my name. They are the ones that say something within me that I hadn't let shine before. I'm proud of myself. I'm proud of these increcible people. I'm proud to be an amateur photographer finding her place in the world; and what a beautiful world it is to see through the lens of a camera.

My photography blog, if you'd like to see some of my work.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BLOG!!!

Today, JANUARY 23rd, marks the one year anniversary of my blog!!!!!

I'm so excited - and proud of myself. And happy. And thankful. I'm so grateful that I have this wonderful corner of the internet to express myself. It's been an amazing year full of ups and downs - and you've been there to listen and support me, to share your stories and your words of encouragement. You are an amazing group of people, and I'm very glad to have you as my readers. It's taken me 365 days to get 60 readers; but I remind myself it's not the quality, it's the quantity. And you, my dears, are one beautiful group of people. (Seriously, take a look in the mirror - you are GORGEOUS!)

And to mark the BLOGIVERSARY, I'd like to share some posts with you from the past 365 days that you might've missed. Some are serious, some are goofs - but all of them represent me and who I am and where I've been at any given moment in the past year. 2009 was a wonderful year for me personally and for my family - 2010 hasn't been that good yet. But I'm hopeful that it'll pick up soon and things will turn around for the better. But for now, sit back - relax and enjoy some of these posts from my first year of blogging here at mommaruth(says).....

the first voyage
la musica
loverface survey
it's official
he's got it all
things you'll never understand until....
look what prop8 has made me do
for my best girl
In our version of Titanic, nobody dies
love songs for my daughter
we're the lucky ones
the rantings of a wife of an unemployed man

*THANKS FOR ALL THE FOLLOWS, THE COMMENTS, THE LINKS, THE LAUGHTER & THE LOVE*

preview of the weekend

I am extremely excited about this weekend (minus points for all the rain we're having - go away, already bad weather!)...

Cassie and I are going to see Avatar tonight!!! She's never seen it, so I'm hoping she loves it as much as me (because it'd be sort of horrible to have to sit through a 3-hour movie you didn't like; kind of like Justin had to last time). You already know, I love it. I've been watching clips on YouTube for days now, just building up my excitement to see it again on the big screen. And just the other night, we caught a behind-the-scenes kind of show that was amazing; the amount of time and money that went into making Avatar still boggles my mind! And after that show went off, we just happened to flip over to Jay Leno where James Cameron was appearing talking about Avatar some more! (There was a lot of eye-rolling on Justin's part that night...) So, yeah, needless to say I'm EXCITED.

And tomorrow I am shooting my first wedding!!! I took some post-wedding pictures for a couple back in the summer, and they turned out great despite my worries (I was worried about me, not them - mind you). But tomorrow it's live and there's only one chance to get the photos I need/want to capture. It's a lot of pressure and my stomach is full of butterflies; but this is what I love to do more than anything, and I know when the time comes my hand will steady, my eyes will focus and somehow I'll manage to capture this beautiful couple's day on film for them to treasure forever. I can do this - YES I CAN!

There's a lot going on this weekend - but I'm ready. It's all positive things, wonderful, happy, great, awesome things that I need and want to participate in to lighten the mood and bring back my soaring spirits*. I am ready for a good weekend, full of good things - friends, photography and food. I want this. I need this. And it just so happens that tomorrow is a very special day for the blog...you'll just have to come back tomorrow to see what all the fuss is about!

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!!!

*Dampening the spirits a little: we heard from Sidney's pediatrician. They're sending us to a specialist on the 15th to discuss treatment. While this makes me half-happy that we're taking action towards getting her better, it also makes me half-beserk that we have to see a specialist to begin with. If this wasn't such a big deal, her doctor would be able to handle it herself, right here at home, right? I'm a little worried; but trying not to go too-overboard with my crazy thoughts before we get the chance to talk to someone.

HOW PROUD ARE YOU?

I did it!

Don't you just love it? Isn't it beautiful?

It's taken me almost two days to conquer, but finally - I have my 3 column layout. And I'm not even that mad that I can't change that green background (haven't figured that one out yet - and I refuse to pick a new template and start again...for now)!!!

I love my new layout. Perfection, designed by blogger, taught by someone else and executed by me.

*HAPPYHAPPYJOYJOY*

the quirkiest online community

Are you a part of the Dooce Community? You're not? Well, why on earth not?!

I've been reading dooce for almost two years now - I found it one day while reading CBB (shhh! don't tell people - I'm a celebrity baby junkie!) When they launched the Community site a few months ago, I immediately became hooked. It's a great place to talk about the important things in life, real things that happen in everyday life all across America (and the world). Of course, we also talk about the not-so important things, the funny things that help you get through everday life. Here's some recent questions I asked the Community:

What's your claim to fame?

WHAT THE HELL, PAT ROBERTSON?

What are some baby names you never got to use?

They say you can't fix stupid; what else can't you fix?

And here are a few of my favorite questions being discussed right now:

What did your significant other, family or friends say when you told them you were pregnant?

What is your favorite cocktail?

Is it just me or has Jay Leno been making a lot of mean jokes at David Letterman/Conan O'Brien's expense lately?

See what you're missing out on?!?! It's a total gabfest over there and you need to get your voice/your opinion heard. Have a random question? Just throw it out there in the Community and see who will answer the call. It's fun and funny - and a great way to meet new people out there on the interwebz :)

Come find me (I'm mommaruthsays, DUH!) - and join in on the fun. I promise you won't regret it!!!

is this reason enough to have another baby?

Because I'm thinking YES...except I've promised myself to do the next nursery in penguins, so I don't think counting sheep will work :(  Oh, well. I guess this means we have to have two more kids (or two different nurseries)

AND

I must call you people out; no one has fussed at me for not putting up some recent SidMo pictures. All I've done is talk about how sick she's been - when I know we'd all rather talk about how cute she is..

 

Because she's kind of totally adorable, you know.

honorable mention

This song makes me smile. And get a little teary-eyed. It makes me dream about a decade I never saw. And it reminds me to love the days I've been given.

Bad Company - Shooting Star

Johnny was a schoolboy when he heard his first Beatle song,
'Love me do,' I think it was. From there it didn't take him long.

Got himself a guitar, used to play every night,
Now he's in a rock 'n' roll outfit,

And everything's all right, don't you know?

Johnny told his mama, hey, 'Mama, I'm goin' away. I'm gonna hit the big
time, gonna be a big star someday', Yeah.
Mama came to the door with a teardrop in her eye.
Johnny said, 'Don't cry, mama, smile and wave good-bye'.

Don't you know, yeah yeah, Don't you know that you are a shooting star,
Don't you know, don't you know. Don't you know that you are
a shooting star, And all the world will love you just as long,
As long as you are.

Johnny made a record, Went straight up to number one,
Suddenly everyone loved to hear him sing the song.
Watching the world go by, surprising it goes so fast.
Johnny looked around him and said, 'Well, I made the big time at last'.
Don't you know, don't you know, Don't you know that you are a shooting star,
Don't you know, oh, yeah, Don't you know that you are a shooting star, yeah,
And all the world will love you just as long,
As long as you are, a shooting star.

Don't you know that you are a shooting star, Don't you know, yeah,
Don't you know that you are a shooting star, now,
And all the world will love you just as long, As long you are you.

Johnny died one night, died in his bed, Bottle of whiskey,
sleeping tablets by his head. Johnny's life passed him by like a
warm summer day, If you listen to the wind you can still hear him play

Oh oh oh, Don't you know that you are a shooting star,
Don't you know, yeah, don't you know', Don't you know that
you are a shooting star,
Don't you know, yeah,
Don't you know that you are a shooting star,
Don't you, don't you,
don't you, don't you,
Don't you know, don't you
know, oh, yeah, you are,
Yeah, a shooting star, yeah, oh
oh oh oh oh......
Don't you, don't you know
that you are a shooting star,
Don't you don't you know......

give a button, get a button!

Today is a good day. I finally figured out how to design/create my own button! And honestly, it wasn't that hard (just Google "how to make blogger button" and there's a ton of easy tutorials out there). So, yes, I'm feeling extremely proud of myself at the moment - I think I'll take a moment here to bask in my glory.

[this is me taking a moment.............]

Ok, moving on. Back to reality! Now, what I'm going to ask you is DO YOU HAVE A BUTTON? When I re-formated my blog I lost all my buttons I used to have over on the left side, so now I'm going to have to go round them back up. And this is where you come in - do you have a button for your blog? Let me know and I'll come grab one. And while you're here, please grab mine - and let me know! I'd love to see who's the first person to have my official blog button :)

Let the button grabbing begin!

I want to be cool like Andy Samberg

Be forewarned - once you watch this, you'll never be able to take these supposedly 'serious' moments in movies again. Every time I see this stereotypical "dude walking in slow motion away from explosions" during a movie I crack up and think only of this video from the 2009 MTV Movie Awards:

Cool Guys Don't Look at Explosions

When we watched X-Men Origins: Wolverine last weekend (which is featured in the above video) I couldn't help but start cracking up. It's so funny how there's always at least one of these scenes in a high-powered action flick! And now that my mind is forever tainted with visions of Andy Samberg, Will Ferrel and JJ Abrams - I can never take this moment in cinema serious again!

Don't say I didn't warn you.

look! cute penguins!

You know.............Valentine's Day is just around the corner. And we all know how much I adore penguins.

Well, look at this:

Is that not THE cutest penguin display you've ever seen? I'm squeeeing all over the place here. It's too cute - too too too too too too too cute!!!!!!

Heaven help me - I'm in love with clay penguins again.

(our cake toppers that I still love just as much as the day I bought them)