'Tis the Season

We may not have as much as we did last year but we have enough. Not everyone can say the same. If you know a family who may need help this holiday season, 5 Minutes For Mom is taking nominations. They are also hosting giveaways with prizes from the same sponsors donating to the families in need. I really like what these ladies do. Many of the promotions they run really make a difference in a families lives. Take a moment to see how you can help.

I'm Married to a 15 Year Old

Not only did my husband wait in line at midnight Wednesday night to buy the latest World of Warcraft, but he took yesterday and today off of work to "set it up."

New levels of geekdom have been reached here at the Drama House. I'm a little embarrassed to claim him right now.

He's been in front of the computer almost non-stop. He's taken breaks to eat but I fear he'd pee in plastic bottle if he thought he could get away with it.

I tried to think of when, if ever, I camped out or stood in line for anything and the only thing that came to mind happened in the late 1980's.

I was in junior high. My best friend called me beyond excited and squeely and said I was never, ever going to guess who was going to be at the mall in the valley signing autographs!!!! Even over the phone I could tell she was jumping up and down. I played her reindeer game and said, "who?" and she screamed in my ear THE ENTIRE CAST OF 21 JUMP STREET!!!!

And then I started screaming and jumping up and down too because Oh. My. God. Johnny Depp!! Signing autographs!! At the mall!!

I begged my mom to let me go and a few days later Mrs. Best Friend drove us to the mall on the day that had been circled with a heart and smeared with kisses on our calendars.

I took great care with my outfit: a pink half sweater, acid washed jeans, a white belt (the kind that buckled on a diagonal so the tongue was hanging down below my waist) pink and blue eye shadow, multiple pairs of socks and leather booties. Cut me some slack, you know you were dressed the same way!

We got to the mall when it opened to be at the front of the line and were blown away that there was no line.

Johnny and co were signing autographs to raise money for a charity and one could either buy a spot in line or contribute canned goods. We, being tweens with no money, opted for the canned goods.

So, with no line we decided we had time to walk around the mall for awhile and schlepped our cans of condensed soups from store to store while checking the mall courtyard periodically to stay ahead of the crowd.

Do I even need to say how miserably we failed? One minute, it was all clear and then BAM! The mall exploded with hairsprayed, acid washed, hormonal tween girls.

I don't remember too much of what happened after we got in line. It was a blur of screaming and neon and big hair. We dropped our canned goods in a big barrel and waited in the line to go up on a little stage where the photos were being taken.

We were hustled up the stairs and pushed in front of Johnny and Peter so fast our hair barely had time to settle back in place before the photographer snapped the Polaroid and we were shoved down the stairs so the next girl could take her place. If Holly Robinson, Steven Williams or Dustin Nguyen were there too I don't remember, because really? Who cared? It was all about the Depp man.

It was a totally bitchin' day. I had that Polaroid taped to my closet door like, for ever. What about you? Have you ever camped out or waited in line for anything?

Wordles Wednesday: Roller Coasters! (Pic and Video)

For more Wordless Wednesday visit 5 Minutes for Mom, What's That Smell and MomDot.

Happy Veterans Day

"We sleep safely in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm." -George Orwell


For all those who served, continue to serve and paid the ultimate sacrifice, we thank you. Photo from him

100 (Late) Things About Me for My 200th Post

*Take a look at my 'professional about me' here.

So this is really, really late. Like 100 posts late. Other bloggers have said this list is harder to put together than it seems and I was all, "nah, how hard could it be? I've known me for 35 years," but now I eat those words with a spork because this was really hard! And I'm totally boring and need a hobby like yesterday.

I've really enjoyed my first foray into the blogging community! You all are so nice and supportive and funny and talented. Hooray for me and here's to another 100 200 posts!

1. I was born in the Midwest

2. I have lived in CA since I was 9.

3. I have never broken a bone.

4. I met my husband in high school.

5. We married eloped two days after his sister's wedding.

6. I have never traveled internationally (Tijuana doesn't count).

7. I have more than 85 pairs of shoes

8. I have never eaten apple pie or guacamole.

9. Until now, I have had a job almost continuously since I was 15.

10. I could eat chocolate every day.

11. I am an extremely picky eater.

12. I like almost all music except hard rap, speed metal and country.

13. I do not like camping.

14. I'm not very good at sports.

15. I am a great baker.

16. I LOVE watching football.

17. I haven't read enough of the "classics."

18. I can't stand doing laundry.

19. I clip coupons religiously.

20. I could eat bread with every meal, especially sourdough.
21. My favorite foods are Italian and Mexican.

22. I love the beach, but hate the sand.

23. I'm barely 5'5" but everyone thinks I'm taller.

24. I love shoes and purses.

25. I have loved to read since I was little.

26. I do not own a laptop, but need one desperately.

27. The shortest job I had lasted one week.

28. I would like to be a better writer.

29. I would love to go back to school.

30. I have two middle names.

31. I have only lived in two states: Illinois and California.

32. I've been to the Grand Canyon, the Petrified Forest and the huge crater in Arizona (Texas? Nevada?)

33. We bought our first home a year ago this March.

34. I think remodeling is a true test of marriage strength.

35. I just finished an HTML class and LOVED it! (See #26)

36. It took me six years to graduate from college (went from one impacted major to another).

37. I LOVE roller coasters.

38. I am a lapsed Catholic.

39. I have never seen It's a Wonderful Life, Casa Blanca or Gone With the Wind all the way through.

40. I'm a very social person.

41. I love playing board and card games.

42. But I have never played Bunco.

43. I have yet to find a wine I like.

44. But mixed drinks are no problem!

45. If I were rich I'd have a Jamba Juice Breakfast Meal every day.

46. I spend roughly $960 yearly on my hair (not including shampoo, styling aids, dryers or flat irons)

47. I love watching TV. There's so much good stuff on!

48. I think my handwriting is really pretty.

49. My first year of college I wrote in a journal every day (I still have all my journals).

50. My top three travel destinations are Spain, Africa and Greece.

51. I love candles.

52. I can't sleep nekkid, and I need something covering me, even if it's 100 billion degrees.

53. If I've been screaming a lot (like at a concert or cheering for something) about 2 hours later I can sing really well, but it passes like that [snap].

54. I sometimes regret that I never had a one night stand. (Note to self: do not work on this list at 2:15am)

55. I wrote for my college newspaper.

56. I had a falling out with my college roommate and really regret that she never knew why.

57. I have read Little Women and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn more than 10 times each.

58. I absolutely love my married name.

59. I won a pretty nice portable grill from a Pizza Hut contest I had forgotten I entered.

60. I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up.

61. My husband thinks I'm "rack-tacular." (He's a boob man)

62. I kick butt in the bunny dancing on Rayman for the Wii.

63. I'm getting really good at pool.

64. I used to be really good at roller skating.

65. I didn't get my first pet (aside from goldfish) until I was in high school.

66. I have had all the supplies for my son's First Year scrapbook sitting in a box for 3 years.

67. I want to audition for The Amazing Race.

68. This September was our 10 year wedding anniversary.

69. I color occasionally after everyone is asleep.

70. I have less money in my personal checking than my son does in his savings.

71. I love cereal. I could eat it all day.

72. I love going dancing. I'd go every weekend if Drama Dad would let me (and could afford all the cover charges).

73. When I worked for Godiva, I won an award for top sales and went on an all expense paid trip to Florida.

74. I really need to buy my domain name soon.

75. I have only recently begun drinking tea (the hot kind).

76. I am a lightweight (if I don't keep drinking steadily I fall asleep).

77. I love buying cookbooks more than I like cooking.

78. My car has more than 119,000 miles on it.

79. I love kitchen gadgets. I could spend a fortune at Bed, Bath and Beyond on peelers, zesters and scrapers.

80. My husband loves the "strawberry patch" birthmark on my leg.

81. I need to get better at budgeting and frugalizing.

82. I have fallen off the exercise wagon these past two weeks.

83. I am volunteering at the 3 Day breast cancer walk in two weeks.

84. I do not like long car trips. I'd rather fly.

85. It can be a really nice day outside but I'll still have on sweats.

86. From my husband: "It's crazy that you've never seen any of The Godfather movies."

87. I do not like to put ketchup in the fridge (or any other condiment).

88. I can't whistle through my fingers.

89. I can raise one eyebrow at a time.

90. I can't make a good grilled cheese. They either burn or stay soggy.

91. is the year I graduated high school.

92. I am not a morning person.

93. I don't like needles.

94. I put Vicks Vapo Rub on the bottom of my son's feet last night and he didn't cough all night. I was skeptical, but now totally believe.

95. In addition to blogging, I'm becoming addicted to social media.

96. If I'm bored I can happily walk around Target, Costco or the book store.

97. I do not like any kind of seafood.

98. From my son "Mama, you're the most beautifulest woman I ever met."

99. I can't believe how long it took me to put this together.

100. I will not be doing another list like this ever again.

*Take a look at my 'professional about me' here.