I'm still kickin' chicken!

Yes, yes I know..

No, I haven’t fallen off of the planet. I’m still here. I’ve just been out of it the past couple of weeks. Let’s see if I can catch you up on the ins and outs of Auntie’s life.

Did I tell you guys that the princess broke her collar bone? I can’t remember if I covered that or not, but just in case I missed it…. The princess broke her collar bone.

Sunday, a couple of weeks ago, she was at her dads and decided she would watch Sponge Bob on the arm of the couch (brilliant!). Well, bless it… gravity works, and she found out the hard way. She lost her balance and fell on her right shoulder, which in turn cracked her collar bone.Big frowny face, right? Nope! Look at that precious smile, even in the midst of pain. 

Our luck, this was 6 days prior to her 5th birthday party. *Rescind the fun jump and bring in canvas and paint! So, we had a nice ER visit, and she has a very attractive blue sling on her arm (which she wears wrong 100% of the time). But, the pain finally subsided and she is healing beautifully.

Then, this past Friday, I had oral surgery. I had a jaw tooth extracted and a bone graft done to prepare my mouth for an implant. Just let me give you a tip here… IF you’ve ever had surgery…or IF you are going to have surgery in the future; do NOT look it up on YouTube. I am begging you. I have realized that the real reason they knock you out for surgery is NOT because they want you to be comfortable… it’s to keep you from freaking the HECK OUT! *shudder*

So… I have had a very interesting couple of weeks here. But, here’s the big news!

I am starting a weight loss journey. It’s official. I am making this announcement for accountability only. I am using you people. HA! No, for real… I am one of those people who needs encouragement. My personality appreciates thrives on really needs requires attention. Some people have this figured out about me, and some not so much. Some feed my need, others don’t really care. Doesn’t matter.

I am taking you with me through this journey, and I will keep you updated on my progress. I am going to start a series of photos to track my physical progress. I will not post the photos until I have ended my journey. So, this will be fun for me, and it should be interesting. I hope you can get some entertainment out of it. And, I think it will help keep me on track and in check. So. … Here we go! Weight loss journey is under way. I’ve made a goal to lose 72 pounds. By when? I don’t know yet. I actually started this journey last Monday, but I’m just now getting to you about it.

So far… I have lost a total of 9 pounds. So… only 63 more to go! Woot! That’s what I’m talking about! Doesn’t that feel good!?

Yeah.. I thought so.

Giveaway Winner!!!

It's official! We have a winner!

You know, maybe people just didn't like my prize... or maybe they didn't like the question.. but I was really thinking that I would get more comments than I did. I may do a small pout about it, then get over it really quick and post another Giveaway.

Who knows!?

Anywhoo... I have confided in my dear friends at Random.org for help in choosing a winner, and here it is:

Comment #6:

James Day Mar 16, 2012 11:38 AM

The government has a secret facility in Southern Mississippi. They have been hiding living aliens there for years. It is actually an interstellar space port. They use humans for food and after they digest us, they use their feces for fuel to fly between the stars. These aliens have powers far beyond anything we have ever seen before. They promised the American Government all the power and riches they could ever imagine as long as they could gather fuel for their ships. In the name of greet and power we (the people) have been traded to the aliens for use as they see fit. Don't tell them I told you this..... no one was supposed to know. This was such a good idea I had to make it into a blog.

So, congrats to you! You are the proud new owner of this interesting little bit of fun. Now, it's your job to help me figure out how to get it to you. Hey! I've done my part; time for you to work a little bit!

And, thank you all who participated. You don't know how fun this is for me! :) Bookmark me and get back here regularly! I got some good stuff to give away. 

Happy Friday! :) 

Just a tiny GIVEAWAY!

**THIS GIVEAWAY IS OVER**

WOW! Here it is! They little giveaway I've been telling you about. Wait no more! Ok.. well, maybe wait a little longer.

..................

.........................................................

HA!.
Ok, ok.. here it is. Nothing fancy, just something completely typical of Auntie. And, since we will do a few of these... the first freebie up for grabs is this:

Did you know there's a secret daily flight from the United States to Cuba? Or, that in 1966, the U.S. government smashed a bacteria-laden light bulb inside the New York subway system? Or that there are quite a few abandoned underground New York subway stations? Or, that there's an entire (now-abandoned) underground movie theater in France? Of course not, because they are secrets. And this book is full of them. That's why it's called [insert eerie music here] the Book of Secrets. OOOOoooooo.

The Book of Secrets reveals hundreds of clandestine, covert, surreptitious, furtive, hush-hush, and taboo pop-cultural and historical curiosities, from government cover-ups to marketing tricks to Colonel Sander's secret recipe. Practical secrets are also revealed, such as how to obtain a flight upgrade, speak in public, or win friends and influence people. The biggest secret, though, is how the author managed to cram all these secrets into such a tiny tome. Really, this book is small enough to eat, if you had to - and with all the secrets contained inside, you just might!


Great stocking stuffer, bathroom reading or door stop. It is also quite useful as a coaster or paper weight. Personally, I think this is an awesome gift! I would love to have one. So, if you win, please feel free to give it back. No pressure.

SO!.. "How can I win this amazing prize?" you may be asking yourself!...

Ask no further!

Just answer THIS question: What is the best kept secret of the US government? 

This isn't a right or wrong answer. This is an OPINIONATED answer. I just want your involvement. And, the crazier the better! Tell me about Area 51 or who really killed JFK! I wanna know what YOU wonder about. Give it your best shot. Then, on Friday, March 16th at 2pm CENTRAL time, I will put the number of comments into the random number generator at random.org and waaaaa laaaaaa!. We have a winner!

So, give me your best and cross your fingers!
Also, feel free to engage in replies to one another. The more comments, the better! 

Begin.

Right down there in the comment section.

Now.

Go.

Size Matters

It really does! For example.. I am going to do a small giveaway. Not a big one. A small one. But, hey! In the tough economic times we're living in, anything free is great, right? Plus, this will be a great way for me to say "Thanks" for being such loyal readers, and maybe even spark a few more while I'm at it.

So, this is how it's gonna go: In the next few days, I am going to post a giveaway (so make sure you check in with me). I'll explain what prize you're competing for, along with a picture of it..then, I will post a random question, and you will leave a comment on my blog with your answer. I'll set a specific cutoff time and date the contest will end, then I will use my lovely friends at random.org to help me choose a winner based on how many comments I receive.

I will post the winner, then we'll exchange contact information and all of that beautiful stuff. So, you can comment as 'Anonymous' if you would like, that's no problem. I will post the winning comment in a blog...you'll just have to give me a little heads up if it's you. Yeah, I know that's not exactly fair, but hey.. nothing in life really is.

That's also why I'm not giving away a new car or $1.3 Million dollars. See? Size matters!

Stay tuned! :)

Anyone got any cheese?

Oh boy.. here it goes.

So, I’ve been confusing a few people in my life lately. And, instead of trying to explain it, I’m just going to write until my fingers stop. I would like to take this moment to say that I’ve had an epiphany. I think it required a few proverbial slaps in the face. …but I got it! I got it.

It got me…. Then, I got it.
It got got…and I got got.

Got milk?

……. Yeah, so…..

Um. I have just recently been convicted of something that I want to share with you beautiful people (beautiful people).

For those of you who aren’t fortunate enough to be able to hang out with me, let me give you a little background on me; I was born with my foot in my mouth. That’s it. That’s all you have to know. But, since you asked, I will detail a bit more….

I have always had this strong urge to control everything. It’s one hell of a trait. And, because I deal with it, it’s difficult for me to GIVE IT UP. What is the last thing someone in control wants to do?.... let go. So… here’s my deal… I fix things. I make things right. If something is teetering, I ‘tot’ it. Make sense?

The only problem here is that I am a constant failure. I can muck something up to the point of no return! The world doesn’t work like I think it does. If it did, we would all be bouncing on clouds, sucking pomegranates and arresting spiders. Maybe fluffing a few pillows…

Guess what.

It’s not my place to control things. I heard a pastor this past Sunday say one of the most profound things that I think I’ve heard in a while…

He said (and I’m not gonna quote him, because I’m gonna mess it up) something like this: Are you really narcissistic enough to believe that the whole world rests on your shoulders? It’s not your job to handle everything. You don’t have to be perfect. That’s not your job.

Ok.. so that really hit me. And, since Sunday I’ve been dealing with some inner demons over it all. Do you know how difficult it is to change a primary trait? It’s dang near impossible. I can sit here and encourage and inspire all day long. That’s what I do. It’s what I love… but, when it all boils down to it, I really have no right to tell you what you should be striving for when I can’t get my own self under control. See? Dang it. There’s that word again.

I think all I need is a simple lobotomy. HEY! .. I didn’t type that! I meant to say that all I need is a simple change in vocabulary. Psssshhhh!!... That sounds nothing like lobotomy. I think someone put something in my jelly beans. I also think that there’s a constant need for people to feel accepted and loved. When it all boils down to it, I think that’s it. Trust, honesty, love, patience, kindness, selflessness, loyalty… All of those things that don’t exist at one time. Why? Because we are human. But you know what? They do exist.

Perfection is a trap. Control is a trap. Keep your little mouse paws clean, and don’t get trapped!

“squeeeeeeeaaaaakkkkk!!!!!” *snap!



Mission Complete.

Taking a walk

We all want progress, but if you're on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive.

C. S. Lewis

I have written many blogs about forward motion. I've always felt the greatest form of accomplishment is to, indeed, continue ahead. This quote by CS Lewis brings out a very interesting point. What if your "forward motion" is to back track? What if your "road ahead" is the road you've already traveled?

No one wants to be wrong. And, no one wants to admit it when they are. Believe me! *snort* But, in the days of our lives, we are going to have to face the fact that we aren't always right. We don't always do things the best way. We don't always make the best decisions. And, we pay for it. You may not find reparation immediately.. but at some point in life, it will come back and bite you.

I believe the hardest thing to do in those situations is to stop and actually take the time to correct your mistake. "Haaa!!! Auntie, it's hard enough to get me to admit that I'm wrong! If you think I'm actually going to admit my wrong and try to fix it at the same time, well, you've lost it! I need time for my pride to heal before I go and make another mistake by trying to fix the first one."

You don't have to fix it right then. But, don't you think it would be much easier to go ahead and do the about-face? That way, when you stop for a breather, you will know what you're dealing with ahead..and you can plan your course of action to correct it. Let's face it... most mistakes happen because they are spur of the moment decisions, right?

Let's put this into Auntie's terms...

Jill is happy with her new Coach (for you guys, that's a purse). Hang on... what am I doing? ...

Mark Ingram is happy with the Saints. He is playing with the big dogs. He gets time on the field. He is practicing regularly and keeping himself healthy (for the most part). Aw heck...

Ok.

Bob has a good job, a nice truck, a pretty decent home and a jam up wife (come on, everybody knows Bob...stay with me here). Bob has had a bit of a gambling problem in the past. It became a big issue when he lost the entire contents of their life savings a few years ago; on a bad bet against the Tide (we all have to learn). At that point, Bob was scared of not only losing his earthly possessions,  but he was embarrassed at work, as well as among his circle of friends, his poker buddies; and most of all...he was afraid of losing his marriage.
Bob's first thought was to take his entire paycheck and go win the money back on some side bets this weekend (this would be an example of continuing with forward motion after recognition of a mistake). Bob had realized he had made a mistake, and his first thought was to continue in that same course of action to correct it. Can you think of a few "gambling" mistakes you've made? ...
The saving grace was the moment that Bob talked with his wonderful wife. She explained to him that this type of behavior can no longer continue, and that he could make a decision to fix his mistakes or to continue to make more (Bob has done the about-face at this point, and he is going to sit and take a breather to gather his thoughts about what to do next).
After a few days of deliberation, Bob finally made his decision. He took the first step on his course of back track and got a part time job delivering pizzas to replace the money he squandered out of the family savings. That road back was a really long one... it was full of things that he didn't want to do..and it created a lot of character for Bob. But, once he got to the point of origin, he was able to make the choice to take the right path. The path of continuous forward motion.

The moral of the story? Never bet against the Tide.

hahahaa.... I couldn't resist. Ok... so, really.. the moral of the story? What would it be for you? Did you get my point at all? Bob needed to think about a few things. He needed to consider his position in his family (the head) and he also had to realize that he needed to put his feelings on the bottom of the list. His needs and wants were of no importance. He needed to take the path of being a responsible and caring man for his family.

Oh... Bob saved enough money to replace what he had lost, and just enough to take the family to the 2011 NCAA Championship game. They all wore Crimson and was able to rejoice when their new favorite team WON! And, Bob was happy.

So.. I guess what I'm trying to say is; don't try to fix your first mistake by making a rushed decision about the remedy. Sometimes the road we've already walked, is the key to our redemption. Just make sure to keep it between the lines.