Turf Dad who reformed his ways and refused to tag anyone with this meme since the swine flu is going around. Me, I already have the flu, although the doc says not the pig kind. Even still I am virtually on house arrest and no one wants to be around me. So I have taken a lot of stupid quizzes on FB this week. I thought I would go ahead steal this meme for myself since I was racking my brain to find something to post.

1. Who is the hottest movie star? Coincidentally this question would coincide with a quiz I took on FB this week, and luckily I had the opportunity to pick five because just one, that is hard for me...

If you had form a team to save the world who would be in it? by Nora

Aragorn, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Maximus Decimus Meridius , Wolverine and Leonidas ¡Esto es Venezuela! Tomaaaaaa!.

2. Apart from your house and your car, what’s the most expensive item you’ve ever bought? Probably our TV, we got a new one this week with our tax return and quite frankly the sticker shock for even a middle of the road flat screen is still killing me. It is nice to view TV without the lines and and fuzz though.

3. What’s your most treasured memory? Again, a hard quiz to pick just one. These little babes have been on my mind a lot lately. Zach at a few months and Max right after he was born.







4. What was the best gift you ever received as a child? A favorite family story is how one year at Christmas I really wanted a Crayola caddy. I asked my Nanny (grandma) to get it for me and she had presents wrapped under the tree I shook them and knew one was my crayola caddy, then bragged about it. Christmas morning came and I opened my presents and there was no caddy. She had hid it since I was being such a brat, she did give it to me later.

5. What’s the biggest mistake you’ve made? Again only one??? Usually about August I ask why I agreed to let my husband move us away from Ruidoso, a cool little mountain town.

6. 4 words to describe yourself. Goofy, Weird, Kooky and Offbeat. (in a good way I hope)

7. What was your highlight or lowlight of 2008? Highlight was watching my family grow and heal. I often stop and think what life was like a mere two years ago and marvel that we made it through. Lowlight, well nothing seems that low now.

8. Favorite film? Ohh again hard to choose. One of my all time favorites is So I Married an Axe Murderer. I quote it often.

9. Tell me one thing I don’t know about you. Is there something someone doesn't know? As I kid I was obessed with rodeo clowns and I ran around town in my cut offs with bandandas tied to the belt loops. I didn't wear clown make up though. Unfortunately I think I was in fourth grade during this phase which I find disturbing now.

10. If you were a comic book/strip or cartoon character, who would you be? I didn't really read comics as a kid. Unless you count Archie. I dig Hawk Girl though.

Randomness....

Heather from Ramblings of the Shy & Insecure, tagged me to write 6 random things about myself. Since I am in need of easy blog material and she is an 4-H buddy from back in the day, I have to comply. I have been learning so much about her, like the fact that she says she is shy, which is not how I would have described her growing up. It just goes to show how our perceptions about ourselves and others are not always reality.

1. Speaking of random perceptions of ourselves... I constantly worry about being too weird, except when I don't care how weird I am, and then I am obnoxious. I know someone else who does this and it annoys me about them at times, which is surprising, one would think I would be more sympathetic.

2. Today as we visited farms, there were at least two places we went that I knew the farmers kids growing up, I really wanted to ask about them but worried because in both cases I have heard they are pretty screwed up on drugs. I wonder what is more impolite, to act like I don't care, or be respectful and not bring up a possibly bad subject. Luckily I didn't actually see either farmer so it was a moot point today.

3. I have found out how out of shape I am the last two days. Turns out getting on my hands and knees digging around for bugs uses muscles that have lain dormant for far too long, I am really sore right now. Wii Fit should add a bug scouting workout section.

4. Blogging turned out to be beneficial to me last week. I subbed in a computer class at the junior high and the kids read a chapter of their manual on the computer and then had to practice html. They subject was numbered lists, bulleted lists and nested lists. While I didn't know how to do what they needed to do prior to the lesson, when they told me they were complete I was able to read their html script and see if they did it with html or by simply typing. The look of shock when I asked to see their code was great! They thought they were getting away with something, and I was able to help them do it right.

5. I am really missing my dishwasher lately, even though it has been nearly two years without it. I have one, but no room to put it in. Have I ever mention how much I bite at dishwashing, I still have to rewash things all the time. Aren't you looking forward to dinner at my house now?

6. Some errant blog I read for artsy crafty inspiration posted a link to this recipe that has me salivating. Luckily I am low on eggs or I might just try this from scratch. I have to remember I am trying to loose weight not apply it directly to my hips..... Anyone want to invite me over? I'll bring it, because if I am sharing then it is okay, right? And that leads me to....

Wednesday Weigh In Week 5 (I skipped week 4)

• Starting weight December 29, 2008: 236 lbs.
• Overall Goal weight: 140 lbs.
• Weight last week: 230 lbs.
• Weight today: 232lbs
• Amount lost this week:0 lb +2

Time to get back on the wagon... good thing I got sore at work that means I am building muscle, right?

Trying on a new dress.

I have been inspired lately, some of you have really spiffied up your blogs. I have spent the better part of the last few hours trying to do that to mine. It didn't take me so long because it was hard but because I was trying to find a background to go with my header. I may have to change it or learn digital scrapbooking and make my own background. You may notice that I added a blogroll over there in the corner. I thought that was cool feature how it shows the last post. I didn't realize I had never put one on here, sorry if you have linked me and then felt left out.

So on to other news or lack there of. Zach and mom survived first week of school just fine. You should be proud to know I sent insects for his first show and tell. Ladybugs because last week they were learning the letter L. Do you think I can come up with a bug for every letter? That might be a tough call, but I may try. His teacher may hate me by the end of the year. She told me she may call me in for when the study insects in the spring. Oh and just a side note for you teachers out there... as an entomologist I have a wee suggestion. Consider having your insect teaching section to the fall. There is a larger variety of insects out now in most parts of the country than in March or even April.

Monkey Toe Momma from Donna Reed in Blue Jeans tagged me to a meme with 10 weird things about myself. I have done that before, right here, so go check it out if you are interested, but it was only six, so here are four more.

1. My mother counts this as one of my weird traits, I have a degree in entomology, plant pathology and weed science. She always snickers at weed science. No, I don't know how to grow cannabis, so quit bugging me, I know how to control pests ya know.
2. I cannot eat pasta, cook pasta or wash dishes where pasta may have end up floating around in the water.
   
3. While pasta gives me the heebie jeebies, I have raised insect colonies no problem. Didn't even make me get the creepie crawlies.
4. I was born in Roswell, New Mexico. My husband claims this is proof I am an alien. Further proof? When we watched Lilo and Stitch the other day, the Man in Black at the end claimed to be in Roswell in 1973, the year I was born. He thinks that completely clinches it, as though that movie is based on some sort of fact.

Tag, your it.

Fabiola tagged me last week.

1.What was I doing 10 years ago ?

• Moving from an upstairs (not close to the parking lot, i.e. moving van) apartment in Tucson, Arizona 110F to Las Cruces, NM 105F. Holy crap that was hot long few days, at least it is a dry heat. : -)
  

2.Five things on my to do List?

1. Sort Laundry
2. Clean kitchen floor
3. Vacuum carpet
4. Clean the bathroom
5. Finish scrapbook for smarty pants going to Princeton cousin.
   

3.Snacks I enjoy?

• Chocolate, dark.
• tortilla heated on gas flame with cheese & some salsa on top
  

4.Things I would do if I was a Millionaire?

• Give some money to charity;
• Buy my own villa with guest houses for my friends to visit, a large greenhouse that could house my avocado & lime trees, grow chile, tomatoes, onions & agave. Guacamole, salsa & margaritas for everyone by the pool.
  
• Take a trip around the world.

5.Places I have lived?

• Artesia, NM
  
• Las Cruces, NM
  
• Lawrence, KS
  
• Tucson, AZ
  
• Ruidoso, NM
  

Feel free to particpate if you like...

I am From...

I found this meme over at Life from My Laptop. She got the inspiration from this blog, Fragments from Floyd, who got it from the poem Where I am From by George Ella Lyons. Fragments from Floyd has a good template if you want to use it to do your own.

I am from dusty horses, from Dr. Pepper and watching too much Beau and Luke in my youth.



I am from clear blue sky, dry desert, watch where you step, sharp pokes that harbor small spots bright colors.



I am from creosote that smells like rain, old barns with weathered gray wood rough to the touch full of rugged charm.



I am from great grandfather farmers with fields of watermelons, hot chile and sweet smelling alfalfa.



I am from apron strings, bread baking, biscuit making, can I get you some iced tea mom. I am from a junk fixing, large and scary but soft as a teddy bear, hold you till the hurt goes away daddy.



I am from Jesus loves me, the old rugged cross, I'll fly away Baptist traditions I have returned to. I am from smart allec, laugh a lot, rough around the edges, but fiercely loving meet at Nanny's house after church bring the banana pudding Aunt Brenda.



I am from make mine christmas enchiladas, a relleno on the side, frijoles and tortillas warmed over the flame on the gas stove. Mija where you been? ask the moms of friends.



I am from small town where everyone makes the front page, friday night football, 4-H fairs, two steppin' cowboys don't line dance, starched pants, ropers and show steers with their held raised high.



I am from thistle, pipes and clansmen back to Stirling of old from my da. I am from moonshine, ornery men and a preachers daughter and who knows where from my ma.



I am from yellow Polaroids with messy hair, star wars t-shirts, freckled face with big goofy grin stored in clingy magnetic paged albums a tomboy looking back trying to find her own style and grace.

8 Things Meme

This is meme from Contents of My Life, stop by and visit her if you haven’t already. Some of you may remember her as Curly Sue from MSN. I had started a post my top ten ways to relieve stress. Oddly enough most of them are in the things I am passionate about....

8 Things I Am Passionate About:

Singing Crafting — polymer clay, watercolors, making cards…. have a thousand more things I want to learn.
trying to be a better…. wife, mom, person… Chile (red,or green)
Gardening
Chocolate
Amazing Grace — I wouldn’t be where I am without it. Yoga & Water Aerobics. (I extol their virtues to everyone, now I just need to do them more.)

8 Things I Want to Do Before I Die:

Visit Scotland
Visit NYC
Visit New Zealand Skydive
Stay in a luxury hotel.
Make out with my hubby on a deserted beach ala From Here to Eternity.
Be financially secure
Be on What not to Wear….I want that Nick guy to cut my hair.

8 Things I Say Often:

Stop that! 

 Do you need to go to the potty?
Put on some underwear!

      Please put your boots on.

Aw Pickles!
What’s the dill? Pickle? 
Pretty much this whole song…. 

 I love you…

Rock-n-roll!
What’s up Chicken Butt?

8 Books I’ve Recently Read:

Sense and Sensibility — Jane Austen

Pride and Predjduce — Jane Austen

Band of Sisters — Kirsten Holmstedt

Driving with Dead People, A Memoir– Monica Buckley Price

Infidel — Ayaan Hirsi Ali

The first four books of the Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon

8 Songs I Could Listen To Over and Over:

American Woman by Lenny Kravits  

Black Horse and the Cherry Tree - KT Tunstall

 Oh Marie — Louis Prima

Brave– Nicole Nordeman

 One — Metallica 

I Bless your Name –Selah?

 Amazing Grace (My Chains are Free) — Chris Tomlin

Anything by my buddies Nosotros. 

8 Things That Attract Me To My Best Friends:

Do they make me think?

Do they make me laugh?
Do they get my jokes?
Understanding of each others problems.
Being able to help, even when the other person isn’t asking.
Their individuality Lack of Drama (meaning mean spiritedness, not problems, everyone has those.)

Acknowledging my personality quirks yet still love me

Things you didn't know you wanted to know, you know?

Malathion Man tagged me. I typed this up before I left and saved it to my drafts in the event that a spare moment in front of a computer was available. That moment has arrived at 5:30 in the morning while everyone else is asleep. I guess I am still on Mountain Standard Time. The trip out with three children under four in the car wasn't too bad. They were pretty good. I would like to just say one other thing before we getting started on this very revealing entry. HA! Malathionman I evaded your cloud of doom, but you got away. Justice will find you!!!

What is your name? Nora
Three names you go by? Nora, Aron, that fat mean girl

Three screen names you have had besides the one you have? Leucantha, Bugladynora, Azuldragonfly

Three Things you like about yourself? My singing voice, it scares the children to sleep at night. My curls when they behave. My amazing ability to get all manner of golf carts, trucks out of that mud hole I just drove through, without calling for help.

Three things you hate/dislike about yourself? My curls when they don't behave. My fat behind (I know this is shocking) I stink, literally, if you put a fragrance on me, it's going to be bad.

Three parts of your heritage? Scottish, Redneck, German (no wonder people think I'm scary!)

Three things that scare you? Malathionman's fog of doom. (you sure that is a labelled use?) Losing a kid, sometimes they find a hole in the zone defense. Lima beans, I really think they are tasteless.

Three of your daily essentials? Coffee with some sort of chocolate in it, chile (red or green some days both), a little quiet time.

Three things you are wearing right now? Bra, undewear, capri's.

Three of your favorite bands/artists of the moment? Metallica (old favorite) Sheryl Crowe (present) KT Tunstall (new favorite) *Sing along now, one of these things is not like the other.*

Three new things you want to try in the next 12 months? Miracle weight loss pill. To see if you can really eat enough Chic-Fil-A to get full. A margarita with as many of my blogging pals as possible. Tassie and Lizzie we are definately going sometime in September!

Three things you want in a love relationship? Respect, an ability/desire to clean, and of course sexy facial hair. (the facial hair is on him not me, okay?)

Two Lies and a Truth? I secretly wish for a million dollars, I secretly wish to be a circus clown, I secretly wish to have more kids.

Three physical things about the opposite sex that appeal to you? Facial hair, the curve of the mouth, and the eyes. (Hooters are bad thing in my case, man boobs are not cool.)

Three things you just can't do? Eat pasta, spray chemicals for no reason, figure out how not to be a tomboy.

Three of my favorite hobbies?Polymer Clay, Organic Gardening (It's more of a challenge), Blogging.

Three things you want to do really bad right now? Have a butler to pack and clean for me. Have some Godiva chocolate. Have the ability to pull myself away from this blasted computer and quiz.

Three careers you're considering? Teacher, Landscape designer, World Famous blogger.

Three places you want to go on vacation? Scotland, New Zealand, San FransiscoThree kids names. Zach, Max, Arwen (lucky I don't have that girl, right?)

Three true loves. Husband, kids, New Mexico

Three favorite animals. Tigers, Dogs and Horses.

Three reasons why you're doing this quiz. I rock at quizes (yes I am a nerd, thank you.) I cannot resist the challenge from Malathionman, he played along when I tagged him. *cough* I am lazy and this is easy.

Three people who have to take this quiz. This is not a command, anyone that wants to can.