I am so smart....s-m-r-t....I mean s-m-a-r-t~Homer Simpson

WooHoo!  I figured out how to put a picture on my journal.  I am practicing for when I have a picture of me to put up....btw Lanny, my picture will not be one of me "in all my glory"....ahem!  Sheesh, give a guy a compliment and see what happens?!  Anyhoo, this is my dh's other love, his 57 Ford.  By comparison, it has waaayyyy more junk in the trunk than me!

Exciting NC update....

Well, the snow is back in the forecast....for Saturday and Monday!  Maybe we will get snowed in!  I also forgot to mention, that my aunt has a web cam, so if I can figure it out, I may be posting some pics.  Now, don't everyone get all excited....I know you are just waiting to get a glimpse of the domestic goddess that I am.  If you can hold on till Friday or Saturday, your patience will be rewarded*!  (*enter sarcasm here).  Actually, I'd love to see pics of a few people.  I already know what a handsome gent Lanny is, the perky and cute Karen, the queen of pictures-about-town Monica, the witty writer that Karen's mom Angela is (and, might I say you have a LOVELY picture! You don't look old enough to have grandkids!)....however I'm in the dark as to others, especially my KK pal mrscheesestix and karensull12.  I can't help it!  I'm just a nosey person!  Anyhoo, that's my entry for this evening.  Now, I am going to, well, I'm not sure.  I have to pack and continue checking my lists....but maybe I'll just stay right here and read some more journals.  Yeah, that sounds like a plan!

Goin on a vacation!!!!

WooHoo!  Only 2 more days till our little get-away to North Carolina.  I can't wait.  Although, I must say I am a bit disappointed, as the snow that was supposed to be there on Thursday, has disappeared from the AOL forecast....grrrr.  I already have the scarves and mittens dug out and ready to go. However, it is supposed to be in the 30's the entire time we are there, so we will still need them. When I was in 5th grade, my very favorite aunt and her husband moved to NC, and I was crushed.  She was the "cool aunt", just turned 30, big blonde hair, perfect makeup, cool clothes....and the sweetest woman you'd ever want to meet.  She couldn't have kids, but was born to be a mom, so needless to say my sisters and I were spoiled.  However, I was the "special" one, I guess because I was born first. I was devistated that they left!  I remember crying for what seemed like days. So, from that point on, we went to NC once a year for a vacation.  I went and spent time with them alone during my high-school summers, and when dh and I met, we went there before we were married.  We have always said we want to move there, but the opportunity never came up. It was a 14 hour drive from Indiana, so we didn't get there as much when we lived up north.  From Florida it's only a 6 1/2 - 7 hour drive, so we go about once a month.  My girls love it as well.  I don't know, but those mountains just seem to call to you.  They are so majestic and beautiful.  During the fall we went and the colors were spectacular.  Whenever I think of NC, it gives me those warm, comforting feelings....like you're home.  Someday I hope that I will be able to live there, but for now, I'll settle for frequent trips. I've got about 5 lists going, so as not to forget anything.  I am a pack-hog.  I pack for two days, the same as if it were two weeks. My dh thinks I'm nuts!  I have alotted everyone one bag to take, one traveling outfit (to be re-worn on the return) and three other outfits for the "visiting" days. Hopefully that will be enough.  However, if the snow decides to re-appear the night before we leave, and we get snow bound,I'm screwed.  (And then what will Mr. "you pack too much" have to say, HUH?!) 

Mrs. Clean lives here....

I have a confession to make.  You might be surprised when you hear it, but I feel I must come clean....literally.  My confession? I LOVE to clean. I have been married 17 years and have gone through 5 vaccums.  When I am frustrated or angry, there's nothing like vaccuming. Nothing can lift one's spirits like seeing the "sunburst" pattern marks on a carpet. (Don't get me started on people who leave "random" lines!)  When there's a good movie on, there's nothing like a pile of ironing.  I love dusting and windex-ing and mopping floors.  The scent of pine-sol makes me happy....if it were a perfume, I'd wear it every day!  Oh, and don't get me started on organizing.  I'm usually known to those around me as "the one with the clean house".  I can't help it, it's genetic.  My mother has always taken pride in a clean, neat, and incredibly decorated home. It was from my mother that I learned to use Pledge because Old English is too greasy.  Or that generic Windex may cost less, but it leaves streaks.  And, of course, Bounty wins hands down in the paper towel category.  When I was younger, I thought it would be cool to work in a hotel cleaning rooms.  Imagine the sense of satisfaction one would have after cleaning 100's of messy rooms.  Of course, now that I'm married with a family, I've pretty much learned what it's like cleaning up 100's of messy rooms.  I don't apologize for my addiction, I embrace it. It is part of what makes me who I am. It's one way of showing my family that I love and care about them. Don't get me wrong, you can love your family just as much with a messy home, and on occasion I've had one. Some have said that cleaning isn't as important as spending time with your kids. I agree. But to me, it is just as easy to be neat as it is to be messy. Cleaning inspires me to do and be my best.  I think my kids have benefitted from seeing me take pride in a job well done, and hopefully they will apply that attitude in their lives. Cleaning may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it's mine. (And after that tea, you can bet the cup will be washed with Dawn and put back in the cupboard in proper order!)    

The Answers.....

I know that everyone has been waiting with baited breath, so, I am going to put you out of your misery and tell you the answers....

#1 is TRUE.  My father was stationed in Germany in the 50's and was with Elvis.  We have a picture of them together in the snow.  If I ever figure out how to put pictures on this thing, I will scan the pic for all to see!

#2 is FALSE.  I have never in my life entered a baking contest, although with my new KitchenAid mixer, I could probably win some sort of prize.  Have I mentioned how much I LOVE that thing?

#3 is TRUE.  I was coming down the last hill before my house during the winter, lost control and slid into a sign.  Thank goodness I didn't do a 180 and hit the gas tank!  Ka-BOOM!  (BTW Gordy, Escort?  No way....I loved my Pinto!)

#4 is FALSE.  I was never a cheerleader, nor a contestant in any homecoming dance....I didn't even attend prom!  I know, feel sorry for me....such a wallflower. 

And so ends the "All About Sherry Show".  All participants will receive a home version of our game and a 2 month supply of Rice-a-Roni, the SanFrancisco treat!

 

Majority rules....

Well, since most of the journalers in my "circle" are doing true or false questions, I might as well go along with it and try some myself. Try to guess which two are true and which two are false. Here we go....

1.  My Dad was in the Army in Germany with Elvis.  They had their picture taken together.

2.  In my second year of marriage, I was a finalist in the Pillsbury Bake-off with my "Praline-caramel Crescent Rolls".  I ended up being 3rd runner up.

3.  When I was a senior in high school, I slid on some ice in my red Pinto and hit a sign, doing $500 worth of damage to the front fender (more than the car was worth!).

4.  While cheering for the football team in high school, one of the players while running, tripped and fell into the squad, breaking my finger and blackening my eye....needless to say, I was not homecoming queen that year!

Okay folks....start guessing!

 

 

 

I just couldn't help myself....

I stood in the store, eyes ahead, refusing to look to the side as the candy stand was right there.  Seconds ticked away like hours, as I tried to resist turning my head.  Suddenly, a sound.  A soft, subtle whisper; "Sherry....Sherrrryyyyyy".  I turned but no one was there.  However, a flash of yellow caught my eye.  I tried, oh Lord I tried not to look, but I was like a deer caught in the headlights.  It was beautiful.  A bright, vibrant yellow bag, with rich brown lettering-"Peanut M&M's". I tried to look away, but couldn't.  As if posessed, my hand reached out and caressed the package.  It was like silk under my fingers.  It teased me, toyed with my emotions as I fought to resist.  Consumed with a need that I have never known before, I grabbed the bag and threw it onto the register belt.  As I watched it slowly inch toward the cashiers waiting hand, I knew I had one last chance to stop the madness.  However, I did nothing, and shivered with delight as it passed over the scanner, the electronic beep reverberating in my head.  I kept my eyes squarely on the bag the cashier placed it in, so as not to lose track of it.  The two minute walk to the car seemed like a lifetime.  I finally made my way through the sea of automobiles to my van.  My hands shook as I tried to unlock the door, the keys fumbling against the lock.  Finally, I was in the drivers seat, package of candy in hand.  Slowly, deliberately, I opened the bag, inhaling deeply the intoxicating scent of chocolate and peanuts. Hands trembling with excitement, I reached into the bag and picked a shiny, red orb.  I raised it to my lips, and slipped it into my mouth. A flavor explosion ensued....I may have blacked out for a moment, I'm not sure. As I finished the bag, the veil lifted, and the spell was broken.  I realized what I had done....I had cheated.  The only thing left to do was drive home in shame, and enter my insolence into my meal plan for the day.  I leave you now, a guilty woman....and hope that tomorrow will be a better day.