Tis the Season

For memories, dreams and wishes.

I hope yours come true.

An Early Present

From Lucia:

When she went to the wine country with her new, nice friend, not this one, this is what I got:

My Holiday Outfit.

I am complete.

I Have Totally Elfed Myself

Happy shopping.  I am still in bed!

Happy Black Friday!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Happy Thanksgiving To All

I am thankful for all my blessings.

My family

My friends

My health

My bounty

I am also thankful for YouTube.

So I Took Everyone's Advice...

...and I had some wine.

I feel like my blue mood has gone away, and now I have a slight headache.  Not to worry, though, because I must carbo-load today in preparation for tomorrow's Turkey Trot.

Jules, Mimi, Miss K and myself have signed up for another round of Thanksgiving Day Torture: a little 5 mile jog through a New England seaside town.  What a bunch of idiots.

Light Blue Mama

Is it just me, or do you sometimes get a touch of the melancholy this time of year?  I love Thanksgiving, and all the wonderful food and times with family and friends.  And Christmas has always been my favorite holiday.  But you could almost set a clock on my blue mood's arrival every year at this time.  Sigh.  It arrived yesterday at 3:59 pm.  

This is all compounded this year by the fact that MY puppies are 7 weeks old today, and are going to be leaving us for their forever homes very soon.  

I am not even going to discuss my own offspring who are poised on life's diving board....  I really need to concentrate on getting myself a life.  Any ideas?

Shameless

shame⋅less

    [sheym-lis] Show IPA Pronunciation 

–adjective

1.	lacking any sense of shame: immodest; audacious.

2.	insensible to disgrace.

3.	showing no shame. My picture of Augie's helmet and pads is in last place over at Kacey's Photo contest.  I am no Kate, but, honestly, get over there and vote for me.  Seriously.  I give shameless a new face.  Tell her Mental P sent you;)

The Mental P Calendar for 2009

Due to overwhelming requests, I give you my version of the blogger calendar. 

Those lesser bloggers with the dog, chicken and cow pictures have nothing on me.

JANUARY

Idiot.

FEBRUARY

Remember your Valentine.

MARCH

May the luck of the Irish be with you.

APRIL

Fool

MAY

Hug your Mama.

JUNE

Time to get ready for the beach.

Oh, and Happy Father's Day.

JULY

Time to take that bod to the beach.

AUGUST

Doing everything right.

SEPTEMBER

What else?

OCTOBER

Fest.

NOVEMBER

Finally cool.

DECEMBER

Cheers!

Eat!

Order yours today while supplies last!

Priceless.

   MentalPMama(at)aol.com

The Lake

I was very lucky to be invited to a meditation group last week.  It was led by two Buddhist Monks from Japan, and I got so much out of it.  One of the meditations was to help alleviate anger which we all know is not good for us.  Or others;) We were told to visualize a calm lake.  After the ten minute exercise, I swear I could feel my whole body relax and slow down ever so slightly.  So, every time something bugged me this past week, I just visualized my lake.  And it really works.  Try it.  

I am away in the Berkshires this weekend, and I wish you all time by your own lake.  

Because We Need It

Well worth the 1:22 minute.  Turn up the volume. 

And don't worry about his head.  

Apparently it is as hard as my children's heads.

Crafty Mama

My Dear Friends,

Like many of you, Christmas is tight for me this year.

I will be making bedroom slippers for you all as gifts.

 Please let me know your sizes. You'll most likely agree 
that it's a splendid idea, and should you wish to do the same, I've 
included the instructions below.

How to make bedroom slippers out of maxi pads: 

You need four maxi pads to make a pair. 
Two of them get laid out flat, for the foot part. 
The other two wrap around the toe area to form the top. 
Tape or glue each side of the top pieces to the bottom of the foot part. 

Decorate the tops with whatever you desire, silk flowers (this is most 
aesthetically appealing), etc.

These slippers are: 
* Soft and Hygienic 
* Non-slip grip strips on the soles 
* Built in deodorant feature keeps feet smelling fresh 
* No more bending over to mop up spills 
* Disposable and biodegradable 
* Environmentally safe 
* Three convenient sizes: (1.) Regular, (2.) Light and (3.) Get out the Sand Bags. 

I've attached a photo of the first pair I made so that you can see the 
nifty slippers for yourself.... 

Awaiting your response. It's crucial that I get the right size for each one of you.

Thanks Bets!

Mental P Trivia

Psssst.

I bet you didn't know that I have a tattoo.

I have had it about four years.

The first person who guesses what it is will get a prize;

A prize selected by Mental P Mama just for you.

I will check back during the day to give hints.

The first hint is that it has none of the things in the above picture.

Family and friends are not eligible.

Your prize is that you get to spend time with me on a regular basis.

And you will be harangued by me on a low estrogen day if you cheat.

I will know.  Trust me.

HINT #1:  It is not animal.

HINT #2:  It is not a palm tree.

HINT #3:  Non- alcohol related.  Surprised?

HINT #4:  No letters at all. In any language.

HINT # 5: It is food.

HINT #6: Yes, Squazz, I have a tattoo;)

HINT #7: It is a fruit.  Mine happens to be green.

We have a winner!!!!!!!!!!!

Chesapeake Bay Woman said it first.

No laughing.  I'm just keepin' it real.

You know, like other bloggers.

Send me your address.  Your present will knock your socks off.

Swear.

Sanford & Son, and Mama

Here at the Mental homestead, we recently had much debate and parental input, and weeping and gnashing of teeth, but in the end, Augie took his birthday money and some of his summer earnings and bought new tires, or wheels, or rims, or something.

Aren't they cool?  I think they are supposed to be cool.

His old tires, rims, wheels, or something?

Neatly tucked "behind" a maple in the back yard.

Or not so tucked.  They are all I see out my office window.

He claims he is selling them.

I am not holding my breath.

Well, to be fair, I have some back yard issues, too.

But this was an act of nature.

Strong winds blew this antique urn over.

I promise.  Ask Squazz.

Notice how I am just letting the leaves gather around it to give it that seasonal look.

Maybe I should put a cornucopia out there next to the arrangement....

So creative this ol' mama.

The apple really doesn't fall so far from the tree after all.

Please help me feel better.  Show me your back yard secrets.

Please?

Four

I don't remember a whole lot these days, but

I think Country Girl started this meme:

Post the fourth picture in your fourth folder.

I didn't want to play along.  But I decided to be brave.

Now you see why.

May 27, 2006:  Sometime after 5pm.

Can you tell we had been sipping tequila vodka scotch champagne under the Hot Spring Sun?

This is my friend Petey.  He is both Noble and Unaware.

We were shot photographed at a wedding reception where we were waiting for someone to save us and throw us some food dinner.

Now I expect everyone to follow suit.

Go forth and fetch your fourth folders.

Can you out-embarrass me?

In Jules' Yard

What do you see?

Augie

For four long years I've washed this suit, and goodness knows, what a chore!

I've seen the grass, the blood, the dirt, the stains and grime galore.

I've held it very gingerly, then dropped it in the wash,

While thinking, "Next week, wash again, O Gee, O Lord, O Gosh!"

I've opened all the windows as I've squirted on the Shout;

I've breathed the fumes that clogged my lungs, of that I have no doubt.

The fortune on detergent, the time I've spent--I shudder.

For four long years I've washed this "suit," you can call me "Mudder."

But today I wash this uniform for perhaps the final time;

After all those years of drudgery, I failed to see the grime.

I saw the boy who wore it with such pride and dignity,

And suddenly the football suit looked beautiful to me.

I saw the dedication of my young man to the team;

His pride to wear the uniform, to play the game and dream.

I felt the tingling of the game, the tumult at the end,

The heart, the spunk, the cheer and pat of every loyal friend.

The character and goodness that this uniform helped grow,

And the precious boy who wore it, so special I can glow.

If I had one wish for certain, the one I would adore,

Would be to wash this uniform for four years more.

By "Mom"

A New England Stroll

A few days ago, I went for a walk with Jules.  I had a hard time dragging myself away from my puppies who have made it to People now, thank you very much.   We try to get our cardio in while the weather is still nice, and are pretending that we are training for the Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot--a 5 mile road race on Thanksgiving morning.  We had a beautiful but overcast day on our walk along The Sound.  Here are some shots I took.  This is my favorite time of year.

Happy Saturday Eve.

Shopping

I am bored this rainy, gloomy day.

I found these on Zappos.com

The brand is called Promiscuous.

They are kinda growing on me, too.

Send help.

Oh, and in other news, that Pregnant Dude is preggers again.

You can't make this junk up.  Seriously.

To Hell in a handbasket.

That's where we are heading.

And now, having said that, I am officially an old lady.

Yessiree, you can take that to the bank.

See? I can't control myself.

This-n-That Thursday

There's just too much going on for me to keep it all bottled up inside.

• Why do we have the loudest Recycling box on the street?  Seriously, Daryl in NYC can probably hear them emptying it.
• Does anyone ever have that invisible hair that somehow falls out of your head, gets stuck under your bra and tickles you to smithereens?  After you have clawed yourself to death, you finally find it. Then you cuss.
• Speaking of bras, I think I need to throw out all of mine and get all new ones.  
• My new Facebook account is causing all kinds of consternation among the teen set in my house.
• How on earth is the cat not bald? I swear I vacuumed up her entire coat on the stairs yesterday.
• I still haven't found a new dry cleaner after the big fire burned ours down.  The growing pile isn't pretty.
• I am going to call today Friday Eve.

Some Answers

I have some responses from your questions.  I'll try to be succinct.  Here we go.

AsthmaGirl wants to know how I feel about Puppy Cams.  Are you kidding me?  I'm obsessed.

Caution is as blank as I am at times.  Do not walk away from blogging.  We need you.

Tammy wants to know if I am reading the Twilight series.  I have them all, and will start New Moon this weekend.  I hope everyone is reading up for our first Book Club on December 8!

Sandie wants to know silver or gold?  Both.  Can't have too much of a good thing.   And I would go with coffee before mimosa.  Most days;)

Marlene still loves me despite my big bag of nuthin'.

Flash Stitcher inquired about renting a wood chipper.  Don't do it.  Messy.

Joanie had nuthin', too.  It must be catching.

Starwool Gal was quite curious.  Eyebrows?  Cannot talk about them.  They have migrated to my chin and neck area.  You can stop shaving your legs in the Winter. Gravity is not my friend these days. Same goes for flourescent lighting in dressing rooms.  I have no answer for the men question because I haven't figured it out.  Same with this pausing business.

Bear Naked was as sweet as ever.

Keetha asked about the First Dog "to be". I think it should be a shelter dog.  There are plenty of hypoallergenic dogs in shelters.

Deb:  I do not wear those acrylic shoes.  I merely laugh at them.  I decorate for the holidays less and less each year.  Tree, wreath on door and my mother's Dresden angels on the mantle. My life's dream is for my children to grow to be healthy caring adults who will make a difference in our world.

Jeri I wish I had a flight to England in my plans.  Sigh.  Back hair is unacceptable, and on men, too.

Annie wants to know about hair issues.  I detect a recurring hirsute theme here.  And I have no answers. 

Big Hair Envy is in the same boat with me.  Nuthin'. 

Mary wanted to know about escaped prisoners in Connecticut.  I have no idea about them, but I love Connecticut College.  Great school, and a well-kept secret.

Chesapeake Bay Woman suggests a bloggers meet-up in Virginia.  As I have told all my Virginia buddies, I am totally game.  And I will try to bring some other wine drinkers with me.

Peach:  Go back to bed.  You are the busiest person I know!

Ellen has declared my blogger's block a "Pause."  Fitting, no?

Dyln, I hate to tell you this, but that cat is not a stray.  It has adopted you.

Sassy, I was not in Arizona, but if I ever am, you will be a first stop!

Flea was enjoying her little goodie bag from yours truly.  She is going to make me a smocked blouse!  Most of my dress shoes are black.  You can never have too many black shoes.  

Debra, when I squeeze my stomach with my hands, it looks like I am expecting twins. Again.

Adventure Girl, am I funny?

Kacey has a keen awareness of this feast or famine phenomenon in a blogger's life.

Kaishon, I got the picture from Google Images; I want absolutely nothing for Christmas, and I hope your headache is gone.

Noble Pig, Monday was bridge night with my peeps.  I had a whole bunch of stuff.  Hence my stomach issue above.

Snooty claims Starwood Gal covered all her questions.  Phew.

Suz wants to know about the Puppy Cam, too. I really should try to do something today besides watch those puppies.  They come on at 11:30 PST, by the way.

Michelleb, you have one fantastic hubby.  Now you need to get a blog so you can tell us more!

Daryl, I wish I knew.  Really.  I may just come in by myself.

MamaGeek, the answer would be George Clooney.

Now everyone, go forth and be productive.

Or watch the puppies.

Live video by Ustream

My Favorite Email

Every woman knows that there are days in the month when all a man has to do is open his mouth and he takes his life in his hands! This is a handy guide that should be as common as a driver's license in the wallet of every husband, boyfriend, co-worker or significant other!

DANGEROUS	SAFER	SAFEST	ULTRA  SAFE
What's for dinner?	Can I help you with dinner?	Where would you like to go for dinner?	Here, have some wine.
Are you wearing that?	Wow, you sure look good in brown!	WOW! Look at you!	Here, have some wine
What are you so worked up about?	Could we be overreacting?	Here's my paycheck.	Here, have some wine.
Should you be eating that?	You know, there are a lot of apples left.	Can I get you a piece of chocolate with that?	Here, have some wine.
What did you DO all day?	I hope you didn't over-do it today.	I've always loved you in that robe!	Here, have some wine.

I am working on answering all your wonderful questions, and will have some answers later.

In the meantime, have some wine.

I Got Nuthin'

Seriously.  Ask me something.

Peace

The cemetery.

St. Paul's on the Green.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Lost and Found

After our little fundraising dinner dance last weekend, I was putting my things away, and I couldn't find my shoes anywhere.  I was a little worried.  How could I lose them, and when did it happen?  Did The Bird come and steal borrow them?  I mean, really, what was happening to my mind?  

Then as I was driving down the road the other day I happened to look down at the floor  on the passenger side of my car (just for a nanosecond, Squazz, I promise) and voila!  There they were buried under all that crap just hanging out all this time.

Sorry for the poor quality, but I took this with my phone while I was changing lanes on Route 1.

Twilight

Our first book in the Mental Pause Book Club will be Twilight by Stephenie Meyer.  I will post my book report on Monday, December 8, and my plan is to install a Mr. Linky so that everyone who wants to participate can link up to their own post about it.  At the end of your post, nominate the next book you would like us to read, and we will vote on them a few days later.  

Since this is a new adventure, I am open to suggestions.  By the way, do not be intimidated by the length of the book.  It is an incredibly fast read.  And a good one.  Now go forth and read.

This-n-That Thursday

• My husband Squazz and I have decided on a $100 limit for our gifts to each other this Christmas.  I have to be very creative.  Any suggestions will be gratefully accepted.
• On the other hand, I don't know what the cherubic children want.   They are so busy with college apps, they may not realize what is going on. I can only hope.
• By the way, I am so proud of them I could just explode all over the place.
  
• I am 48, and I like to eat baby food.  Like Gerber stuff.  The strained prunes are really good.  Seriously.
• I still don't know what happened to my shoes from Saturday night.
• My spray-on tan makes my hands and feet look like they haven't seen soap and water for a month.  It's embarrassing.  But for a few hours last weekend, I actually had some color.
• I am mailing my Pay it Forward gifts today.  If you see this in your travels, you should play.  It is fun!
• Has anybody ever taken Cod Liver Oil?  I am reading stuff about it that makes me thinks it's a panacea. 
• I am already tired of the Christmas stuff in the stores.
• I think I have officially turned into the crazy old lady with all the pets.
• And I am completely obsessed with this Puppy Cam.  Don't get hooked on it like I am.  You'll be sorry.  UPDATE: Sometimes there is a slideshow there, but check back, and you'll see them.  Cuteness overload.

Yes We Can

And we did.  America grew up last night.  In spite of fear mongering, in spite of presumed rampant racism, in spite of all the innuendo; Americans got together and made an investment in their future.  Rising above fear and embracing the possibilities, we move on to the next chapter.  With an eloquent and healing speech from Senator McCain, we are again The United States. 

And I have never been more proud of my country.

Mama's Book Club

Due to the overwhelming response two comments I received about it, we are going to start our virtual Book Club.  I think I would like to host it here to start, and do a Mr. Linky thing-y on the "meeting" day.  Then, others can take turns hosting, and moderating the "discussion."  

I think we should nominate the book we want to read, and I'll have it up for a vote on Wednesday (tomorrow).  Then, we'll have our first meeting in December.  Since I am hosting the first one, I will write my objective opinion and you all can post a comment, sign up on Mr. Linky, and publish your own review on your site that day.  By the way, you lurkers and non-bloggers are welcome to play, too.  We want lots of input!

Of course, I might entertain am open to other suggestions.  Whaddaya think?

I am not going to suggest a book this time.  Although, I might say that the Twilight movie comes out this month....

Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!

Now, go vote. 

Still Deciding on a Gift...

The lucky winners from today's Pay it Forward exercise are Chandra, Tammy at The Color of Home and my buddy in Canada, Bear Naked!  Stay tuned for my shopping experience;)

Chandra, please email me at mentalpmama(at)aol.com to tell me where to send your surprise!

Sweet dreams, everyone.

Pay It Forward

I played Pay It Forward a few weeks ago on Flea's site, and I was the recipient of an amazing body wrap that you can put in the microwave, and place on whatever ails you.  I am in heaven.  Now, I must participate in the forward part. 

I will send the first three commenters on this post a unique and thoughtful Mental Pause-worthy gift.  Tee hee.  Suggestions will be entertained from the peanut gallery as to what said present should be.  Mental?  Pausal? Connecticutal?

The Crystal Ball

Months in the making.

Lots of fretting and worrying.

Last night was our big benefit for the hospital.

And we had a ball.

Jules, Annie and MPM share the love.

MPM and Squazz.