This-n-That Thursday

Things that have been scientifically verified by MPM:

• Sunscreen and lots of water are the best things you can do for your skin.
• All roads do, in fact, lead to Rome. At least they do in Italy.
• There is very little better in this world than receiving a bouquet of flowers for no reason at all.
• It really is all small stuff.
• There comes a point when toenails are too long. It usually happens in a matter of hours.
• Speaking of Rome, it really wasn't built in a day. As a matter of fact, they still don't know exactly how long ago the building actually began.
• You probably don't need to cleanse your colon. It's pretty efficient on its own.
• My dog is a genius.
• Managing your expectations makes for few disappointments.
• It really is about calories in versus calories burned.

Let's have yours....

Shoe Organizer?

Fail.

Poor quality picture?

iPhone MPM eyesight fail.

Tuesday Text: Parentexting™

An evening with my studious daughter....

I guess I should look into an evening class....

It's Monday; It's Raining

Aquarius

1/20 – 2/18

Being bored is a rare sensation -- enjoy it while it lasts. Busier days are coming.

I feel a nap coming on....

Is yours this good?

Weekend Plans...

A little bit of this:

A little bit of this:

A little bit of Mr. Gekko.

Some of this. Ugh.

Annie is gonna make this for Sunday dinner!

And I will be supplying some of this:

It all equals a fine time. Indeed. What are your plans?

This-n-That Thursday

Utter nonsense:

• I think I may have an addiction to books. My "to read" stack is taller than I am.
• And David Sedaris has a new one coming out...
• Those "Your Baby Can Read" video commercials annoy the tar out of me. My babies learned how to read the old fashioned way: with their parents.
• Do you ever learn a new word and then see it used ten minutes later? I love it when that happens.
• I may go on a campout for the first time ever.
• Is it called a campout or camping out?
• I do not like harpsichord music. At all.
• Is it possible for a person to be stupid and a narcissist?
• Today, I would like to live in Florida.
• Steven Tyler looks more like a woman than most women.
• They covered the pool here at the complex. I guess Autumn is here.
• I love every season.
• I made this Chocolate Zucchini Cake the other day. You should make it. Today. The only change I made was that I baked it in a bundt pan for about 15 minutes more. Seriously. You won't believe how good this is.
• I am going to do 2 hours of cardio today.

A Cure for the World's Ills

Hold a baby for a while.

Everything looks better...

Tuesday Text: Parentexting™

I can see that I am going to need to broaden my skills.

I wonder if this would have been a good time to revisit the story of how I was in labor for two days with him? Poopy.

Feeling Affectionate

I just love my sign.

Aquarius - Sept. 20, 2010

An affectionate letter, phone call, or e-mail could come to you from an old friend, Aquarius, expressing gratitude for past favors. This is going to make you feel warm and loving toward this person, and you'll want to reciprocate in kind. Invite him or her for coffee and have a long conversation. The bond between you is strong. This isn't a friendship you'll want to let go.

...I'm wondering if I'll have to travel to meet this old friend. I am seriously feeling a little wanderlust again. And I wonder how I could make a living traveling....

Is your horoscope this good?

My Sky- One Week Ago:

Last Friday morning, Tuscany painted me a farewell picture:

The same valley 24 hours before:

Blue Skies in Tuscany
Blue skies in Tuscany,
Distant curving hills,
Cypresses and olive groves...
And flower-strewn rills.

Villas...and oak trees,
Old and evergreen,
Swallowtails that dance the hours;
Small lizards rarely seen.

The Oriole's lone recital
From a shaded bough;
Soft, warm breezes
That waft the cloudlets slow.

Lilac and yellow broom...
A splash of brightest hue;
Large, dark metallic bees
That visit swift and true.

Hot Sun...and strong scents;
The grasshopper that rasps its joy...
Amidst the lilting grasses...
That beckon and alloy.

~Hugh David Loxdale

Sigh. Happy Friday, everyone.

This-n-That Thursday

Of all the things I've lost, it's my mind I miss the most:

• The Bird had a 24 hour communications blackout for a media class yesterday. I hated every minute of it.
• I think it is very difficult to buy a get well card for someone you don't know well.
• I had a dream last night that I was changing a baby's dirty diaper, and it took about an hour. I am so glad that was not an issue when I had infant twins all those years ago...
• I ate tagliatele with wild boar sauce in Tuscany. It was delicious!
• I have learned that the older I get, well, the older I get.
• What's your favorite body lotion?
• I ate chestnut pasta with chicory, pecorino cheese and artichoke hearts in Tuscany. Have mercy.
• I also ate a caesar salad and lasagna in Rome. Hey. When in Rome...
• I wear my drugstore reading glasses everywhere. Even to drive. My ophthamologist says that's just fine.
• I gained 15 lots of pounds on my italian vacation...
• I guess that explains the aching knees and back.
• I also ate fresh figs off the trees every day in Tuscany...
• And pecorino cheese slathered with fig preserves...
• And Tuscan sangiovese wine....
• But the very best thing about Tuscany is the people...never have I met a group as warm and beautiful as they. I cannot wait to return.

Tuscan Fly Trap

Tuesday Text: Parentexting™

Sons...

Snakes, snails, and puppy dog tails,

Mama's boy makes her bite her nails.

"Be careful," three times she writes,

And then doesn't sleep the next two nights...

And daughters....

Sugar, spice, and everything nice,

Looking for her mommy's advice.

As a conversationalist, always astute,

And as you can see, a chef to boot!

And I wouldn't have them any other way♥

Off Center?

Off center... Is it jet lag? Or is the the 15 pounds I brought home on my person from Italy? And while we're at it, those 15 pounds are on top of the extra 25 I took with me. But I shall tackle this tomorrow. I need to postpone anything taxing. And look for a job.

What is your day looking like?

Oh, and I have some shots of my eating and drinking frenzy trip to Italy on my Facebook Wall.

Aquarius Daily Horoscope

Today's Aquarius Horoscope from Cafe Astrology

September 13, 2010

You could be feeling a bit off-center now, which is temporary. Postpone important decisions or appointments until you are more sure of yourself and in touch with your feelings. Pluto, the ruler of your career sector, ends its retrograde period today, and you'll find that over the coming weeks, motivation for pushing forward in your career returns. Obstacles clear.

Creativity: Fair ~ Love: Fair ~ Business: Fair

I'm Back...

...and not a moment too soon. I think I may have one thing left in my office that my beloved dog did not find and give away last week. Rome and Tuscany are everything I thought they would be, plus more than can be photographed or described. It is something that settles in your heart. I feel so very blessed to have been able to take this trip. More to come on this later. Now, we have a winner for 1000 Days in Tuscany: My friend Kate, #8. I cannot think of a person who will love this book any more than George's Mom....

Have a wonderful Saturday, my friends...

"Tolerance implies no lack of commitment to one's beliefs. Rather it condemns the oppression or persecution of others."

-John F. Kennedy

1000 Days in Tuscany

An amazing read....Or so I hear. I prefer books about dogs. But I know the lucky winner of this will enjoy it as much as my mommy did. I will leave this one open until tomorrow night. That's Friday. All you have to do is leave a comment telling me what a good dog I am. My sister will do a random pick tomorrow. Good luck!

Love, Dora

My Mommy at the Mall

She thinks we don't know about this.

But, hello?

The Baroness is Classy!!!

The Baroness von Bloggenschtern is our new winner.

I will have my mommy mail it right out to you when she gets back from wherever she is...

Classy

When my mommy read this, she laughed and laughed.

Personally, I don't need this kind of advice.

But I know plenty of humans out there who could use this book.

Plenty.

Now it can be yours.

And it's an autographed copy.

Just leave me a comment using the word "biscuit."

I'll get my sister to pick another random number tomorrow.

iPod Winner!!

My sister is mad at me for giving away the iPod.

I don't really care.

"17. And that's a pretty expensive thing to be giving away on a website."

#17Joanie said...

Wow, you get a lot more comments when you give something away! Sissy and Sammy are my little pals. Sammy likes to blog too, like you, Dora, so he writes every once in a while..usually complaining about Silly Sissy. Your mama is one lucky gal...traveling!

Dear Joanie:

Please email my mommy at mentalpmama@aol.com so she will know where to send your prize! Congrats!

I'll be back as soon as I find something else up here in her office to give away next.

Oh, and she says she is having a nice time.

While Mommy's Away. A Give-Away!

Hi. Mom is gone to Italy.

And as soon as that door closed, I was like a rocket up the stairs.

Her office is a mess, but I know where she puts stuff.

This is my face where I pretend not to pay attention;

Where I am oh, so aloof:

But I don't miss a thing.

See:

An iPod Touch!

And I am giving it away...

Just leave your comments telling me about your pets.

Or whatever.

Just leave comments.

Tell your friends and family to enter, too.

I will have my sister The Bird choose a random winner.

On Monday.

And by then I will have found another present to give away.

This is going to be a fun week.

Love, Dora

This-n-That Thursday

What was I thinking

• When I cut my toenails to the quick?
• When I colored my hair two shades darker than its natural shade?
• When I agreed to yet another charity event?
• When I put my nook charger away for good keeping?
• When I thought I could set up my new laptop all by myself?
• When I ordered a gluten-free meal on a flight to Rome?
• When-------------------

You know what old lady?

I've had just about enough of your sh"tuff."

And if any of you people are still here after reading her drivel...

(Yes, I am a beagle-mix and I know what drivel is...)

Work with me here....

I have spent some quality time up in that hole she calls her office.

There's some fun stuff in there she doesn't even know about.

So I will be hosting some give aways contests while my mom is away.

Just don't tell her.

Oh, and that gluten-free meal?

You get what you ask for.

Just sayin'.

Love, Dora, DIC

Dog in Charge.

Dear Alitalia:

As long as there is no seat-kicking rugrat behind me, it'll be just fine....

Your Personality at 35,000 Feet Is Thoughtful and Contemplative




Deep down, you prefer spending time alone to spending time with others. You enjoy thinking more than talking.



You are good with your place in the world. You are confident and comfortable with who you are.



Your gift is having a way with words. You know how to express yourself well.



You are inspired by what is possible. Real life is often too ordinary for you.



It's very easy for you to feel happy. You can find peace with any situation.

The Personality Test at 35,000 Feet

Blogthings: Our Quizzes Weren't Written By Bored 12 Year Olds