Things I have Done That I Will NEVER Do Again

I have written about my Things to Do Before I Die List™ before. There are romantic places, some innocuous things like camping, and even looking at fossilized bones. I have a weird personality.

But there are some things I have done that I will never, EVER do again. Frankly, I’m amazed I had the courage (or stupidity) to attempt some of them.

#1– Go scuba diving.

I went once when I was 16 or so with my cousins, and it was amazing. I really enjoyed it. Fast forward to my honeymoon. I tried putting on the mask, and claustrophobia set in. I just can’t do it. It’s sad, because Hubby and our friend The Nomstress and her hubby love to go scuba diving. I guess I’ll just be content sitting on the beach, drinking a daiquiri and being waited on by Paolo.

#2– Dive in a shark cage.

I was not drunk. I was a guinea pig. My uncle wanted to do it, and none of my cousins (cowards) would go into the cage with him. My only thought was, “I’ll show them who’s brave…”, and in I went. The whole experience lasted maybe five minutes. In retrospect, I was not as aware of the danger as I should have been. I was in an area of Puerto Rico where once you go ankle deep in the water, you are an active member of the food chain.

Oh look! Sardines!!

Chalk that one up in the “Stupid Tricks” column.

#3– Dance contest.

And yet, alcohol was not involved. I was asked to be the designated driver for a group of managers who were in town for a district meeting. Being the only one familiar with the DFW area, it made sense for me to drive. Well, my manager friends decided to go to a club downtown, to a club that specialized in dance contests. It was like a sing-along bar, only dancing, not singing. And we all had to participate. The song? Madonna’s Vogue. Did I know what “Vogueing” was?? Nope. But I did win a free soda for being the only sober person dancing. That one goes under “courage”.

Believe me, there are many more. The list is pretty long.

And people wonder why I live a boring life 😉

One Fish, Two Fish

Possibly redfish, but no blue fish!

Here at Casa de Aggie, we have fish for dinner on Fridays during Lent. But fish every Friday can be boring. So, I have decided to make it into a gourmet holiday for the kids, making sure to serve different kinds, and involving them in the preparations. Eldest really likes to bake, and Son has gotten into sautéing. Little One is still in the “just eating it” stage. But I have hopes for her.

This evening’s offering will be salmon. Now, I prefer salmon raw, but I hear cooked it’s pretty good, too. I will make sautéed grape tomatoes with basil and mozzarella, steamed green beans, and homemade rolls. And if the kids were good today, I may be persuaded to make dessert. Perhaps a cherry pie to celebrate the beginning of Spring Break!

And the beginning of my descent into madness 😉

Stupid Fashion Rules

I am not one to blindly follow the fashion trends and fads. If I like something, then I will wear it, and probably keep it until the day I die. Or until it disintegrates. But sometimes those fads and trends do not make sense. For example, the most oft quoted fashion rule of all:

No White After Labor Day

Who knew there is history behind that?? Not only history, but common sense when it was still common. However, that rule is considered archaic by most people, and kept only by the most rigid fashionistas. So, in order to meet both contingents in the middle, fashion designers came up with the concept of winter white.

So yes, they took a color commonly known as cream and repackaged it. I think that was Coco Chanel’s idea. And I know, most men would still call that just plain white.

Another rule I have never understood:

Match Your Purse and Shoes

This is my current purse:

You bet a year’s worth of Godiva™ that I’m not going out to get the matching shoes. I love the print, but there’s a limit. Common sense dictates that your prints don’t clash. But let’s face it: it’s not like most people will be carefully looking at your shoes anyway!

And one that gets under my skin:

No Blazer With Jeans

That trend started in college. It was wildly popular. So popular that the local thrift stores were making a killing selling old men’s blazers to young college co-eds who wanted to look trendy. And no matter what fashion magazines say, it’s still popular today. Fashionistas say that it is “cheating” to wear a blazer or jacket with jeans, because you are trying to make a casual garment (the jeans) into more formal attire.

To that I say, Pfffffffffft!! If I like it, I will wear it!!

Remember, the only rule to follow in fashion is the one you make for yourself!!

Feeling Pretty

When Eldest was very young, she liked to wear pretty things. Like all girls do. We’re talking flowers in her hair, dresses, frills, the works. I loved to take her shopping and dress her up. It was like having my own living doll. Which was awesome, because most of my dolls were Barbies that I bent in half to make into “guns”.

Then Hubby decided to take over. And the feminine little girl transmogrified into a snake-charming, target-killing, bug-loving, dirt-digging tomboy who, like her father, preferred the comfort of black clothing and jeans. My sphere of influence shrank into a miniscule ring the size of a penny almost overnight. I was crushed, but hey! At least I had Little One still in my so-called grip.That lasted…oh, about two weeks. Once she saw that Eldest had her own unique style, she too, was done with me.

I just gave up...

So, imagine my surprise when Eldest asks me to take her shopping for new clothes. Now, normally I try to instill a bit of influence over what my kids wear. I am adamant about modesty, but have pretty much given up on the whole feminine thing with the girls, since every time I would try to get them in a dress I would get the inevitable eye roll accompanied by the always popular, “Moooom!!!”

Eldest: Mom, can you take me clothes shopping?

Me: Do you need jeans again??

Eldest: I want a new dress.

Me: …..

Eldest: Maybe some pretty tops to wear at school.

Me: You mean in other colors besides black, grey, or more black?

Eldest: *rolls eyes* Yes…

Me: LET’S GO!!!!!!!!

So, a dress, some tops, and heels later, she is enjoying her new look.

I don’t know how long it will last, but I will be enjoying it the whole time!! 😀

Seuss Sithy

Today finds me running errands and wincing at the fact that Mass Effect 3 is now available. For those who need a translation, it’s a videogame. Unfortunately, that is all I know. Anyway, a friend sent me this, and I just had to steal creatively borrow it, so I could share it with y’all!

In honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday, and his wit. Courtesy of my friend Kenneth!

Y’all have a great Tuesday!! 😀

The March Hare

This is a great title to my post. Why? Because I am going nuts over all the stuff happening this month here at Casa de Aggie. This week brings dental appointments, tax prep, birthday party, and then, just when I thought Spring Break meant just that, I find that two kids have ROTC commitments and then family portraits, and then Son’s birthday, and after that I may be able to go out of town to visit family and deliver last Christmas gifts.

And this is all before the 18th of this month.

And after they go back to school, it’s Spring Concert season. YAY ME!!

This is what I look like, only with a sweatshirt. And clean shaven.

Sadly, the one thing I had to look forward to is no longer on the schedule, but at least the year is winding down, and the countdown goes on.

I’m just grateful to have coffee.

When is Easter?? 😉

On Appreciation

Sometimes we fall short of it. I know I have, many times. I have been a not-so-appreciative wife. I always try to see the upside of things, glass is half full, silver lining, etc. But lately I have been morose and down about not having Hubby home. It shows when I snap at one kid for not rinsing out a glass, or when I get impatient waiting for them to do some small chore. I am so used to having some sort of communication with Hubby everyday, that when I don’t, I immediately begin to worry.

And worry sometimes leads to resentment.

I know he is in a really tough spot, both figuratively and literally. His absence here has made me appreciate how much I took him for granted, and how much I really need him. I try not to resent the fact that he extended due to unforeseen circumstances, all of which I understand. But logic doesn’t help me much when I sit at home alone waiting for a text or a call. It doesn’t help me when I read the news. So, I have to shake this feeling off, and be more compassionate about his worries, and show him how much I appreciate the sacrifices he makes for me and the kids.

Counting down the days may help, but so will counting my blessings.

Feeling Blue, and Loving It!

A few weeks ago, the Lawnmower Man came by to get the lawn ready for spring. He ended up having to actually MOW the lawn, because the weather had been fooling it into growing.

Anyway, he has a new guy on his crew. A new guy that apparently is from another state, or another planet, because he decided that my bluebonnets are weeds and must be eradicated from my flower beds!!!

Me: Holy…. why did you cut down the bluebonnets??

NG: Uh, well…they are weeds, ma’am.

Me: NOT IN TEXAS!

NG: Oh, well, I’m not familiar with that.

Me: Where are you from??

NG: California, ma’am.

Me: (smiling) Well, that explains a lot.

After I calmed down I proceeded to show him where the bluebonnets grow in my yard, and told him they were off limits until they seeded. He apologized and even offered to get new seeds for me, but I declined, thinking this year would be the Year Without Blue. But lo and behold, my bluebonnets came back!!

Pay no attention to the other weeds.

They cannot be beaten!!

I wish the rest of the weeds could be, though 😉

Historicality!!

I love making up words. I think I enjoy it because English is my second language, and it was a challenge for me to learn it. And what better day to come with a new word than on Dr. Seuss’ birthday?? The man had a gift for brevity, and a beautiful soul to show for it.

“It has often been said
there’s so much to be read,
you never can cram
all those words in your head.

So the writer who breeds
more words than he needs
is making a chore
for the reader who reads.

That’s why my belief is
the briefer the brief is,
the greater the sigh
of the reader’s relief is.

And that’s why your books
have such power and strength.
You publish with shorth!
(Shorth is better than length.)”
― Dr. Seuss

It is also Texas Independence Day! On this day, Texas adopted its Declaration of Independence, effectively telling Mexico that Texas was free from tyranny. It is also the birthday of General Sam Houston, who is rumored to have wanted the ratification of the document on his birthday. What a way to celebrate!!

Long may she wave!!

And as a short aside, today also marks the day that Puerto Ricans were granted citizenship by President Woodrow Wilson. So if not for that, my path to being a Texan in love with Seussian wordsmanshippery  would not have happened. I hope y’all have enjoyed this little tribute to some wonderlyful historicality 🙂

Prayers for a Friend

I am a firm believer that there is nothing I can’t handle, as long as God is with me. I am blessed that I have so many friends to pray for every night and every day. All prayers are heard, though not all of them are answered to my satisfaction! But they are answered, and for every closed door, there is an open window. I just have to look for it, usually in the most unlikely places. But trust me, the window is always there, open and waiting.

A few weeks ago, an online friend of mine who suffers from cancer had to have a brain tumor removed. He is a true warrior, in every sense of the word. He is also one of the most giving people I have ever known. There was never a stray anything that he didn’t take in. After the last major hurricane hit his area, he personally gave of his time and money to fix his neighbor’s homes, providing shelter while repairs went on. He wasn’t afraid to argue with anyone, and he was always offering of himself to anyone that needed a hand.

I have lost touch with him in the past couple of weeks, and fear for the worst. I know he is a fighter, and not even death makes him afraid. But I will pray for him to get better, so that he can finally come out this way to meet us, as was his wish to travel cross-country. And if God has closed that door, then I pray to find the window, where I can look up to the sky and see him arguing with the Archangel Michael.

Because that’s the way he rolls 🙂