At Play Posts

07Apr
0

This Tune Brings Back A Ton of Memories

I had my mp3 player shuffling through my collections while I was on my excercise path the other day.  One song stopped my in my tracks for just a minute reminding my of a funny story.  The more I listened the more I realized that my whole music collection was weaving the stories that made up my life.

Weird Al Yankovic.  Oh My Word I don’t want to put this one on the list but it brought me to one of my bestes girlfriends in the whole world.  We were about 12 and 14 when this guy played our local fair.  We were limited in transporation and funds so this is what happened to be playing the night we were dropped off at the fair.  To this day we laugh our butts off about this concert.

Michael Jackson – Thriller Album – I remember this being one of my first cassesttes.  I played it over and over on the tape recorder while riding with my Grandparents to Sioux Falls, SD.  My grandparents must have had incredible patience or their hearing aids shut off because I think I played this until the tape was shot.

The Boss  -  Thank you to my Uncle Cary for being the coolest bachelor uncle in the whole world.  He had the most incredible sound system in its place.  I laugh because the thing took up the entire wall and now I carry the entire collection on a 2.5 X 4 inch uncle of metal and plastic.

Kiss –   I was never into heavy metal but I will never turn down the volume on a Kiss tune for as long as I live.  It will forever bring back memories of Saturday nights and a black Fiero.    Just memories now, of a incredible young fellow the world will never know as an incredible older man.

Back In Black – Were were the coolest or what.  Our high school basketball team’s anthem as they prepared for State tournaments.

Garth Brooks – His songs hold more memories than I can count.  I will forever remember a concert I took in with two of my favorite guys.  Garth flew around the rotating stage hanging from a rope dowsing the crowd with water.

Laurie Morgan – Except for Mondays – I remember playing this in a trip back from somewhere bawling my eyes out.  By the 3rd or 4th play the world would again be alright.

Waylon Jennings – Luckenbach Texas – If you knew me you would know that I have not always taken a traditional path.  I fell off the path completely by featuring “Luckenbach Texas” as my wedding dance song.  My husband is a huge Waylon Fan.  The wedding was for me, the party was for him so Luckenback Texas was really not a sacrifice and I can guarantee the crowd will never forget it either.

Belly Belly Button – Personal Rendition – After all the party songs the babies came and my need for popular music was over rode by Twinkle, Twinkle and I’m a little Tea Cup.  I always sang little tunes I created mostly because I couldn’t remember the words to the traditional so this is mine that the kids still ask to hear every now and again.

Belly Button, Belly Belly Button

Belly Button Friend of Mine

Stuck Here in the middle

right where I can diddle

belly button friend of mine.

I know it is truly corny but it made them laugh.

Then They Do – Trace Adkins – This song sent me into yet another flurry of emotion.  I was driving the kids to school laster year.  The youngest going to kindergarten and the oldest in her last year of elementary when Trace Adkins started to sing “Then They Do,” then I did.  I cried like a baby.  I was just lucky that the school was about 10 miles away so I could compose myself before I waked them in.  On starting and one on her ending.

I hope this musical montage helps you remember some of the great times helps your create your own musical story.  Please leave your music triggered comments below.

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06Apr
1

You Are The Best Thing

You Are the Best Thing by Ray LaMontane is my new ringtone and it should be yours too.  Especially if you are a woman.  We women are harder on ourselves than we really should be or at least I am.  I can make myself feel worst than any bully on the planet.  So for a little pick me up Mr. LaMontante  is my ringtone.  It is a little reminder that always makes me feel better.

If you need a little pick me up play the video below.  Get out of your chair and do a little dance if you feel like it.  I do.

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23Mar
0

There’s a Bird in the Toilet!!!!! What????

“There’s  a Bird in the Toilet!”  This was the statement “Little Boy,” was shouting at blood curdling pitches.  I was on the phone with my aunt when the announcement came.  I gotta go, I gotta go I replied as I tossed the phone on the bed and headed for the bathroom all the while my son still screaming about his discovery.

Let me preface this by telling you I live in a house built in 1895.  It has had several renters over the years, one of them being my best friend before I knew she was my friend.  This house wit,h 11 acres came up for sale about 8 years ago.  It borders my in-laws farm as well as our other ground.  Let me say there was limited discussion about the purchase.  Location, Location, Location!  I toured the house for the first time and was less than impressed but again location, location, location.  My husband, the farmer, said in a few years we will build a new one.  Well if you have ever been married to a farmer, and I glad I am, you will soon learn that farm ground makes money houses don’t.  So a few years is now 8 and I suspect a few more.

No worries we have our own private road to Grandma’s house.  The kids are blessed to have Grandma and Grandpa right next door.  Believe me they take full advantage of it too.  Grandma always has snacks, is willing to read a book and play games.  You really couldn’t ask for a better set up for your family.

Back to the Bird.  Well being a house that has not always had the best care and being that it is 110 years old it is bound to have a few quirks but a bird in the toilet is one I definitely did not expect.   I peered around the corner like I was about to encounter a bear not a poor soaked bird.  I didn’t see anything.  I inspected the toilet and the surrounding area.  No Bird.  My first thought.  ”Little Boy,” is at it again.  He tends to tell some pretty tall tales.  I went back to folding laundry, when I heard it.  The Flutter of a paniced Starling.  He was just as freaked as I was.  Imagine if you were the Starling.  He certainly took a trip that I wouldn’t want to go on.

I tried to pull the poor helpless woman act.  ”Honey there is a big bad bird in the bathroom please come and get it.”  That didn’t work.  My husband knows me too well.  He knows exactly what I am capable of.  He instructed me to hit it with a towel and haul it out.

After swatting at  it repeatedly the bird and I were both about to have a heart attack.  He finally gave into my wrath and dropped into the tub.  I draped him or her in the towel and hands inverted in a Walmart sack scooped it up and pointed at Duff to get the door.    Out the poor bird went.  Crisis averted.

Needless to say another issue on the to do list.  Put a screen on the vent that accesses the toilet.  I continue to keep telling myself that these are character building episodes and will make me eternally grateful when I actually do get to turn the key in my new home, whenever that happens.

Have a Great Day

Charity

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Posted by admin in At Play
24Feb
0

Things Your Kids Say That Make You Say Aww!

“Little Boy” was very conflicted today.  He had no desire to go to school today.  He cried as we stood by the door waiting for the bus.  I begged him to tell me why he didn’t want to go to school today.  He said, “I don’t have any friends.”  I knew that was not true.  He has charisma up the wazoo.  Kids flock to him.  I suspected he was tired from repeated trips downstairs needing a drink of water, a snack, a blanket etc….  Anyway I said of course you have friends.  His reply, “I don’t have any friends because they are all 6 and I am only 5.”  Wow to have such issues.  Being the big Meany I am, he got a hug and a kiss and a swift shove out the door to the arms of his fabulous bus driver who has the patience of a saint.  Crisis overted.

When he returned from school today he crawled up on my lap baby style.  Threw his arm around my neck.  As we rocked he said, “Mama, I don’t want to have birthday this week.”  After the morning conversation I thought he would be thrilled to get to the grand old age of 6.  ”I said why don’t you want to have your birthday?”  He drowsily replied, “because I don’t want to get to old to sit on your lap.”  OK let’s here it Awww.  I just forgave him immediately for throwing the football through the house, pumping my face moisturizer all over the bathroom floor, coming down the stairs a hundred times when he was supposed to be in bed, eating nothing but dums dums for supper the night before and any other issues he creates in the next week.

Ladies and gentlemen these are the moments that make parenthood the best thing in the whole world.

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09Feb
2

Bunco with Red Velvet Chocolate Cake

Red Velvet Chocolate Cake

One night a month.  I leave the house with $3 in my pocket to join a group of ladies who have been playing bunco for years.  Bunco is a leave your brain at the door kind of game.  We play with a group of 12 ladies.  I asked one of them how long our group was in business.  In true Bunco Girl fashion I received this response.  ”I was invited when I just found out I was pregnant with Sunny – (right after getting into a size 7 at Diet Center) – and Sunny turned 27 last Sunday. They had been meeting a long time before that – I think Moe wasn’t married yet, and she is a charter member – also Ardith is a charter member.”  Needless to say our bunco group has been playing for a very long time.

Myself I can remember starting about 2 kids ago.  The group of people are I play with are unique.  We don’t see each other everyday so it is always an interesting conversation.  We catch up on the lives of our members every month.  Better yet we catch up on the lives of the people in each others neighborhoods once a month.  If you want to find out what is happening in your little corner of the world put together a bunco group.

We contribute a grand total of $3 per person to play.  Each member hosts once per year and takes our bunco money for prizes when they host.  The host is responsible for Getting a $13 gift for 1st, $10 for 2nd, $8 for 3rd, $5 for bunco and they foot the bill for the boobie prize.

There are tons of different ways to play.  I can’t explain how we do it.  You just have to sit down and jump in to play.  Usually a vet is there to bring the newbies along.  And the newbies are there to keep the vets in check.  While we don’t play for blood I would have to say we can get a little competitive.  Our ladies are pretty creative with the prizes so it is always fun to win and take home the bunco prize.  If you want the down low on how to really play the game visit Bunco Rules.

One of the best parts of our bunco night it the desert at the end.  I rarely pass on whatever our gals cook up.  We don’t have a bad baker in the bunch.  My night to host included a Red Velvet Chocolate Cake.  I had never made one before but I can tell you I will make several in the future.  The batter was incredible.  I admit to licking the bowl and the spatula myself. It included a mixture of vinegar and baking powder at the end that did something that made this cake recipe a keeper in my book.

Here is the recipe.  I hope you enjoy it and possible use it for you next bunco session.

INGREDIENTS

Makes one 8-inch cake.

  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pans
  • 2 1/2 cups cake flour (not self-rising), sifted, plus more for pans
  • 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 one-ounce bottles liquid red food coloring
  • 3 tablespoons lukewarm water
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • Cream Cheese Frosting for Red Velvet Cake

DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter two 8-by-2-inch round cake pans. Line with parchment paper, and butter again. Dust with flour, and tap out the excess; set aside. In a medium bowl, sift together cake flour, cocoa, and baking powder; set aside.
  2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the butter and sugar, and beat on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 15 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla, salt, food coloring, and water; beat, scraping down the sides of the bowl, until well combined. Add reserved dry ingredients in additions, alternating with the buttermilk; beat on low speed until well combined.
  3. In a small bowl, stir together baking soda and vinegar; add to batter. Beat on medium speed for 10 seconds. Be sure not to over beat. Divide batter between prepared pans, and bake until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove pans from oven, and transfer to a wire rack to cool, about 15 minutes. Turn cakes out onto rack; let stand until completely cool.
  4. Using a serrated knife, trim tops of cakes so surfaces are level. Place a layer on a cake stand or cardboard round, and spread about 1/3 of the frosting over top. Place the second layer on top, and spread with the remaining frosting over the tops and sides of assembled cake. Transfer to refrigerator, and chill until ready to serve.

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