Monday, October 31, 2011

An Owl-O-Ween Tale

There once was a tiny baby owl.  He had no family, no home, and no name.  He spent his days hiding, shivering and scared, in the base of a large oak tree, which stood behind a pretty yellow house where Mrs. Mama, Mr. Daddy, and Little Darling lived. 

The little owlet waited all day to smell the yummy food Mrs. Mama cooks, hear the hearty laugh of Mr. Daddy, and watch Little Darling giggle and play with her dolls.

The baby owl spent most evenings simply watching the small family, but what he loved most was story time. Mrs. Mama spent every night reading to Little Darling about a wonderful, magical world where owls are messengers, friends, and heroes. This place is called Hogwarts. 

Night after night, the owlet curled up to Little Darling’s window and listened to stories of three-headed dogs, giant, moving chess sets, and fantastic broom games.  Sometimes, Little Darling would play music from Hogwarts--the tune was haunting, beautiful, and spoke to him unlike anything else.

Finally, this Halloween night, he realized what he must do.

“I must go to Hogwarts,” said the little owl, his angelic voice strong and decided.  “That must be where I belong.”  He stomped his little foot and turned to leave, but something stopped him.  A small pain in his tummy made him turn to look at Little Darling one last time.   

“My Little Darling! Time to get ready for trick or treating!” he heard Mrs. Mama say in a singsong voice.

The owlet knew she wouldn’t be able to go trick or treating this Halloween, for Little Darling had not been well. But Mrs. Mama made sure to get her a surprise costume and let her hand out candy at the door. 

“Okay, Mama,” she said sweetly before scooping her teddy bear into her arms and singing the sweetest song the baby owl had ever heard.

It had the strangest impact on him, however: he cried.

“Why do I cry?” he wondered, wiping the tears from his worried amber eyes.  “I will miss this little family, but this is not my family.” He sniffled a bit, hopped off the window, took one last longing look at the house, and left to find Hogwarts. 

Since he was too young to fly, the owlet stayed masked within the shadows, not wishing to confront a scary fox or hungry hawk. 

“Owlet, owlet, where do you travel?” A gray squirrel had jumped out from a nearby bush.

“I’m going home to Hogwarts.”

Laughing, the squirrel choked, “There is no Hogwarts, you silly little owl!”

“There is so, and I’m going to find it,” said the owlet, marching on. 

Soon, swooshing sounds filled the air and a moving shadow flew around the owlet.

“Now, where might a tiny little owl be heading all alone on Halloween night?” said the big bat, smiling devilishly.

Frightened, the owlet muttered, “T-to Hogwarts. My home.”

“Impossible.  There is no Hogwarts.  You don’t have a home, owlet, and you never will.”

“Y-yes I do! I will! Once I find Hogwarts!”

“Poor little pitiful one,” said the bat, shaking his head, baring his fangs.  “I shall not drink your blood, young one.  You are too sad to drink.”

The owlet scurried off into the night.  He knew not where he was or where he was going, but he believed more than anything he would find Hogwarts, his home...his family.  As tears fell faster and harder, the owlet began to hum the Hogwarts melody. 

Then, from somewhere in the distance, he heard it…that familiar tune, the one he hums to keep himself company. 

“Hogwarts!” he cried, running as fast as his little feet would go. 

As the music grew louder, he could see hanging candles, a small plush house elf, and a large cutout figure of a boy with black hair, glasses, and a lightning-bolt shaped scar.

He hopped up the steps, fluttered his wings, and feverishly tapped his beak against the door until it opened.

“Why, hello there! How did you get here?”

When the owlet looked up to greet who he thought was a professor, he stumbled and nearly fell backwards down the steps: it was Mrs. Mama!

“What is it Mama?” Little Darling rounded the corner and she was dressed as a snowy white owl.  “Oh, Mama, it’s a baby owl! Can we keep him? Can we, Mama? Please?” begged Little Darling.

“I don’t think owls can be pets, Little Darling,” said Mrs. Mama gently.

The owlet began hopping up and down and hurried to cuddle against Mrs. Mama’s ankle.

“Oh, please, Mama, please! Besides, he wouldn’t be a pet. He’d be family.”

At these words, the little owl turned his glistening eyes to Little Darling. 

“He does appear to need a home…and some food,” said Mrs. Mama, with a wink and a grin. 

“Oh, thank you, thank you!” said Little Darling, scooping the owlet into her arms, softly cradling him as he happily snuggled against her. “Shh, it’s okay now, my Love Bug.  You’re home.”

And that is how Love Bug the owlet found a name, a home, and, most importantly, a family, for love doesn’t exist in some imaginary world far, far away…it’s a magic that lives all around us, if only we choose to see it.  

*Just a little story I wrote on Halloween and wanted to share. I sure get nervous sharing my little stories like this one, but I thought it would be something fun. I hope you enjoyed it.




Thursday, October 27, 2011

Truth Is Thursday!



Truth is: I'm really, really late in posting this today. *hides head*

Truth is: Quality is falling by the wayside and it's ticking me off. My parents remember appliances lasting 20-25 years. Today, you're lucky to get 4 or 5 years out of them.

Truth is: I'm watching the Rangers...and drinking soda. Well, they just go hand-in-hand, don't they? Kind-of like peanuts...and popcorn. Rangers are up 4-3.

Truth is: I'm perplexed. There are people who seem so obsessed with plastic surgery and the latest youth-saving techniques, all in an effort to look pretty. But, doesn't true beauty come from within? So, wouldn't it make more sense to be a good person and let that inner beauty shine through? Because I can't imagine any amount of products and procedures can make someone pretty if they're ugly inside.

Truth is: I'm really looking forward to the Ghost Hunters Live Halloween special! The team will visit some super spooky place and try to contact ghosts. See, I hate gory, scary movies, but I do love Ghost Hunters and Ghost Adventures. Reckon I just like ghostly stuff.

Truth is: Tim Tebow, resident NFL virgin, made his debut as the starting Denver QB this weekend...and he won. I'm really very, very happy for him. He's taken a lot of heat from critics and I just hope he will prove them wrong.

Truth is: I'm really, really, REALLY hoping Dale Jr. can come away with a win this weekend. Last weekend just didn't seem fair to him.  Go Dale!

Truth is: Christmas is around the corner and I haven't even a slight clue on what to get anyone. Usually, I have some semblance of an idea in place by now and this year I don't. To make matters worse, I saw the first Christmas commercial of the season (Glade Holiday scented candles, to be exact). Now, I love anything and everything Christmas, but when I'm on the verge of present-crazy, it's unnerving.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

One Lovely Blog Award & Fun Facts!


That Twenty Something Virgin was sweet enough to pass me this award and I couldn’t be happier. She’s adorable, witty, and an absolute sweetheart.  Thank you so much for this award, darlin’!

There’s so much to answer with this one, so let’s get started!

Rules:

  1. Link back to the person who gave you the award (see above)
  2. Complete form below
  3. Tell 7 random things about yourself
  4. Nominate 15 bloggers

Questionnaire:

* Name your favorite color: Pink is my signature color. (Thank you to Steel Magnolias for this line).  

* Name your favorite song: When You Wish Upon A Star—my mama used to sing this to me when I was little.

* Name your favorite dessert: Chocolate Cream Pie

* What pisses you off? Mean people

* When you are upset, you:  Clean, then curl up, watch a fun movie, and eat cereal.

* Your favorite pet: My puppy from when I was little. Miss him so much.

* Black or White?  Black—it’s elegant, flattering, and so versatile.

* Everyday Attitude: Cautiously optimistic with a gallon of hope, a sprinkle of cynicism, and a dusting of pessimism.

* Your best feature: Reckon my heart.

* Guilty pleasure: Watching Dance With Me or Cocktail while indulging in chocolate milk and Captain Crunch (or chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream).

7 Random Things About Myself:

  1. Much like with clowns, I have a completely irrational fear of zombies.  The whole concept gives me the creeps.  And, yet, I watch that show The Walking Dead because of my True Blood withdrawals. 

  1. I usually like to cuddle up in a blanket, even when it’s warm out.

  1. Um, I have a secret desire to ballroom dance *hides head* Think it would really bring out the sexy.

  1. Oh, I love organizing things! It’s thrilling to see something that needs organizing because then I can unleash my skills.

  1. I’m totally looking forward to the last ever Harry Potter DVD.

  1. I’m totally not looking forward to the LAST EVER Harry Potter DVD.

  1. The trailer to the new Twilight movie, Breaking Dawn, Part I, looks good and I look forward to seeing it…but so help me if it breaks any of the records smashed by Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II.  I just don’t think the Twilight Saga comes anywhere close to Harry Potter.

Nominate 15 (and I added a couple to that):

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

I'm An Angel!

So, BFF likes to say I have an "inroad to angel wings," despite my tendency to verbally abuse referees during games, and I reckon he might be right because the delightful Hazel has kindly given me the You're An Angel Award!



She even wrote special thoughts for each blogger receiving the award. Here's what she said about me: 

The Frisky Virgin - "LoveHeart"

You really don't need me to tell you how great you are because you are loved all over the blogosphere by everyone whose ever had the pleasure of meeting you. Any guy will be lucky to have you and I hope you find your Mr Right someday soon.

The award overwhelmed me enough, but then to read those words...they literally turned a gloomy day sunny (and, um, I might have gotten a little teary eyed.  I know, I know, I'm a dork.)

Thank you so much, Hazel--you are a special, wonderful, kind, thoughtful person and we are all so fortunate to know you. *Hugs*

A Few Sports Notes:

* Cowboys won big. Yay! Um, they beat the Rams...but, still, yay!

* Dale Jr. was "overruled" in Sunday's Talladega race--he wanted to run up front, but the 48 wanted to stay in the back.  Reckon no one can really say which strategy is better, but, personally, when it comes to Dale, who is the dang Yoda of restrictor plate racing, I'd go with what he wants to do. Using the "stay in the back" strategy didn't work so well.  NASCAR--I implore you...BRING BACK THE OLD STYLE RESTRICTOR PLATE RACING!!! PLEASE!

* Texas Rangers...ONE WIN AWAY. Now, you know I'm a Yankees fan, but I pull for the Rangers when the Yankees aren't in there. I'm hoping for all it's worth they win the World Series!!!

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Truth Is Thursday!



1. Truth is I bought a box of Lucky Charms.  Think I'm a cereal addict.

2. Truth is Dad's spider is missing.  No idea where the creepy crawler is, but, curiously, Mom doesn't seem at all concerned: "Oh, I'm sure Harry's on a little vacay visiting relatives." Dad, meanwhile, vows Harry will be back.  (My guess is Harry is somewhere outside).

3.  Truth is I'm beginning to think only the bitchiest women get the good guys.  Seriously.  It's like the bitchier you are, the better your odds of getting a genuinely nice guy to fall in love with you.  And I'm the girl in the back of the chorus waving a rose or banner or something equally lame and mocking. 

4. Truth is I just picked up my Gavin & Stacey, The Complete Collection DVD.  I'm over the moon! I LOVE this show so much! The characters are clever, funny, and endearing.  They're like family or old friends. 

5. Truth is I had a dream I was at Hogwarts last night. It was right before the big battle.  Apparently, they recruited muggles with special talents (no idea what my hidden talent was--never found out).

In the Great Hall, Snape was giving us a lecture on his magic-enhanced energy plan for muggles (yeah, the news must be creeping into my dreams now).  Just as Snape began outlining his plan in detail, Harry stormed in and told Snape his plan would have to wait--they "have a snake-face to take down." 

Snape sighed, "No one believes in my plan." I then took his hand and whispered, "I believe in your plan.  I believe in you." Yep, it seems my dream had me crushing on dear old Severus Snape.  Awesome. 

The rest of the dream was pretty random: Hermione needed to borrow nail polish remover; before the battle, I decided to rescue something from the Great Hall and hide it up in the Gryffindor common room, so it wouldn't be destroyed; and I got lost trying to find the bathrooms and ended up on a spiral staircase where I started chasing Snape to try and save him from Voldemort. Then, I woke up! 

That's it!

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

I'll Give You A Second Date

When did having sex on the first date become an expectation? I mean, we all know the unspoken 3rd date dilemma, but the first?! After you've just met someone?! Listening to friends, this is becoming more and more common.

Dinner--talk--laugh--get asked for sex in car before leaving parking lot--answer no--date over.

I've had the first date sex offer a few times, sometimes in the car, sometimes at the table.  Never ceases to amaze me. I mean, we just met, I hardly know you, you hardly know me, and yet you expect me to sleep with you?! Um, no. Ever hear of self respect? No? Ah, I see, your perky little member is crying too loud to hear your brain.

I had one date literally ask which sexual positions we would explore after dinner.  I lost my appetite almost immediately, particularly while watching him showcase his ability to lick food off his fork. I'm not sure if he was trying to be sexy or if that's really how he eats his food. Either way, it made me nauseous.

The most recent was Second Chance Charlie.  After dinner, before dessert arrived, he offered up the sex deal.  It was rather classic, considering he apparently wouldn't be able to make the long ten minute drive home and told me about a hotel up the street.  Super. 

Well, I shut down that little gem pretty much as our dessert arrived.  It was then S.C.C. pulled out his phone and proceeded to arrange a booty call after our dinner.  Awesome. 

Me, noticing his sulk change to that I'm gonna get some grin: "Did you just booty call someone?"

S.C.C.: "Don't take it personally."

Me: "Believe me, I don't."

S.C.C.: "I respect that you don't do it on the first date, I do, and because I do, I'll give you a second date."

Me, the shocked smirk stretching across my face: "Think you'd be better off sticking to your booty girl, there." 

Bet he would've keeled over had he known I'm a V-card holder.

So...

Dinner--talk--laugh--get asked for sex before dessert--answer no--date makes booty call--date offers second chance date--answer no--date over. 

So, is this a trend?  Random luck of the draw? Whatever it is, I'm thinking I should just prerecord my answer and bring it with me.  Then, when critical question oozes from date's mouth, I can whip out a little recorder and play said "no."  Bit concerned I'll develop some sort of twitch if I have to keep giving the same answer over and over again.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

There's An Angel Racing In Heaven Tonight


My hands are typing, but I’m not entirely sure where the words are coming from.     

Today, in what was the last race of the season, Indianapolis 500 winner and 2005 IndyCar Series Champion Dan Wheldon lost his life in a truly horrific crash at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

He was only 33.  33.  

His lovely wife must now move forward without the love of her life and his two darling baby boys will never fully know how extraordinary their father was.

Though the Cowboys began playing on the other channel, Mom, Dad, and I sat transfixed to the race, waiting, praying, and hoping.  We never changed the channel…we didn’t care about the game; it’s amazing how insignificant a win or a loss can become.

When the announcement came, so did the tears as flashbacks of the darkest day in NASCAR came rushing back.  It’s hard to understand why such a wonderful man with a smile that could light up the universe was taken from this world. Don’t we need people like Dan in this day and time? When you think about it, doesn’t it sometimes seem like the worst of the worst of mankind just cruise through life, while those who bring joy leave us far too soon?  It’s so unfair.

If you try to find reason in this, you’ll go crazy.  There is no reason. There is nothing to understand and, maybe, in the grand scheme of things, we’re not supposed to.  

On this night, after such a tragedy, maybe all we can do is tell the ones we love how much they mean to us, give them a hug, and send as many thoughts and prayers as we can to those who have lost loved ones.  

My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Wheldon family. I firmly believe Dan will be with his wife, holding her hand, watching over his little boys forever.  He’s their guardian angel now.  When faced with the darkest of times, if they look very carefully, they just might see a twinkle in the distance—that will be Dan’s smile, lighting the way, letting his loved ones know he’s there and everything will be okay.

Dan Wheldon, a tremendous driver and a genuinely kind human being, will be missed terribly and never, ever forgotten.  God Bless. 

Wheldon Family after the Indianapolis 500, 2011, credit: Nick Laham, Getty Images


Dan Wheldon, credit: Nick Laham, Getty Images

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Truth Is Thursday!



Truth is: This week has been hectic and a little more than a little stressful, which means my ability to write and read has been stifled.  I promise to catch up.

Truth is: I've said the sh*! word too much this week. You know I try not to swear, but this one popped up a few times. I blame the Cowboys bye week. I didn't have a Cowboys game or NFL refs to get feisty with, so I guess the word just had to slip out a time or two or three or four...or five. Very bad. 

Truth is: Hazel is featuring bloggers and passing a truly lovely award to each of them. It's such an amazing, wonderful idea and I'm truly honored to be included among the recipients. She is an absolute sweetheart and I couldn't be happier to have met such a special friend through this blogging world. Thank you so much, Hazel! I will be posting the award on Monday, just to make those dreaded Mondays a little more fun and a little bit brighter. :)

Truth is: When I give someone a hug, I give them a real hug. 

Truth is: While digging around for a DVD, I saw my Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs disc.  I then realized how much I would love to dig for diamonds and rubies and emeralds with Dopey, Happy, Sneezy, Doc, Grumpy, Bashful, and Sleepy.  Moreover, in that moment, I seriously wanted to find a wishing well and wish I could sing Someday My Prince Will Come without feeling chunks begin to rise up in my throat.

Truth is: My dad now has a "pet" spider and Mom is none too thrilled. It all started when he spotted this giant spider on their porch.  Apparently, it reminded him of "big old friendly garden spiders" he used to see as a kid. Mom was intent on getting rid of it while he went to the store, but Dad countered with, "Don't kill my spider."

Now, I'm smack dab in the middle--Mom wants rid of it (can totally see why--it's big, multicolored, and scary as all heck), while Dad is trying to sell me on the idea that Harry is harmless (yes, he named the spider). 

What is it with men and spiders? Either they hate them or they find them fascinating. 


As for me? I'd just like to call Orkin.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Truth Is Thursday!



Truth is this weekend is the big Texas-OU game, otherwise known as the Red River Shootout. Yes, I said Shootout. You may know it as the Red River Rivalry.  In 2005, sponsors replaced shootout with rivalry because they didn't want people to think they condoned gun violence. Sigh. Now, while I appreciate the sentiment, we're talking about tradition and football, not guns. Ever since I was little, the Red River Shootout was about one thing: Texas and Oklahoma in a football-throwing showdown.  Never, ever did I or anyone I know associate gun violence with the Red River Shootout. Sometimes, the political correct stuff can get a little out of hand, especially when it messes with tradition. So...

This weekend is the Red River Shootout, Red River Shootout, Red River Shootout. There, I feel better now.

Truth is I'm actually glad the Cowboys have a bye week. My gut needs a break this Sunday (apart from NASCAR, of course).  It'll be in tilt come Saturday anyway.

Truth is I'm in love...with Reese's Peanut Butter Puffs cereal. And here I thought I'd never find love.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Snuffles, Things I Find Bothersome, & Best Sports City!

Is anyone else combating demons from a nearby hell dimension, otherwise known as sinuses?

Headach-y head.  Stuffy nose.  Dry throat.  Sore face.  Super fun.

When the temperatures start to change with the seasons, my sinuses decide they want to party-party.  And when my sinuses go all Lindsay Lohan, annoyingly random thoughts cross my mind...like really random thoughts. For example, things I find bothersome:

1. Men with manicures.  Any man who has nails shinier than mine scares the crud out of me.  Likewise, men with pedicures perplex me. Mr. Shiny Toes?  Really? I mean, to each his own, but it freaks me out. 

2. People who lack accountability and blame everyone else for something they did. Seriously, take the blinders off. 

3.  People who have no clue what it means to be a REAL friend. Here's a hint: friendship does not equal "means to an end."

4.  Orange lipstick. I mean, why? Does it look good on anybody? I like the color orange, I do...on a pumpkin, not on lips. 

Best Sports City

Well, if there was ever any doubt about where I get my rabid sports fan genes...

...Dallas/Fort Worth is The Sporting News' Best Sports City of 2011!!!!  


So, there you have it! Between my Mama, my Daddy, and being from Dallas, I guess sports is in my blood. Pretty cool, huh?


 



Monday, October 3, 2011

Mocking Makeup & Hidden Meanings

My makeup is mocking me.

Okay, maybe it’s not really mocking me, but it is chock full of irony. 

I received this eye shadow set as a complimentary gift for spending money my loyalty. 

Just have a look at the names of the eye shadows: 




You see correctly. 

When I saw it, I had the following reactions:

* Eye roll
* Laugh
* Immediately look for a hidden meaning

  1. We begin with Heaven, a nice whitish-beige hue. Meaning: Obviously it’s saying I’m an unearthly angelic being. *ahem* We’re going with this meaning ’kay?  

  1. Push-Up, a shiny taupe color. Meaning: My choice of dates might improve if I invest in a push-up bra. Bit crude.

  1. Silver Spoon. Meaning: Until I get that push-up bra, I will need said spoon for indulging in copious amounts of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream and Captain Crunch cereal.  Jackwipe.  We must improve from here.

  1. Moving to a lovely matte black shadow called Smolder.  Meaning: Ah, well, this is simply telling me I need to work on the sexy.  Fair play.

  1. Ooh, the shimmering, pinkish Satin Sheets is next. Meaning: Start improving on the sexy by getting a pair of pink satin sheets.  My favorite color and encouraging shopping?! This one is a winner.

  1. The crème de la crème, Like A Virgin. Meaning: Well, it’s just stating the obvious, isn’t it? I mean, apart from the “like,” since I actually am a virgin.  Thank you for the unnecessary reminder. I’ll just be a smoldering virgin in my satin sheets, thank you very much.

  1. Honeymoon. Hurray! Meaning: The virgin moves to a golden honeymoon! Quite like this one. Want to stay on this one.

  1. Ever After! Wait, we move from Honeymoon to Ever After! Oh, I do like this! Meaning: Happily Ever After. *swoon & embarrassing girl squeal I will only do in private*

So, my angelic self should invest in a magical bra with man-alluring powers while realizing I must drown my woes with a few thousand silver spoonfuls of ice cream.  Eventually, I will somehow find my inner sex-kitten and smolder underneath some pink satin sheets until he comes along. Then, this little virgin gal will honeymoon her way to happily ever after. Hurray!

Oh no. Slight dilemma. I can’t possibly use this eye shadow set now! Using it would make it all messy, gunk up the words, and possibly, inadvertently jinx the potentially accurate hidden meaning…you know, the one I made up…for myself…yeah. 

Sunday, October 2, 2011

The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly

The Good:

* Excellent, excellent, excellent college sports weekend.  I don't talk about my college teams too often due to my fear of jinxing them. These teams are the loves of my life, I tell you. I've lived and breathed them since I was a very, very little girl...much like I have the Cowboys, but we'll get to them in a minute--they aren't under "The Good."

* Apparently, I'm "so freaking funny" and "a sitcom," when I cheer on my teams. Um, okay.  Think I'd classify myself as borderline panic stricken and a mess, but whatever. Actually, I don't even know if this should classify under good...it's probably unclassifiable...and now I'm babbling, so, okay, I'm stopping.

* Yankees won game one against Detroit. 

The Bad:

* Yankees lost game two against Detroit. 

* Dale Jr. had a rough one. He had a great car--top 5 to top 10 for sure.  Unfortunately, he had some rotten luck (broken sway bar, loose wheel, etc.) and just couldn't get the track position to compete.  He finished 24th, and is 10th in points. Not a great day, but he fought it and drove that thing as hard as he could.

The bright side: He would have had a top 5, top 10, and that's what you focus on. Broken parts and loose wheels happen--it's the foundation you look at, and the 88 team has a solid one. 

Oh, and his Redskins won.  Man, it's like swallowing vinegar to say this but...the Redskins win is not good for the Cowboys, but it does make my driver happy, so...yeah...I'm trying to do that whole bright side thing.

That win is lurking...and Dale is gonna get it! Kansas is up next and absolutely anything can happen! Go Dale!



The Ugly:

You had to know what filled this spot. The Dallas Cowboys.  Sigh.  The Cowboys lost...after having a 24 point lead in the second half.

Romo threw 3 interceptions, 2 of which were returned for touchdowns; the third resulted in 7 for Detroit. That's 3 TDs off Romo for the Lions. It's the worst collapse--in terms of biggest blown lead--in franchise history.

I don't think I need to say much more, but here's a link that sums things up pretty nicely:

Terrible Cowboys Loss

So, there we have it, 50% of the weekend was great, 25% not so great, 25% very, very ugly.