Tuesday Truths Revealed

So, the Nuggets lost.  Very disappointing loss.

Now for the answer to Tuesday Truths.  I threw the winning guesses into a basket and drew out the winning guess.  The winner is....Lauren!  She was the only one to guess correctly. Congratulations Lauren.

There you have it.  My secrets revealed.

Truth Test

For anyone who is still wondering what I lied about in Truth Tuesday, I've decided that I will reveal the false truth tonight. Right after the Nuggets win. So anyone who wants to guess has from now until the end of the game, which begins at 7:00p.m. Mountain Standard Time.

After the game, I will take all of the correct guesses, put them in a basket, and draw out a winning answer. If the Nuggets lose tonight, I won't be in a celebratory mood. So the winner will receive a $5.00 gift card to Starbucks. But if they win, I will make it a $10.00 card. I said only U.S. residents could win, but Lauren mentioned she has a Starbucks near her. I just am not sure whether or not they would take a gift card.

So see you all later tonight if you are interested.

Not-so Wordless Wednesday

Michael asked me last night which one of my truths was not true. I laughed as I hadn't thought about whether or not he knew the answer. I'd also considered letting everyone guess and taking all of the right answers, throwing them in the hat, and sending the winner a $5.00 Starbucks gift card. (Provided that person lives in the U.S.)

And then I realized that to reveal the answer might cause me to explain a lot of stories from the past, lol. What-to-do.....I'll let you all guess a little longer.

In the meantime, this would have been my ww post for today:

Truth Tuesday

I started to write a Monday Musings, but realized it was Tuesday. What can I do for Tuesday? How about Truth Tuesday? Just for fun, I'm going to list ten truths and 1 untruth. See if you can figure out which one is not true.

1. Growing up, I was painfully shy.
2. I've never shoplifted.
3. I had a pet boa constrictor snake and carried him around in my shirt pocket until he got too big.
4. On a first date with this guy, I stepped off a curb, and fell face down in a parking lot, scraping the skin off of my nose. The guy was laughing so hard, he didn't even help me up. And I was dumb enough to go out with him again.
5. In junior high, I set a school trash can on fire.
6. One of my kids was born with a knot in her umbilical cord.
7. I've walked naked on the beach before.
8. I don't have a favorite child, even if my kids think I do.
9. In high school, I asked my boyfriend if I could hold the keys to his Camaro. My girlfriend and I drove it to McDonald's for lunch, even though she couldn't drive a stick and I didn't have a license. I shifted while she worked the clutch. That boy must have trusted me.
10. I've fallen asleep at the movie theater before. Okay, more than once.
11. I love escargot, but haven't eaten it in almost 30 years.

Thunk Thursday

While driving through North Carolina, we passed a gas station/convenience market. We laughed when we noticed their sign:



Yum! Worms with my coffee please.

Reflections

Here I sit, soaring through the night sky. The droning engine roar dulls the lively banter of the passengers in the row behind me. But not enough. I pull out my ipod, close my eyes, and reflect on this past week. The music soothes and I drift back over the events and places I've experienced. I lived the life of someone else for 7 days, an unfamiliar journey.

We boarded a similar plane back in Denver last Monday. After a brief stopover in Atlanta, Georgia, we landed in Charlotte, North Carolina for my first trip to the East Coast.

At this moment, Brad Paisley's song "Better Than This" sings in my ears. I find it amusing. A group of men sitting around enjoying the moment and proclaiming, "it don't get better than this." He responds, "it could get better than this." But adds outlandish, impossible scenarios to point out the only way to improve their experience. Pretty much sums up my time in North Carolina. I'd be hard pressed for it to have been any better.

I'm not sure I'm ready to go back to my life. The last meal I prepared was 154 hours ago. Cooking meals is a part of my life, but that seems so far away.

I am laughing now. My ipod is set to shuffle. Brad Paisley again, "I'd like to check you for ticks." I wasn't sure this was a real thing. Seriously. But while on Bald Head Island, after an adventure in the woods, our brother-in-law was teasing us about checking for ticks. Or so I thought. A few minutes after returning to the condo, Michael found a real live tick on his leg. It wasn't the highlight of our trip, lol. Here is Old Baldy himself:

Wordless Wednesday Remote

Bald Head Island

Be back next week.

Wordless Wednesday

Christina & Ethan at the Autism Walk

(I haven't seen Ethan for a few weeks. He looks so tall.)

Apparently I don't know the meaning of wordless post.

Lifelines

I hope to get back to normal thoughts soon. I find myself spending ridiculous amounts of time checking labels on foods, running to the computer to check if ingredients are gluten-free, and rethinking/reworking meals and recipes. If you've dropped by Recipes4me recently, you have an idea. Thanks to everyone who has offered links, suggestions, etc.

Have you ever watched the television show, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? The contestant is asked questions and given 4 answers to each. When he finds himself unsure of the correct answer, he can use a lifeline. A lifeline can be the audience, a friend, or 2 of the wrong answers will be eliminated, leaving 2 choices instead of 4.

Life is like this. Along the way, we make choices. Sometimes we choose wisely. Other times not. We receive plenty of information and input to help us along this journey. Some may be striving to achieve fortune, as in the t.v. show. Others success in business. Many operate in survival mode, hoping they don't run out of lifelines, knocking out their chances at life.

In the televised gameshow, eliminating choices helps to minimize the chance of making an error. In society, have we caused ourselves greater destruction in allowing the all-ecompassing "tolerance" stand? We can now choose destructive lifestyles that should never have been allowed as an option.

Getting feedback from the audience often seems like a wise choice. The few times I've watched the program, the majority of the audience picks the right answer. "There is wisdom in a multitude of counselors."

Who is our audience? Where do we seek guidance in making decisions? Peers? Do we watch and listen to the media, where perversion begins to appear normal? Everyone does and acts this way so as long as the majority seems to accept this it is ok to do?

Who is the lifeline that we choose as our closest confidant? Contestants choose friends or family members they believe will have expertise or knowledge in subjects. They can then choose to call on that person to ask the question and receive that person's answer. Then they have the choice of using it or not.

How many of us walk through life without having a sure lifeline? It seems obvious to me that God is the perfect, one and only lifeline to run to for help in making life choices. When we are in close contact with Him, we don't have to ask as often. The choices are clear. But when we are stumped, do we dial him up in prayer to ask? And when He gives us the answer, do we accept it? Or do we doubt and say, um...no, I think I'll go with this answer over hear. The audience groans at the response, knowing full well, the person just chose the wrong answer. Is this the day he will be eliminated from the game of life? Could he have stayed in the game a little longer, been more successful, if he'd only listened to his lifeline?

Still Learning

Learning is a good thing, right? My brain is overloaded at the moment. The internet is both a blessing and a curse. I'm thankful the information is out there, but wading through it causes me to sink to drowning point. While my head spins from trying to swim, I'll share my enlightenment.

I learned yesterday, that my daughter Elisabeth, has Celiac Sprue. After all of these years, it is nice to finally have an answer to her many symptoms. Unfortunately it feels like a lifetime sentence. Over the weekend, I read about this disease. The puzzle pieces started to form a picture.

I was shocked at the vast number of ailments CS can cause. Elisabeth exhibits so very many of them. A part of me was hopeful. A simple diet change could alter her life in a positive way. Just remove wheat gluten from her diet. Life is good again. I was almost elated when she received the diagnosis yesterday. But then the reality of it began its hostile takeover.

Breads, pasta, cookies...ok, that sounds hard, but we can do this. (Elisabeth, if you are reading this, stop. You've already thought about this.) Pizza, ramen, chex mix, frosted mini wheats, triscuit crackers-a sampling of favorite snacks that are banned. Breakfast burritos, Chick Filet, Cheeseburgers, Burger King Chicken Sandwiches; the quick fast-food fixes are out. This is getting harder.

I had no idea the foods which might contain wheat gluten: sour cream, yogurt, french fries. Apparently condiments can also hide this now evil ingredient, so labels have to be read for salad dressings, ketchup, mustard are just a few. Soy sauce, that I cook with so frequently, has a major wheat component.

Sigh.

I'm also thinking that Elisabeth's bout with "shingles" was actually not shingles, but a symptom caused by CS.

Whatever am I going to do with my recipe page? It might receive a transformation, with a new section of gluten-free. I'm open to advice from anyone who has successfully embraced a gluten-free diet.

Maybe this is a new opportunity for adventure. I need to come up with the perfect gluten-free diet. While I'm at it, I might as well make it casein-free too. Then Ethan will greatly benefit too.

What I've Learned

Some fish don't float when they die. They lie dead at the bottom.

I have nightmares about fish. Fish I had when I was 13.

I don't like having live fish in the house. Or dead ones.

I should remember these things.

I remembered today why I love Colorado so much.

Yes, that's me washing my car.

I remembered how fast the snow melts and how green the grass gets.

Monday Musings

I was impressed with how coordinated the kids were with their clothes. Ties match the dresses rather perfectly. You'd think it was time for a wedding.

And did you notice how lovely the weather was for prom? I was thrilled. Do you see anyone shivering? Nope! That's because it was warm.

Today, not so much.

Notice the sidewalk. It's the same one where Hilary and David are standing in the above photo. The weather forecaster said snow above 6000 feet. He missed the mark. Again. It just goes to show it doesn't matter how sophisticated technology becomes, we can't control or foresee the future.

Prom Pics

Elisabeth helping Hilary get ready

Almost ready to go

Corsage

Hilary & David

A beautiful couple on a beautiful day

Michael, Hilary, Joanne

Elisabeth & Hilary (where were the other sisters?)

Grandma, Hilary, Grandpa

Really?

Ready to go

Prom '09

Prom

Tonight is the prom, so will be posting pictures tomorrow of my beautiful daughter, Hilary. (If I can get it, I'll have all of my beautiful daughters in the pic, but I don't think they will all make it here before she leaves.)

When I was in high school, I don't recall asking someone to prom as being a big deal. You either were asked or not. Nowadays, it seems a big to-do is made just in the asking. How did this happen? Is it across the country or just in our area? Maybe too many t.v. shows of spoiled rich kids being broadcast. I don't know.

Hilary is dating David, so there was never really a question of who she would with to the prom. A couple of weeks ago, after she'd left for school, I received a text message.

*I got asked.* It's hard to tell if she is excited or mad. I respond:

"Cool!" Anything special?"

*yes* I wait to see to hear more. Nothing. Ok, it could be because she is in class, but I am not patient.

"Well? Is that it?"

*He was waiting in my parking space when I got there. He had a fish tank*

"A what?" I understand text messages are short, but like I said, I want details now.

*1 big fish, 3 small fish* ....waiting....

*Oh, and a piece of paper*

"Real live fish?" In my mind, I imagine she meant a fish bowl, not a fish tank. I'm hoping for plastic fish.

Here is the actual message:

Very cute. She then messages me back.

*Real fish. What should I do with them?*

Oh boy. I'm already feeling sorry for these poor fish. I text her back.

"Where are the fish now?"

*Mr. P's classroom.* The basketball coach. And like any good mother, who jumps in to take care of everything, I respond:

"Ask David. It was his idea." LOL, yes, I did tell her that. Sort of how I responded when I got a message yesterday asking,

*Did we order a boutonniere?*

I laughed wondering what "we" she is talking about.

But when she said David was holding a fish tank, she really did mean a tank not a bowl.

Thunk Thursday

I missed the photo op on this one. So I improvised. I was grocery shopping today. In the produce aisle, I found the following sign:

New Lower Price Fresh Express Salad

$2.99 10 oz. pkg.

Right below this sign was the usual price tag which read:

Fresh Express Salad

$2.49 12 oz. pkg.

So, the new lower price is 50 cents more, and it is for a smaller package. I couldn't find a 10 oz. package. Only the usual 12 oz. package.

I chatted with the produce manager who seemed very flustered when I pointed it out. He went to the back to check the price. Sure enough. The new "lower" price on a 12 oz. pkg, (not 10 oz.) was indeed 50 cents higher. He offered to give me the $2.49 price. I accepted it, but then later kicked myself.

I should have taken it to the checkout, waited until it rang up at $2.99, then pointed out that the advertised price (for a 12 oz. bag, which this was) was $2.49. I then would have gotten it free, as per the store policy. If an item rings up at an incorrect price, it is free. I've received $20 packages of chicken for free before. It pays to watch prices. I blew this one.

Puzzle Pieces

I enjoy reading Julie's thoughts. This post, One Puzzle Piece could have been written for my blog title. Check it out.

Lost & Found

Michael & I went for a walk after dinner. I noticed a piece of folded paper lying on the ground. Upon closer inspection, I recognized what looked like the back of a check. I picked it up and it was a hand-written check for $4000. Just sitting in the middle of the street. I didn't recognize the name of the recipient, nor the name of the check-writer, whose address was Boulder, Co.

Using the internet, Michael located the owner of the check by phone. He didn't know he'd lost it, but arrived within 15 minutes to pick it up. How can someone be so careless with $4000?

But then, I have to ask myself the same thing. What am I being careless or reckless about? Are there things I value in my life that I don't give much attention? Do I continue about my day expecting the things I take for granted to always be here? What relationships/people do I take for granted? What daily pleasures do I feel entitled to and yet could be gone in a moment?

If I am honest, I have to admit I am a bit too lackadaisical about most things. That's about to change.

Tuesday Already?

I'm such a flake, and not very good at storytelling. Well, wait. That's not completely true. There was a time that I'd lie in bed with my kids. Instead of reading a book (I was too tired,) I'd tell them a story. Most of the time I'd make it up as I went. One of their favorites was about some kids that were their same ages, who loved playing in the closet. Invariably when they'd exit the closet, they'd be transported somewhere else. Kids are so easy to please. I could get away with telling the same story a bazillion times and they were delighted. Some liked me to change it up, others wanted it exactly the same. Simple. Joyful. Bliss.


The last night Hilary and I were in Arizona, my sister-in-law said to my neice, "Tara, it's bedtime. Do you want to give everyone a hug good-night?" Little Tara looked at her dad, then at me and said, "Well....not everybody." I laughed.

Thoughts of a Child 1

"Bye Madison!"

Melanie was surprised when her young daughter didn't respond. "Madison, didn't you hear Jacob? Say good-bye." The exhuberant boy continued waving as he walked with his mother. Madison's arm raised slightly. Her fingers fluttered for a moment. A whispered "bye Jacob," and her eyes fell to the ground.

As they walked to the car, Melanie pressed her palm against her daughter's forehead, then stroked her cheek. No fever. She brushed off the thought. The week was full of activity, no time to be sick.

After buckling Madison in the car, Melanie relaxed. She had a few minutes to catch up with her little girl before her afternoon meeting. "How was school sweetie?" Without giving her a chance to answer, she continued, "Mommy has to go to the church this afternoon to help decorate for Easter. How would you like to go to McDonald's for lunch? I brought you coloring book & crayons and some other things for you to play with. Bella will be at the church too, so you will have someone to hang out with while we finish preparing for the service. Madison sat silently in the back seat.

"Mommy," she finally said, "is it true that when I eat a cheeseburger I'm eating a dead cow? That's what Jacob told me. He said they kill the cows and cut them up and then make hamburgers out of them." She paused.

So this was what had caused her daughter to be so contemplative and quiet. Melanie wasn't sure how to answer her daughter before they arrived at the restaurant to eat.

"Well, yes honey. Hamburgers are made from cows. We eat meat all of the time."

"I don't think I want to eat burgers today. I don't like to think of cows dying, it makes my tummy hurt."

"So how about you have chicken nuggets today with honey? Doesn't that sound better?" She glanced in the rearview mirror and caught what she thought was a smile on Madison's face.

"That does sound better. But let's not talk about cows. That is disgusting!" Melanie hid her smile. Her 5 year was "disgusted." Where had she heard this?

After a busy afternoon, Madison seemed to have forgotten all about eating cows. Melanie and the ladies of the church finished decorating, while the girls played. That evening, as she finished the dinner preparations, Mel asked her son Zach to set the table.

"Why can't Madison do it?" He grumbled. "I have homework and she doesn't have any." Madison appeared in the kitchen doorway.

"I do too have homework. I have to read this book." She held up a hand-drawn, paper book that was stapled together. "Mommy, where's daddy? He's going to miss dinner if he doesn't hurry up and come home. I want to read my book to him."

Melanie looked at the clock. Bill should have been home by now. "Yes, daddy will be here any minute." She set a bowl of rice on the table. As she placed the chicken on a hotpad, Madison looked concerned.

"Mommy, is that cow? If it is, I'm not eating it."

"No, it's chicken, honey."

Zach rolled his eyes. "Madison, we eat cows all of the time. What's the big deal?" Madison looked horrified.

"Jacob told me they kill the cows and chop them up and make hamburgers out of them. That's just so sad I don't want to eat a poor cow." Zach laughed.

"What about the poor chickens?" Madison looked at her mother questioningly. Her eyes widened.

"We eat chickens???"

Zach almost fell over laughing. "Duh. Chicken. Chickens. Bawk, bawk, bawk! We're eating chickens for dinner."

"Mooomm," wailed Madison, "is that true?"

Just then the door opened. Bill appeared disheveled.