Gee, it had fuzz on it.

No, I'm not talking about anything in my refrigerator either!!

I'm talking about this blog that I haven't touched sinced February!! I think it's weird that I go to Blissdom '09 in Nashville, had a blast, met lots of fantastic ladies, got great swag, and came back home uninspired to write anything.

Crickets chirpped. No give-aways. No serious topics. No fund-raising. My blog was just blah.

I wonder if all the bloggers I met were so serious about their writing and blogging networking and I know that I just do this to meet folks and have some fun..................... As always I didn't think I measured up.

Then, I decided that that couldn't be the reason because I have finally hit a point in my life that I am not doing stuff to please other people or do what is only expected of me. I am finally doing things for me and realizing that It. Is. Okay.

I just wasn't in the mood. It happens. And it only meant something to me. Sorry if all of this is random and not making much sense, but it does to me.

I hope a Happy Easter was had by all. I always think of my Mamaw at Easter when we sing "Because He Lives." I missed her so much yesterday it hurt. I hope I can impact my children and future grandchildren in that same, loving way.

Let's do standardized testing this week!! I only have 31 more days of school!!

Hello. Is this thing on?

Hello. I know I have posted in a long, long while, but ......... well, I don't know why.

I have wanted to post about my Blissdom trip, but in order to do that I need to upload my photos to the computer, then find the ones I want and put them in the post.

I wanted to show off my cute green shoes I got on clearance for 9 bucks, but once again, it would require effort.

My mom got me a cute green sweater (Did you see that Lynette? 2 cute green things!) that I thought I could share, but instead, I am wearing it right now.

I guess I just haven't had the "get-up-and-go" lately. Ever since my trip to Nashville, I don't feel like I can get caught up. My laundry is never-ending, I need to vaccum, the cabinets are asking me to go to the store, and my legs are hairy. Sorry. I thought I would share that tidbit with you.

I do want to say that I'm grateful today for my friend Christi's dad's open-heart surgery going well, and I had another friend that got some good news from a doctor too. I have lots of joys and some concerns too, but we'll discuss those another day.

I hope to get back into the swing of things soon. The next little bit of time is not slowing down, so maybe I need to go get some vitamins? Anybody out there know something that's good to take for energy?

Heeeeeerrrrrrre's Robin!!

I have finally gotten around to sitting down with Lula, and letting her pick my brain. I enjoyed putting on my thinking cap and spending time with her questions. Because of time restraints, I got right to the heart of the matter and answered the questions. And Lula, be proud, I wanted to answer all of them!!

Lula: Everyone has been blessed with a talent, be it big or small. What's yours, and do you use it often?

Robin: I don’t think I have a true talent, but I can pick stuff up with my toes. I have fun with that with towels on the floor and stuff.


Lula: Share your favorite memory from childhood.

Robin: I have so many!! I think, probably anytime I spent at my grandparents’ house. When I think of my mamaw, I feel safe and warm and remember just doing simple, fun things. She would hang kite string up in her kitchen, let me wear one of her aprons with clothespins in it, and hang towels. I was “hanging my wash out on the line!”


Lula: You've been given a two week, all-expenses paid vacation. Where will you go? Whom will you take with you?

Robin: A beach destination!!! If I wanted just a fun-filled trip, I would take a few close friends and we would lounge and laugh and drink fruity drinks with umbrellas. If I wanted romance, I would take Billy and we would lounge in a different way!!


Lula: If you could have one superpower, what would you want? How would you use it?

Robin: I would love to have the power of bending the will of children. Heehee. All I would have to do would be to touch their shoulder, and it would be like a mind-bend thingy. They would do whatever I asked them to do without arguing with me. A sweet Pollyanna glaze would come over their faces. =)


Lula: A movie is being made of your life story. Who will play you? Your significant other? And what song would be on the movie's soundtrack?

Robin: I would love for Ashley Judd to play me. She’s beautiful, Southern (Appalachian Southern –there is a difference), and she’s intelligent. I would pick Tom Hanks or someone like him to play Billy. Tom Hanks’ can be funny, serious, and can hold a conversation with you. The movie’s soundtrack would have to be something by U2. I think, maybe, Sometime’s You Can’t Make it On Your Own. I love that song and the backstory to it!!


Lula: If you had an entire day to spend by yourself, with plenty of money at your disposal, what would you choose to do?

Robin: I would have an outlandishly extravagant spa day!! Massage, facial, mani/pedi, wraps, hot stone treatments, and anything else I could pick.


Lula: Name three people, living or deceased, you'd invite to a dinner party at your house. What would you serve?

Robin: I would love to have: 1- my Mamaw, just to have a chance to be with her again and talk to her and let her love me 2- Dr. John Lang, a college English professor, because even while I was a stupid college student, I could tell his intelligence and love for modern Southern writers, and 3- Elvis, back when he was King, not all doped up



Lula: You stumble upon a time machine that will only go back through time. Where will it take you? What will you do in that period of time?

Robin: I would like to go back to college and let my freak-flag fly. In high school, I felt like I was more of my own person. In college, I feel that I never quite fit into a peg. That left me at times feeling isolated and lonely. I had a great time, but I wish I would have been truer to myself and that might have been better for me later on.


Lula: What is your all-time favorite book? Movie? Television show? Song?

Robin: I always have trouble with these questions. I like so much and such a wide variety of things. I’ll try…..
Book: To Kill a Mockingbird I love the story of realizing what is in your own backyard and how precious it can be
Movie: I always say Grease because it was the movie from my youth that I looked forward to seeing the once a year it came on tv. As I’ve gotten older, I still love it. That’s the type of movie you can watch anytime and just have fun. I also really love The Green Mile. It’s a great story and I can watch it to make me cry when I need a good cry.
Song: I can't answer this one. It definitely depends on whether it's a party, power ballad, dance floor, or a road trip. I love too much music and too many different kinds.
TV Show: I have to say Lost!!! That is the best show that makes you think and is intelligent. I also seem to be watching a lot of reruns of Frasier right now. I always liked that show too. I will admit that Billy and I park our rears every Sunday night at 9:00 on VH1 for Rock of Love. Those girls give new meaning to the word skank!!


Lula: A physician offers you $25,000 worth of plastic surgery services. Do you take him/her up on the offer? If so, what will you enhance/make bigger/make smaller?

Robin: I would definitely take up that offer. Could I include LASIK in there? My stinking insurance doesn’t think it’s medical, and I want. It. So. Bad. My body could use so many other procedures, but I would give it all up for LASIK. sigh.


Thanks Lula for the thought-provoking questions. Now, I would love to interview YOU!! If you would like to join in the fun, leave me a comment that you would like to be interviewed. I will email you some questions and then you can post it on your blog. Don't be afraid. I can't throw curve balls.

Even if you don't want to be interviewed, leave me a comment. I need some lovin' over here!!!


Have a great day!
Robin

I promise, I promise.

I promise to post my Lula interview questions and answers. I am looking forward to answering those and you getting to know me a little bit better.

I also promise to do a full-out post on my weekend at Blissdom 09. Girls, this was serious fun. I mean, F-U-N!! I want to go again already!!

I will get to those, just not today. I got back yesterday evening after leaving Thursday afternoon, and I need to unload the dishwasher, unpack suitcase, fold some laundry, do some more laundry, and on and on and on and............

I think you get the point.

I want to share with you-all. It was fun, have I said that already??? LOL.

Have a great day!!
Robin

It just keeps getting better!

I must have done something right over the weekend because my fog is lifting.

I got out early from school yesterday, we are closed today, they are calling for more snow to come, Adriana Trigiani's new book, Very Valentine, is out today, AND in 2 days, Christi and I are leaving for Blissdom '09!!!!






On the book: I love this author. She grew up in Big Stone Gap, VA which is about an hour away from here. When she published her first book, Big Stone Gap, Christi and I went to Big Stone for the book signing. Reed was little and in a stroller. I forgot to add that Christi lived in Big Stone Gap for her middle school years so that made it even more special. I've also gotten another one of her books signed. She just seems so real and friendly. She's the type that you would want to have a meal with and just sit around and talk.

On Blissdom: Christi and I are leaving Thursday afternoon. We are staying with a college friend Thursday night then heading into Nashville on Friday. We have not done anything like this since we graduated from college way back in 1995. I am excited to do something with her and to get adult time for almost 4 days!! 4 days. Do you know the last time that happened?

That's one big career downfall. I teach small children all day and then come home to small children in the evening. Oh yes, the girls are growing up and becoming more self-sufficent, but sometimes just the fact that they need me is overwhelming. That makes me sound like a real winner in the mom department, doesn't it?? See. I need this little mini-vacation!! I hope to learn more about this great big blog world we live in.

See ya then!

Today's a good day.

I got a surprise today! A very, simple surprise, but it lifted my heart. We got out of school 2 hours early for inclement weather. It was a great shock because it was not expected, and truthfully, we probably could have stayed!

I came home, ran the vaccum (to get rid of the guilt), sat down to catch up on bloggy stuff, and will be getting off to read some of my Sookie Stackhouse book and drink a cup of coffee.

Sounds like a good day to me!!

I have nothing....

I haven't had anything note-worthy to blog about lately, so here's a meme that a friend emailed to me. Please play along and perk up my comments. They need some love!!


What is your salad dressing of choice?
raspberry vinagerette

What is your favorite sit-down restaurant?
Stir Fry Cafe, a thai food place here

What food could you eat for 2 weeks straight and not get sick of it
pizza

What are your pizza toppings of choice?
ham and pineapple

What do you like to put on your toast?
butter and grape jelly

How many televisions are in your house?
3

How many phones are in your house?
3 plus our cells

Are you right-handed or left-handed?
right

Have you ever had anything removed from your body?
tonsils and I guess my children =)

What is the last heavy item you lifted?
tub of girls' outgrown clothes

Have you ever been knocked unconscious?
no

If it were possi​ble,would you want to know the day you were going to die?
I don't think so. I think I would dwell too much on it.

If you could change your name, what would you change it to?
I never have liked Robin. Mom's other choice was Stephanie. That's not too bad. My 8 year old self would have picked Pamela. I loved Dallas!!

Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000?
I would try, but not succeed.

How many pairs of flip flops do you own?
4, I know I flopped!!

Last time you had a run-in with the cops?
college, and that's all I'm going to say about that.

Last person you talked to?
Betsy, my sister

Last person you hugged?
Allie, my 6 year old

Season?
fall

Holiday?
Christmas

Day of the week?
Friday

Month?
June - it's just getting good and hot

Flower?
daisy

Missing someone?
grandparents - I would have loved to have known what they thought of my children.

Mood?
subdued

What are you listening to right now?
I wish I could say something fabulous, but it's just the tv.

Watching?
nothing much - a rerun of Everybody Loves Raymond. Our tv stays on TBS in the evenings.

Worrying about?
too many things to list

First place you went this morning?
bathroom

What's the last movie you saw?
Hotel for Dogs - it was cute.

Do you smile often?
not enough - I'm a pretty quiet, serious person and then I go to sarcastic! =)

Do you always answer your phone?
as long as I can find it!

It's four in the morning and you get a text message, who is it?
nobody. And let's just say that I'm glad I didn't have access to a cell phone in college. Drunk dialing, anyone?

If you could change your eye color what would it be?
I wouldn't I like my green eyes.

What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic?
vanilla or cherry

do you own a digital camera?
Yes

Have you ever had a pet fish?
yes and I lost it down the drain - it was still alive....

Favorite Christmas Song?
Blue Christmas, of course!

What's on your wish list for your birthday?
LASIK surgery for me, to get the floors done for the house

Can you do push ups?
haha, no!

Can you do a chin up?
never have been able to

Does the future make you more nervous or excited?
I try not to think about the future too much because like Lost says, you can't change it!

Do you have any saved texts?
no

Ever been in a car wreck?
no, thank goodness

Do you have an accent?
Oh heck yeah, I grew up in southwest VA and now live in east TN.

What is the last song to make you cry?
the hymn, Here I Am Lord -- we sang it at church Sunday

Plans tonight?
wash clothes and watch tv- Grey's is on!

Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom?
too many times to count

Name 3 things you bought yesterday?
a book, my lunch, and the girls' lunches

Have you ever been given roses?
yes, a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away

Current hate at the moment?
I can't think of anything. That's great!

Met someone who changed your life?
Yes, the obvious- my husband and children. The not so-obvious-- past teachers who helped shape my mind and thoughts

What song represents you?
My Girl - Temptations, it seems it's all about them right now!

Would you go back in time if you were given the chance?
Well, since I said you can't change the future, I guess not. Even though it would be fun to go back and be young again! There are things I would have done but didn't for fear of consequences!

Have you ever dated someone longer than a year?
oh yes, stupidly, yes

Do you have any tattoos or piercings?
just my ears are pierced

Will you be in a relationship 4 months from now?
Since I'm married, I should be. =)

Does anyone love you?
yes

Would you be a pirate?
no, I get seasick

What songs do you sing in the shower?
for some reason, I always think of praise hymns in the shower

Ever had someone sing to you?
yes. a sweet moment with a boyfriend from college. He sang a Depeche Mode song, "Somebody"

When did you last cry?
I can't remember. Guess that means it's time.

Do you like to cuddle?
yeah, until I get hot, then "Hands off!"

Have you held hands with anyone today?
not today

Who was the last person you took a picture of?
the girls

What kind of music did you listen to in elementary school?
anything that you would have found on Solid Gold. I loved that show!

Are most of the friends in your life new or old?
Both

Do you like pulpy orange juice?
no I think that's gross!

What is something your friends make fun of you for?
anything and everything

Have you ever ridden an elephant?
no, they stink!

Do you like to play Scrabble?
Y-E-S

What are you saving for?
retirement!!

When is the last time you ate peanut butter and jelly?
Tuesday night, with a glass of milk!

What song do you want played at your funeral?
I want an all song service with my favorite hymns and songs. I love old hymns. I guess that's my little church up-bringing.

What were you doing at 12 AM last night
sleeping. It's not 1994, you know!!

It's Thursday, isn't it?

Today is the first day I will have worked this week.

We were out Monday for MLKday. Then, it snowed!! I was so happy to get an extra day at home. It felt nice to have a surprise day off. Billy and I were hurriedly trying to finish rewatching season 3 and 4 of Lost before last night.

Then, we were on a 2 hour delay yesterday morning, and I like those too. We go to school a little later but it counts as a regular day. I got up, showered, came into the living room, cut on the Today Show, and saw that we were out again!! The sun was shining, and no snow on the ground. It puzzled me, but should I really be looking a gifted horse in the mouth? Now, I have learned not to ask why, but to be happy with what we are given. Soooo, I happily got to stay home again!! Once again, we watched DVDs trying to finish up. We somehow did it and then got to watch it for real last night! I'm happy to have it back, but of course, I am confused already!! That's why I love it though!

I am going to work today though. This will be an extremely short week, and there's nothing wrong with that!!!

Have a great Thursday everyone!

It's coming!!

I saw this picture on PerezHilton, which is from Details magazine, and I got excited!! There is something about Matthew Fox that I like. I know his character can be a total you-know-what, but I get him. Plus, he's awfully pretty to look at!


Lost is coming back!!!! It will be here Wednesday night and I am so stoked. I love this show. I love that, sometimes, after I watch it, I still am not sure what happened. I often look at my husband, and ask, "What the #&*@ was that?" That's good television folks!

I got Billy the first 4 seasons on DVD for Christmas, and we have been trying to rewatch before Wednesday. I don't think it's going to happen. It's been fun to watch though. We'll see something and be all, "Well, duh! The writers actually told us what it was going to be!" Take when Hurley and Sayid are on the beach with the radio, they pick up a Benny Goodman song (or something close to that). Sayid says that it could be coming from anywhere and Hurley says or any-TIME!!

Folks, they actually told us. We were just too simple to get it. Oh how I love this show!

Any Lost fans out there??????

Happy Birthday Allie!!!

Today is my youngest daughter's birthday. Allie is 6 today. She is so excited that she work up extra early this morning. I can't believe that she is where she is because babies aren't supposed to grow up, are they? She is a crackerjack, and I wish that I had time to share everything that she says. She did say last night, "Remember when I used to want to skip 5 and just go to 6? Well, I don't have to think about that now!" Her quips are the stuff of legend at church. She loves to be kissed and cuddled. I always can count on some lovin' from her. I pray for her to grow into a woman that continues to show her love and friendliness to others. I pray that some Christian parents out there are raising a son to be a good mate for her. I pray for her to be healthy and make good choices as she grows. Finally, I pray that I am the mother she needs me to be to help her get through the coming and forming years.

Happy Birthday Allie!! I love you.

I know it's not Friday....

I know it's not Friday, and Flashback doesn't quite go with Saturday, but I wanted to do a song flashback anyway! So, we'll call it Song Saturday.

I was running errands the other day and listening to my current favorite channel on Sirius, '90s on 9. Most of the songs remind me of college and the fun times I had. I can usually hear a song and remember a certain time, a certain person, or some event. I feel like my life has its own soundtrack sometimes.

Anywho, this song was one of those songs from 1991, I think. It takes me back to fall at Emory and Henry. Ahhh, the good ole days of college.

So, here's Naughty by Nature, OPP. I really loved this song at the time.

Some January blahs...

I had to go back to work yesterday.

Yes, I had to.

I would love to not have to work and be able to feel like the laundry actually got finished at my house.

I would love to have my wits about me at the end of the day and not feel so short-fused with my own children.

I would like to be able to start something at home and not feel like I'll get around to it on a break.

I know, I know, I am whining, but please let me. My assistant is out this week, for a very blessed reason (a new grandson), but it's report card time and my nerves are shot by 2:00!!

Also, it is raining so much here that I may be building an ark tonight. Who knows!!

I want some sun or a snow day or something! Alright, I feel better now, thanks.

By the way, I am going to Nashville in February to the Blissdom Conference. Anybody out there going? I will blog later about getting ready for it with my best friend, Christi. We will have fun!