Sundays in My City - Who Ya Gonna Call?

Just in time for Halloween and all the other scary stuff (like mom overdosing on sugar as she passes out the candy...before she passes out), my little Katya's employer made it into our local news magazine for being one of the "things that go bump" in our area.

Katya is a manager at our local DQ, where there is tale of a horrific murder that happened back in the '70's. In the '70's?...why, I was just a blossoming young adult back then making all of the "dating, drinking and don't do this" mistakes that many of us use as our base for being so strict with our own blossoming young adults!

Back to the story...it tells of a female manager counting money one night after closing. She was murdered (email me if you want the gory details) in the utility/mop/broom closet and since that night, she visits the restaurant...moving items, knocking things off of counters and making the hair on the back of necks rise to the occasion.

The son of the current owner has been said to have seen strange things out of the corner of his eye, but never seen a full-fledged apparition. An employee who stays late to make the ice cream cakes for the next day's orders has had similar experiences witnessing things moving with no explanation. One of the grill cooks was carrying a stack of milk crates when, all of a sudden, the top crate seemed to be pushed off from the side. Employees have said that while in the freezer getting supplies, the door was pushed closed. There was no one around at the time to push the door.

Katya has yet to personally experience anything, however, she has seen shaded areas in the cameras. Unknown to the writer of this article, I have a friend who was there with her kids once when her then four year old was standing outside of the utility room in a trance-like state while he stared into the room. He could not recall what he was looking at when she questioned him later.

We have many places with ghostly histories here in my city. I love to read about them, watch documentaries and "Ghost Hunters" marathons, or listen to stories of some of our older residents, as long as I am in the safety of my own home!

I'd like you to get to know Unknown Mami! She has a wonderful blog where she shares photos of her city on Sundays, and then invites the rest of us to link up with her and share some of our own city's photos. Click on the logo to visit Sundays in My City!


I live in St. Louis, Missouri! Welcome to my city! MMUUHAAHAAAAHAAAA!

E is for Eagle Scout

Any mom or dad of an Eagle Scout knows exactly what their son(s) went through to earn this highest honor of Boy Scouts. For many of us, it was a lesson in "just under the wire" or "how to keep one's sanity while hours away from a deadline!"

I have the privilege of having two sons who were Boy Scouts, and who both earned their Eagle Scout Award just hours before their 18th birthday. That is the deadline for all sign offs for the project the boys complete as the last part of the Award. My two princes turned my gray hair white by leaving so much until the last minute.

But that is all water under the bridge now. The Eagle Scout Award can open so many doors for young men. They can enter the military, or Police Academy with one year already completed, merely by earning this award. When college admission representatives or employers see the award listed on applications, it indicates to them that the applicant worked through the scouting program until it was completed; just like a job project, or college curriculum requires one to complete. Yes, I had to kick their butts a fair amount of the time, but in the end, it was their hard work and tenacity for which they were rewarded.

I can honestly recommend both the Boy Scouts of America organization, as well as the Girls Scouts of America organization for any parent or child with an interest in developing life skills, broadening horizons, and giving service to their community. These organizations offer opportunities and experiences that may not be available to some in their everyday lives.

This post is in response to Jenny Matlock's Alphabet Thursday meme. Please stop by this week's post to read about others who are inspired by The Letter "E". Just click on the logo below and you will be transported to Jenny's post.

Thanks for spending a few minutes with me today!



P.S. My Scout is the one in the middle!

Writer's Workshop - A Wardrobe Malfunction

I think my story is more of forgetfulness than of a malfunction, but I will share it with you anyway.

I have this cotton/rayon sleeveless dress (black with green leaves and white flowers) that has a matching short sleeve jacket. The dress is mid-calf in length, with a little bit of a slit up to the knee. The jacket buttons in the front, and has an open slit down the middle of the back. There is a button at the base of the back. I sometimes will wear the jacket over a black tank or shirt with pants or a skirt.

One Sunday, I hastily dressed for church as I was running late. I threw on a pair of black pants and threw the jacket on over my head. The service was very nice, and close to the end, I realized that I had nothing but my bra underneath the jacket.

“Oh, crap” I screamed inside of my head. “The minute I stand up, the people in back of me will see…oh, wait, I’ve already stood up when we were singing hymns!” I was totally mortified!!!

“How am I going to get out of here?” I am acquainted with several members of the church from my years at the pre-school. I couldn’t face anyone at this point!

“Oh, Lord…please don’t let anyone call my name or ask me to stop and chat!!!” I said to myself as I quickly made my way to the parking lot. Well, the good Lord heard my prayer. I walked swiftly to my car while pulling the back of the jacket down with one hand to close up the opening, and frantically clicking the remote with the other hand. I wanted to unlock I the car so I could throw open the door, slide in and get home….as fast as possible.

Once I realized that there probably were a few people who noticed, (and who were too kind to say anything) I laughed at myself all the way home! Whew!!! I vowed that from then on, I would check out the front AND back of me in a mirror!


Thanks for stopping by! This post is brought to you by Writer's Workshop and Mama Kat over at Mama's Losin' It. Click on the logo and get some great reads in!

Saturday Centus - Mini Goblin Style

Welcome to my little contribution to Saturday Centus, sponsored by Jenny Matlock - Off On My Tangent. She posts several memes during the week with which we can play along. On Saturdays, she gives a prompt and challenges us to write a short story, 100 words or less, using the prompt as the topic. AFTER you read my entry, and, give me a thumbs up or thumbs down, please click on the logo below and go visit Jenny. There are others there, just like me, with short stories that are quick reads, and very entertaining!

The theme of this week's Centus is in bold lettering.

It was Friday afternoon. The whole class was jumping with excitement. They were 30 minutes into their Halloween party. The closing bell rang and the masses rushed out of the school and into the waiting buses.

Richard’s business day was extended due to a worker calling in sick. Richard repaved driveways for a living, which brought him home covered in tar each night. He arrived home, snuck in the back door and raced to the front door as he heard the children’s voices.

“Trick or Treat” they shouted as the door opened. Upon seeing Richard covered in tar, the mini goblins screamed and ran amok into the night!

Thanks for stopping by! Please click on the logo and see how creative Jenny's friends are today!

Wednesday Wickedness - Kim Kardashian

Welcome to this always fascinating meme sponsored by Wednesday Wickedness. Each week, Janera posts quotes from a well-known celebrity, and then poses questions to the reader following the quotes. This week's meme posts quotes from mega celebrity, reality show diva and entrepreneur, Kim Kardashian. I hope you enjoy her quotes and my sometimes silly responses!

Onward!



1. "White is actually one of my favorite colors. I have a white car. I love white." Tell us about your first car.

My first car was a beige 1956 Ford Falcon. It was so old that I needed a choke to get it started. If you know what I’m talking about, then you are very old like me! The year was 1971, and I didn’t have to pay for it, so I was very happy. Beige is not my favorite color, although it is sort of close to white. Give your life a few years with kids, Kim. I don’t think your favorite color will be white any more.


2. "I've just had enough of people misrepresenting me. Get to know me and see who I am." Have you ever been paranoid?

I have been paranoid for most of my life. I grew up in Southern California. I think paranoid is a very normal survival tactic. Get to know you, Kim? Well, I’m not sure that would be a good idea at this point. I don’t want to add schizo to my paranoia!


3. "I opened the store myself. Even Paris and Nicky Hilton -- they`re completely independent too." How old were you and what were you doing when you became independent of your parents?

I became independent of my parents at age 19. It would have been later, but they were moving to some Poe-dunk town up the coast. I had just landed my first “real” job and was making just enough to pay my way! I loved staying up until dawn watching movies, eating cereal for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and sleeping 75 percent of the weekend. By the way, Kim, Paris still needs her mommy and daddy when she gets busted…


4. "I want to be a Bond girl!" Have you ever wanted to be in the movies?


I have wanted to be in the movies since I was seven years old, but I refused to have my breasts augmented, eyebrows plucked, and I wouldn’t sleep around until I was 15. I also wanted to be a rock star, astronaut, and professional football cheerleader. Instead, I did things that were not as demanding, didn't need 20 years of education, and didn't require sit-ups.


5. "I would never snub Hugh Hefner. I love him and his whole team." How much money would it take for you to pose nude?

How much money would it take for me to pose nude? Are you crazy? When I think of all the lawsuits that would be filed for vision assault, it would have to be in the billions! I’m cute, but every body part I own has gone South, even the leftover baby fat!


6. "I think my sense of style is evolving. I'm figuring out ways to be sexy without having to flaunt it." Who are the top 3 sexy celebrities in your opinion?

Now, Kim, can you even spell the word “flaunt?” Paleeze!!! Your sense of style is that of “I want to jump your bones…do you think I’m sexy?” By sexy, does your question mean, “who do I want to do it to….or who or whom is easy on the eyes?” What do you think, Kim? The top of my list includes, George, Brad and Clive.



7. "I'm the girl who's too shy to dance in a nightclub — maybe for one song, and then that's it." Tell us about the last time that you danced in a nightclub?

I was 22 the last time I danced in a nightclub. It was the Whiskey in Hollywood. My date was approached in the men’s room by someone asking him, “how much for my company?” He and I both laughed about that for a long time!

8. "I want to be pregnant by the time I'm 30, hopefully." Since normal people don’t decide on having kids depending on their age, what factors do you think are important when making that decision?

What? I became pregnant when I was 30! I think it is a life changing event that requires much thought. One sacrifices their figure, gets stretch marks everywhere, and, for about six months, has to put up with everyone rubbing her stomach as though it is public property! Important factors to consider: 1) finish college; 2) sleep around; 3) travel and sleep around; 4) babysit someone’s infant; 5) marry someone who is either filthy rich or drop-dead gorgeous!


9. "My balance is really bad. I just hope my clumsiness doesn't show through". Is there anything about you that you hope doesn’t show through?

Clumsy can be good sometimes. Doors get opened for you, people let you cut in line because they want you away from them as soon as possible, the waiter will bring you a fresh drink, even though you already finished three-fourths of it before you spilled it. There are lots of things about me that I don’t want to show through, so why would I show them now?

10. "I eat less junk food, hardly any soda, and just try to eat more protein. I definitely can’t give up sweets all together, so I just toned them down!" How does one “tone down” their diet?

Milk is protein. Cookies are sweet. You can’t tone these down any further. However, if there are other proteins and/or sweets to be consumed, moderation is the word I like to use. Common sense is, perhaps, something that both Kim and I may share...NOT!


Thanks for stopping by for a while. Please pop over to Wicked and say hello! Just click on the logo for Wednesday Wickedness below!

Sundays in My City - It's Almost Here!

Only a few choice trees are showing their morphing talents, but oh my, the colors are fabuuuuu! I'm sharing just a few this week, but will take some more again next Sunday!

Now, I won't show you all of the dried up brown leaves on the lawns, streets and cars, as they really don't seem that attractive to me. They only remind me of the fact that they will need to be raked up soon, and disposed of properly!

I love the fact that we are not having any more 90 degree with humidity days, and that now I can start wearing more sweaters and other cute outfits that are traditionally more popular in cooler weather!

I have been on the top ten list of "worst moms ever" for a few years now. Maybe if I drag out the Halloween decorations I might score a few points with the kids! Below is a picture of my darlings when they were in preschool and Kindergarten. This was one of the best costume years for me, as they were easy to make and CHEAP! I stole the idea off of the Today Show (in those days, I could actually catch the show!) The serapes are made out of black felt and the stars, sun and moons are gold wrapping paper that are glitter glued onto the felt. The hats were bought at a party store for a few "dobbers."





Have you heard of Unknown Mami? She has a delightful blog where she shares photos of her city on Sundays. She invites the rest of us to link up with her and share some of our own city's photos. Click on the logo to visit Sundays in My City!

I live in St. Louis, Missouri! Welcome to my city!

Friday Fragments - Oh, Hello!

This is one of my favorite linking blogs! Mrs4444 from Half-Past Kissin' Time invites us to share ideas, talk about our day or week... just about anything too short for a regular post, but still very noteworthy!

Oh, hello, my name is Noexcuses. I've been really lazy, quiet, brain-dead and/or invisible lately, so I haven't posted much. When I read the posts of my bloggy friends, I feel energized and almost have that old "get crackin" feeling. It's amazing how a comment or email can pull one back from the edge. Thanks, Lora!



I once had a pediatrician ask me "what were you thinking?" when I had my fourth child only 17 months after my third. It made me mad, and I never went back to him! Now that the girls are 17 and 18, I know exactly what he meant! I think it's payback for all the grief I gave my mom....except that it is doubled! The drama around here would make for a great reality show, but then I'd have to get my hair and nails done, and, actually clean my house!



Last weekend I went to Boulder City, Nevada, to help my cousin with her booth at an art show. She makes very beautiful and unique jewelry. If you have a chance, click on Yasek Design Jewelry and check it out. She is on Etsy, too! For anyone who has lived on Mars for the last 100 years, Boulder City is about 20 minutes from Las Vegas...sin city...the strip...a town that never sleeps - at least not at night! The art show was a success. I wish I could say the same about the slots! We took a drive to Hoover Dam, about five minutes from Boulder City. Very impressive! Did you know that the Liberace Museum is closing in two weeks? You better get out there and check out those incredible costumes, cars and pianos! They will go back to the vault for at least seven years, just like Disney movies!


Now that I've gotten back in the water, I hope to be more visible and do what all of you wonderful people do...write! Please click on the Friday Fragments logo or any of the thumbnails at the end of this post, and see what many others are up to this week! Thanks for stopping by! Have a great weekend!