"X" is for Xena

Xena is a fictional character from Robert Tapert's Xena: Warrior Princess franchise. She first appeared in the 1995–1999 television series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, before going on to appear in Xena: Warrior Princess TV show and subsequent comic book of the same name. Xena was played by New Zealand actress Lucy Lawless who commonly wore a tight leather skirted outfit with silver accents.

Xena is the protagonist of the story, and the series depicts her quest to seek redemption for her past sins as a ruthless warlord by using her formidable fighting skills to help people. Xena was raised as the daughter of Cyrene and Atrius in Amphipolis. She has a brother who is dead; she visits his grave to speak with him often. In Hercules, during her two first episodes, Xena was an outlaw, but in the third (and last), she joins Hercules to defeat despicable warlords. Aware that the character of Xena had been very successful among the public, the producers of the series decided to create a spin-off series based on her adventures.

The original choice to play Xena was the British actress Vanessa Angel, but she fell ill and was unable to make it to the set. The role was also offered to four other actresses. Ultimately the role was given to Lawless as she was already a resident of New Zealand. Lawless had several problems playing the character due to the violent scenes, getting cut by swords and being hit in the head, and also in 1996 while rehearsing a skit for "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno", she fractured her pelvis when she was thrown clear from her horse. As a result, several episodes of Season 2 had to be edited to accommodate her recovery, and some of them were changed so Lawless could have a very slight appearance, and the crew created some brand new episodes.

Let me introduce you to my Xena, and her brother, Luke Skywalker, and brother, Kenny from South Park, and sister, Black Kitty!



Brought to you by Jenny Matlock's Alphabe-Thursday. Click on the logo below and see what other fascinating "X" stories there are for your entertainment!



Information obtained from Wikipedia.

Saturday Centus - Best Friends

Oh Jenny, you little stinker, you! This week's challenge is to write lyrics to the "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" song using up to 32 words which include "In the Autumn." Yo...yo...here we go!

In the Autumn we will play
Tossing leaves most every day
Let’s get dressed for trick or treat
We’ll be scary and so sweet
I can’t wait for Halloween
We sure make an awesome team!

I know it's corny, but consider the song....(it's one of my favorite songs to sing to little ones)! I went over by three words - so hate me! Please click on Jenny's logo below and be entertained by some exquisite lyrical talents!



This post is dedicated to a wonderful relationship once had by two little boys and their mothers.

V is for Victorian

Welcome to Alphabe-Thursday brought to you by Headmistress Trunbull...I mean...Jenny Matlock of Off on My Tangent. This week, we are studying the letter "V" and I would like to share a little part of an era in which I am enamored...Victorian!

I dream of finding a Victorian house to buy that I can renovate to look like it did during the time, but with all of the modern conveniences. It's on the bucket list, but I won't be disappointed if I don't get to that one. I've visited a few artists who love the period and still love to look at the "Victorian" magazine whenever I have a chance!

Here are a few of the homes where I might live (in my dreams)















And here's where I left my heart....



I found some of these whimsical images from the Graphics Fairy























Here are a few pieces that I would insist on having in my Victorian House!



















And, of course, some "to-die-for" fashions!



















I hope you have enjoyed travelling back in time with me. Please click on the logo below to read some of my classmates' "V" assignments. I know you will like them!

Repost - Just Any Other Day

Today Mr. Noexcuses and I celebrate our 35th Wedding Anniversary. Three years ago I posted the following while I was as numb as I am today. I think it's important to honor those who fell that day, but I also think it's important for us to celebrate the babies, the birthdays, the anniversaries, the triumphs and the many other special moments that occurred before, have occurred since and will occur in the future on September 11th.


Thursday, September 11, 2008

Just Any Other Day

For many, today is just another day. But, if you have a birthday, anniversary or some other special event that is celebrated on September 11th, you will be affected...forever. Maybe this a good thing. There are some things that we should always remember so that history will not repeat itself. Sometimes having a personal event and an historical event that share the same date can be a very special thing. I share one of those events with today's date, and so I try to find something positive to see me through the day. Chocolate helps....a lot!

My 25th wedding anniversary was 9/11/01. We decided not to celebrate that year. A sort of eerie thing happened. The day before, my husband ordered flowers to be delivered to the house. They arrived on the afternoon of the 11th. They were beautiful greens and white Lilys. Of all the flowers in the book, he ordered Lilys. Maybe it was a God thing. When the arrangement finally passed on, I replaced it with plastic and dried flowers. Every year I add another flower and/or green. I now have this beautiful arrangement of Lilys, roses, mums, etc., any flower that comes in white. And, of course, lots of green, leafy stuff.

I remember planning a big party for my parents on their 25th wedding anniversary. My party can wait. If we make it to 40 years, then I will rent a cruise ship. Would you like to join us?

Thanks, and God Bless!


I will always remember this date for its events, both horrific and blessed.

No Excuses - Mother May I...

Well, once again I have procrastinated (that's how I roll) and am just getting to my post for Saturday Centus, from Jenny at Off on My Tangent! When I read the prompt, "Mother May I," I first thought about my mom, who went home 26 years ago. Then I thought about the childhood game, and how much fun it was to try and beat whoever was playing the mother! I figured that many of the responses would be about the game, and I, who normally find the need to go against the grain, could not come up with a post! So I waited until this morning, Sunday, September 11th. After watching one hour of the news this morning, and having being thoroughly depressed and grateful at the same time, I offer up my "Mother" post to you now.

Jenny is allowing pictures, along with instructions of 100 words plus the three words of the prompt. I am always inspired by pictures, and today is no different. The prompt will be in bold.


It was 1966, and the bell for morning recess had just rung. Since it was raining, we had to stay inside. "Mother May I" won out over "Seven Up." I tried my best to be the one to reach Mother before anyone else. My plan was working; I was one question away from victory!

Then, I woke up. I so wanted to return to that time. It was September 12, 2001, and as the events of the day before flashed through my mind, I thought about all of those who had gone home. I knew my mom was hugging each one of them.


Thank you for taking the time to stop by today. Please click on Jenny's logo below to see the offerings of some very gifted friends!

Under My Umbrella...ella...ella

What a catchy song this was...and what a busy celebrity! Who would have thought something so simple could enter your head through your ears and swim around and around until you fell into a comatose state while you mumble the words "ella...ella and so on!

Welcome to Alphabe-Thursday sponsored by Jenny Matlock, Off On My Tangent. This week we week our assignment is "U." Hope you enjoy some of colorful and interesting Umbrella pics I found.









Thank you for stopping by my Umbrella piece. Please let the wind blow you over to Jenny's and see the other "U" presentations of my friends. Just click on the logo below.

Have a great weekend!

Tomato Sandwich Thursday

Welcome to Alphabe-Thursday and my little entry for the letter "T!" Headmistresses Jenny Matlock, Off On My Tangent, assigns one letter of the alphabet each week. Our assignment is to write a story, poem, or other form of art using the letter of the week. Here is my assignment...just a little bit late!


Me: Hi Kate, how are you doing?

Kate: Fine, and you?

Me: Oh, I’m great! How about going out to lunch this Thursday?

Kate: Oh, I really don’t feel like going out. Why don’t you come here and we can have some soup and sandwiches?

Me: That sounds great! May I bring the soup?

Kate: No, don’t bother. I have a pantry full of soup. Just bring yourself and an empty stomach!

Me: Okay, I’ll see you about 11ish?

Kate: Sounds good, see you then!

I really didn’t want Kate to go to any trouble. When she has people over for a meal, she goes all out with sides and such, and then makes some totally yummy soup from scratch. When I make soup, I open the can and dump it into the saucepan. I also don’t like a lot of choices for a sandwich. Just give me tomato and cheese with a little mayo! I like to keep things simple.

Most of my life has become much simpler than it used to be. It’s just not worth it. All of the fuss and stress and having to remember EVERYTHING! Lordy! It seems I’m always forgetting something, but it all works out in the end. Life has been so enjoyable these last few years since I’ve made the change from “impressing others at all costs” to “if you don’t like it, make your own!” It took me a good 20 years to build up the nerve to say that to my kids! It worked, however, and now they eat what I make, or make their own!

I really like my life as it is now. Each day I make a short list of things I’d like to get done, and if I complete one item by dinner, it’s been a good day! I spent too much of my life trying to do it all, be it all, and show the world what a superwoman I was. Why in the world did I think that was important? I truly believe I did more damage than good by trying to appear how well I had it all together. Well, I never did have it all together, and it doesn’t bother me to admit it! I don’t look back on what “could have been”, just “how badly did I screw it up and can it be fixed without a therapist!”

I called Kate back and in my nicest and firmest voice, said to her, “Just make me a tomato sandwich on Thursday, okay?” Boy! Did that feel great to cross off my list!

Please hop over to Jenny's Alphabe-Thursday home and see what my friends have done with the letter "T." Just click on the logo below!

Saturday Centus - Pizza Mia!!

It's been a little crazy for me lately, and when I've had time to post, my brain has been on vacation. I was determined to finish this piece before the end of the weekend!

Jenny Matlock, of Off on My Tangent, has given us an assignment this week to use 107 words to tell a story, poem, or whatever using the prompt "What Kind of Pizza is This?" Well, I started out with 167 words, and could only get it down to 130 words without significantly affecting the idea I wanted to express. So, nanny nanny! I probably will get a lower grade, but maybe Jenny will take pity on me after seeing the picture I included for inspiration. My prompt is in bold.


“Today, we are going to make pizzas” said the teacher to her group of four year- olds.

“Yay” they screamed.

“I love pizza!” yelled little Jimmy as he drenched his English muffin with pizza sauce. Each child had their own cup of sauce and cheese to make their snack.

The pizzas were put on the cookie sheet and into the oven. The teacher didn’t have time to inspect each and every pizza. The oven timer rang and the children jumped to pick up their pizzas. They were all covered with sauce and melted cheese, except for Jimmy’s. His pizza had green, blue and pink colors in it.

“What kind of a pizza is this?” asked the teacher.

“It’s chalk pizza” Jimmy replied, rolling his eyes and sighing. “Didn’t you ever eat one?”


Please stop by Jenny's place to enjoy some great pieces from the others in my class! Just click on the logo below and you will be transported promptly.

Have a great week!