Today was the BIG ATA Chief Master's American Taekwondo Assocation's Tournament of Champions. This was a Class A tourny, which in my vocab meant a VERY LOOOOOONG DAY. But in the followers of tourneys, meant a VERY BIIIIIIIIIIIIG DEAL. We were there from about 9 a.m. till 4:30 p.m. whilst the Richert boys competed. Why, pray tell, didn't I compete, you ask? Well, I've got one word for you.

Vomit.

That's all I'll volunteer on that.

But I happily strapped my Nikon camera around my neck and took pictures like I was All That And More. I'm so proud of my boys.

Now, don't expect anything grand in the ORDER of these photos. Blogger insists in uploading everything backwards, so my order is all out of whack. And I'm just not in the mood to put them in the right order.

Let me explain: I used to be an extrovert. That means I derived my energy from others. Now, in my 40s, I'm an introvert. I derive my energy from my naps. Well, let's just say that this day drained me of my energy. The people. The noise. The colors. The closeness. Invaders took over my personal space at every hour. My own personal offspring took over my personal space, leaving my bubble burst. And yet, I survive another hour, blogging the theatrics of my family because that's what good mommies and wives do. I love them, and that's what sustains my introverted ways.

Benjy's form

I was so inspired watching this judge, the co-owner of the Cleveland school, lead these Tiny Tigers through their moves. She made every one of them feel like they were the entire reason for this tournament.

A good job for Benjy. The sun rose and set around his form.

Camden who competed in jhang bong weapons form and took 2nd.

Camden's form that Mr. Dreskler helped him with.
Thank you, Mr. Dreskler!!!!!

My man.

My man in a SEA of black belts.
There were competitors from all over the country here.
World champs, too.
The quality of these competitors was simply amazing to watch.

Benjy got two trophies:
one for Loud Yells
one for Weapon Control
Yes, all Tiny Tigers get a trophy.
And they totally deserve it.

Benjy and his bhang mhong ee
I'm not entirely sure if I spelled that right.
But I'm not in any mood to look it up.

He actually made this form up.
And he was so proud of the between-the-leg move he did.

Camden's jhang bong form.

In action

Eaglescout.

Eaglescout kicks.
He's a very good kicker.

Yes, I'm plumb worn out.
I'm at the end of my rope.
I'm spent.

And I'm so proud of the Richert boys. They practiced.
They worked hard and had true ATA black belt attitudes.
I wouldn't have picked any other family to be with today.
You should know that there were world champs, national champs, Nth degree black belts here.
And my guys were here, too.
I love you, Curt, Camden, and Benjy.
And I am so proud of your hard work and accomplishments today.
A T A!!!

I do not live here, but I would if I could. I don't know where it is, but quite frankly, if it's perched in the middle of a landfill in Mississippi, I'd probably still live here. That's how much I am adoring this little cottage craftsmanesque home I spotted somewhere on the internet. If I lived in this home, here are a few things I'd put in it.

A good for nothing lazy hound dog.

A clone.

Or two.

A handsome black belt man to guard and protect the clones whilst they recharge their batteries.

A room that befits the time one spends in it washing the threads of a family.

Flower boxes

A chandelier in every single room. Just because they sparkle.

Room to kick back and relax by Eaglescout's garden. Yes, he fancies himself a farmer of sorts.

An old timey clawfoot tub like I had in Big Lick, Virginia. Ahhhhhhhhhhhh.

A tree house for me to escape to when I need some time with a book. (Or a Kindle, which I admit has captivated me of late.)

These whimsical mushroom stools would, of course, dot the lawn.
Because, why not?

My back porch would have to be pinkalicous.
And I don't really even like pink so much as I love that word.
(You'd have to read to book to really understand, I suppose.)

Numbered stairs because you don't want to miscount and trip and injure yourself. Of course.

Yellow walls.
Yellow has been my favorite color since Midge Vaughn told me it was hers in fourth grade.

Finally, my home would be moved to Hatteras Island, NC.
Just because.
That's why.
So this would be what I'd see every day from my pinkalicious back porch.

Gee, it's been so long and I've left you hanging, waiting and probably pacing in anticipation of learning the answers to my mystery word game of last week.

Yeah, just humor me, OK?

The pictures I posted were the number 1 images to show up when I googled words I heard on NBC's The Office. Here are your answers.

Number one: KGB
Number two: Dwight
Number three: Shoe La La
Number four: Metabolism

I just cracked up when Michael told Dwight that he dreamed of opening up a fine men's shoe store. And calling it Shoe La La.

Obviously, you people need to get a life and watch The Office if you plan on playing games with me.

And now, for some peeks at what Maggie the Leprechaun did to my classroom today at lunch.


She did this at lunchtime because, well, as amazing as I may seem at times, I totally dropped the ball on St. Patrick's Day. Hey, it's not like it was Hundreds Day or Pi Day or the Ides of March!


So, I recruited some eighth graders to help me out. They arrived ready to make a mess. They tipped desks, spilled toys and sprinkled green beads all over the place. They turned word wall words upside down and - you need to be sitting for this one - took the ABCs out of alphabetical order. What heresy!

These guys wound up best friends and are still hanging tight.

This mess, however, we could not stand. So my little ones picked it up without me even asking!
One of the big kids remarked, "I like how we get to make the mess and they have to clean it up." Clever, I am, no?

The best trick of all wasn't captured on film. The big kids put mini Tootsie Rolls on the ceiling fan blades. Then, when we turned it on, Tootsie Rolls rained down on us! That Maggie can't be so bad after all.

My Dear Blog Readers (all 5 of you),

Can I just tell you how lame it is that I've neglected you for all these live-long days?
I feel like a heel.
I feel like a horrible heel.
Not to be confused with an eel.

And to beat it all, I have not a nugget of original, fresh, thought-provoking and mind-changing multimedia for you. Any picture you see on this post, I warn you, comes ripped right off the internet. I confess, I am a thief. And as such, I resort to thievery when I have to.

So, let's see. I will play a little game with you, dear blog people.
I will type a mystery word into google and post the first picture that comes up.
Your job is to guess the mystery word I typed in.
Sound like fun?

OK, since you're all on the edge of your seats in anticipation, here goes:

Give up yet?
You'll have to wait for me to remember to update this to find out my secret word.

That was great fun. Let's do it again.
Here's a new picture with a new and improved mystery word.

And now for a break from our sponsors of the mystery word:

Give up yet?

OK, here's a clue. 

All of my words come from tonight's episode of The Office. 

I just love that show.

Those funny guys make my funny bone itch. Cause they tickle it, of course!

(Woops, I slipped into my Junie B. Jones voice there for a minute.)

OK, I'll give you one more bigger, better image. 

This one also is from The Office. Cause it's still on, that's why. 

I was gonna give you an image to go with one of the last words on tonight's episode - boobs. But it was obscene. Take my word for it. (Admit it, you're ready to google it yourself, aren't you? You dirty people.)

Stay tuned for my mystery words. 

In the event of a winner, no prizes will be awarded.

Let's play a little game. All you girls who grew up in the 70s playing with Barbies will probably get this.

I'm thinking of a 12-inch doll.
She's a brunette one day
and a blonde the next.
This particular doll gets a groovy tan when she's under a light.
And she came with stickers so you could make little tan marks on her body.
She rocked.

Did you guess....


Yep. It's Suntan Tuesday Taylor.

She was my favorite of all the 12-inch dolls. She was Ideal's answer to Mattel's Barbie. And though she didn't last, she continues to be the icon of my Barbie days.

Don't you just wish you were cool enough to don this get-up?
I had this for my Suntan Tuesday Taylor. And she looked amazing in it!
Just as we would, I'm sure, if we had the (mis)fortune of owning this caftan today.
And just ogle those sunglasses for a bit! She had it going on WAY before Sally Jesse Raphael!

My STT also had this bikini with REAL FOIL trim.
Can YOU say that, ladies?

Here's a shot of the penthouse. Not my penthouse. Mine's long gone. But let me tell you that it came with the most amazing set of accessories. I felt like a real sophisticated chica living in New York City when I played with this high-society apartment.

I haven't felt like such a chica since I was about 10.

And here are the doodle stickers you could put on STT's bod to give her the most amazing sun tatoos. Don't tell me you're not even thinking that you could so do this when the sun comes out in June!

In the world of sports:

Today I punched Mr. Dreskler in the face while point sparring.

Yes, I know that's illegal.

And, yes, I had my helmet on right.



In other news:

Here's a conversation I overheard between Camden and Benjy last week. Both were tucked in bed, Benjy choosing to sleep on a cot in Camden's room. He said he missed his big brother who didn't go to school that day since he'd been sick.

Benjy: Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray the Lord my soul to keep. May angels watch me through the night and keep me in their blessed sight. Dear Lord, please bless Mommy and Daddy and Camden and me and Emma. A-men.

Camden: Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray the Lord my soul to keep. May angels watch me through the night and wake me in the morning light. Dear God, I want to ask you to bless Mom, Dad, Benjy, and me, and Emma.

Benjy: Camden, Carly was holding your work for you today for me to give to you. It was Carly.

Camden: OKAAAAAAAAAAY.

Benjy: Do you think Carly likes you?

Camden: No. She doesn't like me like that.

Benjy: Yeah, girls are stupid.

Camden: Yeah, girls are stupid.

Benjy: Except grown-up mommies. Grown-up mommies are not stupid.

Camden: Yeah, mommies aren't stupid.

Gee, thanks guys. This grown-up mommy sure loves you two.

Here's my Sunday post from the Simple Woman's Daybook.

FOR TODAY, Sunday, Feb. 22...
Outside my window...a fresh coating of snow with double footprints snaking through the backyard where Camden and Benjy enjoyed a few moments of freezing fun this morning.

I am thinking...how much I'm procrastinating on starting my National Boards renewal portfolio.

I am thankful for...a home, my family, my friends, my dog.

From the kitchen...the day's paint projects from me and the kids are drying.

I am wearing...penguin pajamas.

I am creating...a little house that I hated the color of, so I'm renovating it by giving it a happy whimsical touch of yellow, red, and pink.

I am going...to school tomorrow for the last week of February.

I am reading...a great spy novel that Mr. Dreskler gave me. Hopefully I'll finish it this week.

I am hoping...to accomplish ONE of my portfolio papers this week.........

I am hearing...M*A*S*H reruns 'cause, frankly, I just don't get awards shows.

Around the house...Benjy is snoring, Camden is reading, Curt is making a snack, I am blogging, Emma is thinking about Curt making a snack.

One of my favorite things...is Cornerstone on Saturday nights. The praise and worship songs are the best. And Aaron on guitar rocks.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
* Taekwondo on Monday and Friday, perhaps Saturday.
* We start Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University at church this week.
* I have a teacher workshop to go to on Wednesday in Pittsburgh, so I have to get some sub plans ready.
* Church on Saturday night.
* Camden gets to take his splint off his finger - at last.
* Print some pictures out and get crafty. (ie, use up those scrapbook kits piling up in my grandmother's trunk)
* Lunch duty this week at school. Soooo glad recess duty is behind me.
* Track my weight watchers points - gotta keep it up.

Here are a few picture thoughts I am sharing...

Benjy was inspired by Camden's Little House in the Big Woods project. So he took control of the hot glue gun (he's a natural!) and crafted this with odds and ends. He gave it to his teacher. :)

Oh, to be Emma Louise Dawn for a day.

A stray missile.

Camden's project - the Little House, the woods, the barn. ..... He's so crafty.

See Laura's swing on the tree? Those sticks came from his "climbing tree" in the backyard. Every lick of this was hot glued together by my 9 year old architect. :)

Since Eaglescout won't hijack my blog, I'll do it for him. Here's 

the 

latest 

installment 

of

.

.

.

.

.

.

 _____ Needs.

1. Curt needs to tell it. And if he won't, then I will.

2. Curt needs some wax. Gross.

3. Curt needs some surgery to pitch. Perhaps a lobotomy?

4. Curt needs our support and sympathy. Yes, generally speaking, he does.

5. Curt needs our HELP. He's really lame, apparently.

6. Curt needs to handle new HKWD_KERN_INITP HOOK. This clearly involves his super top secret CIA operative spy work.

7. Curt needs our help right away! This linked to a page with scantily clad nurses with large mammaries holding hyperdermic needles big enough for Jabba the Hut. All the nurses looked happy. I wonder if they know Curt.

8. CURT needs and will take the time and effort to organize, facilitate and make the leadership and resources available to deliver this potential to the ... riders on his bus.

9. Calling all TFF fans: Curt needs your help! TFF = Taekwondo For Free

10. Curt NEEDS Roland. Should I be jealous???

You've simply got to take 8 or 9 minutes to watch this. I promise goosebumps.

Leslie sent this to me on Facebook. Which if you're not playing on, then you should quit reading this right now and go FB for a good bit. But, if you're inclined to stick around, then try this: Type your name into Google with the word needs in quotes. For example: "(your name here) needs". Write the first 10 results in a post.

1) Wendi needs to sort through boxes that are full of craft stuff. (I swear, I swear, I swear, I didn't make that one up. Somebody out there is masquerading as ME!)

2) Wendi needs a new tatoo!

3) Wendi needs to wait a few years to be a successful part of the WWE. (Is this a union of some sort???)

4) What Wendi needs now. The perfect client for me right now is someone who is in the preliminary stages of planning their wedding or event.

5) Wendi needs to get it all together. (That's something to consider.)

6) Wendi needs better writers, because she isn’t knowledgable enough on sports.  (True dat)

7) Wendi needs more sauce on her fishcakes, but Gregg doesn't object to the sweetness of her main dish. (Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwww)

8) Wendi needs to fully feed all babies and then reach the level exit, depicted by a Big Sanguinite Deposit. (As titillating as this sounds, this actually came from a gamer's website.)

9) Wendi needs the services of a true psychic so she would have known you were going to say nasty things about her!

10) Wendi's aim is off, again. (direct quote from Chief Master)

Here's an easy blog for ya:

44 Odd Things About Me

1. Do you like blue cheese? 

N.O.

2. Have you ever been drunk? 

I don't remember. hehehe

3. Do you own a gun? 

Yes, a Nerf gun.

4. What flavor of Kool Aid was your favorite? 

tropical punch

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? 

No, I take a book and relax while the kids are elsewhere. It's like a tiny resort visit.

6. What do you think of hot dogs? 

They are gross. Like a roll of Spam.

7. Favorite Christmas movie? 

Christmas Story.

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? 

Black coffee

9. Can you do push ups? 

yup, and not the girlie ones either

10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry?

 My great grandmother's wedding band and tiny diamond that Great Grandaddy was gonna surprise her with, till Mom blabbed to Mamaw.

11. Favorite hobby? 

making stuff out of paper and fabric.

12. Do you have A.D.D.? 

Possibly. Certain sounds - like the buzz of flourescent lights - drive me bonkers and I can't concentrate on anything but the bothersome sounds.

13. What's your favorite shoes?

 my Dearfoam slippers my grandmomma gets me for Christmas every year

14. Middle name? 

Leighann

15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? 

Where are my slippers???......Gotta get those wild boys in bed.......What am I gonna teach those Tiny Tigers at taekwondo tomorrow morning????

16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? 

coffee, diet Pepsi, wine

18. Current hate right now? 

when people don't take responsibility for their life choices

20. How did you bring in the New Year? 

Asleep, duh.

21. Where would you like to go? 

south - home

22. Name three people who will complete this? 

Leslie, Mom, and Jodee

23. Do you own slippers? 

Yes. Many, many, many pairs.

24. What color shirt are you wearing right now? 

light blue

25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? 

No. I like fine cotton sheets. But I'd never iron them. That's weird.

26. Can you whistle? 

Uh huh.

27. Favorite color?

 yellow

28. Would you be a pirate? 

Only if I can sing

29. What songs do you sing in the shower? 

I would rather take a bath, but not with a pirate

30. Favorite girl's Name? 

Emmalemmalimabean - my dog

31. Favorite boy's name? 

Michael Weston. Hey, do you watch Burn Notice???

32. What's in your pocket right now?

 I'm in my PJs. When I do wear pockets, I put my hands in them.

33. Last thing that made you laugh? 

Kickin' Curt's butt tonight in taekwondo, even if he did probably let me win.

34. Best bed sheets as a child? 

They were a happy cottony yellow.

35. Worst injury you've ever had as a child?

 I stubbed my pinky toe. Twice. It hurt.

38. Who is your loudest friend? 

I'm gonna have to go with Jodee. :) :) :)

39. How many dogs do you have?

 1 - Emmalemmalimabean, a beagle shepherd mix rescue mutt.

40. Does someone have a crush on you? 

Better be my husband

41. What is your favorite book? 

Oh this is sooooo hard. There's the entire Harry Potter series. There's Beach Music by Pat Conroy, my fave author. There's A Thousand Splendid Suns. I just can't narrow it down.

42. What is your favorite candy? 

Sugar Babies

43. Favorite Sports Team? 

Hokies and Steelers. Not quite in the same league.

44. What song do you want played at your funeral? 

Brick House. hahahaha. I crack me up. OK, John Denver's Take Me Home Country Roads. And you can throw in some Amazing Grace, too.

So I'm feeling the need to blog, but I have absolutely nothing to offer up. Except for a sinus infection which is better left undescribed. So, after searching around the web, I came up with this. It's sort of like a journal entry where I get to fill in the blanks. And I get to do it every week. That means I don't have to think for at least one blog every seven days. Not that I blog every day, but of course, who's counting?

This comes from The Simple Woman's Daybook. She describes it this way: are you content to linger on the simple things of life...then join me in taking a little look into the day plans and thoughts of those of us who are focusing on simplicity...the beauty of the everyday moments around us. That is my vision for this idea!

OK, here goes: 

Outside my window...
It's dark, as it's night time. The winds are calm compared to last night. 

I am thinking...
about Burn Notice starting in 7 minutes.

I am thankful for...
my family.

From the kitchen...
Valentine cookies dipped in white chocolate and covered with red and white and pink sprinkles are cooling. The boys will take these to their classmates with their Hoops and YoYo Valentines tomorrow.

I am wearing...
pajamas. No surprise there.

I am creating...
a blog entry.

I am going...
to watch Burn Notice tonight.

I am hearing...
30 Rock while I wait for Burn Notice to come on.

I am hoping...
that my dear friend finds peace soon. And that she knows how much we love her and her boys and that we know that while life sucks now, it won't always. She will survive. 

Around the house...
the boys are sleeping soundly. Emma is, too. And the carpets are clean.

One of my favorite things...
is eating out. Really.

A few plans for the rest of the week...
...taekwondo Friday and Saturday to make up for missing Wednesday when I was sick. 
...Valentine party at school tomorrow. Did I ever mention that I do not like school parties? I guess it's the change in routine. I don't like them. But I do them anyway. That's what teachers do.
...a special Valentine gift for Eaglescout is on its way here.
...finish reading 2nd Samuel and the latest thriller I Eaglescout gave me.
...weigh in at Weight Watchers. I missed last week, so I'm wondering how I'm doing. I've also neglected to track anything for the past two days. Woops.
...take my meds and get rid of this sinus infection.

Another picture to share...

I ate this today at TGI Fridays. It's the spinach artichoke dip with tortilla chips. Actually, I inhaled this dish. It was that good. I told you eating out was a fave for me. Eaglescout, the Eaglets, LL and I ate lunch here today on my surprise day off from school. I could get used to this.

Camden asked me today: 

Mom, were any of our relatives on the Titanic?

I told him I had no idea. But it made me wonder what urged our relatives to board a boat at some time in the past and make the move to America. I'm fairly certain they didn't use floo powder.

Why then? 

When it would have been easier to stay put. To not risk a dangerous voyage with no room service or poolside drinks or snorkeling excursions.

Why?

When it would have been expensive at best. Deadly at worst.

Why?

Was it a promise? Hope? God?

I wonder.

Because I daily find myself thanking God that I am here. 

In America. 

With the economy in a downward spiral.

With a morning newscast we call the Murder Report.

With drugged-up heroes and knocked-down politicians.

Yes, I am thankful to be here.

Because I think of where I could be.

Where I could be raising my kids. 

Where we could be struggling to merely survive.

And I'm humbled that God chose this place for me and my family.

This promised land.

Happy Birthday, 

Michelle.

I miss you.

A lot.

And your little dogs, too.

.

.

.

.

.

But not your cats. 

.

.

.

.

And now a message for all your dads out there. 

Isn't this the most precious thing you've ever seen?