Thursday Thirteen Number 31–Just A Jumble

It’s Thursday, and that means THIRTEEN. Thursday Thirteen! This is the day of the week when a group of bloggers post thirteen things about themselves or their interests, and then flit back and forth finding out about each other. I’ve been missing getting to play, because I’ve been all caught up in Share A Square—-and working in the real live world beyond my computer. But, today I’ve decided that I get to play! I’m gonna spend most of my Thursday at the computer. Whoot!

[That banner above is courtesy of BohoRhap, by the way, and she has lots of wonderful holiday banners. thank you Harlekwin!]

Usually I try to have a theme and be funny. My sense of humor is shot all to heck and gone right now. But, I’ll tell you a jumble of thirteen things that are in my pea sized brain right now.

1) Have y’all ever been stopped by the Texas Highway Patrol? I tell you whut! They are a scary bunch. They all look alike! DO NOT look at their eyes! They wear those mirrored sunglasses, so all you will see is your own guilty face looking back at you.

2) And, remember this word of warning: If you get stopped don’t get out of your car unless they ask you (or tell you) to do so. For some reason, a six foot two inch tall, 280 pound Highway Patrolman (built like Conan the Barbarian) seems to consider a five foot five inch, slightly overweight, middle-aged woman a threat. He will slam you right up against the dust on the side of your car if you get out and try to be neighborly. Let me tell you folks, he is not your neighbor!

3) Another thing you need to know is this (and it’s really important): That Highway Patrolman may ask you, “Do you know why I stopped you, Ma’am?” It’s a trick question! Under NO circumstances reply, “Yes, sir, I was speeding.” You will then find out that he was stopping you because you made an illegal u-turn, and now he has you on two counts! Instead, you should answer that question with a non-committal reply, like “Do what?” or “What did you see me do?”

That’s all I have to say about that, except that Valley View, Texas is a speed trap and I know all these things from personal experience. Enough said.

4) Changing the subject, I told y’all a couple of days ago that I was having trouble making the dadgum cursor on my computer move. I thought I had a problem with my mouse, and I waited until THE MAN came home to rescue me. It turns out that there seems to be another problem with my computer…it’s going all wonky. If it up and dies, I’ll lose my internet connection and will have to go to my local coffee house and do my blogging. Not only will I have the expense of buying a new computer or getting this one repaired, but I’m going to rack up a heck of a tab on those large mochas with extra shots of espresso!

5) It’s been feeling like Christmas around here for awhile. Some of my delightful blogging buddies involved with Share A Square have sent me some fun gifts in the mail. I’m honored and pleased that they would do that. Look at the scarves that Thorne, in California, crocheted for me. Click on the thumbnail to see a bigger picture. Aren’t those fun? The kids at the schools thought they were great (and my cats want to “wear” them, too). Thank you, Thorne.

6) Lola, in Spain, makes lovely jewelry, which she showcases on her blog. She sent some squares, and tucked in a bracelet with hearts for me. I love it, Lola! Thank you.

7) Barbara, in Alaska, sent me dishcloths when I didn’t win the contest Teamouse was having. She knew I’d be disappointed because Eric wouldn’t be able to wash dishes! She knitted a Lone Star design into one and the shape of Texas into the other! I thought it was pretty big of her to bother to put Texas onto the dishcloth, being as how she is from Alaska, and all. I thought there was supposed to be a rivalry or something between Alaska and Texas? As if size matters. Thank you for those, Barbara. Eric is putting them to good use, well, he would be if I would ever cook so there were dishes to wash.

Barb also sent these Fish Breath Mints from Alaska! I don’t know what that’s all about, Barbara, and I’m a little afraid to try them. Does this mean that the mints will cure my fish breath or give me fish breath? Well, either way, they are a “conversation piece.” I like ‘em. Thank you.

8) And, Donna N. in Chicago (who isn’t a blogger but is one of the best darned crocheters in the country) sent me this beautiful butterfly key finder so that my keys won’t fall to the bottom of my purse. I wonder if I can attach it to my cell phone? Thank you, Donna.

9) I’ve been hard at work putting together a gallery of the Share A Square afghans. I’ve got 43 of the finished ones posted, have nine more here to snap, and am expecting seven delivered from Connie out in Gladewater, Texas this weekend. Whoot! If I can make it to 70 before the end of the month, then the project is halfway home.

10) Speaking of Connie, she sent me an e-mail tonight with a prayer that she had found in a Longview, Texas newspaper, and she sent it along for those of us who need it:

Dear Lord,
So far today, I am doing all right. I have not gossiped, lost my temper, been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish or self indulgent. I have not whined, cursed or eaten any chocolate.
However, I am going to get out of bed in a few minutes and I will need a lot more help after that.
Amen.

Amen, indeed.

11) Dear Abby is wanting to make a comeback. The witch has been telling me to let her out of the box so she can get sassy. If you aren’t familiar with the Dear Abby contest I had, you can visit the post where I let You Be The Judge to see examples of what people were writing. I had y’all write a silly letter to Dear Abby (it could be from a fictional character) and my spousal unit and I collaborated to respond with a ridiculous answer. I think Abby will probably come around next week, but you will only have a couple of days to enter the contest. So, y’all start thinking now. I’ve got prizes, of course.

12) My BABY turns twenty-five on the 14th! That’s a quarter of a century!! I think that when I turned a quarter of a century old I started to hate birthdays. I grew out of it for awhile, but Matt’s birthday might make me start hating mine again. Now, I know that some of y’all know I have a child at home. Technically, Joseph is not my baby, because I didn’t birth him. I’m just the wicked stepmommy, but I’m still proud of that boy, too. Joseph was nominated for National Merit Scholar and for “Mr. Denton High School.”

13) Finally, I’m going to ask y’all once again to do me a huge favor. I can win $100 for Share A Square if you help me. All Tips and Tricks is having a group writing project asking “What is Your Best Blogging Achievement?” The entries are in, and she wants people to vote. If you think you can help me out with that, I’d be most appreciative. I’ve read all the entries. Of course, I vote for Bragging Rights as the winner. If I don’t win, I hope that Vivien at Inspiration Bit wins with her Best Blogging Achievement. She thinks her best blogging achievement is establishing loyal readers. I think it’s her superb writing that truly is inspirational. I’d also put Jacob Share at JobMob into the winner’s circle. His blog is all about helping folks find jobs in Israel, but he’s got some posts that are funny, and some that would benefit people who are seeking employment anywhere in the world.

Be that as it may, I want to win…so help me if you can, please! Thank you.

Leave me a comment if you would like (whether you are playing Thursday Thirteen or not) and you will be magically linked. Use your powers for good. And, come back and sit with me on the porch another day.

Related posts:

1. A Quick Note
2. Thursday Thirteen Number 27. YOU be Dear Abby
3. Thursday Thirteen #35. I Wish I Had Time
4. Dear Abby Contest
5. We Have A Winner