Blue for Bravery

I went to my cousin's wedding recently. Lucky for me, my good friend, Mr. Bright Eyes came with me and the rugratz.

I've known him about a year and have written a few stories about him. He is a really nice guy and I enjoy spending time with him. It was with him that came the stories of the rubber bracelets which I still wear today. Remember....black for stability bracelet? Then, there was purple and white when I tried to be a drama queen.

Well, it seems likes there is a new color in town. That would be blue for bravery.

Mr. Bright Eyes informed me he saved the black bracelet. Wow. Impress me, why don't you! In his thoughtfullness, he brought me a gift. He gave me a blue one that said bravery. Ok. I am still impressed. He told me that I was amazing and brave to raise kids alone and manage all the things I do. See.....I told you he was amazing in his own right.

We had a great time at the wedding. The rugratz were well-behaved. We met and sat with some good people. And, it was really nice to see some of my Minnesota family together. Although the ceremony was the highlight, I especially loved lounging by the fire deep in conversation with him. I floated on air the whole 2 1/2 hour drive home. What a great way to spend a weekend.

Hopefully, he won't disappear in the next few months. He is a natural nomad and is living in his third city since I met him. Maybe if we are lucky, we will actually get to spend some time together before I take my permenent leave of the great state of Minnesota. I guess it is my turn to be a nomad. We will see. In the mean time, I will enjoy being brave as he seeks his stability.

Stay sweet 'n smile.....................Mz.

911 Call

I have a wonderful named Judy. She lives in Ohio. I met her while attending community college. She is a little querky, but that is just what makes Judy so fun.

About 8 years ago, we all went to Cedar Point. I believe it was Judy, Kel and I. We ended up soaked from the water rides and decided to head to Judy's house to dry off since her house was the closest. While waiting for our clothes, Judy showed us her computer and some files she was sent by friends. This was my first contact with this 911 call.

All I remember was that Kel and I couldn't stop laughing. I know a few people who would find themselves in the same 911 predicament as this caller from New York.

Today, when I cleaned out some of my email, I found the file still in that email from her. I guess I do save things too long, but after 8 years, it is still giving me the gift of laughter. I figure it is something worth sharing.

Stay sweet 'n smile.....................Mz.

I caught da Tater

Last night, I took my daughter to see Ron White perform his stand-up routine. She was pretty excited to see one of her favorite comedians. I was looking forward to it too.

While we waited for the show to begin, we wondered if he had all new material or if we were seeing the Tater Salad routine. Happily, he gave us a whole new earful and managed all the hecklers really well. Ron did talk about how "f#%&ing cold" it is here which every comedian does. He teased about Minnesotans claiming it was warm this winter.

He had just flew from Atlanta, Georgia and 70 degree weather to Walker, Minnesota and 25 degree weather. So he was definitely dealing with weather shock. Just a quick note....we should be more like 25 degrees below zero, but Mother Nature is having hot flashes this year.

Ron had his cigar and his bottle of Johnny Walker Black on hand throughout his show. He relit and refilled throughout the night. My daughter asked me if it was apple juice. I told her to look at his eyes. We are talking really glassy and bloodshot.


We were seated in the second rowand cetered to the microphone so we could actually see the color and condition of his eyes really well. He was definitely drinking the real shebang. They set up him up with his ashtray, ice and his bottle front and center. But anyhow, he was able to put on one helluva show. Ron doesn't miss a beat and kept the flowing going for the entire 1 1/2 set. He is an excellent storyteller and weave together tales of Sluggo, Jeff Foxworthy, Larry the Cable Guy, Bill Engvall, his wife, his mother, and various people he has observed on the plane. By the way, Jeff said "hi."

One thing I really liked about his show was his respect for the Tribe. Sometimes, his comedy genre can be negative towards Native Americans and other minorities. Not Ron in particular, but some "redneck" humor in general. I appreciate Ron's respect. We have enough racism in this area as it is. I did hear a few people a couple rows behind me say a few negative things, but overall it went well.

Well if you happen to get lucky and have Ron roll through your area, my daughter and I recommend attending his show. We had a good time and look forward to his return next year.

Stay sweet 'n smile.....................Mz.

BEING INDIAN IS....

Being Indian Is....feeding anyone and everyone who comes to your door hungry with whatever you have.
Being Indian Is....at age three, knowing to "duck" or "hide" when you see the cops from a mile away!!!
Being Indian Is....loving frybread, mac and dry meat.
Being Indian Is....knowing history started before 1492.
Being Indian Is....full of acronyms that affect your world (INAC, FSIN, RTC, AFN, STC, BTC, MLTC, IHS, BIA) .
Being Indian Is....losing your job after the grant ends.
Being Indian Is....using your treaty rights to create your own job for yourself and your family so you won't have to depend on a grant for your job!
Being Indian Is....knowing all the quick remedies of getting rid of hickies :o)
Being Indian Is....going to pick herbs in the bushes or muskeg with your kokum.
Being Indian Is....to not pay your phone bill or light bill to feed your family.
Being Indian Is....to grow your own food and feel good about your harvest you brought in because you worked hard for it!
Being Indian Is....going for the hunt and coming back with your kill.
Being Indian Is....respecting your elders who have earned it.
Being Indian Is....never giving up the struggle for survival.
Being Indian Is....being known for your great sense of humor and having the ability to make jokes and laughter out of the worst situation.
Being Indian Is....to be judged harder by other natives than non-natives.
Being Indian Is....working together, first with yourself, your family,your community, and with other communities.
Being Indian Is....playing basketball at the outdoor courts on the rez til 3:00 am.
Being Indian Is....either borrowing or lending money to your skinbrothers and sisters at least once a week.
Being Indian Is....having people ask if they can touch your hair or take your picture or how long have you been growing your hair... and so on...
Being Indian Is....to be asked constantly if you still live in tee-pees or ride horses every where you go.
Being Indian Is....worrying about diabetes. So eat healthy, keep fit, and pray.
Being Indian Is....using the medicine circle (wheel) to balance your whole being.
Being Indian Is....knowing why the rez car in "Smoke Signals" was funny!
Being Indian Is....knowing what they meant in "Smoke Signals" by "Do you have your passports?"
Being Indian Is....knowing how to barter or trade.
Being Indian Is....having more cousins than trees have leaves.
Being Indian Is....laughing with your friends so much your facial muscles hurt.
Being Indian Is....singing 49 songs using a garbage can for a drum.
Being Indian Is....road trips cross country just because....
Being Indian Is....having the strength to move your family at any given moment and making it like we did a long time ago to move from camp to camp.
Being Indian Is....reading about your ancestors and relations in an anthropologist paper. Let them read about us in Anthro when we get our freedom back.
Being Indian Is....knowing someone in Saskatoon, Cass Lake, Red Lake, Edmonton, Thunder Bay, Winnipeg, Lac Courte Oreilles, Pine Point, Mahnomen, Mille Lacs, Regina, and let's not forget Saddle Lake...
Being Indian Is....losing your job because you stand for what you believe is right.
Being Indian Is....having a song come to you at the oddest times. Howa!
Being Indian Is....standing in line for $5.
Being Indian Is....waiting up till your parents get back from BINGOjust to see if they won!
Being Indian Is....celebrating the buffalo hunt (use your imagination!).
Being Indian Is....not a right -- it's a privilege!
Being Indian Is....PRIDE!!
Being Indian Is....BEAUTIFUL!!
Being Indian Is....FOREVER!!
Being Indian Is....how YOU want it to be!


Thanks to Shano for sending this to me.

Stay sweet 'n smile.....................Mz.

QOTD 6

?Question of the Day?

When was the last time you laughed so hard that a trip to the bathrrom was neccessary and what was so funny?


May, 2005...in the restaurant at the casino......3 am......with my best friend.....
I don't know exactly what was funny, but soemhow at that point in time everythings was. Maybe it was the time of day, but we laughed so hard for over an hour that I was sure they would kick us out. They didn't, but my stomach hurt from laughing that hard. I swear mom....no drugs or alcohol. Kel and I just have it like that.


Stay sweet 'n smile.....................Mz.

They call him Tater Salad

I remember the first time I watched Blue Collar Comedy Tour I. I laughed really hard. Although I enjoyed all the sets, I really laughed hard when I heard Ron White. I don't know what it was, but I really "got" his comedy. He has a natural story-telling ability and is easy to connect to. I ended up buying the dvd so I could watch it whenever I needed that extra little joy in my day.

My daughter watched the dvd one day. Boy, did she get a real kick out of it. She loved Ron's bit about his alias being Tater Salad. Parts of his routine actually became quotes we used in our home and in personal conversation. Although she, liked the other guys on the tour, Sluggo's owner was her favorite.

Last year, Larry the Cable Guy was in Duluth, Minnesota on my birthday. It just so happened that the kids and I were there too. We had a pow wow and a circus in our schedule, which left limited room for Larry. When the window to go opened, circumstance closed it again quickly and we left Duluth disappointed. On the long journey home, we figured we would catch him next year when his tour passed by us again.

Around that time, we heard Bill Engvall was in the Twin Cities. We had his cd and loved his dorkfish story. Til this day, we still ask each other "what do you feed a dorkfish?" and then laugh like crazy when my son does his impression of Bill and says corndog. Once again, circumstances did not include the opportunity to make his show either. Poor baby girl.

Well, Santa and her momma thought she was pretty good this year and pulled a few strings. This week, Ron is heading to a casino near us. We are lucky enough to have seats in the second row. Her first "concert" experience will be in the second row. Lucky her. I can't begin to explain her excitement. Talk about happy happy joy joy. I am just glad I can help make one of her wishes come true. Score one for the mom.

WLB UPDATE

Well, on November 20, I started this plan to lose weight with a friend. Well, planned it all out and began the long road to a better body and better health. Here's the latest....

Shanbob says she is doing good. She struggled over the holidays, but is doing her exercise thing. I'm proud she is making it work. Way to go Shanbob!

I on the other hand am struggling. I am 13 lbs. down with a million more steps to take. Whoever said 10,000 steps was an hour of walking lied. I think I only hit 3500 today. I guess that is good for a day of rest, but still makes me realize that I have a long walk in front of me. Plus, the pressure of summer is on my back. 5 1/2 months and it is bathing suit time. Oh no. Time to move again.

Stay sweet 'n smile.....................Mz.

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, it's WHAT?

My internship started back today. The only difference now is that I am there an extra day and it is paid. Yeah! I believe I can create miracles and am beginning my Disney fund. I figure I can save 1/3 of the cost by June from my income. The rest will have to come from creative sources. Probably ebay. Gotta clear out anyways. Might as well share some of my beautiful things to fund my dream. What do they call that....paying my dues or is it reaping what I sow? Anyways, I believe.

SWITCH! New topic.

One of the things I like to do is look at houses. I am a HGTV fan and love seeing the beautiful homes on their shows. My best friend shares this passion too. This is great because we can talk details about projects seen on tv and know exactly what the other is talking about. Tis true that two great minds think alike.

Another thing we like to do is check out the Dream House built by the Lake County YMCA in Ohio. They build a house and furnish it every year to be raffled off. When you buy a ticket, you get to take a tour of it. I am usually back in Ohio during that time every year and try to never miss it. Who knows, maybe the BFOE or me will get lucky one year.

Well, HGTV has started their own Dream House giveaway. They actually started it 10 years ago, but I think I have only been entering it for the past 8 years. It is a beautiful home and you should check it out. Don't forget to enter the drawing.

I believe that someday, I will own my own place. That too, will take a minor miracle, but I can see it in the far off future. Maybe after graduation and after I settle into the community I move to, I will finally lay down some permanent roots. Can my wandering spirit ever truly settle? We will see. We will see.

Stay sweet 'n smile.....................Mz.

Evoltsol

He carries the world upon his shoulders...
He has too much to bare...
He has no one to turn to...
He feels like no one cares...
He is all alone...
In a world full of pain...
And in a moment of sadness...
He turns blood into rain...
But it's ok...
Because it's over now...
He gave up dreams of tomorrow...
When he threw in his towel...
He left me without a goodbye...
Leaving me to wonder the question why...
He was on the floor...
In piles of his tears...
And now his face will haunt me...
In my dreams for years...
I wish I could have saved him...
I didn't see the clues...
In the end of it all...
Each of us lose...
I love him...
And it's how it will always be...
That time when he got angry...
And murdered me.


Something woke me up and made me scribble this down. I don't know where it came from, but I felt compelled to share.

Stay sweet 'n smile.....................Mz.

Happy 2006!

I hope your 2006 is sweeter than ever!


Stay sweet 'n smile.....................Mz.