shenanigans

Polka Dot Purple's Third Birthday Party: Denver, Colorado
photo: C.T. Duncan

I need to write a retraction of sorts. Some weeks ago, I shared a bit of funny stuff for Whimsical Wednesday after a long break, but I introduced it with a sense of having forgotten or rather not had time to employ my whimsicality. And Reader, I firmly believed this about myself—that I have been altogether serious and no fun at all.

Then, I got a reminder about Polka Dot Purple. This is no ordinary sock monkey. First of all, how many sock monkeys do you know who are purple with purple polka dots all over? And second of all, I don't think there's another sock monkey around who was given with as much love and care as Miss Polka Dot Purple was. Third of all, our sock monkey girl has been on many adventures AKA shenanigans—not always big time ones but the everyday sort that really count. Purple gave us a sense of fun during a time when, frankly put, our life was quite sad and almost too hard to bear.

On this Whimsical Wednesday, I want to celebrate my ingenuity in trying times and pay gratitude to a loving, mindful sister-in-law who sent us this wonderful early Christmas gift three years ago.

This little monkey has a buddy now too. If you'd like to see Polka Dot Purple and Tillman's latest (and greatest) adventures, you will find them on my Instagram: @th_purpl_lady under the hashtags #TheTerribleTwo and #PURPLETAKEOVER.

this little piggy video

Since I last did a Whimsical Wednesday post, life has changed so much. I rarely have time to go out on a whim because every day I'm out on a limb barely hanging on. But then, I ran across this wonderfully adorable short video, and I must share it. 

Tiny Piglets

For the record, I still like bacon. 

on a whim and a prayer

I haven't felt whimsical in the least lately, but today is different because yesterday was different, and now I'm ready to share something that I love just for because.

You might have already heard this one, but whatever. I really love the song "Brave" by Sara Bareilles and what she has to say is something I want everyone within my reach to hear. The message of the song itself is powerful and empowering, and I love the music video even more so because it is peppered with Bareilles's signature whimsy and delight.

Next week, I embark on my last full school year of classes with full time credits and four kids, being a single mom taking dance classes with people 10-15 years younger than I, and having no end in sight to my marital woes. This said, I have declared this my fight song. I want to see myself be brave through it all, and even though I might need you to remind me some days, I know I can do it.  And I'm going to strive to do it with a smile.

I hope you will listen to it, for the first time or listen to it anew, with my wish for you to be brave along with me as we continue on this adventure.

PTGS: Grammar Class

In anticipation of extreme boredom, I decided to get a snapshot of Tiny Crush in my grammar class. It's not an exciting sort of place, but I believe this photograph conveys the tiresome situation in which I found myself.





For more of the PTGS, follow these links:

The Personhood of the Traveling Grape Soda
Washington, Utah
Silverton, Oregon
Australia
Lion King - Las Vegas
PTGS Photo Shoot
Tiny Crush AuditionsWally's

My Lady Jam

Girls Just Want to Have Fun brings back so many fun memories, and I always want to get up and sing and dance when I hear this song. Cyndi Lauper really captured something delightful with it.

Also, I've heard it's a great workout song.

a perfect and priceless moment

We get into the car, and of course the music must be blaring for a truly authentic Mom Time. What was not expected was when my Sweet 16 with autism says in a loud voice, "Rock out!" when this song came on:




Naturally, I yell out an emphatic "WOOHOO!!" and proceed to sing and dance and rock out along with my big girl and Selena Gomez like any other mom and daughter would do as they drive down the road to get a bite to eat.

I think this might be one of my favorite songs now. If it gets her past the autism and able to talk, it's a favorite in my book. 

Magnetic Poetry

Thirty Days of Gratitude: Makeup

Although it seems like an unimportant thing to be thankful for, I didn't want the month to go by without expressing my gratitude for makeup and the many other cosmetics sorts of things I use and enjoy every day. Since entering my 30's, I have come to appreciate foundation and mascara especially, and who doesn't love a really nice lipstick, right? I'm not the type who has to have her "face" on to feel complete--I go days on end with no makeup sometimes; however, I like how I am able to have a sense of glamour on occasion, not to mention the whole accentuating the positive aspects of it.

Whimsically Irrational

Awhile back, my BFF wrote a story about us and I want to share this funny with you. I hope you get a good laugh out of it like I did.

Savvy and Sage: Wiseguy Wednesday - Irrational Fish Fear: "I discovered I scream the same way whether I'm about to be devoured by a great white shark or if a piece of seaweed touches my foot." –Kev...

We're gonna party like it's 1999...

My van reached a huge milestone this past weekend. It hit the 199,999 mark, so it needs to be celebrated. Most people I have talked with feel worried for my van's mortal existence at this point, but I want to recognize how blessed my family has been by having such a good, reliable vehicle to get us around.

It has been with us since Monkey #3 was a baby, moved us and a few other families, hauled rock a couple times (don't ask), been to the drive-in, gone up and around its fair share of canyons and mountains for drives and camping trips, taken us on numerous trips including Disneyland, and most importantly, carted us all around town for groceries, healthcare visits, and the all important late night treat run.

I am truly grateful to have a good, running vehicle. Every single mile before and after this is a blessing from heaven, and I refuse to mourn its loss until I must. 

related link:

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

i {heart} purple stuff

End of story.



Unrelated (and possibly related) links I wish you'd read because I just love them to pieces:

Dance Magic

A Smile In Your Voice

Passionate

A Desert Beauty

The Purple Lexicon

This work of language awesomeness is a work in progress. I apologize in advance for it being so heavily influenced by Twitter, but then again, I don't because Twitter has inspired many, if not all, of the entries. It shall be added upon from time to time, so feel free to use it as a reference guide often. Also, if you would like to add some terms yourself, please leave a comment along with how you'd like to receive credit for your contribution and I will formally edit the lexicon with your entry(s).

huggy or kissy: adj. the opposite of stabby. when people give love that looks like something from out of the movies. syn. NCMO

best friend: n. a term applied to one who has shown great patience to another over a very long period of time and it has been reciprocated; a pure angel of mercy on the earth syn. BFF, Bestie ...

bestie: n. a slang term used in place of best friend that I use only when trying to be funny

stationery addict: n. someone who adores fabulous papers and notecards in order to write love letters and thank you notes; me.

trolling: n. stupidity that only makes twitter a bore; v. an act of pure immaturity; and therefore, a bore.

tweeps: n. a terribly ugly blended word attempting to describe people you interact with regularly on twitter.

tweetochism: n. when you hate a tweet you're about to tweet, but tweet it anyway.
 
twistie: n. patient, dear friends on Twitter

twit:  n. descriptive label for when you've irritated someone (me); typically not a good thing

twitt:  n. term of endearment for my twitter peeps; opposite of twit; a replacement term for tweeps

twitter: n. creativity at breakneck speed; worldwide penpal service on steroids

Tiny Crush Rides the Rails

a couple of related links:

The Personhood of the Traveling Grape Soda

Tiny Crush Auditions

Riding the Rails

Seriously Whimsical

I really really adore this artist's music. Her words juxtaposed against such up beat music make for a delightful and easy to listen to bunch of songs. Sara Bareilles rocks my world and I hope you enjoy this song. Happy Wednesday!

word choice is important

Sometimes we blurt out words when experiencing intense emotion, but it isn't a very good idea because people might take you wrong...like, the completely off track sort of wrong. Enjoy! from out of the mouth of:  Thesaurus.com weird  [weerd]  Show IPA
Part of Speech:	adjective
Definition:	odd, bizarre
Synonyms:	awe-inspiring, awful, creepy*,   curious, dreadful,eccentric, eerie*, far-out,  fearful, flaky*, freaky,funky*, ghastly,  ghostly, grotesque, haunting,horrific, inscrutable,  kinky*, kooky, mysterious, occult, oddball, ETC.

cute, cute, cute!

I was poking around on Pinterest and found this incredibly whimsical and adorable pin... ENJOY!

Source: bloggingsimple096.blogspot.com via Madison on Pinterest

PTGS - Goodbye School, Hello Summer

With school over for the summer, I wanted to post one more of Crush at BYU. This one is in front of the Joseph F. Smith Building (JFSB) at dusk right before heading over to the International Cinema on a very lonely evening in late winter...

I invite anyone, truly anyone, to participate in the Personhood of the Traveling Grape Soda. It would be a pleasure to see where Crush might go. Leave a comment if you would like more information. And check out the other PTGS posts. It's fun stuff.

this song's for you

I made it through yesterday thanks to all your love and prayers. Several times throughout the day I could feel the strength granted me by the exercise of faith directed toward me and my family's welfare. It was the most uplifting and heartening feeling ever. I believe I enjoyed a perfect sense of peace, even if but for a few hours.

I give each of you a special thanks--most especially to my bestie and sunshine--by sharing this song. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

You all amaze me with your sweet lovingkindness. Thank you.

Rockin' Out in the Supermercado

One of my twitts (a friend on twitter) introduced me to this amazingly whimsical song. I think if I am ever given the opportunity to make a music video, it will look something like this...



Thanks  @eteichert for introducing me to it!

More Thoughts On Cookies

I think it is Cookie Monster's fault. Seriously. Munching through  an entire plate full of cookies within seconds would never have been thought possible if I hadn't seen it happen--on numerous occasions--with my very own eyes. Mind you, it was on Sesame Street, but I was still an eye witness to cookie gobbling.

Cookies are the perfect treat. Plain and simple. They usually taste good; you can take them along with you on outings as easily as a sandwich. And when smooshed around ice cream, there never was a better version of a sandwich I have ever eaten. 

related link:

Ode to a Cookie