Just plain (or patterned!) bizarre!

Artist Jens Werner Andersen from Norway painted his house in Burberry check pattern. He said he woke up one day and thought it would be a fun idea. The 33-year-old decided to turn his home, a former public lavatory building in Larvik, Norway, into a "gathering place for happy people". We wonder if his neighbours were quite so happy.

Check out more horrors here.

The Week Ahead - November 23

Outside my window...Very dark - it's after 8:00pm - cold and getting colder!

I am thinking...about how exhausted I am. It has been go, go, go all weekend and I really just need a few down days. Unfortunately, I don't see them on the calendar anytime soon.

I am thankful for...a phone call from my university adviser to tell me that, as a military spouse, my tuition fees are 75% less than the regular amount.

From the kitchen....my hamper (well, ok, it was a cardboard box!) arrived from the British Foods Store full of Christmas fruitcake, Christmas pudding, chocolate Flakes, Meringue Nests, Chocolate Buttons and Kippers for stocking stuffers, Mini Battenbergs, and Mince Pies. Christmas is complete!

I am going...to bed.

I am hearing...the clock ticking and that's it!

Around the house...laundry and mop kitchen floor.

One of my favorite things...a tall, ice cold Diet Coke after an afternoon in a dusty barn.

I am still reading...Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon.

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week...for Sophia...school, youth group Thanksgiving potluck (Tuesday), voice lesson (Wednesday), no school Thursday and Friday, all afternoon 4-H horse clinic and then evening public speaking workshop (Saturday). Work (three-day week) and schoolwork for Vic. For me...school (Monday and Wednesday). For all of us, trip to New York on Thursday for the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade (watch for us on tv!) and then decorating the house for Christmas, with a quick Black Friday trip to Michael's early Friday morning!

I heard about this idea - Ribbon Quilts - at the horse event this afternoon. Such a novel idea for displaying award ribbons. Not only are the rosettes displayed, but the ribbons (with the event and/or date) are used as well.

Not that I can quilt but maybe I can have one made without taking out a second mortgage!

Where's my Homework?

Roger Williams University

So there it was...fall...and the house was empty. Vic was at work, Sophia had decided to go to high school, MudLynn was sleeping...what should I do? I know, I'll take a class. Hmm? Which one? Well, Sophia and I had done some French in our homeschooling, and I've got a bit of French that crops up now and then, why not expand on it a bit and be able to help her with her homework? Not a bad idea...so off I went to the local community college to take French I (a sure way to get an A, since 99% of my classmates don't know their 'bonjour' from their 'bonsoir').

Then came Open House at Sophia's school and I met Mme H. Hmm again? Why can't I do what she's doing, teach high school French? After all, there are at least seven high schools in our local area offering French, perhaps one of the teachers might take early retirement, or maybe I could just sub.

So, I began the search for the right degree program at the right school. And let the problems begin! I graduated from the University of North Florida with a Bachelor's Degree in History in April 1999 - get a calendar, that's 10 years and 5 months (my story starts in September, remember?). That's 5 months too long for anything to be transferable. The schools I talked to wanted me to go all the way back to the beginning - reinvent the wheel as they say - and sit in with the 18 year olds through Freshman Core courses. I don't think so.

About my third phone call to a local university admissions office, I stumbled across a very helpful woman who saw my predicament and felt led to help me get around it. I wasn't a 'traditional' student (translation: 18 year old living in the dorm on campus), I was...well, something else. She referred me to the School of Continuing Studies. The way I understand it, the School of Continuing Studies is for...let's say 'mature' students...those who have some level of higher education or who have had a career and given it up to stay at home or those who are just considering doing something different. That's me. Now, the problem arises when I say that I want to study French. The School of Continuing Studies is more geared towards those individuals who want some sort of a degree or certificate program that will help them move into a new or advanced career field like a paralegal or something to do with criminal justice. I wanted to be a non-traditional student in a traditional degree program.

Numerous phone calls later...and believe me, you've got to be patient...and success! The Director of Continuing Studies talked to the Department Chair of the French Department and got the approval for a course of study, which was then forwarded to the Dean for approval (and he approved it)...and so now I'm off to pursue a Bachelor's Degree in French at Roger Williams University!

Can we hear a "YIPPEE!"?

Over the Top!

My friend Penny at Diosa Del Desierto Corazon passed this award onto me (among others) this morning, and as she says...We all know I can be over the top sometimes.

Here are the stipulations that came with this award:

1. Choose 5 stand out blogs.... or as many as you desire **.

2. Thank the blogger who gave you this Award. Thanks Penny! I love you!

3. Answer the questions below with only one word. Or two...or three...(yeah, Penny, only one is sometimes impossible!)

OK? Now do it!

* Where is your phone? LIVING ROOM

*Your hair? SHORT

*Your Mother ? SADLY MISSED

*Your Father? SADLY MISSED TOO (I know that's three!)

*Favorite food? CHINESE

*Your dream last night? TOO EXHAUSTED TO DREAM (OK, four!!)

*Favorite drinks? DIET COKE

*Your dreams? CRAZY

*What room are you in? OFFICE

*Your hobby? SCRAPBOOKING

*Your fear? HEIGHTS

*Where do you want to be in six years? FINANCIALLY MORE SECURE

*Where were you last night? HOME

*Something you're not? THIN

*Muffins? CHOCOLATE

*Wish List Item? GOOD HEALTH

*Last thing you did? KISSED DAUGHTER

*What are you wearing? NIGHTIE

*Your pets? DOG

*Your friends? GLOBAL

*Your life? CHAOTIC

* Your mood? CONTENT

* Missing someone? MOM AND DAD

*Your vehicle? ACCENT

*Something you're not wearing? A SIZE 10

*Your favour colour? NAVY BLUE!

*When was the last time you laughed? THIS MORNING

*Last time you cried? SATURDAY

*Your best friend? VIC

*One place you go over and over? LAUNDRY ROOM

*One person that e-mails you? FACEBOOK

*Favorite place to eat? P. F. CHANG'S

** Y'all know I don't tag so if the mood takes you, go Over the Top...and leave me a comment so I can check yours out. Have a great week!

The Week Ahead - November 16

Outside my window...Very dark, light fog, temperatures will be in the 50's all week.

I am thinking...about the enormity of the horse industry. After spending the weekend at Equine Affaire, the education-oriented national horseman's exposition, I am again amazed at the vast number of vendors selling items related to horses.

I am thankful for...safe travel to and from the expo; it was dark and rainy on the way up and those are my least favorite road conditions.

From the kitchen...Chinese takeaway tonight - planning to cook a bonesless breast of turkey in the Crock Pot tomorrow - first time I've attempted this so I'll let you know how it turns out.

I am going...to work on my French homework that's due tomorrow.

I am hearing...an episode of NCIS, our favorite TV show. We now have Seasons 1, 2, and 3 on DVD with a request in to Santa for a couple more!

Around the house...lots of laundry from our weekend away.

One of my favorite things...fair food - gyros, london broil sandwiches, funnel cakes...yummy!

I am still reading...Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon.

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week...for Sophia...school, Jamaica missions trip meeting and youth group (Tuesday), voice lesson and 4-H Club Officers Workshop (Wednesday), dentist and decorating for a New Moon party she's co-hosting (Thursday), NEW MOON PARTY (Friday - capital letters do indicate SCREAMING!!!!), 4-H meeting (Saturday), and Horse Judging Workshop (Sunday). Work and schoolwork for Vic. This is his students' "finals" week so it's always a tough one since they have to pass practical exams. For me...school (Monday, Wednesday and Friday), parent-teacher conferences scheduled throughout the week since I can't make the PTC evening on Wednesday, and 4-H Horse Awards Potluck on Friday. Oh, and of course, chauffeuring Sophia to most of the above!

My favorite photo from Equine Affaire - a hat display at a carriage driving booth.

On Veterans Day, and every day, thank a veteran and pray for our troops

Thank you, Dad...I miss you

Taego, Korea, 1951

Nha Trang, Vietnam, 1966

Thank you, honey, I'm always praying for you...and holding down the homefront for you

Rhode Island, 2008

The Week Ahead - November 9

On Veterans Day and every day, thank a veteran and pray for our troops

Outside my window...Sunny - 64 degrees - a beautiful day for November.

I am thinking...a mixed bag of emotions today - Sophia was selected for our church's Jamaica Missions Team 2010 and while I'm so proud of her that I could just burst, I am having the typical Mom-thoughts, "My baby, in a foreign country, without ME?" I know she'll be fine, she's in God's hands.

I am thankful for...awesome youth group leaders at our church, both of whom will be on the Jamaica trip!

From the kitchen...I just got back from the commissary with bags of groceries and I'm off to pick up pizza for dinner - there's something wrong with that picture! Oh, well, Sophia has a friend over and you know the diet of teenagers.

I am going...to think about studying for my French quiz, but I'm not going to think about it too much. We had a practice session on Friday and I'm pretty sure I've got my adjectives down pat.

I am hearing...the girls in the basement (on Facebook, no doubt), Vic mowing the lawn and the ticking of the clock.

Around the house...pretty well picked-up so it's just laundry and the inevitable unloading of the dishwasher.

One of my favorite things...rice pudding, Ambrosia Creamed Rice to be exact, yum yum.

I am still reading...Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon.

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week...for Sophia - school, youth group (Tuesday), no school and soup kitchen (Wednesday), and voice lesson (Thursday). Work and schoolwork for Vic and he has duty on Wednesday. I have school tomorrow and Friday. We leave Friday afternoon for the weekend at Equine Affaire 2009, the nation's premier educational equine exposition.


Taken this morning across the street from our church - once again, we are a nation in mourning as the result of a random act of senseless violence.

RIP The victims of Fort Hood