First, the good stuff. (I pretty much only use this icon on Mother's Day or on my son's birthday. He is so teensy and beensy in that picture!! <3 <3 <3) Mother's Day is usually a very low-key affair here, as a) my kids are still little and therefore unable to take me for hot air balloon rides, or whatever the media says you have to do on this made-up holiday and b) my husband thinks he's only supposed to do something for his mother, not the mother of his children. Well, color me surprised.

* I slept in until 9am (this is huge)
* I had a cup of coffee made PERFECTLY and brought to me (that would have been all I needed, honestly)
* I was left unfettered in the garden to do as I would
* I was taken for delicious food (Chimichanga Del Mar, aka: chimi with shrimp, lobster and crap CRAB [ahahaha, whoops!] with tequila sauce, HELLO.)
* I was allowed to go to Calloway's, a nursery I love, and pick up many plants to fill out the new bedding area I created the day before.

All in all? Pretty damned awesome. And? Sunshiny, light breeze, cats accompanying me in the garden, and NO FIGHTING AMONGST THE CHILDREN!! ALL DAY! \o/

But there was a (small) fly in the ointment. ( My abilities. Let me show you them... )

The Mr. is gone all week (left last night) so I will be able to rip up grass and reconfigure our gardens to my heart's content without him asking me if "this is really necessary." YES. Me having the plants/flowers I want are NECESSARY. Because we're talking mock oranges! (Snow White, for those who are in the know.) MmmmmmMMmmmm. I'll have pics when every thing's done. I still have to build a new stone pathway, extend a bed, rip up grass, spread a 1/4 ton of compost, and go shopping for more plants. Because I have a sickness. (Admitting you have one is the first step.)

Oh, and somehow during all of this I need to finish my damn book. (But it's so sunny outside! I can't sit indoors while the sky is blue, the breeze is light and refreshing, and the temperature is lovely! I CAN'T.) And if anyone wants to come over and rub my shoulders/arms, that would be super fantastic.

[ETA] as I'm about to post: I had the WORST nightmares last night, those epic, labyrinthine kind that leave you exhausted when you wake up, involving me being kidnapped alongside an old neighbor I've not seen in 5 years, us being coated in liquid rubber so we couldn't breathe (with instructions to make sure our nostrils were completely coated,) then being dropped into deep holes and covered with soil, with the instructions to climb out. Um... I distinctly recall coming up with a plan for how to make an air pocket so I could do that while watching the neighbor lady thrown into her hole. Couldn't I have a dream where I'm a butterfly, or in a pie eating contest or something??

[ETA 2] ( I'm a forgetful idiot, and so I cut to spare you. )

entrennous88 picked me for the 5 icon meme, so here they are, the stories are under the cut. *beams*

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

( Welcome to my spazz. )

Now, I want to brag about my step-mother, because she really really is an awesome human being. A lot of you know that my youngest sister has autism. We were dealing with autism back when she was called "retarded" and we were told that she would have to be in a group home for the rest of her life. Now, everyone knows that being autistic isn't the death sentence it was back in the day. For the record: through CONSTANT VIGILANCE, my sister now has 12 words in her vocabulary. (She's 20.) The first time she ever voluntarily touched me was when she was 17. To say that I broke down is an understatement. And any progress she's made (she's VERY smart. She's just VERY much in her own world.) is due to the awesomeness that is S-Mom. She gave up a successful career as an artist to devote to her kids.

Because my sister is non-verbal, S-Mom uses pictures to communicate. When my sister was old enough for her period (um, how do you explain to someone with little to no language about their period? Exactly.) she made an illustrated book explaining what was going to be happening to her body and how to care for herself. It was so effective that the Autism Society bought it from her and now distributes copies to pre-menstrual girls with autism (and other forms of mental handicaps) all over the country. But wait, there's more. *G*

My S-mom has made a booklet my sister's chum from summer camp who's parents died, leaving him a ward of the state. (They didn't have wills. GAH. But don't be sad, he's being well cared for and is - in his way - happy.) S-Mom made an illustrated booklet for probate court, the process, what everything means, what the outcomes could be, etc. (Preparation mentally is very important to special needs kids. It's their anchor.) The state legislature has just picked it up and has now turned it into a booklet for English, Spanish, and Chinese-speaking kids/adults, gender and race specific.

I am so proud of her. (And for the record, she refused to be paid for it, because what's important to her is to help kids like her daughter. I mean... is this woman solid gold, or what? I love that woman.) <3

( And now for some drink recipes to celebrate the summer-like weather nigh! )

Okay, back to the garden. I'm ripping out hollies today. Yay?

The first being my own. So, on my walk with Sally Von Schtupp (my dog) and I pass this very old woman (we're talking 40s. AHAHAHA. I'm kidding. 90s.) She is wearing:

• capri leggings
• big diamond earrings
• hip DKNY tennis shoes (like, lime green and black swirled)
• bright red lipstick
• a long tunic that reads: "Best Grandma In The World."

She toodle-oo'd Sally and beamed at me, and I pointed at her shirt and said, "Congratulations!" and she tilted her head and smiled, then kept on, humming, arms pumping like an Olympian. How freaking cute is that?

That made me think of my own sweet Grandma, who passed away in 1995. I saw a woman at a shop a few days ago with NF that had the tell-tale "bumps" all over her hand and I wanted to hold her hand just to get that "holding hands with my Grandma" feeling. (My g-ma was very embarassed and shy about having that "disfigurement" all over herself, and had the acoustic neuromas removed from her face and the backs of her hands, but it left horrible scarring. To me, she was just grandma. ♥) So as I said, I passed the second best g-ma in the world today. :)

ION, I think I need to buy myself a copy of The Holy Grail. I'm honestly surprised I don't have it already. Which has led to me quoting the movie all during my 5 mile walk to my dog and cracking up, and people driving past the lunatic slowly, clearly worried that I might be contagious. :D Examples:

• You don't frighten us with your silly knees-bent running around advancing behavior!
• Dennis! There's some lovely filth down here! (I love that the peasant's name is DENNIS.)
• I told you, we're an anarco-sydicalist commune. We take it in turns to be a sort of executive officer for the week.
• Moistened bint. <-- why is that not my user name?
• What else floats in water? / Bread. / Apples. / Very small rocks. / Cider./ Gravy. / Cherries. / Mud. / Churches./ Lead!Lead! / A... a duck!
• I don't want to go on the cart! / Oh don't be such a baby.
• One... two... five! / Three, sir. / Yes, Three!
• You have proved yourself worthy, will you not join me? [nothing] You make me sad. Come, Patsy.

Ahahahahaha. That last one might be my favorite, actually. Almost the weekend, WHOOO! \o/

Oh, it's the birth day for two people I quite admire: janedavitt and xochitl42! I hope today is lovely for you both. *staples a dollar to your b-day bouquet* Um, y'all don't do that up north, huh? (You should! It's fun. Plus? Free money, what?)

I've had this twitch in my eye about the whole "rise above it" and "always stay polite" type posts I've seen cropping up all over and I figured out why that gets under my skin. To me it smacks first and foremost of "be ladylike." Especially when I read somewhere that "dog piling" is a feminine trait. Um, excuse me? It's not called girl piling. And what, boys don't gang up against each other and beat the ever-loving tar out of one another? Or is it cool that they use their fists and we use words, which is bad, mm'kay? *sucks in breath* That's one of the most backward things I've read in a while, and I've read some stupidity over the past week. Don't tell me I should be polite. That being polite and watching my tone (ahem) is the key to winning an argument, or at least, the only way to be able to live with myself.

Maybe it's the Texan in me (Molly Ivins, any one? Ann Richards?) but I speak my damn mind. Do I mess up because of it? Yeah. Do I feel good about myself, because I say what I feel? Hell yeah. Have I hurt people? Yes. But I have no problem admitting mistakes and saying "I'm sorry" if I have hurt someone. Do I think you (who I'm talking to) will feel better knowing how I really feel instead of being a snitty, back-biting pompous snot? Yeah. I do, actually. Remaining ladylike and watching our tone is what leads (sorry, but it's true) to "Keep Sweet." (For those not following, that's what the fundie LDS women are taught. I'll let your minds fill in the blanks.) That crap makes me think of my devout Uncle who berated his daughters for not putting on some "damn lipstick and looking like a lady should look." Maybe it's because I grew up in a cultish organization (LDS) where women are taught to not work, to be quiet, to follow our men blindly, and we can only be honored if we are stay at home moms. To, you know, a million kids. [/exaggeration. only a thousand.] Read between the lines: Keep Sweet. (aka: shut the hell up and where's my dinner?)

I don't believe I have to suffer fools. I don't believe I have to always turn my cheek. (Hell, no.) I don't believe I have to always be polite. (Please note I'm Southern. I'm almost ALWAYS polite. But still. I can cowboy up, you know'm sayin'?) Notice I'm using "I don't, I feel" and I'm talking about me. I'm not telling the people at large how they "should" behave, or what is ultimately the way to be. This is how I feel. Take it for what it's worth, ignore it, it's your brain-meat. But please. Don't tell me how I "should" be. When I gave up my membership to one of the most misogynist religions/cults out there, I was officially done with people telling me how I should behave, I thank you very much.

Now who wants some yummy Thai recipes? ( Lime Shrimp Soup, for starters. YUUUUUM )

A massive storm with hail and potential tornadoes is getting ready to roll through. How happy am I that I have a new roof now? Pretty happy. Also, Imma go batten down my hatches. Have a GOOD and HAPPY day today. *smooches*

Yo! libbymarie! Aka IJ's marieantoinette! I see you've disabled non-friend comments on your latest "They're attacking the Mormons, see?? We're soooo oppressed, you guys! We need to explore our feelings with a Jewish suffering-based porn RPG, zomg." I find it VERY INTERESTING that I'm the ONLY PERSON you refuse to reply to. VERY interesting. Probably because you know that I have your number. I know all the bullshit you're saying because most people DON'T know anything about Mormons or their history. And I'm not "someone with Mormons in their family" as if I know nothing. Honey, when you learn anything about your own "faith" then we can have a discussion. For now? You get the Clue-By-Four. So here's the comment I'm unable to post to you. Oh, I'll track you down. You are the second type of Mormon I can't stand: the one that wants all the privileges and protection of belonging to a group without CONTRIBUTING to said group. (The first is the die-hard controlling, woman hating, power hungry, priesthood is the key type, if anyone wanted to know.)

...and I should mention this was my first comment about this, this was my booyahkasha moment deaux, first paragraph only. Her reply to any? Silence.

( Reading Comprehension: Not Your Strong Suite, also: I got my ranting pants ON, y'all )
Open. A. Book. Didn't you claim to be "intellectual?" Where? In your shoe choice? The type of eggs you purchase? Where is there ANY THOUGHT backed up by reason and logic anywhere? It doesn't exist, you are a fool. You really should feel shame for being such a fool. Good fucking hell.


Give me a fucking break. Side note to the heavens/Yahweh/PTB: Thank you. I've needed this. Best. Present. Ever. (Oh, and the new name - see subject heading - could possibly be the LibbyMarieAntoinette Syndrome.)

Palate cleanser to make sure we have a good day:

:D

So, everything is done and over with the latest kerfuffle of stupid people being insensitive and relishing their own stupidity. But honestly, there's more to it. The chick that did all the defending of using the name for the comm that was hurtful, ignorant, and horrendous is Mormon, as I posted last. I just posted something over at the book comm 0hmyheck that might shed some light on how Mormons really feel about the Jews. WARNING: could be incendiary for those that don't want to be reminded that the Jewish people have gotten next to little respect for a long time. I mean to educate, not hurt my lovely Jewish friends, so I warn. *gives cookies*

(note 1: I don't reply to all the comments over there. A) there isn't time often and B) they may be unrelated to the topic at hand.)

In other news, I lost four plants (purple oxalis and some annuals, so that's alright) but I was made sick to my stomach when I saw my weeping Japanese Maple. What was left of it. I carefully dug that tree up from my old house and moved it here, spent a week making a place for it instead of unpacking my dishes, that's how much I loved this thing. The whole top half was split in half. There's no way it could recover, so I had to top it and leave the bottom two feet. (It was as tall as me with wonderful undulating limbs of crimson.) Anyone who knows trees know this: topping trees is bad. It means it won't get taller. My hope is that the cuttings I took from the damaged limbs will take and I'll have wee babies to nurture. *cries*

(Note 2: the owner of the roofing company apologized and said how worried he was to work on our roof because of my extensive landscaping. And.... that was the end of it from him. O_O I guess that's what you get when you have a roofing company that works to make the final cost the amount from the insurance. *crawls under blankets and is sad*)

In other news, I'm writing missionary porn. And it is BLASPHEMOUS, so take that, church! So cathartic, writing this, I can't begin to tell you.

I need lunch.

The chick that's all "Kristallnacht" is a great name for an HP RPG, and it will have humor! And sex! But be frowny face serious, too, zomg. [ETA] BAHLEETED! Anyone get screencaps? I'm getting them on the comm page.

She's a Mormon and threw out the religion card. The "My people were persecuted, too!" card. OH MY GOD. It's like the heavens opened and gave me a special treat. Here, allow me to hand you your ass, "Marie Antoinette:"

1. The Mormon suffered some persecution. SOME. For, say, 10? 12 years? Max. MAX. They had a handful of guys drug out of their beds and tarred and feathered, for example. Guess why Joseph was? Because he was doinking the guy's sister and she was a 14 year old girl. Yep, just like the entire Cohen family of Eastern Poland being wiped out, among many, many others. Like... hmm. A few million? The Mormon Experience is just like that, except for all the ways it ISN'T. Also, try going back to 2000 years of persecution, or did you drop out of high school (see her user info) before you learned math? 2000 =/= 12.

2. Disagreeing with you isn't being an "extremist." That's your way to sublimate your own racism. I see you're from a tiny, Mormon suburb of Phoenix. Oh, got it. You're an idiot who lives in a state where they don't honor Martin Luther King, Jr., either, and thrive on the cheap and illegal labor you want, but don't want to see. In other words: I got your number.

3. Since YOU pulled out the religion card (I'm Mormon, I know persecution) I'm going to hammer you until you see sense, or fix this problem. Can. Not. Wait. Also? How in the FUCKING HELL does she know persecution in an all white, middle class WHITE AND MORMON community? You don't. You know nothing. Probably shouldn't have dropped out of school.

Classic Mormon counter argument. I should write a book. Oh, wait. *G*

[ETA] They do not know how to argue. And clearly have shit for brains.

[ETA 2] So, here's Marie"Let them eat cake" Antoinette on her LJ calling me out because at least she's not making fun of the Jews. (I would have replied differently if I knew first off who it was LIKE THIS. My immediate reaction is: I've upset someone, I fix it fast.) Also, I would like to apologize publicly to amireal for starting potential wank in her journal as a) I don't know her personally and b) she doesn't need extra drama over in her house. Very sorry.

So, I live on the edge of Tornado Alley. I also live on the cusp of where three weather systems routinely collide. In other words, we get some weather. Which means due to the four bouts of insanely sized hail (which demolished my husbands brand new vehicle one month after purchase - yay for insurance!) straightline winds gusting to 100 mph, and 110 degree summers, we needed a new roof.

A new roof is going up right now, started last night a 6pm. (I know. Go home! [/Ferris Bueller]) To put on a NEW roof, you have to take off the OLD roof. Which is being systematically tossed down onto my METICULOUS FLOWER BEDS. That only exist on the FRONT of the house. There are three full sides of house they could toss things down onto. But NO. Sally Von Schtupp started barking her head off (a lovely deep threatening bark) and the Mr. ran out in his skivvies (hee) and started barking himself to get them to STOP KILLING MY FLOWERS.

He has since told me to not go outside, and has shut all the curtains/blinds, and that we'll ask the roofer to knock $x off the final price so we can get new plants. *cries* I DON'T WANNA KNOW. *cries bitterly* Well, I totally do, but my jaw in clenched so tight... Waaaaaaaaaah. I'm going to look at the photos I posted the other day, hold my lighter aloft, and play Heart's "What About Love (I only wanna share it with you?)" for maximum affect.

Bwah bwah bwaaaaaaaaaah, L'il Brudder! [whiney joke a handful will - hopefully - get]

I went for yummy Japanese food today and saw they had the jelly fish strips that I fell in love with in Chinatown. \o/ [DON'T READ FURTHER, ENTRENOUS.] I also thought I saw the tripe dish in sauce that my Asian Gang got me to eat (and that I loved.) Nope, it was just good ol' fashioned intestines and jellied blood, nothing like my beloved Dragon-sauced tripe. *cries* Oh, god. I just thought: I hope it was the SMALL intestine! *cries more*

TO MY CREDIT. I ate half. Mostly because the staff was shocked that a white woman ordered that and talked about how much she liked tripe. (Thinking I was getting tripe, which I do like.) I thought the jellied blood was liver. The owner (she came out clucking and laughing, wanting to "see for herself") asked me if I knew what it was, I said liver, and she got concerned. "Do you want to know what it is?" Sure, I replied. "Blood. I call it 'special tofu.' I am very impressed. This is real authentic Chinese food." My husband had some salmon sashimi. Don't think I wasn't eyeing it longingly. (I refused to share my jellyfish with him. Hey, I needed something good in my mouth.)

I have leftovers, but I don't think I'll be eating them. I'll see if the dog will eat it. (If she doesn't, then. Well. She licks her own ass, that's all I'm saying.)

I am currently eating a 3 Musketeers to make my soul whole again.

Random Statement 1: Am I seriously the last person to know that both David Archuleta and Brooke White are both Mormon? (See, I don't care about AI. Because Carly is gone. I pretty much watched her and Hot Aussie dude. They're both gone = I'm gone. Also, I can't stand bland pop songs.) And it's no wonder that they're both who I consider the most boring performers on the show. Connection? YES.
Random Statement 2: For anyone that didn't see my post yesterday, I'm moving (slowly but surely) all of my Mormon posts (and new ones) to 0hmyheck. If you're interested in following along, click here to read on your flist. (You can't join, you can only watch.) And thank you to those of you supporting me over there. It's greatly appreciated!
Random Statement 3: I would like some good recipes that use lemon grass and Ponzu sauce. If you have one you particularly love, please to be sharing! :) (Um, recipes you've MADE and loved)
Random Statement 4: I am back to walking 5 miles a day (still not supposed to hit any hills, though, not for another week) and it feels GOOD to be able to move. Yay knee surgery! When can I do the other one, doc? *G*
Random Statement 5: I have lots to say about some of the new stuff coming out about the YFZ Ranch and this article (unrelated) but I'm putting it over in the other place when I get it all tidied up. In case someone wondered if I knew about that girl giving birth, etc. Yep.

Now for food! (And if you have yummy Thai/Malaysian recipes, GIMMIE!!)

( Strawberry dessert and a healthy banana nut bread )

heavens help me, but I've outlined a fic about two mormon missionaries getting it on based on the Mormon Missionary calender. Just... so... porny!! Well, I've always claimed to be broken inside. Er... "Brandon" and "Austin" in case you were wondering. Um, Brandon is the guy on the main page. There's so much wrong here.

So, I'm getting a little concerned by the publicness of this journal. Meaning, there's stuff here that I don't necessarily want to share with the world (kids, my own stupidity, etc.) While going back and locking down some stuff, I've come to the decision to lock a LOT down here (any... salacious fic, for example, as well as anything personal) and move the Mormon/FLDS posts to their own location.

Aaaaaaaaaand while I am it, turn the other location into a place to pimp my book in hopes of drumming up bidness, in a way. :)

All of that is now over at 0hmyheck (that's a zero, not an "o" as that was taken.) Please note that you cannot JOIN that community (it's locked for me and my betas/editors) but you can WATCH that community by adding it to your friend's list, should you so desire.

Fannish stuff, drunk spazzing, personal family things will be here, locked to my friends list - as it usually is. Bad!Fic, random things I find funny/whatever, and gardening posts will also stay here AND UNLOCKED. (In other words, things will mostly be the same as they've always been, minus the religious bidness.) Also: various posts I've already made (on the Mormon tag) will be moved over there.

And it's always Defriending Amnesty Day. You have my word as a gentleman and scholar* that I will not be upset one whit.

*I am neither, but my word is bond. *fistheart peace kiss*

Okay, reading about delicious lentil soup has made me a wreck. I need copious amounts of food in mah belleh, right noo. [/Fat Bastard] Which, speaking of Fat Bastard, that's a fantastic merlot, especially given the price point. I'm just saying. Other things of note:

Spent the weekend with marenfic (Lee had an emergency that needed tending. Lee? You're a wonderful friend. *hugs*) To say I had fun with Maren is an understatement. Funny, smart, enjoyable = Maren. There were pitchers of mojitos, delicious foods, her ADORABLE dogs that love me, her lovely husband (even though I kicked his ASS at Guitar Hero. I'm just saying.) and a house that is one of my favorite places on earth. Also, it is the PERFECT dwelling for the sure-to-come zombie apocalypse. If we can train her dogs to smell the undead, it will be THE perfect place on earth. But sorry, there's not enough room for all of you.

( some talk about her awesomeness and some things wot we did - also, some garden pics at the end for those on dial up )

Okay, so I've been out of the loop for several days. What's been happening? (Aside from Boobie-Gate. I'm well aware of that piece of... well.) :) Anything else? Will someone PLEASE come make me a sandwich? Or cherry pie? Mmmm, PIE.

I'm starting to have horrible, detailed, labyrinthine dreams about the FLDS ranch, so this is it for a bit (plus, I'm going out of town Thursday.) Lemme answer some questions here, and then someone show me where the Less Than Zero slashfic is. (Dude. How could I forget how hot Spader and Robert Downey Jr are in that? Jamie Gertz and Andrew "Bug Eyes" McCarthy? Not so much. I need Rip/Julian fic STAT.)

1. I am not polygamous, neither are my parents. Anymore. (Okay, my dad was modern-day polygamist, meaning he was married in heaven to two women, not legally on earth, and this is no longer the case.)
2. My distant family *is* polygamist, and my g-grandfather was one of the first men publicly called to polygamy by Brigham Young.
3. Yes, I said polygamy and that's the word I meant because it's the word the LDS church uses. It's the common-understood vernacular. Also, it specifically means MORE THAN ONE SPOUSE, and is usually used in reference to: you guessed it. The F/LDS.
4. Hey, I get the need to correct me. I'm the type that flinches when people interpose "venomous" and "poisonous" and use "impact/ed" when they mean "affect/ed."
5. I also meant the word "polyandry" to refer to NON-LDS poly-relations. Because obv. Also, I meant to ALSO use polygyny, even though the vast majority of people aren't familiar with the term. I mean, this is my LJ, not a published book, y'all. This is my rant zone, and I just slap that shit up here, as was the case yesterday. I'll add an addendum to yesterday's post.
6. I'm starting to feel very exposed and it's making me feel weird. I don't mean to be snippy, I'm just... baffled at the response. (I mean, come on. I've been beating the drum about this PARTICULAR sect for almost 2 decades. Now people listen? It's... overwhelming. It's also great, but overwhelming.)
7. I need to figure out how the hell to get a literary agent, as that's evidently how you go about selling a book. (I'm completely uninterested in a vanity press. No offense meant.)
8. I have no donuts or muffins in my house. This could be remedied by the aforementioned links to Less Than Zero fic. *smiles helpfully at you all*

:) Have a lovely day. I'm going to bugger out and breathe fresh, clean air and hook up with bu_doodlebug for headshots, because during all of this, I'm still trying to get more acting jobs. Feel free to cluck your tongue at me for having too many irons in the fire. Or send Julian/Rip fic. Either. (Comments might go unanswered. Again: see # of irons in fire)

I'm surprised I'm not bald yet, from all the hair tearing I'm doing. ( FLDS/YFZ Ranch talk for those interested )

In other news of a happy nature! I had a germaine_pet in my house this weekend after she finished up her conference and was reminded all over again why I think she's so terrific. Funny, smart, energetic (even with a stomach bug!) and why do my friends live so damn far away?? Fortunately, we had beautiful weather all weekend, so there was outside eating and mojitos, shopping, and lounging. Add in a great friend and you have the makings of a fantastic weekend. Which I had. <3

It's moosesal's birthday, and she's awesome, therefore today is awesome! If you were within spanking distance, I'd make good on a threat, missy. ;) It's also slasheuse's birthday, and I imagine her completely sauced at this point in a pub in Oxford surrounded by her friends. I hug you, Sophie! Have great days, you two.

Here's something to make you laugh, in light of all the draaaaaama. "Florida just says NO to truck balls." My favorite is how putting fake bull balls on the back of your truck is "an expression of truckliness." It's like an episode of Squidbillies, but with humans. Ahahahaha. "Do not touch the trim!" Oh, world. You so crazy.

So... I've gotten over 2000 hits in 24 hours on my plyg/LDS posts. Um, if that's not motivation to get this damn book finished, I don't know what is.

Just letting anyone who cares know that I'm out of pocket for the weekend, starting now. So, if I don't reply to a comment, I'm not ignoring you for having a differing opinion, or anything like that. I'm just not sitting in a computer chair. *g* I'll get to you soon, just not for a few days. As a token of good will, I leave you with the greatest red neck tank top in the history of Pabst Blue Ribbon (and why oh WHY did Lynette not have this as her costume? I'll make sure I'm wearing one in the sequel. HEE!!) Have great weekends, everyone! DO IT. :D

I'm wearing my protected-brains gear so I can't be killed by the ever-vigilant zombie killers out there, so HAR de HAR HAR. Seriously, zombie ficathon y/y? Does this need to happen? Any fandom, or original fic, the only requirement: ZOMBIES.

1. There is no FLDS/LDS discussion in this post, for any newcomers that might be clicking. (and wow - I have no idea how some of you are finding me! I mean, come on over, I don't mind, just where are you finding me? Curious.)
2. I had the day from Mom Hell yesterday with non-stop doctor visits (that led to two new dr. visits, a pre-registration at the hospital [#2 needs surgery on her arm, evidently] getting 20 pounds of rice for the 1rst grade class, buying elastic-waist pants for #2 (one arm = no buttons) and for the love of Pete and Shannon, can SOMEONE make pants for pre-teens that aren't slutty? Did I mention everything was on opposite sides of town from each other? Bah.
3. I made Beef Rendang last night, but with venison and it was delicious. (I didn't have the dried shrimp, however.) We may have that again in a few days, it was so taste-tastic. (Curried onions and carrots on the side, with barley for our starch)
4. germaine_pet is coming tomorrow and I am SO EXCITED to have grown-up time. GAAH.
5. If the wind could stop gusting up to 45 MPH that would be suuuuuper. I CAN NOT STAND the wind. I have half-finished flower beds calling me! *reaches passionately towards the windows*
6. I have so much to do today. I want to be a baby and stomp and make fists but I have to be all grown up and handle up on some bidness. GOD. DAMMIT.
7. this video was sent to me by bu_doodlebug this morning and it cracked me up BECAUSE IT IS TRUE. I mean, don't get me wrong. It's twee. But still... I laughed.

Let's be clear: religious freedom does not supersede basic human rights. It does not override the basic (AND FIRST) principle of the United States of America, that being the freedom to life, LIBERTY and the pursuit of happiness. How can you know happiness if you live in a cave of fear and lies? When you're not allowed beyond the "sacred" doors of your cave? When you're threatened with "eternal damnation" - which, let me explain how it's different in the Mormon/Fundy religion. It's not Hell with Satan torturing your soul, it's being cast into Outer Darkness. Or rather, your soul is destroyed, horrors! *eye roll* Freaking religion. Anyway. Back to the rant. ( And now the poor mothers - who only have sons, let me make that clear - are crying about how poorly their babies are being treated by CPS. Not true, one, and maybe you shouldn't have FLAGRANTLY BROKEN THE LAW, two. )

In happier news, I send massive love to my favorite fellow athiest (hahaha) poshcat!! Aww, Poshy, I heart you tunz. Underline.

You know, I'm a very lucky person. I have terrific friends. And it makes me happy knowing you're there. Not here. Hahaha, I kid, I kid. Life is pretty good, guys. even if we don't have Alphaghetti in the US. Hee!

Also: Happy birthday to my very first LJ friend lo these many years ago, slackerace! Can't wait to see how your new place is turning out.

Make today great: eat something delicious, pet something furry and purry (or growly or mewly or chirrupy,) walk around and breathe deep. Ahhhhhhhh. <3

Have a song! Flight of the Conchords - Business Time (and one day Jermaine will be my boyfriend.)

1. I found some gift certificates I bought myself for Christmas. (Yes, I actually forgot I had them.)
2. They were to the high-falootin' garden center in town with all the exotics/hard to find weetinies
3. I also had forgotten that they were 2 for 1 when I bought them (meaning, I spent $100 and got $200 in certificates! \o/)
4. The cashier was harried, so she just gave me cash back instead of a credit back on the card. \o/ (which, okay. May be like stealing. But I didn't complain. Is it? *nail bites*)
5. They also had a promotion for new bypass shears (secateurs, for you Brits) if x# of plants bought. So. Got some kick butt clippers. FOR FREE.
6. germaine_pet will be in my house in mere DAYS and there will be delicious foods and drinks and conversations and HER
7. next week is Birmingham with marenfic and southernbangel which had to be postponed last month, so WHOO and a HOO!
8. hopefully in a month-ish I'll be in New England to see the lovely entrenous88 and hug all over her body, too
9. the sun is shining, the tank is clean, and the sky has no clouds in it.

There is no bad here. Pretty fine Monday, all things considered. *

* for those that think I've just signed my death warrant with this statement, har, my #2 broke her arm on Thursday, so we've had our black cloud. She's tip-top, btw. On to spending times out doors!!

There's some outbreak of stupid being heaped upon southernbangel for wanting to write a fictional story about fictional people in a fictional setting and how this is WRONG and AWFUL and DISRESPECTFUL. (Um, this is fanfiction, not RPF, for the record.) It all boils down to: if you don't write what I like, you a) aren't a fan and b) you are mean and awful and dirty. So, same song, different verse.

In light of this, I've created a list of fics that I'm going to write (no I'm not, I'm lazy) just to be unpopular. :D

( Don't make me write a Clem/Snyder mpreg hurt/comfort bondage fluff fic. DON'T MAKE ME. Some dirtiness under the cut )

(which is me, or at least, I'm determined to be very busy today.) I was pretty amazed by my hit counter to see how many people went back to read my Mormon and Polygamy tags. (Maybe there is a market for this book after all...) Whoops, bullet points!

• I watched a report last night on the YFZ ranch that shocked even me (and Carolyn Jessop and Dorothy Soloman, etc.) They had multiple beds lined up in a special room in their temple to consummate the marriages instantly. (More about this after the jump, for those curious)
• I know that some of you expressed frustration with not being able to do anything, and wanting to help in some way. Go H E R E to Texas' DFPS page and you'll find a list of ways to help the women and children. This is the largest case of this type in US History - there's bound to be some weirdness, and anything you can do to help (I'm pitching in, too) will help get these poor folks out of the mindset that they're cattl