Truth Or Fiction?

Were y'all aware in writing that certain female characters are called "Mary Sues"? I sure wasn't. A Mary Sue is a sort of a wish fulfillment for the writer...a fantasy without any flaws. According to the PTB, this is how the author wishes to see themselves...lucky, beautiful, smart, witty, brave, and always gets the man...kinda like the mounties! Well, duh! Real-l-ly? Just how long did it take someone to figure that one out. It's called fiction for gosh sakes! Who wants to read a story about a sagging, bagging, won't-see-50 again woman? You better believe my heroine is going to be perfect and gorgeous! Which brings me to this. (Were y'all beginning to wonder if I had a point...besides the one on top of my head? Well, I do, so just bear with me!)

Robelyn of Red.Neck Chic fame has given me the Not A Stepford Blog Award created by Six in One Hand and Six Divided by Two (twins Angelique and Misty who are more fun than the law will allow). They created it to reward those who climb out on a limb and swing from it a la Tarzan showing their panties for all the world to see. I'm proud that Rob-Uh-Lynn thinks I'm different. Heck fire, I am different...I've told y'all, Jenn says I'm throwed off! I like to think that's why y'all stop by...if not...don't tell me any different. Let me live here in my fool's paradise.

Now let's return for just a moment to Mary Sue. She's the same. She isn't a Stepford wife, but a strong individual filled with nuances that one person cannot possibly possess, but that's what makes her fun! I can take those qualities that I admire in others and create the PERFECT WOMAN!

To begin with she would have to be Texan...that's a given, but then the fun begins. I can take Lou Cinda's beautiful face and make her blond like Janet, tall with long legs like Rob-Uh-Lynn, and a figure like Adrienne's. (Wouldn't Cat Daddy be a happy man?) I then can add brains out the wazoo like Laura, a gentle, giving heart like Debra's, Patty's rapier wit, the ability to laugh at life and oneself like Tricia, and a vocabulary to match Pam's. Then I would mix in Amy's photography skill ('cause a girl has got to make a living doing something exciting), Jodie's eye for detail, Shelley's sense of style, Dixie's fierce loyalty with just a dash of humor and to round ol' Mary Sue off, I'd throw in Laurie's Southern drawl and upbringing with more than just a touch of Mal's naughtiness....and there you have it...a PERFECT WOMAN! (The only thing missing is a fan to blow the long, blond hair.) Not a one of these great women are guilty of being Stepford anything. Each one is unique and immensely creative with her own formula about how to live, laugh, and love. It's what I strive for and try to emulate...as best I can. It's why I go back time and time again to their blogs to see just what mischief-making they are up to.

So m'ladies...if you like...I pick y'all and now let me know who you find different in this follow-the-pack world we live in.

I'll leave you now with another Not a Stepford Blog I just found or rather she found me...

Introducing Lynea, the QueenPlinker...talk about mad talent...this girl does it all, including making her own hats. Please check her out, tell her I sent you by for a visit, sit a spell, and you can thank me later!

C'mon Mary Sue...we got a book to write 'cause like my mama use to say...it sure isn't going to write itself!

The Handwriting Is On The Wall

I thought I would share a little more info I've gleaned in my studying. Did you know cliches are to be avoided at all costs...not that I would ever be guilty of beating that dead horse! Putting it into a nutshell, it's acceptable to use one as a title just not within the body. The trick is to be original in thought. Needless to say, I think I got this one licked with one hand tied behind my back! After all, this isn't rocket science, so I'll stop making a mountain out of a molehill on this subject and get down to the real nitty gritty!Talk about gritty...between taxes, Winnie & Tulula's, life and getting ready for the trip to the Mother Ship, the house has gone to wrack and ruin! I'm talking about getting down and dirty here. Take a gander at this table we bought! Ain't she a beaut? I know, I know...she's rough as a cob and may not be everybody's cup of tea, but some like carrots...others like cabbage! Cat Daddy and I happen to love cabbage. When we get through with her, she will be smooth as silk and pretty as a picture...I promise. I love the apron on her. She has a solid bottom under that top and I think we may try and hinge the top...won't that just make you flip your lid?

She's just one of the finds we will be taking this spring and at the end of the day, it's not always about what you bring to the table, but it sure does help if the table is this good!

Squirrel!!!

Before I forget, I need to dish some dirt about a contest going on in the Golden State and by that I mean California. Sue's store, Country Roads Antiques has been nominated for Best Antique Shop in Orange County. Haven't you always dreamed of being tall, blond, and tan? Here's your chance to pretend you are all those things. It's really as easy as falling off a log! Just go here and cast your vote 'cause after all...actions speak louder than words.

Let's just cut to the chase and tell it like it is. Country Roads is a wonderful collection of vendors who are more like family than business associates. Sue is one of my favorite people ever and I would do just about anything to help her and I know she would be first in line to help me if I needed it. (A friend in need is a friend indeed!) Her store is a success story of what you get when you put in long hours, work hard and treat your customers with care and respect. She lives the Golden Rule...not by words...but with actions. So, please go over and cast your vote. By doing so, you are casting a vote for every antique shop owner and the blood, sweat and tears that goes into making it successful and isn't that what so many of us dream of being...a success?

After spending my entire Saturday at W&T's I am tired to the bone so I think I'll close now and hit the hay. Remember...VOTE...pretty please?

Here's mud in your eye!

Barn Raising and Sweet Talking!

I've been busy this week getting our tax information in order and let me tell you...that is just too much fun for one person to have. It's right up there with a root canal...you know what I mean? If I were better about inventory and bookkeeping, it wouldn't be such a nightmare...but I'm not and it is!

About the only thing I have got to do is a little more research. I've been reading up on what not to do when writing...good gosh-a-rover, there are a lot of no no's. Over and over I kept reading the same piece of advice...never use a big word where a small one will suffice. My first thought was but how would anyone know how smart I am, BUT then I thought about the times when I'm reading and come across a word I can't spell, much less pronounce. Yeah, I can dig it...who wants to stop in the middle of a paragraph, grab the dictionary and try to figure out what the author was trying to say? Not me for dern sure Skippy!

So what say I practice on y'all and then y'all can give me a grade? Ready?

In my previous post I had promised y'all a review of the opening of the Barn House Marketplace. One word...WOW! To say they were inundated (swamped) would be the understatement of the year. I'm surprised the whole web page didn't crash! The ladies were lining up and apoplectic (throwing hissy fits) to get registered and start buying. As a matter of fact, I think they just about sold out and are going to have to restock. It's no wonder...everything is antediluvian (rusty, timeworn and primitive) in the Barn House style as only the redoubtable (famous for) J & J can do. In their insouciant (casual) style, they bring grace to the humblest of furnishings and find beauty in the simple things. Sounds easy, but trust me...it isn't. If I attempted to do what they do, it would look like an ersatz (crappy imitation) hootenanny (thingamajig) instead of the rustic elegance they create.

In addition to all the merchandise that is being tendered (offered), they are also doing a largess (giveaway) in the form of capital (moolah). In other words...they are giving away cash prizes totalling $250 in shopping money to four very lucky folks just for stopping by and leaving a comment with your own review. I can't put it any simpler than this...that ain't chicken feed and you better get your rusty dustys on over there! (Whew, that felt so much more like me! That was just way too much work and I probably butchered the words at any rate, so I think I'm just going to go back to talking the best way I know how...Texan!)

Just in case you're wondering why bother...let me just remind you of one thing. According to Lulu, I am the "Amazing Win It All Woman"...why, I don't know...good vibes I guess...well that and I am on a first name basis with Random Generator...I call him Randy when we're all alone! (Psst...don't tell Cat Daddy!) Heck, you'd think I'm also carrying on with my mailman...look what he brought me today! Janet at Talk Sweet Talk held a giveaway and I was one of the winners. Her gift came and it was just as darling as she is. Valentine's Day was the theme and I am so in love with her cards!

2die4, right? Janet, you are MY sweetheart and I just love you to pieces. Thank you so very much!

I've got one more request to make...if you haven't gone over to The Vintage Laundress and voted, click here and do so PDQ! The polls close tonight and she is thi-i-s-s close to winning. Do it for me...do it for her...do it for Texas...do it for the Gipper!

When you drop in on the BH Boys, be sure and tell 'em their Trashy Texas friend sent you. They'll know who it is...and maybe they won't hold it against you!

Checked and Double Checked Out!

Even though the only thing I'm writing at this moment is my name on a check to the tax office, I thought I would stop just long enough to tell y'all about two more great giveaways going on right now! Sheesh!!! I'm getting to where I'm beginning to feel like Rod Roddy..."Come on down and see what you can win!". First up for y'all is over at One Gal's Trash. Pam is going to be celebrating a birthday March 1...a huge birthday as a matter of fact. Sssh! Don't tell anyone, but it's 50, she said in a whisper. To help her celebrate, she would just love for y'all to drop by, leave a comment and become a follower. Her goal is to hit 500 by her birthday. Lofty goals for sure, but I bet we can help make her birthday wish come true....or at least help blow out all those candles! So head on over and maybe, just maybe, you'll win one of her five party favors!

Second, one of my favorite people ever...Sue...is having a giveaway to help with the launching of the Barn House Boys new online Marketplace. (I've already been in the barn doing a little window shopping earlier this morning and I'll give y'all a review on this exciting news later! In the meantime...can you say OHMYLANTA?!?!) Anyway...SQUIRREL!...as I was saying. Sue is giving away the cutest wristlet to maybe you or you or maybe ME! It's all fun and part of what makes this such a great venture or should I say ADventure? (Psst! Her aprons are just 2die4 and I want one in every color!) Head on over there and be sure and tell Sue AND Pam hello from me, 'kay?

I guess I better close for now. I've made the state of Texas happy with my check, now let's see if Uncle Sam can make me happy by giving back some of Cat Daddy's hard earned money!

Airing My Clean Laundry!

Who wants to be a cheerleader? That's right girlies and guyies...get those pom poms out, dust 'em off and get ready to shake 'em for one of our Texas girls! LeAnn or as she is AKA (affectionately known as) The Vintage Laundress has been nominated for an award! I KNOW!!! How cool is this? She is in the Favourite Vintage Shop category.(Let me just say right here and now, I so cribbed all these photos from LeAnn's blog.)

LeAnn, Amy and I are in the bottom right photo (#8) taken at the Fall Blog Party where she brought Stan Williams and his Fab U Lous book, "The Find" (sorry Stan, there are just too many words in the entire title and I'm a lazy type of gal). SQUIRREL!

Y'all let me get off track once again, so let's see if I can get this train going in the right direction. As I was trying to say and not doing a very good job of it, LeAnn has been nominated for a Poppie award. (Here is where the pom poms come in!) She did us a huge favor by sharing Stan with us last fall and this is a way for us to say thank you. I want each and every one of y'all...especially you Texas Girls....to go here and vote for LeAnn...then I want you to tell two friends and then they can tell two friends and so on and so on! Let's make this a run for the money...so to speak. There really isn't any money, but us Texans have got to protect our braggin' rights and with a tall drink of Perrier like LeAnn it's so easy to brag!

It's one vote per computer, but heck, that's all we need if we spread the word fast enough and I know y'all love to gossip, I mean talk as much as me!

I sure hope I'm not missing any details here! LeAnn is such a doll and so-o-o funny. Y'all know how much I love to be tickled and she never fails to make me smile! I love reading her posts and really would like to steal her style of writing, but alas and alack, I just can't seem to find the rhythm of her words. (It's got a great beat I can really dance to. I give it a 10!) Her posts are always first rate with tons of info and how-to's...peppered with wit! So in essence, she is still giving more to us than us to her with a vote. Love it!

So what do you say?

Can I get a V?

V!!!

Can I get an O?

O!!!

Can I get a T?

T!!!

Can I get an E?

E!!!

What does that spell?

GO LEANN!!!

One last thing and I'll leave you alone...you better hurry on over to Janet's for her giveaway. I do believe today is the last day and you really don't want to find out later what you missed out on! So get your royal rumps in high gear and

Go, Tell, Win!

Rafaella Gabriela Sarsparilla

As y'all know the next great American novelist can't wear two hats at one time (or at least that is what She has heard Her say time and again), so She's sneaking in here and doing a post for Her. In case you don't recognize me...around the Casita de Trash, they call me She. You know...as in She always takes care of that or see if She has any money or how about She never listens to me and let's not forget...I thought She was going to the post office. Remember me now? Yeah...you've probably got your own version of a She living at y'alls homes too!

Anyway, as She was saying, since Ms. Harper Lee-Wannabee has a wee touch of ADD (or as Jenn likes to call it...SQUIRREL!), She thought She would give y'all a heads up on what She has found! Just don't tell Her that She told you...or She might get in trouble for using the computer thingy!

Would you just take a look at what Sissie's Shabby Cottage is giving away just by visiting and leaving a comment. AMAZING!!! What's Her favorite saying? Oh yeah...Fab U Lous! Go over and visit...Sissie's blog is just beautiful...time well spent for sure! Next up is this tote that GYPSIE On My Mind is giving away just as easy. Visit, comment and voila...you are entered. Again, easy to do and an easy on the eyes blog! She likes easy...in fact, She's heard Her say that She is easy, but She's also heard Cat Daddy say there isn't anything easy about Her! Boy oh boy, are Her feathers gonna get ruffled when She tells you about this giveaway. One of Her BFF's Pam at Frippery is having a 300th post (and every one of them is a pearl) giveaway! (She just loves this woman!) This is only part of what Pam has to offer. In addition to really great writing, Pam is giving away a 2die4 ankle bracelet, this ruffled flower bracelet made with Pam's own two little hands AND...wait for it...CHOCOLATE! Are you swooning? She knows She was when She heard Her telling Cat Daddy all about it! You might could score some extra points with Pam if you were to tell Her that you think She is pretty....just a suggestion! Heck...try it with all three! Now hurry over to all three of these ladies blogs 'cause the deadlines are just around the corner and you wouldn't want Her to win now would y'all? Be sure and tell 'em She sent you!

Well She figures She's probably made Her hopping mad by this point...so what the heck. Let's just see what Her boiling point is by divulging one other little tidbit. Jenn has already shouted it to the world, so it's not like She's trying to scoop Her or anything like that, right?

Guess who in no longer on an oxygen line? You guessed it...Baby Bella! Yippee! Bella still will be monitored at night to make sure the stats stay stable, but no more lugging that tank around. She is free to pick Bella up and walk outside or anywhere She wants to without extra cargo on the shoulder, but you know...She hardly thinks about the line anymore or even sees it. Still...it's one more step in God's plan for Bella. Bella's lungs are no longer considered micro-preemie, but the doctors will continue to treat her as if she has asthma as a precaution.

She thought She would include this photo of Bella at birth weighing 15 ounces and one photo from a day ago at fourteen pounds just to show how good our God is. She can't believe the little Trashette will be a year old in less than two months. She would want me to tell y'all thank you for all the prayers that went up for our Bella. She's pretty sure Her feelings are just like mine...it is a privilege to say thank you...over and over...again and again! Her tears of gratitude could fill an ocean.

Bella must be reading Her mind 'cause that is just what She needs to do...take a bath and think about going beddie bye before Her. She always uses all the hot water which puts Her in a pickle!

Let me know when you would like to hear more of what She has to say and She'll hurry back toot sweet! BTW, hasn't She heard Her say that's Texan for real quick?

Peekaboo...I See You

Just like Punxsutawney Phil will be doing next month...I thought I would stick my head out and see what all is going on in the Land Of Blog! Just call me Desultory Deb!

Whaddaya know...the sun is shining! I may have to bust out the shades everything is so bright and shiny including all of y'all's latest posts. That's right...I've been nosing around when I should be doing something else, but you know the old saying about all work and no play, right?

Cat Daddy and I had a busy weekend. We loaded up the Catmobile with Liz and Fran then drove down to the Red Barn. I would love to say I took tons of photos, but sadly I left my camera in the truck. I'll try and describe what I got to see and who I got to see as best as I can. Visualize white, white and more white...get the picture? Looking through the magic mirror ("Romper, bomper, stomper boo. Tell me, tell me, tell me do. Magic Mirror, tell me today, have all my friends had fun at play?"), I see French Vanilla and Judy...over there is Theresa, Seedbox, Carolyn Westbrook Home...Oh and I see Willow's Nest, Leftovers, TOT and over there, do you see Janet and Peg? Isn't it all wonderful? I thought you would love it. There was a ton of folks out shopping which is always a great harbinger of spring! We also stopped by Lizzie Lou's and visited with Elizabeth and Kim. Elizabeth had just returned from market and wait until you get an eyeful of the spring clothing she brought in. I was in high cotton (cotton linen that is) for sure! We bought several things that will be making the journey back for the Spring Show and you'll just have to trust me when I say...Fab U Lous!

On the way home, we stopped off in Waco and met up with Robelyn...just the perfect ending to a perfect day! Sunday, Jenn and I, along with some cute friends, set up shop on the dining room table. The girls are trying to teach this old dog some new tricks...'cause you know I have all this spare time! Actually, they are trying to help me learn how to create the kind of jewelry I want, but can't seem to find. I figure if I can't buy it, I might as well make it!

They obviously know what they are doing...me? Not so much! Vickie is the creator of the Cat Daddy coozies so you can imagine how her mind works!

I even broke out the good stuff. This was an excellent way for me to relieve my frustrations with writing and ramp it down a notch. Look out world...I got a Dremel and I don't know how to use it! For the record, I am equally as dangerous with the soldering gun.

This really why I agreed to the lesson...Jenn has to bring her traveling companion and I get to reap the benefits! She is such a good baby and didn't cry once. As a matter of fact, she hardly cries at all, but glory, when she does...you better get her happy in a hurry!

I wish I could share more of the book writing with y'all, but I don't want to reveal anything until I feel it's worthy. I will share one line I've wrote...I don't think I'd be giving anything away with just one little line...do y'all?

"There are certain little sayings that just drive me crazy. I don't understand what a pretty penny is. I mean really...Lincoln's not exactly my idea of a hottie. What does it mean when the sign says "Live Dancers"...are there dead ones dancing somewhere I didn't know about and would I really want to see them? And tell me my friend, what exactly is a good right arm? Is there a bad right arm or is that the left one... or the one that left?"

I'm gonna call this a wrap, but I just wanted to mention one other thing. I was in the doctor's office yesterday and while sitting there in the nice, clean quiet, I began thinking of what is happening in Haiti. Those poor people are just hoping for any kind of medical help...quiet or otherwise...even in a parking lot. I think it's important to remember this could happen anywhere...at any time.