tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725951419986488772Mon, 09 Jan 2012 19:58:45 +0000musical musingsnewsstuffjealousynail bitinglying by omissionbrightkitesingle motherhoodcreation mythApplepainsskagit valley tulip festivalsummerdaddysadvertising liesmodern designtaxesdrum circlewealthcoughcelebrityroad tripsSkagitt Valleymyspaceomweddingsrantkidsfacebookmission san juan capistranoemotionlesslonelypeaceVeterans Daybarenaked ladiesconsumerismfriendfeedtornadoesSept 11PAXjunkdrunksideasLincoln Parkrainovoblah blah blahalcoholicsirritatedNorwegianambajamlost camerasorphanHunter S. Thompson1/2 assflickronion bagelRock heroeschoicesWABuy Nothing Dayfree tradefurry childrencaliforniabloggingsleep deprivationaffirmationsbirthday partiesmemorialsDo Re Micowsgay marriageOlympic Sculpture GardenToon TownVashon Islanddoggie heavenCAcuticlessurrenderBreakdownMarine CorpsAcademy Awardspussy ranchneighborhoodventangelssilly toddlerdavid bowieKurt VonnegutbirthdaysLas Vegasrainbowsblessingachesspiritnew yearom nom nomDr. Horriblemomtoddlerhot hot hotBallardupdatesocial networkworrymealsBainbridge Islandusdareal lifegeorge carlinculver city40 plusOscarsscrew youhoardingquestionhorizon organicheartsdaddyasato maaUnomakeupCarlsbad25 thingstwitterSpiritualitysocial mediatraffic schoolwritinganswerday too soonbad habitsreligious rightpicturesAAaurora organichormonesUS Copyright Royalty BoardgoodheaventattoosKeseyCares Aviation Safety Harnessdiablo codychemicalsparis hiltonbird nerddistortiongoodbyessunsetshoundselvis costellofavorite thingsbig girlbronchitisfamilyWA adventuressunchemicals are not naturalfrustrationtoddlersAbraham HicksClintonnew chaptersnew cameraValentines Daygrumpyjerry falwellpinkberryDecisionsDesireTangoBusheconomyFrappr2007 DisneylandneedspffftmomsElectionsMemorial DayEtsyHanukkahboringalcoholdept motor vehiclesbabyJohn McCainfree rangetweetshock and aweFebruary 2008wasted votesdaily fungoodreadssugar skullscongresssafewayhouse huntingreal estatemarriagesiadupedagingsexualization ofJoss WhedonMultiple SclerosisMarleyWMMFcult of celebrityasshole fatherssocial networkingmemorieshaircutshogmanayyahrzeitbastardcoen brothersevangelicalGreen Partylayoutslotuspet peevesmeadopteesacceptanceJake RyanConstructionsnoozerandomthyroiddexy girl2010gamespreschoolerssingle momdaughterslifenorthern californiateenagersJunotravertine fossillifeline7 words you can't say on televisioncorporate disinterestDisneylandPumpkinsplayBlack Fridayhistorylou dobbsbullet proofdementiapotty trainingmapsfamily homenational organic programsexy badasszzzzzBowers MuseumPike Place Marketchildhooddad2009bugsboreminor childrenHeinleinasscanondeath warmed overnew housebackyard wondersresolutionforgivenessHouselyricswartruthelection 2008cell phones12-stepsmessmerry go roundHalloweenspamXPNmarching banddatingauthenticgetty museumlittle girlsmommyhoodgerard butler is my husbandmicro bloggingreadingmembers project 2008HFCSpartiescontagiousfeminismOcean ShoresBig Moveviolencejoyhappy new yearobamaamerican prayerclosed escrowMNcorporate greedcorporatationstwhirlmothers dayAugust 2008holidayssunshinetravel savvy momsSnowSuper momseasonsshitheelpeter gabrielsickracepresidentstate of the unionloveescrowgreat comedianspartnershipseating happyalt rockboyfriendroad tripMommy brainLos AngelesSyttende Mai Paradesuper herosquick noteWestminster Dog ShowbullshitOlympic PeninsulasleeplazyHallmark can suckitalanonself-medicateprocessed foodsBlessingswild oatsLaundry Listsfuneralpolling placeslemon pepperAdvent ConspiracyCube FarmaustinphotographyVibrationsthumb suckingetiquetteparentingflu bugHappinessIRSrecipeLB Aquariumhipstamaticsoliocenter for spiritual livingInternet Radiomenlittle drummer girlbing crosbywater lilliesmeaning of XmascancerInternet Radio Equality Actthe internetssadgrandmothersDead Eye Dickdownside upnationJulie Andrewslightweird weatherlosscute babiesterrible twosparentThoughtsMenorahMS Societywedding cakeTop Tenfat ladyvalidationjetBluehomefair weather friendstraveliphoneVOTEbyeDoug AdamsNewport BeachspringstormMargaret ChoCA Adventurecity and colourlittle drummer boyamerican expressboys vs menfrozen yogurtchangesLong BeachlameLa RochefoucauldwaitingIndependence DayLaws of AttractionNon violent parentingwordless wednesdaygreen gadgetsremembranceXmasthe suckNokiadexymigrainedogscustomer servicenut jobJapanese ApricotBeaglesalki beachgriefmourningPacific NWdisappointmenthouse remodelauto-immune diseasecrappercussionindie rocksburn after readinginsanitywantsSamantha BakerBarack ObamaanniversariesmusingsdivinitySouth Coast Botanic Gardensforgetsanta cruzOrnamentsbbqpreschoolerphone treeswinterDancingtime fliesCohn BrothersgrievingobligationmiscellanymothersCandlesfactory farmingViolence Unsilencedairplanesbeautyfoliageelliot bay water taxiLast Regiment of Syncopated Drummerschristmas spirittelephonecutestmemechildrenbirthdaytraditionspoliticsboozestill lifeErnest Holmeswest seattleGarage Clean Upweekendel dorado parkblogadorationbirth certificatesingle momspost secretapologiesanna nicoledairyfat as a barnparentspresidential candidatessarah mclachlanRancho Palos VerdesfoodGot Nothing DayseattlequotesDeathmiley cyrusthe sopranosalzheimersfathersTurtle Soup and all the fixin's...http://smilingbeguiling.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Cheryl R.)Blogger336125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725951419986488772.post-6372875041821075148Wed, 07 Sep 2011 18:52:00 +00002011-09-07T11:52:05.049-07:00First Day Kindergarten, a set on Flickr.Crazy, but true. She's off to Kindergarten. Today was her first day. (sniff)http://smilingbeguiling.blogspot.com/2011/09/first-day-kindergarten.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cheryl R.)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725951419986488772.post-3402761126047720360Sun, 08 May 2011 18:21:00 +00002011-05-08T11:21:21.845-07:00momsholidaysmothers dayThinking of my mom today, of course. What else can I say?  Oh, I know... Hug your mom if you still have her, because it'll likely be one of the things you'll miss most when she's gone. Mom with Declan, August 2006. Me & my brother w/ mom, circa 1972. Me & my Dexy Doodle, circa 2007.http://smilingbeguiling.blogspot.com/2011/05/word-to-your-mother.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cheryl R.)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725951419986488772.post-8824171788355812465Wed, 23 Feb 2011 15:37:00 +00002011-02-23T07:37:00.067-08:00wordless wednesdayPacific NW http://smilingbeguiling.blogspot.com/2011/02/spinny-rides.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cheryl R.)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725951419986488772.post-2433132410035787562Tue, 22 Feb 2011 18:10:00 +00002011-02-22T10:10:53.325-08:00agingrandom I gots 'em. Well, except for long, scary, sharp toenails they have. I do NOT have those. And no matter what I do; pedicures, lotion, filing, scraping, buffing, scrubbing... none if it seems to help, not for the long term anyway. My heels have gotten so bad in fact that I "cut" holes in my socks, tears in my sheets, and shred the footbed of my shoes and slippers.  What. The. Hell. Ah, getting oldhttp://smilingbeguiling.blogspot.com/2011/02/alligator-feets.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cheryl R.)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725951419986488772.post-4247555040495030045Wed, 02 Feb 2011 22:10:00 +00002011-05-02T11:22:54.431-07:00Got Nothing Daywordless wednesday Thx to Natalie Dee for this awesomesauce comic. http://www.nataliedee.com/011811/ http://smilingbeguiling.blogspot.com/2011/02/hello-2011.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cheryl R.)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725951419986488772.post-6904565612223632365Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:57:00 +00002010-12-31T16:57:15.026-08:00hogmanayholidayshappy new yearWait. What?  I said... Holy friggin' Hogmanay Batman! Can't you hear? It's the last day of the year... How the hell did that happen? In a matter of hours, this fine (*cough*) 2010 shall soon fade away in a draught cider & food induced haze, sneaked ciggies in the car park (*cough*), fireworks at midnight, and the laughter of sugar-crazed children wafting up from the basement of our friends' West http://smilingbeguiling.blogspot.com/2010/12/holy-hogmanay.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cheryl R.)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725951419986488772.post-2583192853131619916Fri, 24 Dec 2010 20:24:00 +00002010-12-24T12:24:00.217-08:00new yearholidaysXmas Not a creature was stirring, not even our little mouse... Happy Christmas Everyone! http://smilingbeguiling.blogspot.com/2010/12/twas-night-before-christmas.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cheryl R.)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725951419986488772.post-6788872416181103116Thu, 23 Dec 2010 23:27:00 +00002010-12-23T15:27:07.584-08:00om nom nomholidaysXmasfoodI just lurves me some pork. Ham in particular. My pretend husband, Mr. Tony Bourdain has it right, piggies are one of the most perfect foods. And what's not to like? Ham, bacon, sausage, prosciutto, roast pork loin, ham hocks (for homemade split pea soup), pork rinds, pulled pork, pork bellies, pâté de campagne, Rillettes, pork chops and applesauce...  * d r o o l * So hey, dear Santa! Can I havehttp://smilingbeguiling.blogspot.com/2010/12/all-i-want-for-christmas-is.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cheryl R.)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725951419986488772.post-5093462420768059508Thu, 23 Dec 2010 00:36:00 +00002010-12-28T15:53:10.673-08:00lossdadholidaysToday would have been my dad's 86th birthday. I'm really missing him, and my mom as well, especially since she was the Queen of making the holidays totally AWESOME (and I'm so not). Yeah, yeah. I'm feeling the usual sense of loss and grief that comes with missing my family this time of year. No surprises there right? But to be honest, it's never been a particularly joyful time for me, even when http://smilingbeguiling.blogspot.com/2010/12/visions-of-sugar-plums-or-some-such.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cheryl R.)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725951419986488772.post-8035275810408315019Tue, 21 Dec 2010 18:21:00 +00002010-12-21T10:22:17.762-08:00holidayschristmas spiritBest. Christmas. Song. Ever.  (for this old punk anyway) "So happy christmas  I love you baby I can see a better time Where all our dreams come true..." http://smilingbeguiling.blogspot.com/2010/12/happy-christmas.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cheryl R.)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725951419986488772.post-5721143131658257772Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:11:00 +00002010-11-30T16:16:04.433-08:00Hanukkahholidayschristmas spiritWhoa! It's holiday time again. And it's going to get away from me if I don't get my arse in gear. Our second in Seattle. The fifth for Dexy. And this year, her daddy is here with us, so I actually get to include his name on the cards & gifts for OUR family/friends. How is it possible that my greatest wish has finally come true? Lucky me, lucky Dexy! For most of my adult life, I've faithfully senthttp://smilingbeguiling.blogspot.com/2010/11/holiday-greetings-postal.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cheryl R.)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725951419986488772.post-4856376895543215742Fri, 26 Nov 2010 13:04:00 +00002010-11-26T05:04:00.960-08:00Buy Nothing DayBlack FridayThis is something I've chosen to do for the last 3 years... to NOT get sucked into the mass shopping hysteria of Black Friday (or Cyber Monday for that matter). Instead, I'm going to spend time w/ my daughter and her dad. Put a log on the fire. Eat some leftover turkey and pumpkin pie. Watch a movie, or three, on the telly. Snuggle. Laugh. Enjoy the view from my window. And if we're not still http://smilingbeguiling.blogspot.com/2010/11/attention-insert-store-of-choice-here.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cheryl R.)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725951419986488772.post-4479062710133028642Wed, 24 Nov 2010 21:49:00 +00002010-11-24T13:49:13.976-08:00musingswordless wednesdayHappiness http://smilingbeguiling.blogspot.com/2010/11/nuff-said.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cheryl R.)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725951419986488772.post-4889390415474532585Fri, 05 Nov 2010 16:44:00 +00002010-11-05T09:44:59.831-07:00west seattleholidays Halloween 2010 -- This year we had a potluck bash at our house, starting early enough for everyone to enjoy their food and drink before heading out w/ the little ones for loot collection, errrr, I mean Trick or Treating. Since it was a school night too, and most of my friends have kids in grade school, it was important to be home and tucked in by 8pm. A good time was had by all. And gosh, the http://smilingbeguiling.blogspot.com/2010/11/spooky-sprites.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cheryl R.)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725951419986488772.post-4331177763969858431Fri, 29 Oct 2010 07:13:00 +00002010-10-29T00:13:00.245-07:00musical musingsHalloween 'Nuff Said. Happy Halloween y'all! Chas Music Picks - For Friday Oct 29th Bauhaus - Bela Lugosi's Dead From Wiki: Together for only six weeks, Bauhaus entered the studio for the first time at Beck Studios in Wellingborough to record a demo. The band recorded five songs; one of the tracks from the session, "Bela Lugosi's Dead", running more than nine minutes, was released as the group's debut http://smilingbeguiling.blogspot.com/2010/10/undead-undead-undead.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cheryl R.)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725951419986488772.post-3487090532586370299Wed, 27 Oct 2010 13:45:00 +00002010-10-27T06:45:00.631-07:00photographyHalloweenwordless wednesdayhttp://smilingbeguiling.blogspot.com/2010/10/warts-and-veins.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cheryl R.)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725951419986488772.post-5543891975171620369Wed, 13 Oct 2010 11:54:00 +00002010-10-13T04:54:00.556-07:00photographywordless wednesdaybackyard wondersbird nerd http://smilingbeguiling.blogspot.com/2010/10/sharp-shinned-hawk-vs-northern-flicker.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cheryl R.)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725951419986488772.post-7892849502697593734Sun, 10 Oct 2010 22:22:00 +00002010-10-10T15:25:02.417-07:00west seattledaddyparentingIt's been almost two weeks since Dexy's daddy moved up to Seattle from Las Vegas. We're settling in nicely. At least I think we are. Mostly, I feel like Dexy and I have exhaled for the first time in months, if not years. And I'm definitely noticing a change in her with regard to having Daddy/Man Energy in the house, which IMO, is excellent. She needed this. And so did I. Also cool... for the http://smilingbeguiling.blogspot.com/2010/10/two-weeks.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cheryl R.)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725951419986488772.post-6665518882797311732Fri, 24 Sep 2010 21:01:00 +00002010-09-24T14:01:47.964-07:00randommusical musingselvis costelloI just <3 me some E.C. But it kind of sucks when your favorite musician in the whole wide world (not to mention your daughter's namesake) is such a bloody prolific songwriter. Because frankly, I can't keep up with all the music my husband, errrr I mean Rock G-d, creates. But I try. I really do. And this one looks AWESOME (you can hear a clip on Shawn Stewart's blog). Duh. Of course it does. On http://smilingbeguiling.blogspot.com/2010/09/national-ransom.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cheryl R.)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725951419986488772.post-1844861670739333240Wed, 22 Sep 2010 13:22:00 +00002010-09-22T06:22:00.363-07:00photographyfoliagewest seattleseasonswordless wednesday http://smilingbeguiling.blogspot.com/2010/09/i-heart-autumn.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cheryl R.)6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725951419986488772.post-7732168111979751304Tue, 21 Sep 2010 23:43:00 +00002010-09-21T16:46:26.046-07:00single motherhoodparentingchangesI still don't know what I was waiting for And my time was running wild A million dead-end streets Every time I thought I'd got it made It seemed the taste was not so sweet So I turned myself to face me But I've never caught a glimpse Of how the others must see the faker I'm much too fast to take that test. Changes - David Bowie It's been five (5!) years this month since Dexy's daddy and I, you http://smilingbeguiling.blogspot.com/2010/09/ch-ch-ch-ch-changes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cheryl R.)14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725951419986488772.post-5163051959587134529Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:56:00 +00002010-09-01T05:56:00.053-07:00photographywordless wednesdayhttp://smilingbeguiling.blogspot.com/2010/09/put-cork-in-it.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cheryl R.)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725951419986488772.post-3586994723793844744Sun, 29 Aug 2010 20:18:00 +00002010-08-30T13:41:00.317-07:00favorite thingsphotographygetty museumcaliforniaOne of my favorite places on earth is The Getty Center in Los Angeles, CA. I was going through some old pics this morning and came across some that I took on my last visit there. Sharing a few of them with you below; can you see why I love it so? Depending on the light, time of day/year, weather, etc. there is an endless array of interest for the eye (& camera lens) to take in. And I'm not http://smilingbeguiling.blogspot.com/2010/08/favorite-things-getty-museum.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cheryl R.)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725951419986488772.post-4622321565313412787Sun, 22 Aug 2010 00:33:00 +00002010-08-21T17:35:28.222-07:00single mompreschoolerparentingDudes, sometimes I just want need it to be QUIET! For me, one of the hardest things about being a single parent is how noisy it can be. Now I know what y'all will say, that ALL kids are noisy and ALL parents want peace/quiet, so what does being a single parent have to do with anything? But you're just going to have to trust me on this one, it's totally worse for those of us doing this parenting http://smilingbeguiling.blogspot.com/2010/08/quiet-please.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cheryl R.)5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725951419986488772.post-5434992263831251795Thu, 19 Aug 2010 09:22:00 +00002010-08-19T02:22:00.334-07:00datingsingle momsmenmarriageI was over on Ms. Single Mama's blog the other day and saw a reference to this book: Do NOT be fooled by this title! And of course, the title totally made me cringe. But I bought it anyway. And now I'm more than 1/2 way through it, and much like the PAX workshops I've been attending since May, this book is changing my life. Not just incrementally. But like, monumentally. Cool right? So I'm http://smilingbeguiling.blogspot.com/2010/08/mr-good-enough-is-actually-perfectly.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cheryl R.)5