tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725951419986488772Fri, 24 Oct 2025 08:10:23 +0000wordless wednesdayphotographywest seattleseattlegriefloveparentingholidaystoddlerslosscalifornialifeDeathdexy girlXmasfamilyhouse remodelmemoriesmommothers daypreschoolersrandomtwitterCandlesHalloweenbirthdaysblogbloggingelection 2008musical musingssingle motherhoodBuy Nothing DayCACA AdventureDisneylandHanukkahLong BeachWAacceptancealzheimersaustinbirthday partieschangeschristmas spiritdaddatingdaughtersdiablo codydogsforgivenessiphonekidslonelymarriagemenmicro bloggingmomspotty trainingroad tripssingle momwriting1/2 ass2009Bainbridge IslandBarack ObamaBig MoveBowers MuseumBushConstructionHappinessHouseIndependence DayLaundry ListsNon violent parentingPAXThoughtsVeterans Dayalki beachanniversariesapologiesbad habitsbarenaked ladiesblah blah blahboringdaddysdaily funelvis costellofactory farmingfair weather friendsfavorite thingsflickrgetty museumhomejetBluejoyjunklamelazylittle girlsmapsmememessmission san juan capistranomothersmusingsmyspacenail bitingnew housenew yearnewsparentspoliticspreschoolerreal lifesanta cruzscrew youseasonssleepsleep deprivationstuffsummerthe sucktraditionstravelupdatewaitingwasted votesweekendzzzzz12-steps2007 Disneyland201025 things40 plus7 words you can't say on televisionAAAbraham HicksAcademy AwardsAdvent ConspiracyAppleAugust 2008BallardBeaglesBlack FridayBlessingsBreakdownCares Aviation Safety HarnessCarlsbadClintonCohn BrothersCube FarmDancingDead Eye DickDecisionsDesireDo Re MiDoug AdamsDr. HorribleElectionsErnest HolmesEtsyFebruary 2008FrapprGarage Clean UpGot Nothing DayGreen PartyHFCSHallmark can suckitHeinleinHunter S. ThompsonIRSInternet RadioInternet Radio Equality ActJake RyanJapanese ApricotJohn McCainJoss WhedonJulie AndrewsJunoKeseyKurt VonnegutLB AquariumLa RochefoucauldLas VegasLast Regiment of Syncopated DrummersLaws of AttractionLincoln ParkLos AngelesMNMS SocietyMargaret ChoMarine CorpsMarleyMemorial DayMenorahMommy brainMultiple SclerosisNewport BeachNokiaNorwegianOcean ShoresOlympic PeninsulaOlympic Sculpture GardenOrnamentsOscarsPacific NWPike Place MarketPumpkinsRancho Palos VerdesRock heroesSamantha BakerSept 11Skagitt ValleySnowSouth Coast Botanic GardensSpiritualitySuper momSyttende Mai ParadeTangoToon TownTop TenUS Copyright Royalty BoardUnoVOTEValentines DayVashon IslandVibrationsViolence UnsilencedWA adventuresWMMFWestminster Dog ShowXPNachesadopteesadorationadvertising liesaffirmationsagingairplanesalanonalcoholalcoholicsalt rockambajamamerican expressamerican prayerangelsanna nicoleanswerasato maaassasshole fathersaurora organicauthenticauto-immune diseasebabybackyard wondersbastardbbqbeautybig girlbing crosbybird nerdbirth certificatebirthdayblessingboozeboreboyfriendboys vs menbrightkitebronchitisbugsbullet proofbullshitburn after readingbyecancercanoncelebritycell phonescenter for spiritual livingchemicalschemicals are not naturalchildhoodchildrenchoicescity and colourclosed escrowcoen brotherscongressconsumerismcontagiouscorporatationscorporate disinterestcorporate greedcoughcowscrapcreation mythcult of celebrityculver citycustomer servicecute babiescutestcuticlesdaddydairydavid bowieday too soondeath warmed overdementiadept motor vehiclesdexydisappointmentdistortiondivinitydoggie heavendownside updrum circledrunksdupedeating happyeconomyel dorado parkelliot bay water taxiemotionlessescrowetiquetteevangelicalfacebookfamily homefat as a barnfat ladyfathersfeminismflu bugfoliagefoodforgetfree rangefree tradefriendfeedfrozen yogurtfrustrationfuneralfurry childrengamesgay marriagegeorge carlingerard butler is my husbandgoodgoodbyesgoodreadsgrandmothersgreat comediansgreen gadgetsgrievinggrumpyhaircutshappy new yearheartsheavenhipstamatichistoryhoardinghogmanayhorizon organichormoneshot hot hothoundshouse huntingideasindie rocksinsanityirritatedjealousyjerry falwelllayoutslemon pepperlifelinelightlittle drummer boylittle drummer girllost cameraslotuslou dobbslying by omissionlyricsmakeupmarching bandmemealsmeaning of Xmasmembers project 2008memorialsmerry go roundmigrainemiley cyrusminor childrenmiscellanymodern designmommyhoodmourningnationnational organic programneedsneighborhoodnew cameranew chaptersnorthern californianut jobobamaobligationomom nom nomonion bagelorphanovopainsparentparis hiltonpartiespartnershipspeacepercussionpet peevespeter gabrielpffftphone treespicturespinkberryplaypolling placespost secretpresidentpresidential candidatesprocessed foodspussy ranchquestionquick notequotesracerainrainbowsrantreadingreal estaterecipereligious rightremembranceresolutionroad tripsadsafewaysarah mclachlanself-medicatesexualization ofsexy badassshitheelshock and awesiasicksilly toddlersingle momsskagit valley tulip festivalsnoozesocial mediasocial networksocial networkingsoliospamspiritspringstate of the unionstill lifestormsugar skullssunsunsetssunshinesuper herossurrendertattoostaxesteenagerstelephoneterrible twosthe internetsthe sopranosthumb suckingthyroidtime fliestoddlertornadoestraffic schooltravel savvy momstravertine fossiltruthtweettwhirlusdavalidationventviolencewantswarwater lillieswealthwedding cakeweddingsweird weatherwild oatswinterworryyahrzeitTurtle 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.)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725951419986488772.post-3402761126047720360Sun, 08 May 2011 18:21:00 +00002011-05-08T11:21:21.845-07:00holidaysmomsmothers 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.)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-725951419986488772.post-8824171788355812465Wed, 23 Feb 2011 15:37:00 +00002011-02-23T07:37:00.067-08:00Pacific NWwordless wednesday 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, http://smilingbeguiling.blogspot.com/2011/02/alligator-feets.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Cheryl R.)4tag: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 +00002010-12-31T16:57:15.026-08:00happy new yearhogmanayholidaysWait. 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 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 +00002010-12-24T12:24:00.217-08:00holidaysnew yearXmas 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 +00002010-12-23T15:27:07.584-08:00foodholidaysom nom nomXmasI 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! http://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 +00002010-12-28T15:53:10.673-08:00dadholidayslossToday 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 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 +00002010-12-21T10:22:17.762-08:00christmas spiritholidaysBest. 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 +00002010-11-30T16:16:04.433-08:00christmas spiritHanukkahholidaysWhoa! 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 http://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 +00002010-11-26T05:04:00.960-08:00Black FridayBuy Nothing DayThis 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 +00002010-11-24T13:49:13.976-08:00Happinessmusingswordless wednesday 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 +00002010-11-05T09:44:59.831-07:00holidayswest seattle 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 +00002010-10-29T00:13:00.245-07:00Halloweenmusical musings '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 +00002010-10-27T06:45:00.631-07:00Halloweenphotographywordless 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 +00002010-10-13T04:54:00.556-07:00backyard wondersbird nerdphotographywordless wednesday 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 +00002010-10-10T15:25:02.417-07:00daddyparentingwest seattleIt'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 +00002010-09-24T14:01:47.964-07:00elvis costellomusical musingsrandomI 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. Onhttp://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 +00002010-09-22T06:22:00.363-07:00foliagephotographyseasonswest seattlewordless 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 +00002010-09-21T16:46:26.046-07:00changesparentingsingle motherhoodI 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 +00002010-08-30T13:41:00.317-07:00californiafavorite thingsgetty museumphotographyOne 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 +00002010-08-21T17:35:28.222-07:00parentingpreschoolersingle momDudes, 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 +00002010-08-19T02:22:00.334-07:00datingmarriagemensingle momsI 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