That Was Too Gross

So sorry, Peeps.   That was just gross.   However, I try to keep you informed about all things spa, beauty and the world around.

Mr. Wonderful was so impressed with the iky(boys) he has already ordered a machine and will have it when I return home.

He can't wait to see what comes out of him...just keeping it real.

So, now, something pretty...

The beach is so beautiful at sunset.   I guess the sunrise is too.  I wouldn't know.  heh heh

And show you something else ugly.  I need a pedi!   BAD.  I can hear Queen B saying M-O-T-H-E-R!!

Just keeping it real here at Beachy Mimi.

I think I may do a beach toe search.  Have you ever noticed that some people wear sandals and their toes hang off?   It has become a mimi-obsession with PeepOne and me. 

I think we are going to start a tally and report back to you.

Not that I would EVER take unauthorized toe shots of anyone.  Heh Heh.

I love my Peeps.

Perspective

Hello, Peeps.

Or Peep. I think I have one reader left after all this time.

I've been busy.

I'm been taking a crash class in Marriage 101 to a South African. I have learned a lot.

I have now known Mr. Wonderful for one year. Our wedding anniversary is coming up in a few weeks. Unconventional, I admit, but a year of many blessings.

Mr. Wonderful traveled the world before coming to America 12 years ago. Since we married last September, we have traveled to 5 countries. Wow.

I have learned so much about other cultures, poverty, eating habits, blessings, and dare I say it...budget travel.

I have had some of the best times of my life.

Some observations.

Most people have either a fascination about America, or they could care less.

Where Americans are not well received, Mr. Wonderful speaks Afrikaans and I keep my mouth shut. When the person can't speak Afrikaans, they all switch to English and everyone is happy. I keep my mouth shut.

People are people everywhere. Mothers love their children and worry about them. Everyone is trying to make a living. People use what they have to make homes and clothing. Everyone needs clean drinking water.

Everywhere we traveled we ran into Christians. I just love that. God just places them in your path EVERYWHERE. That is so comforting.

I am not naive enough to think we are in the majority everywhere, but we were blessed to meet and speak to many wonderful believers.

I have been doing a lot of thinking about the travels and the people I have observed.

I met disabled people, poor people, wealthy people, sick people, farmers, businesspeople, professional people (can I say people one more time) goat herders,
ostrich farmers, and ladies that carry goods on their heads to sell their homemade wares. These people were HAPPY. POSITIVE. HOPEFUL. GIVING.

I hope I have become a better person from my association with these people.

I have a message to someone who is on the periphery of my life. You will recognize yourself.
Please knock that chip off your shoulder. The world is not against you. You are not more or less spiritual than anyone else. Jump off that pedestal you put yourself on and look around.

You are not always right. LEARN TO FORGIVE AND FORGET. Choose to be happy. Most of all, forgive yourself. Mistakes in the past are IN THE PAST. Don't lose relationships with your family members, children, and friends you keep pushing away.

Quit bad-mouthing your "enemies" to anyone who will listen and give you some fake sympathy. You might have to eat those words and they are not tasty.

GET A HAPPY LIFE.

Love you, my peep (s). Posting pictures when I figure out how.

Shoes, Sandals and Other Important Things

I enjoy shoes.

I would say I love shoes, but I don't really love them like a family member. I just really enjoy a cute pair of shoes.

Now that I am "older", comfort wins over the mule I slide out of or the tall heel where I have to shuffle.

I also tend to go for the easy...flip flops. Reef flip flops in particular. My feet love them.

I even put on flip flops with my wedding dress after I took my heels off...but that's a story for another day.

I've been looking at the shoe sites on the Web and quite frankly, I am appalled.

Do you guys think the gladiator look is a good one? Am I just really old and out of touch?

They just look so...bunchie or something. Way too fussy and heavy looking.

Let me have it Peeps...am I outdated?

Life Can Change In A Moment

Peeps! Stop what you are doing RIGHT NOW and thank God for your family, health and general well-being.

Things can change in an instant.

Remember Mr. Gary PeepOne? He was fine on a Saturday and on Sunday in the hospital in critical condition.

Peeps, he is still in the hospital, 6 weeks later, still critical, undergoing surgeries, thankfully holding his own.

PeepOne...well, she had a foot/leg ache on Friday, went to the ER on Saturday and had a blood clot in her leg. Two surgeries later, she saved her leg but she is also in ICU.

Wow. You just never know. IF she waited until today (Monday) most likely a different outcome.

So...schedule that procedure you have been delaying...mamogram, colonoscopy, etc...

Don't put things off. Even telling those you love that you love them.

Life can change in a moment. Be ready for it!

An Old Tradition

Yesterday, the Parental Unit (PU) and I went to a craft type store to purchase...funeral flowers.

Who died, you ask?

Well, no one lately.

In small southern towns, and in small country churches, there is a long held tradition to take fresh/fake flowers to the cemetery and thus, "decorate" the gravesite. Interestingly enough, this tradition is called DECORATION.

I think this yearly occurance started "Once upon a time..", it is so old. Back in the day, people would go to the cemetery on Saturday, weed and clean it , and then bring fresh flowers or whatever as a remembrance to a loved one's headstone.

This also included dinner on the grounds and lots and lots of visiting with neighbors. No one had phones back then and it was a real social occasion to go to Decoration and see folks.

To really make a splash, different churches had their Decoration Day on a different Sunday so people could travel to ALL the different locations as to not miss anyone.

This was such a Big Deal to my grandparents and my dad. For my generation...not so much.

PU and I usually sneak in when no one is around and put a bouquet on her parents' and my dad's spot. I am so sorry to admit I am too cheap to do up all the relatives because I am related to 75.8% of the souls that once dwelled in those corpses.

I want to scream and say, "People, they aren't here!" But, out of respect I do my little thing and slink out.

Country church pastors despise decoration because it takes the entire month of May and into June and people MISS CHURCH to travel to whatever location. I have been berated in many a sermon about Decoration and that it is most likely a tool of satan.

Hello? Pastor? I'm sitting right here. I'm not the one traveling.

Frustration is a tough emotion for some to handle.

The Sibling actually goes to many of these events, but he is more social than I am.
And, more of a traditionalist.

It will be up to others like-minded to keep this going in the future.

For my future? The Queen B? I'll never get a flower. I'm just sayin'.

Another old tradition, Mother's Day, is probably here to stay. That's good. Mom's get most of the yuck jobs and it is great to take one part of a day to tell her you love her and appreciate her.

Are you doing something special for your mother?

In Memory...

...of my computer, which is now officially broken and dead.

...of my bottom lip, which is burned beyond recognition and is swollen 3 times the normal size. Think Octo-Mom. Just on the bottom lip.

...of two crowns which occupied my mouth just a few hours ago. Did I mention I have to have a root canal?

...of my camera--which I put up when I was doing crazy Spring cleaning and forgot where I put it

...of the beachy beach, which I left in sunny Florida

...of my sanity, which may or may not have been there at all.

Love ya Peeps!

Running Away...The Answer to Life's Problems...

Yep, Peeps.

I've run away. To Florida. To be with the Other Crabs on the Beach.

Not a bad place to run to. The Parental Unit and the Sibling and his wife all came down together to get away from cold weather.

My internet usage is spotty at best, so my posts may not be as regular as before. Not that I've been posting every day or anything...Trying to have a dating life is time consuming. All that personal maintenance and everything.

So, have a good weekend. I'm on the beach looking for bald guys.

I Haven't Disappeared

Hi Peeps!

I haven't disappeared into bloggy outerspace.

This is just an extremely busy week with something major every day. I don't like major things every day. I like to stay home.

Anyway, I'll be updating occasionally as stuff happens.

PeepOne finished my tree this weekend. It's awesome. As soon as the battery finishes charging I'll post a picture.

Think red saloon girl. tee hee

Later, Peeps.

A Better Day

I forgot to mention that when the dentist was attempting to remove a temporary cap, his pulling tool slipped and he socked me in the lip. Yes he did.

It goes well with the blister from the waxing.

In the stages of grief about my new size...I am finally out of denial and into acceptance for a time.

Today was a better day. I got a couple of new size things to tide me over until the size reduction plan goes into full mode.

More tomorrow.

Love ya, Peeps!

Can You Believe This?

THIS is what happens when you have your mail held a few days. Most of this stuff is junk. JUNK. No wonder our economy is out of money.

I hope all you Peeps had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I find the holidays pretty stressful these days but I'm working on that.

Today PeepOne is decorating the tree for Queen B. I'll send pictures later.

My decorating day is tomorrow.

Good 'ole PeepOne. She's a keeper.

And while I am on the subject of keepers....SO ARE YOU, PEEPS!

I was so touched by all your Pay It Forward stories. You may want to reread the comments with that post. Peeps have added to the comments all week and they are great.

THANK YOU! Maybe some folks will learn the real reason behind Thanksgiving. This was fun. Maybe we can do it again next year!!

I'm Baaack!!

Hello, my Peeps! I've missed you so!!

After much thought, Beachy Mimi decided to remain Beachy Mimi for now. I'm working on another blogsite and it is so stinkin' cute. However, I will not go without telling my Peeps where to find me. Since it's anonymous and all.

One of my Precious Peeps summed it up better than I could. She said, "Everyone needs a little BM everyday." hahahahahahahteeeheeeeharharhar

Ain't it the truth.

So, whether I'm BM, QM, OCD, or XXP, I'm not going anywhere.

The plain fact is, no one is forcing anyone to read this blog. There. I said it. What I really want to say is, "Bite ME", but that is really tacky and I would never do that.

I have stated before that my Bloggy Mission Statement is simply to point out some of the humor in life. People blog for different reasons and they are all okay. I wouldn't dream of telling someone else what to write or not write, and I've read some pretty gross stuff.

And another thing, I'm not teaching grammar and puncutation here. So take the ,.!;:"'and put them wherever you think they need to go. Feel free.

As far as etiquette...HUH? Bloggy etiquette? Oh, please. Get a life.

One of the, shall we say..detractors...criticizes my bloggy etiquette. Just remember when you point your finger at someone, there are three pointing right back at you.

So, BM is here to stay!!

I could say lots more but I keep remembering one of my mottos, "just because you can doesn't mean you should."

Enough of that.

How are my Peeps? Have you voted yet? I took advantage of the early voting opportunity along with hundreds of other fellow citizens. I'm glad to have it out of the way. Besides, I'm going to the BEACH for a couple of weeks and maybe when I get home all the political stuff will be off the tv and I can concentrate on the Amazing Race.

I think I could so do the Amazing Race. After all, I love to travel and I sure don't sleep...hmmm I may think about that. I could use a million bucks. Or, even ten bucks...

Tomorrow I think I'll do a Thanksgiving Giveaway so be sure to sign up!

I appreciate your loyalty more than I can ever express.

I love my Peeps!!

Something

I've got to come up with something just to get that last post off the top of the page.

THAT'S what happens when Beachy Mimi runs fever.

The miracle RX is working, and for the price I should be up dancing and whooping it up. I am better, but not to the whooping it up stage, unless you count my relentless coughing and I don't.

Poor, poor Queen B and the science fair project. Heh Heh

I may or may not have tackled a few of those for her in past years...I can sit back and enjoy this.

Just a grandmotherly note to pass along to the Peeps: encourage your children CONSTANTLY.

I have a feeling that all the women who are Peeps here already do this. Just take it from a Peep that didn't get encouragement growing up. It will make a tremendous difference in your kid's lives. Okay, okay. Get out the violins. I'm not having a pity party AT ALL.

Not every person parents their children the same way. There are women that have a very difficult time stirring up some maternal mojo.

Our self-esteem comes from the Lord. I totally believe that. But for those years when you are a little too young to grasp that fully, you really need a parents' confirmation of you as a person.

Kids of all ages need to be hugged, kissed, loved on and TOLD they are loved. In words. All that "stuff" we do for them out of love is just "stuff" to kids. They need the concrete display with touch and words.

My P-Units were reared in a time when affection was not the standard in many homes.

A Daddy worked. Mamas might work outside the home, but mostly were housewives. I felt there was something wrong with ME because my PU worked and I stayed with someone else.

That't totally ridiculous, of course, but to a little kid...imaginations run wild.

I taught some very confused children. They really had a problem with their own worth and identity in a busy household with lots going on.

Boy this sounds depressing, I don't mean it to be.

Just encouragement for you to wipe a big kiss on your kids and give the teenagers a noogie just so you can give them some touching.

I co-taught a Bible study a few years ago and the number 1 thing men (boys)said they missed in tween to teenage years was...touch.

Women had more varied answers but I know they feel the same way.

I'm going to go drown myself with more cough syrup and hush until my semi-feverish brain can come up with some cheery stuff to say.

Have a great day, Peeps! I'll be back to normal, soon.

I have a feeling I left out alot of punctuation in my ramblings. So, Peeps, here it is. Apply as needed. , .'/?!

Getting Older is a Gas!

I have shared with you Peeps some of the...issues you will be facing as you age.
All these are a part of life and really not to be dreaded. It does help to be informed, however, so 1) it won't be such a shock to you when faced with your changing body, and, 2) a cruel reminder that you, in fact, ARE AGING.

Gravitational pulls, menopause, hormones,uncontrolled hair growth, achieving O's...all are topics we have addressed in the past. Probably some more I can't think of right now.

While here in my sickbed, I've had lots of time to meditate, ponder, study, think, pray and be consumed by more totally useless information that I feel I must pass to you. (PUN INTENDED)

One of the WORST signs of an aging body is...gas. Not the kind you pay $4 a gallon at the pump, but the kind your traitorous body manufactures.

Some Peeps have this worse than others, probably depending on diet and exercise, but I KNOW. I KNOW THE SECRETS, PEEPS. We ALL have it in some form.

Not having raised boys or be the grandmother of a boy, I was quite...unprepared for this untimely, deadly, embarassing and ever present need to pass it.

Kids do it and cackle. Men look at it like burping...the louder and bigger the better. As a teacher, I was aware of this in some form, but NEVER thought it would be applicable to me.

I'm not in the medical profession, not even a Health Educator from WalMart, so my information is based more on experiences of others and not scientific data or Google.

The digestive system slows somewhat as we get older. The body betrays...YES BETRAYS us at the worst possible moments.

Maybe some examples will help: you know you have a critical situation when you have to NAME them.

The first one I will call THE BOMB. It drops unexpectedly with one giant boom! The most terrifying thing about bombing is that you have NO CONTROL over when and where you drop it. You might or might not be walking across your office floor with all secretaries present when it happens. There is just not a lot of recovery from a BOMB. Your best bet it to just keep walking and hope that someone else there thinks THEY dropped it. Everybody just gets real busy and the whole thing gets ignored.

Church is another place where an attack can occur. Especially if you have been sitting for awhile. The second I will call THE AUTOMATIC RIFLE.
The worst thing about the RIFLE is the duration. It comes out with a POP-POP-POP-POP in a seemingly neverending series of several. They may have a silencer (that is, come and go quietly), but more than likely at least ONE will escape.

This little gift is also a surprise but if you are clever and aware you may be able to drop the hymnal, pop your knees or other appendage to camouflage the sound.

The third is the worst.THE TRUMPET. There is just hardly ANY recovery for THE TRUMPET. Your best bet is blame a child with you or look at your husband like "why did you do that?"

NEVER ADMIT TO A TRUMPET. Never let them see you sweat.

TRAVEL GAS, again, not at the pump, is also bad. If you are quick you may be able to walk around when you stop, fake bending (dangerous) and tying a shoelace or be the one who pumps the fuel into the vehicle. This buys you time to slip it out slowly without witnesses.

A Very Important Rule is YOU CAN NOT DO IT IN THE LADIES RESTROOM. Especially if someone else is in there with you. Ladies never admit or pass in front of other ladies in the restroom. It just isn't done unless you are Heathen or 2 years old.
TRAVEL GAS gives you a little more leeway and space if you play your cards right. And, if you can escape from your travel mates.

This one is...awful, terrible, horrible and funny at the same time. You married ladies know what I am talking about. It invariably happens at the most inopportune moment. You think you have it made and the husband has been so blinded with lust he didn't hear it. WRONG. You are busted. The longer you are married the less chance you have of escaping notice or comment. S*XY, huh! I guess we can name that COITUS COMBUSTUS. Talk about ruining a moment.

Well, I guess I have covered the basics.

I obviously need to get well FAST...before I think of something else.

Have a pleasant day!

Whine, Whine and Whine

Well, Beachy Mimi is still sick. My voice sounds like a squeaky...something.

I did go to the real doctor today, not Queen B's Health Educator from WalMart.

The sickness was NOT in the budget for the month. Especially the MEDICATIONS. Oh my, I had 4 prescriptions than ran about $400. With insurance.

Just the usual stuff. High powered antibiotic, cough syrup and the stuff to take after the antibiotic does the itchy thing. It rhymes with BEAST INFECTION. And, if I may say so, is a beast. Though that is actually the most important RX and it was just $3. Something is just WRONG that medicines cost so much. It makes me sick!!..hahahaha

Sickbed humor.

The Parental Unit said she would come take care of me...She walked in the door, poured a can of Rotel in the soup I was making, and left. Time nursing--10 seconds.
I guess with the Rotel I can add stomach problems to my chest problems.

Actually, this soup is pretty good and hearty when you are well.

Beachy Mimi's Sick Soup

2 cans Progresso Minestrone Soup
2 lbs. fried ground beef
2 cans pinto beans
2 cans Rotel

Fry meat, mix together for 30 minutes or so and eat. It is really better the second day.

Anyway, as the weather gets cooler here this soup just hits the spot...if you aren't having an intestinal issue. Which, I'm not, so PU's contribution was welcome.

A nurse...she isn't. It was always get better or die at our house growing up.

Now that I have my own home I don't have anyone to take advantage of and make them bring me Sonic cokes and stuff. Bummer.

Queen B...your mommy is calling...help.

She's ignoring me. She is sick, herself. In fact, she got a shot in the hiney this morning and now she is disgustingly better. And not coming near my germs.

If we lived in the same town I would so totally milk this situation.

Instead I have PU, who took Nursing (minus) -101.

I've been checking out blogs while I am here in the sickbed and I am finding something alarming. ALARMING, YA'LL.

Most everyone seems to have the Bloggy Blues. Several of my Precious Peeps are quitting.

NNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOO! Please don't go. You may think your posts are not interesting, but they ARE. People in the sickbed DEPEND on your bloggy goodness.

Take a walk around the block, go to Sonic, clean out a closet...JUST DON'T LEAVE.
We all have days (like today) when nothing much seems interesting or blogworthy, but it IS.

Trust me on this. Some of us HAVE to live vicariously through your blogisms, MEMEs, awards, photos, contests, recipes, tips, recommendations...you see? YOU ARE NEEDED!

Besides, don't you secretly love your comments and statcounter? HUH? Come on. Admit it. You check. Some of you check OFTEN. Just to see if you matter to at least one person.

Well, you matter. Don't quit. There's bloggy material all over the place. MIL, SIL, neighbors, PU's, bald guys, kids, hubs, the weather...lots of stuff and it is ALL GOOD.

If I can't milk a family member for more attention, it will have to be my Peeps!

With the miracle $400 antiobiotic, I will probably be naturally blonde and weigh 50lbs less by morning.

Stay tuned.

A Meme from Mamma Belle and Lisa

Bayou Belles and their Beau
and Lisa at Take 90 West
tagged Beachy Mimi with a Meme about blogging. I thank them GREATLY since I had nothing else to blog about today and the next giveaway is not quite ready.

Here are the rules:
1. Write about 5 specific ways blogging has affected you, either positively or negatively.
2. link back to the person who tagged you
3. link back to this parent post
4. tag a few friends or five, or none at all
5. post these rules— or just have fun breaking them


Alrighty then.... here goes.
FIVE WAYS BLOGGING HAS AFFECTED ME POS OR NEG.

1. Queen B is, as most of you know, my birthling, only child, spawn, delight of my life. When she began blogging, I began to harass her by leaving little smartie comments on her blog or equivalent e-mails.
When we were on May's NEVERENDING VACATION IN Florida, she set me up and said "get after it...with conditions. I know your passcode and I can zap you if you say ANYTHING I DON'T LIKE". Well.... well...Beachy Mimi has to push the limits a little bit. I would be Queen Mother/Beachy Mimi if I DIDN'T. Those of you raising teenagers right now will totally understand my desire for a little bit of payback for HER teenager
angst I SUFFERED THROUGH. Let me repeat I SUFFERED THROUGH TEENAGER ANGST FROM MY CHILD AND SURVIVED SOMEWHAT INTACT. This has been a wonderful payback source for me.

2. I am much older than most of the Peeps I have run across to this point. Maybe, some of the experiences/mistakes/non-mistakes I have made/encounterd/created will help another Peep throught encouragement, rethinking a decision, or keeping a Peep from TOOTIE LASERING.

3. Living in a new town and a year out of a divorce, this has given me bloggy friendships that I LOVE. I know that if I met some of you in person we would just hit it off and continue our bloggy conversations. I pray for you and I know that you do also pray for me when I ask. Most of the blogs I have come across are Christian women. I JUST LOVE HOW GOD DOES THAT. I firmly believe women need women.
And face it. When the town you live in is full of women that wear pantyhose with sandals, you might just have to look outside the box to find some female companionship. I'm just sayin'.

4. I learn more everyday about how much my faith means to me. I find myself doing what Beth Moore suggested--getting face down on the floor before God to empty out myself and fill myself with Him. On that same note, I think as Christian women we can talk about things and ask questions about things and learn things that are not vulgar but, hey, we may need to know some of this stuff. Who else am I going to ask?
My Bible Study group sure doesn't talk about THE GIRLS and HIGH BEAMS, tootie grooming, and various other subjects we have yet to cover. But we can cover those in tasteful, informative ways.

5. That, of course, may be a negative for some of you, so just keep on going down the road. I do not ever wish to offend anyone. I love to give. That is why I do my giveaways. I don't expect anything in return or any big recognition for it. It's just what I do. Deal with it.

6. There are not supposed to be a six but it did say I could break the rules. I need someplace to dump all my random thoughts and questions. I do spend time reading blogs, but it has just replaced reading romance novels that weren't that good for me anyway. I do not plan. Stop that. Stop laughing. It just goes out the brain, down the arms and out the fingers. I have not doubt you already knew that.

In summary...I blog for enjoyment, relationships, humor, encouragement, wise council, advice, stealing ideas from you, giveaway opportunities, payback and anatomical surveys.

So...The five of you I have tagged are:

Grace Comes by Hearing
Cool and Hip I am NOT
For the Love of Sam
No Whining Allowed
No Small Thing

Go get it, Peeps!!

It's Dangerous To Be Bored

Beachy Mimi is rarely bored. I have always felt I was reasonably intelligent enough to entertain myself at any give time.

Well, last week, notsomuch.

I was at a loss. I've NEVER been bored.

A bored Beachy Mimi is a Beachy Mimi out-of-control.

At my regular waxing appointment ( I love waxing) I was reading the tootie waxing page again with utter facinatiion.

The conversation went like this:

BM: So, tell me about this tootie waxing.
Torturer: I wouldn't get waxed, I would get LASERED.
BM: Huh? Tootie Lasered?
Torturer: Yes. It's great. I've done it 11 times. (Note to self: Remember to question why 11 times)
BM: Does it HURT?
Torturer: The lasers are much better than they used to be. (notice to self--torturer dodging question)
BM: Could I try a little spot?
Torturer: Sure. Let's do a patch of Upper Tootie.
BM: I'm game. Let's do it.
Torturer: Put these glasses on and lay back.
BM: Uh...is that stench my BURNING FLESH YOU LYING HARLOT!!
BM: O U C H!!
BM: You didn't tell me it would be mor.phine.ic pain!!
Torturer: That is a tender area.
BM: Ya THINK???

Beachy Mimi left waxing salon will well groomed eyebrows and fried ovaries. It works but I cannot imagine getting central or south central tootie done.

Well, you think that would have cured my boredom and desire for excitement. It didn't.

My next option was getting a tat, body piercing, calling up an old boyfriend or making a random purchase.

The tat: figured it would change areas on my aging body and a tat on the lower back might end up between my shoulders

The body piercing: same thing

Calling up old boyfriend: don't have one to call

Random purchase: it seemed like the lesser of four evils

So, as a Happy Birthday to Me, I bought a car. Actually, I just traded one car for another car but it is new to me.
Now you would think Beachy Mimi, in her bored state, would choose a wild red or sexy blue color. Nope. Nada. White.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME??? WHITE?

I should have just gotten a gray car, let my hair go gray and quit waxing my chin hairs.

Don't judge. I got nervous. This was only my second time to do this by myself.

Now I'll be driving around in my boring white car doing boring things like combing my hair and not spiking it.

NOT!!

Maybe I'll get some pink extensions.

Another giveaway tomorrow!!

Love Ya, Peeps!!

A Giveaway on Monday

Hi, Peeps! Beachy Mimi is back!

Come back Monday for a Labor Day Palooza Giveaway.

Until then, be safe this weekend and pray for all those in the path of Gustav.

An Update

Still in captivity.

Today we had a luncheon and they gave away free tote bags. Beachy Mimi LOVES free tote bags.

Tonight we had a little reception in the ballroom. Oh, Peeps. There was a guy there with a Belt Buckle the size of a dinner plate. It had to be a rodeo champtionship buckle and he was right to be proud. But if he bent over? I'm just sayin...he would cut off his manly parts or give himself a liver transplant. I REALLY wanted a picture but I couldn't just aim at the belt. Just use your imagination on that one.

Thursday is the fashion palooza with the propane models. I WILL take photos of that.

Thursday night is the open mike talent show. Heh Heh.

Beachy Mimi and a little champagne...I might just enter.

Reports later.

More Answers...The Final Edition

The rest of the questions from the Peeps mostly address regrets and writing my own happy ending.

For one thing, as I have said earlier, I try to learn from my flub-ups and move on. Don't dwell on the bad stuff. Guilt/sadness/anger/bitterness really eat up a person on the inside.

One time I did something REALLY stupid. REALLY. I was so ashamed/embarrassed/mortified/sorry/you get the picture. A good friend from church said to me, "Beachy Mimi, Jesus already died on the cross for this. You are forgiven. When you give God's grace out to other people, keep a little for yourself."

That was a life changing time for me. Through much research and Bible study, I learned about forgiveness for myself and for other people. I felt cleansed.

From that time on I have totally changed my attitude toward life. I am much more laid-back, easy-going, relaxed and roll with the day kind of person. Where I used to stress obsessively about little hiccups in my life...they are just temporary. Nothing stays the same.

My attitude about God changed as well. I was raised in a church that dwelt on punishment and God's anger. That colored my outlook on all of life. Until the "incident". I got a crash course on GRACE and exactly what that means. God also revealed His sense of humor to me and my outlook turned positive with joy and laughter.

I just hope I pass that on to other people I come in contact with. Incorrect sentence, but you get my drift.

Teaching questions?

Well, I mostly taught first grade. Much of what I taught then is taught in Kindergarten now.

Kids are kids everywhere. They are hysterical in their thought patterns and story telling.

Oh, Peeps. The stories they told me about their families. Priceless.

The world is pretty small to a little kid. We used to have 30 plus kids to a classroom, which made it FULL. When my class would see me at the grocery store they would say, "Mrs. Beachy Mimi! You go to the grocery store, too?"

They thought I lived in my little storage closet. It was a walk-in closet and every time I would go in, there would be a little cluster of kids just outside the door to see if I was coming back.

I was introducing spelling words one time. The spelling list was new words that were going to be in the story for the week. It was a small school, and I think they got their textbooks from NEW YORK CITY. Some of the stories were way outside the language experience of the children and they were totally clueless about anything 20 miles out-of-town.

This particular story was about Scotland (three hands went up..."I've been there Mrs. Beachy Mimi. Is that over by Houston?") and kilts. When I introduced "kilt", one of the boys excitedly raised his hand and said, "Mrs. Beachy Mimi! My uncle "kilt" a man and he is in the pen (as in
jail).
Alrighty then. No recovery from that.

One year I had 20 boys. I love boys. I love girls. But 20 of one or the other in a class of 25 is just too much. I COULD NOT EVEN TURN MY BACK TO WRITE ON THE BOARD. They were trying to cut their hair, someone else's hair, pick, gouge, fall out of chairs...the list is endless.

It took several weeks just to get them sitting with their bottom in their own chair.

A lot of children lose teeth in the first grade and my classes were never an exception. I made a large tooth and the toothless person got to sign and date the tooth and then got a certificate to take home to Mom.

One little girl DUG HER TOOTH OUT WITH A PENCIL, SITTING UNDER HER DESK so she could get a certificate. I was mortified. The tooth was loose, but she walks up to me with a big smile, the tooth in her hand and blood all over everything. I got her cleaned up and fifteen minutes later she is BACK UNDER THE DESK GOING AT ANOTHER TOOTH. We had to have a L O N G talk. Only one tooth per day!!

I read The Boxcar Children to all my classes. Every single class loved it and I loved having that informal read and chat time. What imaginations! Circle time was a highlight of every day.

We made some great stuff. Cookbooks written by them were a favorite. We had plays, dress-ups, our own parades and EVERYONE learned to read.

Everyone got hugs and love everyday from Mrs. Beachy Mimi. I don't even know if that would be allowed now. All I know is, they blossomed...I got more out of them than if I had been a mean old bag. AND we got to lunch on time. A big deal back in the day.

I have been drenched in throw-up, blood, snot, drool and other body fluids I'm not ready to think about.

I took my shoes off one afternoon, looked up and EVERYONE had their shoes off. Too funny.

Some of my students are now teachers themselves. Time passes so quickly.

As most of you are getting your little ones ready to start another year, just remember...

MRS. BEACHY MIMI IS RETIRED!!!

More Answers and Other Nonsense

Peeps, I will attempt to answer somemore of your probing questions.

Next BIG ADVENTURE? Beachy Mimi has no plans at the present time. Must save some coin. Between taxes due, Christmas coming and the Palooza Birthday for the Princess I must plan and save. I would love to go back to Alaska, Hawaii, NYC, ANYWHERE. I want to see everything. Which answers another question, "Where in the world would you like to go?"

Starting with the USA, I would love to travel and see all. My greatest desire would be to do it in a REALLY NICE SOUPED UP RV, taking my time and stopping whenever. After the USA, maybe Canada, London, Italy, Australia, or anything with a beautiful beach.

I do not own a home or condo at the beach. All my adult life I have been told, "No, you don't like the beach. Really. You don't. Remember?" Well, Mimi found out that she LOVED the beach and the beachy, relaxed environment. LOVED IT. So, Mimi became Beachy Mimi, and Beachy Mimi is at the beach in her mind ALL THE TIME.

"What do I do for myself everyday?" Oh, Peeps. Beachy Mimi is a selfish creature. VERY.

My time with God is the best thing I do for myself. Next to that it would have to be pampering.

Pampering the skin, to include hair, nails, toes, feet, and all over skin. Someday I hope to add lots of exercise to the list...

"Favorite beauty product?" That's tough. I love Obaji skincare, but basically cleansing, exfoliating, moisturinzing and treatment (wrinkles, Peeps). Must do all that everyday to keep the Birthday Fairy kind to you, so you won't look like she beat the crap out of you with her wand.

It is an ongoing battle.

"Most embarassing moment?" Do you mean today? There are so many...I try to keep them blocked from my mind or I would spend all my time sucking my thumb under the bed.

"Regrets in life?" I think it would be the people I have hurt throughout my life. I have learned so much from all my goofups and I don't think I would trade those lessons for a redo. They have just all been the pattern of my life that the Lord has set before me, and the lessons HE has taught me (some much harder than others). Regrets are really pointless to me because I can't, do them over, but I can do better next time.

"Something I'm proud of?" Motherhood is numero uno but I am also thankful that I finished college. I graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Elementary Education, and won an award from another state for teaching. Who cares? I know. But someone asked.

"Funny parenting moment?" Well, I have always shopped with an alias, that is, instead of Beachy Mimi I might be DESERT DONNA or MOUNTAIN MYRTLE. That's just in case I do or say something so stupid I would never want it attributed to me, Beachy Mimi. The Parental Unit and I have done this as a private joke for YEARS. We don't talk about it, we just do it between ourselves as a little humor.

When my Queen B was 2, we were in the mall. Beachy Mimi had her all "pinked-out" with a little bonnet, dress, sandals, painted nails (I kid)and she looked like a beautiful doll with black hair and dark brown eyes. People were always coming up to look and speak to her and on one of the occasions someone said, "What is your name, little girl?" Remember, she is 2. She looks the questioner right in the eye and says "AMY".

Her name is Queen B, not Queen A , as in Amy. The Parental Unit and I fell out laughing because she apparently decided to have an alias herself. So, on that particular day, she was "Amy" the whole day.

While I'm on the topic of Queen B, she has been choosing her wardrobe since she could point,
SERIOUSLY. She proudly wore some pretty strange get-ups. Most all the breakages, mess-ups and naughty behavior was perpetrated by "Kelly", the invisible girl that lived across the street??? That Kelly. She really got around and caused lots of mischief for the Queen.

When the Princess came up with the invisible friend, "Pootie", I laughed my head off at the Queen's consternation. Payback is SO GREAT.

Hey, that may be the best part of parenting. Seeing your own children get payback from their children....I'll mull on that and get back to you later, Peeps!



Answers to the teaching question will be a post for another day.