Tuesday, October 7, 2008

ME :0)

So, today is my birthday! I will confess my age - 39. I really don't mind sharing my age because I can truly say it does not matter to me, it is simply a number and not who I am. Today, I choose to be selfish & post only about me! I know, it may be insane for a grown woman to just talk about herself, but it's my birthday, my blog and that is what I choose to do today.

If you go here, you will find I confessed my real name is Tonda. Yes, I am aware it is a little unusual and some of you may wonder where did such a name come from. Well, today, I will tell you.

I am the second born of three children - I have an older sister and younger brother. Of course all those years ago my parents had no idea until I arrived if I was a boy or a girl. Apparently my parents could not agree on a name for me - they had several picked out, but did not agree on any of the girl names. So, I had to have a name and they were getting no where. My maternal grandmother, who I talked about here, wanted to name one of her grandchildren and had mentioned that several times. So, with no name in agreement, they allowed my grandmother to name me. My name is Tonda Yvette (pronounced e-vette, no y sound). Where did she get such names for a little country girl like me?

Tonda - she chose this name because it was one she had liked for many years. Grandma was a nurses aid and had come into contact with many people over the years. At one point, she worked with, in her words, "a beautiful Indian lady" (meaning Native American) who was named Tonda. My grandmother thought a lot of this lady and loved the name; so it became my name. I am told (though have a hard time finding this) that Tonda means "little princess". I do love my name and would not change it, but try finding a key chain, or anything already made up with that name - not gonna happen! On vacations, I love to dare/bet my kids to try and find something with my name on it and tell them I will give them 20 bucks if they do, even used to do this when I was a kid when we went on vacations - hasn't happened yet, I still have that money in my pocket! I do know I am not the only Tonda in the world, I have heard of others on occasion, and I have met one (however, she uses her middle name & not the name Tonda). Also, on myspace there is a page I was asked to join - "For Tonda's Only". It was started by someone who shares my name looking for other Tonda's in the world, there are actually over 500 registered on the page and 5 in Arkansas - unbelievable. My name is mispronounced often - I am called Tonya, Tonka, Tonto, and I could go on & on, but I will only answer to Tonda - I mean how hard is it to see there is a "d" there! :).

Yvette - Grandma chose this name because there was popular actress from her time with that name. It is french in origin. I have discovered that my grandmother's grandparents were immigrants to the United States from France! So, I have a name to reflect my family heritage. And, yes this name also gets mispronounced often.

Yes, I have strange not so normal names, but I love them - they are me!

I am actually writing this post on Monday night the day before my birthday, but because I can choose the date & time to post you will see it on my birthday. That being said, I can not share with you yet how my day has gone, but I will give you an update and share later.

On Saturday, we went out to eat for an early celebration dinner at one of my favorite restaurants - Texas Roadhouse, the speciality is steak - my favorite!!!! It was yummy and we had a good night. I have also received several cards in the mail from friends already. Monday, 2 friends that I used to work with took me to lunch - it was great to see them. Tonight we will go to my in-laws house for a birthday dinner and cake. My mother-in-law cooks a special dinner for each of us on our birthday and lets us choose what kind of cake we want, I have chosen Kahlua cake - I can't wait.

So far, I have had a great birthday! Thank you for letting me talk about me today & being selfish on my birthday.


Saturday, October 4, 2008

OCTOBER!

I know we are now a few days into October, and several of my blogger friends - here and here - have already blogged about October, but I figured it's still not too late for me.

I love October for so many reasons, so I want to share some of them with you.

1. The weather starts turning cooler & the leaves begin to change. Let me tell you, we have some beautiful colors here in Arkansas in the fall!

2. It's STATE FAIR time! I love the state fair! I have loved going since I was young and have so many good memories of going. I went with friends in high school and college and we had some good times. My first official date with Lynn was to the state fair on my 22nd bday 17 years ago - we will celebrate our 15th anniversary later this year! We now have so many memories of taking our kids each year, it's great. So, I feel the need to say it again - I LOVE THE STATE FAIR!!!

3. Football - it is the greatest! Love, love, love football - mostly the Razorbacks (even when they aren't doing well, like this year), but just love it!

4. Pumpkins, scarecrows, etc... love fall decorations!

5. Hunting season opens - I know this may not appeal to most, but my dad hunts so I grew up with it and I married a man who loves it and now my son loves. So, this makes them happy and in turn makes me happy. And as a little "gravy" it means they are gone quite a bit on weekends so I either have the house to myself, or it's just me & Sarah so we get girl time!!!

6. It's my birthday month! More on my birthday to come later.

So, these are some of the things I love about October! I know I didn't mention Halloween, but I have to confess, it's not my favorite holiday. I do tolerate Halloween and have always participated and let my children trick or treat or go to parties, but I could do with out it. Don't get me wrong, I love to see all the cute little ones all decked out in costumes, but there are way too many other things about October that I love more!

So, let me say to you all: HAPPY FALL, YA'LL!!! (can you tell I am a country girl)


Thursday, October 2, 2008

CUSTOM MADE GIVE AWAY!!

HERE IS SOME INFO. ON A GREAT GIVE AWAY! This one is custom so you can get it to match your needs!!!!

Please visit my friend Heidi at The Zawisza Tribune to see her great give away. Also stick around and visit her for awhile if you haven't already; I promise you will love her blog. She is very entertaining, and let me tell you - she has some beautiful children!!!!

She is going to draw for a custom made cork board - she has one posted here that she has made for her son & it is too cute!

So, jump over to say hi to Heidi and enter her give away! And Heidi - thanks for letting us participate - hope I win!

Monday, September 29, 2008

UPDATES

Just a few little updates on our "Everyday Life."

1. Trombone - Lindsay-ann over at The Cross-Stitch House has inquired about the progress of trombone playing Travis. So far so good. There has not been much practice at home yet. He leaves it at school during the week and just brings it home on weekends. He did play a couple of things for me this past weekend and I do see some potential there - it was actually better than I expected. I am anxious for the first band concert.

2. Names - I have given you my son's real name & I want to share the rest of the family with you - I'm just too distractable lately to try to keep up with 2 sets of names. Flicka's real name is Sarah. I will give you the story of her name at a later date. Hunter's real name is Lynn. And some of you already know, but my name is Tonda. Yes, it is unusual, I have heard of other Tonda's but have only met one. As my birthday is just a week away, I will share the story of my name at that point.

3. Scouts - we are in the middle of fall fundraisers for both Boy Scouts & Girl Scouts. Boy Scouts sale popcorn and the Girl Scouts sale candy, nuts & magazines in the fall (cookies begin in January). Sarah had a GS camp this weekend, she left on Friday with 2 other girls. One of the other moms took them, and I went yesterday to pick them up. Meetings every other week for Girl Scouts & the Boy Scouts meet every week, and then throw some weekend activities in for both. Busy, busy, busy... 'nuff said.

4. Friends - I have recently been fortunate enough to reconnect with a friend from my school years - she moved away after 9th grade, but we kept in touch off & on over the years. We have reconnected after losing track of each other for the past 7 years. This weekend we not only had girls night out, we had a good ol' fashion bunkin' party (or pj party). We had so much fun, it was great. We stayed up til 1:30 am talking, watching movies & just having a great time! I recommend this to everyone - it was therapeutic!

I guess that's about it for now. Just been crazy busy lately, but managing to keep my head above water & throw a little time for me in every once in a while. HOPE EVERYONE HAS A GREAT WEEK! HAPPY MONDAY!

So, what's been keeping you busy & when's the last time you had a bunkin party with a friend?



Wednesday, September 24, 2008

ANOTHER GIVE AWAY

Go here to find another great give away! Bunny Chic Boutique is giving away a great halloween bag & a carnival bloom wallet. Go check it out & enter! FUN!

Don't forget to check out my post before this one - you might find a surprise for you!


CHICKADEE TAGGED ME!

Chickadee tagged me, so here goes my turn. Check out how she did her random things; I'm going to do it a little different because since I am still a fairly new blogger I'm not sure I know anyone well enough yet to give hints, and also because I think that some of you may have already been tagged.

The "rules" of the game are as follows:
1. Post the rules on your blog.
2. Write 6 random things about yourself.
3. Tag 6 people at the end of your post.
4. If you're tagged, DO IT and pass on the tag.

Here goes - 6 random things about me:

1. I hate gum. I do not like the sound of it when someone is chewing it in any close proximity to me (I have been known to ask them to please spit it out); I do not like the sound it makes when I chew it, and I do not like the way it feels when I chew it (I never chew it anymore, but used to at one time in my life). I can not stand to see someone pulling it in & out of their mouth, or when someone puts it on the side of their plate to pop back in their mouth later. I do not like to see bubbles being blown. I'm not a germ crazy person, but I think gum is just a disgusting, noisy, germ magnet!

2. I love summer! I love heat, I do not like to be cold.

3. I love being an Arkansan. I have never really wanted to move away to another state, I am perfectly happy living in Arkansas forever!

4. I L.O.V.E. country music(especially George Strait)! But, I also love Bon Jovi & Jimmy Buffet. So, I guess, my tastes run a little everywhere.

5. I am convinced that some day I will be the next Mrs. Jon Bon Jovi. (LOL - everyone needs a crazy fantasy!)

6. Some day I would love to write a book. This has been a dream of mine since I was a child.

Now it's your turn. I am tagging Leigh Ann, April, Heidi, Aubs, a boy a girl & a pug, & love you a google. Please play with us, it is fun learning new things about each other!



Tuesday, September 23, 2008

GIVE-AWAY FUN

Cinnamon*Sticks Boutique is having a fun give-away right now. Hop on over & check out the great bangle & enter the give-away, just maybe one of us will win! Good Luck!