It's a miracle that I didn't throw up while writing this post.

I am going to forgo all those warnings about the dangers of putting personal information out on the world wide web and let you in on a little secret about myself.  I just love random news stories.  Not the ones covering main events or sports scores, but the obscure, random articles that some just out of college journalist begrudgingly penned.  It’s a little like panning for gold…every now and then you come across something that will truly change your life.  And that, my friends, is not always a good thing.  

Here’s my proof.  

While poking my way through the internet tonight (please don’t judge me for how I spent my Friday night. My baby was asleep and I didn’t cook- I considered it a successful evening), I came across the following article and quite literally almost threw up a little in my mouth.

"Florida Man Dies After Winning Cockroach-Eating Contest"

I’m sorry, but WHAT?!?!?!

Oh yes, the article goes on to explain that the 32 year old man, in an attempt to win massive SNAKE (admittedly a $850 snake), ate “more than 60 grams of meal worms, 35 three inch long ‘super worms’ and a part of a bucket full of discoid roaches." Apparently **prepare yourself** he "ate so many live roaches he had to cover his mouth with his hand to keep them from crawling out." 

a discoid roach

Is that not the most disgusting thing you have ever heard of? 

That poor, crazy man choked to death on live cockroaches.

Also- and I do realize that this is not really the point of the story- but if I had to choke to death from eating too much of something I’d want it to be something good.  Like chocolate or cheesecake or at least something cooked in butter.  Though maybe my legacy would be tainted by me being a little too obsessed with food or not having enough self control.  At least this guy wasn’t being a wanton glutton.  But of all the last tastes to have linger in your mouth before you die, cockroach has GOT to be one of the worst.  BLEH.

To add insult to injury, this man died trying to win a really, really big snake.  I mean, COME ON.  The only redeeming part of the story was that he wasn’t planning on keeping the thing-it was supposed to be a gift.  I don’t know if that makes him super nice or a really terrible gift giver.  

If you’re interested in reading about it, you can click here.

 

 

Next article: Belgian Husband Leaves Wife of 19 Years After Discovering She was a Man (and He Says He Now Knows WhyShe Was No Good at Ironing)

…seriously, people, you can’t make this stuff up…

 

 

 

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/10/09/3042458/death-of-roach-eating-contest.html#storylink=cpy

 

Continue reading →

You are the best writer! I love seeing the world thru your eyes.

Thanks!!

Continue reading →

Beginning to look a lot like Christmas

When you have children, there is not much more magical and fun then creating a festive Christmas atmosphere in your home.  

So we went out and picked out a tree…

And then they set it up:

And then we went out and saw the Christmas lights and met Santa

"I hold on real tight, Mama"

And then, of course, you’ve gotta look the part…

Continue reading →

At long last! Some family photos

So if you look through my blog, you might notice that there is not one photograph of all the Becks together.  There is one simple reason for that.  It did not exist.  At least not a recent one.  In fact, the closest we’ve come to having a family picture is this one:

It’s not really the best.  Plus, it’s missing quite a few members.  

So I was determined to do something about that while we were in Charleston.

And let me tell you, when I am determined to do something, it happens.  It didn’t matter that the wind was blowing our hair around like crazy or that the kiddos were tired and cranky or that dad had hat head or that we were all feeling a bit frozen.  We were going to walk that beach and take some dang darned family photos.  And you’re gonna act happy about it when the the lens points your way! 

And wouldn’t you know it- they actually came out pretty cute!

Here are the results (for your viewing pleasure)

Continue reading →

Thanksgiving 2012

This year for Thanksgiving we loaded up the baby and dog and suitcases and carseat and snacks and water and toys and every other ridiculous thing required to sustain two adults, one minor, and a dog on a 12 road trip to see my family in Charleston.  

Charleston is a beautiful city.  It is a place that I have always wanted to see.  It has beautiful homes, sprawling paths, and cobblestone streets.  

Unfortunately, I only took one photograph of it. 

But I had a good excuse, you see.  I was distracted.  

Every time I considered taking a photo of beautiful Charleston, this happened:

Yup.  

And that’s just the beginning.  I tried to photograph the bay, but then this happened:

It’s like a sickness, I tell you.

Except instead of headaches and snot and misery, I get sheer unadulterated joy and fun and exuberance.   

It’s a beautiful thing.

And you wanna know the best part?

Now, instead of just having two little ones to obsess over I’ve got….

Three and…

Four.

It’s a wonderful life.

Though, I’m gonna have to let you in on a secret.  While it is quite easy to photograph them on their own…

or even in pairs…

but trying to put them all together?

It’s a bit of a nightmare.  Sigh.

Here’s the good news though-

Take enough photos and give one kid a stick and POOF!

You finally get something that works.  (Whew)

But I digress.

So we had a great time being with all the Becks.  It is always fun being together and it always leaves me wishing that we lived closer.  Like….in their basement close.  But I have yet to convince them that that isn’t creepy, so we’re still in our own place in Louisiana.  Bummer.

Here are a few more pics of the trip:

Continue reading →