Father/Dad/Papa what's in your name?

My Dad, me and my sister on the back

In honor of Father's Day, the word of the day is Father/Dad/Daddy/Pa /Papa-Webster's uses these words interchangeably, so I guess the actual word you choose adds to your personal definition.

Word: Father

Webster's: Father- n. 1) a male parent 2) God esp. as the first person of the trinity 3) FOREFATHER 4) one deserving the respect and love given to a father 5) often cap: an early Christian writer accepted by the church as an authoritative witness to its teaching and practice 6) ORIGINATOR ; also: SOURCE 7) PRIEST-- used esp. as a title 8) one of the leading men

Father- vb. 1) BEGET 2) to be the founder, producer, or author of 3) to treat or care for as a father

Dad- n. see father

Mine: Dad- n. 1) a very handsome, successful, talented, smart, athletic man 2) a man who has always been there for me, during the good stuff and the bad 3) a man who has the patience of a saint, especially with his kids (unfortunately, I did not inherit nearly enough of this from him) 4) a man who could bring out the guilt in you without raising his voice or using vulgar language--just a disappointing look and a clearing of his throat 5) a man that taught me to always be prepared; better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it--this is what I always refer to when my husband tells me I have over packed! 6) one that could never be replaced; one of a kind

I love you Dad! You are the best anyone could ever have!

I also want to add that have have been lucky enough to have a father in law, that is the same kind of man!

Mama Knows Best! Tribute to a Wonderful Lady!

Today is a special day, my Mother's birthday. Unfortunately, she is no longer here to celebrate it, so today I chose a word in her honor.

Word: Moderation: I know this seems like a strange word to chose for a tribute to a wonderful person, but it is how she lived her life, and one of the most important things she taught me.

Webster's: n. moderateness, freedom from excess; equanimity. Moderate- adj. having reasonable limits; avoiding extremes; mild, calm, medium amount.

Mine: One of my mother's famous lines I hear in my head is; "everything in moderation".

If you are one who is constantly striving for perfection, this may not even be in your dictionary. I used to think - I have to be "great" at something, if everything is in moderation, I will never be "great".

As I have gotten older, and have some years to reflect back on; those words from my Mother, have become the cornerstone of how I have chosen to live my life. I certainly have never been the "best" at anything, because I have never concentrated hard enough, or consumed myself long enough, with just one thing. There have been too many things that I have wanted to try, at least once.

Some people might say that because of that, I am just mediocre, at best, at lots of things, but is that a bad thing? Because of my moderation, I have never become so blinded or obsessed by one thing, that I missed out on other things. Maybe by staying in the middle of my road, avoiding extremes, I have had the freedom to move up and down my path, change my direction, and occasionally even been able to stop and smell a few roses. So, to all of you extremists, overachievers... I congratulate you, and wish you the best. Don't forget to wave as you pass me, going from your one extreme to the other, I'm still here in the middle, enjoying going up... and down my path.

Love you Mom! There is not a day that goes by, that I don't think about you, and miss you!

The bite IS worse than the bark!

Word: Ant

Webster's: n. any of a familyof small social insects related to the bees and living in communities usu. in earth or wood

Generic term for several different kinds of ants, sounds quite harmless right?

Mine: The first thing I think of when I hear "ant" is Fire Ants! If you have ever lived in the south, you know the slightest mention of the word makes your skin start to burn and itch. For those of you unfamiliar with them; picture one of the smallest insects you can see with the naked eye, (especially if you are over 45) giving you a bite that feels like a 12-gauge needle being poked into a huge mosquito bite! Ouch! After the bite, comes burning, itching and swelling , and then a blister forms. Then comes the FADD-Fire Ant Dilemma Debate: should you pop the blister or not. If you pop it the intense itching subsides, but the risk of infection goes up, if you let it scab over the intense itching lasts a few days, but the risk of infection goes down. It is a dilemma, I admit I usually live on the edge and pop it, I prefer more immediate relief! How to treat the bite is debatable, but what isn't is that their bite, is definitely worse than their bark!


Happy Wording!!

Let them eat...

Since I did the word calorie, I thought it fitting that my next word should be about something that was worth the calories (at least in my opinion).

Word: Cake

Webster's: n. 1) a baked or fried breadlike food made from batter or dough usu. in a small flat shape 2) a sweet baked food made from batter or dough usu. containing flour, sugar, shortening and a leaven (as baking powder) 3) a hardened or compacted substance 4) something easily done.

If I just went with Webster's definition, I probably would not be tempted at all.

Mine: a moist, crumbly, dessert often in white or chocolate, smoothered in a sweet, creamy covering called frosting and served at happy occasions. i.e. birthday cake. Well worth the calories* in my book! (see previous days entry)

Enjoy!

Calories, don't count!

Ok, I have to start out by saying, I have already broken my resolution for the new year; I did not post yesterday, and didn't realize it until today!
I also have to add a disclaimer, the technical part of blogging is my enemy! Computers hate me! So please bear with me, while I work through the glitches. If I wait til they are all worked out, I won't end up writing anything at all. Right?
Here is the word of the day:

Word: Calorie

I thought this was fitting because one of the top resolutions people make at the beginning of a new year is to diet, to lose weight.

Webster's Definition: a unit for measuring heat: especially: one for measuring the value of foods for producing heat and energy in the human body equivalent to the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one kilogram of water one degree Celsius.


My Definition: I understand the scientific definition, but is that really what comes to mind when you hear the word? This is what I think of. Numeric values given to foods that you enjoy eating, to make you feel guilty. The higher the number, the more guilty you feel and usually the better it tastes! My rule: If you are going to eat it, forget about the number so you can enjoy it, if you can't forget about the number, don't eat it. Of course you shouldn't do this all the time, but forget about those numbers and enjoy hat wonderful dessert! Portion control sometimes is much better than denial!!!

Happy Wording!!

Starting "New"

Word: New

I decided I am going to try to post a "New" word everyday for the next year, so I thought it fitting to start with the word "New".

Webster's- adj. 1) not old: Recent, Modern 2) recently made, discovered, or invented 3) seen, known, or used for the first time 4) different, changed 5) recently grown 6) fresh, unused 7) unaccustomed unfamiliar 8) recently begun. adv. again; newly, recently.


Mine: Something I have not done, experienced, or had before. The word excites and energizes me, but it can be a very scary word for some people, because new usually = change.

Example: When introducing a "new " food to my 5 year old, I can't use "new" to describe it or he goes into panic mode, I can say it is a little "different" than you have had before, but then I have to compare it to an "old" food that he has liked in the past. How funny that one word can make such a difference at meal time. (could this have come from his father?)

This word, can be abused... How long is something really "new"? There is a radio station in town that has called itself new, for I swear about 5 years. Why? When exactly should they have stopped using "new" in their promos? I don't know. I just know their "new" has gotten very "old" and I'm annoyed every time I hear it. It is far from fresh and "new".

Is getting "old" a bad thing? If so, I am in big trouble!


Happy Wording!!!

"Definition by Interpretation"--Cuddle

Word: Cuddle

Webster's: 1) to embrace and fondle. 2) to lie close and snug.

Here are 3 different people's interpretation of the above definition:
Mine: to lay down, hug my husband or son, relax, and engage in
light conversation.

My 4 year old's: to lay with Mom, and fall asleep.

My husband's: a means to a (happy) ending.

Similar definitions, but different expected outcomes.
One word, 3 people, 3 different definitions!