Happy Thanksgiving....my very first Give Away!

I'm giving the Guest Blogger Wednesday bus a short hiatus. Everyone is so busy this time 0f year that trying to keep up your own blog can be taxing. Not that there's not a ton of material that surfaces this time of year.

I'm in a giving and appreciative mood today. As a token of said atmosphere, I'm sponsoring my very first give away! What's not to like about free stuff during the holidays?

First, I'm going to bare a tidbit of my soul to you. There have been a number of post on this blog about taste in music...mostly because I think what you listen to says a lot about you. It's just a snapshot, mind you, but nonetheless it does give insight. Music is a common thread in our world and has been said to be the very soul of a society or culture.

So what does Tony C listen to most? Here is a list generated from my work laptop of the 15 most listened to songs (usually at work) on iTunes....

1. My Love is Alive- Steve Winwood

2. Beautiful Loser (Live)- Bob Seger

3. Doctor My Eyes- Jackson Brown

4. I Just Love You- Five for Fighting

5. It's Alright- Traveling Wilburys

6. Back in Love Again- LTD

7. Who's Got the Hooch- Everything

8. Outta My Head- Fastball

9. I Am- Train

10. Somewhere Over the Rainbow/Wonderful World- Brutha Iz

11. I Go to the Rock- Aaron Jeoffrey

12. King of Glory- Third Day

13. Poor, Poor Pitiful Me- Linda Ronstadt

14. Give Me One Reason- Tracy Chapman

15. 100 Years- Five for Fighting

You can stop laughing now. I must say I was a little shocked myself when this list generated using Smart Playlist...I even went back and checked it a couple of times. Just so you know I'm being completely upfront, here's a snapshot of my screen...

Keep in mind, I actively use a dozen different playlist of the 18 or so created, and I also listen to podcast quite often and...okay...yes, I'm a little embarrassed. I wish the list had more Christian music and less older-than-dirt stuff...but hey...the truth sometimes hurts.

One explanation: The Hawaiian version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow is my Serenity Now! song. It gets played when I'm most aggravated and need to lower my blood pressure back to somewhere near 120/80. I'm surprised it wasn't number one...

Now here's you chance. Leave us a short (5 to 10) playlist of your most listened to songs via iPod, iTunes, MP3 player, compilation CD or even cassette. No cheating! We obviously don't judge here at Tony C Today...or you wouldn't be reading this far down. Don't try to make yourself more cultured, hip or cutting edge than you truly are with a fictitious list. Bare it true, bare it all...we can take it.

From the comment list, I will randomly pick (read- have the teenager pick a number between...) someone next Monday to send either a $20 iTunes gift card or a comparable card if you're not an iTunes user.

Have fun sharing with us...and have a safe, wonderfully blessed Thanksgiving.

The stuff is guaranteed for life...

I don't quite buy into a certain popular book's hyperbole that men and women are from completely different planets, but I do believe God did a little tweaking when He yanked that rib out of Adam to create Eve. Now before you ladies roll your eyes and sigh, Here we go again...please stay with me. (There's a baseball story later for you male readers...that should keep you reading).

I consider myself fairly in-tune with my lovely, adorable wife....ahem...maybe a delusion on my part. True...we have very distinct differences, but I chalk most of them up to the fact we are different species...I mean genders. There is, however, a concerted effort on my part to overcome the obvious disabling condition of having a Y chromosome. In my younger days while living in the chase, Cosmopolitan magazine was a favored research tool to try to gain some insight into the female psyche...and well okay...to gain an advantage over my fellow Y chromosomes.

Now in my settled years, I have traded the racier publication for a few dainty, estrogen-oriented blogs like Lulaville and Blah, Blah Blog. The educational effort on my part is still there...just refocused and refined... to better suit my environment. Sure I miss browsing articles like 32 Best Sex Tips You Wish He Knew or 27 Ways to Make Him Scream, but getting busted by Mrs. Tony C reading something like that today would bring on a whole new set of questions/problems I'd just rather avoid.

Here's a recent example to help illustrate my point and contention of perplexity. While sitting with my love watching television one evening, the toddler was climbing on and off just about everything vertical in the living room. After repeating you're going to fall and get hurt for what seemed like a hundred times, it happened. She tumbled off the ottoman right at my feet. I didn't budge and played witness to the whole scene. Mrs. Tony C frantically, instinctively leaped from her spot just a few feet away in a vain effort to somehow prevent the fall. There was a brief pause... then came the crying.

Mrs. Tony C: You didn't even try to stop her from falling!

Tony C: She's fine. It was only a foot or so. She needs to learn how to fall.

Mrs. Tony C: But you didn't even try to stop her!

Tony C: Sure I did. I warned her she was going to fall and get hurt.

Mrs. Tony C: (silent rage and nurturing simultaneously)

So obviously I don't get it. No, I didn't want my youngest to actually get hurt...I just wanted her to learn.

Let me move to another obvious point of disparity. Women gather for the oddest reasons. Now maybe it's only for a reason to get together and live it up...so to speak...but I don't get it. Mrs. Tony C hosted a Tupperware party just last week. Tupperware. You show me a group of guys willing to get together to see the latest in plastic containment, and I'll guarantee you there's female nudity involved in some shape, form or fashion.

Yet somehow, for over 2 hours, a group of mostly unrelated women sat attentively in my kitchen and swooned over premolded, sealable plastic. Tupperware, Thirty-One, jewelry or fake designer purses...I just don't get it!

I do recall the first Tupperware party hosted in my house though. The year was 1988, and I lived in Hawaii in officer's housing at Kaneohe Marine Corps Air Station. The party happened to coincide with Game 1 of the World Series featuring my beloved Dodgers, who were heavy underdogs against the Oakland A's. I was perfectly content to retire to the bedroom for Game 1 while the festivities consumed most of the rest of the house.

That's right... Game 1...1988. Dodgers vs A's. The guys in blue are down 4-3 in the bottom of the 9th. David Eckersley, Oakland's superhuman closer, was in to seal the deal. Mike Davis walked in his at bats putting the tying run on base. Somewhere from the shadows of the dugout, a hobbled Kirk Gibson is announced to bat. Gibson had not one, but two bad wheels and wasn't expected to play in the series. After struggling at the plate and fouling off several Eckersley pitches, Gibson faced a 3-2 count with 2 outs. As the backdoor slider crossed the plate, Gibson made solid contact and sent the pitch into the right field bleachers...Dodgers win Game 1! Dodgers win Game 1! As Gibson limped around the bases and gave his now-famous arm pump as he rounded first base...I literally burst into tears of joy and was overcome with a need to share this most glorious turn of events.

I charged into the living room to share the amazing, epic story...

Tony C: Kirk Gibson just blasted a 2-run homer, and the Dodgers won Game 1!

Tupperware Lady (obviously miffed at the interruption): That's great. Who's playing? Baseball?

Party Attendee: Is he crying?

Former Spouse (obviously embarrassed): He's a huge Dodger fan. Are you okay?

Tony C (babbling idiot): Gibson could hardly walk to the plate! He had a full count...Davis was on base...Lasorda's a genius...home run!! Dodgers win!

Another Party Attendee: That's so sweet he's crying about his baseball team. Men shouldn't be afraid to show emotions, but you know the big, bad Marines have to be so tough all the time.

Party Attendee: I know it. So stupid. A few tears doesn't make you less a man...

Sigh...I just turned around and retreated to the bedroom to the sound of group murmurings...knowing for sure when word of this got back to every one's husbands, I would take the riding of a lifetime. Stupid Tupperware parties.

As I predicted, I received a number of mocking tissue boxes and sniffing comments. I will say, however, the ladies who witnessed the whole spectacle started treating me different...they talked to me different, related to me in a different way...I still can't quite put my finger on it...but somehow different.

Here we are almost 25 years later, and I'm still apparently in the dark about a lot of things when it comes to women...

Wednesday Guest Blogger- Michelle Franklin from Finding Michelle

My Guest Blogger today is barely a month old to the blogosphere, but she has certainly found a niche. Michelle Franklin writes at Finding Michelle about the transition and challenges of being a new mom. I've known Michelle most of this decade and knew her husband Nate before she did! Her approach is raw and real, and a great read that most any parent can relate.

Today's Best Of was only her second post. I hope you will link over and follow Michelle after you check this out...

I'm a virgin, you see.



It all started a few days ago. At this point, I’m a little blurry about how many days have gone by now. I mentioned to my dear friend, “Hey Tony C, I think I want to start a blog.” We have a bit of discussion... and I now hear his words echoing in my head, “You’re a needle in a haystack,” “it takes time.” Well me being me, (and that’s the whole point of this, right?), jump in head first. And this is me now…

After days of searching blog after blog, I found myself a bit overwhelmed. I mean really, two years ago I laid down the ol’ PC to ensure I was stimulating my baby appropriately; even had the Internet turned off. In the past, I would consider myself pretty technologically sound for the layperson. I was never into the newest gadgets or anything, but could handle my own. About a month ago, I finally got a Blackberry Storm and BAM! Here I am again. And let me tell you, I should have been stimulating myself a little bit. It’s true people, use it or lose it. I’ve done got damn near dumb. Period.

You see, I am a blogging virgin. Only by chance have I ever even looked at a blog. Blogs appeared occasionally when I was using a search engine to win an argument. So, here I am blogging. Granted, I just figured out, barely, how to use my phone and navigate Facebook. Now, I’m trying to keep up with Dashboard and MBC, all the while trying to create an attractive blog and find others to follow. That may not sound much to some of you, but like I said… damn near dumb with a 6 month old and 2 year old. AND I may be expected to Tweet! I think not!

I tell my dear hubby, Nate, I’m thinking of posting about a Blog Addiction and he laughs. He proceeds to tell me he knew this was going to happen. He says, and I quote, “Your OCD about this stuff. It’s either all or nothin’. You can’t do something just for the fun of it.” (And then reminds me of the hours I spent daily on BeliefNet back in the day, but that’s beside the point.) And he’s right. I cannot and will not thrive in chaos or disorder. If there is chaos or confusion, my brain shuts down and my alter ego, Shannon, takes over. Shannon is all about business and will not leave until things are under control. So, Shannon’s been hanging out for the past few days trying to get this blog thing under control.

But that’s fine. The dopamine is pumping!

I also want to say thanks to those who have left comments here or on MBC. I appreciate the support greatly and hope that once Shannon gets things in more order here I can network more productively.

Here's to Blogging!

Check out more from Michelle at Finding Michelle.

I wonder where I stored my old surfboard...

Watch out! Here it comes...Y2K plus almost 13!

The New Agers give me so much great material that I almost feel like an honorary member. Thanks...but no thanks.

The latest from the Brothers Zen (don't bother googling, I made that up) is yet another end of the world scenario. Imagine that. This one matches up with the end of a Mayan Long Count calendar cycle of 5,125 years called a b'ak'tun. The funny things is...the classic Mayans don't even believe that the end of the current b'ak'tun will bring the end of the world. It will just start another cycle of 5,125 years. As a matter of fact, most Mayans don't even refer to the b'ak'tun anymore and use a shorter, more ADHD-friendly 52 year calender cycle. Heck...the concept of apocalypse can't even be found in Mayan culture... no where. But now let's not let any of that stop pandemonium...

There are number of current New Age theories about exactly what will happen on December 21, 2012 (a winter solstice), with the most popular being presented by John Major Jenkins (click here...I'm not wasting my blog space on the trash). He was featured on a History Channel program Decoding the Past: Mayan Doomsday Prophecy which coincidentally came under fire from a number of respected institutes of higher learning for several historically inaccurate points presented in the show. Hmmmmm...

Random...but funny.

As the date has grown ever closer, more and more of the New Age theory has conveniently, however, drifted from a physical doomsday scenario to more a global, spiritual awakening event. It's really hard to get a lot of people on board for another Heaven's Gate scenario. Those never end well and some people just can't pull off that whole jogging suit look...

Hollywood, never one to overlook opportunity ($$$) when presented, has jumped on board with all four limbs and the release of a new movie and marketing campaign. '2012' is the latest end-of-the-world genre where the world doesn't actually come to an end...it just ends up with more water and a number of beautiful, anatomically-pleasing people carry on mankind. The director of the movie, Roland Emmerich, has plenty of experience with the end-of-the-world-but-not-really genre having sat in the same director's chair for 'Independence Day' (We will not go quietly into the night!) and 'The Day After Tomorrow', which by the way has been used to complete the following MAT graduate school admissions test analogy-

________:meteorology::Frankenstein:heart surgery (: means is to, :: means as).

So between the New Agers and Hollywood, I should wake up on December 22, 2012 with either a new found understanding of my place in the universe or the newly relocated Atlantic Ocean in my backyard. Either way I'm screaming...Winner Winner chicken dinner!

My bet though is if I live to see December 22, 2012...I'll wake up still owing a mortgage and still without a clue on how calculus works...

Blogging friends are real friends too...

I don't typically post on Saturday, but the teenager's gone and mom and little one are into an afternoon siesta...so I've got a moment or so to enjoy to myself...well...with you.

I started writing a post every Friday over on Kingdom Bloggers which I really love. There are three of us currently writing for the blog, and we mutually decide on a topic for the week and write from a personal perspective. David Johndrow from Fire and Grace and Dave Tvedt for Woe is Me are my co-contributors. Both of these guys are serious about their relationship with God and take the verse about pray without ceasing to heart.

You've got to take time to visit Matt at The Church of No People. He has a fresh outlook on what it is to be a Christian in the world today. I honestly find myself laughing out loud and saying 'that's right' when I read his blog. The same goes for Kathy at Hey look, a chicken!, who also contributes on Fellowship of the Travelling Smartypants, and Bud at Bud Beverly.

Maybe surprisingly to some of you, I follow several blogs geared for the fairer sex. Leigh Ann at Lulaville is a complete riot, and I enjoy reading about Shauna at Blah Blah Blog who has a very touching family story that proves all does happen for the glory of God. A couple of new follows are Bridget at Bridget Crumbley and my old friend Michelle at Finding Michelle who is new to blogging but definitely has a knack. Oh...Sherri at Everything in Moderation has given me several kicking good recipes.

I often find inspiration and encouragement from Jennifer at Getting Down with Jesus and Mesha over on HE's the potter, I'm the clay.. MOLD ME. Tracy at Abundant Living leaves some of the best comments...along with NC Sue from IN HIM WE LIVE AND MOVE AND HAVE OUR BEING. No way I can forget the Burkulater at It's Time for the Burkulater or Nadia at narrow path home.

Misty Rice, who blogs at Wind Beneath My Wings, is great to follow. Her and Laretha at Beauty Unveiled have visually pleasing pages that also contain heart-felt, quality substance.

There are a number of you I read...but you don't post very often (Derek, Chris T, Dave, Luke, Julie, Lori, BethAnne just to name a few). I wish you wrote more because you each have great stories.

There are also way more of you that read and rarely, if ever, comment...unless I run into you at the grocery store. Most of you don't write blogs and just follow. I'm very thankful for each of you that take a moment or two to read the thoughts of a rambling writer with a passion for what God has done and will do in his life.

I ask you to take just a moment more and think about this...I don't personally know any of the people I've mention with only a few exceptions. Yet, I feel a connection with each and every one. The common denominator is pretty obvious...

I hope you each have a blessed weekend.

Wednesday Guest Blogger- Dave Tvedt from Woe is Me

I like to refer to my guest blogger today as the Emeril of scripture quoting. Dave Tvedt blogs over on Woe is Me and is also a fellow co-blogger on Kingdom Bloggers. His post are always fresh and at the heart of what God has laid upon him with ...BAM...a relevant passage or two from the Good Book.

A man of God, a prayer warrior and a new friend, be sure to show Dave a lot of love...

Team Spirit

I have talked to some buds about the 'hypocrisy' of being passionate for a football team and apathetic at church. So I know I aint the only dude out there that is challenged to be equally expressive for Jesus as I am for the Hawkeyes or the Vikings. Please don't misunderstand me; I am pretty demonstrative and uninhibited when it comes to my Faith. There have been several times that I have been the only person in a church of 200+ with my arms up during worship. And when someone with a microphone up front says "Let's shout unto the Lord." I will holler "I LOVE YOU, JESUS!" Sometimes startling the people in front of me. Now my enthusiasm may seem excessive to some, but in comparison to how some fans dress and act at a football game, I am still pretty mild in comparison. So below are a few suggestions that may make expressing your Love for Jesus as easy and fun as expressing your team Spirit. At the very least it will make Fellowship a little more interesting.

Are you a member of a large church that records its Sunday services so they can be aired on a local tv station? Make a sign that expresses your passion for the church you attend. As the camera operator pans the crowd jump and yell "Hallelujah! Number 1!" as you thrust the sign towards the camera. Be sure to use the station's call letters in your wording.

Face and body painting shouldn't be limited to the football fans either. If a 44 year old accountant, a father of four, can show his passion for a college he never attended or a professional team he follows, then a saved from death, Spirit filled, eternally loved child of God should do the do the same. By painting his face, bald head and hairy chest in specific colors, that accountant during the week lets everyone within a mile know which team he is down for. Go ahead and take the time and show your enthusiasm for Jesus on Sunday service in a similar manner. Don't limit the expression of your Joy to a big smile and a loud 'Good morning!' Let everyone on your way to and from church know your Joy by painting "Saved by Grace" on your chest in one color and "Jesus is Lord" on your back in another color. And if you are that 44 year old accountant, father of four who is also an eternally loved child of God, get the most value out of your time and effort by going straight from church to the game. Show off your Salvation at the game after you have shown off your team colors at church.

While watching a game, it isn't unusual slapping five or pumping a fist when something great happens. So why not do the same when a favorite verse is mentioned. Jump up and point to the sky when the speaker mentions a verse you read earlier in the week. Smugly state, "Oh yeah, that's what I am talking about," when your favorite verse is read from the pulpit.

Finally, show an equal amount of affection for your eternal brothers as you do for the brothers of the pigskin. Don't be one of those dudes that struggles to show affection for a BIC (Brutha In Christ) but can hug, chest bump and depending upon how much booze and how critical the game is, butt slap another fan. Show affection for each other with a chest bump, a bro hug or a slap on the backside. I would think that a quick slap on the rear would be better received than the usual greeting from back in Paul's day. I don’t know, maybe Tony C would be one to ask the question: Which is more awkward at church-a kiss on the cheek or a slap on the bottom?

I know what I wrote above is pretty goofy but honestly Church, is there any reason we can make ourselves look completely foolish for something as temporary as a football game and not be as unlimited in our passion for the Great Jesus? I know for me I can talk to anyone about sports but I can still get hesitant about sharing Jesus. I can jump up shouting as a 19 year old kid scores a touchdown, then why can't I do the same when someone declares Jesus as Lord or they get Baptized in Water or Spirit? Think about how great of Victory He has given you and those you are fellowshipping with on Sunday morning. This is my conviction, but I am willing to bet that I ain't the only dude Holy Spirit has gotten after about showing more of Holy Spirit? Ask Holy Spirit if you have been holding back on Him. Ask Holy Spirit how you can show more of your team Spirit.

Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph! For the LORD Most High is awesome He is a great King over all the earth. Psalm 47:1-2

Read more from Dave at Woe is Me and Kingdom Bloggers.

'The deadliest weapon in the world is a Marine and his rifle.' Gen. John Pershing USA

This week brings two heart-felt celebrations for yours truly on back-to-back days.

On Tuesday, the United States Marine Corps celebrates birthday number 234 in a history with significance. After 4 reserve years in NROTC at Vanderbilt and 5 active years as a Marine Corps officer, it has been 18 years since I've worn a uniform. But, the privilege to have done so and the memories that were created will forever remain with me and make each birthday celebration just as special as the first I celebrated back in 1982.

To all of my fellow Marines past and present...Happy Birthday Devil Dogs and Happy Birthday Chesty Puller...wherever you are!





We celebrate Veterans Day on Wednesday this week also. I will just simply say thank you to all who serve or have served in our Armed Forces. May God bless each of you in a special way on this day we remember your service to our great nation.

Wednesday Guest Blogger- Tracy Chiara from Abundant Living

Today's Guest Blogger is Tracy Chiara, who writes at the blog Abundant Living. Tracy's blog is both spiritually uplifting and visually stunning. I'm always challenged by her muses to look deeper into my own understanding of scripture and Christian theology.

Tracy is a wife, mother of 3 and lives in California. She leaves the most thoughtful comments on Tony C Today, and her love for God is evident in her writings, her humility and her love for others.

Enjoy this Best of Abundant Living post...

Fruit instead of works

It's always been difficult for me to hit that balance between grace and works. I know that it is a fact that God gave me the faith, the ability, to trust in Jesus' work on the cross on my behalf.

I know that because Jesus died on the cross in my place, and intercedes for me before God the Father, I am acceptable in God's sight. I did nothing to earn this great salvation that is mine. It was totally a gift to me; all I had to do was accept it. Ignatius of Loyola said it so well: "The direct experience of God is grace indeed, and basically there is no one to whom it is refused."

Yet, if my faith in God is real, there will be resulting actions. Real faith, a real choice to follow after Christ, leads to a different way of life.

That's where the whole debate comes in.

Recently I was commenting on the fact that James even says that faith without corresponding works isn't real. John, my husband, cautioned me that I need to be sure to differentiate between works and fruit. His comments have been ruminating around in the back of my mind for a few days now.

Fruit in my life is as a result of my connection to God. I can not produce fruit. Works are something I have produced on my own.

Jesus clarified it in John 15:3-5 (NKJV):

3You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

I know that I need to be changed from the inside out. Ways that I can alter myself on the outside to look good, are not genuine. It's only as I spend time in God's presence and in His Word, only as I choose to open myself up to Him, only as I submit to what He is telling me to do - only then does real change happen.

What have you been learning about grace and works?


Be sure to catch more of Tracy at Abundant Living.

You'd actually do that for just a Klondike bar?

Hope everyone survived Halloween...now let the barrage of Christmas advertising begin (sigh).

I know some of you, as Christians, have a problem with Halloween and the pagan roots it sprang from many years ago. That's okay by me, and I say you have every right to celebrate or not celebrate whatever you chose, and other people shouldn't be judgmental about your choice.

We do participate in the festivities at my house though. Mrs. Tony C and I normally attend a costume party with a number of our friends...which is always a hoot. We have a costume competition, eat great food, fellowship and play games. Of course, this year also showcased the Tennessee/South Carolina football game with the Vols surprisingly donning black jerseys to go with the traditional orange pants. College football is a way of life in the South, and game starting times have been known to affect wedding dates, birthday celebrations, and baby deliveries...I kid you not.

This year also marked the end of costumed candy collecting for our teenager but was the first year truly experienced by the 2 year old. She dressed in a lady bug costume to the delight of family (especially grandmothers) and friends. Her mom was also particularly excited about her costume that had been made by a talented local seamstress. Yes...I thought it was pretty cool too.











This Halloween must be serious stuff....





The prospect of adults just handing you candy...absolutely free...on this appointed day during the year at just the price of dressing in costume and speaking the magically phrase trick or treat must be completely astounding for younger kids. For 364 days of the year, parents and toddlers wage full-scale war over the balance between treats and overindulgence...then along comes this annual detente falling over the entire household, and chocolate is no longer the coveted goal of most all scheming and deception played out on a daily basis.

The youngest one was in the spirit early in the week after attending a couple of Halloween themed parties. The actual day of event looked like an episode of Entourage on HBO as no less than 7 people followed her around as she panned for sweet treats. The first house she approached was covered by what seemed like more film footage than Brett Favre's return to Green Bay this weekend. She had just awaken from a power nap, and the impending rain caused a hustling that doesn't usually work with toddlers. But the stage was set as my little ladybug approached the first house with basket in hand...

Mommy: What do you say?

Ladybug: (withdrawing) nooooaaaahhhh!

Mommy: You know what to say. Do you want candy?

Ladybug: (mumbling) Candy please.

Tony C: No, it's trick or treat...

Ladybug:(agitated) noooooooaaaaaahhhhh!

Tony C: Noah built an ark...do you want a piece of candy?

House Owners: It's okay cutie. Here you go.

Ladybug: Candy please!

Tony C: No, it's trick or treat!

Mommy: Really Tony...it's okay. (To Ladybug) Say thank you...

Ladybug (staring at candy in her basket): Can I have please?

Tony C: Not yet. We have more houses to go to first.

Ladybug (whining): I want candy...please I have candy!

Tony C: No. We have more...

Mommy: It's okay Tony. She can have a piece now if it helps.

Tony C (whining also): But she didn't even say the right words...'trick or treat'.

Mommy: No, she said 'please' which is much better.

Ladybug (chewing mouth full of candy): mahah maamaamhhamaa.

She holds up her basket to offer me a piece of candy...ouch...what a schmuck I am.

Now if I can just figure out how to get the video away from my sister before it hits YouTube...