Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to each and every one of you - I hope the holidays bring you much love, happiness and peace throughout the season, and into the new year.

*hugs*

Stupid Work

I've had over a week to play, so I really shouldn't complain when work turns to chaos in the middle of the afternoon and continues to stay chaotic for two days.

But dammit, I'm complaining! I wanna play!!!!!!!!

This?

Is what happens when you take a 7 year old to her 4-H fundraiser at 8am, to McDonald's at lunch, and Christmas shopping for the better part of the afternoon in 35* weather.

Cookies!!! and more....

The post lady brought a box today - a big box! With lots of cookies, a calendar, and some of the most beautiful bookmarks ever! So far, I've seen M&M pretzels, Oreo balls that I have not yet tasted, and two others that I have not opened yet. I'm almost positive one is a sugar cookie type and the other is some chocolatey toffee/peanut buttery type something.

*grin*

I love my sweet cookie sender! Even if she is SuperDork!

Are they trying to make me fat?

Office Christmas Gifts thus far:

Sales Manager - Case of TGIFridays Cheddar and Bacon Potato Skins chips
Director of Mfg - 2lbs of truffels
Customer Service Mgr - Tootsie Rolls and Hershey's Mini Bars and a candle

I'm loving the food, but what are they trying to say here? *grin*

Combo Blog!

Since Weltek left us, today I have TGIFridays Potato Skins Cheddar & Bacon chips. No Breezy, I didn't bring you anything special. OH, that's right. Breezy's going out of town today.

Since Carey actually has to do work today, or at least, has had to all week, I give you this:
DRINKS ON ME!!!!!!!!!!!

Since Zombs and mm have been absent, I beg of you, find a Bigfoot story and post the link here. Just no pictures of shoes, hairy toes or lipsticks, mkay?

Since mtw has gone up to Idaho to take care of real life, well...you're out of luck because I have no roller hockey or tennis updates for you.

And since there are only 10 shopping days until Christmas, tell me the silliest gag gift you've ever given or received.

*smooooooooooooches* to those still playing in blogland.

I?

am a dork. Not a supreme dork like someone we all know, but a dork nonetheless.

What makes me a dork this time? I'm going to try one of the supreme dork's crafts this weekend. I'll let you all know how it turns out.

And? I'm on two seperate "let me know" email lists for a Hannah Montana guitar. *sigh* Can't find the stupid thing anywhere. Can't find the gold lame crinkle jacket either. *meanie face*

Christmas Shopping

Alright ladies (and gentleman)...there are 14 shopping days left until Christmas. How close are you to being finished?

I'm horribly behind, but...that's okay. I'll get it done. I'm usually finished with my shopping, or picking up a few last minute things about now. Not this year, though. So far I have two complete outfits for Rotten2, a pair of jeans, a game and 2 DVDs. For Rotten1, I have 2 pairs of jeans and a pair of track pants (no shirts) and 2 DVDs. DH also got the kids digital cameras (think under $20 type first time, kid cameras). And of course, their big present is complete and stored at the neighbor's for now.

Yikes! I really need to get on the ball.

Little Man is going to hate life....

Rotten1 has done fairly well with his behavior this year. If you don't remember, we had quite the mess with him last winter/spring with his mouth saying inappropriate things. So this year, dealing with yapping during class has been frustrating, but...dealable, if you know what I mean.

Friday he got his report card - straight a's. Great! Yay! Except he has unsatisfactory in conduct in his reading and english classes. *sigh* Note from the teacher said he'd do even better work if he kept his trap shut. Okay, not exactly what she said, but you get the idea. Fine. So we have quite the discussion about remaining quiet during work times.

Monday he tells me he got in trouble on the bus. Oh Boy. This is twice. The first time was just a written warning. Grrrrr. So last night, Thursday, he brings home the write up form from the bus driver. He's been suspended from riding the bus for two days. I'm going to kill the little shit. I don't speak to him for like 2 hours, he knows I'm beyond pissed.

Dinner time...he's sitting there jacking with his sister and chewing with his mouth wide open throughout the first 5 minutes. I lost it. I went off on the boy. He went to bed at 8, but not before being grounded for two weeks - one week for each day he's suspended. He has to pay DH a dollar for each trip to or from school. No phone, no tv, no movies, no PlayStation. Next time he gets in trouble, I start donating toys and movies and such from his room to a child that would appreciate all they are given and act the way they are supposed to. The way the KNOW how to act.

Tonight, he goes to his dad's. His dad is pissed and told him he'd deal with him tonight. Who knows what that means, but I'm just glad he is going to get in trouble there, too.

Next week, he gets extra chores. Raking leaves, scrubbing things with a toothbrush...who knows what DH and I will think of next.

Eeeeeeeek!

There was a mouse in our house.

*shudder*

The dog caught it. The cat stared and tried to figure out what she was looking at.

*shudder*

I'm so glad it was during the day while DH was home.

Christmas Lists....

So what do you want for Christmas/Hanukkah this year? Will you get what you want?

And, if it applies, what are you getting your significant other?

I want a new pair of boots (if I can decide between 2 pairs) and an mp3 player. Of course, there's lots else that I want, like a new digital camera and high speed internet, but I'm going with what I know I can and probably will get.

As for DH...all I can get out of him is white t-shirts and underwear. *rolls eyes* So of course, he'll get that. But I don't know WHAT else to get him.



ETA:
Help me choose:




Dark brown with pink stitching on the top or the pink tops?

*grin*

I have funny mail! I have funny mail!

And I think I know where it came from.

when momma's away....

Trouble and Princess Belle don't play.

Cowboys - Packers Game

So GreenBay won the coin toss. So GreenBay got the first 3 points. It's only 4 minutes into the game.
Cowboys have it tied up. And attempted to sack Favre. Hehehe. This is more like it. And another field goal by the Cowboys.

We interrupt this broadcast to bring you the STUPIDEST moment in Survivor history. Should have had the game in the bag and he got too confident. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Followed by a beautifully easy looking touchdown by the Cowboys. So beautiful and perfect. Crap. Dammit. Why'd they let him thru for a touchdown?? Gah. Granted, it was a beautiful run. Even if it was the Pack. Ooooooooooooh! Lookie there. Another Dallas touchdown! And now, with 13 mins left in the 2nd quarter, its 20-10 with the Cowboys in the lead!

Pack almost had a helluva touchdown. TWICE!!! Wow. Favre is impatient and out of it tonight. Two incomplete passes in a row that looked almost like he's throwing to the Cowboys.

Kids are in bed...back to the game report. Favre may have gotten his right elbow hurt. Cowboys and Romo are still doing well, even with the incomplete pass that should have been another touchdown...Goobers couldn't hang on to the ball. And then Romo screwed up another perfect shot. With 5 minutes left in the 2nd quarter, the Packers seem to maybe come alive. Hm...Hell of a run by whoever #85 is. Gah! Terrance Newman's limping. Damn that ankle.

WTF is with all the flags and slight injuries tonight? Holy crap. At this rate, neither team is going to be able to play next week.


So, at the half....it's another GB touchdown - dammit. 27-10 Cowboys lead it, still. And during the halftime report, we learn that Favre has minimal feeling in his hand, maybe nerve damage. Is he out for the night? Hm.


And with 12 mins left in the 3rd quarter, we learn that Breezy's hubby has no feeling in his hand and his elbow is swollen. He's out for the game. :( Sorry Breeze!!! Dammit. Another Pack touchdown. And an incomplete pass to TO. Crap. The 2nd half has not been as kind as the 1st. *pout* Yay! Barber made it to the 3 yard line! Hooray!


As a side note, the next time the NFL Network announcer calls it a period, I'm going to smack the tv. It's a freaking QUARTER!!! Dumbass. He's done it about 15 times during the 3rd

Okay....4th quarter was boring as hell...until the last 3 minutes. And the Cowboys walk away with a 37-27 win against the Pack. BOO-YAH!!!!

And now, I will stop gloating that the Cowboys have beaten both the Redskins and the Pack. I do hope Favre is back to playing soon and isn't hurt too badly.

*happy dance*

Celebrity Gossip

Inquiring minds wanna know....

Do you follow celebrity gossip? Do you read the tabloid headlines at the checkout line? Do you scope out TMZ and such daily? Are there certain trainwreck "celebs" that you have to keep tabs on, even though you know how the story will play out? Or could you not care any less about the fruit loops with way more money than sense?

Real or Fake?

1. Christmas trees

2. Boobs

Discuss.

*evil eye*

It's all Breezy's fault.
*points to last blog entry comments*

It started snowing on Thanksgiving during the second quarter of the Cowboys game. It didn't stop for almost 3 hours. Thankfully, nothing stuck. But sleet and snow for over two hours and rain for another hour??? In Texas?!?! On Thanksgiving?!?! Okay, so it was really pretty. And put me in the holiday spirit.

It hasn't done this since 1993. Which, coincidentally, was the last Turkey Day game (and season) that the Cowboys had a 10-1 record! Yay!!

*happy dance*

Hey You!

Yes You! The one(s) who lives up in the Great White North! Yeah, I'm talkin' to YOU.

Kindly keep your cold weather up there. I'm perfectly happy with my 70 degree November days. I don't want or need the 40 degree weather.

You have 24 hours.

Thank you.

Turkey Day Events

So it looks like Thanksgiving will be me and DH. The kids are going to the lake with the in-laws and their dad for the weekend. DH's parents are going to their cousins' a few miles away from the farm, since all of them have to work Black Friday.

So I've bought a ham. And the stuff to make cheesecake. Other than that....I have no clue what I'm making for dinner. Or if I even care.

So what else should I serve?

Work, work, work

Ick, ick, ick. I hate days I have to actually be away from my computer and actually work. It's not fair!!! Plus, I then have to deal with grief from certain people, who shall not be named.

So while you're all having a great time today, think of me and miss me. Or not. Whatever.

*giggle*

Driving to work, I pass an industrial park. Today, planted firmly at the entrance was a real estate sign for several lots that are available for building, leasing or whatever. Nothing unusual. Until you get to the poor real estate agent - Cash McWhorten.

Repetition

Ever feel like each day is just a repeat of the one before it? I swear, I went to sleep last night and woke up yesterday morning...it's like Groundhog Day or something. Not much difference in today, yesterday or last week. And while this isn't a bad thing, I'm getting bored. Even the kids are in a rut. Of course, they are behaving for the most part, so I'm not about to complain about that.

So......in the interest of spicing things up a bit...it's time to play Boo's favorite game. Tell me three random things about yourself.

Famous in a Small Town

She grew up not far from where I went to college. A true Texas hometown girl. And already being called the girl Waylon Jennings. On stage she is full of energy and fun. And from what I've heard, off stage, she's the girl you grew up with.

kick-ass hair day

don't you love a great hair day? i'm having an awesome hair day, in part because i got my hair cut over the weekend finally. unfortunatly, there's no one around to see it - dh is at work and the kids are at their dad's. hopefully one of the guys at work will notice. if not, at least i know it's a great hair day.

edited to fix post title from kick ass hair day *evil eye to nookie* to kick-ass hair day

long ass week

and its only wednesday.

i'm in one of my funks where i feel like i'm just going thru the motions....every day is the same. blah. and i need to get out of this funk and into my happier place before winter sets in. of course, it doesn't help that i'm having girly problems this week either. ick.

so. i need the funny. where did i leave the fun and the funny? *looks around blog* if you find my fun or my funny, would you please let me know? *digs thru pockets*

serious question

have you ever looked around at your life, your job, your family and wondered what the hell you were doing there? wondered if you made the right choices? wondered if this was really where you were meant to be?

*squeaaaaaaaaaaal*

I got it! I got it! I got my laptop this weekend!

*happy dance*

You may remember the saga of the used laptop from DH's partner. They couldn't fix it. So I've been using what was my and is now Rotten2's desktop for a while. But I got my laptop!!!!!!! *squeeeeeeeeeeeal!*

NASCAR at Texas

Just because you are Matt Kenseth's driver and hauling his car to Texas Motor Speedway for this weekend's NASCAR race, you can't speed down I-30 in Hunt County, Texas. DPS will pull you over......even if it is just because they want to climb in the back and check out the car. And they will tell you to slow it down a bit.

DH took this photo on Thurday AM with his DPS, EMS, and Fire Dept buddies. By the front tire, is one of the DPS officers "checking out" the truck for violations. *snort*

Happy Halloween, Part II

Bottom Row (L to R) - Rotten2 as a dead cheerleader, Taylor as a car wreck victim, and Rotten1 as a dead football player.
Top Row (L to R) - Courtney as a Playboy Bunny and Cameron as a .... KISS member, maybe?

I made Courtney's dress - it's a halter dress with bazillions of feathers

Rotten1 as an Eagles' dead football player....I painted his "jersey". Somewhere, he has a helmet that is beat all to hell in yellow and green.

And last, but not least, Rotten2 as a dead Panthers cheerleader. I sewed her entire costume.

Happy Halloween!

Carve your pumpkin

Click on done

The jack o' lantern lights up!

OR

You can play Halloween Hangman!



And Tab? There's still something below for you.

Pajama Day

Since I'm at home today with a lovely sinus infection, still in my pajamas....tell me about your favorite pajamas. And no, Carey, I did not chop off my ear overnight. *grin*

And for Tab...one of the purple mums and one of the pansies.

hi

*waves*

eta: in the spirit of the missing augie, i planted fall flowers slightly late this year. yesterday, in fact. some purple mums, some yellow mums, and lots of purple, yellow and white pansies.

*giggle*

Okay, I probably shouldn't laugh, but....

sound isn't necessary....watching is enough.

For further giggles and thought, we shall read what Confucius say:

And remember, no matter where you go, there you are.
Ability will never catch up with the demand for it.
He who learns but does not think, is lost! He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger.
I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.
I want you to be everything that's you, deep at the center of your being.
And finally.....
Never give a sword to a man who can't dance.

Spanish 101

I have three very fluent Spanish speaking employees. I've been trying to brush up on my very rusty, never used Spanish. Yesterday's word? Lechuga. It means lettuce. So tell me....what words do you know in Spanish? Or...if you don't know Spanish, you can go here and type in an English word and see what it is in Spanish.

I've decided....

that today is going to be Hug Your Bloggy Neighbor Day. See, yesterday was Monstah's birthday. Poor Puffy is dealing with burned neighborhoods and burned pizza. Kimmy is getting a cold. So today we're going to give our bloggy neighbors hugs and love and funnies.

On Your Mark....

Get Set....

Go!!!!

Dinner Talk

Yes, I realize it's not even 8am. Blame it on Swami's talk of Tortilla Soup yesterday.

This morning before I left the house, I put a whole chicken in the crock pot with a can of Rotel, some fajita seasoning and a bit of water. It is going to cook all day. By the time I get home, it should be falling off the bone. Then I have some tostada chips, refried beans, cheese, and mexican rice to go along with it.

With the leftover chicken and broth, I may make soup or I may make enchiladas. Yum!!!

What are you having for dinner tonight? Or lunch today? Or what did you have for breakfast?

Internet Banking

I've joined the 21st Century, yet again. I finally put my bank account on Internet banking so I can see all my pennies whenever I want to. Our joint account has had internet access for a couple years, but I never got around to doing it for my account. I even get free bill pay, which I didn't know. Yay!

Do you use any type of Internet banking? Do you watch your pennies go in and out of your account at the speed of ..... whatever the Internet speed is? Has it replaced your paper statements? I know for our joint account, I never even open the paper statements anymore. They just get filed in the envelope.

Oh....Breezy? I wrote you a note below again about DD's spermdonor.

happy *&^#$(@#*$& monday.

the weekend was crazy busy. i accomplished everything i needed to. the costumes turned out pretty well, if i do say so myself. the carpet in the hallway got pulled up and wasn't too bad to do. all the laundry is done. dishes are done. grocery shopping - done. a few bills paid. dog bathed. woke up in a good mood. then the world came crashing down around my head. freaking 55 degrees for the high today. rain off and on. fuck! that's cold! dh is in a foul ass mood, not real sure why. did not feel the need to stand there and have a screaming match at 6:30am for some unknown reason. and it's red ribbon week at school - which means i have to help the kids wear the right thing or whatever each day. joy.

now i'm at work. one employee has called in. another will be a bit late. ugh. i've got to find a reason to keep my sanity and try to find that good mood i woke up in.

Friday!!!!!!!! Hooray!!!!!!!

Brrrrrr! It's super chilly! 48 degrees this morning. It was 65-70 yesterday at this time.

So what's on your agenda for the weekend? I will be making Halloween costumes. A cheerleader outfit for Rotten2 and a white halter dress for the babysitter, who is going to be a Playboy bunny. Should be fun - I'm actually pretty excited about this, as it's the first time I've tried to do either of these. I'm using pieces from a couple different patterns and designing my own patterns for both outfits. Wish me luck!

Other than that, not real sure what the weekend has in store for us. What about you?

Oh...and just for grins...I'm doing roll call. Even if you have nothing to say, tell us you are here. *smooches*

Thursday Random Questions

1. What color shirt are you wearing?
2. What is the weather today?
3. What time did you go to bed last night?
4. Are your toe nails painted?
5. What are 3 things on your desk?
6. Gold, Platinum or Silver?
7. Printing, Cursive or a combonation of both?

*smooch*

"Is everything going to be exciting today?"

asked Rotten2 as we were nearly late for the bus (again). It's picture day, report card day and .... Wednesday! Yay! *shaking head and grinning*

So what excitement have you had today? And is everything going to be exciting?

Oh Ewwwwwww!

So I'm checking my email this morning and what should appear in the little news/helpful hints bar but the link to Spam Skillet Casserole. Ewwwww! That just sounds nasty. But even ickier....

Serving Size : 6
Preparation Time :0:00
2 Baking potatoes, cut into 1/8″ slices
1 can SPAM Luncheon Meat, cubed (12 oz)
1 c Thinly sliced carrots
1 c Thinly sliced onions
1/2 c Thinly sliced celery
2 Garlic cloves, minced
2 tb Flour
1 t Coarsely ground pepper
3/4 t Dried whole thyme
1 can No-salt-added green beans-drained (16 oz)
1 can No-salt-added whole tomatoes, drained and chopped (16 oz)
1 can No-salt-added vegetable juice cocktail (5 1/2 oz)
Butter flavor vegetable cooking spray
Cook potatoes in boiling water 3 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain. In skillet, cook SPAM until browned; remove from skillet. Add carrots to skillet and saute 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add onion, celery, and garlic; saute until vegetables are tender. Combine flour, pepper, and thyme. Stir flour mixture into vegetable mixture; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add SPAM, green beans, tomato, and vegetable juice cocktail. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove skillet from heat; arrange potato slices over SPAM mixture to cover completely. Spray potato slices with vegetable cooking spray. Broil 6″ from heat source 10 minutes or until golden.

ETA: Ah ha! I figured it out. When cleaning out your SPAM folder in gmail, you get SPAM recipes. Now that I clicked on the SPAM Skillet Casserole, I'm presented with SPAM quiche, which sounds even nastier than the above.

What is WRONG with me???

DH and I went to the flea market this weekend...haven't been to this particular one in ages. And I love, love, LOVE flea markets. Saw some really neat stuff, saw lots of Chinese made and cheaply sold stuff, saw some absolute garbage...the usual flea market fare.

DH bought a remote controlled helicopter ($35), a wallet ($5), and a watch ($5).
I bought......not a flipping thing. Not even the $5 black sequiny flip flops I liked.

*shakes head*

Then we went to eat at Texas Roadhouse, one of my favorite restaraunts. Yum! Should have stopped off to see the neices, but I wasn't feeling real social. Came home and vegged. Should have started on Rotten2's Halloween costume, but didn't. Should have gotten off my ass and worked on my college admissions shit, but didn't. Should have called a man about a dog, but didn't. I did, however, get the house cleaned. *sigh* Not the productive weekend it should have been. Not by a long shot.

Blame it on Nookie....

I have several books that I've read lately and they are just hanging out in the already-read basket waiting for a trip to the bookstore, library donations or your house. I know I have a few Janet Evanovich books - including Plum #12. Most are her short read older books (Manhunt, Thanksgiving, etc). I also have some Luann Rice fiction/sappy romance type books.

Let me know if you want any of it and I'll send 'em your way. I may also add to this list over the next 24 hours when I actually sit down and look thru the basket.

Hm.

I feel I should update. But about what? Life's pretty normal, nothing much exciting or noteworthy going on.

Tell me, what do you want to know?

ETA: A picture of Kayla from last night....you can't see it as clearly (stupid camera phone), but....you get the idea.

Ow.

So I am at work.
The kids are at home with DH.

I get a phone call that starts out with "Kayla's okay, but...."

Turns out that wrestling in the living room with the dog isn't a safe activity for the Rottens. Gee...wonder where they've heard that before?

And apparently, DH caught her mid-yawn. Clothes are soaking in hydrogen peroxide, she's pissed off because it hurts and well...it's going to be a loooooooooooong day.

ETA: DH just called. The steam cleaner works fairly well for getting the blood trail out of the carpet. Shampoo works fairly well at getting blood out of the dog and Rotten2's hair. And Rotten2 is still pissed off. I'd forgotten how much a head injury can bleed - everytime she moves much, it oozes a bit. *sigh* We may end up taking her to get it glued shut just so it won't open up every time she talks.

Time to Vote:

a. Elementary School Teacher grades K-4

b. Juvenile Probation Officer

c. Social Worker

d. Substance Abuse Counselor

e. Bullrider

f. Other

So...cast your votes. What should I do with my life? And which would you choose?

Just call me ..........

Little Chicken Shit.



I've been researching more and thinking thru the two careers that I've been tossing around. And I've very nearly talked myself out of both of them. Why? Because I'm scared. I don't know that I could handle either one - Elementary Teacher or Juvenile Probation Officer. What if I got too attached? What if I wasn't strong enough? What if I ruin a child's life? What if they need more help than I could ever give? What if I burned out? What if.......

I've lost my mind....

I started a process this morning, one I've mulled over several times in recent years only to decide the timing wasn't right. I'm out of excuses. And the time is right. I've sent three emails to two different places and done much, much reading online. I'm going to do it.

I'm going to enroll in college (probably only 1 class, for now) for the Spring semester - IF I can get the financial aid/work reimbursement in place. I have a month. I can do this, right? Scratch that. I CAN do this.

Now I just need to figure out what I want to be when I grow up. My original degree track was for Elementary Education. Now, I'm torn between Criminal Justice and Elementary Education.

It's Monday....

Rotten2 didn't want to get up
Rotten1 couldn't get his hair to lay down
I spilled my Coke down the front of my leg getting out of the car
I bitched out 4 employees
DH is back at the endocrinologist today


And.....it's 9AM.

Happy Thoughts

It's Friday, we've made it through the week....so lets think happy thoughts, people! Give me a few of the things that make you happy.

I'll start:

* It's going to be rather quiet around my house this weekend
* The weather is absolutely gorgeous - highs in the upper 80s, lows in the upper 60s
* My hubby is being quite supportive of whatever I choose to do about the house
* Rotten2 is entirely too cute, and entirely too much like me
* Rotten1 isn't dead. Yet.

It's all Boo's fault

Ever since she posted about houses, I'm in a funk. Combined with a major fight that is going on with the mortgage company, I am beginning to truly HATE my house. So last night, I asked DH what he thought about selling the house and finding a rental somewhere for a few years. I'm sick of mortgage companies, property taxes and home repairs. Plus, I could probably get a fairly decent chunk to put into savings until we are ready to build our house at the farm. AND it would finally cut the last financial tie I have to the ex - the house is still in both of our names. DH wasn't totally against it, but he did say that it would probably take a while for our house to sell just because of the market. Hm.....

Now I'm seriously considering talking to a realtor.

Bizzare Dreams

Wow. That was a weird night. Weird. Really bizzare. Here's what I can remember....

Dream #1 - The Rottens bus was way late. I was getting ready to take them to school, and the phone rang. It was the bus barn supervisor and a lady from the school office saying that the bus would not be running it's route for two weeks due to some escaped convicts in Arizona. Why do escaped convicts from Arizona affect a bus route in an itty bitty Texas town? Because the Rottens' bus driver's son is a cop. And he's the one who found these two convicts and had them convicted of murder and drug dealing. And the convicts are after him and his family. And they feel that the kids would not be safe on the bus with the bus driver.

*shakes head*

Dream #2 - DH called from work all excited and happy. The small city that he works in has two ambulances. There are a total of 5-6 across the county. They've been insanely busy lately....as in shift starts at 6 and so do the calls. Shift ends at 6 and the calls keep coming. They see their station for about 15 mins out of 24 hrs lately. So he's all happy because they are putting a 3rd full time truck into the rotation in town and a part time truck in the county to back up the others.

*shakes head*

Where does this shit come from????

Happy Monday!

Strange - I woke up in a reasonably good mood
Stranger - Rotten2 actually woke up easily and in a good mood
Strangest - I'm at work and still in a good mood even with the crabbypants employees I have to deal with today, because apparently they are not in a good mood.

And this is shamelessly stolen from Arkie:

Stolen

Ten Things

10 Favorites...
Favorite Color: Pink
Favorite Food: Anything authentic Mexican
Favorite Band: Too many to chose
Favorite Movie: The Wizard of Oz
Favorite Sport: Baseball
Favorite Season: Summer
Favorite Day Of the Week: Saturday
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Favorite Time of Day: anytime after 4:30pm

9 Currents...
Current Mood: bored
Current Taste: Coke
Current Clothes: blue jeans and tshirt
Current Computer Background: An angelic baby with the saying "Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I cannot accept, and the wisdom to hide the bodies I had to kill today because they pissed me off."
Current Finger/Toenail Color: None. I'm nekkid.
Current Time: 12:10pm
Current Surroundings: my office
Current Annoyance(s): my credit rating
Current Thought: Lunchtime errands I need to run

8 Firsts...
First Best Friend: Kristen
First Love: John
First Screen Name: cowgirl99
First Pet: Mackie
First Piercing: ears
First Crush: I think it was some 80s hair band.
First Music: The Oak Ridge Boys
First Car: The first that was mine, alone? 1986 Buick Regal. The first one I drove and shared? 1986 Chevy Silverado

7 Last...
Last Cigarette: 30 minutes ago
Last Drink: alcoholic? Coors Light (blech) at the farm over Labor Day
Last Car Ride: to work this morning
Last Text Message: from my ex Thursday AM
Last Movie Seen: The Bratz Rock Angels
Last Phone call: a co-worker
Last CD Played: Several 80s country CDs in my changer in the car

6 Have You Ever...
Have You Ever Dated One Of Your Best Friends: A few times
Have you Ever Broken the Law: Several times.
Have You Ever Been Arrested: Nope
Have You Ever Skinny Dipped: A few times...this summer. Let's not even count the times before ;) Having your own pool has it's benefits.
Have You Ever Been on TV: Nope
Have You Ever Kissed Someone You Didn't Know: Yep!

5 Things...
You're Wearing: blue jeans, a pink tshirt, a bra, socks and boots. And yes, panties too.
You Did Last Night: picked up dinner, helped the kids with homework, played my latest stupid game addiction on the computer, watched Survivor and took a shower
You Can Hear Right Now: my employees yapping, the radio, the A/C, the exhaust fan and the voices in my head.
You Can't Live Without: Music, books, the kids, my animals and my car.
You Do When You're Bored: play with the kids, drive, cook, clean, play on the computer

4 Places You've Been To
1. Nashville
2. San Antonio
3. New Jersey
4. Shreveport

3 People You Can Tell Anything To...
I'm not naming names......

2 Choices...
1. Black or White: Black
2. Hot or Cold: HOT - you can always take off clothes....

1 Person You'd Do Anything For: my kids

Happy Hump Day!!!!

Wednesday, already? Where is the time going? I swear, it was just Monday. Or Friday. Or last week. *shakes head* Life is just too crazy busy right now....and it's all pretty much normal stuff, nothing bizarre is going on to keep me away.

So while I'm running around like a chicken with my head cut off, think of a quick joke to keep me going.

By the way......has anyone seen Monsty or Augie or Coco or Kimmah lately?

Crazy Freaking Day!!!!

Gah. I can't put my finger on what started it, or why I'm feeling so .... disheveled and out of sorts at the moment. It's Monday, I suppose. And it seems like I've been running in circles all morning. Ah well. We're halfway to Quittin' Time, right? Thank goodness.

In other news, we may, I repeat, MAY be getting DSL at the house in the very near (read: before October 1) future. We've been looking for months and no one has offered anything other than dial up for our area. All of a sudden, Saturday, I ran across someone who does. It's "distributed" thru a local computer repair shop and the tower is pretty close to my house! Yay! So talk to me about DSL. What do I need to know?

Weekend plans?

What are you guys doing for the weekend? Any one have any exciting plans?

I need to clean the carpets. And de-funk-ify the house for my annual fall cleaning. Other than that, not too much going on around these parts.

Please. Someone has to have something more exciting going on.

All I want for Christmas.....

Tooth #1 came out over Labor Day weekend. Tooth #2 came out last night. Isn't she cuuuuuuuuute?!

August 27th - 1st Day of School

My 2nd grade child, Rotten2

My 4th grade boy, Rotten1

Slacker.

That would be me. My internet has been all wonky. Work has been crazy. *rolls eyes* I need a vacation. Oh. wait. I just had a four day weekend. *sigh*

I'd post a picture of my shirt, but that would so give it all away. So...I'll wait.

You know what?

I'm a total moron. I totally spaced and forgot to post that I got my tshirt like three weeks ago. It was super cute!!! I remembered to tell my sender that I got it, but totally forgot to tell you guys.

*yaaawwwwwwwwn*

I have no reason to be tired, and I'm really not. I guess it's more that I just have very little motivation today.

And just so you know, Berry Rain Gatorade is halfway decent. I don't much like Gatorade, but this tastes kinda like flavored water which makes it acceptable.

Well hell.

So the laptop is gone. *pout* I got the green lined screen of death that DH's partner took it to the shop for a few weeks ago and they supposedly fixed. Waaaaaaaaaah! I was really starting to get attached to the little bastard too. Ah well. I'm semi-computer-less at home now. I had given Rotten2 my desktop when I brought the laptop home. And I can't really take it back....but I can borrow it. *grin* Of course, this has been the perfect way to convince DH to let me buy a brand new laptop. And it even came out sounding like it was his idea! Of course, I may have to wait a week or two........maybe.

In other news, the Rottens went back to school yesterday. They are now in separate schools....they won't be in the same building again until junior high - when Rotten1 is in 8th and Rotten2 is in 6th. They love their new teachers, have several friends in their classes....looks like it's starting off wonderfully. Yay!

And .... my tshirt is leaving today via FedEx...it might make it before Labor Day, or right after. It's going that way! *points up*

I ?

am almost the proud new owner of a slightly used, recently (like today it got back) rebuilt (by HP) laptop!!!! I picked it up from DH's partner and am giving it a "test drive" before I tell him for sure that I want it. The price is waaaaaaaay right, it's got everything and then some that I need and it's under warrantly for another 6 months.....

Now I just need to finish cleaning it up so I can get online with it. It's sitting across the living room doing all kinds of scans and updates and shit.

*squealllllllllll*

I'm sorta here...

I think.

Being online just hasn't held much interest for me lately. I've been trying to relax and rest and keep the blood pressure low. And spend time with the kids before they go back to school. In between, I'm feeling kinda meh. Just...blah.

*smooooooooooooch*

Hi.

How are you guys??? I've missed you all.
Augie, Happy belated birthday!!!! I'm sorry I missed it Friday.

The Momma world got kinda lopsided and dizzy last week. In fact, I almost passed out at work on Wednesday. By Friday, I was so sick and tired of feeling dizzy and lopsided, I went to the doctor. Turns out, I have high blood pressure. And have for awhile. In the past, we've attributed the higher than normal, but not by much, blood pressure to being sick, taking meds and being in pain. This time? No excuses. It was 150/92. Then it was 148/90. *siiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh* I'm on meds. I'm supposed to quit smoking and start excersizing. Genetics are a bitch.

In other news, the Rottens are pretty much ready for school to start and I most definitely am ready for them to go back. DH is working his butt off, as usual. And life goes on.

*smooooooooooooch*

*evil grin* *happy *dance*

So my half assed toilet phone *points down blog* is history. The 9, the 7 and two menu type buttons still don't work. I was severely pissed, as I don't have insurance on my phone. But it did come with a 1 year manufacturer's warranty. I made the call to AT&T on Wednesday afternoon, where I spoke with a customer service guy who was the most helpful individual ever. I told him I thought my phone might have gotten some water damage *snort* but I wasn't sure *snicker* and that now those four buttons on the keypad just don't work. So he asked me to do a few things to the phone. And decided that nope, it wasn't water damage, it was just a defective keypad *shocked look* and the warranty would replace the phone free. *happy dance* Yesterday afternoon, DHL dropped my new phone off at work! Now I just have to get the pictures off my old phone and send it back to AT&T.

In other news, I am an update mod at a big brother site. Eep.

Being Thirty

I feel no older, wiser nor any worse for the wear. *shrug* Not at all what I thought.

Rotten1 has been at Grandma's since Wednesday. He may come home today.

Rotten2 and DH went shopping for my birthday. I got a pair of Happy Bunny jammies, a pair of Betty Boop jammies, a Hello Kitty journal, some smart ass buttons, a small jewelry box, and some Hello Kitty stickers. *grin* Can you guess who did the shopping?

I scrubbed the front deck last night, to prep it for painting today. Now it looks like it's going to rain. It rained yesterday morning too.

And that? is my first exciting weekend at the age of thirty.

Show some love....

to our wonderful, funny, witty, sarcastic, loveable, sometimes mistreated, frustratingly adorable very own.........
.
.
.
.
..
...
Carey!

**#( *$%&@ (#$@)* !!!!!!!!!

I carry my cell phone in my back pocket when I wear jeans. I wear jeans most days. This morning, for the first time in the two or more years I've carried my phone this way, my phone fell out of my pocket. And landed.in.the.toilet.

*#($&(*#$*&#47(**$%!!!!!!!!!

It is now sitting in the warehouse in pieces while I pray that it dries out and comes back to life.

Friday Night Randoms

1. 5 lottery tickets and $10 later, I'm in the hole $8. Now I remember why I never buy scratch off tickets.

2. I'm exhausted, flat worn out. And I couldn't begin to tell you why.

3. Work has picked up, emotions are a bit wild, but all in all, things are good.

4. I'm loving the summer clearance sales for the kids - $3-5 for shirts, polos, capris and shorts at Old Navy, Kohl's and Walmart. Can't beat that!

5. School supplies are on sale! I've yet to pay more than $1 for the basics, with some stuff as cheap as 10cents each. Spirals, folders, notebook paper, markers, crayons, and much more! Yay!

6. I've actually gotten child support, again. I'm in shock.

7. 7 more days. Yikes.

kitty parents, please help

i'm at my wit's end with belle. she's about 15 months old. she's been with us since she was 13 weeks. never before have we had any litter box issues. for the last couple of weeks, we have a new habit that i cannot stand. her litter box lives in the laundry room, where it has been since she moved in with us. same brand of litter, same box. nothing new. at.all. still cleaned at least once a day. yet, belle insists on taking a dump on the floor, right outside the litter box at least once every 2 days. and most of the time, there are only 1-2 things in the litter box.

i've tested her, i've gone over 24 hours without touching the litter box. it was effing full of stuff. and she shit on the floor. i've cleaned it after every pee and poop. and she's shit on the floor. what is going on with her?

oh. and she knows what she's doing, too. she will scoop litter out of the litter box and try to cover up her shit on the floor. and then she will pee in the litter box not long after.

i'm about to boot her shitty ass outside.

Sun and Rain

Another 1.25" of rain yesterday

Today, barely a cloud in sight after 10am

whew. *shakes head*

who knew cancelling internet service could take 11 minutes and 12 seconds? and that was only the time spent actually speaking to someone! i called to cancel our lovely peoplepc - dh found a better deal and i really wasn't thrilled with (okay, i hated) the software you are supposed to use. reminds me too much of the old aol. so i call to cancel. she asks why. i tell her because i want to. she offers me 30 days free. no, thank you. just cancel it. well, blah, blah, blah-bitty-blah...she can give me 60 days free. no, thank you. i appreciate it, but just cancel the account. well, they can host my old/new email addys for half price without any internet access - only $1.49/month. now, why the hell would i do that when i can get a bazillion email addys for free?! no, thanks. just cancel all services. thank you. okay, she's really really sorry to hear that i'm leaving, please hold for the 45 digit cancellation number. okay...so it was only 17 digits long. shit! who the hell gives out 17 digit cancellation numbers??? that ought to tell you something, if they started at 1. or even 1000.

*sigh* why do the simple things in life have to be so difficult? and did i mention i made this phone call with the cat in my lap and the dog on my feet freaking out because it's effing storming complete with cloud to ground lightening strikes within a mile of the house? gah.

hi - updated

i got nuthin'.

********************

updated to say: i got somethin'.

Rain - July 10th - 1 inch in under 45 minutes

Rottens - still at the lake with the ex-in-laws

Child Support -i actually got 2 weeks worth of payments in a row. this is worth noting. i'll probably go into cardiac arrest if we go a full month.

Telephone Service - phone went out yesterday. by the time the verizon man came, it miraculously started working again. went out again tonight during the rain/thunder/lightening storm. miraculously started working when i unplugged the brand new phone line from the back of my computer. hm. is my modem dying a slow painful death? or is it the rain, as previously thought? dh ran all new phone lines in the house this morning.

bb8 - hm. i kinda like it. i kinda don't. it's still early. however, i'm favoring dani and dick. joe is the love to hate. jen is a whiny baby wannabe porn star. the rest? meh. i don't know who they are really. and dammit. i don't get showtime and don't have tivo. and i'm sure not going to buy either for this bunch. and what's up with hamsterwatch and rtvw feed updates? this svcks.

Rain - again. now. and tomorrow. and 30-50% chances from now til sunday. WTF? when did texas move to seattle and the rest of the country move to texas?

okay. so that's all i got at the moment. *waves*

*shakes off water*

July 2 - 3.5 inches
July 4 - 0.25 inches
July 5 - 2.75 inches
July 6 - 0.25 inches
July 10 - 1.25 inches
July 11 - 0.25 inches
July 13 - 1.25 inches
July 28 - 0.5 inches
July 29 - 2 inches

And it's still freaking raining. But there may be an end in sight - Monday and Tuesday show only partly cloudy - no rain! Yay!

I need to learn Spanish again. I now have three fluent Spanish/English speaking employees. And I only know bits and pieces of what they are saying.

Frito Lay Munchies are the perfect breakfast/snack food. Today's bag is cheese flavored with Doritos (no peas), cheetos, sun chips and pretzels. Yum!

The Rottens leave tonight for 8 days and nights at their grandparents'! Yay! A whole week of quiet. I only wish I'd planned a couple vacation days in there.

rain, rain go away

Rain, rain, go away,
Come again another day,
If you don't, I will say,
Rain, rain go away.
Rain, rain, go away,
Come again some other day,
We want to go outside and play,
Come again some other day.
Rain, rain, go away,
Come again some other day,
If you don't, I don't care,
I'll pull down your underwear!

In the last month, we've had well over a foot of rain - 14.3 inches according to the flood control district. And it's supposed to continue raining.all.effing.week.

Yay!

Apparently, I'm not the anti-parent that I thought I was. Thank you.

So, does anyone have any extra plywood or 2x4s that are not being used? I think we are going to need to build an ark.

In other news, DH thinks I've lost my mind. The Rottens each had a friend come over Saturday and spend the night. They were all there til afternoon yesterday. They had fun with their sleepover "party" playing Uno, swimming, watching movies and eating cake. To me, this is the stuff of summer. DH thinks I'm nuts for dealing with that many kids for that long. *snort* I just think he doesn't remember what being a kid is like.

Am I the Anti-Parent?

The present suggestion thread on OT got me to thinking again about something that has come up in my world many times before. I'm starting to think I'm the weird anti-parent or something. I seem to be the ONLY parent I know (IRL and online) that buys her own kids markers (washable, of course), acrylic and watercolor paints, glue, stickers, play-doh, googly eyes, construction paper, scissors, beads, legos and the like.

Yeah, it could lead to a disaster. Yeah, I could probably kill myself on beads or legos. Yeah, I might end up with my hall walls painted or something.

But you know what, even though my kids have most of this stuff in their own rooms, I've only had two what-you-could-possibly-call-problems in all these years. Rotten1 made a sticker frame around his tv once and Rotten2 drew on her white wood dresser. The stickers came off with minimal effort, and I even let them stay there for a good while. The dresser is still drawn on a year later, primarily because I haven't redecorated and repainted her room.

So I guess I'm just the bizarro parent for letting my kids have this stuff, buying it myself, and letting them keep most of it in their rooms so it's accessible to them.

*yaaawwwwwwwwn*

I am so.freaking.tired.

Ugh.

Wake me up!

Gmail

Okay, with the sale of our current ISP to People PC, DH and I are on the hunt for new internet. In doing so, I've gone to gmail so hopefully I don't lose anything. Eep. Anyway, if you have my email address, it still works - for now. But you can go ahead and change it in your address books to txmomma26@gmail.com

Ramblings from Grandma's

* Spent the day with my aunt and uncle today going thru what's left of Grandma and Grandpa's stuff. Next weekend is supposed to be the "garage sale" and shelter donations.

* WTF are people supposed to do with 87 bazillion sets of Corning Ware? You know what I'm talking about. White plates, gold leafy type funky pattern around the edges. Everybody's Grandma (and probably many of us) had them at some point. Just when I get rid of all of my paternal Grandma's, someone wants me to take the maternal Grandma's. Ack!

* Does anyone still use a steel colander? What about wool blankets?

* I am now the proud owner of two sets of china and two sets of crystal - my mom's that I got last summer and now my grandparents'. I have no where to put or display these beautiful pieces of dinnerware. I feel totally guilty for stacking the boxes in the laundry room.

* At what point does the couch that's been around for 30+ years finally get disposed of? It's been recovered and re-fluffed at least once that I can remember. And it's still trying to stay in the family. As is the freaking console tv that I watched Captain Kangaroo on as a child.

It's been a long ass day. And maybe, just maybe, now I'm okay with my aunt and uncle buying Grandma's house and making changes. Maybe. I'm glad I went down, feels sort of like I closed another chapter. And I'm glad I decided to go down there alone.

The Rottens

*shakes head*

Today they are spending the day with my ex-sil and 13 mo old niece. They've packed chocolate donuts for breakfast, peaches and jello for snacks, movies, Magnetix and workbooks. Totally normal stuff, for the most part. However, Rotten2 is wearing my black heeled dress shoes. *sigh* Why? Because she didn't want to wear her black flip flops with her black skirt. The shoes are way too big for her. *shrug*

What are you wearing for Hump Day/Pantsless Wednesday/today?

New Day, New Post

I had a "Carey" moment last night. DH *pooted* while playing Playstation with Rotten1 last night. This led to Rotten1 running thru the house complaining about the smell. To which I replied, I'm the one who has to sleep with DH. Rotten1's response? I feel sorry for you. My response - Everyone farts. Rotten1 - You don't. *snort* This led to a 5 minute hilarious conversation involving the entire household about who farts and who doesn't. And according to DH, girls don't fart. They *poot*. Rotten2 says she does fart.

Welcome to my house. Isn't it fun?

Grrrrrrr! It's Monday

And what a Monday it's starting out to be. DH and I are primed for our first very large fight - on our 2nd anniversary, no less. Well, I'm not sure he knows what's coming, honestly. But it won't be pretty. Two of my four employees called in today for bogus reasons. I have a very large list of work related crap to do that will not be worked on at all today due to missing half of my staff. We are under severe storm and flash flooding warnings. Oh, and I have no phone at the house again due to the massive rains this weekend. Which means no internet since Saturday.

How's YOUR Monday?

One Word Answers

One word responses: copied from Bravie

1. Where is your cell phone? pocket
2. You're single/taken?taken
3. Your hair? blond
4. Your mother? Dead
5. Your father? Gone
6. Your favorite thing? Rottens
7. Your dream last night? Forgotten
8. Your favorite drink? Jack
9. Your dream car? Mustang
10. The room you're in? office
11. Your ex? fuckingdumbassmoron
12. Your fear? death
13. Where were you last night? garden
14. What you're not? Awake
15. Muffins? Yes
16. One of your wish list items? Lottery
17. The last thing you did? Blogs
18.What are you wearing? Jeans
19. Your pet or pets? crackheads
20. Your computer? old
21. Your life? crazy
22. Your mood? tired
23. Missing some one? Yes
24. Your car? Shiny!
25. Your work? work
26.Like someone? Yes
27. Your favorite color? pink
28. When is the last time you laughed real hard? Saturday
29. Crush's first name? who?
30. Dream job? counselor

Vacation: The Farm Finale

I'd show you a few pictures of the car show and much of my hard work, but I have yet to figure out how to get pictures off my Razr. So, if you know how, tell me and I'll share. *grin*

Day 8 - The car show went well - DH was the only one out of our three cars to win in his class. Ah well, FIL and I had stiff competition with many other gorgeous Mustangs. And all proceeds went to benefit the community center. Fun, fun day.

Day 9 - We came home Sunday morning. I dropped the Rottens off at their dad's on the way in. Then DH and I spent half the day baling our own hay. Okay, not really, but that's sure as hell what our yard looked like. Ugh.

All in all, even with the pissed off bitch crackhead attack cat, we're glad to be home.

Ow.Ow.Ow.

Day 7 was spent washing and waxing and massively detailing a barn-kept 65 Mustang Coupe that hasn't seen the light of day in over a year, probably closer to two years and finishing the 67 Mustang Fastback. The front pasture of hay was moved back by the corral. My SIL brought my 12 year old niece up for a couple of weeks, a week later than she was supposed to be here. *shakes head* I'm sun burned for the third (or fourth) day in a row. We've also discovered that DH doesn't much need his insulin or pump when he's outside from 9am to 9pm working his ass off. *snort*

Day 8 is the car show and Day 9 we will head home. I'm hoping a praying our cat doesn't totally hate us when we get home. A friend has been checking on her a couple times a day and taking care of her needs, but hasn't actually seen the cat since Sunday. We know she's there and alive - the litter box requires daily cleaning. But....I'm thinking the cat is pissed. Eep.

*piggymoopoot*

Well. Here it is. Day ...... *counts on fingers* Six! Yes, that's it. Thursday = Day 6. Full of hay baling and old car scrubbing. I am sunburned in true farm fashion - tank top, shorts, and flip flop tan lines. I so need a pool and a Nemo.

Miss you guys! *smooch*

Ow. Farm Day 5

I am so freaking sore. Day 5 started off like the rest - up at the ass crack of dawn. *sigh* I don't get up early easily, and neither do the Rottens. But for some sick reason, this week, we've all been up and more or less okay with it by 6:30am. Ugh. I ran to town for some playing cards and crayons in the morning. Then I washed the 66 Fastback and detailed my car. The boys started baling hay. And that? was the entire day.

And Moooooooooooo to You!

You guys are too funny.

Days Three and Four (because they kinda run together) on the farm...*whew* Would someone remind me why I was worried about what to do for 8-9 days? This vacation shit is more work than...well, work! Somehow or another (and I'm blaming DH), I sort of got volunteered to wallpaper the back patio room, which is about 15x8. This has been a unfinished (read: the area was drywalled 5+ years ago) project of the mil's. So, that is what I did last night and this morning. Until I ran out of the three rolls of wallpaper. And did I mention the place she bought this red brick with gray mortar hard as hell to match up wallpaper went out of business 2+ years ago? Eeps. Of course, I have two walls completed. The other two walls will have to wait until the other few rolls we ordered this morning come in next week. When I will not be here. And the curtains? Well...the material is around. Somewhere. *sigh* Yesterday afternoon also was the beginning of hay cutting on the farm. Much of this morning and afternoon are all about mowing with ginourmous tractors. This evening is the county-wide fire department meeting. FIL is Fire Chief for this area, so guess where we're probably going. The upside? Sometimes, fire station food is pretty damn good. The downside? Most of these firemen are not calendar material. Hell, I'm not sure I've seen any that are. Ah well. It's good for a laugh, at the very least.

Farm, Days 1 & 2

Saturday was spent cleaning out the garage and attached storage area. Holy.hell. That was an insane mess! DH was volunteered to clean out the garage and I decided, after walking into the storage area and nearly killing myself on crap, I'd clean that area. That was an all day project for both of us. Saturday night we went out to eat and to the junk auction. Came away with a 25 piece tool set, some ratchet tie down straps for towing and something else for $10. Not bad.

Sunday the kids and in-laws went to church. DH finished cleaning and organizing the garage and started putting a roll on bedliner in his truck. I planted a few things for my mil, but didn't do much else. Had a massive sirloin steak and potato lunch. Yum. Of course, mil had to remind us which cow (Ferdinand) the beef had come from. *snort*

Hope you guys are having fun. *smooch*

So.

Tonight we leave for the farm for 8-9 days. I'm excited, but now I'm stressing....What am I going to do with myself for that long without work?! I have books, and the Mustang to get ready for the car show. But....that's not going to fill every day.

What do you do on vacation? What do you want to do? What do you think I should do?

I've been tagged - 8 Randoms about me

from Kimmah, who was tagged by JenB

1. I have a new favorite carbonated water - Aquafina Alive Peach Mango. Yum!

2. There is a navy blue towel hanging over my bathroom window because I need to replace the curtain in there. DH decided the best way to motivate me, after mentioning it several times, was to hang the towel up. The towel has been there over a month and I have not looked at curtains or material to make one.

3. I sent my old digital camera with Rotten2 today to school to take pictures of her friends. Rotten1 is taking it tomorrow.

4. The blisters on my hands from digging the new flowerbed a few weeks ago have not totally healed yet.

5. I have 3 pairs of Levis for work that are identical size, color, and style. I rotate them regularly. I'm sure co-workers think I wear the same pair of pants a few times a week. Speaking of, Breezy really needs to try this style out!

6. I am in desperate need of a hair cut and highlight. Thank God we are going to the farm next week.

7. Speaking of next week, this will be the first time since the Christmas before my former boss passed away 3 years ago that I have taken more than 2 days off in a row.

8. The cat is the only thing living in the house that has not had a bath recently and I'm not feeling motivated to bathe her. Unfortunately, I'm the only one who bathes the cat. So I need to get off my ass and take care of that.

I'm tagging Swami, Breezy and Bravie.
*smooch*

color me jealous

dh bought a new laptop yesterday. it's an hp/compaq something or other. *pout* i'm uber-jealous. he says after he finishes paying on his laptop, he'll get one for me. i don't know than i can wait that long (a year or so). if i wasn't trying to pay off so much crap, i'd go buy my own. of course, if i wait a year, maybe we'll have high speed and i can set up a wireless network.

on a happy note, we're going to take some of the memory out of his desktop and hop up my computer. and i bought a dvd-cd/rw drive for my machine, too. and i think i'm stealing his old monitor. then we'll give the rottens his old desktop and my old monitor.

Summer Movies

Which are on your Must-See list for the theaters? Which could you care less about?

I took the kids to see Shrek the Third for Rotten2's birthday, but they were sold out. So we ended up seeing Spiderman 3. Meh. I'm not a big Spiderman fan, but the kids really liked the movie. We're going next weekend, I think, to see Shrek the Third. I'll probably end up taking the Rottens to see Surf's Up, too.

Ratatouille looks good for the kids, as does Georgia Rule and Delta Farce (which DH and I may go see this weekend) for me. I will not go see Bug. That just .... *shudders* I won't see the new Pirates movie, as I've not seen the other 2. Pretty much the same with the new Ocean's movie. The Simpsons movie...hmm...I remember the original seasons of the show and loved them. If the movie is like that, great. If it's like recent seasons, meh. Nancy Drew seems intriguing, but I haven't heard much about it. I remember reading a zillion books though.

If you have not a clue what I'm talking about, check out the Summer Movie Guide.

Grrrrrrrr!

So last week, I got this sinus thing from DH. I no longer like my DH. This shit is evil. No, make that EEEEEEEEEvil. Massive amounts of antibiotics, a sick day, and more sleep than I have had in a month and I still have a nasty cough, snot, and drainage. Ugh. However, I'm finally beginning to feel human.

Rotten2 developed a rash Monday night. I noticed it Tuesday morning. Red patches on her thighs. Gave her some Benadryl. Tuesday night, it spread to the back of her legs. Gave her some Benadryl. Wednesday AM, it spread half way up her back. Gave her some Benadryl. This morning, it's on her forearms. Gave her some Benadryl. This afternoon, we have a doctors appointment to see what it is. She has no itching, hasn't complained, no fever...nothing.

Is it summer yet????

*sob*

My baby girl is growing up. She turns 7 today. You'd think she was going on 17 the way she acts sometimes.

We made chocolate fudge cupcakes with chocolate fudge icing and lots of purple,pink, and white sprinkles for school today. She's so very excited. I'm so very bothered by this birthday, for some unknown reason.

Last year's post....here

And here is Rotten2 with her favorite present - her new Heelys. Around her, new clothes, an "emerald" flip flop necklace, a Super Soaker water gun (from Rotten1) and a new Bratz doll.

What is....

....the one word that you think does not describe you, at all?
....the one word that you think does describe you, very well?

Glowbug's Million Questions

1. If you went to dinner with Jesus who would pick up the check? If I'm going to dinner with Jesus, I'd hope like hell no one would even charge us.
2. If you had to eliminate one state from the United States, which one would it be? Well...Cali is supposed to fall off into the ocean, isn't it? *evil grin*
3. If Spiderman and Superman were forced to fight to the death, who would win? Why? Superman. Because he's Superman!
4. Sawyer, Jack or Sayid? Part of me says Sawyer, part of me says Jack. Guess I understand Kate's dilemma, huh?
5. Mohinder, Nathan or Peter? Who?
6. For the next hour you have to listen to one song on repeat. What song is it? Lately, Faith Hill's summer song....I can't think of the name of it though.
7. What is your favorite movie? Why? StepMom...because that's the way it should be
8. Who is your favorite actor/actress? Julia Roberts
9. Avril Lavigne. Yes or no? Sometimes
10. Do you have a job or a career? A job that is morphing into the beginning stages of a career.
11. Would you move out of state for a job? I don't know...today, no. In 12 years, probably.
12. Have any sharks been jumped by American Idol? This is the first season I've really watched, so I'm not in a place to say.
13. Have you ever gone to a concert by yourself? If so, would you do it again? If not, would you? I have been many times in small venues. A large concert in a arena or stadium, maybe. It's always more fun with friends though.
14. Did your mom and/or dad make you do chores? If so, what were they? Do chores? Hell, I was the effing maid!
15. Would you go to a sex toy party with your mom? No.
16. If you were to have a sex toy party, would you invite your boss? No - of course, my boss is an older married man so....blech.
17. How big is too big? When you can't handle it, it's too big.
18. What is your favorite reality show? I really don't have one anymore. Once upon a time, it would have been Survivor, without a doubt. Now, I'm kinda blah about the whole mess of tv.
19. Do you have a favorite reality show contestant? See above
20. Could you whistle that little tune at the beginning of Peter Bjorn and John’s “Young Folks” for me right now? What? Huh?
21. Howard Stern. Yes or no? Sometimes I like his show. Other than that, not much.
22. Do you know any local bands that you would like to pimp? Kurt Dillon has always been my fave local perfomer.
23. Name one state you would like to visit that you have not visited. DH and I decided last night we really want to go to Hawaii.
24. Why would Pink perform on American Idol after adamantly not giving clearance for the contestants perform her songs? I haven't the slightest clue. Maybe she was scared one of them would sing her song better than she does?
25. Multi-grain, wheat or white? Wheat
26. Carrots dipped in peanut butter? Never tried it.
27. Do you add extra butter to your popcorn at the movie theater? No
28. Do you have a favorite pair of underwear? What do they look like? Any pair that fit comfortably are my favorite pair that day. Of course, all I own are either thongs or boy shorts.
29. Name one country song that will help convince non-fans that it isn’t all bad. Well, it sure ain't Tick by Brad Paisley. *grin*
30. What is in the trunk of your car? Pampered Chef stuff I have to deliver.
31. What is the first thing that comes to your mind when I say Marky Mark? And the Funky Bunch.
32. Which character from a movie or television show would you be? ?????
33. Who was the last person you hugged? The Rottens, right before they got on the bus this morning.
34. Have you ever been on a cruise? No
35. Will I be able to sleep in a tiny closet-sized room on a cruise ship with no windows while constantly worrying and missing my kids? Yes

*snort*

Okay, last week I called the child support division of the Attorney General's office to tell them that the ex is working at a real job. We all received the letter yesterday requiring his employer to deduct 'x' from his paycheck every week.

This morning, I get a panicked call from the ex about the letter. I didn't even open mine, I knew what it said. Or so I thought. Turns out, the reduction that we went to court over last month wasn't reflected in the paperwork they sent to his employer. So he's getting slammed for basically $100 more per week than we agreed on for the new amount.

He's freaking out. I'm laughing. If he'd paid his child support all along, this would not even be happening.

Casual Observations

* The Mean Girlz will be performing at the next stick horse rodeo. Get your tickets now. This could be fun(ny).

* Rotten1 got first place for his stick bull. He did not win the bull riding competition though.

* I did not go into the city, as planned. I did go shopping for shorts. Instead, I bought a new black bra and a black tank top. That is all I bought in four hours and 5 stores. *sigh* I just do not like most of the stuff I saw in stores on Saturday.

* I bought myself a new phone yesterday - it's a burgundy Razr phone! I'm pretty excited about it.

* DH has a sinus infection. He got a shot and high powered antibiotics while at work Saturday. Then he came home halfway through his shift. He sounds awful, but feels okay.

* I have three blisters on my hands. One is very painful. Of course, this is what I get for digging a new flower bed yesterday without gloves.

Happy Friday & A List

1. So very glad it's Friday. This week seems as though it has been about 3 weeks long.

2. The Rottens are going to their dad's this weekend. Hopefully. Rotten2 hasn't gone for the weekend in over a month now. She's not mad at him this time, she just doesn't want to go. *shrug* And, as usual, I've pissed of the ex by not forcing her to go.

3. The ex is going to be supremely pissed off when he finds out I reported his new job to the attorney general's office for payroll deduction. Ah well.

4. DH has a cold. Or allergies. Or something. And now I think it's my turn. Dammit.

5. I have got to go to the jeweler this weekend and get my wedding ring fixed. I hate driving over there though. I've gotten to where I avoid the city traffic at almost all costs. Guess I'm becoming a bit too comfortable with my country living.

6. Rotten1 has a stick horse rodeo today at school. We made a bull out of furry black material and horns out of white shiny material. He has to be a stick-bullrider for 15 seconds to advance to the finals. It's too cute.

7. Happy Friday! *smooooooooooch*

Oh and Bravie, enjoy your day! *snort*

Drunk Kids + Angry Giraffe = Trouble

I find this semi-amusing and quite stupid really....

(snip)VILNIUS, Lithuania - Climbing into a giraffe's cage at the local zoo seemed a good idea after a few drinks. But the prank went wrong when the 1.3-ton animal flew into a rage and attacked the three student trespassers at a zoo in Lithuania on Monday night. .....(snip)...... Police have launched an investigation to find out how the intoxicated students entered the zoo at night and climbed the 10 foot high fence surrounding the giraffe cage.

I mean, really...how drunk are you? Why would playing with a giraffe seem like a good idea? And the police launching an investigation to figure out how they climbed the fence? *boggle*

*snort*

The Word of the Day....

Brought to you by Carey and Kim.

It is not cleaver (a heavy, broad-bladed knife or long-bladed hatchet, esp. one used by butchers for cutting meat into joints or pieces). It is, however, FURZE (a synonym for briar, bramble, thistle or shrub).

Spring has Sprung!

I guess I griped enough and my flowers heard me. A few are blooming! First up, my pink roses. Second are one of my white daffodils. Last, my newest addition, an Asiatic Lily.

Interview Me....

Questions courtesy of Kimmah

1. tell me a little bit about the place you've lived the longest in your life--either a specific house or a city or town.
The place I've lived the longest is the house I'm in now. Ex and I bought it a few months before Rotten1 turned a year old. I was never totally in love with the place, nor the location. It's original intention was to be our starter home for a few years. Well, a few years later, the ex and I split up. I left him the house and land, as I knew I couldn't take care of it all by myself with a 1 and 3 year old. Two years later, it was nearing foreclosure, so I took it back and have been in it since. I've come to love that house - more for the memories than anything. It's where the Rottens are growing up, where good and bad have happened, where DH and I got married.

2. sports? love, hate, play?
I love sports - baseball, football, volleyball. However, I generally don't play anymore unless it's a fun game just because. I don't really watch because I don't have time. However, Rotten1 plays baseball and Rotten2 is going to play soccer in the fall.

3. you can only wear one color of clothing for the next year--what would you choose?
I am typically found in blue jeans and a white or blue or brown tshirt, so .... It would have to be either blue or brown.

4. some people call wal mart or microsoft the evil empires--what would YOU choose?
I shop at Walmart. I own computers with XP on them. *shrug* The way I see it, they may be evil empires, but in my world, they are necessary evils.

5. which of ron howard's dramatic endeavors is your favorite--either as an actor or as a director? (blame bravie for this question).
I always loved the campiness of Andy Griffith and Happy Days. *grin* However, as a director, my favorite movie of his has always been Backdraft.

**********************************

The rules:
1. Leave me a comment saying, "Interview me."
2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. I get to pick the questions.
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions

Blogland Trip

Okay...I need a distraction. It's been beautiful out for the last few days. Today, it's rainy and dreary. So tell me, where would you like to go?

In honor of Monday....

I bring you The Bangles.

Six o'clock already I was just in the middle of a dream
I was kissin' Valentino by a crystal blue Italian stream
But I can't be late 'cause then I guess I just won't get paid
These are the days when you wish your bed was already made.
It's just another manic Monday (oh-woe)
I wish it was Sunday (oh-woe)
'Cause that's my Funday (oh-woe)
My I don't have to runday (oh)
It's just another manic Monday.
Have to catch an early train, got to be to work by nine
And if I had an air-o-plane, I still couldn't make it on time
'Cause it takes me so long just to figure out what I'm gonna wear
Blame it on the train but the boss is already there.
It's just another manic Monday (oh-woe)
I wish it was Sunday (oh-woe)
'Cause that's my Funday (oh-woe)
My I don't have to runday (oh)
It's just another manic Monday.
All of my nights why did my lover have to pick last night to get down (last night, last night)
Doesn't it matter that I have to feed the both of us, employment's down
He tells me in his bedroom voice:
"C'mon honey, let's go make some noise" (ba ba ba baaaa)
Time, it goes so fast (when you're having fun).
It's just another manic Monday (oh-woe)
I wish it was Sunday (oh-woe)
'Cause that's my Funday (oh-woe)
My I don't have to runday (woe)
It's just another manic Monday (oh-woe)
I wish it was Sunday (oh-woe)
'Cause that's my funday (oh)
It's just another manic Monday.

Back atcha, Buster!

Earlier this school year, Rotten1 got in trouble a few times at school for "inappropriate comments" made around other classmates. He ended up in In School Suspension twice for it. We've had many, many discussions about what is appropriate school discussion and what is not.

Today, he had a skating field trip to celebrate passing the TAKS test. As we're talking about the fun they had, what he and his buddies did, etc he says "By the way, they played songs that aren't appropriate for school. One of the songs played? My Humps by the Black Eyed Peas. Okay, now....I'm no overprotective mom. This is certainly not the first time my 9 year old has heard this song, nor will it be the last. He knows what the song is about. And that's fine.

BUT

After getting in much trouble, spending almost 5 weeks in ISS, DH my ex and I having a meeting or two with principals and superintendents, and Rotten1 being grounded, we had finally made our point with him. Then this. So I sent the following email to the principal and superintendent:

Today the 3rd grade attended a TAKS skating party. I allowed my son, Rotten1 (Teacher's class) to attend. While telling me about the skating party, his friends, and the fun they had, he mentioned that "they played songs that aren't appropriate for school." Those were his words. After the issues earlier this school year that he was involved in, I am quite concerned about this. So I asked what songs he was talking about...below is one of the song titles and artists, along with lyrics, that he could remember. He also mentioned a Tim McGraw song (Last Dollar Fly Away) and a Five for Fighting song (Superman) - both of which I have no problem with. He also said there were a couple that he didn't know that had cuss words in them. Again, I can only go off of what he is telling me, as I was not able to attend this field trip. *insert My Humps song lyrics here*

How do I explain to my son, who was in ISS twice this year for inappropriate comments and actions that these songs played during a school function are acceptable, yet the comments and actions he displayed at school earlier this year are not? Somehow, I'm thinking we have a problem here and I'd like to know what will be done.

BLAM! Back atcha, school district! That ought to teach 'em to get all pissy with me earlier this year over what basically was nothing out of the ordinary....my son just got caught saying what I've heard him and his friends say many a time. I don't know if I find it all funny or quite aggravating or if it just plain pisses me off.

(almost) Thursday Fun!

A Tarot card reading. Or several.

What does it say for you?

Reality Overdose

Yesterday was a helluva reality check in the momma household.

It began at 6:05am when one of DH's co-workers was killed in a one car accident on the way home from work. It could have been any one of them, really.

At 7pm last night, the neighbor's house caught fire. It started as a grease fire in the kitchen that quickly spread into the attic and other areas. The house is "okay" and has major smoke damage, but it's not totally gone.

Lots of thoughts rolling around in my brain. None of them too very happy, really. *sigh*

Help me take my mind off reality, please.

Ow.

My legs hurt. This painting stuff is a pain in the thighs. Up, down, up, down.

But, the kitchen is completed except for a few touch ups. It looks really good! Yay!

Edited to add pictures for Kim......These pictures were taken about mid-island (you can see a pan handle sticking out of the sink at the bottom of the picture). There's still almost half of the kitchen behind me. And those cabinets go almost all the way down the long wall. I made those curtains a couple of months ago.

Some people....

just.don't.get.it.

Case Study: I have a fairly naive and clueless employee. How she ever lived to be 50-something without a real job, I'll never quite know, but....our previous Director thought she was a great employee with lots of potential, so he hired her. Two years later, I'm still trying to get her to understand the basics of her job. Tuesday AM I held a meeting about how to pay attention and stop making mistakes. One of the things I brought up was cell phone usage. It was to be cut out except in emergencies and on lunch/breaks. Two hours later, she made a fairly large mistake that cost us a couple of hours. *sigh* I didn't want to do it, but I had to write her up for it. I mean, really...how am I going to get my point across if I didn't write her up?

Today she brings in a page of written documentation detailing WHY she was on her cell phone, the call stressed her out and she screwed up.

Ugh. Ugh. Ugh.

MIA

Where did mm's blog go? It says she can't be found.



Now, if you haven't weighed in on my paint choices, please do. My family is of no help whatsoever.

Paint Colors....

So in the midst of my massive cleaning spree this weekend, I decided it was waaaaaaaay past time to paint the kitchen. There was a leaf patterned wallboard thing up that was maroon, blue, green and white. It's not as ugly as it sounds, I promise. So Saturday night, I bought the primer. Yesterday I spent all freaking day putting the primer on. Now, I'm stuck. I can't decide what color I want to paint. The countertops are several shades of green - sage and a bit darker with some beige mixed in. The cabinets are a light wood. The floors are a hardwood looking lineoleum. Here are a couple colors I'm looking at...Well hell. If I can figure out how to get the colors to show up in blogger, I'll edit them in. But basically, one is a coffee/beige color and the other is a light green.

What color would you use?

Edited to add: Okay, here is a funky picture of the kitchen (my lighting was all jacked up and my camera batteries are dead), along with a close up of the counter and some paint samples I got earlier.

Spring Cleaning

It's Friday! Yay! However, I am not totally looking forward to this weekend. I must do a massive cleaning in the house. It's just ookie....of course, my definition of ookie means that tops of cabinets haven't been dusted in a couple months, the carpets need to be cleaned, and walls need to be scrubbed. *sigh* I hate doing it, but I love how fresh the house looks after a weekend of scrubbing corners and floors and cabinets and such. Why do Spring and Fall always put me into this mood? Ah well, the house will smell clean for a few days. *grin*

Think of me while you are off having fun this weekend. I'll be knee deep in dust rags, vacuum attachments and the like.

Copy Cat

My name: Momma
Childhood ambition: To be a teacher. WTF was I thinking?!
Fondest memory: If I could remember the birth of either child, that might be it. But I was seriously drugged. So, I'd have to say it's a toss up between holding my kids for the first time and meeting DH.
Soundtrack: I honestly don't know.
Retreat: The farm, without a doubt. Nature, animals, family, a fridge stocked with drinks....heaven on earth, I tell you.
Wildest dream: Wild lately is driving around with a kid in the front seat of the car going to the corner store.
Proudest moment: Moving out and making it on my own while attending college the summer I turned 18, after being told I'd never make it and be home in 6 months or less.
biggest challenge: Raising happy, healthy, well adjusted kids.
Alarm clock: It's set for 5:30. *sigh* I usually hit snooze once or twice.
Perfect day: Copied for Carey - Good friends, good weather, good music, good food, good drink and adding, well behaved Rottens.
First job: Inhome daycare assistant at 12.
Indulgence: Peace and quiet
Last purchase: Four pencils at the Texas Fishery Foundation.
Favorite movie: Ladder 49, Stepmom, Grease, YaYa Sisters, and Cars.
Inspiration: My kids and my thoughts
My life: is pretty okay, as long as I don't get too lost in my thoughts.
My card: got washed with DH's cell phone yesterday.

For Carey and Monsty

Ack!

My ex-sil just became a Pampered Chef consultant. She wants me to have a party. I have no problem with this, in general, because I love their stuff. My problem is, I want it ALL!

Who wants to come? Who doesn't? Who hates these "Buy stuff" parties?



And if you didn't see the Rottens below, go check them out.

Rotten Bluebonnets

Mid-week Randoms

It just dawned on me, again, that this Sunday is Easter. I have nothing for the kids' Easter baskets, nothing new for them to wear to church, and no plans for Easter. I'm an awful mother, aren't I?

I've spent some time on OT over the last few days. I haven't logged in, read, or posted in a few months. I'm a bit lost with so many new names I just don't recognize. Although, much has stayed the same, even with the influx of newer characters.

Tonight was the Spring Book Fair at the Rottens' school. I have never been to a book fair that did not offer at least something for adults to read. I was slightly disappointed. The Rottens, however, were thrilled as that meant more money for them to spend.

My main front flowerbeds are bothering me this year. They are green. They are supposed to be many different colors. Yet I have no crocuses (croci?) left, no daffodils, no gladiolas, not a bit of color beyond green. What is going on?!

I need new shorts and flip flops. I don't want to go shopping. Blah.

I blame Augie.

She gets a cold, the cold/sinusy/allergy crap makes its way to me.

She has daffodils, I have plants that should have daffodils flowering.

She hates commercials, I don't even know what she's talking about.

She has a gnome, three have made their home in one of my flower beds.

I.don't.wanna.

It's the next to last day of the year at work. Ick. Full inventory tomorrow. Blech. Paperwork is flying everywhere. Double yuck. Year end bonus received today. Decent. Somehow it doesn't outweigh the ookiness of year end.

Cross your fingers that you don't find Momma bits all over blogland before mid-April.