And School is almost over.

Yesterday was Rotten1's award ceremony for 2nd grade, where he was given certificates for A-B Honor Roll, DEAR reading, and the Determination Award by his teacher. The Determination Award was voted on by his classmates - and he was the only one who received it - for always finishing what he starts, no matter what. Here is Rotten1 with his teacher after the ceremony.

Rotten2 also had her Kindergarten graduation last night, complete with caps and gowns and little diplomas. They sang several songs for the parents and showed a movie with pictures taken throughout the year. I know they all grew up this year, but wow. Looking at those first of the year pictures compared to the kids sitting in front of us....Truly unbelievable. And here is Rotten2 with her teacher after graduation.

I have to hand it to this year's teachers. They were both truly amazing, very caring, on top of things, and just all around wonderful teachers for the kids. Very special, wonderful ladies who made this year a joy, a great learning experience, and were easy to communicate with and work with. So, to all teachers, thank you. Without wonderful people like you to influence, teach and enrich, my kids would probably hate school.

ABC's mememememe

A is for Age - 28, almost 29
B is for Booze - Margaritas, Jack & Coke, Rum & Coke
C is for Career - I'm supposed to have a career? This deadend job does not qualify.
D is for Dad’s name - Lawrence
E is for Essential Item to bring to a Party - Drinks, chips and dip
F is for Favorite Songs at the Moment - Gotta be Something More, by Sugarland
G is for Goof off thing to do - Blogging, altho there hasn't been much time for that lately.
H is for Hometown - Of all the places I've lived in Texas, the East Texas area will always be home.
I is for Instrument you play - I played the piano for a few months, does that count?
J is for Jam or Jelly you like - Strawberry jam, peach jelly, blueberry jelly
K is for Kids - As if we don't all know about the Rottens by now?!
L is for Living arrangement - House with DH and the Rottens
M is for Mom’s name - Jeannette
N is for Names of best friends - Tracey, Crysta, and all of you!
O is for overnight hospital stays - 2 - the birth of each child
P is for Phobias - Death before my kids grow up, Mice
Q is for Quote you like - "I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seemstoday, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow." OR "I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back." - Maya Angelou
R is for Relationship that lasted longest - This is a tie - 4 years each
S is for Siblings - one half brother, three stepbrothers, and one stepsister - altho the only one that counts and is a permanent addition to my life over the years is my half brother. The steps have come and gone.
T is for Texas, Ever been? - Do I really have to answer this one?
U is for Unique trait - Very little is unique about me, altho these days, honesty seems to be almost a unique trait.
V if for Vegetable you love - Corn on the cob, peas, broccoli, cauliflower, fried okra, squash....
W is for Worst traits - Stubborness, Hardheadedness, and Defiance
X - is for XRays you’ve had - chest, wrist, ankle, knee, and many dental xrays
Y is for Yummy food you make - Rotten1 loves my tacos, Rotten2 loves my spaghetti, and DH loves my meatloaf.
Z is for Zodiac sign - Leo

Saturday Musings

Rotten2 had a wonderful birthday and says thank you to momma's 'puter friends. She was thrilled about the entire day - so cute.

Now. Who in the world decided that mid-May was the time to bring on mid-90 degree temps? It's freaking HOT outside. I think its already 80 degrees and it's not even 9am. Gah. And I have to go sit at a baseball game at 11:30.

And now for my weekly chore list. Let's place bets on how much of this gets accomplished with no kids and no DH today. Dusting, vacuuming, bathroom scrubbing, mopping, cleaning my poor nasty truck (again!), grocery shopping, bill paying, and....it's my turn to clean the litter box. I need to figure out where the leak in the pool is. It's one of those above ground blue ones at Walmart and it's slowly losing air around the top. We've patched a few holes and apparently have missed one. I also need to drive 45 minutes to the jewelers to have my wedding ring inspected. Holy shit. That means DH and I have been married almost a year. Wow. Where does the time go?!

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Update: I was in the shower after cruising the blogs and the dog went Nutz. I mean, insanely cuckoo. So I get out, wrap a towel around me and peek outside. The mailwoman came by and was on the porch because I had a package! A package! Yay! Wait. I didn't order anything. Hm. So I sneak onto the porch in my towel, grab my package and quickly get back in the house. It's a box from Monsty!!! And inside, just in time to head out to Rotten1's game - a Red Sox hat! Hooray! So I finished my shower, got dressed and wore my brand new Red Sox hat to the game.

Also, I got absolutely nothing on my list accomplished. Instead, I went to the game, window shopped, went to the bookstore, got my hair trimmed, window shopped some more, went to Walmart and then Petsmart. Then I came home and took an evening nap.

Happy Birthday to my baby girl

My baby girl is 6 today. I can't believe how time flies. It seems like only yesterday I was in the hospital, fully coherent (which was a complete change from Rotten1's birth) and scared to death that something was wrong. She had been taken straight from the OR to the nursery, before I could hold her because she still had amniotic fluid in her lungs due to the CSection. I was in recovery for only a couple of hours ... so afraid for her and wanting to see her and hold her that I forced myself to walk before I was really ready. In fact, I couldn't feel my feet yet but I managed to walk around the room so they'd let me up to go to the nursery. To this day, I have no idea how I managed that.

Today, she is a confident, outgoing, spirited child. So very girly and prissy, yet has her moments where she will play in mud puddles. Of course, those moments are usually followed by a check of her clothes and shoes and a desire for a bath. She's grown so much this past year - it's amazing how much she has learned and how much more of her personality has developed. She is entirely too much like her momma, that's for sure.

At 1 year...

And today....

Wednesday, already?

Where the hell has this week gone? Oh yeah....baseball, a church school program, and hell/work. Tonight is Lost, cake baking, present wrapping and laundry. Tomorrow is Rotten2's birthday and Friday is baseball. Whew.

Someone please tell me what it's like to have a life. Please?

Weekend Update

After baseball practice last night, Rotten1 & Rotten2 ended up going home with one of Rotten1's teammates and his sister. An unexpected night with DH! So what did we do? Went to sleep at like 9pm. *rolls eyes* It really has been a bizarre week.

This morning, we headed to pick up the kids and stopped at a garage sale on the way. Found a Gateway Pentium II for $15 that needed some memory...so we bought it! Stopped at a local computer repair shop and picked up two memory sticks for $10. Then spent the better part of 6 hours trying to get around the Administrator password on Windows XP Professional. And no, the folks we bought the computer tower from had no idea what the password was. *sigh* Redneck Techie Momma finally ... um ... managed to get it working for DH after he found a little program on the Internet *grin* Then we got the free Compaq working, too. So now I'm in search of two decent used monitors, a keyboard and a set of speakers so both kids will have their own computers again! Yay! In the midst of all of this, we picked up the kids and ended up bringing Rotten1's teammate home with us, too. The boys played and swam all day, Rotten2 left them alone for the most part, and we all had fun. Rotten1's teammate ended up spending the night tonight, too.

Tomorrow? Hopefully I'll get that long list of chores accomplished from below. At least DH got my truck washed today, and the kitchen and living room are clean. I think most of the laundry is done too. Hm...may not be so bad after all.

*smooch*

TGIF

No, really...Thank God it's Friday! I am so glad this week is over. It's just been a bizarre week all the way around. I'm trying desperately to forget that Monday will be here shortly.

The kids ended up spending the night with some friends tonight, so DH and I got an unexpected evening to ourselves. Of course, he crashed early since he was up all night at work and I'm tired, but not sleepy.

This weekend's excitement is geared toward finishing shopping for Rotten2's birthday, yard work, cleaning the house, watching the kids swim and not much else. Yay! What fun will you be having this weekend?

*smooch*

So.

I'm sitting here tonight playing on my computer and it hits me.

It's quiet. Entirely too quiet. DH is at work. Rotten1 is spending the night at his grandma's. Rotten2 is here, though and she usually makes enough noise for seven children. Where is she and what has she gotten into? Last I'd seen her, she was off to color in her room. So I go in there. And at 6pm, she's fast asleep at her desk coloring a My Little Pony page.

So cute, so sweet, so quiet. I didn't want to move her for fear that she'd wake up. But it didn't look comfortable. And besides, if I didn't wake her up, she'd never go to sleep tonight. But she must have been tired since she had a long, late weekend at her dad's AND she'd been there last night.

So I moved her to her bed. She didn't wake up immediately. About 5 minutes later, she came in the living room with me and asked to go to "that new website" her teacher told her about. Turns out, it is one we've been to many, many times - just not to this part of the site. pbskids. *snort*

She has entirely too much fun when it's just me and her. And so do I.

Randomness...

Have you ever bit your lip or the inside of your cheek when trying to keep your mouth shut around a problem employee, stupid manager, the in-laws, or some other annoying individual you are stuck with so often that you've actually caused a sore? I have. Today. And it hurts like hell every time my cheek rubs my teeth.

********

Kim (aka Weltek) is a goddess. Really. These brownies are absolutely wonderful!

*******

Rotten1 pulled his other top front tooth last night. All by himself. Sort of. I'd been helping wiggle and turn it, then he decided he wanted to do it. The look on his face was priceless when it popped out in his hand. I'll try to get the pictures of the former Snaggletooth off my camera soon.

Long, long day

After a nice, relaxing weekend...I went back to work. Argh. It's insane. Orders are up, production is up, you'd think all would be well, right? No. One employee is out with a family emergency and we don't know when she'll be back. Another employee is on light duty due to cataract surgery. Did you know that for a week after eye surgery, you cannot lift anything over 7lbs because you might strain your eye? No shit. I have the doctor's note to prove it. So, what does that leave? One employee who is fairly new and working her way through the year long learning curve. And me. Yay. /sarcasm

Rotten1 had a ball game tonight - a make up game from last Saturday's rain out game. They played very well. Rotten1 scored two runs and had 3 hits! Two of our worst players, and they are bad, even swung well. One actually got a hit! His first all season! Unfortunately, a couple of fielding errors cost us the game :( Ah well....they played very well over all.

Rotten2 is still cranky and crabby from her weekend with their father. I swear, I'm putting her to bed at 6pm tomorrow if this shit doesn't stop!

And on the job front, well. No news. No return phone call. So..no big deal. It was a good practice process for the next run. I sent out a couple more resumes yesterday. We'll see. Oh, and according to some news report? Unemployment is down and the job market is booming. According to Jay Leno, the White House Cabinet has enough job openings to cover all unemployed people. *snicker*

I give up.

I called the HR lady today, she was out sick. I left a message inquiring whether they had filled the position. We'll see. I still am giving up though. If they call, it will be a nice surprise.

The Tooth Fairy left a $2 bill + 2 $1 bills. Rotten1 was extremely excited about this because his best buddy also gets $2 bills from the Tooth Fairy, which I did not know. He's never, ever going to spend the $2 bill because it's very special to him. Color me impressed.

In other news, I went shopping tonight. I bought a new watch, a pair of very casual capris, a skort, two shirts and two pairs of flip flops. I will be taking back another skort and shirt that do not fit properly. I also bought new foundation - I'm trying this creme to powder stuff...we'll see. And, I bought some lotion, a few new hair scrunchy thingies, some Benadryl for Rotten1, dog shampoo, kid shampoo and body wash, and a new toy for the cat. No, they were not all purchased at the same place. I actually went to two different stores! Yay for me!

Now, I'm off to make the blog rounds and watch Harry Potter & The Sorcerer's Stone for the first time.

*smooches and hugs to all my wonderfully supportive friends*

Hi.

As noted below, I still have not heard anything about the job. I'll give it til Friday afternoon and then call them to verify my thoughts. I don't think I got it :( But...what is meant to happen, will happen.

Other than that, not too much exciting is going on. I think we're getting Carey/Catt/mm's weather...it started raining Tuesday and has barely let up and isn't supposed to stop til Saturday. Blah.

ETA: It's mtw's weather too. Men. Sheesh.

And as for the lack of excitement? That went out the window as the evening drew to a close. I pulled Rotten1's very loose tooth, which made for some excitement and little boy happiness. This is his 3rd one - this time the top left (if you're looking at him). Then Rotten2's allergies went haywire and she had a minor nose bleed. Of course, it's just my luck that we're out of Children's liquid Benadryl. Crap. So I go digging in the medicine cabinets and all I can find are Benadryl capsules. Ages 6-12 and 12 & up. Well, she's close enough to 6, so she actually swallowed her first medicine pill!

Damn. My life is entirely too interesting.

Job Interview

So today was my job interview at the hospital. I called in sick to work because I just couldn't schedule another vacation day right now. I got there about 30 minutes early and was able to start some of the pre-interview testing. Did fairly well, if I do say so myself. Then I met one of the HR ladies. She was very nice, discussed benefits, the company, and other details with me and asked a lot of background questions of me. I hate "Tell Me Three Things about Yourself ..." questions. She seemed okay with my answers there, though. We talked a bit about her daughter, who is the same age as Rotten2 and her two older sons - one of them is in the Marines. She walked me over to the main building and introduced me to the guy who would be my manager if I am hired. He and I talked for a long time about the job, qualifications, experiences and personalities. The funniest question of all came after he told me the previous hire lasted for 3 weeks and a day. Mind you, I've walked through 80% of this department and seen the layout of it all on the way to his office. Would an open air environment bother me? I was dumbfounded. Totally stupefied for a minute, until I realized he was serious. Of course, the next question was almost as good...does certain "language" bother me when used in the context of a sentence on rare occasions, whether directed to me or another person or thing. I almost laughed at that too. Instead, I expanded on our slight humor we had going at this point and threw my hands up and said forget it, I just cannot handle that type of stress. He laughed, I laughed.

This job sounds wonderful. The lady I would be replacing, if offered the job, left her position to move up the ladder a bit. So she's there, would be my trainer and seems very nice. I really, really want this job. I was the last interview and it's between me and one other person, who is as different from me as night and day. Yep, that was the manager's exact phrase. I'm not sure what exactly that means, but we are both qualified candidates who are causing him extreme stress over which would be best for the job.

Wow.

I will know something tomorrow.

Double wow.

It's all Augie's fault.

I dug 50 holes in my big flower bed across the front of the house today with the kids' help. It's all Augie's fault. If she hadn't been talking about buying annuals for her flower beds, I wouldn't have gone into the gardening department with the Rottens today. And I wouldn't have dug 50 holes. And NO! I'm not exaggerating about those 50 plants. 8 six packs of petunias, marigolds (or something that looks pretty damn similar but didn't have a tag in it), two kinds of Celosia, Salvia, and Begonias plus two larger petunias. And they are all bright colors - pinks, whites, purples and yellows. And a red something...maybe that was the Salvia.

See how mean Augie is!

Redneck Hillbilly Moment

I went to the grocery store this afternoon after I dropped the kids off at their grandparents. Of course, I loaded my buggy (see also: shopping cart, cart) with the usual - bread, milk, chicken breasts, hamburger buns, bananas, pork chops, steak, veggies (frozen and canned), kids' lunch crap, Cokes, ice cream, etc. And on my way to the check out, what did I see? KC Masterpiece BBQ Beef Jerky. I love beef jerky, but hate paying for it. I usually only get beef jerky in the fall/winter and then it's usually venison jerky. I couldn't help it. The display was calling to me. I had to have some. I picked up a bag and put it in the buggy. I put the bag back. I picked it up again.

I ended up with 2 bags of beef jerky - Original and KC Masterpiece BBQ Jerky. Damn, it's good.

Minute by minute....- Updated

That pretty well sums up how I'm getting through my days right now. In bullet points, here's my life right now:
* DH is working with the insurance companies and his endo to get an insulin pump. I'm working with our finances to make this work for him. Update: Looks like this could go very well for DH. He is diabetic and has been for about 2 years. Given his career, the shots have not been as easily managable as the pump should be. He will have to have it on him at all times (most of the time).
* I'm looking for a new gyno who is on our insurance. This will not be good. Well, in the end, it will be, but the process of finding and going and dealing will not be good. Update: I have found 3 ob/gyn offices that I will be checking out. I am dreading this.
* Rotten1 got clobbered in the mouth/nose last night at his baseball game while playing 2nd base. He ran up to catch the ball and instead of it rolling, it bounced up and WHAM! He's fine, just has a fat lip.
* Rotten2 has a field trip to a local horse ranch on Thursday. She's quite peeved that I will not be able to go, due to work issues.
* Work. *sigh* I hate it, but I'm showing up and doing my job. Right now, that's about all I can ask out of myself. Update: I received a call today from the hospital next door to the hospital DH works for. They want me in on Monday for TWO interviews!!! Yay! The first interview is with HR, the second is with the Construction Project Manager, who I would be working for. Even if I don't get this job, it's given me hope that there is something else out there. Now. WTF do I wear to an interview?!?
* I actually got a full child support from my ex last week. First time in almost a year. I'm not holding my breath for another one anytime soon. Update: Unfortunatly, after a minor shopping spree for the Rottens, most of the money is going toward daycare. *pout*
* 27 more days of school for the Rottens! Yikes! This is a whole 'nother post in itself.
*I need a nap....like a long bear winter hibernation type nap. Not sure if it's stress or what, but I'm constantly exhausted these days.
* Best of all, I'm trying (and partly succeeding) in keeping a good, happy mood going.

A Rotten Easter

The Job Search is ON!

OMG OMG OMG.....I've gone and done it. I put in my resume to several different companies tonight. Only two are local. The other 6-8 are about an hour away, in what I lovingly refer to as my hometown. Tyler is the only place I've lived that I'd gladly move back to. It's big enough that I could be in town and still small enough that there is land and trees to be had.

Larry is currently working about 15 minutes north of Tyler, so finding a job for him is irrelevant. But...we own the house we are in, the kids' family is here. What the fuck am I thinking? I know, it's not like I was offered a job or anything. Hell, all I did was put in my resume. But, Larry and I have been talking about this off and on. He's never lived in Tyler, but he has really come to appreciate the area and made several friends in the 6 months he's been working down there. The kids' grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins go camping down around Tyler about once a month, so they'd still see them regularly - just not daily like they do now.

Cross your fingers for me. It's definitely time for a change - I just don't know how big of a change yet.

Tagged: Six Weird Things

Here are the rules-
1. Reveal six weird facts/things/habits about yourself and then tag six people
2. Leave a "You're Tagged!" comment to let the people you have tagged know they have to reveal six things (or the entire blogosphere will explode and it will be their fault)
3. Leave a comment HERE to let me know when you have completed your mission

SIX THINGS

1. I have worked at the same company for almost 7 years. I have had 6 offices (one, I've had twice) in that time, all but one within the same general subsidy in three different capacities.

2. I rarely watch TV. Maybe a total of 3 hours every week.

3. When I was pregnant with Rotten2, I knew it within days - with no symptoms or missed moments.

4. I have not finished college. I am one hour shy of my Associate of Arts degree. That one hour? was a PE class I dropped when I was 6 months pregnant with Rotten1.

5. I kept my middle name through both marriages and dropped my maiden name totally. The kids only recently learned what my maiden name was.

6. My high school class had 642 kids in it. I was #228.

TAGGING:
1. Bob
2. Boo
3. Arkie
4. Iggy
5. Seana
6. Zombie

Update, as promised

This may not be as exciting as you all hoped.

Friday did turn out to be a Good Friday, after all. After sending the kids to take a nap at 9:15 am, they straightened up within a few minutes and all was right with the world. We straightened up the house, played outside quite a bit, went to the grocery store, and just hung out. We (the kids and I, Larry was at work) ended up staying up until midnight watching movies and cartoons.

Saturday was busy. We had an Easter Egg Hunt at the church from 11-12, a baseball game from 12:30-2 something, then we came home and boiled eggs to color. Of course, it was another 80+ degree day, so we hung out outside most of the afternoon and the kids rode bikes and played baseball and drew a million pictures with sidewalk chalk.

Sunday was Easter! Yay! After Rotten2 woke up twice in the middle of the night to "check to see if the Easter Bunny had come" and walked past their filled baskets in the dark, that is. The Easter Bunny brought the both of the kids several different workbooks - word searches and mazes and such, a puzzle, a chocolate bunny, some Hershey's Kissables, a jumbo pen, a small toy, a paddle ball, some Rocket Balloons, and some other stuff that I've forgotten now. After opening their baskets, Rotten1 asked me if the Easter Bunny was real because one of the boys on the bus said that your parents are the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus. I didn't have the heart to tell him and Rotten2, who was sitting on the floor in the living room, that they aren't real. Not to mention, I'm not really ready to let go of that piece of their childhoods. So I got out of giving him a real answer by saying that he'd asked me if we could go out to eat Saturday night and I told him I only had $20 in my wallet so we would be eating at home, and asking if he thought $20 could buy all of the stuff in their baskets. He answered No. And it was left at that. We went to church Sunday morning, too. That was....wow. I haven't been in years, even though the kids regularly go to Wed night activities with the ex-in-laws. I grew up in the Methodist Church, while the ex-in-laws are Baptist. In most cases, it is the same beliefs, just a bit of difference in the practices. So, anyway, the kids and I head off to the local Methodist Church. Wow. It was definitely a sermon I could relate to and the members were extremely friendly and welcoming for it being our first visit on a day when they had many, many visitors. Sunday afternoon was filled with a small nap, lots of playtime outdoors, screaming whistling rocket balloons, bike rides for the kids and just general goofing off.

Today......*sigh* I so did not want to go back to work. But I did, and I managed to make it through the day with only one nasty remark to my boss, who is a complete imbicile. Baseball practice tonight and a quick spaghetti dinner and homework. Oh, and did I mention that we hit a record high temperature? 100 degrees! Yep. It's going to be one hot ass summer.

ETA: I was wrong. Channel 5 Meteorologist says that it was 101 today, the hottest day ever this early in the year. Also, it is 10 pm and it's still 91 degrees outside.

I have an update....

Really, I do. I just don't have time to type it all out. The weekend did get better, MUCH better, in fact. So, until I have time....I'll leave you with a bumper sticker that I saw on my way to work this morning.

If Ignorance is Bliss, why aren't more people happy?

Think it was a sign telling me how my day would be? *grin*

Good Friday?!?!

*snort*

Not in this house. The kids went to bed at about 8:30 last night and were up around 7:30 this morning. We've had breakfast, they've played, and I've already refereed about 85 arguements. It's 9:13 am and I've sent them both to take a nap. I cannot handle an entire day today of arguing and whining.

Somebody help!

New Club

I think we need to start a new club. Monsty tried to break her thumb and did tendon damage. Zombie played in the flowers and got a blister. I raked a billion gazillion leaves, got a blister (or two) and popped the blister on my thumb while raking.

Anyone else with severe thumb damage?

In other news, I have nothing to say. You?

Rotten1's T-Shirt Collection

In the last month or two, Rotten1 has discovered T-Shirts with sayings on them. While at Target this weekend, I bought him three new ones. His favorites are:

A black t-shirt with a white stick figure tripping that says "I Do All My Own Stunts"

A red t-shirt that says, in black and white lettering, "Do I Annoy You?"

A navy t-shirt that says, in white letters, something about his mouth overruling his mind. I can't remember the exact phrase right now. I found it quite amusing and truthful considering how much he has been getting in trouble at school for talking.

A navy t-shirt with light blue big letters that says, "Blame My Sister."

And a gray t-shirt with a huge baseball on it that says "Baseball is My Favorite Subject."

Guess which one he wore to school today.......And tell me about your favorite t-shirt sayings. Or just your favorite sayings.

Question #2

Did Monsty really break her thumb?

Bonus: Since she's never admitted to how it happened, what do you think caused the possible break? Remember, Mr Monstah did buy gummy vitamins the other day......

Question

What time do you normally go to bed?

Argh!

Did ya'll see what Monsty's Red Sox did to our Texas Rangers on Opening Day?!?! Did you see it? Argh! This does not bode well.

In other news, Rotten1 scored a run in his game last night. And one on Saturday during their Opening Day game! And? the backs of my thighs are very sore from all of the squatting and standing I did Saturday during our Year End Inventory for 10 hours.

Favorite Song Thingie

Tagged by Seana.

Instructions: Choose a band or artist and answer the questions using only titles of their songs.

I chose Chris Cagle. Mm.......Yummy. If you don't remember what he looks like, click here.

Are you male or female? Chicks Dig It
Describe yourself: Look What I've Found
How do some people feel about you: The Safe Side
How do you feel about yourself: Look At What I've Done
Describe your ex boyfriend/girlfriend: Wanted Dead or Alive
Describe your current significant other: I Was Made For You
Describe where you want to be: Anywhere but Here
Describe how you live: Country By the Grace of God
Describe how you love: Lovin' You, Lovin' Me
What would you ask for if you had just one wish: What a Beautiful Day
Share a few words of wisdom: You Might Want to Think About It
Now say goodbye: Miss Me Baby

I'm tagging Monsty, Iggy, and Catt.

*yawn*

I don't know why, but I can't quit yawning today. I got some restful sleep this weekend, and almost 7 hours of sleep last night. Oh well. Bedtime will be soon.

I have a question for all of you. Do you use car air fresheners? If you do, what kind? The ugly tree looking things? The Yankee candle ones? The little can looking thingies that you can adjust the amount of smelly it lets into the car? And what scent?

I bought one of those can looking ones this weekend. I usually do not buy these, but I loved the smell - crisp green apple. Normally, I buy refills for the black felt cowboy hat that is in the hidey place under the stereo. But since it's spring, I needed something more springy. And thus, I have the crisp green apple can thingie.

Update!

Yikes! I haven't updated since Tuesday. What is wrong with me?

Tonight I went to the Dollar Tree to buy wrapping paper because tomorrow is DH's birthday and I need to wrap his truck stereo and speakers. Of course, I can't just go in and get that one thing cause everything is $1. *rolls eyes* $14 later, I manage to make it out of the store. I passed the Peeps 4 different times. The first time, I thought of Coco, who thought of me when she saw Peeps. The second time was trying to decide if I wanted blue, pink, yellow or purple colored bunnies or chickies. The third time was deciding I definitely wanted chickies and probably yellow. The fourth and final time, I realized I do not need Peeps. So I bought some chocolate eggs with fudge, marshmallow, or caramel filling.

Then I went and caught the last 20 minutes or so of Rotten1's baseball practice. He's sooooo good! And I'm not just saying that because I'm his momma, either. He really is awesome for a barely 8 year old. This is his first year of coach pitch (we missed last year). He hits about 80% of the balls pitched to him, has begun learning how to throw a fastball, stops about 60% of the balls when playing catcher (for the first time tonight), and can field most any ball hit in the infield. And!!! He actually pays attention to the game instead of picking grass or running in circles like many of the boys. He really loves to play and I love to be able to watch. Reminds me of several years gone by. /sentimental moment

Tomorrow is DH's 33rd birthday. His dad and step mom are coming down to take us shopping at the outlet mall and out for dinner. I think we're also going to get DH a new pair of work boots. Should be fun.

Off to finish making DH's butter cake with fudge icing and drink my pina coladas while I pretend I'm on some beach, some where.

Missing Peeps.

No, not those Peeps. The Easter peeps. I really want some. But given my tooth status at the moment, I know I shouldn't. And they are really nasty. But oh so addicting. Yellow and pink and blue little chickies and bunnies and such.

Okay, Okay. So I really do want to know where those missing bloggie peeps are, too. But I can't call them all by name. I wonder if it would suffice to call out the eight reindeer. Or the seven dwarfs. Or the Sesame Street characters. Or the Smurfs. Or.....

Ow.

Ow. Ow. OW! I have a molar on the top right side of my mouth that has been chipped/cracked for quite a while now. I bit down on my popcorn this morning the wrong way and now my entire effing mouth hurts. And my jaw. And my ear. And now my checkbook will be hurting to. It's going to cost a minimum of $150.00 for the dentist to "take care" of it. Let's just hope it stops hurting soon and pretends like there's nothing wrong with it for a while longer.

I hate my teeth. And I hate dentists.

Spring Break Adventures!

Spring Break is extremely eventful in the Momma house. The first part of the week, the kids were with their dad which included camping with Grandma and a small fishing trip. They came home Wednesday night. Yesterday we went to the Zoo *points down blog a bit*

Today's adventures included a trip to the Dollar Tree, where everything is $1. We found 2 packages of "cool" socks for Rotten2, 2 Easter bunny figures, an Easter basket for the kitchen table, 2 John Deere glasses *waves to Weltek*, 4 C Batteries for the Uno game, 2 Nerf-like blaster thingies for Rotten1, a princess crown and purple headband for Rotten2, more sidewalk chalk, and zoo animal bandaids for a whopping out the door price of $16.16 (with tax). We then ventured to the half price/trade in, locally owned bookstore where Rotten1 purchased 7 books, Rotten2 purchased 7 books, and I purchased 4 Bear Clan books *waves to Breezy* and another book for a grand total of $21.05. Then we walked over to Blockbuster and bought March of the Penguins *waves to Coco* and Madagascar for a grand total of $21.05. Then we went to Walmart for laundry detergent and Twist-Up crayons. Then the grandest part of the adventure was McDonalds *waves to Boo* for lunch, which cost me as much as the damn dollar store. Then it was time to head to the house for rest time and play time before the first baseball practice of the season *waves to Monsty*! Yay!

Tomorrow's adventures, so far, include baseball uniform fittings and going to the "mall" *waves to Carey since she just loves the mall so very muchly* in a nearby town to meet the radio station people, while Larry is at work.

Excitement abounds in this house for Spring Break adventures!

The ZOO!!!!

I'll admit, I was as excited about our trip to the zoo today as the kids were. Larry pretended he didn't care one way or the other, but I caught him getting caught up in the excitement a few times, too. Today was the first time I've taken the kids to a zoo. They've each been once with their daycare, but not to this zoo. This is a smaller zoo (takes 2-3 hours to walk through with the kids) with not as many animals, but all of the staff and keepers are super friendly, all over the place, and very knowledgeable. The park is also extremely clean.

Between the Rottens, we are now in need of a monkey (a small one), a parrot that talks, a zebra named Stripes, three flamingos, an albino catfish, a jaguar (the black one, not the spotted one), a penguin, a toucan, a bird that eats out of your hands, and something else I've forgotten. We took over 120 pictures and this is a small zoo!!!!

There's a cheetah or spotted jaguar (one of the two, I forget) in the middle of this picture.

Hello?

Anybody out there? Carey? Zbaby? Nookie? Monsty? Hello?

Looks like we are going to head to the Tyler Zoo on either Thursday or Friday. Waiting to see the weather forecast in a bit, even though it means absolutely zilch this time of year in Texas. We may meet some friends and their kids at the park on Saturday, again, depending on the weather.

*smooch*

Quiet and Warm

Good Morning! How is everyone on this lovely, windy, 70 degree morning? Spent most of yesterday either enjoying our weather or cleaning house. Larry and I went out for dinner and a quick run through the lawn and garden section of Walmart, where I discovered almost nothing I had to have. We sat outside on the swing until around 9. Sooo many stars! Today, Larry is at work, Rotten1 is at the lake with his grandparents for a couple of days, and Rotten2 is with her dad. I still need to clean the bathrooms, make a run to the nursery (plants and soil), and I may get brave and try to clean out Rotten2's room again. That will probably only happen if the 30% chance of thunderstorms makes it here this afternoon.

Have a great day - and hope you had a wonderful weekend.

*smoooooooooooch*

Spring Break!

I used to love Spring Break when I was in school. Especially the older I got *evil grin* After Rotten1 was born and I was out of school, Spring Break didn't mean much to me. Now that both kids are in school, Spring Break is half nightmare and half excitement for me.

The Rottens are out next week. They are going to spend the first half of the week with their dad. The second half of the week is up in the air. They may be with their dad, they may be with me. I may be taking Thursday and Friday off work. Larry is off those days, too. I'm thinking a trip to the zoo would be a cool thing to do on one of those days, if the zoo is even open yet. Other than that, we have no real Spring Break plans.

Mmmmm..Chris Cagle

I got to listen to my super hot, nummy boyfriend on the radio this morning. One of the local DJs was interviewing him. Fact I didn't know? He went to UT Arlington for 2 1/2 years before dropping out to join a band and pursue his music career. He went to UT because his dad wanted him to get an education, even though Chris knew it wasn't the right choice for him. After dropping out and making it in country radio, his dad is very proud of him!

Keyboard Issues

I need a quiet keyboard. It seems that my keyboard is too loud. Or so DH says nearly every night as he's going to bed and I'm playing on the computer. He's threatening to coat all of my keys in cotton. I guess as the key is pressed it clicks a bit and at 9:30 when he's trying to go to sleep so he can be up at 4:30, it's a bit irritating. I could move my computer, but I happen to like where it is. So I need a new keyboard. *rolls eyes*

Spring!!!!

Yay! I'm beginning to see signs of spring! This winter, while not terribly cold, has been so dreary and seems so very long. Last night, as I pulled into the driveway, there was a squirrel running up one of the large trees in the back of the house. The hurricane mosquito lamps are hanging again on our porch. The barbeque grill is back on the deck, out of hibernation in the storage shetd. There are small patches of green grass shoving their way up in the yard. Some afternoons this week have been perfect for opening up the windows and airing out the house. And best of all, the sun is fighting to come out through the gray skies.

Shallow End.

I have to dive into the shallow end. I just can't dwell on the idiots and asshats today.

So talk to me about blue jeans. Favorite brand? Type of cut? Where do you buy them?

I just discovered that my favorite brand, Cruel Girl, has carpenter style jeans. Same great fit, but a bit more relaxed for those oh-so-bloated, icky, ooky days. Love them!!!

Pro-Birth, Pro-Death, Pro-Life, Pro-Choice...WTF Ever

As Post #498, I'm afraid my thoughts will get lost, so I will copy them here. I have more to say on this and may add more at a later time. Right now, I'm so overwhelmed with thoughts, I'll leave it at this:

I'm quite sure that I will not be able to express my thoughts and opinions as impressively as many on this thread have. However, I feel that I must. Why? Because I am able to make that choice, which is what this entire monster boils down to.

I've made that choice once. I had it made for me another time. I was 18 the first time I conceived with my ex-BF, while on the Pill. A freshman in college. God made the first choice for me by having me miscarry. The second pregnancy was at 19, while on the Pill. At the end of my second year of college. I was asked point blank by my ex stepmother what I was going to do about IT. My baby was never an IT to me. It was my child from the moment I found out I was pregnant. He was not planned, I had no clue how I'd manage to have him and support him, but I knew I would.

HOWEVER! That was my choice. A choice that I am quite thankful I was able to make. You see, I also have a friend who was pregnant at that time. She was in a bad place in life - no family, few friends, very little stability and no money. The child's sperm donor walked out before she found out she was pregnant. Having that child was something that just was not possible for her at that point. And yes, she too was on the Pill.

Pregnancy happens, planned or not, birth control or not. What choice my friend made is not important to the story. The knowledge that she had the choice was enough. She did what she felt was best in her life. And while I could not see myself ever making the decision she did, I respect her for knowing herself well enough to make the decision.

How many children are left to die in dumpsters across this country? How many children are dropped on orphanage, church, hospital or fire department steps within hours of birth? How many children live in foster homes or orphanages for 18 years, never knowing what family is all about because their mother left them in another's care with hopes of a better life? How many children grow up with no clothes, minimal food, and a cardboard box for shelter? How many children cannot read and write because they do not go to school? How many children will never know the beauty of life because their family is in a horrible place that cannot be remedied? How many children can you identify that your child knows, you pass on the street, or hear about in a news story that are abused or left for dead or murdered by "loving" parents? How many parents hate their child and cannot stand the sight of raising it?

How many abortions are performed in the United States each year for whatever reason?

ETA: My ex-DH was adopted, as was his brother. If he had been aborted, my children would not be. Still, that is not enough for me to tell any woman of any age that she has no choice.

ETA #2: Have you ever heard of a story where the doctors try to persuade a woman to have an abortion because it is a severe possibility that she could die as a result of pregnancy and childbirth? I have. My own mother's doctor tried to convince her not to have me because of her health condition. To her, having a child was more important. Was it the right choice for her? I'd like to think so. If she hadn't had that choice....

Only a woman knows.

DH's New Truck

So DH finally found a vehicle he wanted. There were some things at Christmas that had to be taken care of, so we didn't get anything then. So anyway, here it is (sort of):

This is a picture I found on the internet of the same style truck - an 82 Ford F-150 step side. It looks identical to this except his is...yep...fire engine red. *grin* He bought it yesterday for $1000 and we've put about $150 in parts and $150 in TT&L into it and it is beautiful! *bigger grin* The best part? Full coverage insurance is $28.16 a month! *biggest grin*

I even told DH to watch his keys or I might just be taking his truck to work.

Edited because I'm a moron and the truck is a 1982 Ford, not an '85.

*peeks head in*

*looks around*

*tiptoes through blog land*

*runs back into hiding*

---------------------------

Sorry I've pretty well disappeared on you guys. It's not intentional, I promise. Unfortunatly, real life has been a bitch the last couple of weeks. DH is back to himself, the kids are at their dad's for the weekend, I've completed the car window shopping for today, and I'm putting off the housework that is screaming to be done.
*smooch*

Hey ya'll!

How is your week going? Been crazy busy at work again this week plus with Rotten1's birthday...Whew! Tonight, I have the house to myself with DH at work and the Rottens at their grandma's. I think I'll be soaking in a tub, doing a mini-pedicure and playing online while watching Lost. Who wants to play online with me?

*smooch*

Happy Birthday to my baby

I can no longer hug, kiss, or say I love you in public. I can no longer act like a concerned parent unless he says it's okay. I can't say he's cute, only that he's cool. I can't pick out his shoes, because I no longer know what shoes are in style. I can still pick out clothes, but not all the time. I no longer tell him how to wear his hair, because really, it's not worth the fight.

My baby is growing up. He says things like Yes, Ma'am and No Sir without being told. He has been on the All A Honor Roll since kindergarten. He thinks for himself, enjoys a challenge and has an extremely wonderful sense of who he is at this age. He knows what he likes, he isn't afraid to speak his mind, and most of all, he actually knows about respect and the truth. And, most importantly (to him anyway), girls aren't quite so icky and gross anymore.

My baby, named for himself and my baby brother, is eight years old today!

One of my favorite pictures of Rotten1 - at two years old.

And one from earlier this month

*happy dance*

It's Friday! It's Friday! It's Friday! It's Friday!

So what are your weekend plans? It's supposed to be verrrrrrrrry cold with freezing rain and sleet and temps no higher than 35 for the weekend. Poor Rotten1. What crummy weather for his birthday weekend. Of course, that's only my opinion. He's quite excited about the prospect of "snow" on his birthday. Tonight, I'll stop by the firewood place and grab a few bundles and head to the house, where I will stay warm and toasty all weekend. Which reminds me, what do you do about that fireplace smell that seems to linger in the house for a day or so after you clean out the ashes from the fireplace?

MEN! Ugh.

Who takes care of the bill paying in your household? Do you have individual bank accounts or a joint account? If you have individual accounts, do you both contribute the same amount to bill paying? Here's the background. DH and I have individual accounts that our paychecks are deposited into. We also have a joint account that I pay all of the bills out of. Every other Friday when I get paid, I go deposit a significant (80% or better) chunk of my check into our joint account. On Saturday, I pay bills. Lately, I have had to ask DH a few times for money to pay bills (40% of his check or so). I am the primary breadwinner and I also am the only one who has a car payment at the moment. We get paid on the same day. This isn't a new routine. I've decided that I'm no longer going to ask him to give our joint account money. If the bills don't get paid because he didn't put his share into our account, then so be it. It's Thursday afternoon and we got paid last Friday. No $$$ yet. Can we say frustration?

Now, I'm also irritated because this weekend is Rotten1's birthday. He's decided he doesn't want a party like we've done for every birthday he's ever had. He wants his best friend since birth to come over and spend the night Saturday. Okay, no big deal there. DH mentioned last weekend that he might take the boys to play laser tag on Saturday for Rotten1's birthday. Well, Rotten1's friend's mom called last night and they have a Cub Scout thing on Saturday night. No biggie. We'll work around that. So I call DH today to let him know all of this....he tells me to do whatever Rotten1 and I want and we can go do whatever, whenever. UGH! I remind him about laser tag. He's not sure he wants to take the boys. What.the.fuck.

I'm about ready to tell him to pull his head out of his ass and get with the program. Never, in the four years I've known him, has he been as frustrating and irritating as he has been this past week. And I'm not even PMSing!

Alright, Alright. Sheesh.

Can't a girl have a life outside the box? *grin*

Seriously, I've been in and out with a minute here or there to check up on others' blogs and whatnot. Work went stupid on me (again) and I took yesterday off work to go to the kids' Valentine's parties at school all day. Life has just been crazy busy the last few days.

But I'm here. I'm alive. And no, I didn't pass out from all my rum and cokes. Although, I'm wishing I had.

So.
Carey? How is your back?
Kim? How was the hotel? Was Chris surprised?
mm? Did DH leave you alone for V Day?
Sonya? Did Max ask you to marry him?
Tkit? How's the weight loss/gym time going?
Bob? Did you ever write your abstracts? How are your Ramen noodles? Graduate pay must really suck.
Glowbug? How was your first Valentine's Day as a married woman?
Monsty? AllStah wasn't a Valentine lobstah, was he?
Nookie? As Mr Nookie made it through blogland yet? I wouldn't want to miss him.

*smooooooooooooch*

Ahhhh. Bliss.

Weekends are much more enjoyable with coconut rum and orange juice or coke and a fire in the fireplace.

Last night, I wanted to be part of the Friday Night Loser's Club. Apparently, I was the only one online. I slept in til almost 9 today and spent much of the day roaming around the local towns doing a bit of shopping. Found a Monster Truck Jam DVD, a computer game on clearance, and a learn to play your acoustic guitar CD/book for Rotten1's birthday next weekend. I've been playing with a computer game for a while tonight, made beef stew and cornbread tonight for dinner and I'm now relaxing with yet another rum and coke and a fire.

This? is the life. It's 35 outside now and expected to be around 20 in the AM. BRRRR!!!! Hope you all are staying warm and relaxed tonight. *smooch*

Thank Goodness

I haven't been this happy to see a Friday in quite a while. It's been an unbelievably stressful week at work, the kids have been heathens, one of my employees is out with strep throat, and I am in desperate need of a break. The kids are at their dad's this weekend. Work will be over in 8 1/2 hours. DH will be home all weekend, so maybe, just maybe I can relax tonight while he's at work and be ready to go again tomorrow.

Edited to add this bit stolen from Arkie:

Your Candy Heart Says "Get Real"

You're a bit of a cynic when it comes to love.You don't lose your head, and hardly anyone penetrates your heart. Your ideal Valentine's Day date: is all about the person you're seeing (with no mentions of v-day!) Your flirting style: honest and even slightly sarcastic What turns you off: romantic expectations and "greeting card" holidays Why you're hot: you don't just play hard to get - you are hard to get

What does your candy heart say about you?

I'm hungry

I didn't eat breakfast this morning because...well, I don't normally eat breakfast. Yes, I know, it's the most important meal of the day. But, at 6 am, food is just not an appealing thought. Blech. And normally, I don't even think about food until around 10:30-11 am anyway. But today? I'm hungry and it's only 9. I'll never make it til lunch. So, between the Coke machine, the coffee maker, the hot chocolate, and our vending machine...what should I eat/drink? Or, will you send me some of your breakfast?

Cute Rottens!

Since I didn't feel the need to drag the kids to get their pictures taken....I took a bunch in our backyard yesterday.

Four Things Meme

I got tagged by Carey, who got tagged by Catt, who got tagged by Mon Cherie, who got tagged by Dweeze, so here are my answers:

Four jobs I've had:
1. Production Supervisor/Product Coordinator
2. Office Manager
3. Waitress
4. Preschool Teacher

Four movies I can watch over and over:
1. Toy Story
2. Pretty Woman
3. Ladder 49
4. Stepmom

Four Places I have lived:
1. Union Valley, Texas
2. Jacksonville, Texas
3. Nacogdoches, Texas
4. Houston, Texas

Four Shows I love:
1. Lost
2. Survivor
3. CSI (The original one)
4. Spongebob Squarepants

Four highly-touted TV shows I detest:
1. Battlestar Galactica
2. CSI Miami
3. American Idol
4. 24

Four books I'd recommend to anyone, anytime:
1. The Stephanie Plum series
2. Little Women
3. Huckleberry Finn
4. Most anything by Nora Roberts

Four places I have vacationed:
1. Kansas City/Branson/Silver Dollar City, Missouri
2. Las Vegas
3. San Antonio
4. Nashville

Four of my favorite dishes:
1. Seafood
2. Mainstream Mexican food
3. Most Italian food
4. Barbeque - ribs, chicken, pork, ham, turkey

Four sites I visit daily:
1. OT
2. blogger
3. ebay
4. MSN/Yahoo games

Four places I would rather be right now:
1. Some beach, some where
2. Hawaii
3. Home
4. Picking up the winnings from Saturday's winning lotto

And I'm tagging:
1. Iggy
2. Supes
3. weltek
4. Breezy, who doesn't have a blog.

Edited once cause I tagged Bob, who had already been tagged by Boo. Edited again to remove Sonya, who was tagged by Coco, and mm because she already has hers up

Calling all gardeners......

When are you supposed to plant bulbs? I think I want to plant a new section of garden and I'd love to do some bulbs...is it too late? Early?

Questions

So I was in the shower and getting ready for bed last night and I thought of a few random questions I have.

1. When do you stop getting pimples? Every month, without fail, I will get 2-3 monsters right about that time. Not to mention the smaller ones I get regularly on my chin and near my eyes.

2. Do you drink milk? How often? I almost never drink milk.

3. Besides playing in blogland and on the computer, do you have a hobby? I don't. And I really think I need one. But I don't know what I want to do.

Oh shit.

I was sitting here writing a letter to my Grandma when I realized something so major, such a huge faux pas...I cannot believe I committed this mortal sin. I'm going to hell for sure. I forgot to send my aunt a Thank You card for our Christmas gifts. She knows I'm a flake about stuff like this, but....I feel awful. Is it too late to send a thank you? Should I expect to be cut off for the next five years?

Crap.Crap.Crap.

ETA: I should mention that this is my aunt who is known (and has done it for years) for sending only belated birthday cards or letters she wrote over a month ago and added an update to before sending two months later.

Your mission for today.....

is to say something nice to a fellow blogger.

And no, you cannot refuse to accept your mission.

It's Hump Day - so call it foreplay if you must.

*pulls out hair*

WHY must I repeat myself eleventy billion times to my children? Why can't they just hear me, listen to me and do what I say one of the first eighty million times I say it?

Handwriting Analysis

An article on the MSN front page today got me thinking about this again...as did Kim's post on re-inventing yourself. When I was younger, I used to totally re-invent my handwriting. The last several years, I have made minor changes to the way I write certain letters, but I tend to fall into the same old predictable handwriting I've had since college.

So, have you ever wonder what your handwriting says about you? A lot, a graphologist would say--and chances are, not all of it would be pretty.

To give you a taste of the messages you may be sending every time you write a note, we've put together a list of ten handwriting secrets in the graphologist's sack. Be warned, though: Graphology is too complex to be boiled down into universal nuggets. So, take these with a grain of salt (and don't break out your prison flip-flops just yet).

1. Are your Us and Ws rounded on their bottoms? You're sensitive and maybe poetic.
2. Do you cross your Ts in the middle or at the top? The lower you cross your T, the less ambition you have.
3. Do you loop your Cs at the top? Then, to quote Carly Simon, you're so vain.
4. Are your As and Os tightly closed? Perhaps you're hiding something.
5. Do your letters slant every which way? If so, then yikes. Only 10 percent of the general population has a wobbly slant--compared with 70 to 80 percent of convicted felons.
6. Do you have the "felon's claw"? It's another hallmark of the criminal, and it occurs when you bring a letter straight down, then attach a claw-shaped curve to its end--say when you're writing the lowercase y.
7. Is your signature different from your regular handwriting? Then perhaps you're putting on an act.
8. Do the connecting swoops between your letters droop? Maybe you have a martyr complex, and are carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders.
9. Is your handwriting spiky and angular? Relax. There's no need to be so tense.
10. Are your letters a bit squatty? If they're biggest in the middle zone, and don't extend much up or below the baseline, then you're perhaps a bit childish. The Disney logo, based on Walt Disney's handwriting, is a good example of this.

Morning ya'll

I almost got to sleep in. Apparently the 83 year old man down the street thought I had slept long enough and decided it was time to have breathing difficulties. Stupid fire pager.

This weekend has been quite relaxing thus far. The kids are with the dumbass and it's been relatively quiet. DH and I went shopping for a while yesterday, laid around and watched some DVDs yesterday afternoon/evening. Today? I'm on my own until the kids get home. I've finished up a book I was reading and now.....I'm trying to decide if I really want to tackle my weekend chore list or just be a bum and deal with the chores later. Or maybe I'll just do a chore and then bum for a bit and then do another...wash, rinse, repeat.

Edited to add a couple pictures from the farm last weekend. The baby calf you see was 4 days old as of the time the picture was taken. Soooooooooo cute!

Argh.

I work with idiots. Idiots who like to push the PANIC button too soon. Morons. Dumbasses. Just flipping stupid people.

So what have you got?

*yaaaaaaaaawn*

Last night was extremely stressful in my house. I am now very, very tired.

Blogger has a scheduled outage at 4pm PST. What is that in real time?

I am going shopping this weekend. What should I buy? Boots are pretty much a given. What else? I need ideas, people!

The outside of my right ear is burning. One of my co-workers swears someone is thinking about me or talking about me or something like that. WTF?

Oh yeah, Good Morning!

Ebay is E.V.I.L.

A rainy Sunday on the farm
Plus
Too much time alone today not feeling well

Equals
Too many bids and purchases on ebay.

So far? I have won two pairs of new with tags jeans for ME and bid on a brand new pair of cowgirl boots and bid a DVD boxed set that DH wants. What else can I find? *evil laugh* DH is telling me to just buy the damn boots.

Uck.

I do not like being sick. I do not like tummy bugs. I do not like this, no I really do not. But, it seems to have passed for the moment. Here's hoping I don't revisit my breakfast of chicken noodle soup.

Yes, I know that's disgusting. It was the only thing in the house that seemed halfway appetizing and easy to deal with.

Quizzes stolen from Glowie

You Should Be A Cancer

What's good about you: you're incredibly kind, caring, and generous What's bad about you: you can be too moody and impossible to understand In love: you enjoy wining and dining the object of your affection In friendship, you're: likely to depend on other friends for emotional support Your ideal job: historian, marine biologist, or religious figure Your sense of fashion: you dress to match your mood You like to pig out on: classic home cooked meals, like mac and cheese

What Sign Should You Be?

Okay, now that's just funny. I'm on the tail end of Cancer/beginning of Leo but should have been born a Virgo.

Your Life Path Number is 4

Your purpose in life is to build your vision. You are practical and responsible. You work hard, knowing that there are no shortcuts in life.You work for a better life for yourself and those you love, but you are not an idealist.Trustworthy and honest, you also demonstrate great courage. People can count on you. In love, you are a loyal and committed partner. You are the ideal spouse. You don't give up easily, and sometimes you can be too stubborn and unwilling to change.You also can be too conservative at times. You sometime miss out on good opportunities.Also remember that not everyone can work as hard as you, as disappointing as that is!

What Is Your Life Path Number?

Happy Birthday Boo!!!

*smooch*

I hope you have a wonderful day!

It's all Carey's fault.

I'm hungry. I want a brownie. There are no brownies in my house. No mix. Nothing. Not even any good chocolate I can subsitute for a brownie.

So, what's infuriating you?

Rotten Dilemma

In the last few years, I've tried to keep the lines of communication open with the kids. Yes, I know, they are only 5 & 7 (alright, almost 6 & 8), but I firmly believe that what is introduced now can help carry them through the rest of their lives. And if they are able to be open and honest with me now and feel free to ask any question or say anything without fear of getting in trouble for expressing opinions, I might have a bit of an edge as they near their teenage years. And we all remember the tampons, sex and body name game of a few weeks ago. Well, between that and the most recent string of conversations, I'm beginning to rethink this whole theory for my own personal sanity. Most recently? They hate their dad's girlfriend. Yeah, I know, what kid doesn't hate a bit of competition for a parent's attention. But that's not it. She doesn't cook good food, she doesn't clean her house like me or their grandma, her bras hang off all her doors, her kids don't respect their toys, and oh yea - did the Rottens mention that they hate her? And they want ME to talk to their dad for them because they are afraid dad will get mad or spank them or something equally as awful. I've refused to talk to him about this unless it is a matter of child safety or serious emotional/physical neglect or something along those lines. I can't interfere or tell him who to date. And there is no real reason to keep the kids from being around her....besides the fact that she is lazy, doesn't work, has 3 kids under the age of 7 and lives on my tax dollars. So yesterday, the kids confronted their dad. He had no response.

And now I remember why I am open and honest with my kids. They now refuse to go see him because he won't talk to them about their opinions and thoughts. Yep. That came straight out of Rotten1's mouth. He's getting entirely too big for his britches these days. Meanwhile, Rotten2 says Daddy won't listen to her.

So is it wrong of me to allow my kids to express themselves to me in the manner I do? I will allow "bad" words (ie stupid, dumb, etc) in certain situations, I expect them to talk to me about their emotions, I require talking as part of punishment to ensure they understand what they did and why they are being punished, and I try to listen to what they have to say no matter what I may think or how trivial it seems. In return, I'm rewarded with their trust and the occasional "Can I ask you something" that is more and more dangerous as we go.

Well.

It's Monday. Half of the work day is over. What's new?

It's the weekend....

And it's 8:30 on a Saturday morning. I am home alone. I should be sleeping in. But no, I woke up at 6:45. Ugh. I've paid bills (how depressing), I've checked the blogs (some of you are quite silly), and now....the fun begins. In some order this weekend's chores include, but are not limited to the following:

Bathe the dog
Go to the bank
Dust the house
Clean the bathrooms
Sweep and mop the kitchen
Vacuum the living room
Go to Walmart
Go to the grocery store
Take Rotten2 to her friend's Pep Rally birthday party
Go to Petsmart
Go to Bath & Body Works (I have a coupon!)

Doesn't that sound like fun? *rolls eyes*

Miscellaneous Things

Driving in to work this morning, I saw a new billboard for the movie Curious George opening in theatres in February. There's a 10 foot tall monkey staring at me from the side of the road. It makes me think of our own Monsty and Gus.

Beaumont to El Paso: 742 miles
Beaumont to Chicago: 770 miles
El Paso is closer to California than to Dallas
I could move to El Paso *shudder* and be closer to Knockers than my family

King Ranch in Texas is larger than Rhode Island.

When you donate blood, like I did yesterday, it takes your body less than 72 hours to replenish the pint or two or whatever that you gave. Did you know the average adult has between 14-18 pints of blood?

I'm hungry

And I don't know what to eat for dinner. I hate to cook cause I'm the only one home. Ordering pizza seems like a waste for just me, even though the leftovers would feed the rest of us tomorrow. There's a chicken pie in there. And some cereal. And a bunch of other stuff. None of it sounds too appetizing though.

Our Story

Where to start this whole convoluted story? Do I go through the back history, like Carey? Do I make it short and sweet, like Monsty? Do I throw in the couple of other guys in the middle, like Nutzy? Do I bring up the whole car angle, like Lightsy? That’s right folks. The Momma story has all of that. Plus a couple of kids, a dog, an ex-husband, and my father living with me thrown in the mix.

Alright….a bit of history. I walked out on my husband on July 4, 2001. Independence Day – in more ways than one. Our marriage had never been easy, truly happy was not the way I would have described it at all. I can’t say I regret it and I’d probably do it over again. But at 19 sometimes the ideals and dreams you have just don’t work out the way you thought they should. Anyway, I packed up me and my kids and moved about 40 miles away from the first house I’d ever owned. Kayla was 14 months old. Devin was almost 3 ½.

Right after Christmas, I ended up moving me and the kids back into the house due to my ex’s financial stupidity. I got a call at work one day from the mortgage company saying the house was about to be foreclosed on because he hadn’t made a payment in three months. Fucking idiot. Of course, I had my apartment and my bills and my car note and two kids I was taking care of. No, he wasn’t paying child support at that time. And since I was the co-signer on the house note, I wasn’t about to let it foreclose. I couldn’t afford to make his house payments and my apartment bills, so I moved back to the house for 3 months to get him caught up again. We lived in separate bedrooms and had totally separate lives. I swear, it was the most bizarre shit I’ve ever done. I hated him for it too. The kids and I had a good little life going in the apartment complex. We were happy, we’d made new friends, life was going good. I’d started the divorce process and I’d even begun casually dating a guy.

So, on April 12, 2002, the house was caught up, I had a bit of money stashed and I’d just signed a lease on another apartment in town about 20 minutes from his house and 3 minutes from my job and the kids’ daycare. One of my girlfriends and I decided to go out and celebrate at our local hangout/country redneck bar. We had a huge group of friends meeting us up there and I was NOT going to be the designated driver that night. *grin*

So it’s April 12, 2002. How do I remember the date? Because I spent that Friday afternoon signing the lease on my apartment in Rockwall. I was back in “town” and I was thrilled to be back away from my soon to be ex. I started dealing with Legal Aid in earnest at this point, more convinced than ever that I wanted, no, needed this divorce to happen and soon. The only hold up in the process at that point was T (my ex) refinancing our home. I wanted my name OFF that mortgage before the divorce was final. That was my only condition to finalizing the divorce. But I’m getting ahead of myself. T was keeping the kids that weekend and I was getting the apartment ready and our stuff moved. I went over to my girlfriend’s house to get dressed and showered and all that. We headed out to the Junction for a night of fun.

I can’t remember how much I’d had to drink that night, but I know it was still fairly early – probably around 10 or so. Kathi and I were making our rounds around the bar checking out cowboys and wannabes, talking to friends and just having fun. We’d been out on the dance floor a few times with friends and acquaintances. And as we walked past the main bar area, I saw him. He was leaned up against the outside of the bar area talking to another guy I knew. I made Kathi stop and we stood there and pretended like we were talking. I had her check him out, too. Then I walked up to him and told him his ass looked really damn good in those Wranglers. Yep. That was my smooth opening line.

But it worked. We introduced ourselves and started talking. I don’t remember what happened to Kathi or the guy he was talking to, but they both disappeared and reappeared several times between the time I met Larry and the time the bar lights came back on. We (Larry, Kathi and I) all left at the same time…but in three separate vehicles. I went to Larry’s with a promise to call Kathi in a bit.

**TMI ALERT** We went back to his house and talked. And made out. And damn near had sex right there on his couch within hours of meeting.

Then we exchanged phone numbers, I called Kathi and told her I’d be at her house in a bit and realized it was nearly 5 am. I called Kathi back and told her nevermind, that I was going to the apartment since it was a bit closer than her house. Suddenly, I was flat ass exhausted.

So, I went to the apartment and crashed on the floor on some blankets. I woke up around 10 and started cleaning. About noon my phone rang…and it was Larry. He ended up coming over to the apartment and helping me clean that afternoon. We talked and talked and talked. Around 6, he asked if I wanted to grab a bite to eat, since I had NO food in the apartment. So we went out – looking all kinds of icky since we’d been cleaning all day. After we ate, he dropped me back of at the apartment, kissed me and went home to take care of his Yellow Lab.

I finished moving all our stuff and furniture and whatnot in on Sunday and Monday. We talked daily and saw each other regularly for about 2 months. Then…….

He started to ask me about meeting my kids. Now, mind you, my divorce is not final at this point. My ex wouldn’t or couldn’t re-finance the house and I refused to sign the divorce decree without that being done. I had also never let anyone meet my kids up to this point. I didn’t want to let them get attached to someone that might not be around for more than a couple of months. And in all honesty, I still wasn’t confident that Larry and I would last longer than a few months. I wasn’t looking for a serious relationship, I wasn’t even sure I wanted one. Hell, I’d only been on my own with the kids for a year. So I kept putting off having him meet the kids. And he got frustrated with me because of it. As he put it at the time, he was frustrated because I didn’t trust him enough to combine my two separate lives. And he was right. I just couldn’t do it at that point. We ended up splitting up, but remaining friends. We knew too many of the same people not to remain friends. Plus, we ran into each other several times over the course of the next few months. EVERYONE we knew hung out at the Southern Junction on weekends.

I started dating a mutual friend of mine and Larry’s named…..Larry. Yeah. It was weird. Did I mention the guy before? His name was Darrell. Yeah. That was strange too. I actually let Larry #2 meet the kids. Don’t ask me why, other than we had been friends for a good while before we started dating and it was a casual thing. He never stayed over when the kids were there and we kept it quite innocent with the kids around. Hell, I’m not sure they ever knew he was more than a friend.

The summer wound up and I got a call from my dad. Now, my dad is not exactly the most stable person you’ve ever met. I love my dad dearly and he was my world after my mom died. But neither of us have ever been the same. Dad was pretty well out of my life by the time I was 13. But that’s another story for another time. Dad and I had been in contact for about 6 months, maybe a little longer at this point. He was living in Kansas City and had married a woman who…well….could have been my sister for all the age difference between us. They had a very volatile, unhealthy relationship and her three kids didn’t help any. At this point, my dad had been out of drug rehab for about 3-4 months and that marriage was not helping his recovery efforts any. So Michele kicked him out and he called to ask if he could come back to Texas and stay with me for a month or so til he got back on his feet. Of course, I wasn’t one to say no to my dad, especially in a position like he was in. So Labor Day weekend, my dad moved into the two bedroom apartment the kids and I shared. I took Larry#2’s truck to the Greyhound station to pick up Dad, his three suitcases and boxes. Dad became my live-in maid and nanny. He also got a job at the company I work for.

October, November and December came and went. Larry#2 and I went back to being “just friends.” Somewhere around in this time frame is when Sonya and I started hanging out again. * waves to Sonya * We met Steve, who I sorta kinda “dated” but never did sleep with. He was another of those not so financially responsible types that I seemed to attract. Sonya met Max, who I swore up and down was so very much not her type. * shakes head at stupidity * And Larry and I were still friends. Then Steve ran into some financial issues (again) and had to move out of his place. I think this was in the November time frame. By December, I had hooked him and Larry up because Larry was looking for a roommate to share the bills with. Somewhere between January and February, Larry and I wound up back together. I honestly could never have told you, even then, when or how it happened. I guess with Steve living with Larry and Steve being one of my hangout/drinking buddies, I was around Larry more and more. And we just kind of fell into a relationship again. I let him meet the kids, who loved him right away.

In January, Dad was still living in the apartment with me. I bought my 1997 Ford Explorer. Larry bought a 2003 Dodge Ram pickup. My divorce was still not final. My ex had still not refinanced the house. My ex was still not paying child support, even though we had a temporary order for support with the courts. And life was moving along. In March, we had Larry’s 30th birthday. I bought him a t-shirt from Sheplers that said…. Well, it was a crass redneck tshirt that fit his personality perfectly. * grin * And after that, we were inseperable. The kids and I started spending the night at his house. Steve moved out due to some financial strains between him and Larry. And on Mother’s Day weekend 2003, Larry took me to his Dad’s farm to meet his dad and stepmom. That Saturday night was the first time we ever said “I love you”

June came along and fucked my whole world. The mortgage companies (yes, there are two. One for the house and one for the land) called me at work within 24 hours of each other. Both were foreclosing on the house. The house was 3 months behind in payments. The land had not been paid on in over 2 years. How either let it go on so long, I’ll never understand. But they did. So I called my soon to be ex and basically told him he had 10 days to get his shit and get the fuck out of MY house. It took about 48 hours of fighting, screaming and lawyers to get him to understand exactly how serious it all was. Of course, my lawyer drilled the final nail in when she explained to him that since he’d been giving me the cash and I’d been the one to actually write out the check on my bank account for the house mortgage he didn’t have a leg to stand on. In all reality, he did, but he didn’t have a lawyer and well…he’s stupid.

So by mid-June, the kids and I broke our lease on our beautiful little apartment that we all loved and moved back into the house. Goddamn. That house was in awful shape. I took my ex 3 days to move out after the lawyer explained to him that it was in his “best interest” to let me have the house. I spent almost 6 full days doing nothing but cleaning that house top to bottom, repainting, scrubbing walls, etc. I swear, never in my life have I scrubbed walls and had the bucket of water look like a mud puddle after a Texas rainstorm. I did that week in every friggin room of the house. The grass on our acre and a half was waist high. There was no real path left to get into and out of the house. It had all grown over. So we (Larry and my dad and I) cleared the front part of the yard and mowed it the best we could with two push mowers before we moved in. And in we moved. The kids had their bedrooms back, I had two bathrooms and a huge kitchen, the kids had plenty of room to run and play (once the yard was mowed back down and cleaned up), and Dad had his own little area to live in too.

The rest of 2003 went by and life was good. Larry and I were actually talking marriage and thinking it might not be a bad idea. But both of us, me especially, were pretty gun shy about the whole idea.

January 2004 was quite interesting. Dad found his wings and decided it was time for him to fly again. And off he went. It was difficult, as the kids had really grown to expect him around and loved having Paw Paw live with them. But, it was for the best for all of us, in the end. Dad went off to Nashville, then Tampa, then Baton Rouge and last I heard from him, he was back in Houston. Still clean and sober, too. He’s finally making peace with a lot of his demons from 25 years ago when Mom died and everything that has happened since.

A couple of weeks after Dad left, Larry and I decided to move in together. His lease was up in February and we couldn’t see him signing another one year lease renewal. So, we decided that he’d do it on the first weekend of February, which coincided with my annual girls weekend to go see George Strait perform. That year we went to Shreveport. I got home from a long drunken weekend and my house was a wreck! There were boxes and crap everywhere because he didn’t want to put anything in the wrong place. I laughed so damn hard at him for a week over that. We finally found places for most of his stuff and donated a lot of duplicate things to the homeless shelters. A few friends benefited too.

Since I’d moved back to the house, I’d given up the only thing that was keeping the divorce from being finalized. And my ex didn’t dare request the same thing of me. Unfortunately, the move back to the house required the divorce process to be started all over again since I was now in a different county. And my lawyer doesn’t practice in the county I now reside in. Ugh. But, in August 2004, it was finalized. 3 years and 1 month after dipshit and I split up.

Fast forward a bit to Christmas Eve, 2004. The kids were with their dad. Larry and I were home alone and decided to make it a romantic evening. We lit a fire in the fire place and just sat there in the dark talking about family and friends and life and all sorts of things. I got up to refill my Jack & Coke and when I came back, Larry had this funny look on his face. Next thing I know, he pulls a ring box out of his pocket and proposes. Of course, I said yes.

Now, before you start thinking it was all sweet and romantic, I have to give you the “Behind the Scenes” glance. He bought the ring the day after Thanksgiving while we were shopping with his dad. I had gone off in one direction to look for some things his stepmom had asked me to pick up for her while she was at work. Larry and his dad had gone off in another direction under the pretense of going in search of their two favorite things - automotive and electronic crap. I ended up running into them as they were leaving the rings. Larry said something about his dad looking at earrings for his stepmom. I should have known then that something was up. His stepmom is quite particular about her jewelry, but I never thought twice about it.

The second tip off should have been my son. Around Thanksgiving, the Rottens had started planning our wedding. Yep, they had it planned long before we ever actually decided we were going to get married. And about once a week, they’d start asking when we were going to have a wedding. Well, one night, Devin started his questioning and Larry took him off into our bedroom. Turns out, he showed Devin the ring and told him to keep it a secret because it was my Christmas present. And the little shit did!! Afterward, he so innocently explained that you aren’t allowed to tell people what their Christmas presents are, Mom. Duh. * rolls eyes *

The third clue that I’m a complete and total idiot? Larry put the ring under our mattress in our bedroom. On my side of the bed. And I slept on top of it (or my pillow did) for nearly a month without ever realizing it.

And so, on June 18, 2005, we were married.

Our Dearest Carey....

Happy Day! *smirk*

ETA: In honor of your anni, I have found this...just to make sure you stay the way you are. *big ginormous grin*

How to......

Rotten1 is supposed to be brainstorming ideas for a "How To" paper they will be writing and demonstrating in class this week. So far we have:

* How to play football
* How to wash a dog
* How to tie your shoe
* How to play Battleship
* How to make a paper airplane
* How to set the table

What wonderful ideas do you guys have? Which would you pick?

And if you go beyond the PG line, well.....

Back on demand

Glow, Knockers...this change is for you two. I liked the other blog template, but you two were right. Kinda difficult to read. So.....we're back to where we started and I'll prob stay this way. I have no desire to deal with html again :)

Happy Saturday night!

Congratulations Coco!

Congratulations on the birth of your healthy baby boy, Philippe!!! Best wishes to all of the Nutty family from Texas.

*smoooooooooooooooooooch*

My SS Rocks!!!!

If you all haven't figured out who my OT SS is...well...I'm not telling. *grin*

Rotten1 got a flashlight, Rotten2 got some glitter glue/markers. There were pretty colors of pens that we split between the three of us. And a puzzle of my SS's .... um .... area. *snort* And three boxes of Nerds candy. And then there was my stuff. Wow. Just wow. She outdid herself. A small tub of maple butter, a jar of blueberry jam, some chocolate something or others made by monks (she's not kidding), some Canadian brown rice, some Strawberry Coconut soap, and a package of poutine mix.

I'm excited to try all of this stuff! I can't exactly get this stuff in Texas, so this is quite the packie that I love!!! Thank you, SS! Now, if I could just read French, I could decipher part of the newspaper on the box....

Blech

It's going to be another loooooooooooong work day. Yesterday felt about 48 hours long. Today isn't starting out much better.

Amuse me. Give me something to do. Please?

Childhood? TMI.

I am in so very much trouble. Yep. I will be. Last night, in the truck, the Rottens and I had a very interesting discussion. Tampons, sex, penises, and vaginas ~ the ultimate in childish laughter ensued. We covered the whys and the whatfors of the basics. And it all started by Rotten1 asking what that box of things in my bathroom cabinet was. Tampons. What are they for? And so on and so forth.

Today's Amusement ~

Brought to you by the letter P for Penguin!

Now, everyone report back with your scores.

*******

Happy Birthday Zombie!
Happy Belated Birthday Seana!
Sorry 'bout your bloggie Monsty!

Rambling Roads

I got everything on my list accomplished today except moving the pictures in the living room. That's probably not a bad thing though since DH is much better at hanging things straight than I am.

Took the kids to Walmart after school. They had $25 gift cards from DH's parents for Christmas and $10 from my aunt. Rotten1 purchased a WWE Wrestling ring and two new wrestlers (I think he's up to about 10 now) and a Karate DVD/mat/kicking thing. He's now broke. Sort of. He has $15 put back from before Christmas that he didn't spend. The little tightwad. Rotten2 bought several more pets for her Littlest Pet Shop stuff that she got for Christmas and a DoodleBear. I think she has $2-3 left of her money. She was apparently in a good mood as she even offered to buy her brother a Coke when we left the store!!!

I have heartburn. I never get heartburn. This is strange and quite uncomfortable.

Coco, we had no mail delivery today. Breezy, I'm waiting for that box. I have a book to send you too if I can remember to take it to work with me. Carey, how is Mayor Daddy Knockers doing?

And now...

After lots of commercials, a few holiday savings, and a visit from Santa and one from Baby New Year.....we're back to our regularly scheduled programming!

....

Almost. I am home alone for most of today. Kids in school, DH at work, and I'm off!