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*