Donny is still cool being white and nerdy

Scrap is just crap

When I was little, we used to go to K-Mart and buy scrapbooks for $5, then fill them up with cut-out pictures of Donny Osmond, Willie Aames, Leif Garrett and Jimmy McNichol. Ok.. Mork from Ork was in a couple of them, but just a couple.
I decided to do a project like that with G. Except instead of Tiger Beat heart-throbs, I thought we would use her artwork and school projects over the past 3 years.

So, I went to Target, my favorite store. No $5 scrapbooks, or even $10 scrapbooks. Only $29.99 scrapbooking kits. Apparently people aren't creative enough to fill scrapbooks with stuff, they need a kit. Well, Target isn't really a crafy store. So, I decided to go to WalMart, not too crafty either really, but they have everything, right? Wrong. Same problem.

I refuse to buy a "kit" and not just because of the price...why? I'll tell you why.
Because back in the 90's when some chick decided to start a scrapbooking store and scrapbooking parties where you LEARNED to scrapbook, she took the fun out of it. I have been part of mom's groups that got together to scrapbook. PLEASE just poke my eyes out with an ice pick-I'd rather. I actually had one of the moms tell me she had so many scrapbooking accessories, she had nowhere to put them all. My scrapbooking accessories fit nicely in a Ziplock bag-scissors and tape.
Why in the DEVIL do you need someone to show you how to scrapbook? After all, it is a S-C-R-A-P book (emphasis on SCRAP). And if you need someone to show you how to put pictures of things you like in a book, why in the DEVIL do you need a kit? I don't need a flippin' kit. I just want a scrapbook with a cover and scrapbook pages in it.

Things that make you go hmmmm...

In about the third grade, you are taught cursive and from there until you finish school, you are required to write in cursive.
As an adult, why is it that every document or form you fill out says "Please print"?

The dream

I think it is fun to interpret dreams. So, help me out with the one that I had last night...

I was in college and 2 of my high school friends were there. Matthew Fox was in my class (yes, from Lost). I was embarrassed because my friends were acting just like they did in high school, and I had a crush on him. He was listening to the instructor intently.
I wanted to talk to him, but I was invisible to him. So, my friend hands me this shoe box FULL of candy. I dig around and get a piece out, and then I say "Matthew, do you want some?"
He looks at me as if I just completely annoyed the hell out of him and shakes his head no.
I was mortified. I was kicking myself because I felt so stupid. Then, my daughter woke me up......

Would the dream have gotten worse or better?

I have another one....I have a recurring dream that I smoke. I have had this dream over several years. I have never smoked in my life. The one time that I tried, I couldn't inhale : ) and I have always thought it was disgusting. I hate the smell of it, and I hate being anywhere near it.
In my dreams, I am loving that I smoke. In fact, I am enjoying the heck out of it. Sometimes I try and hide my cigarettes, but I cannot wait to smoke one. I am usually doing it around someone that I am mad at.

Strange...I have been told by other "dream interpreters" that I am trying to piss someone off...rebellion of some sort...

So, let's hear some of your strange recurring (or just strange) dreams.....please keep them PG rated...

Rambling....

I don't get much alone time. I have about an hour now because hubby took Mu (moo) and G to the store to get Christmas lights.
I have been feeling so out of sorts lately. If I don't get a lot of time to myself, I get cranky and yell alot. I need more time to myself than the average person. Unfortunately, I do not have many babysitters. Hubby trusts about 3 people with our kids. So, I get little 'me' time.
My alone time is in my car on the way to work. It takes me about an hour to get there, and that is where I pray, think, and/or cry, whatever the mood may be. When I get to work, there is not a moment to breathe.
Sometimes when I get time alone at home, I don't know what to do with myself. Sometimes I waste the entire time deciding whether I should do something constructive or be lazy.
I am in the mood to sit in front of the computer and watch video of shows that I missed or read blogs, but with about 20 minutes left, I don't really have the time.
I am told that I will miss these busy times with my kids, and I know I will one day. I have a huge fear of being left on this earth all alone. Before my grandmother died, I remember calling her and telling her I was coming over, and it made her week. She had been a widow for almost 20 years.
But for now, this quiet peace is what I crave....

What is up with 'The Look'

I work with a girl who is attractive and she dresses nicely. We don't hang out, but we occasionally talk, sometimes at length, when we are both walking out at the same time.

She is pretty nice and I enjoy talking to her, BUT, everytime she sees me for the first time that day, she gives me 'The Look'. Ladies, you know what I am talking about. The not-too-fast, not-too-slow, once-over from head to toe. Like she is the Queen and I am one of her subjects, and she needs to see if I pass inspection--that kind of look. It usually happens at the printer, and it annoys the heck out of me!

I immediately think--my zipper is down, my shirt is unbuttoned, I forgot to change my pooped- on shirt, I am still in my house shoes....

But, everytime I go in the bathroom, everything is ok...

She is not the only one who has ever done it, but she does it the most. Is this something other women conciously do? Does she want me to notice 'The Look'? Because it is obvious!

I am just waiting for her to do a thumbs-up or thumbs-down one day.

What is up with 'The Look'?

Things that make you go hmmmm...

Why is it that grapes are in an open, holey bag in the grocery store, but it takes a jackhammer to open a bottle of ketchup?

Thanks to the Veterans

(I meant to post this yesterday...Please forgive me!)

Happy Veteran's Day!

Thanks to all who have served! WE salute you!

Lost Season 4

So, the writer's in Hollywood are on strike, right? I had this horrible thought that LOST might not air in 2008. Sure, they have written episodes, but who knows how many.

So, I decided to write one of my own.....

Jack is sitting on the bed with his head in his hands when he picks up the phone and dials it again..."Kate...Kate, please listen"

"Do you not think that it is strange that 3 people have died in 2 weeks since we have gotten off the island?" silence..."I know, Kate, but think about it...I can't, I can't bear to think that you might be next."

WOOSH to the island where Sawyer is walking throught the woods and comes up on Kate and Hurley. Kate's tank sleeve is pulled off her shoulder and Hurley is touching her shoulder.

"Well, well," Sawyer says, "looks like All You Can Eat is having himself a side-dish of Freckles."

Hurley jerks his hand back. Kate glares at Sawyer and storms off.

"It's not what you think, dude." Hurley says. Sawyer ignores him and takes off after Kate.

"Leave me alone, Saywer." Kate demands.

"Relax, Freckles. Nothing about the competition that I can't handle," he grins devilishly.

As they walk along, they hear screaming from the beach. They both run to find Sun standing beside the graves of Nikki and Paulo. The graves are empty and they are nowhere to be found.

A few of the other islanders are standing there.

"What the hell happened?!" Sawyer screams.

"I just came back from my garden, and I heard a lot of noise. When I came over, this is what I found, "Sun replies.

"Do you think it's 'The Othas', brotha?" Desmond asks.

John Locke appears out of nowhere. "It wasn't 'The Others'," he says.

"How do you know?" Kate asks.

"Remember the black smoke? It came up and made an awful sandstorm. When everything cleared, they were gone. I saw the whole thing." John says.

"Well, we need to go find them." Kate says.

"Dude, I don't know about that," Hurley replies.

"I'm not chasing some sandstorm for a couple of dead people. Besides, how do we know it isn't a trap by 'The Others'?" Sawyer says.

"You people have a great fear of the black smoke, but the island takes care of itself. The smoke drug me off. Why? Because I was scared. Now, I know. It is just smoke. Eko never feared the smoke, and it left him alone. You people...you are running from yourselves," John speaks softly.

"Ok, Kojak, then you go follow the black smoke," Sawyer starts to leave the beach and mumbles, "Now, I know you have completely lost your mind."

"Have you been brainwashed by 'The Othas' brotha?" Desmond asks.

Jin says something in Korean and all look at Sun. "My husband says, "John makes perfect sense to him."

WOOSH Back to Jack in his bedroom. Someone knocks at the door. It's Sun.

"I heard about Sawyer," she says, "Am I too late?"

"The funeral was yesterday," Jack replies.

"Sun," he pleads, "Kate won't listen. We have to go back. We all have to go back!!"

"What will that do, Jack? It doesn't make sense." Sun says.

"Don't you see? We came home, and we are dying....one by one, we are all dying."

WOOSH

Sun is walking through the woods when she stumbles upon......

"Jack, where did you get that.......motorcyle?" she asks breathlessly.

"I found it between the hot air balloon and the twin engine plane...but, nevermind that, is Kate coming this way?"

"I...don't...know....why?" Sun asks.

"I am tired of playing mister good guy doctor. I love her, and I will do anything to get her, that's all."

"Well, if she doesn't take you up on your offer, I will be in my garden," she smiles sheepishly and disappears into the jungle.

Back to Kate and Sawyer. "So, Freckles, tell me it ain't so. You sweet on Jabba?"

"Stop it Saywer. I don't owe you an explanation. Now outta my way. I have to go beat up the black smoke and save the two dead kids."

Sawyer grabs her arm, "What are you so uptight about? A few nights ago you were all about me. What have I done to deserve this cold shoulder?"

"Just so you will get outta my way...I ran into Hurley pretty hard, and it hurt my shoulder. He was making sure I was ok."

Sawyer smiles, "Can I expect you to jump my bones tonight? If so, I'll make sure I wash up just before."

Kate storms off......

Next, we see Hurley's van. Kate and Hurley are inside.

"So, did you tell Sawyer anything?" Hurley asks.

"No," Kate smiles, "I told him you ran into me."

Hurley sticks his head out the window and yells "HEY SAWYER!! Don't come knockin' when the van's a rockin'!"

The two of them crack up and then kiss passionately...

The End

Drought in Georgia

No, this is not Death Valley. It is actually Lake Allatoona (North Georgia).

Some of you know, we have an extreme drought situation in North Georgia. Actually, I believe it is categorized as "exceptional" now which is worse than "extreme" in drought lingo.














This past weekend, my family ventured out to the nearest lake. If the weather reports didn't get your attention, this surely would.









You can see the line of gravel behind them. This is where the water line normally is.











We are 21 feet from a crisis situation. Our govenor has made a trip to Washington, but I believe that resulted in a lot of beauracratic nonsense.









As you can see, we do not have the pretty fall colors that we normally would at this time of year.










I have no idea what this was, but my daughter insisted that I take a picture of it. Theories were: old pot, weird toilet seat, ancient Indian bong (not sure how that would work).

We didn't see this deer, but here is evidence that they were lurking around...(We actually saw one later that day running across the road in front of our car). This is the bottom of the lake.








So, all of these pictures are to say...some people are getting hit really hard now (see Its-a-pugs-life blog). The city and state workers are being asked to not wash their hands which is completely ridiculous. Some of the landscaping companies are being completely restricted, and it is threatening their jobs.
We all have a part in this. We take water for granted, and we shouldn't. We rely on the government to fix things like this so it doesn't inconvenience us. When is the last time the government did something efficiently?
Pray for rain. The last time I checked, God controlled the rain. Conserve water. Do whatever you can now.



Our day ended at Cooper's Furnace day use area. Here is a picture of the furnace. For those of you not too familiar with Civil War history, this was an iron manufacturing furnace which was sold to the Confederate States in 1863. Sherman destroyed it with the rest of Atlanta in 1864. There are a few around this area, but most of them are under Lake Allatoona. We may soon be able to see them if this drought continues.

To be or not to be...

I have been trying to decide about entering the Education field for years now. I am one of those people that have to ponder things for a long time, but this is going on years.
I have taken the first part of the teacher's certification exam, and because Math teachers are in such demand, even though I do not have an Education degree, I can take the 2nd exam and eventually become a teacher (there are a few dues to pay first ;) I had a little interruption in my plans 3 years ago when I became pregnant. But, now I am, again, thinking about the leap.
But, I am stuck between a rock and a hard place. It is a huge salary cut to become a teacher. Also, we have insurance through my company which is much cheaper than with hubby's. I have a pretty flexible part-time schedule where I am now, but I am so disenchanted with the corporate world. I have been in the same industry for over 20 years! And, I really have a heart for kids who are struggling in Math.
I talked to a substitute teacher today at a kid's birthday party (of all places!). She substitutes for my daughter's class sometimes. She talked to me about becoming what is called a "supply" teacher first which is what she does now. This is substituting for long periods of time for teachers who are on short or long term disability. You must have a degree which you do not have to have to be a substitute.
I keep trying to figure out how to do it. I have prayed about it for years. I do feel encouraged, and maybe I just need to jump. But, at this point, I think it would be easier if I were pushed!

You know those moments in life that are surprisingly pleasant? Like when you drag your spouse somewhere and he actually enjoys himself, or you dread going someplace and then you are very glad that you did, or you take your 2-year-old somewhere and just hope he doesn't throw a tantrum and you actually enjoy yourself?

The starry night picture to the right actually captures one of those moments for me. At the spur of the moment last July, I loaded the kids in the car and headed for the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. That is not a place you would normally think to take kids, but they were having an exhibit by Niki de Saint Phalle. In her lifetime, she created huge outdoor sculptures, not easily breakable by small children. The kids can climb on the sculptures, and they are truly like nothing you have ever seen.

Going downtown always presents a parking problem. Either you can't find a space OR you will pay a small fortune for that space. We found a free parking space in the garden's parking lot-go figure.

It was about 95 degrees that day so most people did not venture out in the heat of the day. That is where being a native Atlantan comes in handy. The heat doesn't bother me nearly as much as it does the Mid-Atlantic transplants ("If you can't take the heat, get out of Atlanta", I always say). SO, the place was not crowded at all. Just enough people to make it feel right.

The kids were climbing all over the place, having a blast. The starry night picture was actually taken inside of this huge 12 foot skull where the temperature was about, no kidding, 20 degrees cooler. So, we sat inside it for awhile.

Then, we headed to the children's garden which had very cool sprinklers for the kids to play in.

After they were exhausted, we headed home...We all had a blast!