40 and a bit cheeky

What do you think?

2009-02-05T12:10:00.001-05:00

Do you think bikini girl on American Idol can sing?

A few observations on episode 2 of Lost...

2009-02-03T13:50:00.002-05:00

-Lost without Jack? I don't know what they were thinking.

-Why is Dr. Faraday whispering everything? At least he yelled a few lines on this episode, but his whispering is really annoying. About as annoying as the fact that he won't take his damn tie off in the sweltering jungle!

-Was Penny's delivery a little too realistic for anyone else?

-Who was the chick in the hospital bed?

-John Locke might be a "sodding old guy" but he is still cool!

I am caught up on Lost! How exciting! I wonder how long that will last.....

Old Lost skit from Ellen, but I LOVE it!

2009-01-29T14:38:00.000-05:00

Ramblings..........

2009-01-27T11:34:00.002-05:00

HI!!! I joined Facebook, and I have to tell you, I like blogging better. It is a bit odd to me. Maybe I am old and out of it.

CH-CH-CH-Changes....Don't want to grow up and out of it.....

I don't get many comments anymore because I don't post on a regular basis, but for those of you faithful folks...

How the heck are ya?

I am about to go full-time at work and work from home 3 days a week. My house is getting old and everything is breaking, and I am tired of scraping the penny jar and not getting a vacation.

I haven't caught up on LOST. I will be behind 2 episodes as of tonight because I cannot get my kids in the bed by 9---BAD MAMA!!

What else...I got voted MVP by my team of co-workers at work. It is much more of a thrill to be recognized by your co-workers than management. Right after that, my manager put me on another special project--no good deed goes unpunished.

OH---I GOT AN IPOD FOR CHRISTMAS AND I LOVE IT!!! It is a new shuffle, tiny, so I am afraid I might sit on it and break it, but it is so great to download songs....So far I have Styx, Michael Jackson, Harry Connick, Donny Osmond, Matchbox 20, Goo Goo Dolls, Damian Dame, Toni Braxton, Hall and Oates, Avril Lavigne and Rick Springfield...Stevie Wonder will be next.....

Gotta go, peace out...

Vote Smart

2008-10-28T12:27:00.003-04:00

Ok...I get political sometimes, and occasionally get on my soap box, so let me warn you now if you want to leave....now is a good time to quit reading...

We do live in the greatest country in the world. And I want everyone to get out and vote, really I do, BUT....

Please make an informed decision!! I do not bring politics up in casual conversations, but sometimes the subject does come up, and I am amazed at the ignorance of some who are running to vote (some for the first time) and have no clue where his candidate stands on ANY of the major issues.

Before you vote, there are SEVERAL websites that can inform you of a candidate's position, voting record, background and much more.

If you do not know where your candidate stands on:

Taxes, budget and spending issues
National Security
Healthcare
Energy Issues

Just to name a few...what is your voting based on? A few TV ads, maybe a debate or a bumpersticker??
Do us all a favor and become an informed voter, or do us all a favor and stay home on Nov 4th.

I am Whatever Girl, and I approve this message.

Hello Blogging Friends

2008-10-16T10:13:00.003-04:00

Remember me? It has been a loooong time since I posted, but I am such a summer girl! I had to get out and enjoy that wonderful heat and sun.

I just can't stand being indoors when it is hot outside, especially sitting in front of a computer since I have to do that when I am at work.

Now it is Fall and it is cooling off, and I am sad. Thank goodness our winters are short and mild or I would have to move for sure.

G has been playing Fall softball and is turning out to be quite the player. She is playing pitcher (though they don't actually pitch at this age-the coach does). Their team is not doing well, but she is learning a lot and this is the first time she has consistently played infield.

Mu is such a boy!! He is in the question-asking stage, but his questions are so different that G's were. And if he doesn't like your answer, he will keep asking the same question until you give him the answer he wants. Kind of taxing on a mother's brain, to say the least!! There are times when I just say "Ok. The question center is closed."

He is still a challenge and fights me on almost everything, but I guess at 3, that is his job.
He is into wearing his Spiderman shirt everyday. If you don't wash it, there will be a war. I have started saying, "If you want to wear it, go wash it." It is funny because he does it. I am quite sure his teacher thinks he is a poor child with one worn out Spiderman shirt. Whatever! I have learned not to sweat the small stuff.

G still does not care if she matches her clothes. She reminds me of Pippi Longstocking--stripes with polkadots and two different socks. This morning, I laid out a pretty skort with pink flowers on it. She puts it on and starts tugging on the front flap. "HOW am I supposed to run in this?" she was so mad. "You will figure it out, and you will be fine." I usually do not make her wear cute things because she is an athletic-type--worried about if her pants will be flexible enough to run circles around the boys in P.E., but today is probably the last day it will be hot and I wanted to see her wear this skort before she outgrows it. She pouted all the way to the car.

Hubby is good...Nothing has changed at work...BUT I am studying for the teacher's certification exam now that I have Tues and Thurs. to myself for a few hours....I am so enjoying this time, and have actually continued a story I started writing awhile back. I don't know if I will ever finish it, but it is fun and relaxing.

So, what have all of you been up to? I haven't caught up on all of your blogs. I will probably do that when it gets cold outside. It is supposed to be 84 today so I will be getting my daily dose of Vitamin D!!! I would love to hear from you!

A few Spring photos..now that it is Summer!

2008-06-28T14:31:00.008-04:00

Release of the butterflies at the nature center.

Hey! Well, I figured out what the problem was with my internet and then my monitor went out so, I hooked up my old one which is BAD on the eyes!!

Here are a few Spring pictures..... Daffodils are the first to pop up in late February....

The next picture is a bird nest in our upside-down canoe. The bird had already moved out when we discovered it.

This is my little man "painting" the fence.

I have been busy thus far....just getting outside and enjoying the heat. I am a little weird in that sense. I could never live in a cooler climate.

We are planning on doing many things around town in the next few weeks so I will be back to share those pictures with you.

I have still not caught up on LOST. I finally fixed my internet problem, but since my monitor is out and I haven't had it fixed yet, I can hardly stand to look at this one...

I hope to catch up on all your blogs soon...But I have to run to go clothes shopping while I have a few hours to myself -- the kids and hubby are at Granny's!!! YEE_HA

LAME ME!

2008-05-29T23:40:00.002-04:00

Sorry I have been so lame and not posting...

G was in a softball tournament 2 weeks ago that nearly killed us all! I swore I wouldn't let her enter. Then, her coach said because they won first place during the regular season, the park was sending them to the tournament free of charge. So, I felt obligated and she was dying to play.
They won 2nd place in the tournament out of 15 teams!!!

I am tired and it is late, but I must go watch an episode of LOST. I am 4 behind, I believe because of my internet troubles.

I hope to get my Spring pics posted before Summer! tee-hee.

What is wrong with this thing?????

2008-05-06T14:04:00.002-04:00

Hey! My internet is up for a minute...
I am 2 episodes behind on LOST because of this tragedy!
I will try and post more later....
I wanted to share some Spring photos of HOTlanta...

UGGGH!

2008-04-29T11:01:00.002-04:00

I have been having internet service problems for almost 2 weeks now, and I do not know if I will even get thru this post!

All is well on the homefront. But Mu's babysitter quit (effective after school-but added "Could you find someone sooner?") It lasted a year, I guess I shouldn't complain. I just feel bad for him because he has been saying he doesn't want to go. I think he picks up on the negative vibe. She found out she was pregnant and neither she or her husband are too thrilled. They have 3 under the age of 5. She said it was a shock to her. I thought maybe I should get the Biology book out and show her how it works.
Hubby got all upset and said he didn't want to take him where he wasn't wanted, but I have to find someone else first!! It is not a quick thing! I think I found someone temporarily though which is good.

At work, same ol same ol. Nothing more about working from home though it is still dangled like a carrot.

G's softball team is in first place. They lost their first game on Saturday. I think it was good for them because they were the undefeated champs, and the coach actually told them they clinched first place last Thursday. Not such a great idea maybe.

I have somewhat started the Maker's Diet. For those of you who don't know, the author tells you to stay away from the "dirty dozen" which I won't list all, but include: hydrogenated oil (trans fats), high fructose corn syrup, white sugar and white flour. He basically says to get back to the whole foods eaten in the Bible like goat's milk (full fat), whole milk cheese, barley, whole wheat, fruit, vegetables--all organic of course. I say I somewhat started the diet because I think it is pretty impossible to eat all organic food, avoid all white sugar and its counterparts, and avoid all white flour. He says there are healthy fats and we have been sold a bill of goods when we are told to avoid all fat. He mentions the Atkins diet and says he was onto something by supporting eating fat, but you need to eat healthy fats found in diary and grass-fed meats--not trans fats.
Organic food is expensive so I do what I can there. I don't drink soda (that is pop for you Northerners), alchohol (thought wine is ok on the diet),use artificial sweetners or eat shellfish on a regular basis so that is a plus for me. But the sugar thing, for a Southerner who thrives on sweet tea, is a bit difficult! I have cut down to about 1/6 of what I used to use in tea, and I add a little organic honey. I like honey but I don't particularly like it in tea. I do have to say after the first 4 days of fussing everybody out because you are so ill and craving a gargantuous glass of tea full of sugar, I do feel better. I don't have as much trouble getting going in the morning, and I don't have the sugar crash at about 3 pm that I normally do. I don't know that I will be able to cut sugar tea totally out because I do not like it unsweetened. BUT, I have eaten no other sweets. And I LOVE cheese and beef!! and olives and olive oil! And there are many many other things you can eat. So, it isn't miserable AND you don't cut calories...ok enough about that.

Spring is in the air....BUT it is only reaching 64 today and last night it was 45 degrees. BBBRRR!

The scare of my life

2008-04-17T13:44:00.005-04:00

Tuesday night Mu decided to climb his dresser. It fell, all the drawers fell out and one landed on him. He is fine, but I have been a basket case for 2 days. The bad thing was--there was a t.v. on top of it, one of the old kind that weighs 80 lbs. The t.v. fell to the side for some reason. The dresser missed him too. It was just the drawer that fell on him. When I came in and saw the way things fell, I said "His guardian angel must have knocked everything out of the way."
THe only reason the t.v. was there is that we do not have cable, and the reception in his room is better than any other. Hubby watched t.v. in there occasionally.
I had commented to hubby that if Mu decided to climb that, it was dangerous. Needless to say, he felt horrible for leaving it up there. He has been a basket case for 2 days too.
I was on my way to work yesterday and just lost it because I thought about what could have happened. I regained my composure before I went in, but my eyes were red. Of course, as soon as I walked to my desk, someone appeared and would not leave me alone about my red eyes until I burst into tears again. Luckily, I made it out and down the hall before I truly lost it.
I am a crier anyway. It is therapy for me, and it is not unusual for me to boo-hoo for cathartic reasons on the way to work. So, you can imagine how this made me cry.
Luckily most Americans run when you cry-LOL! The girl that came to my desk apologized later and said that it was "her culture" that made her ask about me. She said she sometimes gets into trouble because she doesn't know whether to act "American" or "like my culture". Then she told me it was just that she cared. I told her that it was okay to not act "American"--We are too politically correct!
Anyway, I digress!!! My Mu-man is ok and that is what matters!

Let's Play Ball!!!!

2008-04-12T18:03:00.000-04:00

I better get a major league player out of this!!!

Meet my Cowboy

2008-04-11T14:11:00.003-04:00

Isn't he a handsome fellow?

I took the kids horseback riding for Spring Break. I haven't been on a horse in almost 20 years, but I needed a change of pace, so I figured, what the heck!

As soon as I got beside this fella to mount him, he slapped me with his tail. I thought he was just swatting flies at first, but when I got on his back, he turned around and eyeballed me--just like he is doing here!

He figured I was no threat to him, so the whole ride, he ate all the foilage he cared for. The guide had told us to keep them from eating it on the way. Everytime I pulled the reigns and told him no, he shook me off and continued to eat.

Still, he was a pretty gentle guy. The only time he scared me was when we stopped at one point, and we were near a cliff. All of the other horses stayed toward the inside of the trail. Not him!! He headed for the edge, and I freaked!! I am so afraid of heights, and he knew it!

Other than that, it was an absolutely gorgeous enjoyable ride with waterfalls and breathtaking views along the way.

G was thrilled and talked about it the whole 2 hour ride home! She was great with her horse, Big Red, who seemed to enjoy her.

I won't describe how my butt felt the next day, but I will say it was worth it!

I got an award...

2008-04-08T18:46:00.005-04:00

From Marni at http://its-a-pugs-life.blogspot.com/. (I cannot get my links to work!!!)

I am so excited about my award! Especially since I didn't have a darn thing to blog about.

But now I do!

There are rules, but I broke them because I don't remember what they are........................................................

out of order

2008-03-27T13:10:00.000-04:00

Please scroll down 3 posts for my post today. This thing is screwy!!!!!!!

need help, please

2008-03-25T11:53:00.002-04:00

Question for my blogging friends:

Has anyone had trouble with "shrink to fit" when uploading an image behind their blog title? This was/is a known issue, but the 'help' says to just unload and reload your image. It doesn't work for me, and it is annoying the heck outta me!
That is why I have never had an image behind my title. It is huge and takes up the whole page!

At the gas pump....

2008-03-25T10:59:00.001-04:00

Marni tagged me and I will answer later, but I have been sick and do not feel like thinking. In the meantime, enjoy this gaspump humor.

Meme

2008-03-20T15:04:00.003-04:00

I've been tagged by marni, its-a-pugs-life...Sorry it took me so long...

This is the first time, but I will give it my best shot.

The Rules

1. Post the rules before you give your answers.

2. List one fact about yourself beginning with each letter of your middle name. If you don't have a middle name, use your maiden name or your mother's maiden name.

3. At the end of your blog post, tag one person (or blogger of another species) for each letter of your middle name. Be sure to leave them a comment telling them they've been tagged.

So, here we go.. Middle name- Michele As in "Michele, my bell, these are words that go together well, my Michele.." What can I say, my dad is an Elvis freak, but he was on a Beatle's kick at the time!

M--math...ok, I know that is boring, but I like Math and Science. I want to be a marine biologist when I grow up. I also like to teach kids Math in an interesting and fun way.

I--Italian food--I love it! lasagna, spaghetti, eggplant parmesan, calzone, mmmmm! And, I hate being Interrupted when I am doing anything. I will not finish it if I am interrupted, and I am one of those people that must finish something that I have started at work. Time management is very challenging for me!

C--Curious..I am always asking why...I am one of those people that get so bogged down in the details, I can easily forget the big picture. And, Movie credits..I must watch them after every movie which drives most people crazy. I don't know how it started or why, but my sister is the only other person I know who does this.

H--Harry Connick, Jr. is one of my favorite artists..He is awesome in concert! And...Hard-headed...If you tell me I can't do something, that will make me try harder. And once I have made my mind up, it is very hard to get me to change it.

E--Exploring. I love to go exploring, whether it be a new road or a new place or a new trail in the woods. Let's go find out!!

L-- LOST is my favorite show. I don't really like to watch t.v., but I can't miss it. I have the first 2 seasons on DVD, and I catch up on abc.com if I have to. And I am always Late, everywhere I go. I have analyzed and over-analyzed it because I hate it, but I can't figure out why. I have heard theories about chronically late people that I disagree with (they are always given by prompt people!) I guess I inherited it because both of my parents were chronically late.

E--(this is hard, I need another L in my name!!) Elementary...I like things simple. I need the bottom-line, no fluff, no jive, no b.s.

Now to tag 7 people--difficult for me because I don't blog that often and only read a few.

1. FrakerFarm
2. Ask Land-Shannon
3. GooseJuice
4. Canadian Flake

The other 3 can be anybody who reads this!!!

Rambling again....

2008-03-13T13:06:00.000-04:00

Is it really March 13th? I am sorry I haven't posted lately....
Same sh@#, different day.
I have to tell my work story, but I don't want to ruin my day off by doing it now.
I don't have much to say today..It is gorgeous outside and it is supposed to be 74 degrees! Now that is what I am talking about!!!!!!!!!!
G is playing softball, and I have been freezing my hind-end off out there at her practices. Today will be great at the park!
I need a vacation! Last year we went to Hilton Head for our first time, and it was awesome. I need to see the beach. I need to squish the sand between my toes and smell the salty air. I need to hear the seagulls and the waves crashing. I could be a beach bum in a heart beat. I could be one of those chicks that rents Waverunners or chairs. No, I couldn't rent chairs, that is a RIP off! Only in America!
When we went to Mexico, we were blown away that they had chairs all over the beach, and you just went down and sat in one without some nut with a clipboard chasing you and telling you that he could give you a cushion for that chair for $25/day.
Ok, enough rambling, Spring is in the air, and it is a good thing because I have had a major case of cabin fever. Daylight savings time sux!

The Mom Song Sung to William Tell Overture with Lyrics

2008-03-04T11:38:00.001-05:00

Everything a mom says in less than 3 minutes. I love this!!

It Never Ceases to Amaze Me!!

2008-02-21T13:31:00.000-05:00

A woman says to her husband: "I had such a bad day today and such a pounding headache, I wanted to call you to come get me from work."

The husband replies, "You wouldn't be able to get to work on Friday if you left your car."

The correct response would be: "I am sorry you had a bad day." (hug)

This was an actual conversation at my house.
Guys!! You would think after years of training, you would know what to say!!

They need a women's university for men. To learn all about us.
Maybe you know and you just don't care enough to remember?
I don't know! But, dude, try a little.

Remember: If Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I Survived The War

2008-02-19T22:24:00.000-05:00

OK! It isn't Valentines Day anymore.

Forgive me for not posting. I have been fighting a war the past week.
The battleground: my home
The army: my family
The enemy: the cold/flu/stomach virus

Battle #1
I woke up to the puking sounds of a 2 year old. I ran, half asleep, like a mad-woman, to keep Mu from puking on the wall, floor, toybox, etc. Only the bed and himself were covered.
Undress him, sponge him off, pull everything off bed, redress him, and make a pallet in the floor while I get new linens for the bed.
Before I could get the bucket for future hurling ready, the puking began again.
Undress, redress, new linens.
We caught it the next two times, but then he said, "I need to go sit on the potty."
HUH? This is my 2 year old who screams "NOOOO!" if you ask him to sit on the potty more than once.
I put him on, and the pooping began. And it went on and on and on. How could a 2 year old have that much sh**? I wondered.
I then thought about my next strategic move. Fluids. I must get fluids.
Knowing juice was bad and water was good, and also knowing he wanted nothing to come near his mouth, I said, "Do you want to make an icee?"
"YAY! Icee!" It was 5:40 am. I had been in battle since 2 am, and I got the great idea to make a damn icee.
This is no easy task. I have a Hawaiian Ice "shaver" which you must crank by hand. The kids love it, but when you have been cleaning poop and puke for 4 hours in the middle of the night, well....
So, he clapped and I cranked, then he knocked over the stool, and hubby came in the kitchen and said, "What in the hell are yall doing?"

Battle #2
Hubby stayed home from work that day because his arm was hurting, and he decided to allow me to sleep after battle #1. It was a good thing he decided to stay home because he began to have chills, cough and ache all over.
Mu, the 2 year old, started going uphill. He was as good as new that afternoon. I felt fine after a few hours of sleep..until I went to bed.

Battle #3
I began to ache and have chills that night and I had that "roller coaster" sleep where you feel like you are falling and wake up over and over again...I popped aspirin and rolled myself up in the heated blanket.

On day 4 I was fine, Mu was fine, G had not caught the germs at all, but hubby was not good. Battle #2 was not over. He continued to ache and cough, but after day 2 of being ill, he headed back to work.

Battle #4
We headed into the weekend, hubby was still not feeling his best but better. Then, G said, "My stomach hurts." She went to bed only to wake me up at 4 am with an aching belly. She said it wasn't nauseous, it just hurt. So, we got the corn bag (exactly what it sounds like, a cloth bag with corn inside. You heat it in the microwave and it works like a heating pad) heated it and put it on her stomach. In about 15 minutes, I heard puking sounds. Luckily, she is the healthiest of us all. After 1 puke and 1 poop, she was her old self.

I survived the war only to return to work to another war with my boss' boss...more about that later...
I must go watch the last episode of LOST....

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

2008-02-14T10:38:00.000-05:00

Perhaps the best description of love is found in I Corinthians:

Love is patient
Love is kind
It is not jealous
Love does not brag
And it is not arrogant

Love does not act unbecomingly
It does not seek its own way
It is not provoked
Love does not take into account a wrong suffered
It does not rejoice in unrighteousness
But rejoices in the truth

Love hears all things
Believes all things
Hopes all things
Endures all things

Love never fails

SAWYER'S NICKNAME GENERATOR

2008-02-08T14:12:00.000-05:00

Lost fans--Here is a chance to find out what Sawyer would call you if you were so lucky to be dubbed by his seaside surliness:

http://abc.go.com/primetime/lost/index?pn=nickname

Mine was: FERDINAND??

I was hoping for something more like "Peaches".

The new Lost cast

2008-02-07T22:37:00.000-05:00

"You all excited about the 2008 presidential election? There's some interesting potential matchups. For example, Hillary Clinton and Rudy Giuliani. ... On the one hand, you have a pushy New Yorker with a history of marital problems. Or, you have a pushy New Yorker with a history of marital problems." --David Letterman

"Presidential candidate Barack Obama was endorsed by former Senator Tom Daschle of South Dakota. Daschle is the first major Democrat to endorse Obama, and the first person in South Dakota to see a black man." --Conan O'Brien

"Senator Barack Obama has jumped into the presidential race. ... That's the big rumor. Barack will officially announce on the 'Oprah' show. I think Hillary will announce on 'Trading Spouses,' and of course, John Kerry will announce on 'The Biggest Loser.'" --Jay Leno

"Don't worry about Mitt, if this presidential thing doesn't work out he can always go back to playing Victor Newman on the 'Young and the Restless-By the way, if Mitt Romney is elected, he'll be the first president ever sworn in on a copy of GQ." --David Letterman

"Hillary has a big lead in the Democratic race for president. Political insiders are speculating that if Hillary Clinton wins the nomination, she may choose a Hispanic running mate. When he heard about this, Bill Clinton yelled, 'How 'bout Salma Hayek?'" --Conan O'Brien

"Bill Clinton is out there promoting his new book. ... In an interview, former President Bill Clinton says that most people don't know Hillary has the world's best laugh. Bill added, 'I get to hear it every time she pushes me down the stairs.'" --Conan O'Brien

Super Thursday

2008-02-07T13:16:00.000-05:00

Wow! It has been awhile!

Let' s see, what has been going on?

I survived Super Tuesday. It took me only 5 minutes to vote!
I survived my Super Bowl party. No alcohol, just too much junk food!
G got all A's on her report card.
I got an excellent annual review at work (My raise will probably be lame, but...)
Mu is sleeping in his own bed--for about 3 weeks now. It wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be though there were a few rough nights.
My cholesterol level is good (Seriously, I had a check-up last Monday)
My house is a mess and my motivation level to clean it up is a big fat 0!
I lost 3 lbs. woo-hoo!
I am exhausted and really ill right now (PMS).

George Carlin's New Rules for 2008

2008-01-24T19:47:00.000-05:00

GEORGE CARLIN'S NEW RULES FOR 2008
New Rule: No more gift registries. You know, it usedto be just for weddings. Now it's for babies and newhomes and graduations from rehab. Picking out thestuff you want and having other people buy it for youisn't gift giving, it's the white people version of looting.

New Rule: Stop giving me that pop-up ad forclassmates.com! There's a reason you don't talk to people for 25 years. Because you don't particularlylike them! Besides, I already know what the captain ofthe football team is doing these days --- mowing my lawn.

New Rule: Don't eat anything that's served to you out of a window unless you're a seagull. People are acting all shocked that a human finger was found in a bowl ofWendy's chili. Hey, it cost less than a dollar. What did you expect it to contain? Lobster?

New Rule: If you need to shave and you still collect baseball cards, you're a dope. If you're a kid, the cards are keep sakes of your idols. If you're a grownman, they're pictures of men.

New Rule: Ladies, leave your eyebrows alone.. Here'show much men care about your eyebrows: Do you have two of them? Good, we're done.

New Rule:There's no such thing as flavored water.There's a whole aisle of this crap at the supermarket,water, but, without that watery taste. Sorry, butflavored water is called a soft drink. You want flavored water? Pour some scotch over ice and let it melt. That's your flavored water.

New Rule: Stop screwing with old people. Target is introducing a redesigned pill bottle that's square,with a bigger label. And the top is now the bottom.And by the time grandpa figures out how to open it,his ass will be in the morgue. Congratulations,Target, you just solved the Social Security crisis.

New Rule: The more complicated the Starbucks order,the bigger the asshole. If you walk into a Starbucksand order a 'decaf grandee, half-soy, half-low fat,iced vanilla, double-shot, gingerbread cappuccino,extra dry, light ice, with one Sweet-n'-Low, and OneNutraSweet,' ooooh, you're a huge asshole.

New Rule: I'm not the cashier! By the time I look upfrom sliding my card, entering My PIN number, pressing'Enter,' verifying the amount, deciding, no, I don'twant Cash back, and pressing 'Enter' again, the kidwho is supposed to be ringing me up is standing there eating my Almond Joy.

New Rule: Just because your tattoo has Chinese characters in it doesn't make you Spiritual. It's right above the crack of your ass. And it translatesto 'beef with broccoli.' The last time you did anything spiritual, you were praying to God you weren't pregnant. You're not spiritual. You're just high.

New Rule: Competitive eating isn't a sport. It's one of the seven deadly sins. ESPN Recently televised theU.S. Open of Competitive Eating, because watchingthose athletes at the poker table was just too damnedexciting. What's next, competitive farting? Oh wait,they're already doing that. It's called 'The HowardStern Show.

New Rule: I don't need a bigger mega M&Ms. If I'mextra hungry for M&Ms, I'll go nuts and eat two.

New Rule: If you're going to insist on making movies based on crappy old television shows, then you have togive everyone in the Cineplex a remote so we can seewhat's playing on the other screens. Let's rememberthe reason something was a television show in thefirst place is that the idea wasn't good enough to bea movie.

New Rule: When I ask how old your toddler is, I don't need to hear '27 months.' 'He's two' will do justfine. He's not a cheese. And I didn't really care inthe first place.

New Rule: If you ever hope to be a credible adult and want a job that pays better than Minimum wage, then for God's sake don't pierce or tattoo every available piece of flesh. If so, then plan your future around saying, 'Do you want fries with that?'

What would it be?

2008-01-24T19:36:00.000-05:00

So, what would make your day right now? Not your year or even your month, just your day.

I am thinking-- a friend picking up me and the kids, taking kids to a babysitter that she arranged and going to Houston's for a nice fat juicy filet mignon.

It's a hard-knock life for us!

2008-01-21T22:32:00.000-05:00

I took G to see Annie at the Fox. Her first theatre experience!

Besides Mrs. Doubtfire and her 3-year old granddaughter with a hairbow the size of Montana sitting in front of us, we enjoyed the show.

Although G cried all the way home when the usher asked us if we were part of the after-the-show party and I said no. She did not understand why someone would not invite her to their party!!

Noah

2008-01-15T11:50:00.000-05:00

I am having a bad case of blogger's block...so bad in fact, I think I will just post a picture of my sweet German Shepherd/Chow mix, Noah.

He will be 10 this year, and his eyes are not what they used to be. I think he still misses his sister, Raven, who had to be put to sleep 2 years ago. She was a black lab/Chow mix.

I adopted this sweet guy on a whim after my grandfather died in '98. He was so fiesty and actually ran like a deer. He still loves to play with the kids.

UPDATE: After I bragged about this sweet boy, he stole Mu's egg right out of his plate this morning!! Bad dog!

Lamenting Session

2008-01-10T21:14:00.000-05:00

So, I go into a meeting with my team and managers, and hear two hours of lamenting from my boss's boss. I wanted to get up and walk out.

The powers-that-be decided to take a piece of our business and give it to another department. My general feeling is that we will get it back after they see how much they should have appreciated us in the first place. But, he took it personally. He was grieving his loss right there in front of his team. Being negative about the whole thing...2 hours of this!
I wanted to raise my hand and say, "This is not a counseling session." He called me 3 times yesterday to talk about this before I had to hear about it in the meeting for 2 hours....AAAHHHHH!!
But what gripes me is, one of my co-workers was complaining about something in the last meeting, and he got a call from my boss saying that he was being too negative and he didn't want that around the new employees. This particular co-worker is probably the most positive person on our team. He just had one complaint and articulated it very professionally.
I can't work for this guy anymore.

It's that time again!!

2008-01-09T23:36:00.000-05:00

LOST 3 seasons in 8 minutes!

2008-01-06T00:29:00.001-05:00

For those who have never watched, now is the time to catch up before Jan 31st!!

A sign of things to come?

2008-01-06T00:09:00.001-05:00

My "famous" dad

2008-01-02T00:38:00.000-05:00

Ok. Turns out dear ol' dad is an extra in a movie with none other than MATTHEW FOX!!!

We are Marshall!!!

It is a restaurant scene where 2 people are talking (I haven't seen the movie yet so I don't know who the characters are). Dad (wearing glasses) is sitting behind them eating. He has about 5 seconds of fame. He kept telling me about a movie he was in, but I didn't know which one he was talking about until I saw him over the holidays.

He is retired now so he likes to hang out with movie stars whenever possible.

He was also an extra in a movie with Harry Connick Jr that never came out. What is up with him being in movies with all the hotties that I love?

Dad says Matthew McConaughey is a jerk. Who cares? I don't want to talk to him. I just want to look at him.

Happy New Year!

2008-01-01T23:39:00.000-05:00

I don't make New Year's resolutions. Just because I noticed a few years ago, they are the same every year.

But I heard a great sermon Sunday that challenged us to be rivers that have a purpose and flow in one direction instead of floods that spread out miles wide and a few feet deep causing destruction everywhere.

The first day of 2008 has been great!

My kids got along and played together most of the day.
I did not feel bad for playing games and reading all day instead of working on my to-do list.
Mu took a 3 hour nap.
I was allowed to sleep until 10 am!!
Only 30 more days until the season premiere of LOST.

Adoration of the Sheperds

2007-12-22T10:52:00.001-05:00

2007-12-22T10:18:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas and Happy Anniversary!

2007-12-21T10:34:00.001-05:00

I will be trapped in my house with the kiddos for the next couple of weeks. With brief reprieves at work. How sad that my respite will be at work...
Anyhoo, I probably won't be able to write much ...This post is to say Merry Christmas to all of you AND Happy Anniversary to hubby. We will be married 16 years on December 31st. We met on December 31st in 1982. We were 15. We were introduced by our dear friend Marni http://www.its-a-pugs-life.blogspot.com/. He wouldn't talk to me because he was so shy. I wasn't particularly interested at the time. But, he got the nerve to ask Marni for my phone number. He called me and piqued my interest with his deep deep voice (that's all it takes at 15!). We went out when I turned 16, and he treated me like a queen.

Here is to 16 years, and what I still love about him:

He would give his life to protect his family from harm.
He is very sensitive and knows when he has said something that hurts your feelings.
He can still say "I am sorry."
He likes to sit and listen to old records with me.
He thinks I am funny.
He knows when to be serious and when to be hilarious and silly.
He loves the ocean like I do.
He rolls up his sleeves, changes poopy pants, gives baths and does laundry with the best of 'em.
HE IS STILL HOT!!!! Even though is hair is completely gray, his body is closer to a 25 year old than a 40 year old!

Let me try again....

2007-12-20T10:55:00.000-05:00

Ok...my posts posted backward for some reason. I am trying to say Happy birthday Donny and then post a video...

The Osmonds Yo Yo-Happy belated birthday Donny

2007-12-20T10:50:00.001-05:00

Whatever

2007-12-20T09:24:00.000-05:00

Well, I don't have to worry about working 40 hours for now. The big boss didn't go for the whole thing. I found a work-at-home job with my current company, 40 hours, that I applied for. We will see....It requires me to use more of my skills than I am now. A lot of financial analysis, heavy use of Excel, which is good. I feel like I am losing my skills there.

It is unbelievable how demanding my job is. I get constant questions which I wouldn't mind so much if I didn't have such a heavy workload. I am the "Excel spreadsheet person" because no one on my team has used it that much. I love creating spreadsheets, but I created one to simplify things, and it evolved into a bear that I constantly have to update. Still, I would rather be doing that than just my normal work which i could do in my sleep. I actually have 40 hours worth of work that I am required to complete in just 25.

Ok...blah, blah, whine, whine. All in all, I am thankful for my job. My immediate boss is great. It is her boss that I am not fond of.

Yesterday I got a nice surprise from one of the sales persons I have to tolerate...A gift card to Target-my favorite store!! The sales people know they drive us insane, so that was their way of trying to make it up, I guess. It was very nice though.

So, Christmas shopping is not going well. I can't get to the store without my kids! I went on my lunch break at work the other day, but I had to get back....I was going to go yesterday, but I was

pulled in 100 different directions at work and barely got to go to the bathroom.

I ordered many things online, but G is 8 now, so everytime something comes to the door, there is 100 questions. And her little smarty-pants friend is telling her there is no Santa Clause.

I think I convinced her otherwise, but why do kids do that?

All of this stress and confusion...I forgot to wish Donny a happy birthday on the 9th!!!!

Here's to you sweet Donny... ( My baby was born on the 10th--just missed it by one day :)

Why is 40 the magic number?

2007-12-13T11:13:00.001-05:00

I did it...I committed to 40 hours a week after 7 years of part-time. On one condition, that I can work 3 days from home. My new boss has to check with his boss but says he thinks he will go for it to get me off of my part-time schedule. It is with the same company, same dept. just a different manager. I have never worked directly for him, but I have known him since I came to work there 8 years ago, and I like his management style MUCH better than my current boss...His employees speak highly of him. You don't find that everyday. And that is certainly not the case with my manager.
He had a job posted, and I went in to ask if he could use a part-time person, and he brought up full-time. When I said, "no", he asked would I consider it if he could get me some work at home days. I panicked after I told him I would do it, but over the past couple of days I have thought about it. If it doesn't work out, then it wasn't meant to be. I have to find childcare for 2 extra days AND his boss has to say yes, so we will see...
I said yes because quite franky, I am tired of being broke! I made the sacrifice to stay home with my kids, and we did okay for a few years, but after hubby got laid off and got shafted by someone he was trying to start a business with, we started going down. We have struggled ever since. He and I discuss full time from time to time, and he says he wants what is best for the kids and ultimately leaves the decision up to me. The problem is, I am the primary breadwinner (working full-time, that is). I struggled for years wishing I wasn't. Wishing I could be a full-time stay at home mom...even resenting him at times. But he never forced the issue of me working.
Can I get on my soapbox for a moment? Thanks
Society has made it nearly impossible for women to make the choice of being a full-time stay at home mom. Now, I believe working outside the home is usually a personal choice, but our tax system, the women's libbers, and many times, the fathers, have put so much pressure on women. We are educated now. We can make almost as much as our male counterparts (that is another soapbox for another day!) In many cases, we are the primary breadwinners. Men just don't break their backs working over-time or 2 jobs for their families they way they used to. Maybe that is a good thing, I don't know. Maybe it is because they know their wife could contribute and make almost as much or more than they can. But, anyway, we feel the pressure. Then come the children. God gave us a nurturing soul. Most of us want our primary job to be taking care of our children. Some people have jobs outside the home that allow them to do that. Some are able to leave the outside job and be stay-at-home moms. Some are stuck in a 40 hour job just trying to make ends meet and take care of their family. Then, there are women like me who work part-time. We feel some financial responsibility toward our families, but we long to be stay-at-home moms. But, I am here to say, despite what the women's libbers (I call them women's fibbers) say, you can't have it all..You can't have the ultimate career and be the ultimate wonderful mom. You may pull it off for awhile, but you have to "give" somewhere. And usually it results in such wear and tear from trying to be superwoman, that you lose your sanity. I personally would like to be a stay at home mom with no financial responsibility to my family, but at the same time, I am so glad that I have a degree and somewhat of a career because my mom struggled to take care of 2 children as a single parent with no education. Still, I am glad that I have chosen to sacrifice material things and my finances for now.
Now, what about my teaching job? I hope to get there when Mu enters school. That is another area I have sacrificed in.
But, I still don't know anything about the job. The big boss may say no, and I may continue to be part-time....Anticipation...I beleive God will work it out for the best....

The Wish List

2007-12-04T11:05:00.000-05:00

I don't mean to be a scrooge, but I am so tired of the requests for "just $5" for our Christmas party, decorations, etc. I have about 10 of those requests-you do the math.

I understand that it is Christmas, but I have 2 kids and G's birthday is this weekend. The requests at work really get under my skin. I asked that we just donate something to charity. They did a canned food drive, but then came THE email asking for a $5 donation for decorations and then a $10 donation for gifts for our bosses. THEN yesterday came the email stating that not everyone has contributed and "that really isn't fair". Ok, who asked me if I wanted to decorate or buy my boss a gift? I can do that on my own if I want to.

Again, I am not trying to be a scrooge, but let me just share a little story with you....

There was a lady who decided to follow her "charitable gifts" (that she donated for each person on her gift list) around the world to see if they were actually helping people.

Here is what she found:

$25 BOUGHT A BABY PIG FOR A FAMILY IN CAMBODIA
It became pregnant and they sold the tiny piglets because they needed the money so badly. With the money they are sending their daughters to school.

$25 BOUGHT A GOAT FOR A FAMILY IN SENEGAL
This almost single-handedly lifted a family out of poverty by providing nutritious food and extra income.

$50 BROUGHT CLEAN WATER FOR A FAMILY IN NORTH AFRICA
It is now piped into their house. This family had watched 4 of their children die because of the dirty water they drank. The mom smiled and said, "Maybe now, my children will live."

$100 STARTED A WOMEN'S SMALL BUSINESS IN INDIA
This woman was afraid her children would starve, but this contribution provided the training for her to do beautiful decorative stichery. Today, she able to support her family.

This $50 that I am asked to donate for decorations and gifts that will go mostly unnoticed by "rich" Americans seem so meaningless.

Donny is still cool being white and nerdy

2007-11-27T23:33:00.001-05:00

Scrap is just crap

2007-11-27T22:29:00.000-05:00

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...

2007-11-27T22:18:00.000-05:00

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

2007-11-25T22:28:00.000-05:00

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....

2007-11-17T11:23:00.000-05:00

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'

2007-11-15T12:22:00.000-05:00

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...

2007-11-13T13:42:00.000-05:00

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

2007-11-12T09:04:00.000-05:00

(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

2007-11-10T12:03:00.000-05:00

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

2007-11-08T09:43:00.000-05:00

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...

2007-11-03T19:06:00.000-04:00

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!

2007-11-01T13:19:00.000-04:00

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!

Kid Nation

2007-10-30T13:42:00.000-04:00

My 7 year old and I have been watching a new reality show, Kid Nation. Have you seen it? 40 kids (ranging from ages 9 to 15) for 40 days, left in an "abandoned" town to figure out things on their own. Of course there is adult supervision, but they have to sort pretty much everything out themselves, choose leaders, decide who does what, etc. The kids can choose to go home anytime they like.

The first thing that struck me was WHAT were these parents thinking? I am sure they have strict adult supervision, but you don't know these adults from Adam!! Just because they are on TV doesn' t make it ok.

But the second thing that struck me was how well these kids worked things out. They identify a problem, meet and work out a solution. Sure, some of them argue like crazy, but they speak their mind to each other. It is quite refreshing. There are no politics.

At every town council meeting, they give away a gold star, worth $20,000 to one of the members of the town. The 4 leaders have to choose this person. They do a great job of picking out who works the hardest, leads the best, comforts the most, etc. Again, there are no politics.
It actually works pretty much like it should work.

These kids are open and honest with each other. If they don't like something, they speak their mind. If they want to cry, they cry. If they want to hug somebody, they hug somebody.

In a time of extreme PC, it is amazing what we adults could learn from these kids. Check it out Wed. nights at 8 on CBS.

Martha Stewart School for the Crafty Impaired

2007-10-28T14:12:00.000-04:00

I am making my 2nd grader's Halloween costume. Not because I am crafty but because there is not a dog costume anywhere this side of the Mississippi.

"I am not crafty" is understatement for me, and let me just give those of you who are a tip:
If you come up with a great idea and are proud enough to post it on the internet, keep in mind that the person searching for your ideas is probably NOT crafty. We need detailed instructions, like those you would give a 1st grader.

When you search for 'kid's dog cosutme', you get things like: buy a brown sweatsuit, pin a couple of socks to a headband for ears, stuff a sock for a tail and draw a ring around one eye with makeup, put dots around the mouth for whiskers. For a crafty person, their child probably looks like a cute puppy. My child looks like a a left-over hippie with a black eye and a five-o-clock shadow.

And the "stuff a sock for a tail" does not work...Maybe it works for a crafty person, but mine looks like a stuffed sock. My 2nd grader took one look and said, "uh, no." So, I stared at it and thought, maybe if I cut it and sew the pieces together. It is too thick. So I am staring and staring and I thought, "Ok, so I will just cut off everything that doesn't look like a dog tail."
So, I did. Then I sewed that together. Then we stuffed it. I am not sure what it looks like, but it isnt a dog's tail. I spent an hour on that, so my 2nd grader graciously accepted it.

We are on to make a collar. No one on the internet told me how to make a collar. I am thinking --old belt maybe. The problem with that is that NOW the left-over hippie looks like she may have taken a trip to the "Rocky Horror Picture Show" in the 80s.

I give up. Maybe we can just throw in a poodle skirt and rename her costume--4 decades of the insanity of my parents and grandparents.

The Frazzled Female

2007-10-27T16:06:00.000-04:00

I met my son's current babysitter at a Bible study that I attended. She is all of 25. We were discussing the next one in the series which was "The Frazzled Female".
"I am not interested in going to that one," she commented.

That piqued my curiosity. "Really?" I asked.

Not interested in something for the frazzled female? She has 3 boys under the age of 4 for crying out loud. How could she not be interested.

"Well," she kind of giggled, "I am not frazzled." Now, I was really intrigued. Actually, I was speechless. Didn't being married and having kids automatically make you frazzled? Hmmm?

I walked out to my car, and thought about what she said. Then, it occured to me. She is 25!!! She hasn't had time to get frazzled. I thought about her in 15 years, when she turned 40, with a 19, 18 and a 17 year old. Not frazzled? I smiled, and the words of wise 'ol Yoda came to mind when Luke told him he wasn't afraid. "You will be...You will be."

Lost on Lost

2007-10-25T13:15:00.000-04:00

I have just caught up on Season 3 of Lost. I have been watching it on the internet. (My sister bought me Season 2 for my birthday and I just watched it a few months ago).

Well, I didn't realize the last episode was not on abc.com so I had to read it because I could not wait to find out the end...Lost doesn't read that well. Or should I say, whoever writes the paraphrase doesn't write that well....I think it would be difficult whomever the writer was.

So, am I reading it right? They get off the island and Jack meets Kate to tell her they need to go back? I have to say that I think they have thickened the plot so much and added so many characters that the darn thing might implode. The connections are becoming a little ridiculous (Claire is Jacks' half sister?) I miss them running around fighting over water and whose going to push the button next.

And, sorry for all you Desmond fans, but he just annoys me. That episode with him
having flashes, seeing Charlie on the street, trying to predict the soccer game was just chaotic.
His accent doesn't even help him (as it usually would for me). Ya got that, brotha?
But I like him more than Claire. I was wishing that it was really her that was supposed to drown.

Donny's voice

2007-10-24T13:25:00.000-04:00

So I have been called a nerd, a dork and a few other things for being obsessed with donny O. That is O as in Osmond. But MORE people tell me they love him too. Ever since I was little, his voice is like calming audiotherapy for me. No one else does that for me. I can be having a rotten day, and I listen to him, and instantly, my blood pressure lowers.

So, that is what I did today, and now I am creating a blog which I have never done. I shall use this as a sort of therapy too. I turned 40 this year, and I find that I am a bit cheeky-to quote Thomas Train. I also have a 2 year old. Perhaps that, coupled with the fact that I just turned 40, is what makes me a bit cheeky.