The Mean Mom

Wow...

2008-09-21T19:46:00.002-04:00

Where has the time gone?

Lots going on, and while things are settling into the routine, the routine is crazy as usual. Girls are dancing, Kay still working, Kyle in Scouts, and now Karate... Oh the joys of wanting kids that are well rounded in activities...

The new job is... well... still working itself out. There are definite down points, but some good things too. There is NO online activity. I had to almost offer my first born to have off for Sharon's wedding. The good side is that the work is steady and while it might be a bit monotonous, it makes the time fly.

There are lots of pictures on flickr as usual. There were lots of activities that didn't make the camera... and some that haven't made it flickr yet... like apple picking yesterday and the maze we did.

Anyway, sorry I haven't been here, but when I get home I seem to spend all my time trying to catch up on email and stuff... I'll try to be better.

I can hear her warming up...

2008-07-29T12:55:00.002-04:00

The fat lady that will be singing her song...

It will soon be over. I have really honestly resigned. Wow.

I quit my job.

And, in the infinite wisdom that is this company? They aren't going to hire a replacement.

Not sure what they are thinking there...

It has been a great 13 years... and I will miss most of the people here, and I will miss the customers that I have dealt with for all that time... they were the best part.

Oh well... I quit my job.

Yes, I am still breathing...

2008-06-26T11:36:00.002-04:00

but finding the time to do that is a bit difficult.

Work is crazy, home is crazy, kids are crazy... do you see the trend?

I thought things were supposed to slow down in the summer... you know "lazy days" and all. Not happening. Tons of stuff going on with various kids...

Kyle has a bunch of scout activities to keep him busy over the summer. They keep me busy too.

Kay is trying to get her act together to register for classes in the fall. My X-MIL seems to think that we should go into debt over our head because she needs the maturity that going away to school will teach her. Sorry... not gonna do it. Not to mention that if I tried to do it, Hubby would have my head! He's hoping to retire sometime in his lifetime.

New eating plan is going good... if I could just drop 2 or 3 pounds to get past that stupid number on the scale, I would be happy. Might have to really think about exercising...

Speaking of exercising... One of the guys I work with is running in the Baltimore Marathon, and I think I agreed to run it with him... of course we would only do the 5k run, not the whole thing... that might be enough to kill me.

Anyway... I need to find a cup of coffee, and my sanity and get some work done.

The common thread...

2008-05-14T17:24:00.003-04:00

What is the common denominator between these 3 things:

Root Canal
Gyno Appt
Family Portraits?

Give up? It would be what are the 3 things that any normal person would fear and dread... Am I normal? Nope... never claimed to be either...

We have an appointment for family portraits tonight for our church pictorial directory and I'm actually looking forward to it. Hopefully it won't disappoint me.

The last time we did this, I had been divorced for about 18 months... My kids were the star of the directory. They were in the directory with me... and with StupidX. He did that on purpose. He was still thinking that he needed to prove that he was the stellar parent. HA!

He and his Brady Bunch family aren't doing pictures... He claims it's because he doesn't have time. I know the real reason, and in a pathetic way, I feel sorry for him. I think it's all a matter of choices, and which ones we make. I don't think that his were as thought out as mine... he jumped into something too quickly, then couldn't back out, because I think he worried others would have thought less of him. I think that if he had it to do again, he might make different choices if he knew how it would turn out.

But that's enough of a psychology speech for today... I'm off to find something presentable for the rugrats to wear for the picture... I so wish Kyle weren't so picky about his wardrobe.

I would like to take a moment to thank Michelle Duggar...

2008-05-13T11:33:00.003-04:00

You know who she is right? She's the woman who just had her 80 millionth kid. Now I have to tell you, while I have nothing against having as many kids as you want, there has to come a limit somewhere. I mean she is 41 and has had 18 kids. Yep, 18. That's an entire classroom... well almost a classroom if the schools weren't so crowded...

Why am I thanking Michelle? Because I posted this post awhile ago. Now that Michelle and Jim Bob have had their 18th kid, and everyone is looking for them (it's kinda like a car wreck, you just have to look) they hit my blog... I have had on average 26 hits from new visitors.

You know, I guess it's all in how you look at it though. If they have the means to provide for thier children, and can care for and love them, then more power to them.

Anyway, thank you Michelle Duggar. And congrats on #18.

ETA: Thanks Lara! The Duggars are expecting their 18th... it hasn't arrived yet.

Happy Sunday... on a Monday...

2008-05-12T16:43:00.002-04:00

Yeah, so yesterday was Mother's day... and I'm a mom... yippee!

The kids were with StupidX on Friday night and Saturday night, and I was almost tempted to tell him to just keep them on Sunday... I mean it really is just another day... Is that a bad thing to say?

I had to get up early (7 am!) to go to church because StupidX took the kids there and I had to pick them up there... broke my diet by eating a pancake at the Mom's day breakfast they do every year... but I also ate more protein then carbs, so it wasn't a total bust. Then we skipped Sunday School and just came home. I had a killer sinus headache so I laid down and slept... all day.

Got up in time for dinner, then played on Webkinz with Ky for a little bit until it was his bed time, then I did 1 load of laundry and went to bed...

See, just another day.

The only thing that made it special was a gift I got from my friend Monica (an adorable mug and a beautiful angel...) and flowers from my Hubby and some cards.

Kay did say that she would be taking me out to dinner next Sunday (after she gets paid because her prom is Saturday and she won't be able to afford it before Prom...)

I hope that if you're a mom, you had a wonderful day... and if you aren't a mom, I hope you treated yours right.

Whoop-dee-doo!!!

2008-05-09T15:39:00.003-04:00

So, do I look any different? Huh? Can you see it?

What?! You don't notice it? But it should be obvious...

I am almost in my MID-somethings... :P Yeah, well... "they" say a woman should never tell her age... the way I see it, if I've made it this far, I'm doing ok. I haven't been sent to jail for murder even though I have thought about it on more than one occasion. I'm not involved in some scandal... though that might be fun. hehehe...

Wednesday I was 42... today, I'm not. I haven't been since yesterday. It's funny, I don't really feel any different than I did on Wednesday. When is this "old age" everyone talks about supposed to kick in?

Oh well... guess I'll just wait... but I won't be waiting quietly... I'll be doing all the stuff I always do. Maybe even have to try something new, but I don't know what... anyone have any suggestions?

Oh, and in case I don't get here in time... if you are a mom, have a great Sunday... if you have a mom, don't forget to tell her that you love her.

And if you are here from Ree's place, be sure to say hi... and if you don't know about her place, you have to check it out... she's very addicting... in a good way!

How far would you drive...

2008-05-02T17:33:00.002-04:00

to find cheap gas?

This might make it easier to find... and if you play with the zoom you can get close enough to actually click on stations and see their prices and exact locations.

I also was kind of surprised at the spots that have almost a DOLLAR in the difference from one part of town to the next... bizarre.

I also had a self discovery moment... I am completely fascinated by maps. I could zoom in and scroll around for hours... checking out town names... following where a road goes... I'm such a dork.

Anyway, you can have your own fun there...

Ah...

2008-04-24T13:44:00.002-04:00

CHOO!

Yep, it's that time of year... spring. I love spring. No, really I do. I hate the allergies though. Waking up with goopy eyes. Not being able to breath because your head is so stuffed with crud... Sneezing a gazillion times in a row...

I feel like some twisted version of the 7 dwarves... Sneezy, Itchy, Snotty, Drippy, Runny, Watery, Sleepy... Notice that there is no Happy... I am anything but when I am so icky.

If I could just find an allergy medicine that worked with out making me sleepy... I've tried pretty much everything out there... they all either don't do anything, or I could just sit and drool on myself cause I'm so out of it.

I used to say that I would never wish a divorce on my worst enemy... add allergies to that too...

Off to find some tissues...

Oops...

2008-04-13T12:47:00.002-04:00

I need to apologize to Amy and Sharon...

When I got that really cool box last week, the packing slip only said Traci's name... Then Traci told me that the card was supposed to have all three names on it.. I still haven't found that card. I have looked through all the tissue paper... looked the big box, in the gift box... all over that packaging for the card, nothing.

Anyway, I didn't want to miss anyone when telling you all how much that made my day... Thanks again!

Smiles...

2008-04-10T22:13:00.002-04:00

So, today, I had a pretty good day... got lots done at work. Even had a chance to get out of the office... it was BEAUTIFUL today!

Then I had the drive home... got a call from one of the programming guys to tell me that there was a huge back up on the only way home I know... I had to go that way... turned out there was an accident just 1 exit from where I get on the highway. I was through the back up in no time...

Got home, had a yummy dinner... Flounder... and a great fruit salad.

Did my usual evening running... picking up kids from where ever and taking them to different places... came home and as I was coming the door... I saw this box... sitting on the end of the sofa... Just a box... but wait! Sephora!... oh my...

Remember that really bad week I was having last week? Well it's way better, and my girl Traci, she loves me... (So does Sharon... she dug me a hole... ;) )

Thanks, Traci... The Cocktail Party will come in handy... even if I can't really drink them...

Happy Birthday to ME!

2008-04-10T10:13:00.002-04:00

So, anyone got a mirror? And a really big washcloth? Oh! I know, I need a brillo pad!

I need to scrub that stuff off my face. The stuff that says "SUCKER!".

Last night was our Cub Scout District Roundtable meeting. It's once a month, and don't usually go, but I had to go last night to turn in the registrations for our Pack for the Summer Day Camp. So while there, they were talking about Leader training. There is one specific training I have tried to register for 2 years in a row, and couldn't do it... the first year was a schedule conflict, but they ended up cancelling anyway because they didn't have enough people. This year they didn't get enough people to sign up, so it was cancelled again!

The training is a combined class, and it's for outdoor skills and leadership. Your pack MUST have someone trained in these in order for them to go camping or on outings. Not only that, and you can call me a geek, but I like camping. I think it's fun, and I really enjoy our annual Pack Family Camping Weekend that we do every year.

Sorry, got a little off topic, but it really is related.

So last night, they mention this CSALT course again and right away, I'm interested. They talked about how they know there are over 80 leaders and they aren't all trained in stuff that they should/could be. That they had opened registration for the CSALT course and only had 1 or 2 people register... can you see how I would have been all alone at the training all weekend? Then said that word... the word that strikes fear in the bravest of souls... VOLUNTEER. Ack! They are starting a committee and they need people to help.

Guess who was hanging around afterward to help out on this committee? Yeah, me. Oh, and this other guy who was the other one to register 2 years in a row for CSALT and didn't get to go.

Yep, there's a sucker born every minute, and that makes today my birthday.

Ok, for you knitters out there...

2008-04-08T22:09:00.003-04:00

Pictures from the Yarn Harlot's visit to MD are in my flickr.

Yes, I'm making a funny face because the woman taking the picture was commenting on the camera and I was answering, when "click"... oh well.

What a great time!

2008-04-08T12:17:00.002-04:00

It was so much fun to be out with people that knit... I mean it wasn't like I didn't know other people did this, I see the proof online all the time, but I have never seen anyone else out in public knitting... that's not counting MSWF, or at a yarn shop.

I got there about 5:30 after getting lost because the directions tell you to a road then they have you back on the highway, of course I realized my mistake at the red light at the bottom of the exit ramp.

To the very nice woman at Party City buying a helium tank, thank you for pointing me in the right direction.

I was slightly surprised by the amount of people there... when I called them and was told there had been people there since they opened I was really expecting a HUGE crowd... there were about 200 people there. The talk was good... and I laughed. A lot! She is very funny.

I have a few pictures on my phone, but after waiting around for my ticket to be called... I was number 136, and then getting my book signed, I didn't get home until a little after 11. I was tired and hungry and so I ate then went to bed... and then didn't sleep very well, but that's a different story.

I'll put the pictures up hopefully tonight.

Health and Harlots...

2008-04-07T09:08:00.003-04:00

Today is a big day...

I've started a new "diet"... I'm pretty sure that I can stick to a diet that has bacon on it. Yum!

For breakfast, I've had 2 hardboiled eggs and a glass of milk... not too bad... I'll keep you posted on how I do...

I am very excited that I get to go somewhere tonight... I'm going to a book store! Yeah, WOO HOO! But it's not any bookstore. It's a Borders. And it's not any Borders it's one that is hosting her! I have the camera and a scarf in my car... I'm hoping to get out of here a little early so I can at least be in the same room with her...

Anyone know how early I should try to get there?

I'll have an update on that tomorrow, too.

ETA: I called the book store, and the girl there said that there were people there when they opened waiting to get in... Wow... Now I'm not sure I'll even be able to be the same STORE as her... I'm going to attempt it though...

What better way to start a new eating routine...

2008-04-06T15:55:00.003-04:00

Then with some awesome Banana Bread... I have to say, I have only done 2 of her recipes, but Deb sure does them right... This recipe? Incredible...

I had 4 on the verge of too brown bananas that were begging to not get thrown in the trash... so instead I threw them in the oven.

Oh my. I cut a warm slice, with some butter... heaven.

I also really like her mac & cheese recipe. I know Traci has tried a couple things from her site too... yummy...

I think I just might have to go have another slice... wow...

Moving day...

2008-04-04T22:56:00.002-04:00

Have you ever had one of those days when it just feels as though as everything is crashing down around you?

Everything you believe or wish or dream of is just shattered.

You have an idea of the future and all of a sudden, in a flash you see it rushing away from you...

Yeah, that was my week this week. Lots of craziness from all directions... I think we're all surviving... I'll let you know if that changes...

All I know is, I've put that saying "Friends help you move, Your real friends help you move bodies" to the test this week. The next asshat to piss me off will be scattered over 3 states...

And that's all I have to say about that. To those that had my back, I love you all, thanks for keeping me from losing sight. I'm not sure we're completely done with the mess, but most of it is cleaned up. I still have a little bit of polishing to do...

And for those that care... I have pictures of the shawl in progress on flickr. I'm planning on going to MSWF again this year... if you would like to meet up, you can email me. themeanmom (at) gmail (dot) com. I was looking at the site, and Kyle asked if that was where they had the dogs and the sheep and the llamas (he meant alpacas). When I said yes, he asked if we could go again cause the animals were cool. So I'll at least have the boy with me... ;)

Ok, I'm off to sleep... stress wears me out.

Oh, and tonight...

2008-03-29T13:45:00.003-04:00

I'm doing my part... my part of something bigger...

I'm sure you all can think of *something* to do for one hour in the dark...

Earth Hour

Will you be in the dark too?

Quirky quirkiness...

2008-03-29T10:53:00.002-04:00

So there are some things that I do a certain way. I don't think of it as a problem. It's not. I'm not OCD... or ADD or ED or anything else that ends in D...

Since teaching myself how to knit, I like knitting. Most things are pretty easy. Up to now, I've gotten really good at dishcloths. I can knit them anywhere... doesn't matter. In the car, in a waiting room, anywhere.

Then there's the scarf... I can only knit this at home... I don't know if it's the back and forth between the steps... I don't know... but I can only do this at home... I can however watch tv, talk to the kids and the Hubby, and all is good...

But the Shawl... I have to be in bed. Sitting on the bed with the highlighters, and the various needed items... pencil, cable needle, legend for the chart and the 1st part of the pattern... on chart.

I have never knit from a chart before this project. When I look at that chart, I get a bit intimidated, but it's the same as any other pattern, right? It's just pictures instead of words. Piece of cake.

Then this happens... Hubby comes in, picks up his book and turns on the tv... I start out just listening to whatever he is watching. Then it's a quick glance. Next thing I know I'm counting stitches to find where I am in the row...

If I have my headset on, it's enough background noise that I can knit with out distraction... I don't really hear the words, but I do know I can sing along (or attempt to sing along) without really even noticing. It blocks just enough stuff out that I'm good to go.

Last night, I was just chugging along, knitting away and all was going fine. Then, the worst thing that could happen did. My MP3 player died. The battery was dead. I sat there with the earbuds in, listening to nothing. Trying to stay focused with out the music. It was tough, but I was managing.

Then along came Hubby. He turned on the TV... Final Destination 2. The best one in the series if you ask me.

Let's just say, now I know why they call them lifelines.

On an unrelated note... Do you think drunk texting is as bad or worse than drunk dialing? hehehe... Thanks for the text guys!

My dear, sweet Kim...

2008-03-18T12:50:00.003-04:00

Today is Kim's birthday. Well, today would have been Kim's birthday. She would post about her family coming over to celebrate or the huge meal they would have, (she's Italian, so you know there would have been a TON of food.) She would tell us about what the kids are doing and how happy she is.

I didn't see that post today. I miss Kim. I wish I could see her smiling face and hear her laugh.

She is always in my thoughts, and her family is always in my prayers.

I know she wouldn't want us all to be sitting here feeling sorry for ourselves... but it's hard when such a big part of your everyday is missing...

Happy Birthday, Kim... I love you.

Like a blast from the past...

2008-03-17T11:52:00.002-04:00

Hello.
Is there anybody in there?
Just nod if you can hear me.
Is there anyone home? *

I have one of those visual memories that is a little creepy... I can see a car on a highway, and remember it an hour and a half later when I park next to it at the rest area to go to the bathroom.

Come on, now.
I hear youre feeling down.
Well I can ease your pain,
Get you on your feet again.

I can remember people I stood behind in line at the grocery store when I see them at the bank later in the day. Kinda weird...

Relax.
I need some information first.
Just the basic facts:
Can you show me where it hurts?

I can remember a person's handwriting after only seeing it one time... One time.

There is no pain, you are receding.
A distant ships smoke on the horizon.
You are only coming through in waves.
Your lips move but I cant hear what youre sayin.
When I was a child I had a fever.
My hands felt just like two balloons.
Now I got that feeling once again.
I cant explain, you would not understand.
This is not how I am.
I have become comfortably numb.

I have been Kyle's Assistant Cubmaster for 2 years now. I have been to numerous Regional Scouting Roundtable meetings. I have seen this same guy a bunch of times... It wasn't until I started seeing his name on emails from the District that I started wondering... Then at the last meeting I saw him again... Was that the guy that I spent all of 8th grade writing "Comfortably Numb" on the table in our Science class verse by verse with? Was that the same guy that I had that little crush on?

Nah... couldn't be...

When the meeting was over, I walked over to check for sure if this was the same person... before I could even say anything, he said "Hi, Karen! It sure has been a long time." I was shocked! That was the same guy. It was the same person that for a year I would right notes and song lyrics to. We hung out at school, got into trouble together and did all sorts of juvenile stuff together.

We did the whole, "Since you are involved in Scouts, I guess you've got at least a boy" thing... he has 3 kids too, said he married his high school sweetheart, but I didn't think to ask who that was... I might have known her.

It was nice to see him again, but I have to be perfectly honest... I didn't recognize him at all... There was no memory of what he looked like. How many other people do I know and yet I could be possibly standing right next to them and not even know it.

Maybe I should start wearing a name tag...

Ok.
Just a little pinprick.
Therell be no more --aaaaaahhhhh!
But you may feel a little sick.

Can you stand up?
I do believe its working.
Good.
Thatll keep you going for the show.
Come on its time to go.

*"Comfortably Numb" Lyrics courtesy of Pink Floyd

Like the wind...

2008-03-10T10:34:00.002-04:00

Or maybe not so much...

Kay has decided that since they really don't have to "try out" for the track team, she wants to do that. She can run.

So, we scrambled to get her a physical, and she has been going to practices. She had been coming home from practices and wanting to die. She said that she has muscles hurt that she didn't even know she had.

Not to mention that she is NOT a runner... I mean she can run, but I'm not sure she can run to win. She wants to keep at it, and that's fine. I told her that when she starts having meets, I would come to cheer her on.

I have told her she needs to be sure she is eating balanced meals... she won't be able to maintain by living off of easy mac. She will need to eat veggies and proteins... I think that was worse than telling her that there was no Santa. Sheesh.

Anyway... I'll be there supporting her and cheering her on, cause that's what mom's do. I'm just glad I was able to talk her out of lacrosse.

On a knitting note, this past week was a week of firsts. I knit the swatch for the Mystic Light Shawl. We had to use a provisional cast on. She wanted us to use that so that we would be sure to know what we were doing since we'll be using it for the shawl. I guess I did it right, I haven't tried to remove the crochet chain yet. I'm not sure about that whole "grafting" thing... my other first was reading a chart. I was all stressed out, but I did it! I have to tell you though, it sure feels weird reading from right to left. I used a sheet protector and a dry erase marker so that I could mark where I was on the chart so I didn't get lost. I posted the picture on flickr so you can see how I did... I think I did ok... I have to be honest... I was a little worried about the striping, but then I thought about how it's just a small piece with shorter rows (only 17 stitches... ) when it's on a bigger row, I'm sure it will be fine. I'm really loving the yarn, thanks again Michele!

Oh, and on a completely different topic... I belong to this really great online mom's group. We met about 9 years ago... well they all met about 9 years ago, I was late to the party... anyway, we "talk" everyday. These ladies are way more than online friends. I let my oldest spend 2 weeks with Traci as an intern when she wanted to be a journalist. I got married at one of our annual BBQs. My mom couldn't understand the bond we have... she went to my wedding, and she said, "You know, I think I get it now... they are great people." We flew Cherie out for a BBQ at Kim's, and as a group we mourned the loss of Kim. Sharon was gracious enough to open her home for us to attend the funeral. We are that close. I tell these women stuff I don't tell my own mom. I talk to them more than I talk to my own family.

Where am I going with this? We are celebrating as a family! Sharon, the one that let me get married in her front yard has gotten engaged. Tex is a great guy, and he makes her very happy... good thing too, you don't want 20 pissed off mom's after you. ;) If you could, go tell her congrats! Let her know I sent you.

Hope your Monday is the start of great week... Oh, and this whole "Spring forward" thing? sucks. I need a nap.

Where to Buddy?

2008-03-06T14:49:00.003-05:00

Intersection of Detention and Annoyance? Got it!

Let's head down Detention Lane for a moment... and we have to take a little side trip to I'm bursting with pride but still pretty ticked off...

My mom called me at work. School called her. My oldest daughter, the honor roll, never gets in trouble child is in trouble.

The school is doing a production of the musical Beauty and the Beast. They were having final rehearsals yesterday during school. My dear daughter asked her Trig teacher if some of the students could go to see the play. He said no. They went anyway. She claims that he never gave them a definitive answer and they couldn't find him to get one so they went. He said that he told them no.

When called, he gushed about what a good student she was, and how she was never in trouble and how well liked by both staff and students and friendly she was. He felt awful about having to give her detention, but he couldn't single her out and not punish her. He had to be fair.

He just so happened to have had Nikki for Algebra last semester. He told my mom that we should know that we are doing a great job with both of them. They are both great kids and he was very lucky to have had them in his class.

So, while I could kill her, because she seems to be getting a case of "Senioritis", and messing up, it's really nice to hear about how good a kid she is...

Now, we'll take a left on to Annoyance Street.

About that play... Nikki wants to go. Her and her friend want to go. They want to go tonight. So, they have made all the plans. All but one. The friend needs a ride. The friend can't go unless I pick her up. Think it's possible for the friend to live on the way to the school? Nope. Think it's possible for the friend to have someone come to pick her up after the play? Nope.

I agreed to do it. But only this one time. I would not be the taxi cab. Gas is way to expensive to be running around picking up AND dropping off. I would agree to do one way, but that's it from now on.

As punishment to her... Kyle and I are going to the play too. Well at least that's the plan for now. He might change his mind. If he does, I'm not sure I will go.

Oh, and on the boys suck front, they still do. But, thanks to Traci's great idea, they don't seem to suck quite as much. Everything looks a little better after a Peanut Butter cup sundae. (I had a sundae with coffee flavor ice cream with caramel sauce. It was AWESOME!)

And on the knitting front... I think I'm having SWWS.... LOL... I cast on for the 2nd Fetching, but couldn't get the join to be right, so I had to rip it out... 4 TIMES. Finally, this morning while waiting for Kay in the Drs office (physical for track) I got it right, did my 4 rounds and got to the cable part but didn't have my extra needle and I'm too nervous to try it without one so I took my pen apart and used the little ink tube thingy (what is that called anyway?). I should probably practice doing it with out a cable needle since we got our swatch today for the Mystic Light Shawl, and it's a cable and lace pattern.

Oh, and I found a really cool pattern that will only use a little bit of yarn so when I'm done, I know what to do with any extra.

I can't wait to get home and get started... though it will just be the swatch, the pattern doesn't start until the 26th? 28th? the Twenty somethingth.

Ok, now that we've reached our destination, the fare will be your sanity...

I don't know anything...

2008-03-04T11:31:00.003-05:00

I was never a teenager. I never had a boy break up with me. I never cried myself to sleep over a romance gone wrong.

That's what she thinks. Funny thing about all that though, I can't seem to find the right words to say to let her know that it will be better.

Instead, last night, we sat in the chair in the living room and she cried on me. She told me that a friend of hers offered to go beat him up. I told her that was probably not a good idea. Besides, I get to do that.

Today is another day, and she has to keep going to school and to work, and he'll be in both those places. I told her she can't stop doing what she needs to do or wants to do just because her heart is breaking. He doesn't deserve to see her upset since he broke up in a text message! Jerk.

I did tell her to look on the bright side, now when she goes away to college, she won't have to feel bad about dating the guys there. ;)

**************
Off topic-Traci, wristwarmers are like gloves with out any fingers... I posted the one I have finished on flickr.

This is beginning to look like a knitting blog...

2008-03-03T12:38:00.002-05:00

I went out on Saturday morning with Kyle's scout pack to pick up the donations for Scouting for Food (lemme tell you, it was bad! We only had about 15 donations out of about 400 homes... ) and one of the other mom's had on a pair of wristwarmers. They were a synthetic striped pair. She bought them out somewhere, and she really liked them. I will admit they were cute. But, other than the stripes, they were pretty plain.

I came home, and thought, "You know, everyone and their brother has made some, so I might as well too..." I immediately cast on for a pair of Fetching. I was using some Paton's Classic Merino that I received as a gift for Christmas a couple years back. I didn't know what I wanted to make with it, but it's perfect for them!

I knit most of the evening Saturday, and most of the afternoon on Sunday and I have one done... I was a bit stressed about the thumb, but it looks ok. I need to work on how to pick up the stitches with out it leaving a hole.

I'll post pictures as soon as I get the second one done.

In other news, that is not knitting related, boys suck. Especially boys that make my girls cry. Kay sent me a text message saying that she "thinks" her boyfriend broke up with her. Let me explain why she doesn't know for sure...

Saturday they were supposed to go out. He cancelled on her. They didn't speak all weekend. She said they had a long discussion about how he always cancels on her and if he doesn't want to go out, he needs to just say so. He gave her some long speech that ended with him saying he needed time to think by himself.

Ugh... I told her if that was what he was doing, he wasn't worth it. That he isn't worth her tears, and that he was stupid.

I hate when my kids hurt... I'll be thinking about her all day... I might have to call her after school to see how she's doing.

Stupid boys.

Mystic Light Yarn...

2008-03-01T12:41:00.006-05:00

Got this from Michele... Isn't it beautiful! I'll be using it for the Mystic Light Shawl KAL... I'm so excited.. it is more beautiful than I was expecting. It has all the colors that you might see as the sun is just getting over the horizon. Gorgeous!

In other knitting news... I've caught up all my dishcloths but hadn't had a chance to post pictures. Here they are... That yellow is the perfect match for my kitchen!

Well off to find something to keep me busy... I'm sure I could do something like dishes... ugh... or cleaning... Double UGH...

Might have to make me a cup of tea and take a nap instead...

Can I quit?

2008-02-27T22:08:00.003-05:00

At least tonight was a better night than last night... kinda. Tonight's battle was Nikki and her PSAT class. They are working on the math portion and she doesn't remember some of what they are going over. Trying to explain it to her, very frustrating.

Kay is done being mad at me. They told her at work that they want her to stay on as an instructor, and that she could still work 6-8 Monday to Thursday and would be off on Friday since there isn't a class that night. She will be "Managing" the school track team. (I think her best friend got that for her... she's the school's best track team member.)

Kyle is preparing for the state's assessment tests... I hate those! For 2 weeks there is no spelling homework, just math. Math vocabulary. ick.

I'm really excited about the Mystic Light Shawl KAL I joined... I can hardly wait for Michele to tell me that my yarn is ready... The only thing I'm slightly nervous about is that the shawl is going to be only charted... I'm pretty sure that Knit Picks has a tutorial on chart reading. I'm also sure that if I look on the net I will find something to help...

I've caught up all my dishcloths and am waiting for the new one to start on Saturday.

There are new pictures on my flickr of our weekend with Grandmom for her 90th birthday. It was a lot of fun. My whole family hasn't been together like that for a long time. There were kids everywhere it seemed... lots of talking and laughing.

I was very happy that out of all the kids there, mine were the best behaved. Of course I might be a bit biased, but watching the others in the restaurant, we win hands down.

I'm a little ready for this week to be over... I need a weekend. Thankfully there's one coming and so far, it's empty! Woo Hoo! and on that note, this post is over too!

Nothing like a little DIY Surgery...

2008-02-15T13:20:00.002-05:00

So, remember how a long time ago I mentioned my skin tag? Well, it's been getting bigger... not at an alarming rate, but still...

Last week I was getting undressed, and I noticed something in my bra... it was blood. The stupid tag was bleeding a little. Me, not wanting to go to the dr to have it looked at again went to the internet... cause you know, if it's on here, it's gospel truth.

I gave the tag a little twist to cut off the blood supply and put a band-aid on it. I have had a band-aid on the girl since last week... on Tuesday, I went back to the all knowing internet and looked some more... several sites said to cut it off. That it wouldn't hurt. So I tried... To my shock and surprise, it hurt! so I stopped what I was doing, put a new bandaid on it and left it alone. The next day I changed the bandaid and put some antibiotic ointment on it so it wouldn't get infected... that would be baaaaad.

So, all day yesterday, it itched like crazy! I got home, took off the bandage, and looked at it... went to put the bandage back and the tag fell off! WOo Hoo! No more skin tag.

Of course my mom says that it will come back... She also says that I should have gone to the Dr to have it removed because she didn't think it was a skin tag, but since I had already flashed them, and they didn't think it was anything to be concerned about, so I wasn't going back.

It's still a little itchy, but I figure it's healing from my lame attempt at surgery... Hopefully the whole thing doesn't fall off.

Yeah, I'll take the beach part...

2008-02-09T23:07:00.000-05:00

The Recipe For karen

3 parts Magnetism
2 parts Ingenuity
1 part Creativity

Splash of Playfulness

Sip slowly on the beach

What's the Recipe for Your Personality?

Finally all done...

2008-02-02T16:13:00.000-05:00

On the Monthly Dishcloth Yahoo group I belong to, they send out pattern rows for 2 cloths a month. I usually start one, then get distracted and never finish it. Or I'll wait to see what it is to decide if I want to knit it, then never do... I think I only did 3 or 4 of the 24 from last year.

This year I took the Dishcloth Challenge to knit all 24 cloths. So, I'm about a month late for this one, but it's done. And it's already been claimed! Kyle said he wants it for the bath tub. Fine with me.

Anyway, here's the completed cloth. It's a bit wonky cause I didn't block it or anything and I used the scanner.

I've already cast on for the 2nd January one and it's going pretty quick. I'll have plenty of time to work on it tonight at the Blast game.

Oh! And don't forget to vote for Mark. They have some new thing where you have to register to vote... whatever... guess we were stuffing the ballot box a bit much... Traci and Mark (Blogless) would really appreciate it... so would I!

Go Bobcats!

2008-01-25T11:34:00.000-05:00

So, last night, I got home from setting up mom's printer, Kay went in the house and I walked across the street to the neighbors to drop something off... She came bursting out of the house and running across the street.

Her first college acceptance letter. For the non-refundable cost of $150.00 they will hold her a spot for the Fall 2008 Freshman class.

Talk about a mix of emotions... and I mean ME not her!

Guess I know what I'll be doing online for the next 3 months or so until the money's all gone... Yep... researching scholarships and grants and financial aid...

On an unrelated but equally important note... My friend Traci's man, Mark, has a chance to win a 2009 Polaris Snowmobile... you can check the contest out and his video and the 1st segment of the competition here... and be sure to vote for MARK! It tracks cookies, so you are only supposed to be able to vote once... but I'm sure you can do whatever it is you can do to block the cookies and stuff the ballot box. ;) Thanks! I'm sure that Traci and Mark appreciate it!

And then you can comment here about how much fun that was to watch... LOL!

And the wind whirled this weekend...

2008-01-21T13:47:00.000-05:00

There was shopping, and partying, and poxing...

Ran around Saturday to do some quick shopping for my outfit for Saturday... New shoes cause the ones I wore last time, ugh. Then got a call from my mom, she got a great deal on an awesome desk at the thrift store for Nikki, so I went and picked that up.

Then there was the party... Hubby's company's winter party. What a blast! Free booze, gambling with someone else's money... Ok, so it was fake money but it was real gambling, and I doubled my money at the Blackjack table. Go me!

On the way to the party I got a call on the cell phone, Kyle has Chicken pox. Yeah, that childhood disease that they MADE me get him immunized for... The one that they said he probably wouldn't get because of that shot. Well he got it. From my nephews. Who also got the shot. What was the sense of that if he's going to get the virus anyway?!

Oh well... now I'm sure he won't get them again... and hopefully because of the shot he'll be over them fast! They aren't very bad, probably about 30 - 35 spots... I have some oatmeal bath stuff for him for tonight. (He asked if we could use the Apples and Cinnamon oatmeal we have. He said that way his bath water would taste yummy. He cracks me up!)

So, anything exciting happen for you this past weekend?

Musical chairs...

2008-01-09T14:38:00.000-05:00

So, I was messing with the kids MP3 players... just kinda scrolling through to see what they had on there... most of it is hip hoppy pop stuff...

But wait! What is that? AC/DC??? Led Zeppelin??! Violent Femmes?!!! Wow... I didn't know they even listened to stuff like that... Then there was Cyndi Lauper, too... I used to listen to that! I was pretty impressed by the amount of diverse stuff they had.

So I kept going on through the list... Then... it all came to a screeching halt. I couldn't believe it. Not sure why this was on there... Alvin and the chipmunks. Get out.

They have Alvin and the Chipmunks in the same list with AC/DC. And it's not even their Christmas song... it's something from the movie.

Think they'll notice if I add a couple more heavy metal tunes to help balance the Chipmunks? I think that definately calls for some.

For my baby...

2008-01-04T10:14:00.000-05:00

January 4, 2008

Kay,

Happy Birthday! I really can’t believe you’re 18… it doesn’t seem that much time has passed. I still remember being pregnant with you. I remember the first time I saw you… all scrunched up and tiny. You had beautiful eyes and the cutest fingers and toes.

When you were a baby, if we were out somewhere, everyone would comment that you looked like a little china doll. You were a very beautiful baby.

Growing up, you were so funny. You had a mind of your own and knew exactly what you wanted. (You’re still like that!) You loved your Jingles, and he went everywhere with us. Then we realized that things would get ugly if you didn’t have him, so he stayed home and would wait for you.

When you started talking, you would babble nonsense words mixed in with real words and your expressions looked as though there was something wrong with us for not knowing what you were talking about. Uncle Joe used to “talk” to you in baby babble and the two of you would carry on whole conversations. It was very amusing to watch the seriousness on your face while you listened to him, and then you would answer him with that same seriousness.

You weren’t always the most outgoing when meeting new people, so we joined Girl Scouts to help you make friends. Then there was dance class to help you be more social. I soon learned that while some of the girls would have the whole flock of other girls around them, they didn’t have what you had. You may not have had a whole group of girls hanging around you, but the ones that you did have as your friends were (and still are!) very special and important to you. At the same time though, you were never “snobby” and excluded anyone from being your friend, but there were some friends, like T, that are life long friends and that you will always keep special.

I know now that you are growing up and becoming a young lady and not my little girl anymore, I really need to let you go. Hopefully one day you will understand how difficult that is to do. When I look at you, I still see my first baby… my first child, the one that will always be my Kaysie Diddle. Now it’s time for me to find out if I’ve done my job correctly and shown you how to be responsible, so you can go out into that big world and be successful. I know I have to let go, but part of me wants to protect you still. I will always want to do that, and I will always be here if you need me. That’s what moms do for their babies.

I know that you will be fine. You are a smart, beautiful, funny person. There will be times when you get hurt, but you’ll just get up, brush it off, and try again.

Just remember, no matter where you go, or what you do, I will always be there cheering you on, and supporting you. I’ll also help you brush it off and move on. I love you.

Love, Mom

Sleigh bells ring...

2007-12-10T22:41:00.000-05:00

And I think they only do it to be annoying...

There are 2 weeks... Yes, 2weeks until the fat man shows up at my house... You would think I would be ready... Not even close.

Anyone know how to bend the time and space continuum? If you do, could you slow it down for the rest of the world?

Got the big stuff for the kids, but not the filler gifts. Hubby is being a Scrooge and keeping a tight hold on the purse strings. Can't really blame him though... it's tight all around.

I had to break it to the kids that there would be much smaller piles under the tree this year.

Kyle's answer? Doesn't matter mom, Santa makes all the presents we want... had to explain copyright laws to him for that one... he thinks he's getting a TV, DVD player, a camera and his own computer... right... I think he is sadly mistaken.

Don't get me wrong, this won't be a bad Christmas, it will just be a little slimmer, and frankly? That's OK with me. It shouldn't be all about the gifts, or the getting. It should be about the family and the togetherness and the specialness of the day.

Christmas should be about the love... that's why we'll be spending it with my X-IL's here at 7 am for breakfast. It's become an odd tradition, that started out awkward, but now wouldn't be the same with out them. Besides, it's fun when she talks trash about the family... ;)

Now, anyone wanna come decorate, shop and bake for me?

The longest day ever...

2007-12-04T11:44:00.000-05:00

But it sure flew by...

The best place to be when you don't want to be anywhere is surrounded by friends.

Monday, Kim was laid to rest. It sucked... HARD.

What didn't suck was that I was surrounded by my best friends. Friends that were feeling the same things I was, and that were hurting the same as me.

While it was one of the hardest funerals I've ever had to go to, I was very happy to have been there. Again, while there, I just kept thinking... I really wish there was more I could do. Tell more stories about how I knew her. Give more hugs, show more support... but we were all assured that while we all felt as though we weren't doing enough, we did more than was ever expected and that meant a lot.

The funeral was the worst, the friendship was the best. I'm glad that I saw the girls this weekend, I just wish it were under better circumstances.

We did a lot of remembering, and laughing and of course crying. I know that we'll all be ok, because we have each other. I also know that the remembering, and the laughing and the crying is far from over... We will always remember, because that is how Kim will stay alive. She will always live in our group. She will always live in our hearts.

Still remembering her... always... love you, Kim...

Today, everything changed...

2007-11-29T22:22:00.000-05:00

Today, 3 adorable children lost their mother.

Today, 1 loving husband lost his wife.

Today, 1 mother lost her daughter.

Today, I lost a friend.

Kim was one of the kindest people I knew. She was part of my Mom's group online. We "met" about 8 years ago, and for that time, we were friends. We were sisters.

The first time I ever saw Kim, she had this huge smile and hug, and an even bigger heart. Since we all talked online everyday, all day, it was like we had known each other forever. We knew who was in disagreement with their DH, we knew who was... um... well, you know... not disagreeing... ;)

When Kim told us that they found a lump in her breast, we were scared. Kim didn't let us see that she was scared too. She was always upbeat and supportive. Even on her worst days, she was there telling us how proud she was of our kid's accomplishments. How happy she was for our triumphs and how sad she was when we were sad.

Today, we are sad, but Kim is not... Kim is resting. She doesn't have to fight anymore. She isn't in pain, or going through some nasty test or treatment. She is quiet. She is still.

Kim will live on in her memory. In our thoughts and always, always in our hearts.

Today, the world became a little less bright.

I love you, Kim... may you finally be at peace.

Outstanding Customer Service...

2007-11-20T12:28:00.000-05:00

Last year, on Black Friday (the 24th of November) we bought Nikki a Sandisk Sansa e150 MP3 player... she had it about 45 days when she broke the screen. Not bad, just a crack. Didn't effect the way it played so we let it go.

Well about the time our home machine died, her MP3 player started acting weird, but I couldn't mess with it since we didn't have the computer. Once we got the new machine, I started messing with it... read through posts in various forums on what I needed to do for the error she was getting (db mismatch).

I finally contacted their Tech support to find out how to format the player since that seems to be the only way to fix it. I copied the file with her songs off the player to our computer, and followed their directions. No luck. They were very patient and very clear in the steps I needed to take as we tried to reformat it about 3 different ways. Finally, I was done.

I sent another email (that was the only way to contact them...) saying that after trying everything they suggested it still wasn't working and what were my options... they told me that if it was with in 30 days of purchase I could take it back to the store. I explained that it was outside of the 30 days, I didn't still have the receipt but that it was within a year. They replied and said they would need some information from me (date of purchase, where purchased, and some personal info) and they would send me a RMA (return merchandise authorization). I sent what they needed, and they sent me a RMA # and a UPS pick up slip.

They paid to return it to them, they replaced it, and shipped it back to me. I got it back today... when I sent it to them, all I sent was the player... they sent me back a new player, a set of ear buds, a lanyard, a battery, and the USB cord to connect it.

Way more than I was expecting. I have to say, to find a company that is willing to make sure their customers are happy, and stands behind their product the way they have is very nice.

Need College advice....

2007-11-15T13:13:00.000-05:00

Kay and I (and possibly DH and a friend of hers who is also interested in the school...) are going to look at Frostburg University http://www.frostburg.edu/ this Saturday.

I never went to college (well I went to the community college, but that's not the same) so I have no idea what to look at/for. I know they are going to be selling the school, but what should I look for to see past the hype? What types of questions should I ask?

Kay is very excited, I am very nervous. Don't tell her, but I'm not sure I want her to go away for school... I'm going to miss my baby....

Kim...

2007-11-07T12:53:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I found out that my friend who has been fighting so hard for over 2 years has stopped the treatment for her cancer.

Yesterday, I was very sad and upset.

Today I am angry. I am angry that she should have to be sick. That she should have to fight. I am angry that it's not fair.

I have been thinking of her non-stop.

Please lend her some of your strength and hope and light a candle for her. Click here to show her that she can be strong enough to keep fighting. That you are also saddened that anyone has to fight this fight. That you are angry that she has to be sick.

Thanks... and keep her in your thoughts...

Pray.

2007-11-06T16:43:00.000-05:00

Pray hard. Pray harder than you have ever prayed before...

I love you Kim...

Can I slow down now?

2007-10-30T16:29:00.000-04:00

It has been non-stop going for the past I don't know how long... 2 weekends ago was the birthday/homecoming insanity.

This past weekend was Confirmation insanity... Nothing like seeing how dysfunctional the rest of your family is to get a glimpse of how normal you really are.

It started out that it was StupidX's weekend with the kids. He picked them up on Friday, as usual on his weekends. Nikki informed him that she wanted to come home on Saturday night so that she could just get dressed at home instead of having to take all her clothes/hair accessories/makeup and stuff over there. He agreed that was a good idea and said he would bring her home Saturday evening.

So, Saturday, Hubby and I are just finishing up dinner and the dog goes running to look out the front window... then you can see her watching someone come up the sidewalk on to the porch. The lack of insane barking and jumping at the window let me know it was someone she knew... The door opened and in came Nikki... with Kyle right behind her. I was a little surprised to see them both. After a very brief Q&A session, Kyle was also home because they weren't sure they would be at Church the next day... Um... WTF?!?! This is his daughter's confirmation. The day that she stands up and proclaims her faith. The day that she takes her faith in her own hands. And he's not sure he's going to make it?!?! UGH!

Well, Sunday morning, we headed off, picked up Kay's boyfriend, J. and headed to Church. Dropped everyone off, then headed to the grocery store like we always do. While wandering the aisles, my phone rings and Nikki is panicked because they want to do the pictures RIGHT NOW and where are we and when will we be back. We headed to the check out, paid, and tossed the groceries in the car. Got back to church with a few minutes to spare. Got our pictures, and while we were waiting for her Confirmation teachers to show up, in walked StupidX, Wifeypoop and her daughter. We chatted a bit, then headed up to the church. Our family pretty much filled a pew end to end... I was saving a few seats for the X and his Thing and her child. They sat about 3 rows behind us. I showed him the saved seats, but they declined. Before the service even got really going, Wifeypoop left. Yep, got up and walked out. Not sure why, but she just left. Well the reason was that she wasn't feeling good... big surprise. She never does when it involves the whole family.

Service was beautiful, Nikki was beautiful and I was so very proud of her.

X had to leave a few minutes early to pick up the cake, and then we all headed back to my house. X showed up, alone. Said that WP was not feeling well, and decided to stay home. No biggie. As it turned out, he only stayed for about an hour...

Anyway, the rest of the day was great, and she had a good time.

I was exhausted. A house full of people will do that...

Coming home and waking the dead...

2007-10-22T11:43:00.000-04:00

So, this weekend was a whirlwind of activity.

It was Homecoming weekend for the girls which meant a football game and a dance. Kyle and I were planning on going to the game on Friday night, but we decided against it. Kyle had just picked up all the parts to his Halloween costume and was really wanting to play with the voice changer thingy. I'm glad we didn't go... it ended up being chilly, and windy and worst of all rainy. Poor Nikki came home looking like a wet cat. Kay bailed on the game and her and some friends walked to the Haunted House. I don't blame them, although I would have walked anywhere else besides there since I don't do haunted houses... I'm a wimp.

Saturday was the dance. I couldn't believe how beautiful they looked. I also couldn't help getting a little teary... this is Kay's last high school homecoming and Nikki's first. Nikki was a little nervous since it was a semi-formal, and she's never been to a dance like that. She didn't have a date, but she decided early on that she really didn't want one because she didn't want to have to deal with the drama of a guy at the dance. She instead went with a group of friends, and they had a great time. After the dance they went bowling. She said that was almost more fun than the dance. She told me that there were lots of people not sure what to think when a group of about 6 teens all dressed in thier dance clothes shows up to go bowling.

Kay went with her current boyfriend, James. They met up with some of her friends first. She went with one of her best friends, Heather and her boyfriend, Aaron. Kay's ex-boyfriend, Tony and his new girlfriend, Monica. They met up with some of her other friends at the dance. She stayed at the dance the whole time then they went out to eat afterward.

Both reported having a great time, and Nikki said that once she got there, she wasn't nervous anymore.

Yesterday was Kyle's bday party... wow. I must be insane. I had 14 kids in my house, all 10 and under. I'm so thankful that the weather was so nice, because I sent them all out to play. They played tag outside for a while, then they came in to make TP mummies, then back out side for team Simon Says and some relay races. Back inside for cupcakes, ice cream and presents and then time to go home. It was a lot of fun... we made mummy hotdogs (hotdogs with refrigerator dough breadsticks wrapped around them), mummy pizzas (english muffins with pizza sauce and string cheese with olive eyes) and some Alien salad (fusili pasta, spanish olives, diced tomatoes, italian dressing). The biggest food hit was the punch... well not really the punch, but the presentation of the punch. (In my find of the year, my $1.50 punch bowl from Goodwill!) I had lemon-lime punch (it was green) and the night before the party, I filled a rubber glove with water and red food coloring. Put that in the freezer to get it good and solid. When the party started, I poured the punch, and ripped the rubber glove off the ice hand and floated it in the punch. It was great. One of Ky's friends said that it was "the most funnest birthday party ever!" Coming from an 8 year old, I would say that's a great compliment.

I guess just letting the kids be kids was the best part.

By the time everyone was gone and I had gotten my house back to normal, I was exhausted! I sat down with a tall glass of iced tea, the cat curled up on my lap and just vegged for about 20 minutes. I listened to the quiet. It was wonderful.

Pictures will be up soon...

This was fun...

2007-10-08T13:38:00.000-04:00

I'm in! I'm in! I'm in!

2007-10-03T17:06:00.000-04:00

I got my invite to Ravelry today! Woo Hoo! I've already been checking out some yarn that I have to see what others are doing with it...

It's so overwhelming though... I'll need to sit down this weekend with a few hours to really play with it.

It might help me to keep track of what I have and what I want... yeah, I think the what I want might be a bit out of control, but we'll see...

You can look me up if you're a member... I don't have anything on there yet, but give me time!

I'm KarenLG... Original, huh?

Non Rally weekend...

2007-09-17T16:50:00.000-04:00

We had plans to head to DC for a rally, but didn't make it. Other stuff came up, Ky was a bit cranky and that would have made for a long day...

I then read about the rally in the paper, and they said that there were people from the other point of view and that things got slightly loud and obscene. I'm kinda glad on that account that we didn't go, but I really wanted to show my support for what I believe in.

As Hubby says... Silence implies consent. This isn't something I can be behind. I have family there and he needs to come home to see his brand new baby grow up.

I know there are people who are very passionate about what ever side of the line they are on. I'm not saying you have to agree with me. I'm saying this is what I believe, and what I think should happen.

Support the troops... bring them home.

Today

2007-09-11T13:14:00.000-04:00

Say a prayer.
Light a candle.
Hold your family a little closer.
Never forget.

If I promise not to drool into the keyboard...

2007-09-05T12:03:00.000-04:00

Can I nap at my desk?

Last night, I started a new dishcloth, and wanted to get at least some of it done before bed. At about 11:25, I laid it aside, kissed the hubby, and went to sleep.

Not even an hour later, though it felt later, the dog started going nuts. Barking and growling and just being very loud. This would have passed rather quickly, except when she's on Ky's bed, she can see out his window. This was her main focus. Something was out there and by all means she was going to bark at it.

Shooed her off to her crate, settled Ky back in and then noticed the lights. Flashlights. Not just any flashlight though, these were the big spotlight kind. Shining all over the neighbors yard. In his trees, in the bushes, at his house. Oh Puh-lease. I waited a few minutes and they didn't go away. Then I see that one of the people is the guy across the alley. I have no idea what they are looking for, nor do I care. I just want to go to bed. I start to walk away, and then I hear the yelling. From one side of the alley and yard to the other. Dorks.

That was it. It was now almost 1 am. I called the cops. Let me explain though, I am not a "cop caller" by nature. If people want to be stupid, as long as they aren't messing with my stuff, they can be stupid all they want. When they mess with my stuff or keep me awake, that's a different story. They sent a patrol car. He then shone his big spotlight in the yard.

This would have been the end of it, except that then Ky couldn't seem to get back into a sound sleep. He was worried about the people in the back yard. About the dog whining in her crate (we then went and let her out of the crate since the neighbors had all gone in). He had a cramp in his knee, he had to get a drink, he had to go to the bathroom.

Then there was me... I couldn't get comfy. I was too cold, I was too hot, I was thirsty...

I couldn't get into a sound sleep either. I heard hubby's alarm going off at 4 something... way too early, then I heard Ky asking where I was. He went back to bed. Then he was in my bed again at 5:15. Then he was in his own bed. When the alarm went off at 5:30, I was one sleepy, ain't gonna get up, you can't make me person. I think tonight, I'm going to bed early, and if those dorks are outside in the middle of the night again, I'll let the dog go out and bark at them.

I think I need more coffee... or something...

I should have jumped in earlier...

2007-08-29T16:56:00.000-04:00

So, I kept seeing people talking about Ravelry, and I didn't think I would worthy... I don't have the stash, or the projects that others have. But then I started thinking... how could I benefit from the goodness it plans to be? There will be (from what I've heard, there ARE) message boards. I could use them to my advantage to learn.

I guess I should be honest... I started knitting on a whim. I wanted Socks like Michele and Lara... I wanted fun stuff. I tried it. My first attempt at a project was socks. Yeah. I have the yarn, the needles and my pattern all stored neatly in a zipper plastic bag. I made attempts, but it just wasn't working. Then I moved on to wash cloths. I've made some for me, the girl across the street (little soft ones for her baby), and some for a charity my X-MIL is involved with. I made a bib. I made a scarf... that's it. I really wasn't thinking I would stick with it. I thought it would be like other stuff and I would start it and never finish anything. I've been knitting for about a year.

Then I signed up for that knit along. That could be a bit over my head, but I'm trying it anyway. I can do that... I've done some cable stuff... yeah, so they were dish cloths. And some cabled afghan squares. But they were still cables. I can do this.

So, I bit the bullet and signed up for Ravelry... because I'm impatient, I went to look at where I was on the list...

this is what it says:

You are #21799 on the list.
10989 people are ahead of you in line.
7902 people are behind you in line.

I might actually get an invite sometime before the end of the year... (yesterday, there were only about 3100 people behind me... wow... who knew there were that many knitters!)

Guess I'll just knit and wait, and wait and knit... I think that I might even venture to my LYS to pet yarns for the Wheat Ear Cable Sweater. Have to remember to take my magazine along for reference if I find something.

Today is the day...

2007-08-27T16:45:00.000-04:00

My babies aren't babies. I know this. But do they have to rub it in?

Today was the first day of school.

As the girls got out of the car, I realized how far they had both come... They are best friends. At times, they are worst enemies.

Kay is a Senior. As she walked away from the van this morning, I could still see that little tiny child headed to Kindergarten. Full of excitement and happiness. All smiles and joy. She is still excited and happy about so much, and it shows. But where did my little baby go?

Nikki is a Freshman. My little ray of sunshine. If you've ever met someone that no matter how down in the dumps you are, they can make you laugh, that's Nik. She is silly and goofy. She has always been my jokester. She start to tell you something, and start giggling, and even though you don't know what she's giggling about, you are giggling right along with her. I think this will be her turning point year though. I think she will grow as a person this year, but I don't want to loose the crazy goofy girl.

Kyle is in the "Big Hall". He's in 3rd grade. He's such a little man it isn't funny. He can negotiate better then some lawyers. Several people have commented on him being a little lawyer. Don't let the serious side fool you though, he's a prankster. One of his favorite toys? A whoopie cushion. He's also my snuggler... well, they all are to an extent, but he'll still come over and want to sit on my lap. When he was little, and he would be nursing, he would take my hair and rub it between his fingers and his thumb. He still does that. Pretty soon, my 3rd grader will be too big to fit on my lap. I'm going to miss those snuggly cuddles...

It has been a pretty melancholy day. I've been thinking about the past... my babies. A friend said to me, if my kids are independent enough to do their own thing, I've done a good job. I hope the job I've done is good enough to prepare them for the real world. I think they have enough to be able to handle it, but not so much that they are too jaded, and not too little that they are too naive.

Happy first day... Now I'm going to buy stock in facial tissues... ;)

I got brave...

2007-08-26T21:23:00.000-04:00

See that new button over there... the one for the Wheat Ear Cable KAL? Yeah, I joined... now I just need to go buy yarn. Oh, and to check my needle supply and make sure that the right sizes are available and don't have one of my million UFO's on them. If I make this, actually, WHEN I make this, it will be the first project I have done that wasn't a square. I've made washcloths, and a few afghan squares... Oh, I did make Kyle a snake scarf that turned out nice enough that my nephew requested one.

I'm hoping that I'll have decided on a yarn and will have pictures soon...

Anyone have a good yarn recommendation that isn't going to take me broke? :)

even if you have never met me...

2007-08-21T17:02:00.000-04:00

or heard of me or my dear friend, please pray for her...

I got this message from my friend, Kim...

"Basically there is progression EVERYWHERE.

Dr. M. was pretty somber today. I've seen it before but not like this. Scared the shit out of me. He started telling us about the scans and not only did new spots appear, old spots grew.

Anthony and I asked him for a copy of the report and he said yes, take it for your records but you really don't want to read it. We haven't. We are just looking at it like its everywhere again why do we need to know exactly where.

So new treatment today, which we knew was going to happen but we were hoping only because of the skin spots was he going to change. Funny nothing on the report mentions the skin spots. He is going to watch them and see what the chemo does for them.I just can't understand how things looked so great and positive in May can take such a drastic change 3 months later.

Unfortunately it just shows how aggressive and almost chemo resistant this is. I just don't know how many more chemos there are out there for me and how much more my body can take.My platelets were too low to get one of the chemos. The treatment will be every other week. There is no limit on how many treatments I can get.

So lets hope and pray this knocks some (all) of it and I can stay on it. Something just has to start working."

Please say a prayer for her... for her husband, and her beautiful children. This disease angers me. Why after all the millions of dollars for research are there no cures? Why is she still having to fight this? Why isn't there something else that can be done? Is there some alternative thing that she could do to maybe help? It's so frustrating... and I'm not the one with cancer.

Kim, I love you. If you need anything, you know where and how to find me. You truly are an inspiration to me. I don't know if I could be that strong. HUGS!

Feeling a little squirrely....

2007-08-19T14:47:00.001-04:00

I'm sure you've all heard that expression... well, for me it means something else. Those stupid rats with fancy tails are on my hit list...

When we bought our house, our realtor gave us 2 pear trees. One died, so last fall we replaced it. This year the one we had first got pears. 3 nice sized pears. I had been watching them all summer... it was almost time to harvest my 3 pears.

This afternoon, I was standing at the back door watching the rain and I noticed a squirrel. Hmm... what does he have? It almost looks like... Sure enough... there are no pears on my tree... that stupid rat and all his thieving relatives are enjoying the fruits from tree! GRR! I'm not one to wish harm to any animal really, but that's one squirrel I hope takes his time crossing the street... or better yet, I hope he chokes on the seeds.

Of course the neighbors probably thought I had gone off the deep end while I went running out in the rain to yell at the tree and call it a few choice names.

On a non-squirelly note, pictures as promised. My summer in a photo log. :P

Friends....

2007-08-14T10:59:00.000-04:00

This past weekend was great. I went to my annual Mom's BBQ. You might remember the big secret from last year's. This year, there were no big surprises. Just lots of fun, food and family. These women aren't my friends. They are the sisters I never had. In a conversation I overheard, one of the kids asked if one of the other kids was her cousin... I guess even the kids feel the same way we do.

We laughed, we ate, we drank, we ate some more, and we drank even more! I think I ate more junk food in one day than I have eaten all year! It was great though.

The kids are now almost 8 and they are pretty self sufficient. They played together all day, and even walked to the park together by themselves.

It was great to see everyone, and we were sorry that a couple of them couldn't make it this year. We even got a call from Cherie since she missed us so much. Once bitten by that BBQ bug, it's never the same.

I'm sorry the weekend went so fast, and I'm already looking forward to next years. Cincinnati won't know what hit it! LOL!

Yes, I took pictures, no I don't have them downloaded yet. I will get Hubby to do that tonight. I will post the link tomorrow. Promise.

In the mean time, you can hit Traci's and see some of them there.

Time flies like an arrow...

2007-08-09T15:32:00.000-04:00

and fruit flies like a banana... yeah, whatever...

I guess I could do what seems to be the trend and have me some Bullet Point Thursday... How about it?

My Co-Worker is still out on medical leave. She won't be back until September 10th. I never thought I would say this, but boy do I miss her.
My little pissy kitty, that thinks that every thing in my house belongs to her and to prove it she will pee on it, is now my little Prozac kitty. Yep, my cat is among the many on anti-depressants. Wonder if she'd notice if I swiped a couple of her pills...
School starts in a couple weeks. I will have 2 kids in High School. I'm sure I am now living someone else's life. I refuse to look at these grown up girls and realize they were once my babies. Nope, I'm not gonna do it.
My littlest baby is in 3rd grade. He is halfway through Elementary School. This too can not be happening. I refuse to believe it. Will whoever took my babies please give them back. I'll take the teething/pooping/sleeplessness nights, just give them back.
This weekend is my annual Mom's BBQ. I am really excited. Great friends, new friends and the kids! This year we will be going back to the same place Hubby and I got married. I'm sure with as sappy as I am, I'll get a little teary.
We are headed back into Cub Scout season. Should be fun, we have 2 new leaders and some new boys.
Yes, I'm still crazy. I am still the Assistant Cubmaster. But, shhh... don't tell anyone, but while I love to complain about being the one sucked into all this, I really enjoy it.
While away on vacation, there were some great strides made in mending my relationship with my dad, but once we got home, I haven't talked to him since. I think I need to call him.
Today is my anniversary. I thought it was tomorrow, only because I had the dates wrong... I didn't know what day yesterday was. Yeah, I'm an idiot.

I think that's enough randomness for now... I had to get some of that out there, before too much time passed and it didn't make any sense.

I love Freecycle...

2007-07-17T13:30:00.000-04:00

I had cleaned the basement for the AC guys (who are now on my Christmas Card list... they are my new BFFs) and had accumulated a large gathering of stuff on the front porch. AmVets came and picked up about 13 bags of clothing. There was a lot of baby stuff in there. My "baby" will be 8 in October... There are about 20 boxes of misc stuff that I don't use/need/want under a tarp on my front porch but I also don't want to just give most of it away... so that's slated for a yard sale sometime in August. There was other stuff that I didn't get up in time for AmVets, so I posted on my Freecycle email list, and gave it away... 2 dead printers, 2 small tvs, some more clothing, and other misc stuff. All gone in a matter of a day or 2.

That alone is reason enough to love Freecycle... but there's more...

Last night, Hubby and I shoved and crammed a working treadmill in the back of my van. WOO HOO!

Now perhaps I'll actually get my butt in gear and get motivated... I start to exercise then quickly fall off the latest bandwagon I'm on.

The way I see it though, even if I don't keep at it, I haven't wasted any money, and I can just set it on my front porch and post my own OFFER: email...

ps, I did not forget the pictures, I promise! I just haven't had the time to sit and get them off the card.

No, I have not been abducted by aliens...

2007-07-10T17:35:00.000-04:00

Just been crazy busy, but I will have lots of pictures to show for my absence. Just hang tight, you'll see... There was baseball, sandcastles, beaches, and other various happenings.

I'll show you soon...

I'm free! I'm free!

2007-06-27T15:16:00.000-04:00

The younger 2 are away this week. It's just Hubby and me and Kay. I can eat ice cream for dinner, I can wander the house naked, I can eat icecream for dinner while naked in the living room!

I'm free!

I bet you're wondering what exciting thing I've been doing so far this week... nothing. I'm actually looking to go to bed early tonight. And this time, it won't be to get some hot lovin'. It will be to get some sleep.

The kids will be back soon enough. My peace and quiet will again be filled with non-stop talking and joking and laughing... and some arguing too...

I miss them, but I'll miss eating ice cream while naked in the living room more...

Just how do I make a cat pee in a cup?

2007-06-19T16:50:00.000-04:00

I love my cats... I really do. BUT there are some things that make me crazy. The thing that makes me the craziest is the fact that one cat thinks she needs to claim everything as her own. She claims it by peeing on it. But, if you have cats you know it's not normal pee when they are marking something, it's Super Pee.

I called the vet. She suggested a couple things. Use an enzymatic cleaner to get rid of the smell, and some other stuff to make her not want to mark anything any more. If those don't work, she wants to put her on Prozac. Yes. My cat on Prozac. Maybe we should just up her dosage of catnip...

Oh, and they think we should collect a urine sample. Right... a urine sample. And that brings me to the title of my post... If you have any hints, I'll be glad to listen to them. I can't promise I won't laugh about them though.

Long time no see...

2007-06-13T17:10:00.000-04:00

I've been busy seeing other stuff than you... Don't worry, it doesn't mean that I don't love you all... well all 6 of you.

It's been a bit crazy. Middle school graduation shopping, end of year field trips (one to DC the other to the zoo), and the biggest time consumer has been decluttering for the guy to come install AC on Tuesday. Lots of fun.

Some other stuff I've seen... Kyle "crossover" from a Wolf to a Bear in Cub Scouts. Kay getting a new job. Nikki deciding that water is nothing to be afraid of. All good things...

I'm still knitting away on my afghan squares, and as soon as I can, I'll post a picture of the one that I finished. Rope cables, and if doesn't sound too snotty, I'm very pleased by it. I need to block it, but it actually looks like what it is supposed to. There are a couple oopses, and I had to undo about 4 rows when I wasn't paying attention, but it's all good. And the oopses are hard to spot with the cables.

For mother's day a good friend sent me a gift certificate from a LYS and I am dying to get out to use it. I just need to decide what I want to make so I have a goal to focus on. There's a gorgeous sweater in Interweave that I would love to try... Wheat-Ear Cable Yoke . Now to just do a couple more of the afghan squares to feel more confident with the cables, then off I go to get yarn for that one...

Ok, I'm off to face the icky weather... thunderstorms, hail, tornadoes... Yeah, I live in MD... not the midwest.

That trip I took...

2007-06-01T10:07:00.000-04:00

There are pictures here... enjoy.

Living like a rockstar...

2007-05-29T13:32:00.000-04:00

Ok, maybe an aging out of the spot light rockstar? Yeah, who am I kidding... I'm living like a rock.

We went away this weekend, headed to the great up north... ok, maybe not that far north, but there were state lines crossed.

We left our home here in MD to go visiting in PA... We visited with a great friend... then we visited a park and looked at some boulders... While were at the park there was a bear that was being tormented by some park rangers and was just hanging out in a huge pine tree... Sheesh, he only wanted to share the picnic those people were having.

That night we went to dinner... let me tell you, this was the best steak I have had in a long time...

Then we headed off for some sleep at our little hotel... Yeah, that free HBO... we couldn't find it. We were lucky the tv worked! I will say though, the staff was the best! We were greeted by name every time we walked through the lobby, and while they might not have been the most up to date with the times, they did have wireless (all we needed was a laptop), and the rooms were clean, what more could you ask for?

Sunday we headed out to go on an adventure... boy was it ever... We met a really nice couple from New Jersey, and while we had said after our last experience that we would never raft with anyone from NJ, they were great! Bruce was funny, and really nice. His wife Deb was a riot! We laughed so hard, my face was sore! We really had a good time.

That evening, after showering and wanting to die from exhaustion, we went to get something to eat... OMG. The Emerald Restaurant was the best. I highly recommend this place. Of course it's really hard when you're sitting there, not to sing along to the music they had playing... they were making Hubby groan, but I was loving it! They played Seasons in the Sun, Kung Fu Fighting, and some others from the mid to late 70's...

Monday, on the drive home we headed to some wineries on the way... came home with 6 bottles from each place... Nothing beats a good glass of wine in the summer while sitting on the porch.

I think that's it for now... I'm off to take some more ibuprofen for my stiff muscles...

Hope everyone's weekend was as fun as mine!

I know I should be thinking positive nice thoughts...

2007-05-18T15:05:00.000-04:00

but lets just say this, when it comes to how to you tell an emotional 14 yo some pretty big, scary news, some people need a lesson.

I hope he gets better soon, cause I wanna smack him.

On an unrelated note... tomorrow, we'll see how much my 7 yo can handle... we're going to go here... and we're going to do some of the trails there... The last time Kyle went with us hiking, we stuck to Limberlost Trail, and we walked down the fire road to Dark Hollow Falls. Kyle has been to the summit of Stony Man before, but I had to carry him back down. I'm really hoping that doesn't happen this time.

Guess we'll have to wait and see.

I've been tagged...

2007-05-16T14:34:00.000-04:00

Michele tagged me... here are the rules:

Each person tagged gives 7 random facts aboutthemselves. Those tagged need to write in theirblogs the 7 facts, as well as the rules of the game. You needto tag seven others and list their names on your blog.You have to leave those you plan on tagging a note intheir comments so they know that they have been taggedand to read your blog.

Here are my 7 random things:

1) I have to rub the tops of my toes on the sheet to fall asleep... even if I'm wearing socks.

2) Sometimes I think I contemplate death too much... I mean I wonder how I'll cope when my mom is gone. Who will I turn to? What will my kids feel when I die? How will I handle Hubby's death? How will he handle mine? See? Morbid fascination...

3) When it's time for us to retire, I want to live in the mountains somewhere, away from civilization... but I want my entire family to come with me.

4) I want to go back to school, but I don't think I have enough time to not know what I want to take, so I don't, because I don't know what I want to be when I grow up.

5) I love walking barefoot.

6) I hate walking outside barefoot and stepping on slugs or worms.

7) I can't stand washing dishes and feeling "stuff" in the bottom of the sink... especially spaghetti noodles.. ick!

Here's who I'm tagging...

Lara
Christi
Traci (even though Michele tagged her already, you only have to do it once... )
Heather
Melissa
Jenn
and You! (If you're reading this, go ahead and do it, leave me a comment so I can come check it out!)

Busy Mother's day weekend...

2007-05-14T12:43:00.000-04:00

But they always are...

The girls had their dance recital on Saturday, and they did great! But then again, perhaps my opinion is a bit biased... Nikki has come a long way in her Pointe class. She actually got up on her toes! I was very proud.

The other big event this weekend was Prom.... Kay's Junior Prom. My baby went to her Junior Prom. I cried.

Please... Look at the pictures, and then tell me that you wouldn't have cried if she was your daughter...

Funny story... while we were in the front yard doing the pictures, the neighbor from across the street came over... She told a story of her Junior prom... and how 9 months later one of her friends had a baby. She then very seriously looks at Kay's date and says "I'll kill you... ". I thought we would die from laughing... He wasn't sure if she was kidding or not...

Kay had a great time, and she looked gorgeous.

Oh, and as for Mother's day, I got to take a nice long nap... what else could be wished for?

Because it's been a busy week, and my brain is fried...

2007-05-11T12:18:00.000-04:00

Knitting Survey

This is a knitting survey……
Mark with bold the things you have knit, with italics the ones you plan to do sometime, and leave the rest.

Afghan
I-cord
Garter stitch
Knitting with metal wire
Shawl
Stockinette stitch
Socks: top-down-almost... still working on them.
Socks: toe-up
Knitting with camel yarn
Mittens: Cuff-up
Mittens: Tip-down
Hat
Knitting with silk
Moebius band knitting
Participating in a KAL
Sweater
Drop stitch patterns
Knitting with recycled/secondhand yarn
Slip stitch patterns
Knitting with banana fiber yarn
Domino knitting (=modular knitting)
Twisted stitch patterns
Knitting with bamboo yarn
Two end knitting
Charity knitting
Knitting with soy yarn
Cardigan
Toy/doll clothing
Knitting with circular needles
Baby items
Knitting with your own hand-spun yarn
Slippers
Graffiti knitting
Continental knitting
Designing knitted garments
Cable stitch patterns (incl. Aran)
Lace patterns
Publishing a knitting book
Participate in an exchange
Scarf
Teaching a child to knit
American/English knitting (as opposed to continental)
Knitting to make money
Buttonholes-but they were on a baby bib, so they were yarn over buttonholes...
Knitting with alpaca
Fair Isle knitting
Norwegian knitting
Dying with plant colors
Knitting items for a wedding
Household items (dishcloths, washcloths, tea cosies…)
Knitting socks (or other small tubular items) on one or two circulars
Knitting with someone else’s hand-spun yarn
Knitting with dpns
Holiday related knitting
Teaching a male how to knit
Bobbles
Knitting for a living
Knitting with cotton
Knitting smocking
Dying yarn
Steeks
Knitting art
Knitting two socks on two circulars simultaneously
Fulling/felting
Knitting with wool
Textured knitting
Kitchener stitch-when I get to the end of my sock...
Knitted flowers
Purses/bags
Knitting with beads
Swatching
Long Tail CO
Entrelac
Knitting and purling backwards
Machine knitting
Knitting with self patterning/self striping/variegated yarn
Stuffed toys
Knitting with cashmere
Darning
Jewelry
Knitting with synthetic yarn
Writing a pattern
Gloves
Intarsia
Knitting with linen
Knitting for preemies
Tubular CO
Free-form knitting
Short rows
Cuffs/fingerless mits/arm-warmers
Pillows
Knitting a pattern from an on-line knitting magazine
Rug
Knitting on a loom
Thrummed knitting
Knitting a gift
Knitting for pets
Shrug/bolero/poncho
Knitting with dog/cat hair
Hair accessories
Knitting in public

What have you learned to do that has marked a definite change in your knitting life?I've learned that no matter how good I get, there is always more to learn and perfect!

I came across this Knitting Survey over at Bibliomaniacs.

HOW ABOUT YOU?!! Place this on your CRAFTY Blog and link to me.. I’d love to see how many different techniques you’ve done or hope to do and what knitting has meant to you!!

I don't like to post too much about my Stupid X...

2007-05-09T13:46:00.000-04:00

But this one is worth the time and effort...

Let me give you some background. The girls take dance lessons. They have taken dance lessons for a total of 14 years. (this is the 14th year for Kay) Every year their recital is Mother's day weekend. Every year. They have changed the location a couple times, but NEVER the date.

This year, StupidX "forgot" when it was and planned a vacation. His mom went off on him. A couple weeks after telling everyone that he would miss the dance recital, he said that he cancelled the vacation because they were going to have thier bathroom redone. Whatever.

So, the last time he picked the kids up was on his weekend. That was 2 weekends ago. He hasn't seen them since then. Monday, Nikki called him to see what days he was going to pick them up this week. He's not. He's out of town. In TN. On VACATION!!!!

He will be home on Friday, he will see the recital on Saturday, but then is leaving immediately after the recital to go to some concert.

His mom called me yesterday to wish me a happy birthday (that was a shock!) and she was telling me about him being away, and I commented that he hadn't seen the kids for almost 2 whole weeks.

He called the girls last night to say hi and see how they were doing.... Coincidence? I think not. His mom might have her flaws, but she loves her grandchildren. And I think that she is as disgusted as I am at the way he acts as though his kids don't matter to him... maybe it's not an act.

This day in history...

2007-05-08T13:25:00.000-04:00

According to Wikipedia, on this day in history:

1794 - Branded a traitor during the Reign of Terror by revolutionists, French chemist Antoine Lavoisier, who was also a tax collector with the Ferme Générale, was tried, convicted, and guillotined all on one day in Paris.

1861 - American Civil War: Richmond, Virginia, is named the capital of the Confederate States of America.

1919 - Edward George Honey first proposed the idea of a moment of silence to commemorate The Armistice of World War I, which later resulted in the creation of Remembrance Day.

1965 - Yours truly was born, and things have never been the same since!

Other excuses besides my birthday to celebrate:

World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day
VE Day
Iris feast of the Region of Brussels capital (in Belgium)
Parents' Day in South Korea
Gay day in South Africa (observed by the gay community)

I share my birthday with Don Rickles, Harry S. Truman, Peter Benchley, Bobby LaBonte, and many more...

Have a piece of cake, wear a party hat. You're allowed... you're celebrating!

Fluffy, furry, fuzzy...

2007-05-06T20:41:00.000-04:00

Not 3 new dwarves... but what I saw today...

This morning me, Kyle and Nikki headed out west... well maybe not that far west. We went to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival.
<
I knew it was a big thing in the knitting community here... but this big?

There was wool to be petted...

Oh... this kind of wool was petted too...

We wandered among the crowds...

we saw more animals...

We saw people doing cool stuff...

And I brought home some goodies...

I have to admit though, I was soooo overwhelmed, I almost walked out with nothing... It was so much to see and touch and yes... I was seen sniffing yarn.

I wondered though about the placement of the food stand selling Lamb Kabobs, and Leg of Lamb sandwiches right across from the barns... Shh... don't tell the lambs...

More pictures can be seen here.

I am not guilty, Your Honor...

2007-05-04T14:06:00.000-04:00

That's what I said this morning. To the Judge at the traffic court.

I had gotten a speeding ticket about a month ago. I didn't think I was going as fast as he said I was. He said radar doesn't lie. I didn't argue.

This morning, I went to have my day in court. I was calm, cool and collected. I knew what I was going to say, and how I was going to say it. I sat listening to the other people's cases. The judge was not giving points, but he was imposing fines. I could deal with that if I had to, but I was going to try to get out of it if possible.

They broke for a brief recess... I waited. While waiting, I watched the courtroom fill up again for the next round.

The judge returned, started calling cases... when he got to me, the officer that had written my ticket was not there. I was free to go, and I didn't even have to say anything.

Today is one of those days I like the justice system.

One of the ways I wear my Mean Mom title proudly...

2007-05-02T10:59:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was Nikki's birthday. Happy 14th to her! She came into my room, all perky and bouncy and just stood there staring at me... I had 7 minutes before the alarm went off. I opened one eye and looked at her. Here's what it sounded like...

Mean Mom (MM): What.
Birthday Girl (BG): Nothing.
MM: Go Away.
BG: Ok. (she doesn't move from her spot, staring at me.)
MM: Look. Just cause it's your birthday, does not mean you can annoy me.
BG: (Huge grin) You remembered! I love you, Mommy!
MM: Go away... oh, and I love you too.

Then the day progressed...

That afternoon I got a call from her:

BG: I don't want to go to cub scouts. I want to go home and open presents.
MM: What presents. You aren't getting any.
BG: Well then I want to stay home and open my cards.
MM: There was only the one from Grandpa G.
BG: Yeah, but there could be more when I get home. If I say "card" and there are more than one, I won't be able to open them all because I only said one card, not several.
MM: Whatever.
BG: If I go to scouts, will they have to sing "Happy Birthday"?
MM: Probably.
BG: I'll let you know later then.

Later that evening...

BG: I'll go to scouts.
MM: Doesn't matter to me.
BG: Guess I'll just open my cards (at that point she only had 2 to open).

At Scouts...
CubMaster (CM): There's someone celebrating a birthday.. and she's 14.
BG: (giggle and blush... a lot of blushing!)
CM: I think we should sing to her.
BG: (Still blushing walks to the front)
Cub Pack: Sings Happy Birthday
BG: Thanks, Mommy, that was fun!
MM: Any time... do you really mean that or are you being sarcastic?
BG: I really mean it.

Later that evening, at home:

Lots of scurrying to get the cake out and candles on it that she didn't think she was getting until the weekend...

Birthday Girl's Sister (BGS): I'll keep her distracted.
MM: Thanks.
Birthday Girl's Sister: Nikki, can you come upstairs with me, I want you to hear my song for Hip Hop and see this move we learned tonight.
MM: Gets the cards out, and the cake and puts candles on the cake.
BG & BGS return back to the living room.
BGS: comes into the kitchen and whispers: Should I get Doug?
MM: Yes, and then I'll call her out.
Everyone gathers just off the dining room BGS and D in the hall, Kyle and me in the kitchen.
MM: (In irritated tone) Nikki. Come here.
BG: Hang on. I'm in the middle of Veronica Mars, do you need me right now?
MM: Yes. You're on dishes and I need them done now.
BG: What?! BGS didn't have to do them on her birthday. It's not fair.
MM: Come here.
BG: (plopping remote on the coffee table, and stomping out spots me in the kitchen with the cake with candles glowing brightly): CAKE! Yeah me!
BG: Hugs MM and says: I thought I was really gonna have to do the dishes!
MM: Well....
BG: No way!

She was completely surprised by the cake and cards. It's so much fun to mess with my kids... For the oldest's birthday, she really wanted a new tv (she was using an old hand me down from one of her friends). It didn't have a remote because the friend had lost it. We wrapped the remote from her new tv, and told her that we got her a Universal Remote to use with her tv. She was crushed! I told her that Hubby had already messed with it and it was programmed for her tv, but we all made the trek up the stairs to her room... she cried when she saw the new tv.

I want to make a big deal out of birthdays. They are special days, and should be memorable.

Happy birthday Snickerdoodle! We love you!

Another weekend blurs right on by...

2007-04-30T12:33:00.000-04:00

I had big plans this weekend... with a bunk bed... the same big plans I have had for about 3 months now it seems... every stinking weekend. Do you think they would happen? Nope.

All I really wanted to accomplish was getting Kyle's new bunks set up. Saturday, spent running around in the morning, then in the afternoon, running Kay from dance class to home, then out to a babysitting job (for those inquiring minds, and you know who you are, she sat for 3.5 hours and they paid her $30.00.) and then vegging for a bit with Hubby, then I had to run back out and get her from the babysitting job and then it was 11 pm... where had the day gone?!

Sunday? Same thing kinda sorta... But instead of running around it was doing yard work, and some work-work that I had taken home. Kay had a repeat performance babysitting, but this time, not so much money... 4:30-8:30 and she only made $20. Hmm... but, she wasn't upset by the drop in price, she got $50.00 for the weekend, so not too bad.

Now, about those bunk beds... They are in the basement... just sitting there... staring at me everytime I go down there... One of the reasons I hesitate to put them up, they are metal. The little rubbery feet things are gone... and? We have hardwood floors. I do not want to put those scratchy metal feet on my floors. Until I come up with a good alternative, I'm gonna keep procrastinating.

Oh... and can I just say I really don't like Spring... all the sneezing, itching, ickiness... ugh.

I think I need this...

2007-04-27T10:23:00.000-04:00

I think I *really* need this...

What do you think?

Hmm.... wonder if I can find a nice wool next weekend to use...

2007-04-25T13:57:00.000-04:00

It has been brought to my attention, that I don't update enough. So, to Miss LoisLane... pppbbbblllltttt!!!!!

I'm on this new training routine. I have decided that again this year, I will be participating in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. (Watch this space for more info soon... I will be setting up a team, a website, and I think I'll even have a spiffy button for donations/pledges on here to make it as painless as possible.) The difference between this year and last year is that I want to run it. I want to be there, and actually Race. I have a good friend who is a serious Look-there-she-is-in-another-marathon runner. I solicited her help in getting my big lazy butt in shape to be able to actually run. She has me on a training program of doing crunches, walking 4 times a week, and stretching.

I guess it's working some, cause I don't want to die anymore.

After that first round of crunches, I would lie in bed and just wish that I would die... Hubby, being the supportive thing tried to encourage me, but I wanted no parts of it. All I could think was "What the heck was I thinking?!"

I like the walking part... the dog and I head out, and she gets some exercise too. She's a hyper thing, so it's helping her too, and for my 20 pound weakling, she'll rip your arm off just as easily as look at you. The vet called her a "nervous biter". We were really worried about that, but we have figured out how she reacts to people and situations, and we don't take chances or let our guard down. If we are expecting a crowd, she goes into the back yard, or her crate. If there will be kids, she's in the crate. Once she sees that they are not there to kill or burglarize us, we can let her out, and she is fine. All of that aside, she makes me feel very safe... especially since she has a thing against anyone with saggy pants or a hood on. Oh, and if you have a hat on, she doesn't like it. Took her a while to get used to Kyle wearing a hat in the winter.

I hope that I don't get burn out and decide that running the race isn't what I want to do... Kyle and Nikki are going with me this year, so after I run the race, I'll be walking it... Jilly, do you think that you and the kids would want to join me? How about you Annette? The more the merrier! It will be held this year in Hunt Valley, just down the road from both of you... ok, so maybe not *just* down the road, but down the road. Once I get the team set up, if you're interested, you can sign up... I think it would be fun!

Oh, and on a completely unrelated note... I really really REALLY want to go here. Hubby said I could, but I wasn't allowed to take any money with me... I might try to bribe him with a sweater... think it will work?

Man, I really need to keep up on this thing...

2007-04-11T11:26:00.000-04:00

So, let's see... where was I?

Oh yeah, I was going crazy. You would think that things would calm down since the kids are on Spring Break. Not so...

Last week was just INSANE! Lots of the usual running with a couple extra church services thrown in there.

Friday I took the day off so that Nikki and I could go to our favorite service of all... Stations of the Cross... I LOVE that one. Anyway... I woke up Friday and something didn't seem right. I had a slight headache, my ears felt like there was water rushing... well or sounded like that... I thought maybe I was just hungry. Boy was I wrong... I have had what I thought were migraines before, but this? Way worse than any of that... It hurt to think, to talk, to listen to even breathe... I was nauseous, and shaky... I didn't eat all day because I felt so bad. I missed church, and dinner... I fell asleep around 7 and woke up about 8:30 that evening, and felt 99% better. I still had a slight headache, but not as bad as it had been earlier. Whew... I was still a little queasy thru the next afternoon, and my head was still a little "tender" but I was much improved!

There was something that I didn't connect, but my mom did... On Wednesday night, I had this weird rushing sound in my ears, and there was like a weird thing in my vision... kinda like when you look at a light, then close your eyes... know what I mean? Only it was with my eyes open. It looked like a letter C but with spikes on the outside curve. weird.... my mom thinks it may have been a precursor to the migraine. I hate to say that I'll have to wait and watch, but I'm not sure what else to do... anyone out there in InternetLand have any experience?

Oh, and this week? It's still a little crazy... prom dress shopping, interesting relationship talks with Kay (she informed me that she really didn't think that she wanted to wait until she was married, cause what if she never gets married?), toy shopping, and tonight we are on the hunt for a pair of shoes and a cell phone.

For those playing along at home, Insanity - 1... Me - 0

Playing pick up sticks...

2007-03-30T13:05:00.000-04:00

I know I've mentioned in passing this knitting thing I'm doing... and I'm still doing it. Just very slowly.

I have actually managed to get some stuff finished... I did a scarf for Kyle. I have done a few washcloths for the girl across the street who is expecting her first baby anyday now... I also did a bib for her, but I wasn't really crazy about that one... I also did a little bunny toy for my great niece. That's it. I have started and re-started and re-started a sock... I either don't like the way it looks where the needle gap is, or I drop a stitch and can't seem to get it picked up right... very frustrating.

I bought pretty cotton yarn to make a sweater for the girl across the street, but haven't even started it. Now I'm not so sure I want to, just because I've been so busy. Maybe in the summer when there aren't so many things going on and I have more free time in the evenings.

I have pictures of my finished items, but as you'll notice in my last post, I can't get them off the stupid card.

Oh well... eventually I'll be able to share.

It's the creepy drag... no, that's not a new dance step...

2007-03-29T14:05:00.000-04:00

So, you know how there are days that just seem to drag on and on, and then you realize, that it's gotten late and you didn't realize that the day has sped up and you have a ton of stuff to do and not enough time to do it? That's me this week.

All week the workdays have been just dragging by, and then I look up and it's 4:00 and I haven't gotten anything accomplished. Monday was like that... I got to work, and then before I knew it, I had to leave to get Kyle for Curriculum Night at school. We had fun... we visited his class room where they had done this really neat project that spanned several areas. They did geography, art, writing... they did a thing about what nationality the kids were. We are of German, Hungarian, and heaven only knows what else... Well, I didn't want to do the German line, since there were so many others... so we went with Sweden. No, I'm not making this up... I'm related to this guy on my dad's side. The kids did research and wrote a report on their country, and wrote letters to the Embassy (though the Swedish embassy is lame and didn't send anything back... the losers), created an art object that represents something from their country. They worked hard on these, and it showed. After the classroom visit, we headed to the gym for a lesson in juggling, and then off to the cafeteria for pizza. I then went home and got the boy in bed, then played a game with Hubby, and then headed to bed.

Tuesday was just as crazy... Cub Scout pack meeting/spring party. Had to rush home, eat dinner change my clothes, then run to the store for cupcakes, cookies and cheese curls. Headed to scouts and had my nerves frazzled... After scouts we stopped off to pick up a Stop sign. Yes, a real stop sign. Ky wants to decorate his room with a car/truck theme and so I'm on the hunt for street/traffic signs. So far we have a Stop sign, Hubby's old Virginia license plates, and a couple hub caps. When we got home, I tried to download the pictures off the camera, but couldn't because the software we're using sucks... or something. Anyone got any suggestions on what I can use to suck them off the card? It's very annoying... I have lots of pictures to show but can't get them off the stupid card.

Yesterday, same story... way too much to do and not enough time to do it. My friend's mom passed away on Sunday, and her viewing was last night, so we went there for a little while. I hate funeral homes, and funerals.... I had never met her mom, but she is a good friend (even if I have only known her since the beginning of school...) so I felt I had to go. Her step daughter is Nikki's best friend, and a very sweet girl who has had a rough time... anyway... I got home after that, and watched a couple episodes of Knitty Gritty... one on spinning and one on dyeing... they were pretty interesting... Then Hubby came out and played the game and I told him what to do from the sofa.

Then there's today... Hubby is home, and I'm at work, and the day is creeping, though I have plenty to do, and I've been pretty busy, so I'm not sure why it's not going faster... of course typing this up has killed a chunk of time...

Hope everyone else's week hasn't been as creepy as mine...

Oh, almost forgot... StupidX has once again proven to me that he needs to grow a pair... but that's a completely different post... maybe one day...

Yes, I know stealing is bad...

2007-03-20T11:42:00.000-04:00

But they started it!

Stole this from Traci, who stole it from Michele, who stole it from.... you see?

According to the supposed "rules," if you've seen over 85 of these movies, then you have no life.

My count was 115... and I'm almost embarrassed that I have a gazillion of the "tween" ones marked! Sheesh... "tween" and guts & gore... what a great combination...

(X) Rocky Horror Picture Show
(X) Grease
(X) Pirates of the Caribbean
( ) Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man’s Chest
( ) Boondock Saints
(X ) Fight Club
( ) Starsky and Hutch
(X) Neverending Story
(X) Blazing Saddles
(X) Airplane
(X) The Princess Bride
( ) AnchorMan
( ) Napoleon Dynamite
(X) Labyrinth
( ) Saw
( ) Saw II
( ) White Noise
(X) White Oleander
(X) Anger Management
( ) 50 First Dates
(X) The Princess Diaries
(X) The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement
( ) Scream
( ) Scream 2
( ) Scream 3
( ) Scary Movie
( ) Scary Movie 2
( ) Scary Movie 3
( ) Scary Movie 4
( ) American Pie
( ) American Pie 2
( ) American Wedding
( ) American Pie Band Camp
(x) Harry Potter 1
(x) Harry Potter 2
(x) Harry Potter 3
( ) Harry Potter 4
( ) Resident Evil 1
( ) Resident Evil 2
(X) The Wedding Singer
(X) Little Black Book
( ) The Village
(X) Lilo & Stitch
(X) Finding Nemo
(X) Finding Neverland
( ) Signs
(X) The Grinch
( ) Texas Chainsaw Massacre
( ) Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning
(X) White Chicks
(X) Butterfly Effect
(X) 13 Going on 30
( ) I, Robot
(X) Robots
( ) Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
( ) Universal Soldier
( ) Lemony Snicket: A Series Of Unfortunate Events
( ) Along Came Polly
( ) Deep Impact
(X) KingPin
(X) Never Been Kissed
(X) Meet The Parents
( ) Meet the Fockers
( ) Eight Crazy Nights
(X) Joe Dirt
(X) King Kong (But not the new one… does it still count?)
(X) A Cinderella Story
( ) The Terminal
(X) The Lizzie McGuire Movie
( ) Passport to Paris
(X) Dumb & Dumber
( ) Dumber & Dumberer
(X) Final Destination
(X) Final Destination 2
(X) Final Destination 3
(X) Halloween
( ) The Ring
( ) The Ring 2
( ) Surviving Christmas
(X ) Flubber
(X) Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle
( ) Practical Magic
(X) Chicago
(X) Ghost Ship
( ) From Hell
(X) Hellboy
( ) Secret Window
(X) I Am Sam
( ) The Whole Nine Yards
( ) The Whole Ten Yards
( ) The Day After Tomorrow
(X) Child’s Play
( ) Seed of Chucky
(X) Bride of Chucky
(X) Ten Things I Hate About You
( ) Just Married
( ) Gothika
(X) Nightmare on Elm Street
(X) Sixteen Candles
( ) Remember the Titans
( ) Coach Carter
( ) The Grudge
( ) The Grudge 2
(X) The Mask
(X) Son Of The Mask
( ) Bad Boys
( ) Bad Boys 2
( ) Joy Ride
( ) Lucky Number Sleven
( ) Ocean’s Eleven
( ) Ocean’s Twelve
( ) Bourne Identity
( ) Bourne Supremecy
( ) Lone Star
( ) Bedazzled
(X) Predator I
(X) Predator II
( ) The Fog
(X) Ice Age
( ) Ice Age 2: The Meltdown
(X) Curious George
(X) Independence Day
(X) Cujo
( ) A Bronx Tale
( ) Darkness Falls
(X) Christine
(X) E.T.
(X) Children of the Corn
( ) My Bosses Daughter
(X) Maid in Manhattan
(X) War of the Worlds
( ) Rush Hour
( ) Rush Hour 2
( ) Best Bet
( ) How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
( ) She’s All That
( ) Calendar Girls
( ) Sideways
( X) Mars Attacks
( ) Event Horizon
(X) Ever After
(X) Wizard of Oz
(X) Forrest Gump
(X) Big Trouble in Little China
(X) The Terminator
(X) The Terminator 2
(X) The Terminator 3
(X) X-Men
(X) X-2
(X) X3
(X) Spider-Man
(X) Spider-Man 2
(X) Sky High
( ) Jeepers Creepers
( ) Jeepers Creepers 2
( ) Catch Me If You Can
(X) The Little Mermaid
(X) Freaky Friday
( ) Reign of Fire
( ) The Skulls
( ) Cruel Intentions
( ) Cruel Intentions 2
( ) The Hot Chick
(X) Shrek
(X) Shrek 2
(X) Swimfan
(X) Miracle on 34th street
( ) Old School
(X) The Notebook
( ) K-Pax
(X) Krippendorf’s Tribe
(X) A Walk to Remember
(X) Ice Castles
( ) Boogeyman
( ) The 40-year-old Virgin
(X) Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring
(X) Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
(X) Lord of the Rings: Return Of the King
(X) Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
(X) Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
(X) Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
( ) Base-ketball
( ) Hostel
(X) Waiting for Guffman
( ) House of 1000 Corpses
( ) Devils Rejects
(X) Elf
( ) Highlander
( ) Mothman Prophecies
( ) American History X
( ) Three
( ) The Jacket
( ) Kung Fu Hustle
( ) Shaolin Soccer
( ) Night Watch
(X) Monsters Inc.
(X) Titanic
(X) Monty Python and the Holy Grail
(X) Shaun Of the Dead
( ) Willard
( ) High Tension
( ) Club Dread
(X ) Hulk
(X) Dawn Of the Dead
(X) Hook
(X) Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
( ) 28 days later
( ) Orgazmo
( ) Phantasm
( ) Waterworld
(X) Kill Bill Vol. 1
(X) Kill Bill Vol. 2
( ) Mortal Kombat
( ) Wolf Creek
(X) Kingdom of Heaven
( ) the Hills Have Eyes
( ) I Spit on Your Grave
( ) The Last House on the Left
( ) Re-Animator
( ) Army of Darkness
(X) Star Wars Ep. I The Phantom Menace
(X) Star Wars Ep. II Attack of the Clones
(X) Star Wars Ep. III Revenge of the Sith
(X) Star Wars Ep. IV A New Hope
(X) Star Wars Ep. V The Empire Strikes Back
(X) Star Wars Ep. VI Return of the Jedi
( ) Ewoks: Caravan Of Courage
( ) Ewoks: The Battle For Endor
(X) The Matrix
(X) The Matrix: Reloaded
(X) The Matrix: Revolutions
( ) Animatrix
( ) Evil Dead
( ) Evil Dead 2
( ) Team America: World Police
( ) Red Dragon
(X) Silence of the Lambs
( ) Hannibal

My day just got a bit better...

2007-03-19T14:01:00.000-04:00

It's cold out.. well, maybe not really cold, but down right chilly... only upper 40's today, most of the ice from Friday is gone. I was starting to wonder if we were ever going to have a Spring season... I know now that we will.

It will be a glorious Spring!

All is right with the world.

Why this sudden change of mood, you ask? This is why.

It is a good day... It will be a good day everyday....

Of course once those little yummy lovelies are gone, it will be back to normal. Maybe I should slow down and not eat the whole bag in one sitting?

Roman Robin Hood...

2007-03-14T11:36:00.000-04:00

I go through spurts. I fall head over heels in love with a television show, that I will drop everything, get the kids in bed early, don't speak to me until a commercial, never miss it, and then I fall out of love...

Here's a short list of the ones I'm not so in love with anymore... CSI... not NY, Vegas or Miami... 2.5 Men... not so much any more... don't even remember what night it's on. Medium.... This one was a good one, but now, they're all the same, just the names have changed.

My new loves? Dr. Who... I'm curious to see the new Companion since they sent Rose off to Tanglewood, I think. But she's with her mom and her dad, who was dead, but is alive in the alternate time dimension... confused?

Shark... There's enough other stuff to make it so it isn't all courtroom drama. Actually there is very little courtroom... but plenty of drama...

House... though they almost lost me during all that stuff with him having to go into rehab or go to jail crap.

Rome... I'm a bit late for this one, but in my defense we didn't have HBO until just recently... this is an awesome show! Of course, don't watch it with a history buff, cause he'll just sit and point out the flaws in their story lines.

My newest love? Robin Hood... it's on BBCAmerica... This is a great show! And the title character isn't too hard on the eyes either... ;) If you get a chance, you have to check it out...

So what are you watching that I'm not, but should be? What am I watching that I should drop? Tell me, now that we have DVR, I can watch more shows that I couldn't before because of time conflicts...

Looking for a recipe...

2007-03-05T22:26:00.000-05:00

I'm looking for a recipe... it's a bit unusual, this recipe I'm searching for. I want to make me some groundhog stew.

That furry thing was wrong. We were lied to. Early spring my big toe!

I don't consider 37 degrees with wind gusts of 40 mph an early spring. I don't consider the possibility of a "Snow event" on Wednesday an early spring.

Why do they say that? "Snow event"... are they selling tickets? If so, I want a refund. I don't want snow. I don't want sleet or freezing rain. I don't want cold weather. I want Spring. I want my trees to grow, and my flowers to grow, and I want to open the windows and let the fresh air in.

When the weather guys and gals are calling for a "Snow event" it usually means one thing. They have absolutely no idea what's going to happen. We'll either get nothing, or we'll get dumped on. The other phrase they like? "Accumulating Snows". When they use them together... I get scared. Not because it means that we'll get feet of snow, just that every ya-hoo will be in the store buying all the bread, milk, eggs and toilet paper they can fit in their cars. And at the first flake, the schools will close, and every single person on the road will drop their speed and IQ by great amounts... If they are so afraid to drive, they should stay home. They aren't going to get so much snow that they can't survive on the bread, milk and eggs they already have. I just hope that the "Snow event" gets this leg of the tour cancelled.

I know I for one won't miss it.

Say What?!?!

2007-02-28T17:14:00.000-05:00

It's always amusing to see in my email, that I can have a bigger pen1s-guaranteed! I'd like to see that one happen!

Or to see that there are swinging singles in my area looking for me. Well, it's a good thing they haven't found me yet... guess I'm hidden very well.

Then there are these... These are some of the subject lines on emails that show up in my box...

"I mathematic on mallow" Do you really now? Hmm... and just exactly what is the answer you get?

"Whatever likes still" I have absolutely no idea... it almost sounds like talking to my 13 year old. I'm sure you like know what I mean.

"With diligent he camino" And just exactly how does he camino? Why with diligent, of course!

"So on preserve" What preserve? What's being preserved? Why don't they tell us these things!

"Is thirteen" I don't know... is thirteen?

Yep, these are just a small sampling of the oddities I find in my email... I do not open these emails, I just hit that "Empty" button on the SPAM box and they go away... Just like they should. I'm not quite sure the thought processes there... I mean are thinking that I'll be so intrigued by the subject line that I'll just have to open the email to see what they are talking about? It must be something mind blowing, they aren't even making sense, right?

Not likely.

Clickety, Click, Click

2007-02-23T13:31:00.000-05:00

My very good friend Kim is still fighting.

She is still battling the beast that is breast cancer.

She has 3 beautiful children, and a wonderful husband.

Click that button over there >>>>

Tell everyone you know to click that button.

Visit the Komen website and make a donation or see how to help.

Please think a good thought, say a prayer, whatever you feel comfortable with, please do it.

Kim, I love you! Stay strong, these are little bumps on your journey, and when you get better, you will look back and see that.

Ok... the moment of truth...

2007-02-22T14:03:00.000-05:00

Here's my answers...

1. I was born in Illinois. Joliet to be exact. Home of the Blues Brothers.

2. I have 3 siblings... all brothers. Trust me on this, 3 is too many.

3. The only one of those pets we don't have is fish. We currently share space with 2 hermit crabs, 2 cats, 1 dog, 1 snake and possibly a mouse... if the cats haven't found him yet.

4. I have been at my job 12 years. Yes I know... that's way too long. You find me someplace that will allow me to change my hours to accomodate the morning school drop offs and I'll leave.

5. Yes, I really did get married in a front yard. It was a great day. I was surrounded by my closest friends, the family that mattered most, and I was barefoot. I'm sure I can find a digital picture somewhere if you want proof.

6. I lost my virginity in my grandmom's garage... I suppose those of you that said at the beach could get partial credit because she lived at the beach... I had this crush on this guy, and I snuck out of the house and met him... we wandered around, then ended up in the garage on the cement floor. He was a really nice guy, but after that, he never spoke to me again... bastard.

7. I was 18. It was the summer after graduation... you'd think I would have been smarter than that, huh?

8. The thing that I am most afraid of is that Bloody Mary thing that kids do. I have never ever done it... but it scares the CRAP out of me. There is an episode of Supernatural that was about that and my daughter teased me mercilessly. I can not look in a mirror if it's dark in the room. I would prefer to turn the light on, but in the middle of the night, I just avoid the mirror.

9. Spelling. Please use correct spelling... I don't care if you use IM speak, or dancing emoticons, just spell correctly, please.

10. Ok... how pathetic am I that I would rather read than have Hanky Panky with Hubby? Actually, Hubby and I have recently started planning for the HP. It actually builds the excitement a bit cause we both think about it on the appointed day. And that is way more than I needed to share, but I don't care.

So, where's your test?

Yeah, cause I never post...

2007-02-20T16:02:00.000-05:00

Now you get 2 in one day... but this fun!

Create your own Friend Quiz here

Go ahead... take it, then make one and link here so I can go play on your blog too... :)

You know your kids watch too much tv when...

2007-02-20T09:43:00.000-05:00

Your 7 year old wants to "fast forward skip" when you're watching a tv show.

Your 13 year old can name all the characters and tell you pretty much every plot line on the teen shows on the Disney Channel.

Your 17 year old has not 1, not 2, but 3 different tv shows dvd sets... but actually, I think it might even be 4... she has 4 seasons of Charmed, 3 seasons of Gilmore Girls, 1 season of OC and 1 season of Prison Break. (Yeah, and I'm guilty of having Grey's Anatomy... and I gave Hubby The Muppet Show, but we won't count that one...)

And the #1 reason I know my kids watch too much tv?... Last night at the dinner table while talking about a book that Kyle has from the school library, the girls asked what book, so I said "The Magician's Nephew" and Kyle said "It's the first season of Narnia".

Guess it's time to limit the access to the tv.

Reelin' in the East...

2007-02-12T13:54:00.000-05:00

Stowin' away the time...

You know, there are somethings that I think I am 100% positive about, and then I find out I'm so wrong it isn't funny...

In the car, the radio has this thing that shows the title of the song and the artist... So on the classic rock station yesterday, Steely Dan came on... and I was happily singing along, on my way to get Kay from work. I glanced down to see what time it was, and I noticed that the song was Reelin' in the Years. I kept glancing down... I must have read that wrong, cause that is NOT what he's singing... He says Reelin' in the East, Stowing away the time, are you gatering up for keeps, do you have enough of mine.

Hey, I don't care that it doesn't make sense... It's what I've always thought they were singing. It's the way I've always sung it... Of course I'm right... All those other people don't know what they're talking about...

Next time it comes on the radio in the car, maybe I'll sing it the way they think it should be, but only because that way makes more sense. Not because it's right, because it's not... I am.

Critters...

2007-02-05T12:41:00.000-05:00

Ok, they are conspiring against me.

The dog thinks that everything in the house is hers, and should be chewed... well, not really everything, but clothing... yeah.

The cat has decided that all plastic must be peed on. Lovely.

The latest to join in the conspiracy fun is the mouse... Yeah, the little white mouse we bought for Cleo... It was living in the corner of the dining room, minding it's own business, just being a mouse. Today? It's a mouse on the loose. The cat decided to somehow knock down the container it was living in, and the lid popped off, and the mouse is gone. I have no idea where it is. I have sat in the dark quietly to try to hear it, but I haven't yet. Hubby thinks that the cat had a snack.

Ugh... At least I know it's a boy so it's not of having millions of babies... I just hope it does send out housewarming invites to all the mice outside...

Kyle's suggestion was to let the snake out. She would find it. I'm not so sure about that since she hasn't shown an interest in it up to this point.

I didn't know this...

2007-02-02T22:27:00.000-05:00

I saw it here... and then here... and when I clicked the link there, I saw the whole thing. I had to add my favorite. It's not long... or by anyone I know personally... but it brings back wonderful memories...

Growing up, and for most of my early childhood years, my paternal grandparents lived right across the street. My grandmom was the one that instilled my love of reading. She was kind and generous, and loving. I remember sitting on her lap while she read to me... or spending the night at her house, and reading Raggedy Ann stories.

I also remember this poem. She would tell it to me from memory. For the longest time I thought it was hers. Then one year she gave me a book that had been my dad's when he was a young boy. This had been one of his favorites, and one of hers.

The Land of Nod by Robert Louis Stevenson

From breakfast on through all the day
At home among my friends I stay,
But every night I go abroad
Afar into the land of Nod.

All by myself I have to go,
With none to tell me what to do--
All alone beside the streams
And up the mountain-sides of dreams.

The strangest things are these for me,
Both things to eat and things to see,
And many frightening sights abroad
Till morning in the land of Nod.

Try as I like to find the way,
I never can get back by day,
Nor can remember plain and clear
The curious music that I hear.

There are many more from A Child's Garden of Verses that I love, but this was the one she would tell me at bed time, while rubbing my back before I went to sleep.

I love you, Grandmom...

Dirty... disgusting... filthy... lice-ridden boids... *

2007-01-30T12:34:00.000-05:00

So, yesterday, I get this call at work. Kay is home from school and there's something making noise in the fireplace. She thinks there's a bird in there.

My solution? It found it's way down, it can turn around and head back up. (Note to self... stop at the store and get one of those thingies for the chimney.) In the meantime, don't tell Hubby... he won't know how to catch the bird, and I really don't want a mess or a bird in the house.

So, with all the stuff going on last night, I forgot about the bird, until Kay reminded me. I go over with a flashlight... I don't see anything. I don't hear anything. I open the doors, still nothing.

Let me add something here that is kind of important... I love animals. I don't want to hurt or see any get hurt. I also love me some good Hitchcock. I had nightmares about The Birds for weeks...

Ok, so since I'm not seeing any birds or hearing any birds, I close the doors, and go do my running and then hit the bed.

This morning, Kay comes to tell me that she "hears that fluttery noise" in the fireplace again. Yep, I hear it this time too, but can't see the bird. I get a towel, and try to find it to catch it and let it go outside. I open the doors, and there are 2 birds in there... Ugh... why do they always have to bring along a friend... or was this a date? You know the boy bird tells the girl about this nice warm place they go to be alone...

After much mayhem, the first bird finally gets the idea that it will NOT be staying in my house and flies out the front door.

Now, on to bird #2... this one is much smarter... well as smart as a Starling can be. It flies a couple circles around the living room, but the crazy lady waving the towel freaks it out, and it heads out the front door, too.

Let me remind you, dear readers, that I have several animals that belong in my house... 2 cats and a dog are the main ones... so while all this going on, and there is yelling and excitement from the people in the house, the dog is barking and yelping because she is in her crate and really, Really wants out so she can help, and one of the cats is looking at it like an opportunity to a gourmet meal.

Meanwhile, Kyle is in my bedroom sleeping through it all... I wish I could have.

*The Producers (1968 version)

Bugs...

2007-01-29T14:23:00.000-05:00

I really hate bugs. They are nasty disgusting things...

Oh wait, I don't mean the creepy, crawly kind, I mean the germy kind. (Though I'm not too fond of the crawly kind either...)

It seems there is a bug in my house. Last week, Kay had something. Not sure what, she didn't complain that anything hurt, just that she lost her voice. It went away after a couple days, and she's better... she's pretty wiped out though...

Now, Nikki has that bug. She however complains more. She says that her throat hurts, and she can't swallow. Lovely. Now, while I'm not a doctor, and I don't play one on TV, I have had my share of Strep Throat. I get it almost every winter, sometimes twice in one season... and one time bad enough I was in the ER hooked up to IV antibiotics for the day. Yeah, I know my strep. So, armed with my knowledge, I looked in her throat, and it doesn't look like Strep. It was kinda bumpy, but not the kind of bumpy that is strep. I really don't think that's what it is... but we have an appointment tomorrow to have it checked out.

Wonder if I can get a dose of meds for me... my glands are a little swollen, and I really don't want to spend a day in the ER again...

Maybe I'll just call my Dr, and see what she says... Of course then I'll probably have to get a dose of this... even more joy...

In the mean time, I think it's time to get the Lysol out and do a little exterminating... Oh joy.

But will he fly around the room uncontrollably?

2007-01-23T13:13:00.000-05:00

Ok, I never claimed to be "normal" or to have "normal" kids... we are kinda crazy, and often goofy.

It's not uncommon in our house to end up in a fit of giggles at the dinner table. Or a belching contest. Yeah, we're mature too.

Anyway, here's our latest insanity installation...

Ky: Hey, mom, look at all the stickers I put on my chest. They're my tattoos.
Me: You know, that's gonna probably hurt when you pull them off...
Ky: Nuh-uh, watch (he grips the edge of one of the larger stickers and pulls... ) Look, it was on my pimple.
Me: Nipple. That's your nipple.
Ky: Oh.
Kay (sitting across the dining room table from Ky): Why's his belly button like that? It's an outie... kind of. It looks like it wants to be an innie but can't.
Ky (looks down at his belly button): What does your's look like?

This then turns into an examination/comparison of everyone's belly button. His is the only one like that...

Me: You know what belly buttons are for, right?
Ky: No. What?
Me: Well you know how when you blow up a balloon and tie a knot in it to keep the air in? Well your belly button is your knot to keep your innerds in.
Ky: (Look of disbelief...)
Kay (not one to miss an opportunity to jump in on anything... ) Yeah, see? We tuck our knots in so they don't come untied.
Ky: What will happen if it comes untied?
Me: All your guts will squirt out the hole. Please be careful. It's really hard to get them back in through that little hole.
Ky: (Staring intently at his belly button...) ALL my guts?
Kay: Yep. And trust me, it isn't pretty.

He then spent the next several minutes trying to "tuck in" his belly button.

Yeah, kids. A constant source of entertainment.

Think I should tell him we were only joking?

(See... told you I was a mean mom.)

Something to spice things up a bit...

2007-01-22T14:30:00.000-05:00

You know how things can sometimes become mundane? That the things you used to look forward to are no longer as exciting?

I'm there.

I feel like I'm in a rut, and can't see the way out... at work, at home, at play (if you get my drift... ;) ).

I looked through the paper yesterday at all the pretty jobs... There were enough to choose from, but I found fault with all of them.

I do the same things all the time at home, and it's getting a little old... Monday run here, Tuesday run there, Saturday run here and there and then back here and there again!

My play... let's just say we've become "efficient" ... I'll just leave it at that...

But I will ask for some input on what you do when the worklife and the homelife become a bit "same old". How do you add the spice?

As for my playlife... you aren't allowed to comment on that one, thanks.

Well, can you see the difference?

2007-01-17T22:32:00.000-05:00

Did you notice?

No? Well I'm hoping that I can... I upgraded to the "new" blogger... Hope that now posting won't be such a pain in the... well, where ever it's a pain, cause lately? It's been sucky.

I would try to post, and it would take forever. I would make template edits (Like adding Beth's button over there... --->) and it took 20 minutes to republish it. UGH!

Now, hopefully it's all better. I wonder if this will improve my posting time on other's blogs? That comment thing was painful too.

Oh well, since you can't tell the difference, besides these nifty new tags I can give the posts, then I hope you stay and feel at home... and talk back to me! My kids do it all the time... ;)

2007-01-16T15:22:00.000-05:00

So, I think I have the post holiday blues...

There's all this running around, decorating, shopping, wrapping, visiting.... and then now? Nothing. My living room looks 3 times as big as it did this time 2 weeks ago. There are no pretty lights in the windows... no gifts scattered underfoot... Oh, wait, that's a good thing.

It seems so sad to drive down the street and see all the trees abandoned by the curb. Some have the last remnants of tinsel still clinging to their branches. Just a few weeks ago they were all lit with lights, branches heavy with ornaments, the backdrop for numerous family photos... Now? Trash.

The cookies are eaten, the egg nog carton is empty, and the leftovers have been either eaten or thrown out.

There's no excitement in bringing in the mail, there aren't any cute cards, or pictures of friends and family to find and wonder over how much time has passed since you've last seen them. Now all we get in the mail are bills, and credit card offers. Who gets excited over those? Not me.

Oh, and the even most worstest part? I don't get another paid holiday until Memorial Day... in MAY! That's just so not fair.

We sure do clean up right good...

2007-01-14T20:16:00.000-05:00

Last night was DH's company Winter Gala... Every year we talk about going, but then we never do... Last year, I bought the dress, we got the tickets, it snowed. This year, I wore the dress, it was 50 degrees and we had a good time.

I made Kay take a picture, cause we don't get dressed up much... LOL! I think we look pretty good...

Oh.. and those are NOT Dh's ears! We have a large Crystal Trifle bowl that his sister gave me for Christmas one year, and it sits on our mantel, cause I have no place to put it... and he was perfectly centered in front of it... Looks like he has big ole pointy ears. ROFL!!!

And on an unrelated note... little bit of excitement before the evening really got going. Hubby was steaming his suit pants to get rid of some wrinkles.... It got pretty steamy in the bathroom... I opened the door to talk to him about something, let the steam out, and our fire alarm sensed the heat, and went off... Lovely. Yeah, you think, "No biggie, it will stop, no harm done." That would be the case if it weren't for the fact that our fire alarm is hooked up to the burglar alarm. Yep... the alarm company called, asked if everything was ok. I assured them it was, and asked them to PLEASE not send the fire dept. That would have been interesting... NOT!

Other than that little added excitement, it was a great evening... We were the best dressed people on the DC Metro last night... at least on the trains we were on.

Couple things...

2007-01-11T13:05:00.000-05:00

1... I keep hearing about this DeLurking Week thing... and now it's almost over! Post! Tell me you're there... I'm here!

2... You know how sometimes you think that you want to help out a charity or an organization and don't think that the little bit you can do will make a difference? Well in the last couple days I've seen that proven wrong. The first one was over at Yarn Harlot, where she did a thing for Knitters without Borders. The turn out was INCREDIBLE! Over a quarter of a million dollars... wow... Then there was Beth. She wanted to do something for children, since she sees how incredibly lucky she is to have such an adorable healthy child. She too felt like I do sometimes, that her little bit won't make a difference. But when you add her little bit to my little bit to your little bit, it grows. I'm not saying you have to do anything, but hey, if it's making a card and mailing it to a child in the hospital, why not? How much time would that take, and think of the reaction that the card would get. It's all good.

Ok, so it's 3 things, guess that makes it a few... I didn't do a New Year's Resolution post, because, well... I don't make them. Why put that pressure on yourself? If you want to make a change in yourself. Start when ever you want. Take it all one day at a time. It will all get the same result, and you won't have all that Resolution crud hanging over you. Try it!

That's it for now, don't forget to come out of lurkdom, and comment. If you've got a blog, link to it, I love reading them... if you don't don't worry, I still love you all!

Can I PLEASE pack away the summer clothes?

2007-01-09T17:29:00.000-05:00

So... It's January 9th. Is it cold where you are? Saturday, just 4 days ago, it was 70. Yes, you read that right- Seventy!

I watch the snow falling on Colorado, and I feel a slight twinge of envy. Not much though. I mean I like the snow. It's pretty. For a day. Then it's grimy and gray, and nasty. I like winter. The air is cold and crisp and for a change from the summer when I can't see the Harbor from the bridge because of all the haze, on a crisp, cold winter day I can see the city clear enough to see the individual windows lit up on the buildings.

Today is a little more seasonal, and the weather man even used the "F" word. No, not that "F" word... He said "Flurries". I wouldn't mind some flurries. It would make it feel more like I think it should for the 9th of January. I don't want the 8 foot snow drifts that they have in Colorado, but I would like some snow.

Global warming? I don't know... there's been lots of talk about the ice caps melting and polar bears being endangered... I just hope that if we're going to all roast to death, that it takes a couple hundred years so that all the ancestors that I might think about, I won't really know. Does that even make sense?

Hopefully I won't have just jinxed myself and we now get dumped on. That would be just my luck...

Wonder what this says about me...

2007-01-06T22:49:00.000-05:00

Ok, for those of you that are lucky enough to know me in person know that I am not organized. Not even close. I'm so disorganized that I'm late for everything. Forget to do things... big things sometimes. I lose things... no, I still haven't located the bag o' goodies for my son's teacher gifts. Everyone knows that's just how I am.

For Christmas, Hubby and I got a new DVD shelf thing. The one we had, was overflowing, and we were using part of the bookshelf which meant that we had no where to put our books, so they were piling up in the bedroom. (Yeah, he's more organized than I am, but there are some things... ) Last weekend, Hubby and Kyle took all the movies out of the bookshelf and put them on the new shelf.

It was already almost full... Then, Kyle wanted to take a movie to daycare... he didn't know where to find it. It wasn't on the old shelf, so we had to look all over the new shelf... finally located it. That night it happened.

I got bit by the organization bug. I dragged over the old dvd shelf, and I put all the kids movies on that one, and the adult movies on the new one. The adult shelf was pretty full. While I was doing that, Hubby wanted to watch a movie, so he came over and was looking over my shoulder. He couldn't find what he wanted... Ouch! bit again.

Are you sitting down? I alphabetized the DVD shelf. Yes, you read that right. DVDs. In order. By title.

Oh, yes, sometimes I am a freak, and no, the bites didn't last long... that's the only thing that's organized.

I have to go now... I have to call myself. I don't know where I put my cell phone. sheesh!

Did you ever wonder about some of the things that people google?

2007-01-04T17:08:00.000-05:00

I'm always humored by the ways that people find my blog... I mean there are the ones that link through from a comment that I've left, or from a group I belong to, but there are the ones that google a phrase and end up at my blog...

Here are a couple from the last few weeks...

1- "how to deal with a mean mom" - Ok, easy to see from the name of my blog that someone may think I know how to deal with a mean mom, but I don't. I *AM* the mean mom... Hope you find an answer to your question... and if all else fails, deal with her by killing her with kindness... do the dishes, do the laundry or clean your room.

2- "obnoxious children" - Ok, again, this one is pretty easy to see the link... I'm mean because my children, like all children, are sometimes obnoxious. When they become too obnoxious, threaten to make them clean something, this usually helps settle them right down.

3- "redneck barbecue cooperstown" - Really? I've been there, and there were no redneck barbecues... Maybe I was in the wrong part of town. That might have been more interesting than the Hall of Fame...

4- "terry cloth tube top" - Now this one scares me. Please tell me these are not coming back into fashion... They were scary when I was 18, I'm sure they would still be scary now. I guess because back then, I didn't have enough... top to keep the tube up.

5- "french horn circle of forths" - Could someone please explain this one to me? I have no idea...

The last one for today...

6- "moms castrating bulls" - This is one set of moms I don't know I want to meet... I mean, would you want to go hang out with these women? I bet they don't get hit on by the creepy drunk guys at the bar, though. At least not more than once.

The other thing that I've noticed, and I have conversations with others about this, are the ones that will do a google search for my exact url. If you know it to google it, why not just type it in and come here directly? Do you think there's more than one of me, and they're looking for the other one? Hmmm... that's a thought. A very frightening thought...