Even though I only put mascara on today, it's still more than I did last weekend...
It started on Thursday night...our neighborhood has a clubhouse, and once a month several of us meet there to chat, snack, drink, and play Bunko. If you haven't every played Bunko, it's just a dice game and an excuse for chicks to hang out and relax. This month, my SIL, my friend M and my neighbor Avery all trekked to the clubhouse together. The snacks were awesome and so was the company. We only had 7 this month, but we didn't care...it was nice to have a break from our normal routine. We all chip in $5, and we give money for the most wins, most Bunkos (rolling 3 6's), and the most losses. I won my $5 for having the most losses this month. We also had cake and coffee to wish our friend Annette goodbye b/c she's moving to MO in a couple weeks.
Friday was a busy day at work, then I went to get my nails done, AND THEN B and I went to the theater to see Zodiac. It was a great movie! I'm going to admit right here how uniformed and naive I am when I say that I had no idea who the Zodiac killer was/is...and he committed his murders in CA where my mom grew up, my aunt and Grandma still live, and where I lived for a couple years. Of course, these crimes took place in the late 60's and early 70's, but they didn't solve the crime until the 90's! if it's even solved...the main suspect died before they could charge him with the crimes. Anyway, my mom and dad lived about 10 miles from where these murders were taking place when they got married! How scary is that?
If you want a good crime movie, go see it. There are a TON of big actors in it...Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo, Robert Downey Jr., Anthony Edwards...it's awsesome. It is almost 3 hours long, but there's a lot to be considered. I wasn't all that excited to go see it, but hubby insisted, and I'm glad he did.
Today, I got up, went to the gym, hit the grocery store, then came home to start getting my house ready for my HUGE weekend next week...that's the secret that I can't talk about yet...but I will soon...just hang on. *wink* Then I ran to check on our friend's dogs b/c they're out of town, and then we ate grilled chicken and drank yummy martinis...so now I'm just chilling on the couch. I think B is downstairs playing with his trains, and I'm enjoying the after effects of the martini...maybe I need to go make another one...
Saturday, March 10, 2007
My neighbors rock!
I love my neighborhood...and if you've been reading my blog for a while, you already know that. But, I'm saying it again...I love my neighborhood!!
The weather in south central Kansas started to feel a little like spring today. People were running around in flip flops and shorts, the lawnmowers made their first appearance for 2007, and our BBQ grill came out of the garage. We moved it down the stairs off of our deck sometime in November because the crazy Kansas wind kept blowing the cover off...but today it came back. I had marinated chicken, and we were going to fire up the grill for dinner tonight...but we had to drag the stupid thing back up the stairs to the deck first.
So, B and I ventured out to complete this task. I had helped him take it OFF the deck a few months ago, so I should be able to handle getting it back up, right? WRONG!! I pushed and pulled, but the dang thing kept getting stuck, and we only made it up about 2 steps. B told me to trade spots with him, maybe that would work. It didn't, and right when the propane tank fell off and landed on my flip flopped feet, our neighbor from 2 doors down came out on his deck and hollered to see if we needed help. How cool is that??
B doesn't like to ask for help, but Kevin offered, so I yelled back and said, Yes! Please come help us!! 5 minutes later, he was at our front door and the grill was on the deck in no time. It's funny...at our house in CA, no one would have even been able to see that we needed help, let alone offered it -- our fences were so high and private. But here, we have wrought iron fences, and our decks are about 10 feet higher than the back yard, so Kevin could see right away that we needed help.
Kevin and his wife Avery, who are about our age, live 2 doors down from us, and next door to where my parents will live in about a year. They have 2 kids, and they are the nicest family. They moved to KS from TX about a year ago. Avery and I have become friends and we play Bunko with some other girls from the neighborhood once a month. Avery also teaches aerobics at our Y, so I take her classes as often as I can. They came over and hung out with us on New Year's Eve, and I hope we can spend more time with them as the weather continues to warm up.
Their neighborliness (is that even a word??) made up for the disrespect I got from some of the teenage boys in the neighborhood yesterday. There is a group of 3 or 4 teenage boys who like to ride their skateboards down the front steps of my neighbors houses. They don't live in these houses, in fact, I haven't been able to figure out where they live yet...but I will. When I got home from work yesterday, these boys were riding their skateboards down my next door neighbors steps. I stopped in my driveway, rolled down the window and told them to beat it. They told me I have a cool car, I said thank you, but beat it anyway.
I went inside, and about 10 minutes later, I could hear them outside again. Now they were across the street on another neighbors steps. Now I was pissed....I've caught these kids before, and I always chase them off, but they have no fear! I went outside and told them to come here. They started walking off in the other direction very quickly, so I started off after them. They kept going, I kept yelling, and then they turned around and said, "Fuck you, Bitch!" Oh, I was hot then...but I didn't feel like running after them. There was another kid with them who was just kinda hanging out, but didn't look like he belonged with them. He was on a bike, and when the boys ran off, he turned around and went the other way. He stopped and talked to me...he also lives in the neighborhood, but isn't really friends with these boys (or so he says)...but he also said he doesn't know where they live.
I went back inside and called our Association president, who said we couldn't do anything about it unless I find out where they live...so now I'm on a stalking mission to find out where these hoodlums live. They stay off my steps because mine curve and they would break their necks if they tried it...and then I would be held liable because they got hurt on my property.
Where the heck are their parents????
The weather in south central Kansas started to feel a little like spring today. People were running around in flip flops and shorts, the lawnmowers made their first appearance for 2007, and our BBQ grill came out of the garage. We moved it down the stairs off of our deck sometime in November because the crazy Kansas wind kept blowing the cover off...but today it came back. I had marinated chicken, and we were going to fire up the grill for dinner tonight...but we had to drag the stupid thing back up the stairs to the deck first.
So, B and I ventured out to complete this task. I had helped him take it OFF the deck a few months ago, so I should be able to handle getting it back up, right? WRONG!! I pushed and pulled, but the dang thing kept getting stuck, and we only made it up about 2 steps. B told me to trade spots with him, maybe that would work. It didn't, and right when the propane tank fell off and landed on my flip flopped feet, our neighbor from 2 doors down came out on his deck and hollered to see if we needed help. How cool is that??
B doesn't like to ask for help, but Kevin offered, so I yelled back and said, Yes! Please come help us!! 5 minutes later, he was at our front door and the grill was on the deck in no time. It's funny...at our house in CA, no one would have even been able to see that we needed help, let alone offered it -- our fences were so high and private. But here, we have wrought iron fences, and our decks are about 10 feet higher than the back yard, so Kevin could see right away that we needed help.
Kevin and his wife Avery, who are about our age, live 2 doors down from us, and next door to where my parents will live in about a year. They have 2 kids, and they are the nicest family. They moved to KS from TX about a year ago. Avery and I have become friends and we play Bunko with some other girls from the neighborhood once a month. Avery also teaches aerobics at our Y, so I take her classes as often as I can. They came over and hung out with us on New Year's Eve, and I hope we can spend more time with them as the weather continues to warm up.
Their neighborliness (is that even a word??) made up for the disrespect I got from some of the teenage boys in the neighborhood yesterday. There is a group of 3 or 4 teenage boys who like to ride their skateboards down the front steps of my neighbors houses. They don't live in these houses, in fact, I haven't been able to figure out where they live yet...but I will. When I got home from work yesterday, these boys were riding their skateboards down my next door neighbors steps. I stopped in my driveway, rolled down the window and told them to beat it. They told me I have a cool car, I said thank you, but beat it anyway.
I went inside, and about 10 minutes later, I could hear them outside again. Now they were across the street on another neighbors steps. Now I was pissed....I've caught these kids before, and I always chase them off, but they have no fear! I went outside and told them to come here. They started walking off in the other direction very quickly, so I started off after them. They kept going, I kept yelling, and then they turned around and said, "Fuck you, Bitch!" Oh, I was hot then...but I didn't feel like running after them. There was another kid with them who was just kinda hanging out, but didn't look like he belonged with them. He was on a bike, and when the boys ran off, he turned around and went the other way. He stopped and talked to me...he also lives in the neighborhood, but isn't really friends with these boys (or so he says)...but he also said he doesn't know where they live.
I went back inside and called our Association president, who said we couldn't do anything about it unless I find out where they live...so now I'm on a stalking mission to find out where these hoodlums live. They stay off my steps because mine curve and they would break their necks if they tried it...and then I would be held liable because they got hurt on my property.
Where the heck are their parents????
Friday, March 09, 2007
This is why I haven't been posting...
This has been my view for the last several weeks...making it very difficult to post anything...I'm swamped!
I do most of my blogging from work in between other tasks, or when I just can't take corporate America anymore. Unfortunately, I haven't even had those little breaks lately.
It's good and it's bad. Good because work is more bearable now that I'm busier, and I have INTERESTING projects to work on. It's bad because I enjoy blogging. I've been able to squeeze in time to read other's blogs...and to make the occasional comment...but not nearly enough time to post as much as I would like to.
Here's my other view...out the opening in my cube...oh what fun! Oh yeah, you can also see part of my ugly and messy desk. I have very little working space in this cube...but I haven't complained because it's only temporary...we're getting ready to move to a new office where I'll get all new furniture...too bad it's on the plant floor and far away from the parking lot!
Oh, the other reason I haven't been posting as much is because there is NOTHING exciting going on in my life right now. Do you all REALLY want to read about how I get up, go to work, go to the gym, go home, eat cereal or soup for dinner, watch a little TV, shower and go to bed...only to get up and do it all over again the next day? I didn't think so.
BUT...there is something VERY exciting happening next weekend...I just can't talk about it yet b/c it's a secret...but believe me...I'll share all after next weekend. In the meantime, I'm going to try to do something that warrants putting makeup on over the weekend. Have a great weekend!
I do most of my blogging from work in between other tasks, or when I just can't take corporate America anymore. Unfortunately, I haven't even had those little breaks lately.
It's good and it's bad. Good because work is more bearable now that I'm busier, and I have INTERESTING projects to work on. It's bad because I enjoy blogging. I've been able to squeeze in time to read other's blogs...and to make the occasional comment...but not nearly enough time to post as much as I would like to.
Here's my other view...out the opening in my cube...oh what fun! Oh yeah, you can also see part of my ugly and messy desk. I have very little working space in this cube...but I haven't complained because it's only temporary...we're getting ready to move to a new office where I'll get all new furniture...too bad it's on the plant floor and far away from the parking lot!
Oh, the other reason I haven't been posting as much is because there is NOTHING exciting going on in my life right now. Do you all REALLY want to read about how I get up, go to work, go to the gym, go home, eat cereal or soup for dinner, watch a little TV, shower and go to bed...only to get up and do it all over again the next day? I didn't think so.
BUT...there is something VERY exciting happening next weekend...I just can't talk about it yet b/c it's a secret...but believe me...I'll share all after next weekend. In the meantime, I'm going to try to do something that warrants putting makeup on over the weekend. Have a great weekend!
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Tornados
My cell phone rang while I was on my way to work Friday morning. It was my almost-SIL (I say almost because she's marrying hubby's brother in about 6 weeks)...she and BIL live in Colorado, and they're on mountain time...one hour earlier than us. It was 6:20am her time. Here's how the conversation went:
SIL: *frantic* Are you ok??
Me: Um...yes...how are you?
SIL: What's the weather like??
Me: Well...it's sunny and cold...(I'm thinking what the heck is she getting at?)
SIL: Well, is it storming?
Me: No...it was windy last night, but it's sunny and clear now...what's going on?
SIL: There's a tornado...in Andover! It just touched down! I just woke up and heard about it. Are you guys OK???
Just a note here...Andover is a town on the east side of Wichita, where B's other brother, wife and their 2 girls live.
Me: Are you sure? I'm about 15 miles from there and it's still clear and sunny. I've had the radio on...no mention of a tornado in Andover.
SIL: Well, I just woke up to that on the news! They're talking about a tornado in ANDOVER! Fiance is on the phone with his mom now. Are you SURE you're ok?
Me: We're fine! Are you sure it's not the ALABAMA tornado? That's what the news is talking about now. Are you awake yet?
SIL: Well...I don't know...I'm sure they said Andover...I think. I'll talk to you later...after I figure out what's going on...
Me: Well, y'know...Andover, Alabama...sounds the same *snicker* Talk to ya later.
It was a humorous conversation, and we STILL aren't sure what she heard on the news, but there was NO tornado in Andover...unfortunately, there WAS the one in Enterprise, Alabama. I can not imagine what that town is going through right now. Tornados scare the CRAP out of me...and to go through something so devestating in high school...those kids are brave!
Blogging has really opened my eyes to things outside of my little circle. I hate to admit this, but Katrina didn't really impact me that much. I know that sounds terrible, but I was living in California when Katrina hit. Our weather was sunny and mild...it was hard for me to imagine a big storm hitting anywhere right then. Even afterwards when I saw pictures, I was a little callous...thinking, why didn't these people prepare, why didn't they evacuate when they got the warning...why were they living down there in the first place?? And here was something that changed peoples lives FOREVER!
I have friends all over the country...one who works in Manhattan even, and when 9/11 hit, I was terrified...because I knew she was right in the middle of it. I don't have any friends in New Orleans, and even though my sister is in Alabama, she is hours from the coast where the Katrina devestation hit. I was happy and content in my little world, and it would surprise me to hear about weather that was so different from MY weather.
But, blogging has changed all that. Daily I read about people all over the country, a few outside of the country even. I read about what's happening in their lives...weather, politics, tragedies, celebrations...all of that is happening AT THE SAME TIME as what I'm going through. Moving to the middle of the country has affected that also. I feel like I'm closer to...more of the world maybe? I'm not sure how to describe it, but I don't feel as sheltered anymore. What do ya know...at 32 years of age, my eyes are being opened to things outside of my immediate surroundings.
SIL: *frantic* Are you ok??
Me: Um...yes...how are you?
SIL: What's the weather like??
Me: Well...it's sunny and cold...(I'm thinking what the heck is she getting at?)
SIL: Well, is it storming?
Me: No...it was windy last night, but it's sunny and clear now...what's going on?
SIL: There's a tornado...in Andover! It just touched down! I just woke up and heard about it. Are you guys OK???
Just a note here...Andover is a town on the east side of Wichita, where B's other brother, wife and their 2 girls live.
Me: Are you sure? I'm about 15 miles from there and it's still clear and sunny. I've had the radio on...no mention of a tornado in Andover.
SIL: Well, I just woke up to that on the news! They're talking about a tornado in ANDOVER! Fiance is on the phone with his mom now. Are you SURE you're ok?
Me: We're fine! Are you sure it's not the ALABAMA tornado? That's what the news is talking about now. Are you awake yet?
SIL: Well...I don't know...I'm sure they said Andover...I think. I'll talk to you later...after I figure out what's going on...
Me: Well, y'know...Andover, Alabama...sounds the same *snicker* Talk to ya later.
It was a humorous conversation, and we STILL aren't sure what she heard on the news, but there was NO tornado in Andover...unfortunately, there WAS the one in Enterprise, Alabama. I can not imagine what that town is going through right now. Tornados scare the CRAP out of me...and to go through something so devestating in high school...those kids are brave!
Blogging has really opened my eyes to things outside of my little circle. I hate to admit this, but Katrina didn't really impact me that much. I know that sounds terrible, but I was living in California when Katrina hit. Our weather was sunny and mild...it was hard for me to imagine a big storm hitting anywhere right then. Even afterwards when I saw pictures, I was a little callous...thinking, why didn't these people prepare, why didn't they evacuate when they got the warning...why were they living down there in the first place?? And here was something that changed peoples lives FOREVER!
I have friends all over the country...one who works in Manhattan even, and when 9/11 hit, I was terrified...because I knew she was right in the middle of it. I don't have any friends in New Orleans, and even though my sister is in Alabama, she is hours from the coast where the Katrina devestation hit. I was happy and content in my little world, and it would surprise me to hear about weather that was so different from MY weather.
But, blogging has changed all that. Daily I read about people all over the country, a few outside of the country even. I read about what's happening in their lives...weather, politics, tragedies, celebrations...all of that is happening AT THE SAME TIME as what I'm going through. Moving to the middle of the country has affected that also. I feel like I'm closer to...more of the world maybe? I'm not sure how to describe it, but I don't feel as sheltered anymore. What do ya know...at 32 years of age, my eyes are being opened to things outside of my immediate surroundings.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Homemaking...what's that??
I saw this over on Blonde Chick's blog, and I like it, so here goes!
The ABC's of the Happy or Horrible Homemaker:
Aprons (Y/N): I have one, but I never use it...but I did give one to my niece for Christmas...I wonder if she'll ever use it.
Baking (Favorite thing to bake): I LOVE to bake...if for no other reason that I can sneak tastes of the dough or batter or whatever...what's my favorite?? Hmm...probably cookies or brownies or cakes or banana bread...I don't know, I love it all!
Clothesline (Y/N): Um...NO, and when I'm supposed to dry something FLAT, it ends up slung on top of the dryer...how does ANYTHING dry if it's flat? NO air gets to it!
Donuts: I try to stay away, but I have a weakness for Krispy Kreme Devils Food...yum!
Every Day (One homemaking thing you do every day): Does hanging my towel up after my shower count? Cuz that's about it that happens EVERY day! I suppose I also heat something up in the microwave every day, too.
Freezer (Do you have a separate deep freeze?): No, but we have a separate fridge in the basement for just beer.
Garbage Disposal (Y/N): Yep! But, I've learned my lesson about using it for everything...so I'm pretty careful about what goes into it.
Handbook (What is your favorite homemaking resource?): MOM...totally!
Ironing (Love it or hate it?): HATE. HATE. HATE. I will do whatever it takes to NOT iron...in fact, just today I rebelled and wore jeans to work so I wouldn't have to iron. I used to not mind it so much...I'd grab a big pile of ironing and turn on the TV and go at it, but there are just too many other things I'd rather be doing.
Junk drawer (Y/N) (Where?): Yes! In the kitchen, and every time I open it, I say that I'm going to de-junk it, but it never happens. Oh well!
Love (What is your favorite part of homemaking?): Probably having a clean house to show off when people visit...but I hate to clean...so, it's a constant struggle!
Mop (Y/N): We've lived in our house 6 months, and I've mopped twice. Is that gross? I do vacuum it and spot clean a lot more than that. The floor in this house stays a lot cleaner than our last house...at least to the naked eye.
Nylons: Do I wear nylons while I pretend to be a homemaker? Do I use nylons to clean my house? What exactly is this question asking?!
Oven (Do you use the window or open the door to check?): I start with the light, but you can't really tell what's going on by looking thru the window, so you HAVE to open the door.
Pizza (What do you put on yours?): My favorite is mushroom and ham...B is a meat man, so it's a meat lover's...which means we usually get a half and half pizza.
Quiet (What do you do during the day when you get a quiet moment?): A quiet momemt?? Well, if that ever happens, I read or catch up on my Tivo shows or play on the computer...but it's never QUIET...something is always making noise and moving around.
Recipe card box (Y/N): Yes, and I also have a lot of cookbooks as well. I finally stopped myself from buying more cookbooks because I don't use them...except for the family cookbook my mom made up years ago...and I also use the recipe box full of family recipes...when I cook.
Style of house: I've heard it called a Ranch house, but I think that's because it's not a 2-story. We do have a walk-out basement, also, and 4 bedrooms and more bathrooms than I care to clean.
Tablecloths and napkins? I have several tablecloths that I actually do use. I NEVER use cloth napkins, that seems like such a waste...do they ever come clean again??
Under the kitchen sink (Organized or toxic wasteland?): It's pretty organized, actually. Cleaning stuff, and dishwasher soap and extra sponges.
Vacuum (How many times per week?): Oh, are you supposed to vacuum EVERY week?? Oops! Well, with only 2 people and 2 small dogs...we probably vacuum about once every 2 weeks unless someone is coming over or the dogs have tracked something in. Are you catching on that I HATE to clean??? I LOVE a clean house, but I hate to take my own time to get it to that state.
Wash (How many loads of laundry do you do in a week?): I do about 2 and B does about 2, also. We do our own laundry...and sometimes I don't even do it every week...I stretch it to 2 weeks. That will all end when kids come along...I know, I know.
X’s (Do you keep a daily list of things to do and cross them off?): Maybe not daily, but I do use lists...that's the only way I feel I accomplish anything...and I make these lists while sitting in boring meetings at work.
Yard (Who does what?): ALL Hubby! I offered a gardener when I had a cleaning person, but he LIKES to do the yard...and I don't have a cleaning person anymore anyway. Of course, it does get old to mow all the grass we have now...and he's been taking care of Mom and Dad's yard, too. Winter was a welcome change on that front...but Spring is almost here!
Zzz’s: I'm usually in bed by 9pm and then I read for an hour, and I'm asleep by 10...weekday or weekend...yes, we're getting old...I cherish my sleep! Speaking of which, it's time to start heading that way! =)
If you join me in playing this MEME, let me know!
The ABC's of the Happy or Horrible Homemaker:
Aprons (Y/N): I have one, but I never use it...but I did give one to my niece for Christmas...I wonder if she'll ever use it.
Baking (Favorite thing to bake): I LOVE to bake...if for no other reason that I can sneak tastes of the dough or batter or whatever...what's my favorite?? Hmm...probably cookies or brownies or cakes or banana bread...I don't know, I love it all!
Clothesline (Y/N): Um...NO, and when I'm supposed to dry something FLAT, it ends up slung on top of the dryer...how does ANYTHING dry if it's flat? NO air gets to it!
Donuts: I try to stay away, but I have a weakness for Krispy Kreme Devils Food...yum!
Every Day (One homemaking thing you do every day): Does hanging my towel up after my shower count? Cuz that's about it that happens EVERY day! I suppose I also heat something up in the microwave every day, too.
Freezer (Do you have a separate deep freeze?): No, but we have a separate fridge in the basement for just beer.
Garbage Disposal (Y/N): Yep! But, I've learned my lesson about using it for everything...so I'm pretty careful about what goes into it.
Handbook (What is your favorite homemaking resource?): MOM...totally!
Ironing (Love it or hate it?): HATE. HATE. HATE. I will do whatever it takes to NOT iron...in fact, just today I rebelled and wore jeans to work so I wouldn't have to iron. I used to not mind it so much...I'd grab a big pile of ironing and turn on the TV and go at it, but there are just too many other things I'd rather be doing.
Junk drawer (Y/N) (Where?): Yes! In the kitchen, and every time I open it, I say that I'm going to de-junk it, but it never happens. Oh well!
Love (What is your favorite part of homemaking?): Probably having a clean house to show off when people visit...but I hate to clean...so, it's a constant struggle!
Mop (Y/N): We've lived in our house 6 months, and I've mopped twice. Is that gross? I do vacuum it and spot clean a lot more than that. The floor in this house stays a lot cleaner than our last house...at least to the naked eye.
Nylons: Do I wear nylons while I pretend to be a homemaker? Do I use nylons to clean my house? What exactly is this question asking?!
Oven (Do you use the window or open the door to check?): I start with the light, but you can't really tell what's going on by looking thru the window, so you HAVE to open the door.
Pizza (What do you put on yours?): My favorite is mushroom and ham...B is a meat man, so it's a meat lover's...which means we usually get a half and half pizza.
Quiet (What do you do during the day when you get a quiet moment?): A quiet momemt?? Well, if that ever happens, I read or catch up on my Tivo shows or play on the computer...but it's never QUIET...something is always making noise and moving around.
Recipe card box (Y/N): Yes, and I also have a lot of cookbooks as well. I finally stopped myself from buying more cookbooks because I don't use them...except for the family cookbook my mom made up years ago...and I also use the recipe box full of family recipes...when I cook.
Style of house: I've heard it called a Ranch house, but I think that's because it's not a 2-story. We do have a walk-out basement, also, and 4 bedrooms and more bathrooms than I care to clean.
Tablecloths and napkins? I have several tablecloths that I actually do use. I NEVER use cloth napkins, that seems like such a waste...do they ever come clean again??
Under the kitchen sink (Organized or toxic wasteland?): It's pretty organized, actually. Cleaning stuff, and dishwasher soap and extra sponges.
Vacuum (How many times per week?): Oh, are you supposed to vacuum EVERY week?? Oops! Well, with only 2 people and 2 small dogs...we probably vacuum about once every 2 weeks unless someone is coming over or the dogs have tracked something in. Are you catching on that I HATE to clean??? I LOVE a clean house, but I hate to take my own time to get it to that state.
Wash (How many loads of laundry do you do in a week?): I do about 2 and B does about 2, also. We do our own laundry...and sometimes I don't even do it every week...I stretch it to 2 weeks. That will all end when kids come along...I know, I know.
X’s (Do you keep a daily list of things to do and cross them off?): Maybe not daily, but I do use lists...that's the only way I feel I accomplish anything...and I make these lists while sitting in boring meetings at work.
Yard (Who does what?): ALL Hubby! I offered a gardener when I had a cleaning person, but he LIKES to do the yard...and I don't have a cleaning person anymore anyway. Of course, it does get old to mow all the grass we have now...and he's been taking care of Mom and Dad's yard, too. Winter was a welcome change on that front...but Spring is almost here!
Zzz’s: I'm usually in bed by 9pm and then I read for an hour, and I'm asleep by 10...weekday or weekend...yes, we're getting old...I cherish my sleep! Speaking of which, it's time to start heading that way! =)
If you join me in playing this MEME, let me know!
Spirituality and God
Our newspaper prints a column by Billy Graham every day…one of those advice column things. Well, a while ago, the following question and answer were in the paper, and it made me think of my friend Shell. She mentioned some time ago that she wanted to become more “spiritual,” and I thought this addresses that perfectly.
Dear Rev. Graham: I strongly believe in spirituality, but I don’t believe in God or Jesus like you do. In my view, true spirituality means being in harmony with the spiritual forces of the universe through meditation and things like that. -FK
Dear FK: I respect your sincerity, and if we could sit down and talk I suspect we would at least agree that each of us has a spiritual nature within us that yearns for something greater than ourselves. Centuries ago a great philosopher called this a “God-shaped vacuum” we each have within us.
But where did this vacuum in our hearts come from? The Bible says that God put it there – and the reason He did was so that we would seek Him and come to know Him in a personal way. You and I have a soul that yearns for God; as the Bible says, God “has also set eternity in the hearts of men” (Ecclesiastes 3:11).
But the Bible tells us something else very important. It tells us there is a barrier between us and God – a barrier we cannot overcome on our own. The reason is because this barrier that separates us from God was caused by our sin. Our greatest need is to have our sins forgiven, and this is something no amount of meditation or similar practice can overcome.
Only God can erase this barrier – and this is why Jesus Christ came into the world. He was God in human flesh, sent from heaven to save us from our sins. Don’t be deceived by paths that promise to unite you with God but don’t deal with your sins. Instead, by faith commit your life to Jesus Christ and trust Him alone for your salvation. Only then will you discover the joy and peace you are seeking. - Billy Graham
Wow! I'm always amazed and how simply and perfectly Billy Graham explains things. This makes total sense. I can't imagine living my life without God -- life would be very lonely and without purpose...and there's enough of that in life even WITH God. Shell, maybe this will shed a little different light on your questions from before.
Dear Rev. Graham: I strongly believe in spirituality, but I don’t believe in God or Jesus like you do. In my view, true spirituality means being in harmony with the spiritual forces of the universe through meditation and things like that. -FK
Dear FK: I respect your sincerity, and if we could sit down and talk I suspect we would at least agree that each of us has a spiritual nature within us that yearns for something greater than ourselves. Centuries ago a great philosopher called this a “God-shaped vacuum” we each have within us.
But where did this vacuum in our hearts come from? The Bible says that God put it there – and the reason He did was so that we would seek Him and come to know Him in a personal way. You and I have a soul that yearns for God; as the Bible says, God “has also set eternity in the hearts of men” (Ecclesiastes 3:11).
But the Bible tells us something else very important. It tells us there is a barrier between us and God – a barrier we cannot overcome on our own. The reason is because this barrier that separates us from God was caused by our sin. Our greatest need is to have our sins forgiven, and this is something no amount of meditation or similar practice can overcome.
Only God can erase this barrier – and this is why Jesus Christ came into the world. He was God in human flesh, sent from heaven to save us from our sins. Don’t be deceived by paths that promise to unite you with God but don’t deal with your sins. Instead, by faith commit your life to Jesus Christ and trust Him alone for your salvation. Only then will you discover the joy and peace you are seeking. - Billy Graham
Wow! I'm always amazed and how simply and perfectly Billy Graham explains things. This makes total sense. I can't imagine living my life without God -- life would be very lonely and without purpose...and there's enough of that in life even WITH God. Shell, maybe this will shed a little different light on your questions from before.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
My Man
I saw this over at Shalee's Diner, and it sounded fun...here's everything you ever wanted to know about the love of my life...
His age: 37
How tall is he: 6'1" (to my 5'2")
How long have you been together (married): 6 years, 3 months, 8 days and 23 hours and change...
How long did you know each other before you got together?: We met in May, started dating in September, were engaged by the following August, and married in November…so, we dated for 10 months and were engaged for 3 months.
What physical features attracted you to him first?: Well, the first date we had was at a pool, and I IMMEDIATELY noticed how buff he was…man, those pecs and shoulders and arms and abs…ooh, baby!!
Eye color: Blue, blue, blue, blue…did I mention that his eyes are BLUE!
Hair color: Um…what hair is left is blondish brown,
Hair style: VERY Short – he cuts it himself about once/week
Normal Outfit: Lately it is holey (and I mean holey) jeans and a t-shirt while he works on his train. For work, it’s slacks and a mock turtleneck…the boy WILL NOT wear button down shirts
How did you meet: At work. I started about 6 months after he did, and we were both supervisors on 2nd shift. He was VERY quiet, and I really didn’t even meet him for several months. Then we started ending up in the cafeteria for lunch at the same time and we started talking…and then we started seeing each other at the gym every day…and then we started hanging out, and it was ALL OVER!
How serious is it: Oh, it’s serious! I couldn’t live without him!
Are you "in love": More and more every day.
Do your parents like him: Yep. They thought he was kinda quiet at first, but they LOVE him now…he’s their kid, too!
Do his parents like you: Yes, they do, but I know they don’t agree with everything that I do…and I hope they don’t think that I have been a bad influence on their son. Even though I’m a Christian, like they are, we are from different denominations and they don’t agree with all the beliefs I have…and now that their son has (but not solely because of me…I mean, he does have a mind of his own). Anyway, there are some times of tension, but I know they love me anyway!
Do you trust him: With my life.
Would you share a toothbrush with him?: You bet. But, he won’t let me NEAR his toothbrush…I don’t get it!
Would he let you wear his pants?: Not unless it was some kind of crazy emergency…
Do you have a shirt of his that you sleep in?: Hmm, that’s a good idea, now why didn’t I think of that??
Do you like the way he smells?: Yes. Especially when he puts on the cologne I gave him….yummy!
Can you picture having kids with him?: Definitely…now would they just hurry up and get here? He’s GREAT with kids….he’s going to be a great dad!
What bothers you the most about him?: Well, there is this one thing….he waits forever to open his mail…I get the mail every day, and it’s not very often that he gets something specifically for him, but when he does, it’s something important, so I’ll take it to him and he will set it down and not open it for days! It drives me crazy!! Ok, remember when you were waiting for that acceptance letter for college, and as soon as you got it, you ripped it open?? At least I did! B probably let it sit for weeks before he even touched it! So, it’s not a huge thing, but it drives me crazy…and I don’t dare open it for him.
Does he have a temper?: Yes, but I’m not sure he had one before he met me. He did pretty well at holding it when we were dating, but I’ve seen it many times since! =)
Are you happy to be with him?: Absolutely!
Does he embarrass you in public?: No, but he does do funny things sometimes when we’re out…like asking the hostess for a table for his daughter and himself…as he puts his arm around me (and he’s only 5 years older than me). I think it’s cute!
Does he smoke or do drugs?: He smokes cigars...the ones he rolls himself!
Does he have any piercings?: Not anymore, but I often ask him to tell me the story of when we got his ear pierced in college and was so daring as to walk into his dad’s church with a hole in his ear….after the reception he got, the earring came RIGHT OUT! LOL
Any tattoos?: Nope, but he talks of getting USMC tattooed on his shoulder, but I’m not holding my breath…he’s afraid of needles!
Does he have any scars that you know of?: Oh yeah! Where do I start?? The most noticeable one is on the side of his head. He got it when he was in the Marines…they were roughhousing in the hall…soaping up the floors and running and sliding…and he slid his head right into a door frame…the scar is about 4” long! There’s a scar on the back of his knee where he backed into a barbed wire fence. And there’s a scar somewhere from when he fell through the plate glass window in high school math class.
Is he a Party dude or Stay at home?: Stay at home all the way. But, he’s gotten to be more of a social guy the longer we’re together.
Is he Outgoing or Shy?: Not so much shy, as just stays to himself. He’s completely content with himself. He’s also quiet when he first meets people, but if they give him a chance to open up, he’s hilarious!!
Does he love his mama?: Of course he does. He is very respectful of his parents.
Would he hang out with you and YOUR friends?: Yes, he does. Of course, when there are too many girl friends around, he chooses to go elsewhere…but we have fun hanging out with couples that we’re friends with.
Sing?: He’s a great singer, but he doesn’t let me hear him much….only in church if I listen very closely.
His age: 37
How tall is he: 6'1" (to my 5'2")
How long have you been together (married): 6 years, 3 months, 8 days and 23 hours and change...
How long did you know each other before you got together?: We met in May, started dating in September, were engaged by the following August, and married in November…so, we dated for 10 months and were engaged for 3 months.
What physical features attracted you to him first?: Well, the first date we had was at a pool, and I IMMEDIATELY noticed how buff he was…man, those pecs and shoulders and arms and abs…ooh, baby!!
Eye color: Blue, blue, blue, blue…did I mention that his eyes are BLUE!
Hair color: Um…what hair is left is blondish brown,
Hair style: VERY Short – he cuts it himself about once/week
Normal Outfit: Lately it is holey (and I mean holey) jeans and a t-shirt while he works on his train. For work, it’s slacks and a mock turtleneck…the boy WILL NOT wear button down shirts
How did you meet: At work. I started about 6 months after he did, and we were both supervisors on 2nd shift. He was VERY quiet, and I really didn’t even meet him for several months. Then we started ending up in the cafeteria for lunch at the same time and we started talking…and then we started seeing each other at the gym every day…and then we started hanging out, and it was ALL OVER!
How serious is it: Oh, it’s serious! I couldn’t live without him!
Are you "in love": More and more every day.
Do your parents like him: Yep. They thought he was kinda quiet at first, but they LOVE him now…he’s their kid, too!
Do his parents like you: Yes, they do, but I know they don’t agree with everything that I do…and I hope they don’t think that I have been a bad influence on their son. Even though I’m a Christian, like they are, we are from different denominations and they don’t agree with all the beliefs I have…and now that their son has (but not solely because of me…I mean, he does have a mind of his own). Anyway, there are some times of tension, but I know they love me anyway!
Do you trust him: With my life.
Would you share a toothbrush with him?: You bet. But, he won’t let me NEAR his toothbrush…I don’t get it!
Would he let you wear his pants?: Not unless it was some kind of crazy emergency…
Do you have a shirt of his that you sleep in?: Hmm, that’s a good idea, now why didn’t I think of that??
Do you like the way he smells?: Yes. Especially when he puts on the cologne I gave him….yummy!
Can you picture having kids with him?: Definitely…now would they just hurry up and get here? He’s GREAT with kids….he’s going to be a great dad!
What bothers you the most about him?: Well, there is this one thing….he waits forever to open his mail…I get the mail every day, and it’s not very often that he gets something specifically for him, but when he does, it’s something important, so I’ll take it to him and he will set it down and not open it for days! It drives me crazy!! Ok, remember when you were waiting for that acceptance letter for college, and as soon as you got it, you ripped it open?? At least I did! B probably let it sit for weeks before he even touched it! So, it’s not a huge thing, but it drives me crazy…and I don’t dare open it for him.
Does he have a temper?: Yes, but I’m not sure he had one before he met me. He did pretty well at holding it when we were dating, but I’ve seen it many times since! =)
Are you happy to be with him?: Absolutely!
Does he embarrass you in public?: No, but he does do funny things sometimes when we’re out…like asking the hostess for a table for his daughter and himself…as he puts his arm around me (and he’s only 5 years older than me). I think it’s cute!
Does he smoke or do drugs?: He smokes cigars...the ones he rolls himself!
Does he have any piercings?: Not anymore, but I often ask him to tell me the story of when we got his ear pierced in college and was so daring as to walk into his dad’s church with a hole in his ear….after the reception he got, the earring came RIGHT OUT! LOL
Any tattoos?: Nope, but he talks of getting USMC tattooed on his shoulder, but I’m not holding my breath…he’s afraid of needles!
Does he have any scars that you know of?: Oh yeah! Where do I start?? The most noticeable one is on the side of his head. He got it when he was in the Marines…they were roughhousing in the hall…soaping up the floors and running and sliding…and he slid his head right into a door frame…the scar is about 4” long! There’s a scar on the back of his knee where he backed into a barbed wire fence. And there’s a scar somewhere from when he fell through the plate glass window in high school math class.
Is he a Party dude or Stay at home?: Stay at home all the way. But, he’s gotten to be more of a social guy the longer we’re together.
Is he Outgoing or Shy?: Not so much shy, as just stays to himself. He’s completely content with himself. He’s also quiet when he first meets people, but if they give him a chance to open up, he’s hilarious!!
Does he love his mama?: Of course he does. He is very respectful of his parents.
Would he hang out with you and YOUR friends?: Yes, he does. Of course, when there are too many girl friends around, he chooses to go elsewhere…but we have fun hanging out with couples that we’re friends with.
Sing?: He’s a great singer, but he doesn’t let me hear him much….only in church if I listen very closely.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Tagged again...
Ok, Terry from Road Rage tagged me with the 5 things your don't know about me MEME...and I'll play along even though I just did this a few days ago...but I'm really having to think hard about what I haven't blabbed already! LOL
1. In honor of Terry, I'll share this one...I used to want to be a truck driver. I thought it would be SO cool to ride so high up, drive a big truck that I had to shift into so many gears, and get to see the country as my JOB! But, I'm a homebody, and I think that's why I ultimately decided to just travel for fun, but stick close to home for work. BUT, I did get a very brief lesson driving a truck...a friend who used to be a transportation manager took me out with a tractor one day and let me drive it. It was SO fun! But, I can't imagine pulling a big long trailer behind it...through traffic and on bad roads and with crazy drivers.
2. BEFORE I wanted to drive trucks, when I was a little girl, I swore I would NEVER drive. I was terrified of it. I was in several car accidents as a kid, and that may be why I decided I didn't want to drive. I used to tell my mom that she would have to drive me around for my whole life! Of course, by the time I was 14, I couldn't wait to get my license and start driving...and now that I'm older, I don't like OTHER people to drive.
3. I'm a control freak...yes, that's why I don't like other people to drive...I'm not in control when they're behind the wheel, and I'm a nervous wreck. I've gotten better at giving up the control in all other aspects of my life...but driving is still tough for me...again, all those accidents from growing up, I think.
4. I LOVE to read. I always have. When I was in junior high, I would check out books from our church library on Sunday morning, and lay on my bed reading all afternoon until we went back to church. Hubby and I read every night before we go to sleep...he loves to read, too. In fact, one of our favorite things to do on vacation is to sit around and read...and just relax! I think we had more than 15 boxes of books when we moved last year.
5. I just figured out what my dream job is...yesterday I volunteered at an Engineeing Expo at our university here. We had a bunch of hands on displays for young kids to play with so they could learn about engineering. I have always enjoyed talking to all kinds of people, kids, adults, whatever, about engineering and what it all means, and why I chose it. I would LOVE to work for the university as a kind of recruiter. I would go to schools and talk to kids, and organize info sessions and expos so kids could learn about engineering -- especially girls. Girls aren't encouraged to go into math and sciences as much as boys, and WE NEED GIRLS!! I knew when I was a junior in high school that I wanted to become an engineer. I loved math and science...still do!
1. In honor of Terry, I'll share this one...I used to want to be a truck driver. I thought it would be SO cool to ride so high up, drive a big truck that I had to shift into so many gears, and get to see the country as my JOB! But, I'm a homebody, and I think that's why I ultimately decided to just travel for fun, but stick close to home for work. BUT, I did get a very brief lesson driving a truck...a friend who used to be a transportation manager took me out with a tractor one day and let me drive it. It was SO fun! But, I can't imagine pulling a big long trailer behind it...through traffic and on bad roads and with crazy drivers.
2. BEFORE I wanted to drive trucks, when I was a little girl, I swore I would NEVER drive. I was terrified of it. I was in several car accidents as a kid, and that may be why I decided I didn't want to drive. I used to tell my mom that she would have to drive me around for my whole life! Of course, by the time I was 14, I couldn't wait to get my license and start driving...and now that I'm older, I don't like OTHER people to drive.
3. I'm a control freak...yes, that's why I don't like other people to drive...I'm not in control when they're behind the wheel, and I'm a nervous wreck. I've gotten better at giving up the control in all other aspects of my life...but driving is still tough for me...again, all those accidents from growing up, I think.
4. I LOVE to read. I always have. When I was in junior high, I would check out books from our church library on Sunday morning, and lay on my bed reading all afternoon until we went back to church. Hubby and I read every night before we go to sleep...he loves to read, too. In fact, one of our favorite things to do on vacation is to sit around and read...and just relax! I think we had more than 15 boxes of books when we moved last year.
5. I just figured out what my dream job is...yesterday I volunteered at an Engineeing Expo at our university here. We had a bunch of hands on displays for young kids to play with so they could learn about engineering. I have always enjoyed talking to all kinds of people, kids, adults, whatever, about engineering and what it all means, and why I chose it. I would LOVE to work for the university as a kind of recruiter. I would go to schools and talk to kids, and organize info sessions and expos so kids could learn about engineering -- especially girls. Girls aren't encouraged to go into math and sciences as much as boys, and WE NEED GIRLS!! I knew when I was a junior in high school that I wanted to become an engineer. I loved math and science...still do!
Friday, February 16, 2007
More about my cousin...
It's time to post some more about my cousin, Little Man. I've found out some things in the last few days, and I have to write about it before I blow up.
Little Man is the youngest of 6 children. His Dad (Uncle) is my mom's older brother. Uncle married my Aunt and adopted her daughter when she was just a couple years old. Then they had 5 more children (there's 14 years between the oldest and the youngest). Somewhere in there the whole family moved to Iowa, Uncle and Aunt got divorced, one of them moved back to CA with all the kids, then the other moved back to CA, and they got back together. I'm still not sure if they ever remarried.
When the oldest, Nelly, was about 19, Uncle and Aunt decided to move back to Iowa. Nelly was old enough to be on her own, and she didn't want to move back to Iowa. She had practically raised all the other kids anyway, and Uncle and Aunt didn't know what to do without her, but they couldn't make her go with them. Uncle and Aunt worked in the oil refineries, so they worked lots of hours, a lot of them at night, and Nelly had to watch over all the kids. She didn't have a normal childhood. She cooked and cleaned and raised kids from about the age of 10. I don't blame her for staying in CA when the family moved to Iowa.
The rest of the kids did pretty well in IA...they had an old farm house out in the country and they learned how to raise animals and take care of some land. Nelly and I stayed in touch because I only lived about an hour away from her. I would drive over and hang out with her when I could. She was working as a checker at a grocery store, but she wasn't getting enough hours to make a good living. She asked our grandparents for help, and they gave her money and helped her get her car fixed...but she never made an effort to pay them back, and the wouldn't show up for family meals when they asked her to. So, Grandma and Grandpa stopped giving her money. Nelly lived in her own apartment until she couldn't afford it anymore, and then she got some roommates. She had boyfriend after boyfriend, and all she talked about was clothes and partying and how she wanted a boob job.
One day Nelly called me in tears...she thought she had herpes. She had been dating a guy who she had just broken up with, and then she ended up with herpes. She had just found out that he had it. I drove over, not sure what I would be able to do, but she needed someone. I tried to talk her into moving to my town, where it was cheaper to live and she could start over. By the time I got to her apartment, she had calmed down and decided that she could make it on her own. We talked several more times after that, but then she stopped calling as much. When she did call she would promise to come for family dinners, but she never showed.
A couple years after that, the next oldest, Reyna, started arguing with her dad. He was being very strict on her and she wanted more freedom. Reyna ended up moving out to live on her own. She worked at Hooters to make enough money to live on…and she started partying a lot. Then she decided she wanted to move to CA and live near her older sister, who was partying it up in CA.
The next sister is Suki. She’s such a smart girl! She is now in CA, too, engaged to be married, and working on her college degree. Are you starting to see a trend here? These kids are all following the same path…of course I don’t know all the details, but I know that my Aunt and Uncle yelled a lot, they didn’t give the kids very much freedom, and they treated them like slaves a lot of the time. Now, I love my Aunt and Uncle a lot, but I would have parented these kids differently. Of course, they have their own problems. Aunt was diagnosed with MS years ago, and she has a very hard time getting around anymore. Uncle has epilepsy and terrible back pains. They both appear to be much older than they are.
There are still 3 more kids to tell you about. Matty is the next oldest. He’s still in IA. When he graduated from high school he started working full time and met the love of his life, who he is marrying this fall. He stayed living at home for a couple years to save money, but he’s now moved out on his own. The next kid is Rita. Rita lives in a foster home. I don’t know exactly what happened, but she accused her parents of being abusive…it might be halfway true, but I also think she added quite a bit to the story. She lives with a family in a town close to her parents, but doesn’t see them very often any more. When my Grandad died, she had to come to the funeral with an escort from social services. She’ll be 18 soon and will have to figure out what she wants to do from there.
That brings us to Little Man. For the last couple years he was in IA, he was there with just Matty who was working a lot and home as little as possible. The summer before he went to live with my parents he started fighting with his parents, getting physical at times, and Uncle and Aunt called my parents to see if they could take him for the year. I think they were trying to avoid a situation like they got into with Rita. It’s worked out great for him with my parents. He’s started working out, he’s getting good grades, he’s made lots of friends, and he’s turned into a “Little Man”.
That’s the history, and I’m sorry it’s so long, but this post is more for me to work things out in my mind that to be eloquent in my writing.
So, now we’re at present time. Little Man is living with mom and dad, and his 3 oldest sisters are living 4 hours away in NorCal. He sees them occasionally, but only when M&D drive him up there to see them. Other than those times, his sisters (Nelly, Reyna, and Suki) are living their own lives in NorCal. Nelly is a bartender, and I think she’s going to beauty school also. Reyna works the cosmetics counter at a swanky department store in SF, and Suki is finishing up college. All of them brag about how they like to drink until they can’t remember things, they post provocative pictures on their myspace sites, and they have almost NO contact with other family members in their part of the state.
A few weeks ago, my grandma had surgery, and M&D and Little Man planned to drive up on Friday to visit her. On Monday of that week, Little Man found out, on accident, that his parents who he hasn’t seen since last August were in CA, at Nelly’s place. They had flown out for an awards ceremony at the refinery where they used to work. Little Man called them on the phone and asked them to come to his band concert a couple days later (it would mean a 4 hour drive). They said NO because that was the night they were supposed to receive the award. LM asked again, saying it was his biggest concert, and he really wanted them to come see it…they still said NO. Then he asked if they would at least drive down and visit him while they were in town. They said they would see. When it became apparent that they weren’t going to come visit, he called again and asked them to delay their trip home because he would be there Friday night (they were leaving on Friday morning). They said NO, that would be too expensive. Poor kid never got to see his parents!
And Little Man wants to go back and live with THEM for high school??? I don’t get it. He been ignored by his family, pushed away, and he wants to go back for more! Don’t get me wrong, I love his family – his parents and his siblings. I don’t necessarily agree with a lot of the choices that they have made, but I still love them. And I love LM, too, and I want him to have all kinds of opportunities and choices, and I want him to have a family who loves him and makes him a priority. He’s stuck in the middle. He’s had to grow up too fast.
M&D aren’t going to force him to stay with our family, so I hope he really thinks about his future and makes his decision based on all the facts.
All right, this is long enough…and I’ve probably scared everyone with my wacky family…but I needed to get it out. Now I’m going to go to bed. Good night
Little Man is the youngest of 6 children. His Dad (Uncle) is my mom's older brother. Uncle married my Aunt and adopted her daughter when she was just a couple years old. Then they had 5 more children (there's 14 years between the oldest and the youngest). Somewhere in there the whole family moved to Iowa, Uncle and Aunt got divorced, one of them moved back to CA with all the kids, then the other moved back to CA, and they got back together. I'm still not sure if they ever remarried.
When the oldest, Nelly, was about 19, Uncle and Aunt decided to move back to Iowa. Nelly was old enough to be on her own, and she didn't want to move back to Iowa. She had practically raised all the other kids anyway, and Uncle and Aunt didn't know what to do without her, but they couldn't make her go with them. Uncle and Aunt worked in the oil refineries, so they worked lots of hours, a lot of them at night, and Nelly had to watch over all the kids. She didn't have a normal childhood. She cooked and cleaned and raised kids from about the age of 10. I don't blame her for staying in CA when the family moved to Iowa.
The rest of the kids did pretty well in IA...they had an old farm house out in the country and they learned how to raise animals and take care of some land. Nelly and I stayed in touch because I only lived about an hour away from her. I would drive over and hang out with her when I could. She was working as a checker at a grocery store, but she wasn't getting enough hours to make a good living. She asked our grandparents for help, and they gave her money and helped her get her car fixed...but she never made an effort to pay them back, and the wouldn't show up for family meals when they asked her to. So, Grandma and Grandpa stopped giving her money. Nelly lived in her own apartment until she couldn't afford it anymore, and then she got some roommates. She had boyfriend after boyfriend, and all she talked about was clothes and partying and how she wanted a boob job.
One day Nelly called me in tears...she thought she had herpes. She had been dating a guy who she had just broken up with, and then she ended up with herpes. She had just found out that he had it. I drove over, not sure what I would be able to do, but she needed someone. I tried to talk her into moving to my town, where it was cheaper to live and she could start over. By the time I got to her apartment, she had calmed down and decided that she could make it on her own. We talked several more times after that, but then she stopped calling as much. When she did call she would promise to come for family dinners, but she never showed.
A couple years after that, the next oldest, Reyna, started arguing with her dad. He was being very strict on her and she wanted more freedom. Reyna ended up moving out to live on her own. She worked at Hooters to make enough money to live on…and she started partying a lot. Then she decided she wanted to move to CA and live near her older sister, who was partying it up in CA.
The next sister is Suki. She’s such a smart girl! She is now in CA, too, engaged to be married, and working on her college degree. Are you starting to see a trend here? These kids are all following the same path…of course I don’t know all the details, but I know that my Aunt and Uncle yelled a lot, they didn’t give the kids very much freedom, and they treated them like slaves a lot of the time. Now, I love my Aunt and Uncle a lot, but I would have parented these kids differently. Of course, they have their own problems. Aunt was diagnosed with MS years ago, and she has a very hard time getting around anymore. Uncle has epilepsy and terrible back pains. They both appear to be much older than they are.
There are still 3 more kids to tell you about. Matty is the next oldest. He’s still in IA. When he graduated from high school he started working full time and met the love of his life, who he is marrying this fall. He stayed living at home for a couple years to save money, but he’s now moved out on his own. The next kid is Rita. Rita lives in a foster home. I don’t know exactly what happened, but she accused her parents of being abusive…it might be halfway true, but I also think she added quite a bit to the story. She lives with a family in a town close to her parents, but doesn’t see them very often any more. When my Grandad died, she had to come to the funeral with an escort from social services. She’ll be 18 soon and will have to figure out what she wants to do from there.
That brings us to Little Man. For the last couple years he was in IA, he was there with just Matty who was working a lot and home as little as possible. The summer before he went to live with my parents he started fighting with his parents, getting physical at times, and Uncle and Aunt called my parents to see if they could take him for the year. I think they were trying to avoid a situation like they got into with Rita. It’s worked out great for him with my parents. He’s started working out, he’s getting good grades, he’s made lots of friends, and he’s turned into a “Little Man”.
That’s the history, and I’m sorry it’s so long, but this post is more for me to work things out in my mind that to be eloquent in my writing.
So, now we’re at present time. Little Man is living with mom and dad, and his 3 oldest sisters are living 4 hours away in NorCal. He sees them occasionally, but only when M&D drive him up there to see them. Other than those times, his sisters (Nelly, Reyna, and Suki) are living their own lives in NorCal. Nelly is a bartender, and I think she’s going to beauty school also. Reyna works the cosmetics counter at a swanky department store in SF, and Suki is finishing up college. All of them brag about how they like to drink until they can’t remember things, they post provocative pictures on their myspace sites, and they have almost NO contact with other family members in their part of the state.
A few weeks ago, my grandma had surgery, and M&D and Little Man planned to drive up on Friday to visit her. On Monday of that week, Little Man found out, on accident, that his parents who he hasn’t seen since last August were in CA, at Nelly’s place. They had flown out for an awards ceremony at the refinery where they used to work. Little Man called them on the phone and asked them to come to his band concert a couple days later (it would mean a 4 hour drive). They said NO because that was the night they were supposed to receive the award. LM asked again, saying it was his biggest concert, and he really wanted them to come see it…they still said NO. Then he asked if they would at least drive down and visit him while they were in town. They said they would see. When it became apparent that they weren’t going to come visit, he called again and asked them to delay their trip home because he would be there Friday night (they were leaving on Friday morning). They said NO, that would be too expensive. Poor kid never got to see his parents!
And Little Man wants to go back and live with THEM for high school??? I don’t get it. He been ignored by his family, pushed away, and he wants to go back for more! Don’t get me wrong, I love his family – his parents and his siblings. I don’t necessarily agree with a lot of the choices that they have made, but I still love them. And I love LM, too, and I want him to have all kinds of opportunities and choices, and I want him to have a family who loves him and makes him a priority. He’s stuck in the middle. He’s had to grow up too fast.
M&D aren’t going to force him to stay with our family, so I hope he really thinks about his future and makes his decision based on all the facts.
All right, this is long enough…and I’ve probably scared everyone with my wacky family…but I needed to get it out. Now I’m going to go to bed. Good night
Thursday, February 15, 2007
V-Day Recap
Aside from the fact that it was below 10 degrees and we had freezing drizzle, Valentines Day was a great day....once I got home from work.
Instead of joining the millions of people fighting for service at the local restaurants, we decided to stay home, save some money, and have a home-cooked meal (by me!) with just the 2 of us. So, I made a lazy lasagna (all the flavors, but about 1/3 of the work), fresh bread, and salad for dinner. For dessert, I made a heart-shaped chocolate chip cookie that we topped with Haagen Dazs Vanilla Bean (Lite) ice cream as soon as it came out of the oven. Yumm!!
We had decided not to spend any money on gifts, so I cooked, and B made me a wonderful gift! Remember how I said that my hubby is creative and loves to make things? Well, when we had been married for 6 months, I came home from a business trip to find a wooden tray, filled with sand and pictures from our first 6 months as a married couple. It was made to look like a little scene from our lives together. Every year, on our anniversary, B adds to it. Here's what it looks like after 6 years of marriage.
The house is a drawing of the first house we owned together. The cars have changed as we've bought different cars, so they represent what we drive today. There are pictures of our dogs when they were puppies, the rock is from our trip to Ireland last spring, there's a sticker of a Moose from Jackson Hole, another vacation destination. The icy tree reminds us of the ice storm we survived in East Texas 2 weeks after our wedding, and the palm tree reminds us that one week before the ice storm we were in Maui. Oh yeah, and there's our voter stub from the election where we votedr the Governator into office...y'know, all the memorable times in our life!
SO, for V-Day, B took some of the tiny tiny people from his train layout and painted them and glued them to a rock, to "remember the happiest day of my life" (his words, but true) - our wedding! Now, how sweet and romantic is that?? What a guy I nabbed...
Instead of joining the millions of people fighting for service at the local restaurants, we decided to stay home, save some money, and have a home-cooked meal (by me!) with just the 2 of us. So, I made a lazy lasagna (all the flavors, but about 1/3 of the work), fresh bread, and salad for dinner. For dessert, I made a heart-shaped chocolate chip cookie that we topped with Haagen Dazs Vanilla Bean (Lite) ice cream as soon as it came out of the oven. Yumm!!
We had decided not to spend any money on gifts, so I cooked, and B made me a wonderful gift! Remember how I said that my hubby is creative and loves to make things? Well, when we had been married for 6 months, I came home from a business trip to find a wooden tray, filled with sand and pictures from our first 6 months as a married couple. It was made to look like a little scene from our lives together. Every year, on our anniversary, B adds to it. Here's what it looks like after 6 years of marriage.
The house is a drawing of the first house we owned together. The cars have changed as we've bought different cars, so they represent what we drive today. There are pictures of our dogs when they were puppies, the rock is from our trip to Ireland last spring, there's a sticker of a Moose from Jackson Hole, another vacation destination. The icy tree reminds us of the ice storm we survived in East Texas 2 weeks after our wedding, and the palm tree reminds us that one week before the ice storm we were in Maui. Oh yeah, and there's our voter stub from the election where we votedr the Governator into office...y'know, all the memorable times in our life!
SO, for V-Day, B took some of the tiny tiny people from his train layout and painted them and glued them to a rock, to "remember the happiest day of my life" (his words, but true) - our wedding! Now, how sweet and romantic is that?? What a guy I nabbed...
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
My Honey’s Hobby
Since it’s Valentine’s Day, I have decided to write about my hubby’s hobby. B is a very creative guy. He loves to build things, he loves to paint, and he’s the only person who was able to convince me that it’s ok to branch out and paint the walls a wacky color. See, before B, I always thought houses looked cool when the walls were painted something other that white…I mean, who doesn’t think that? But, I was so nervous about taking that step and putting color on the walls…B broke me of that. In fact, the first year we were married and living in the ends-of-the-earth, aka East Texas, we spent a lot of time peeling flowering wallpaper from our walls and painting them bright fun colors.
Over the years, B has developed several hobbies (aside from watching football and playing golf)…he rolls his own cigars (yes, all you ladies out there, if you need a gift for your loved on…B’s cigars are great and he sells them for $3 each – that’s a steal!)…he’s painted a water color of each house we’ve lived in, he makes shadow boxes to remember our favorite trips, and he’s built a wet bar, a gun rack, and cabinets to hold our collections of shot glasses and golf balls. But, those aren’t what I’m here to tell you about today…
He also builds N Scale Model Train layouts. He liked trains growing up, but about 5 years ago, he picked it up again…our dining room table turned into a train layout. Luckily, he’s been able to upgrade since then. He now has his layout in the basement, starting in the storage/utility room, and coming THROUGH the wall into the main room of the basement.
It’s a never ending process. He is always adding to it or changing it, and he’s always looking for materials that will make it better. Last weekend we went to a model train show, and we bought model houses and miniature people to add to the layout. For those of you non-train people out there, an N scale train is about 1 ½ inches tall, so the people are VERY small.
A lot of what he puts into his layout comes from our own interests or places that we have visited. Last spring we went to Ireland, so one part of the layout includes the Cliffs of Moher. I spend A LOT of my time at the YMCA, so it has made an appearance as well. Of course, there is a golf course, a Hummer dealership, and a cigar shop. B used to work in the citrus industry, so there is an orange grove (complete with an outhouse to demonstrate where E-Coli comes from -- he has a sense of humor, too!). Almost all of the companies we have worked for have made an appearance in the layout somewhere.
The Hummer dealership is the building outlined in yellow below...it sits right next to the shoe store, which B says is where I spend most of my time. Can you find the sniper in the scene?
Since we live in KS now, a grain elevator HAS to make an appearance.
Here's the orange grove...the outhouse is somewhere right in the middle...you can probably see it if you click on the image to make it bigger.
This is one place we haven't visited yet...someday...
Here we are wishful thinking there was still a beach nearby...actually, it's the bank of a lake that sits right beside the awesome YMCA he built...
I’m so lucky to have such a creative husband. He balances my engineering, type-A personality very well! And it’s fun to go to the shows with him and watch him get so excited when he sees something he can use. Any kids we have will be very lucky that he’s their dad – those school projects will look awesome!
Happy Valentine’s Day, B! I’m glad I caught ya!
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Big Whoop!
People are crowded around the TV in the lobby of our building right now, staring at the broadcast from Fox News. Why are they crowded around the TV? Because Anna Nicole Smith has died.
Wait! Stop the presses, the world may be coming to an end.
What the heck! Do people stop and gawk at the TV when reports of soldiers dying in Iraq go across the screen? Or when an Amber Alert is issued for a child? NO! But, the blonde bimbo herself kicks the bucket, and the world is ending.
Ok, maybe it’s just more from sheer curiosity and not that they think Anna is more important than other things, but that’s ALL I’ve heard as people pass by my cube…which is only a few feet from the lobby.
The poor child that she brought into this world last year…of course, the baby may be better off now. Who knows. Sorry if I sound a little callous, but I’m not exactly surprised that the playboy-bunny/TrimSpa-popper/NOT-mother-of-the-year ANS kicked the bucket…live hard, die hard.
Disclaimer: I have no sympathy today as I battle it out at work with the MOTHER of all colds.
Saturday, February 03, 2007
100!!!
This is my one hundreth post...which is hard for me to believe since I just started my blog last July...that means I've probably spent too much time online in the last 7 months, but oh well.
Shell tagged me with this meme, so I better take care of it...here goes...I have to tell you 5 things that you may not know about me.
1. I hate horror movies. I think I always have. When I was younger and it was cool to watch Friday the 13th and Freddy Kruger movies, I put up with them to be "kewl", but I don't really like them...what's fun about blood and gore and scary stuff?? Give me a romantic comedy any day!
2. I don't believe in ghosts. We have a friend who says his house is haunted, and a couple people have stayed with him and said the same thing...but I don't believe it. I think it's all in their heads.
3. B and I may become the "parents" of a high schooler in the fall. This is new news, so no one knows it yet...my cousin lives w/ my parents and he starts 9th grade in the fall. Mom and Dad are moving to KS next spring, but we want cousin to start high school here, so he may come stay with us until M&D get here. So, today we have no children, and this summer we may have a teenager! How's that for instant parents?? I'm excited though.
4. I am keeping my eyes open for how to become independently wealthy. I don't want to have a boss anymore...and I don't want to have to go to a job every day if I wake up and decide I don't want to. Anyone got any great ideas??
5. I have only been in love one time, with one person...my hubby!
Shell tagged me with this meme, so I better take care of it...here goes...I have to tell you 5 things that you may not know about me.
1. I hate horror movies. I think I always have. When I was younger and it was cool to watch Friday the 13th and Freddy Kruger movies, I put up with them to be "kewl", but I don't really like them...what's fun about blood and gore and scary stuff?? Give me a romantic comedy any day!
2. I don't believe in ghosts. We have a friend who says his house is haunted, and a couple people have stayed with him and said the same thing...but I don't believe it. I think it's all in their heads.
3. B and I may become the "parents" of a high schooler in the fall. This is new news, so no one knows it yet...my cousin lives w/ my parents and he starts 9th grade in the fall. Mom and Dad are moving to KS next spring, but we want cousin to start high school here, so he may come stay with us until M&D get here. So, today we have no children, and this summer we may have a teenager! How's that for instant parents?? I'm excited though.
4. I am keeping my eyes open for how to become independently wealthy. I don't want to have a boss anymore...and I don't want to have to go to a job every day if I wake up and decide I don't want to. Anyone got any great ideas??
5. I have only been in love one time, with one person...my hubby!
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Just the facts
1. Several area churches have had one of their appliances burglarized and parts stolen from them to use as drug paraphernalia.
2. The company I work for manufactures said appliances.
3. The community I live in has NO idea that a company manufactures these appliances here in town, and the majority of people who live here use a different brand.
4. We have way more inventory than we can sell right now, thus explaining the 200+ people who are laid off right now.
5. Said company was approached (by me) with the suggestion to donate new appliances to these churches.
6. Request was immediately denied by person in charge of donations.
7. I don't get shot down easily, so I have asked someone on the next rung of the ladder...no answer yet.
What the heck is this world coming to??
2. The company I work for manufactures said appliances.
3. The community I live in has NO idea that a company manufactures these appliances here in town, and the majority of people who live here use a different brand.
4. We have way more inventory than we can sell right now, thus explaining the 200+ people who are laid off right now.
5. Said company was approached (by me) with the suggestion to donate new appliances to these churches.
6. Request was immediately denied by person in charge of donations.
7. I don't get shot down easily, so I have asked someone on the next rung of the ladder...no answer yet.
What the heck is this world coming to??
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Intimate Pursuits
So, have any of you ever been to one of those girls only parties where you sit around and watch someone tell you about all the greatest sex toys?? I have! And I was so nervous at the start of the party, but it turned out to be so much fun!
I sat there with all my old buddies from high school (we've been friends for over 15 years now!), and we just kinda looked around at each other not sure what to do as the lady was talking about the vibrating cock ring (which we nicknamed the VCR). At the end of the show, she said we could meet with her privately to purchase our goods and she'd put them in plain brown paper bags so no one would know what we bought. So, what did we do?? As soon as we got back to the living room, those bags opened up so we could all see what each other got. It was great!! And it's made for some interesting conversations since then..."how's the VCR working?" "Oh, hubby loves it!" or "the batteries are dead...must go get more!"
Anyway, I stumbled upon a new blog recently by Sugarmama, and she used to own one of these fun businesses, Intimate Pursuits, and she's selling all her remaining inventory for 50% off!
So, check out her blog (see the January 12 posting), and check out her website...see if you see anything fun!
I sat there with all my old buddies from high school (we've been friends for over 15 years now!), and we just kinda looked around at each other not sure what to do as the lady was talking about the vibrating cock ring (which we nicknamed the VCR). At the end of the show, she said we could meet with her privately to purchase our goods and she'd put them in plain brown paper bags so no one would know what we bought. So, what did we do?? As soon as we got back to the living room, those bags opened up so we could all see what each other got. It was great!! And it's made for some interesting conversations since then..."how's the VCR working?" "Oh, hubby loves it!" or "the batteries are dead...must go get more!"
Anyway, I stumbled upon a new blog recently by Sugarmama, and she used to own one of these fun businesses, Intimate Pursuits, and she's selling all her remaining inventory for 50% off!
So, check out her blog (see the January 12 posting), and check out her website...see if you see anything fun!
Friday, January 26, 2007
Weird Dream
Okay, Dramamama, all your dream talk has caused me to have my own weird dream. I've been out of town all week, so last night was the first time I slept in my own bed in several days...I don't know why that means that I should have weird dreams, but apparently it does.
Last night I dreamed that we were moving to Mississippi...I'm not exactly sure where in Mississippi, but somewhere. I can't remember all the details like D'Mama does, but here are some of them. Please note that this is a DREAM...not true at all!
Even though we had only lived in KS for a few months, we decided to move again.
Neither B nor I had actual jobs there...I had been offered one a while back, but had turned it down, but we thought they would just give it to me if I showed up.
Mom and Dad were upset at first b/c we were leaving KS (where they were planning to move), but then they were excited for us.
I made plans to drive to 'ol Miss with an old acquaintance from high school to get settled...someone who I have not seen in about 12 years.
The dream ended where I was trying to get everything all together in order to leave to drive down there.
WEIRD!! Ok, so let's try to see what this means...besides the fact that I was way over-tired, there's got to be something in there. We love KS so far...we love our neighborhood and the town and that we have made friends so quickly, so it's not that. But, I'm not exactly happy in my job. It's boring, and the company is ALL about politice (I HATE politics in the workplace), and people are rewarded and promoted and given astronomically huge offices just because they've been around forever, not because they actually contribute to the success of the business. Maybe that had something to do with it?
Who knows, and I don't really care...I was just so excited that I remembered one of my dreams!
Last night I dreamed that we were moving to Mississippi...I'm not exactly sure where in Mississippi, but somewhere. I can't remember all the details like D'Mama does, but here are some of them. Please note that this is a DREAM...not true at all!
Even though we had only lived in KS for a few months, we decided to move again.
Neither B nor I had actual jobs there...I had been offered one a while back, but had turned it down, but we thought they would just give it to me if I showed up.
Mom and Dad were upset at first b/c we were leaving KS (where they were planning to move), but then they were excited for us.
I made plans to drive to 'ol Miss with an old acquaintance from high school to get settled...someone who I have not seen in about 12 years.
The dream ended where I was trying to get everything all together in order to leave to drive down there.
WEIRD!! Ok, so let's try to see what this means...besides the fact that I was way over-tired, there's got to be something in there. We love KS so far...we love our neighborhood and the town and that we have made friends so quickly, so it's not that. But, I'm not exactly happy in my job. It's boring, and the company is ALL about politice (I HATE politics in the workplace), and people are rewarded and promoted and given astronomically huge offices just because they've been around forever, not because they actually contribute to the success of the business. Maybe that had something to do with it?
Who knows, and I don't really care...I was just so excited that I remembered one of my dreams!
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Pop!
I feel like I'm going to pop!
I'm in Oklahoma this week for work...and that means dinners out...when others pay the bill...and that means that I eat too much!
I'd been doing really well until we went out for THE BEST German food last night. The restaurant had come highly recommended from several people, and since I have German blood coursing through my veins, I had to try it out. I managed to convince 7 other people to go with me, so off we went in search of The Royal Bavaria in Moore, OK. Check out the link, and make sure your sound is on...we got to listen to similar stuff while we were there! I felt like I was IN Germany!
This place is AWESOME! The menu has no less than 25 entree choices from authentic German dishes...anything from schnitzel to brauten to port loin, and then there's the beer that's brewed on the premises and homemade bread and Black Forest Cake...and I tasted just about everything! The Black Forest cake was made on site, and it was the REAL DEAL! Actually, everything was made on site! The dining room was decorated in true German fashion with rustic wood tables and chairs, doilies on the tables, and the blue and white Bavarian flag. We spent 2 hours gobbling our food, slurping our beer and stuffing dessert into our faces...and then we rolled ourselves out to the cars.
I couldn't drag my butt to the exercise room, so I did crunches and lunges and pushups in my room...which in no way worked off all the calories from dinner, but at least it was something.
AND THEN, tonight, I did it again. This time we went to a steak house where I couldn't pass up the fillet, baked potato, salad with creamy garlic dressing, and 2 glasses of Pinot Noir. And, once again, I'm in my room doing crunches, leg lifts and pushups...where is my will power??
I'm in Oklahoma this week for work...and that means dinners out...when others pay the bill...and that means that I eat too much!
I'd been doing really well until we went out for THE BEST German food last night. The restaurant had come highly recommended from several people, and since I have German blood coursing through my veins, I had to try it out. I managed to convince 7 other people to go with me, so off we went in search of The Royal Bavaria in Moore, OK. Check out the link, and make sure your sound is on...we got to listen to similar stuff while we were there! I felt like I was IN Germany!
This place is AWESOME! The menu has no less than 25 entree choices from authentic German dishes...anything from schnitzel to brauten to port loin, and then there's the beer that's brewed on the premises and homemade bread and Black Forest Cake...and I tasted just about everything! The Black Forest cake was made on site, and it was the REAL DEAL! Actually, everything was made on site! The dining room was decorated in true German fashion with rustic wood tables and chairs, doilies on the tables, and the blue and white Bavarian flag. We spent 2 hours gobbling our food, slurping our beer and stuffing dessert into our faces...and then we rolled ourselves out to the cars.
I couldn't drag my butt to the exercise room, so I did crunches and lunges and pushups in my room...which in no way worked off all the calories from dinner, but at least it was something.
AND THEN, tonight, I did it again. This time we went to a steak house where I couldn't pass up the fillet, baked potato, salad with creamy garlic dressing, and 2 glasses of Pinot Noir. And, once again, I'm in my room doing crunches, leg lifts and pushups...where is my will power??
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Shoveling, Blisters, and Aliens
One of the last 10 snow shovels in Wichita, Kansas: $8.99
Calories burned from shoveling driveway: 285
Blisters produced during effort: 1
The feeling that I cleared the driveway, all by myself: Priceless!
Check out my work...and my blister:
After my "workout", B and I (mostly B) made a HUGE snowman in the back yard...he's over 7' tall! He's kind of a funny looking snowman -- looks more like an alien...maybe a long-lost family member of ET. I made B stand next to him so you can see how big he is...B is 6'1"...
The sun came out right after we finished the snowman and came back in. It's gorgeous!! People are outside all over our neighborhood -- shoveling snow, sledding with their kids, throwing snowballs. The temperature isn't too cold, there is NO wind, and the snow covering everything is beautiful. When we took the dogs for a walk this morning, we smelled homemade bread baking. Somehow, I'm starting to really enjoy the winter! What's happened to me??
Calories burned from shoveling driveway: 285
Blisters produced during effort: 1
The feeling that I cleared the driveway, all by myself: Priceless!
Check out my work...and my blister:
After my "workout", B and I (mostly B) made a HUGE snowman in the back yard...he's over 7' tall! He's kind of a funny looking snowman -- looks more like an alien...maybe a long-lost family member of ET. I made B stand next to him so you can see how big he is...B is 6'1"...
The sun came out right after we finished the snowman and came back in. It's gorgeous!! People are outside all over our neighborhood -- shoveling snow, sledding with their kids, throwing snowballs. The temperature isn't too cold, there is NO wind, and the snow covering everything is beautiful. When we took the dogs for a walk this morning, we smelled homemade bread baking. Somehow, I'm starting to really enjoy the winter! What's happened to me??
Saturday, January 20, 2007
"Look at those stupid Californians!"
I think my neighbors were hiding behind their curtains saying, "Look at those stupid Californians over there!" as we tried to clear the ice and snow from our driveway just now.
Lessons Learned about Shoveling Snow
1. A garden hoe is not the best tool to shovel ice and snow.
2. Do NOT wait until there is 3" of heavy wet snow on top of 2" of ice before you start clearing the driveway.
3. People in warm dry cars will look out at you and laugh outright.
4. You do NOT need to bundle up when you are shoveling 3" of heavy wet snow and 2" of ice. You WILL sweat!
5. On days that you plan to shovel ice and snow, you can probably skip your regular workout - this is workout enough!
This is how it worked...hubby used the garden shovel to break up the ice. I used the garden hoe, metal rake and push broom...and my hands...to shove the chunks of ice to the side and push the snow out of the driveway. Within 5 minutes, I was working up a sweat under my t-shirt, sweatshirt, scarf, hat and down coat. Both hubby and I had to stop frequently to rest and catch our breaths.
I'm really disappointed in the picture below because it DOES NOT accurately portray all the work we did...I think the reason is that new snow covered the driveway before I took the picture...but BELIEVE ME, the driveway was covered in inches of ice that hubby worked very hard to chip away...and I worked very hard to push it out of the way.
I have no idea how long it took to clear the drive, but when we were done, we hitched up the pups to their leashes and took a walk around the block. It was gorgeous! Everything is covered in white, and the puppies had a blast! Hubby kept scooping up snow and munching on it while the dogs just continued to accumulate snow in their fur. I think they both gained about 5 pounds in snow by the time we got home.
I made my first snow angel when we got back to the house...the picture DOES NOT do it justice!
Lessons Learned about Shoveling Snow
1. A garden hoe is not the best tool to shovel ice and snow.
2. Do NOT wait until there is 3" of heavy wet snow on top of 2" of ice before you start clearing the driveway.
3. People in warm dry cars will look out at you and laugh outright.
4. You do NOT need to bundle up when you are shoveling 3" of heavy wet snow and 2" of ice. You WILL sweat!
5. On days that you plan to shovel ice and snow, you can probably skip your regular workout - this is workout enough!
This is how it worked...hubby used the garden shovel to break up the ice. I used the garden hoe, metal rake and push broom...and my hands...to shove the chunks of ice to the side and push the snow out of the driveway. Within 5 minutes, I was working up a sweat under my t-shirt, sweatshirt, scarf, hat and down coat. Both hubby and I had to stop frequently to rest and catch our breaths.
I'm really disappointed in the picture below because it DOES NOT accurately portray all the work we did...I think the reason is that new snow covered the driveway before I took the picture...but BELIEVE ME, the driveway was covered in inches of ice that hubby worked very hard to chip away...and I worked very hard to push it out of the way.
I have no idea how long it took to clear the drive, but when we were done, we hitched up the pups to their leashes and took a walk around the block. It was gorgeous! Everything is covered in white, and the puppies had a blast! Hubby kept scooping up snow and munching on it while the dogs just continued to accumulate snow in their fur. I think they both gained about 5 pounds in snow by the time we got home.
I made my first snow angel when we got back to the house...the picture DOES NOT do it justice!
I LOVE our Hummer!
I know that you may be tired of posts about the weather or stupid drivers, on my site as well as others...but I.JUST.CAN'T.STOP.
It's snowing again! My 4th snow since we've lived here. It's BEAUTIFUL!! And I didn't hide out in the house this time! I'm so proud of myself. I went to my class at the gym this morning, where it snowed and snowed while I sweated and sweated. After class my plan was to head to Wal Mart to find a snow shovel. Ok, ok, maybe we should have bought a shovel before the FOURTH snow of the year, but we didn't...and Wal Mart has NONE! Actually, they have a wimpy plastic shovel that goes in the trunk of the car, but that will last 2 seconds on the 3" of ice on our driveway!
Then I waited in a LONG line at Starbucks for my Peppermint Latte so that I had a warm drink while I sat and had my nails done. I was going to go later this afternoon for my nail appointment, but there's no sign that the snow is going to let up.
I should mention that I drove our H3 for all these errands this morning. I got my car back from the shop yesterday, but I feel much more comfortable in the truck than my car. I had NO problems maneuvering through the snow, but other people did. It was a nightmare on the streets. Some people drove just as fast as normal, others still insisted on turning in front of each other. I just took it nice and slow.
I made it home with no problems, and as I pulled into the garage, I drove right over my newspaper which was BURIED in snow! I thought B had picked it up, but no, it was just buried!
Now I'm sitting on the couch warming up, thinking about eating Tortilla Soup for lunch, and about which neighbor I'm going to call to ask about borrowing their snow shovel...as our afternoon activity will be ATTEMPTING to clear the driveway...should be fun! If I can get my camera to work, I'll snap a few pictures.
Stay warm and safe out there! As soon as the novelty of snow wears off, I'll stop posting about it, I promise!
It's snowing again! My 4th snow since we've lived here. It's BEAUTIFUL!! And I didn't hide out in the house this time! I'm so proud of myself. I went to my class at the gym this morning, where it snowed and snowed while I sweated and sweated. After class my plan was to head to Wal Mart to find a snow shovel. Ok, ok, maybe we should have bought a shovel before the FOURTH snow of the year, but we didn't...and Wal Mart has NONE! Actually, they have a wimpy plastic shovel that goes in the trunk of the car, but that will last 2 seconds on the 3" of ice on our driveway!
Then I waited in a LONG line at Starbucks for my Peppermint Latte so that I had a warm drink while I sat and had my nails done. I was going to go later this afternoon for my nail appointment, but there's no sign that the snow is going to let up.
I should mention that I drove our H3 for all these errands this morning. I got my car back from the shop yesterday, but I feel much more comfortable in the truck than my car. I had NO problems maneuvering through the snow, but other people did. It was a nightmare on the streets. Some people drove just as fast as normal, others still insisted on turning in front of each other. I just took it nice and slow.
I made it home with no problems, and as I pulled into the garage, I drove right over my newspaper which was BURIED in snow! I thought B had picked it up, but no, it was just buried!
Now I'm sitting on the couch warming up, thinking about eating Tortilla Soup for lunch, and about which neighbor I'm going to call to ask about borrowing their snow shovel...as our afternoon activity will be ATTEMPTING to clear the driveway...should be fun! If I can get my camera to work, I'll snap a few pictures.
Stay warm and safe out there! As soon as the novelty of snow wears off, I'll stop posting about it, I promise!
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Freakin’ Texans
In my frustration this morning, I whipped out my laptop as we drove through East Texas and typed up the following. I couldn't post it until now when I'm home and connected again...but the "therapy" was much needed!
Westbound I-20 in Canton, TX, is empty! About 2 miles and 25 minutes ago, they routed ALL the traffic off of I-20 and onto the frontage road, which we are now crawling along. There is NO road work happening on the interstate (which is only 50 feet away from us), and there is NO accident, which was hubby’s theory for our exit from the main road. We have passed at least 2 other exits, where we could have been routed off, but NO, they had to take us off 2 miles back.
My only consolation is that I convinced hubby to turn off his boring sports talk radio…now we’re listening to satellite radio, Beastie Boys “You Gotta Fight…for your right…to party!” Wish I was partying now. Oh, hubby changed station, now it’s “Rollin’ on the River”…we are SO NOT rolling right now!
We just passed a billboard that says, “Jesus said, ‘It is Finished!’”…I wish this ridiculous road closing was finished!
Ok, now we can see a bunch of police lights up ahead…maybe it is an accident, but it still doesn’t explain why we got off the road so early…we are supposed to hit a model train store in Dallas before we meet my friend for lunch…we are going to be LATE!
Right before we exited, we passed by the exit for Tyler, Texas, the town we lived in when we first got married. Tyler is NOT a fun place to live. Everyone is snooty and rude and they think they’re big shots with old money. We lasted there for 1 ½ years, and then beat it out of there. I teased hubby and asked him if he wanted to stop and visit, but he said NO, we’d seen enough when we lived there!
We’re getting back on the interstate FINALLY. I have NO idea what was going on. We passed about 3 cop cars, with the little state troopers in their silly looking cowboy hats, and there was on car with their flashers on sitting on the shoulder. It had not been wrecked, it looked like someone was in the driver’s seat, and the cops were taking pictures. I’ll have to do some googling later to see if I can find out what happened. Our little detour cost us about 30 minutes. B will have to shop fast in his train store…someday I will post photos and blog about his latest hobby…the N Scale Model Train that has taken over our basement.
Oh, D’Mama…just wanted to tell you that hubby ate at Whataburger 3 times in the 36 hours we were in Louisiana…there was one right across the road from our hotel. I think his favorite item was the fried Cherry Pie!
Westbound I-20 in Canton, TX, is empty! About 2 miles and 25 minutes ago, they routed ALL the traffic off of I-20 and onto the frontage road, which we are now crawling along. There is NO road work happening on the interstate (which is only 50 feet away from us), and there is NO accident, which was hubby’s theory for our exit from the main road. We have passed at least 2 other exits, where we could have been routed off, but NO, they had to take us off 2 miles back.
My only consolation is that I convinced hubby to turn off his boring sports talk radio…now we’re listening to satellite radio, Beastie Boys “You Gotta Fight…for your right…to party!” Wish I was partying now. Oh, hubby changed station, now it’s “Rollin’ on the River”…we are SO NOT rolling right now!
We just passed a billboard that says, “Jesus said, ‘It is Finished!’”…I wish this ridiculous road closing was finished!
Ok, now we can see a bunch of police lights up ahead…maybe it is an accident, but it still doesn’t explain why we got off the road so early…we are supposed to hit a model train store in Dallas before we meet my friend for lunch…we are going to be LATE!
Right before we exited, we passed by the exit for Tyler, Texas, the town we lived in when we first got married. Tyler is NOT a fun place to live. Everyone is snooty and rude and they think they’re big shots with old money. We lasted there for 1 ½ years, and then beat it out of there. I teased hubby and asked him if he wanted to stop and visit, but he said NO, we’d seen enough when we lived there!
We’re getting back on the interstate FINALLY. I have NO idea what was going on. We passed about 3 cop cars, with the little state troopers in their silly looking cowboy hats, and there was on car with their flashers on sitting on the shoulder. It had not been wrecked, it looked like someone was in the driver’s seat, and the cops were taking pictures. I’ll have to do some googling later to see if I can find out what happened. Our little detour cost us about 30 minutes. B will have to shop fast in his train store…someday I will post photos and blog about his latest hobby…the N Scale Model Train that has taken over our basement.
Oh, D’Mama…just wanted to tell you that hubby ate at Whataburger 3 times in the 36 hours we were in Louisiana…there was one right across the road from our hotel. I think his favorite item was the fried Cherry Pie!
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Due to the weather...
We're in Louisiana. It's 34 degrees outside. They closed the movie theater "due to the weather." What??
I finished my training at 5pm today, so B and I decided to find a nice place for dinner and then go see The Good Shepherd.
Well, we did have a nice dinner at a place called Copeland's...B had a big juicy burger and I had blackened chicken (we ARE in Louisiana...I had to get something blackened!).
Then we headed over to the movie theater for our 7:50pm movie. The girl at the box office informed me that they were closing the theater due to the weather. I turned around and looked at the parking lot where there were one or two puddles, and the temperature was 34 degrees...I turned back around and said, "What weather?" She said they're closing the roads because of the ice...it's 34 degrees!!!
We turned around and left, but what the heck? Am I already such a midwest girl that a little ice doesn't scare me?? Ha! That's funny!
A storm blew through Shreveport today that wsn't expected. They said that it was sleeting, but all I ever saw was rain. They closed the schools at 11am today because the weather was so horrible.
I'm laughing so hard, because THIS WAS ME a few months ago...weather like this would have grounded me! Hubby should be proud of me!
Anyway, we're back in our hotel wishing that we would have driven to Dallas as soon as I finished working...we'd be almost halfway home by now! But, we'll leave tomorrow morning and stop in Dallas to have lunch with an old friend and her 2 boys. Ali was my next door neighbor when we lived in San Antonio in high school, and I haven't seen her for about 5 years when we went to her NYE party...I've never met her kids, so it will be tons of fun!
Monday, January 15, 2007
I finally ventured out…
I stayed home on Friday and worked from home…it was icy and slushy that morning when it was time to drive to work. But, it ended up being ok the rest of the day – cold and dreary, but ok to drive. I went to the grocery store to get some food, since the storm was supposed to roll in and stick around the rest of the weekend.
That was the LAST time I stuck my nose out until this morning, when I had to leave for work. The sleet came in all day Saturday and Sunday…it never really snowed…but our street and driveway and yard are covered in about 3 inches of HARD ICE.
I was a nervous wreck this morning, as I’ve never had to drive in this stuff before. And, I had to take my car to the shop on the way (more on that later), so B had to follow me and then drop me off at work. He was NOT sympathetic to my feelings. In fact, he was just plain mean about it. He told me to stop being a baby and get out there and learn how to drive in this stuff.
Yes, I need to learn how to drive in this, but I don’t need my husband yelling at me to stop being a baby…that’s not helpful, or encouraging, or nice. I got mad back at him and told him I was going to quit my job and not leave the house again until the roads were clear…I may even have muttered something about God-forsaken Kansas…who knows…
Finally, at 8:15, I bundled up and got into my car. Backing out of the garage and down the driveway was the worst part of the whole drive. B was right, I just need to get out into it and practice, but whatever. The roads had been plowed, salted, and sanded…so after I got out of our neighborhood (which HADN’T been plowed), I was fine. I just took it slow.
It took 30 minutes to drive the 10 miles across town to the shop for my car, where I had to leave my baby so they can replace the head gasket. For the last few weeks, my car has been telling me that the coolant level is low. The first couple times, we just filled it up, then B started to notice coolant leaking on the floor of the garage. So, I made an appointment at the only place in town that works on Saabs, and I took it in. We just thought the coolant tank had a leak in it…but, OH NO…the head gasket is blown.
Now, usually that means you’ve driven the car too hard, or run it out of oil, or something equally horrible…but I have done none of those things…so, who knows how this happened. Luckily when I bought my car, it came with an extended warranty that is still good. The estimate for the work came back at $771, which is 30% less than I thought it would be (my GF’s hubby thought it would be $3,000…what?? But he was WAY wrong), and my warranty will pay about 70% of the total. Not bad. So, my baby is sitting in the cold waiting to get fixed…it will probably be there most of this week.
It’s ok that I’m without a car this week because I’m supposed to go to Shreveport, LA, tomorrow for some training for work. I’M DRIVING 550 miles to Louisiana to a plant we have there to get some training FOR ONE DAY. I will spend twice as much time in the car as I will in the plant. Oh well, at least it’s not behind my desk!
And here’s the cool part of the whole thing. Hubby is going to go with me because the plant I’m going to visit makes the seats for the H3. The seat plant is part of my company, and the finished seats go straight across town to the final assembly plant for the H3…which, is the vehicle hubby owns, drives, and LOVES!! AND WE GET TO GO SEE IT!!
For all you non-manufacturing types out there, you may think I’m kinda strange, but I LOVE to see how things are built and manufactured, especially if it’s something I own. And if you saw my basement, you would know how much my former Marine hubby LOVES LOVES LOVES Hummers.
Of course, the storm that hit us also hit Oklahoma, Texas, and Louisiana, so we have to wait and see what the roads look like later today before we decide when we’re leaving.
That was the LAST time I stuck my nose out until this morning, when I had to leave for work. The sleet came in all day Saturday and Sunday…it never really snowed…but our street and driveway and yard are covered in about 3 inches of HARD ICE.
I was a nervous wreck this morning, as I’ve never had to drive in this stuff before. And, I had to take my car to the shop on the way (more on that later), so B had to follow me and then drop me off at work. He was NOT sympathetic to my feelings. In fact, he was just plain mean about it. He told me to stop being a baby and get out there and learn how to drive in this stuff.
Yes, I need to learn how to drive in this, but I don’t need my husband yelling at me to stop being a baby…that’s not helpful, or encouraging, or nice. I got mad back at him and told him I was going to quit my job and not leave the house again until the roads were clear…I may even have muttered something about God-forsaken Kansas…who knows…
Finally, at 8:15, I bundled up and got into my car. Backing out of the garage and down the driveway was the worst part of the whole drive. B was right, I just need to get out into it and practice, but whatever. The roads had been plowed, salted, and sanded…so after I got out of our neighborhood (which HADN’T been plowed), I was fine. I just took it slow.
It took 30 minutes to drive the 10 miles across town to the shop for my car, where I had to leave my baby so they can replace the head gasket. For the last few weeks, my car has been telling me that the coolant level is low. The first couple times, we just filled it up, then B started to notice coolant leaking on the floor of the garage. So, I made an appointment at the only place in town that works on Saabs, and I took it in. We just thought the coolant tank had a leak in it…but, OH NO…the head gasket is blown.
Now, usually that means you’ve driven the car too hard, or run it out of oil, or something equally horrible…but I have done none of those things…so, who knows how this happened. Luckily when I bought my car, it came with an extended warranty that is still good. The estimate for the work came back at $771, which is 30% less than I thought it would be (my GF’s hubby thought it would be $3,000…what?? But he was WAY wrong), and my warranty will pay about 70% of the total. Not bad. So, my baby is sitting in the cold waiting to get fixed…it will probably be there most of this week.
It’s ok that I’m without a car this week because I’m supposed to go to Shreveport, LA, tomorrow for some training for work. I’M DRIVING 550 miles to Louisiana to a plant we have there to get some training FOR ONE DAY. I will spend twice as much time in the car as I will in the plant. Oh well, at least it’s not behind my desk!
And here’s the cool part of the whole thing. Hubby is going to go with me because the plant I’m going to visit makes the seats for the H3. The seat plant is part of my company, and the finished seats go straight across town to the final assembly plant for the H3…which, is the vehicle hubby owns, drives, and LOVES!! AND WE GET TO GO SEE IT!!
For all you non-manufacturing types out there, you may think I’m kinda strange, but I LOVE to see how things are built and manufactured, especially if it’s something I own. And if you saw my basement, you would know how much my former Marine hubby LOVES LOVES LOVES Hummers.
Of course, the storm that hit us also hit Oklahoma, Texas, and Louisiana, so we have to wait and see what the roads look like later today before we decide when we’re leaving.
Friday, January 12, 2007
Oopsy Daisy!
My hubby is not the most graceful human being. He was quite the sports hero in his youth, and he was a big bad buff (active) Marine for 6 years, but in the last 10 years, he has become a little...well...clumsy.
I suppose that he's been a little clumsy his whole life, but as he gets older, I worry more. Those little trips and falls will cause a lot more pain and agony (for BOTH of us) as he gets older. I should probably mention that BOTH of us are VERY squeamish...I've already been told to call my buddy E whenever something happens, so she can be the CONSCIOUS rational thinking person...since it won't be B or I!
B is covered in scars from all of his escapades...some from getting hurt by doing something stupid, and some from, well, just tripping over his own feet.
In high school, he was walking back to his desk in math after turning in a paper when he tripped and fell THROUGH a plate glass window. They have since replaced all of those type of windows.
In the Marines, the guys were screwing around in the halls of the dorm (that NEVER happens, right?)...they soaped up the floors, then ran and slid down them...something a 6'1" clumsy man should never do...and B slid his head RIGHT INTO a door jam. Now, the man doesn't have much hair, so the 4" scar on the side of his melon is pretty obvious!
THEN (yes, there's more), when we were dating, I sent him for more butter on the popcorn during a movie, and as he was leaving the theater he tripped on the step and sent popcorn AND himself flying. I couldn't help it, I laughed...I think it was just a snicker until he picked himself up and left the theater, but then a big GUFFAW came out. I made sure he was ok when he came back, and we both giggled a little...and he STILL married me.
Now, at this theater fiasco, he was wearing a pair of leather mocassins...not exactly shoes you should wear out of the house. He's had these mocassins FOREVER, and he will NEVER get rid of them...I've resigned myself to that fact.
Well, the mocassins came into play again this morning. We are the middle of a "winter storm" which means there's ice on the ground, it's 15 degrees outside, and we'll probably lose power sometime over the weekend. I'm a big wimp, so I decided to work from home today instead of brave the icy interstate. So, B, being the GREAT hubby he is, ventured out to get the newspaper for me this morning...in the mocassins. Did I mention that they have a SLICK leather bottom??
As he's out there, I'm thinking, I hope he doesn't fall and hit his head on the front steps, but I just sat there typing away on my laptop. About 5 minutes later, he comes limping in and throws the newspaper at my feet and says, "I fell down."
I jump up and ask him, "Are you ok??! Where did you fall?"
"On the sidewalk," he says, "the puppies couldn't see me, they couldn't help me....AAhhh!"
Our dogs sit by the storm door and watch EVERYTHING that goes by all day long...except for B when he falls down.
Being the helpful wife that I am, I say, "See, you should have put those ice walker things on that your mom gave you. Are you hurt?"
"If I was a 60 year old, I'd have a broken hip right now," he says as he hobbles into the basement to lick his wounds.
What's going to happen when he IS 60??
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
One Nation, "Under God"
My almost-SIL sent this to me this morning, and I LOVE it!
SOMEBODY'S RAISING THEIR KID RIGHT!
One Nation, "Under God"
One day a 6 year old girl was sitting in a classroom. The teacher was going to explain evolution to the children.
The teacher asked a little boy: Tommy do you see the tree outside?
TOMMY: Yes.
TEACHER: Tommy, do you see the grass outside?
TOMMY: Yes.
TEACHER: Go outside and look up and see if you can see the sky.
TOMMY: Okay. (He returned a few minutes later) Yes, I saw the sky.
TEACHER: Did you see God up there?
TOMMY: No.
TEACHER: That's my point. We can't see God because he isn't there. Possibly he just doesn't exist.
A little girl spoke up and wanted to ask the boy some questions.
The teacher agreed, and the little girl asked the boy: Tommy, do you see the tree outside?
TOMMY: Yes.
LITTLE GIRL: Tommy do you see the grass outside?
TOMMY: Yessssss!
LITTLE GIRL: Did you see the sky?
TOMMY: Yessssss!
LITTLE GIRL: Tommy, do you see the teacher?
TOMMY: Yes
LITTLE GIRL: Do you see her brain?
TOMMY: No
LITTLE GIRL: Then according to what we were taught today in school, she possibly
may not even have one!
(You Go Girl!)
"FOR WE WALK BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT"
II CORINTHIANS 5:7
SOMEBODY'S RAISING THEIR KID RIGHT!
One Nation, "Under God"
One day a 6 year old girl was sitting in a classroom. The teacher was going to explain evolution to the children.
The teacher asked a little boy: Tommy do you see the tree outside?
TOMMY: Yes.
TEACHER: Tommy, do you see the grass outside?
TOMMY: Yes.
TEACHER: Go outside and look up and see if you can see the sky.
TOMMY: Okay. (He returned a few minutes later) Yes, I saw the sky.
TEACHER: Did you see God up there?
TOMMY: No.
TEACHER: That's my point. We can't see God because he isn't there. Possibly he just doesn't exist.
A little girl spoke up and wanted to ask the boy some questions.
The teacher agreed, and the little girl asked the boy: Tommy, do you see the tree outside?
TOMMY: Yes.
LITTLE GIRL: Tommy do you see the grass outside?
TOMMY: Yessssss!
LITTLE GIRL: Did you see the sky?
TOMMY: Yessssss!
LITTLE GIRL: Tommy, do you see the teacher?
TOMMY: Yes
LITTLE GIRL: Do you see her brain?
TOMMY: No
LITTLE GIRL: Then according to what we were taught today in school, she possibly
may not even have one!
(You Go Girl!)
"FOR WE WALK BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT"
II CORINTHIANS 5:7
I am not invisible!
“I am not invisible!” I screamed into the early morning darkness.
Is she cracking up, you may be asking…has she been neglected, ignored, mistreated??
NO! I am just FED UP with the stupid stupid stupid Kansas drivers! I’m tired of being pulled in front of, cut off, slowed down, and ignored by these idiot drivers.
People say California drivers are bad…those people have OBVIOUSLY never driven in California. At least in California we pay attention to what’s going on around us. Yes, we may cut you off…but we’ll signal first…you'll know we’re coming. Yes, we may pull in front of you…but, we’ll floor the car so you won’t have to slam on your brakes. Yes, we may make sudden and frequent lane changes…but, we’ll signal…and we’ll make sure the gap is at least as big as our vehicle.
Where is that consideration in Kansas??
I have been pulled in front of more times in the last 4 months in Kansas that I had in the previous 15 years of driving in California! It’s no wonder the number of fatal car accidents in Kansas has doubled over the last several years.
Yesterday, I was cruising to work at 6:45 am, down a country road (where, may I add, you could see for MILES), when some woman in a Nissan Sentra sat and WAITED until I was about 50 feet from her, AND THEN she pulled out right in front of me. I had to SLAM on my brakes to keep from hitting her…she didn’t even flinch. This morning, again cruising to work, a Saturn pulls out of a gas station…right in front of me…here I go again, slam on the brakes…this is the time when I shouted to the heavens…”I AM NOT INVISIBLE!”
C'mon people...pay attention...notice how fast and how far away that car is that's bearing down on you. Use your turn signal. Don't talk on your cell if you can't do it and drive WELL at the same time. Pay attention at the stop sign...don't sit for ages, or just pull out - GO WHEN IT IS YOUR TURN!
Ok, I know I am a VERY impatient person, and I know that I think I'm always right...but I really think I am right this time!
Man, I could teach these people a thing or two...
why have my posts sounded so frustrated lately?
Is she cracking up, you may be asking…has she been neglected, ignored, mistreated??
NO! I am just FED UP with the stupid stupid stupid Kansas drivers! I’m tired of being pulled in front of, cut off, slowed down, and ignored by these idiot drivers.
People say California drivers are bad…those people have OBVIOUSLY never driven in California. At least in California we pay attention to what’s going on around us. Yes, we may cut you off…but we’ll signal first…you'll know we’re coming. Yes, we may pull in front of you…but, we’ll floor the car so you won’t have to slam on your brakes. Yes, we may make sudden and frequent lane changes…but, we’ll signal…and we’ll make sure the gap is at least as big as our vehicle.
Where is that consideration in Kansas??
I have been pulled in front of more times in the last 4 months in Kansas that I had in the previous 15 years of driving in California! It’s no wonder the number of fatal car accidents in Kansas has doubled over the last several years.
Yesterday, I was cruising to work at 6:45 am, down a country road (where, may I add, you could see for MILES), when some woman in a Nissan Sentra sat and WAITED until I was about 50 feet from her, AND THEN she pulled out right in front of me. I had to SLAM on my brakes to keep from hitting her…she didn’t even flinch. This morning, again cruising to work, a Saturn pulls out of a gas station…right in front of me…here I go again, slam on the brakes…this is the time when I shouted to the heavens…”I AM NOT INVISIBLE!”
C'mon people...pay attention...notice how fast and how far away that car is that's bearing down on you. Use your turn signal. Don't talk on your cell if you can't do it and drive WELL at the same time. Pay attention at the stop sign...don't sit for ages, or just pull out - GO WHEN IT IS YOUR TURN!
Ok, I know I am a VERY impatient person, and I know that I think I'm always right...but I really think I am right this time!
Man, I could teach these people a thing or two...
why have my posts sounded so frustrated lately?
Saturday, January 06, 2007
The Importance of Sisters
One of my "Buddies" emailed this to me, and I LOVE it! It's so true, and it reminds me that my girlfriends are so important to me...blog buddies included!
This picture is of The Buddies, taken a year ago on our annual weekend away...this time a cruise to Mexico. These girls are amazing friends to me, and my life would be missing something BIG without them!
The Importance of Sisters
A young wife sat on a sofa on a hot humid day,
drinking iced tea and visiting with her Mother.
As they talked about life, about marriage,
about the responsibilities of life and the
obligations of adulthood, the mother clinked
the ice cubes in her glass thoughtfully and
turned a clear, sober glance upon her daughter.
"Don't forget your Sisters," she advised, swirling
the tea leaves to the bottom of her glass.
"They'll be more important as you get older. No
matter how much you love your husband, no matter
how much you love the children you may have, you
are still going to need Sisters. Remember to go
places with them now and then; do things with them.
"Remember that 'Sisters' means ALL the women...
your girlfriends, your daughters, and all your
other women relatives too.
"You'll need other women. Women always do."
What a funny piece of advice the young woman
thought.
'Haven't I just gotten married? Haven't
I just joined the couple-world? I'm now a
married woman, for goodness sake! A grownup!
Surely my husband and the family we may start
will be all I need to make my life worthwhile!'
But she listened to her Mother. She kept contact
with her Sisters and made more women friends
each year. As the years tumbled by, one after
another, she gradually came to understand that
her Mom really knew what she was talking about.
As time and nature work their changes and their
mysteries upon a woman, Sisters are the mainstays
of her life.
After more than 50 years of living in this world,
here is what I've learned:
THIS SAYS IT ALL:
Time passes.
Life happens.
Distance separates.
Children grow up.
Jobs come and go.
Love waxes and wanes.
Hearts break.
Parents die.
Colleagues forget favors.
Careers end.
BUT.........
Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how
many miles are between you.
A girl friend is never farther away than needing
her can reach.
When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you
have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life
will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on, praying
for you, pulling for you, intervening on your behalf,
and waiting with open arms at the valley's end.
Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk
beside you...Or come in and carry you out.
Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters, daughters-in-law,
sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers, Grandmothers,
aunties, nieces, cousins, and extended family,
all bless our life!
The world wouldn't be the same without women, and
neither would I.
When we began this adventure called womanhood, we
had no idea of the incredible joys or sorrows that
lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we would need
each other.
Every day, we need each other still.
This picture is of The Buddies, taken a year ago on our annual weekend away...this time a cruise to Mexico. These girls are amazing friends to me, and my life would be missing something BIG without them!
The Importance of Sisters
A young wife sat on a sofa on a hot humid day,
drinking iced tea and visiting with her Mother.
As they talked about life, about marriage,
about the responsibilities of life and the
obligations of adulthood, the mother clinked
the ice cubes in her glass thoughtfully and
turned a clear, sober glance upon her daughter.
"Don't forget your Sisters," she advised, swirling
the tea leaves to the bottom of her glass.
"They'll be more important as you get older. No
matter how much you love your husband, no matter
how much you love the children you may have, you
are still going to need Sisters. Remember to go
places with them now and then; do things with them.
"Remember that 'Sisters' means ALL the women...
your girlfriends, your daughters, and all your
other women relatives too.
"You'll need other women. Women always do."
What a funny piece of advice the young woman
thought.
'Haven't I just gotten married? Haven't
I just joined the couple-world? I'm now a
married woman, for goodness sake! A grownup!
Surely my husband and the family we may start
will be all I need to make my life worthwhile!'
But she listened to her Mother. She kept contact
with her Sisters and made more women friends
each year. As the years tumbled by, one after
another, she gradually came to understand that
her Mom really knew what she was talking about.
As time and nature work their changes and their
mysteries upon a woman, Sisters are the mainstays
of her life.
After more than 50 years of living in this world,
here is what I've learned:
THIS SAYS IT ALL:
Time passes.
Life happens.
Distance separates.
Children grow up.
Jobs come and go.
Love waxes and wanes.
Hearts break.
Parents die.
Colleagues forget favors.
Careers end.
BUT.........
Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how
many miles are between you.
A girl friend is never farther away than needing
her can reach.
When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you
have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life
will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on, praying
for you, pulling for you, intervening on your behalf,
and waiting with open arms at the valley's end.
Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk
beside you...Or come in and carry you out.
Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters, daughters-in-law,
sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers, Grandmothers,
aunties, nieces, cousins, and extended family,
all bless our life!
The world wouldn't be the same without women, and
neither would I.
When we began this adventure called womanhood, we
had no idea of the incredible joys or sorrows that
lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we would need
each other.
Every day, we need each other still.
Friday, January 05, 2007
Thursday, January 04, 2007
This is my life...
I very rarely read Dilbert, even though I AM an engineer in corporate America. I read the comics to be entertained, and I do not find Dilbert entertaining, nor do I want to be reminded, yet again, how messed up corporate America is...but...a co-worker sent this comic to me the other day, and it came at just the right time.
Since I was hired by my current company 4 1/2 months ago, I have been working on a project where we are ATTEMPTING to install a new assembly line in our plant. The old one will not keep up with the PROJECTED capacity of our plant in the coming months and years..."Projected" is in caps because as I write this, we have laid off 200 workers because we don't have enough volume to keep them building widgets.
Anyway, on with my story...our team has worked hours and hours and hours and more hours coming up with this new design, which, may I add, will kick butt! So, the next step is to purchase and install the equipment, right?
NO! We must first get approval so we can get the money so we can buy it and install it. BUT, before we can get approval, we have to figure out the cost and justify the expense, yada, yada, yada...BUT, to figure out the costs, we have to do some tests, investigate some things, predict when Jesus is coming back...ok, ok, maybe not that, but close. It's ridiculous!!!
We know that the project will cost about $2 Million, and it will save $1 Milion EVERY YEAR...that means that it will pay for itself in 2 years!! So, why, then is it SO difficult to move forward?? Who's driving this ship anyway???
Thank God it's Friday...and Happy Hour starts for me at 5:30!
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
The Nightmare Continues
My moving nightmare continues...will it ever end???
I called the claims company last week to find out why I haven't received my piddly check yet, and they told me to call the moving company directly. The number I have for the movers is for HORIZON VAN LINES of Northridge, CA. I was told before my move that HORIZON VAN LINES and CALIFORNIA COAST VAN LINES are one in the same company.
My bill of lading was HANDWRITTEN to say California Coast Van Lines, and at the phone number I have for Horizon - they say that California Coast has gone out of business.
The law says that the company showing on the bill of lading is the responsible company...and apparently that company exists no more.
I found another phone number on the DOT website, and when I call it, it's the cell phone number of the supposed owner of California Coast Van Lines, but of course, she doesn't answer the phone.
The claims company is just as pissed off as I am, and they're trying to help me. Help at this point will probably mean talking to the DOT or suing.
I don't even care about the $400 that much anymore...I'm so pissed that they totally screwed me! They are a bunch of LIARS!! I KNEW I shouldn't trust them...I NEVER trust anyone...why did I choose to start trusting now?
Monday, January 01, 2007
Happy New Year!
It snowed on New Year's Eve! I'm sure some people were disappointed that we didn't get snow on Christmas, but I'm thankful that we didn't...Mom and Dad were flying in on Christmas and it could have messed up their flight. But, the snow was GORGEOUS on Sunday! We only got a couple inches, and it's mostly melted today, but it was pretty, and I'm glad M&D got to see it.
Here they are on our deck -- with their house in the background (the house they will move into in 2008 when they move out here). We took this picture this afternoon -- see, almost no more snow.
We had a GREAT New Year's. We had a family style party at our house. B's youngest brother and his family came, our neighbors down the street came with their kids, M&R and their son came, and my friend Shannon came later with her hubby and a friend. Add on M&D and B and I, and we had a houseful.
It was a VERY laid back party. We made a couple cocktails, but no one got even tipsy. The kids colored and watched Barnyard, while the big kids (adults) played Taboo...guys against gals...guys got clobbered!!
Here are a couple quotes from game time (just a disclaimer...intentions were innocent):
"when a man wears a skirt, he's..." -- Now, my neighbor was describing a KILT, but the entire guys side of the room started shouting out words like: cross dresser, homosexual...us chicas knew exactly what it was...
"I want to suck your..." -- I CAN NOT for the life of me remember what the sucking word was, but I was on the buzzer while my BIL described the word, and it made perfect sense to say "suck", but I have no idea now what the word was...it did, however, send the entire room into uncontrollable laughter.
Oh, and let's not forget that we fed our faces all night as well. All my kitchen counters were covered with snacks - chips and salsa, beef stick, cheese and crackers, brownies, candy. cookies, cream cheese and mango chutney, veggies (to be a LITTLE healthy), deviled eggs...there was NO shortage of food.
Everyone but M&D and BIL, SIL and nieces left before midnight (to get kids in bed), so we rang in the New Year as a family with glasses of champagne and toasted each other for a Happy New Year. Several neighbors around us were lighting off fireworks, so B found it necessary to throw an M-80 off our deck...and even though I KNEW the boom was coming, I still spilled my drink all over the floor when it went off. We walked our guests to the door, cleaned up the kitchen, chatted with mom and dad a bit, and were in bed, asleep, by 1:00 am.
I enjoyed my LAST day of vacation by staying in bed until 9am today, and then reading the paper and drinking my coffee in my jammies on the couch...I'm in denial...I AM NOT READY TO GO BACK TO WORK TOMORROW!
Besides that, I look forward to what 2007 brings to B and I. Only God knows, but we're praying for an extension to our family, and for jobs/careers that bring us happiness and fulfillment.
Bring it on, 2007!
Just back from the airport
We just dropped my parents off at the airport...they are on their way back to California...and that means the holidays are officially over.
I'm not ready yet!! How in the world am I going to drag my butt out of bed at 6am tomorrow? I'm not ready to get up early, or go back to work, or take down my Christmas decorations (which I won't, they'll be up for a couple more weeks at least!)...my house will look so sad when all the garland and lights and stockings are gone.
I used to say that Easter was my favorite holiday - I mean what's not to love about our Savior rising from the dead in the middle of beautiful spring...realizing that everything is new and fresh and forgiven. But, then I realized that there wouldn't be Easter if we didn't have Christmas first, when our savior is born...and I CAN NOT resist all the red and green decorations, and sweet treats, and jolly spirits, and giving gifts, and singing carols, and a Christmas Eve candlelight service...so Christmas is my FAVOVITE holiday. Oh, and you get the bonus of another holiday just a week later.
BUT, all good things come an end, right? And my holidays are OVER! I have some GREAT gifts to show for it, awesome pictures, and a few more pounds pooching over the top of my Lucky jeans...but they're still over.
Tomorrow it's back to the real world...how long til Good Friday??
I'm not ready yet!! How in the world am I going to drag my butt out of bed at 6am tomorrow? I'm not ready to get up early, or go back to work, or take down my Christmas decorations (which I won't, they'll be up for a couple more weeks at least!)...my house will look so sad when all the garland and lights and stockings are gone.
I used to say that Easter was my favorite holiday - I mean what's not to love about our Savior rising from the dead in the middle of beautiful spring...realizing that everything is new and fresh and forgiven. But, then I realized that there wouldn't be Easter if we didn't have Christmas first, when our savior is born...and I CAN NOT resist all the red and green decorations, and sweet treats, and jolly spirits, and giving gifts, and singing carols, and a Christmas Eve candlelight service...so Christmas is my FAVOVITE holiday. Oh, and you get the bonus of another holiday just a week later.
BUT, all good things come an end, right? And my holidays are OVER! I have some GREAT gifts to show for it, awesome pictures, and a few more pounds pooching over the top of my Lucky jeans...but they're still over.
Tomorrow it's back to the real world...how long til Good Friday??
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