New Year's Eve, so far

It's been a good day so far, and it's not 6 pm yet.  Our new (free) shed is in place, my basement is getting clean, and Jonathan is here for the weekend.  Who could ask for more. The junk food I'm eating is just a bonus.

I was up at 3:30 to leave for work by 4, so we'll see if I make it until midnight.  I really want to, though.  The house is so peaceful and happy right now.  Everyone is in a groove.  Here's hopin' it keeps going.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year indeed!  It's going to be a great weekend, and I'm stoked about it.  Linda (Kevin's mom) and Jonathan (Kevin's son) will be here in about an hour.  We have junk food, snack food, beverages and desserts.  Yeah, it's going to be a great weekend.

I have to work a bit tomorrow, but will be off before noon.  Then, it's relaxation, getting my butt kicked at Rummy (by Linda) and laughter.  I'll eat too much, then eat some more.  I'll rest too much, then rest some more.  What a great holiday...no gifts, no pressure, no nonsense.  I love this one as much as the 4th of July.  YeeeHaaawww!

The kids can have Pepsi without limit, junk foods that I NEVER buy, and staying up late.  I can have Diet Coke without limit, junk foods that I NEVER buy, and staying up late.  Kevin can have Diet Coke without limit, junk.....well, you get the idea.  I'm happy, excited, and peaceful   I love my life, and I love my family.

My 2006 bring you at least 1/2 of the happiness that I've experienced in 2005.  If you get that much, you will be truly blessed indeed.  I raise a glass to you tonight, 'cause I'll be too busy celebrating tomorrow night.  I love all of you, even those that I haven't met.  I have received differing thoughts and opinions that would have never met my ears without J-land.  Peace out, Dawgs.

Back to work

Well, after a WONDERFUL 5 days off, I went back to work today.  It was nice to have the "off season" work load.  I was caught up by noon (from missing yesterday) and out of work by 4.  Ahhhhh.  Now I can get caught up on software updates, new software releases and training issues.

Before long, it'll be time for trade shows to start.  I think I'm going to Indianapolis the first weekend in February.  Until then, though, just normal relaxed working days.  I do have to go in Saturday, but if I start by 5, I should be out of there by noon.  Kevin's family will all be up for the weekend, so I'll be ready to get home as soon as possible.

I got to hang with my best friend last night.  Tammy and her husband came over and we played Rummy for a while.  I lost....badly.  LOL  That's nothing new.  It's always good to visit with Tammy.  We connect quite well, and use each other for venting.  I've never had a friend as good as her.  Everyone is very blessed if they have ONE true, TRUE friend.  I am blessed.

Well, the girls are exhausted from their day at Grandma's house, and have collapsed in bed.  Kevin is passed out on the couch, and Brett is in his room, too.  I guess I should follow suit and go to bed.  We had Bates City BBQ for dinner, and it was awesome as usual.  What a treat.

I wish you all an incredible new year, and hope it finds your families healthy and happy.  Here's to health, happiness, and always plenty of money to pay your bills.  And, if you find yourself with extra money after paying those bills, I'll send you my address!

A Merry Christmas Holiday

It's been a good weekend.  The kids enjoyed their gifts, and we had fun watching the excitement.  Kevin cooked a good breakfast and Mom cooked an incredible Christmas dinner.  Monica has gotten so far on the keyboard that I am SURE she will have a musical future.  Today, we went to a little bar to meet up with fellow J-landers Russ and Sim.  It was great, and I have two days left.  Poor Kevin has to go back tomorrow.  Sorry honey.  Don't wake me up on your way out!  LOL

My Friday Memory

I was looking forward all day to dinner.  Kevin, Mom and I were going to Outback for dinner, courtesy of a gift card from one of my customers.  I love a good meal out.  Outback is great, too.  But then I got to thinking about what a "good meal out" was when I was a kid.

I loved McDonalds.  Grandma and Grandpa would take us, and I didn't have to get a happy meal!  I could get whatever I wanted, and it was usually a Filet O' Fish sandwich.  MMMmmm, I loved those things.  Other times they'd take us to Kentucky Fried Chicken.  What a treat!  Once in a while we'd go to Taco Bell, too.  Wow, now THAT was livin'.

Now, fast food is something that I rarely buy, and am disappointed when I do.  It's greasy and tasteless and overpriced.  Microwaves and healthy oils have ruined the flavors, and the Cokes are watered down.  I'm sure they weren't much better then, but to me they were a fabulous opportunity.  I miss my childhood innocence.  Now it's all bills and money and weight gain. 

Thanks, Grandma and Grandpa, for helping me enjoy it while I could.

(I still like Shamrock Shakes, though!)

We Did It!!!!

We made incentive!  That means that I get a 5 day weekend!  Wow, you have no idea what that means to me.  I have busted my butt to get my customers taken care of, and I have gone above and beyond more than once.  They said they appreciate me, and have proven it.  I'm done.

I'm done.

Yeah, I've made it all happen through the miracle of Christmas Magic.  I'm nothing...just a voice on the phone...yet....there's something.

Something makes customers brag on me in my boss's voicemail.  Something makes customers cry when I tell them that a last minute order will arrive on time. Something makes other reps ask my advice.  Something makes me drive home singing....something....something.

I am in the right field.  I wondered whether or not I was doing the right job for...well... for my whole life.  I love daycare, but there's no money in it.  I love receivables, but I don't get to talk to PEOPLE.  I love being a housewife, but I need to DO something...something else.

I am in the right job.  I'll retire from this joint.  I love my customers and my customers love me.  Damn, I'm on such a high right now.  Let it ride, baby.  I will turn off the phones by 3 tomorrow (probably earlier) and will have a FIVE DAY WEEKEND!!!!!!!

Life is good, and I'm happy.  I love ya man...I love ya!

P.S.  See ya Monday, Russ and Sim?

Almost there, and sliding down hill

"It's all downhill from here."...or so they keep saying at work.  Yeah, it's slowing down, but there are so many last-minute stress-out moments, and they keep me stressed.  Every order we shipped yesterday got delivered today....some of them with problems.  That means, I pull the file, have something reprinted, and ship it out.  They still get it before Christmas.

We made the second part of our three-part incentive.  All local orders were finished today.  That means that they are on deliveries in the morning.  Only one part to meet.  We must not go over 4% remakes by Friday.  Let's all hold our breath!

Today, I received another cool gift.  I HUGE cheesecake, in a styrofoam cooler on dry ice, all the way from Georgia....McDonough, I think.  It got stowed away in mom's freezer for my houseload of company New Year's weekend.  I also got two cans of Pringles from my secret santa...boy, they know me pretty well!

We will go Christmas shopping Friday night.  We have a sitter and it's all planned out.  We are limited enough on funds that we were going to grab a cheap burger for dinner...but not now!  Another customer sent me a $50 gift card to the Outback.  WooooHoooooo!  Now we get a dinner that we can NEVER afford on our own, and we don't have to pay.  Thank you, dear customer in Texas.  What a sweetie.

Yeah, people are letting me know that I do a good job.  I appreciate it.  I appreciate being appreciated.  ROFL  Life's good, and I'm almost done...almost there....2 days from a 5-day weekend.  Ahhhhhhh.

Oh, and one more thing.  I found a funny site.  Have a hi-res head shot handy somewhere, and visit this site.  It seems to think that I resemble Charleton Heston.  WELL!  I NEVER!  Oh well, it's the internet, after all.

Neat gifts

We have a customer in Anchorage, Alaska.  She told me that she was sending me "a little something" for being so awesome. (all smiles, here.)  I got a package today...it was, well, quite interesting.  The contents were:
A box of chocolates
A packet of smoked salmon
A tiny jar of spicy honey mustard
A tiny jar of sweet honey mustard
A tiny jar of firewood honey
A stick of Teriyaki Salmon jerky
A stick of smoked salmon jerky
A stick of Teriyaki jerky with Arctic Ox
A packet of Teriyaki Sticks with caribou meat
A package of two Hunter Sticks with reindeer meat

Wow, I am so midwest and naive.  Who knew they had jerky with caribou???  Not me!

We shipped out all out-of-town orders that were due for Christmas today.  That is part one of our three-part incentive.  Tomorrow, all in-town orders must be ready for delivery.  Finally, we must not go above 4% remakes.  If we meet all of those goals, we get paid for Tuesday.  Everyone is off that day, no matter what (YEAH! for 4 day weekends) but it's yet to be determined if we're getting paid for Tuesday. 

If we MAKE the incentive, I get a FIVE day weekend!  I have to go in on Saturday the 31 to run statements, and must lose the extra time earlier in the week.  If we don't make incentive, I'm not short on hours.  If we do make it?  An extra day off.  PHEW!  I need it, let me tell ya.  I'm sick of being crabby for no reason.  My poor kids.  My poor husband.  My poor dog.  I got some makin'-up to do around here.

"The Final Countdown" (remember that song, by Europe?)

Well, we're getting down to the wire.  All orders for Christmas must be in our customer's hands by the week's end.  *sigh*  It ain't easy, folks.  Not with orders that came in late, orders that got there early...and wrong, and orders that just don't cooperate.  I ran hard from the time I got there until the time I left...harder than usual.  The phone is ringing off the hook with just "1 more little request" (yes sir, that's the 25th one I've had this morning...go ahead?)

OK, no more bitching about work.  By Friday, the phone will almost stop ringing all together.  I'll sleep in late on Saturday, and have a grand ol' time lying around on the couch, thankyouverymuch.  I have a 4 day weekend for sure, and possibly a 5 day weekend.  I need it.  I need to get together with friends for drinks (wink wink, Russ and Sim) and I need to watch movies and eat too much.

I am getting through this.  I got a gift from a customer today.  It's called "a Taste of Texas"  and has a trio of goodies.  Honey Toasted Pecans, Chocolate Amaretto Pecans, and Roasted Salted Pecans.  Kevin and the kids have declared it a good gift!  It's nice to be loved and appreciated for the hoops that I jump through.

4 days to go, and only 3 of them will be hellish.  WooooHoooo!

My Friday Memory

Let's talk school lunches, shall we?

I loved school lunches.  While most people make bad jokes and complain about school lunches, I loved them.  Yes, I'm weird...we're beyond that now, aren't we?

The leftover burgers with gravy on them became salisbury steak.  Yummy.  The pizza was square and soft and could be folded nicely.  Yummy.  The bread with peanut butter was a tricky situation....the peanut butter was on the bread in a little ball (from a melon baller) and was tough to spread without ripping the bread, but I managed...Yummy.

I liked the jello, even though it had shredded carrots in it (to meet the vegetable requirement, I'm sure.)  I loved the pears...ahhhh, the pears.  I loved the "spaghetti red" even though it was NOTHING like the real spaghetti that mom made.  Some times we had no-bake cookies....ahhhh, it was like Christmas!

Many people gripe incessantly about school lunches, but I loved them.  I can't think of a single thing that I hated...honestly!  Oh, and on very special days?  We had Jello Pudding Pops.  OMG!  That was like a piece of heaven.

I didn't get caught up in what table I sat at.  I didn't care what the cool kids ate.  I didn't give a rat's ass...just so I got some of that wonderful food.  MMMmmmmmm.  I even volunteered in the lunch room for 2 years.  Those women were the best, and I enjoyed living their lives for an hour a day.  Golly, I'm a sad individual, huh?  I don't care!  I loved it, and I'm not afraid to admit it. 

I'll trade you my jello for your salisbury steak!

still pluggin' along

Well, there's a week of madness left.  I'm dealing with it.  Lots of stress, but it's still not getting me down.  I leave work feeling satisfied, and knowing that my customers are taken care of.  It's a great feeling.  A customer sent me a tin of butter cookies for Christmas.  I'd feel special, but he sent one to all reps and both receptionists.  LOL

Here's a funny.  I was waking the girls up on Tuesday morning.  Monica woke up saying "awww Mom, I was eating a pickle!  It was a big dill pickle and it was gooood."  I laughed, then moved on to wake Natalie up.  Natalie said, "Hi, Mom.  I was having a stupid dream."  I said, "that's funny, your sister was eating a pickle."  Natalie said, "oh MAN!  I didn't get a pickle!  I want a pickle!"  Yes, she's even jealous when it's a DREAM about food.

That's all I've got tonight.  I'm beat.  I'll be back tomorrow for my Friday memory.

10 down, 9 to go

I'm gettin' there.  My new attitude is working nicely.  I'm stressed and over-worked and freaking out to make sure our customers are taken care of.  Here is my end of a typical call:

"Hi, this is Rachel, can I help you?"
"I need this order by Christmas, no matter what!!!"
"So, do you want me to add a rush to the order?  So you can have it by Christmas?"
"No, HELL no!  I can't afford a rush...just make it happen for free, ok?"
"Well, I can't promise it without a rush, but I'll do everything in my power, ok?"
"As long as you promise it'll be here, that's fine.  Thanks."
"But, I can't promise it.  I'll try, but if you don't want to pay a rush, I can't tell you that you'll have it...are you ok with that?"
"yeah, that's fine.  Just do what you can......just so I have it by Christmas."

ARRRRGGGGGGG!

Also, there are folks changing shipping methods, folks cancelling orders, folks changing services, folks wanting someone to yell at and, finally, folks who want to tell me that I'm good at what I do.

Know what?  I am DAMN good at what I do.  My loyal customers love me, and tell my boss so.  I do my best every day, and do what I can to help them.  Sometimes even their most unreasonable request is made to happen by me.  Sometimes I can help them talk it out....meaning that they don't need anything, but need someone to talk to.  I am DAMN good at what I do....have I mentioned that?

I had not one...not two....not three...but FOUR...count them....FOUR customers tell my manager that I helped them, and that they appreciate it.  FOUR!  I'm so happy.  I have 9 more days until a day off, but I'm happy.  I'm good.  Damn good.

Tuesday N Stuff

Mood: Friggin' Tired

Well, I'm 9 days in, with 10 to go until I get a day off.  I can do this!  We need the money, too.  Yeah, we need the money for the times that I screw up.  I screwed up...hardcore.

I have a pile of bills that need paid, in order of when they're due.  Electric is due by the 20th or something.  Yeah, right.  Only thing is, I didn't notice that the bill I put in the pile was for NOVEMBER 20...not December.  Yeah, Brett came home today to no electricity.  Apparently, there was a past due notice in ANOTHER pile of mail...a pile I hadn't gone through.  ACK.

To get it back on tonight was the $88 past due amount, a $50 after-hours reconnect fee, and the first of 3 installments of $65 for an additional deposit.  Yeah, additional.  They already have a $400 deposit on hand.  Bastards.  Oops, sorry...that slipped.  It is my mistake, my fault, my bad.  Merry Christmas, Aquila electric company...Merry friggin' Christmas.

Anywho, the lights are back on, so I won't gripe (any more than I already have.)  Most people wouldn't have admitted this ordeal, but I'm an open book.  Honest, you're liable to hear of a pending yeast infection, if I take a notion.  ROFL, gross.

This is such a tough time of year in my industry.  I love Christmas and baking and shopping for gifts and stockings and trees and merriment.  My job makes it hard to keep on enjoying it, but I'm trying.  I keep my kids enjoying it, tell my husband that cooking by candlelight (we have a gas stove) is an "adventure" and laugh at our misfortune.  I'm doing well, but there is still a bit over a week to maintain this facade.  I can't wait until Christmas Eve.  A day off.  Heavy sigh.

Then, on December 26, we'll have lunch with Toonguy Russ again.  WooooHoooo!  Life will be "up" again!

Monday N Stuff

I'm tired.  Nothin' like starting an entry with a whine, eh?  Work is in full "season" swing.  I'll work my fat ass off for the next 2 weeks, then a strange calm will settle over the lab...late on Christmas Eve.  It's a weird thing, but I've done it many times, so I'm used to it.  I racked up 106 hours in the past 2 weeks, and now it gets harder.  *sigh*

I don't get to email friends, don't get to keep up on journals, don't get to cook for my family, don't get to wash my filthy van and don't get to watch as much TV as I like.  I *did* get to see the finale' of Survivor...WoooHooo! Go KC girl!  It was great to see a local girl win...on the same day a local team bit the big one.  Damn Chiefs.  *sigh* again.

The snow is gone, replaced by mud and a bit of slush.  Tomorrow morning is being promised as "freezing fog."  WTH?  OK, slick roads, I can deal with it...but freezing fog?  Whatever.  Give me snow or give me 65 degrees.  Anything in between can bite the fattest part of my butt.

Well, back to CSI Miami.  I hate that little red-haired weasle, but I love the show.  Sue me.

My Friday Memory

This week's Friday memory isn't a specific instance...it's more of a summation.  My parents have expressed regret many times.  What adult doesn't?  They think they spanked us too much, or pushed our studies too little.  Did they leave us alone too much, or smother us with attention?  What could have made things better?

Nothing.

I can remember hot breakfasts before the bus came.  I even remember hot cocoa to sip at the bus stop.  I remember real dinners, not the frozen fare that my kids get.  I remember real lessons being taught on a tractor, in a pickup, in a garden, or in a kitchen.  When I screwed up, I was taught to apologize.  Period.  No excuses, no double-talk.  Just 'fess up and move on.

I was given $5 when Dad didn't have it to give...because I asked for it.  I was given 2 Pepsi's a week (remember the glass bottles?  The 8 packs?) even though Dad worked hard and only got two himself.

Dad got the last piece of any treat, but if there was more than 1?  Jim and I ALWAYS got some before mom.  Poor Mom.  I didn't know then, but I know now.  Her joy came from seeing her food enjoyed...not from eating it.

Mom built igloos in the snow with us.  They lasted "forever" to me.  We made shelves and crawled in and out for days.  We don't get snow like that any more, but we did back then.  Mom wasn't an old fuddy-duddy...she was fun.

She let us have parties, inviting all of our friends.  She put on a good feed and stayed out of our business.  My friends loved that.  If we needed something, she was right there...Otherwise, she was missing.  How cool.

Dad taught us things.  Things that come flooding out when they're needed, but are hard to come up with in a journal.  I can change my oil, change a tire, watch my gauges, and listen for a "miss" in an engine.  I can drive a tractor, "tie in" bales on a hay wagon, and back a trailor anywhere you want it. 

I could ask Dad for $5 and I'd get it...even if he only had $6.  I didn't know then that they  didn't have it.  They didn't let on.  I had a letter jacket, even though I didn't do anything to letter in.  I had a senior ring (still have it), even though it was very expensive.

We were poor, but I didn't know it.  I knew we weren't rich, but they NEVER let on that we were POOR.  Mom was aces at paying the bills, and Dad was aces at working to make the money.  We had electric blankets to fight the unheated rooms, so we didn't notice that we had unheated rooms.  What a great job they did. 

I hope, someday, that my kids think they're as rich as I really was.  I was (and am) truly rich.

Snow!

Snow, snow, snow!  It fell all day and it's still not done.  If it's going to be this insanely cold, it should at least be pretty, right?  It took a while to get home, but the interstate was in good shape.  The side roads were pretty nerve wracking, but I made it home fine. 

I have a cute video of Monica's school program, but I'm having trouble getting AOL's ftp space to upload it as a video.  I'll keep trying.

*edit*
I never got AOL to work, but found a hosting site with a free trial.  Through the end of the year, you can see my movie here.  I had a hard time with "buffering", but if you walk away and let it play through all of the buffering one time, then replay it, it goes smooth.  Nobody unrelated will take that much time on this, but there it is, anyway.

A good day indeed.

I had to work today, but we got to throw a luncheon for the production folks that make us look so good.  Everyone enjoyed it and there was a ton of food.  I was happy to show my appreciation.

Before that could happen, I had to get to work, right?  Yup, had to get there.  I got about 15 minutes from home, less than 2 city blocks from the interstate, and my driver's side front tire blew.  I was going 60, but kept control and pulled into a church (gravel) parking lot.  Kevin came to trade vehicles, and he waited for AAA to send a truck.  My van is getting 2 new tires tonight, but needs other attention.  Think good thoughts over my husband tomorrow, while he fixes the van...(and while the Chiefs kick the hell out of the Broncos.)

I could be sad about my plight, but I'm not.  The van is paid for.  I'm getting OT.  Everyone in the house is healthy, and Mom provided a great Thanksgiving dinner today.  I needed that.

The North wind is howling, and my van is in trouble.  It doesn't matter.  I'm happy.  I'm DAMN happy.  My new attitude is working great at work, and baffling many of the jerks that used to cause the problems.  I can smile (sincerely) and nod and speak only when it will benifit the situation.  I'm happy and loving my job again.  The new attitude is working.  I like it.  I should bottle and sell it.

My Friday Memory

Each morning, I wake the girls up while our favorite radio station plays the "Morning Drive" show, which we enjoy.  The girls are grumpy in the morning (I wonder where they get it?) so I try to keep things light.  They have a cheesy Friday song that we all like singing, so I started dancing and singing like a fool to wake Natalie up.  She started giggling, so the grumpy act was over.  That reminded me of something:

When I was a kid, we slept upstairs in the house that Mom and Dad still live in.  Sometimes, Mom would stand at the bottom of the stairs and play her guitar and sing...loudly.  My first thoughts were pure evil, so I won't share them here.  I couldn't belive she'd wake me up in such a RUDE fashion! 

Know what, though?  It worked.  As grumpy as I'd get at her nonsense back then, I found myself disco dancing and shaking my butt all over the room at 6 am this morning (25 years later) to get Natalie moving.  Yup, I've become my mother...I wouldn't have it any other way.

I've got a new attitude!

OK, here's the deal:  This is a VERY stressful time where I work.  Busiest time of the year, and emotions run high.  For the past 3 days, I've cried at least once a day, usually making it into a bathroom stall so nobody saw the weakness.  I don't cry when I'm sad, I cry when I'm pissed.  I've been pissed a lot lately.  I've been lectured, yelled at, talked down to, and sighed at.  I've had eyes rolled at me, arms crossed at me, and been told that my problems are unimportant.  I've been used as a doormat just minutes after saving someones ass.  Yeah, I've been abused.  Thus is my life at this job.

Last night, I had a miniature nervous breakdown.  I went to bed early, in order to get up before 4 for statements.  I got snuggled into bed just fine, then started sobbing uncontrollably.  Let me be the first to say B.U.L.L S.H.I.T.  No WAY am I going to let a JOB do this to me.

I like my job.  I love what I do, and I'm damn good at it.  I am better than 3/4 of the other CSR's at that friggin' lab.  I have many duties piled on top of my CSR responsibilites.  I am good at those, too.  I can multi-task and organize and supervise...all while fixing a problem for a customer.  I love this gig....so why have a breakdown?

No more.  NO.  MORE.  If I want to keep this job (and I do,) then I need to get over it.  I can't control other peoples actions.  I can only control my reaction to the situation.  If they break me, they win.  I will keep a good attitude, smile, and nod.  I will offer honest explainations for what's going on, and do what I'm told.  If I always do the right thing, then I have nothing to worry about.  If I get fired for it, then it's not the job for me.  I'm OK with that.

Today was statement day, as well as the first day of my new attitude.  I got there at 5:20 to find that the password for statements had been changed.  Nobody from IT was expected for over an hour.  OK, breathe.  Not my fault.  I finally got someone on the phone, who accessed the password.  Things started rockin' and rollin'.  Then, some dude showed up and unhooked the printer.  HUH?  Yup, seems it needed cleaned.  When I asked if I'd lose my statement data, heanswered, "Ummm, I'm not sure...I don't think so."  Great. He suggested I take a break, so I did.

My boss called a bit later (after finding that I didn't lose my data) and asked if I was busy today...she had a special project for me.  "ummmm," I said, quite eloquently, "it's statement day."  "oh yeah, I forgot," she said.  You're the owner, and  you FORGOT about statements?  OK, I can deal with THAT, too.

I had my mental nuts racked a couple of other times, but I just smiled and dealt with it.  I rose to the challenges and looked damn good doing it.  I refused to get into petty gripe sessions.  I turned my back on a full frontal attack (yeah, he dropped the "F" bomb, jerk) and I actually had a customer leave a voice mail for my boss, telling how awesome I was.  It could have been a rotten day, but I wouldn't let it.  It was a good day.

I am damn good at what I do.  I intend to keep doing it.  Customers love me, and coworkers love me.  Yup, I'm staying, so I might as well adapt to a new attitude.  I can't control other's actions, I can only control how I react to those actions.  Another note tucked into my mind is this:  He who angers me controls me.  I will NOT be controlled by someone without my best interest at heart.  I am not angry, I am stronger.  Stronger and better.  Thanks, dill hole.

Tuesday

After several days out of state, Mom kept the girls while we met Tammy and Greg at Jokers.  We had an awesome time, as usual.  Most folks would find our banter quite boring, but I live for it.  Gosh, great food, cold beer, and great conversation....can I ask for more?  Nope. I love it.

My Friday Memory

My parents often (always?) had music playing.  I'll hear a classic country song that I haven't heard for 20 years, and I know all the lyrics.  It scares me sometimes.  I can't sing for crap...neither can dad.  That's what prompts my Friday memory.

For a couple of years, mom and dad moved closer to Dad's work and our house was rented out.  We lived in a double wide trailer on a small lot.  I know that they didn't like it, but they did it for financial reasons.  Dad decided to build a shed.  It was a necessity for him.  

This venture meant many trips to the lumber yard.  You have to understand that, my entire childhood, I was a Daddy's girl.  I wanted to go everywhere he went, and was usually obliged.  I'll never forget one particular Saturday.

We were headed to the lumber yard in the infamous 1979, black, tough, beautiful Ford pickup truck.  Damn, but that thing looked tough.  A REAL truck.  They don't make trucks anymore, they make wussy things that mock real trucks.  There are no more tough trucs.  I could do an entire Friday memory on that truck, but I digress:

We were headed to the lumber yard, just me and Dad.  The 8-track tape player held Waylon Jennings.  Damn, that was good music.  Dad and I cranked it up and sang at the top of our lungs (both off key) all the way there and back.  It sounded so good to us, we weren't sure how Waylon was able to record without us backing him up.  

As a side note, the truck overheated that day, about 2 miles from home.  That's where I watched Dad, in the summer, cranking the heat.  Crank the heat and roll down the windows and all is good.  I learned much about car care from that man.  Lessons learned by watching; seeing him make it all good.  All WAS good.  All was perfect.  Here is a sample of what we sang:

There only two things in life that make it worth livin'
That's guitars that tune good and firm feelin' women
I don't need my name in the marquis lights
I got my song and I got you with me tonight
Maybe it's time we got back to the basics of love

Chorus:
Let's go to Luckenbach Texas with Waylon and Willie and the boys
This successful life we're livin' got us fueding
like the Hatfield and McCoys
Between Hank Williams pain songs, Newberry's train songs
and blue eyes cryin' in the rain out in Luckenbach Texas
ain't nobody feelin' no pain

So baby let's sell your diamond ring
Buy some boots and faded jeans and go away
This coat and tie is choking me
In your high socitey you cry all day
We've been so busy keepin' up with the Jones
Four car garage and we're still building on
Maby it's time we got back to the basics of love

Chorus:
Let's go to Luckenbach Texas with Waylon and Willie and the boys
This successful life we're livin' got us fueding
like the Hatfield and McCoys
Between Hank Williams pain songs, Newberry's train songs
and blue eyes cryin' in the rain out in Luckenbach Texas
ain't nobody feelin' no pain

Let's go to Luckenbach Texas with Waylon and Willie and the boys
This successful life we're livin' got us fueding
like the Hatfield and McCoys
Between Hank Williams pain songs, Newberry's train songs
and blue eyes cryin' in the rain out in Luckenbach Texas
ain't nobody feelin' no pain

Happy Thanksgiving!

Kevin let me sleep late, and I started breakfast as soon as I woke up.  Bacon, eggs and canned cinnamon rolls, as well as hot coffee.  It was great.  I took Hawkeye with me to tend the critters at mom's, then we all three went back to search for something in Dad's shop.  We weren't sure what Kevin was looking for at first, but his job in landscaping taught him a trick to hanging Christmas lights.  Where there's no gutter, you put a screw most of the way into the eve, then use a zip tie to hook the lights to the house.

We had to take several "warm up" breaks, since it was cold and VERY windy on this hill we live on.  At one point, Kevin was on a wobbly extension ladder perched in his truck bed, trying to reach the high point of the roof.  I was scared to death and had to hold the ladder, so I couldn't take pics, but I managed to get a couple of him on the roof.  Damn, that was scary. The wind was literally howling the whole time.

During our breaks, we watched some food history stuff on the History Channel.  It was fun.  KFC's history, cereal's history, BBQ's history (KC was featured!  WooHoo) and the like.  My dearest bought the newest Trace Adkins CD for me recently, so we listened to that some as well.  We called all family members for a "Happy Thanksgiving" talk throughout the day.  The girls are having fun, so we're happy.

When the lights were finally hung (we're about 2 strands short, and I'll pick those up tomorrow) we went to chore at mom's again.  It takes less than 10 minutes, and the animals are so happy to see us.  Ok, they're happy to see the food, but let me live my fantasy, ok?  Coming back home, we watched Napoleon Dynamite.  Wow, what a train wreck.  I couldn't quit watching, but wasn't sure why.  Was I entertained for an hour and a half, or did I lose an hour and a half of my life?  I'm still not sure.

After that, we watched Survivor.  I'm so sad that Gary is gone.  I'd like to see Judd get eaten by a monkey or something, but we were cozy on the couch with blankets, and life is comfy and good.  Tomorrow, it's backto work.  Glad that Mom and Dad got to Aunt Rena's safe...since Pat drove 85 all the way there.  Sheesh.  Anyway, they have snow for mom, and everyone's happy.  I hope you are all safe and happy as well!

Thanksgiving Eve

Well, it's Thanksgiving Eve.  The night before.  We still have no plans for tomorrow.  It's ok, and we'll deal with it.  Tonight, I'd like to take some time to thank some folks:

I'm thankful for my husband.  He works his butt off every day for those things we need and those things we want.  He is a great dad and a great husband...thanks, Kevin.

I'm thankful for my kids.  They are smart and funny and sweet.  I never lack for hugs around here, and their warped sense of humor is a perfect image of my own.  I love you, kids.

I'm thankful for my parents.  The perfect balance of discipline and love.  The folks who kiss me and hug me and tell me how important I am...EVERY time I visit. I love you guys.

I'm thankful for my mother-in-law.  She is an incredible person who accepts me for who I am, and loves her family unconditionally.  She'd shoot someone for faulting her family.

I'm thankful for my job.  There are many folks who are looking for work and wondering how to feed their families.  I have a job.

I'm thankful for my house.  It has problems and faults and issues, but it's mine.  It's MINE, dammit.  I love my house.

Oh, and I'm thankful for my online buddies.  Many different views and insights.  I'm OK with that.  I love you guys.  You help define me.

I have a lot to be thankful for.  God Bless you all.  If you have  1/3 the blessings I've had, then you're blessed indeed.

Weirdness

I'm feeling weird.  My girls are gone to S. MO for the holiday.  They'll go to Little Rock with grammy for Thanksgiving, and they'll have fun and be happy and eat well.  Brett is spending the night with a friend, from where his dad will pick him up for the holiday where he'll have fun and be happy and eat well.  Mom and Dad are going to Wisconsin where they'll have fun and be happy and eat well.  I'll be here.

Kevin and I have nowhere to go for Thanksgiving.  I'm 36.  I've ALWAYS been at mom's, or Kevin's mom's, or cooked for family on Thanksgiving.  This year, nothing.  The kids are gone, the family is gone....we're batching it.  Yeah, we'll keep busy with putting lights on the house, etc, but damn...I'm bummin' a bit.

It'll be OK.  I have to work Friday and Saturday.  I'll busy myself with decorating the house with Kevin.  We've never owned a house before, so we're looking forward to it.  It'll be fun...Right?  RIGHT?

Yeah, Fun.

Sticking around

Well, I called AOL last night and told them I wanted to cancel service.  She told me how much I'd be losing, with the firewall and antivirus and yadda yadda.  I told her that I have all of that through my employer, and that I never even launch the program.  I have AOL ONLY for the journal, and now I could get that for free.

She informed me that, if I didn't need any of that stuff, and I had hi speed internet, I could get AOL for $4.95.  WHAT???  I've been getting hosed!  I've been paying $14.95 a month for a year!  Well, Monica signs on sometimes, so I guess I'll keep it...for $5.  For now.

LOL, I'm so fickle.

To leave, or not to leave?

Heck, I don't know.  I hate to pay for what others get for free.  I may leave.  I'm prepared, just in case I decide to go.  Sorry, Mom.  I am so stubborn, I hate getting it "put to me" in any way.  I'll be over there in the corner, humming along with one of MANY great Travis Tritt songs.  Thanks.

My Friday Memory

My idea for a Friday memory was complete.  I had the whole entry planned out in my head.  Then I realized it was Veteran's Day today.  Change of plans/Change of entries.

I hated my brother. How much more blunt can you get than that?  He was/is two years older than me, and was meaner than shit.  He teased me, annoyed me, sneezed on me (remember, Jim?) and was cruel at every turn.  Damn, I hated him.  He pre-enlisted in the army and I couldn't wait for him to leave.  Get out, dammit.  JUST. LEAVE.

He did leave.  He left good.  It started to sink in that he would fight in wars.  OK, I wanted him gone, but not GONE!  He was getting in great shape and learning things, and about to get out of basic, so Mom and I drove down to see him graduate.  I cried.  It was beautiful. 

My brother has spent time in a God-forsaken desert, defending your freedom...defending MY freedom.  He did without the comforts of home.  He lived a life I can't imagine, and don't want to.  He was there, on the line, making sure I was free to bitch about a hard day at work (wah wah).

God Bless my brother, Jim.  God bless everyone who's ever served their country.  I salute you.  It's a job that must be done, and that I'm not willing to do.  You stand up to make sure I can sit my fat ass down.  I watch Survivor and ER and drink my beer, while folks like my brother sleep in the sand, insuring that those shows have another season. 

I love you, Jim.  I don't tell you that, but I feel it.  I love you more than you can ever imagine, and would like to take this time to stand up, salute, and cry for everyone who has ever served in ANY branch of the armed service.  I am a spoiled rotten, white, married woman with opportunities that exist NOWHERE but here.  Thanks. 

Lost updates, N stuff

Well, I posted once, and it's gone.  I'll try again, but I'm pissed, so it'll be the short version (ok, go ahead and breath a sigh of relief).

Mom was gracious enough to let us go out for an hour tonight, although it wasn't planned in advance.  I promised we'd always plan in advance, but K and I had miscommunication, so it was to be tonight.  Mom (God bless her) agreed, and I saw my best friend for an hour or so.

Brett's girlfriend broke up with him.  I hurt so bad for him.  The problem is this:  he came home to an empty house.  Damn latchkey working-mother shit.  He was so upset he punched a hole in the wall.  I wish I could be here for my kid's heartaches.  I'm not.  Damn.

Brett will patch and repaint the wall, he knows we love him, and he will think more clearly in the future (I hope).  I love my home, and love my family.  Brett, there are other girls.  Brett, there are other things to do. Brett, I love you.  You deserve better...you ARE better.  You rock.  Patch my wall and move on.  I love you.

Tuesday N Stuff

Well, it's Tuesday.  Yup...Tuesday.  Hmmm, isn't that interesting?  Should I leave it at that?  Here's a boring entry for you, but an entry nontheless.

A couple of times in my life before adulthood, I would go to sleep in my bed and wake up somewhere else.  Often I would wake up in the wee hours and put myself back to bed.  Other times, mom would find me and tell me to "quit sleeping on the couch."  "huh?  I'm where?"  I think she finally believed me, but I'm not sure.  Mom?  This happened for a while before I was 10 (9ish?) and again as a teen.  It hasn't happened since.  Until last night.

I woke up this morning with something digging into my ribs.  I reached down and picked up a baseball.  A baseball?  Huh?  I put it on the floor and started trying to come to my senses....yeah, it takes a while.  The lights under the door were in the wrong place.  The music was distant, and not loud enough to be my alarm.  I finally figured it out about 3 hours (a couple of minutes?) later.  I was in Brett's spare bed.  Brett's room?  WTH?

Kevin had found me missing and looked in the places that I flee to when his snoring gets to be too much.  Couch?  nope.  Guest room?  nope.  Hmmmm, he finally found me, after much worry.  I am going to believe that this is an isolated incident, and won't happen again.  It'll scare me too much to think that I may start sleep walking again.

I have many sleeping issues:  I drool, I talk chinese, I toss and turn, and occassionally snore.  Don't ask me about chili nights, ok?  I don't need "sleep walking" added to the list.  What if I leave the house?  What if I try to drive?  What if I get on the computer and join a lesbian chat room?  ARRRGGGGGG!

Who knows?  I'll just wait and see what happens.  It's probably an isolated incident.  Oh, and I filled my tank for $1.95 a gallon today.  Lowest in a long time....or was I dreaming?  I better go check my fuel guage....or am I dreaming now?  ACK!  Who are you people!?!?

What a weekend!

Friday night, I was invited to share a room at a local casino with my best friend.  I was going to decline, since Kevin's mom was coming to town, but Tammy said that Linda was welcome to join us.  Linda loves that kind of stuff.  By the time Friday rolled around, it was Tammy, me, Linda, Linda's mom, "GG".  We all headed to the casino.

We started with a great dinner there, then headed to the casino floor.  None of us did very well, we all managed to lose the money we brought to gamble, but we were smart enough to only take what we could afford to lose (not much!).  Tammy and I got to the room after 1am and crashed.

We awoke early to head home, and I was beat.  I tried to make a good effort to do the weekend mommy thing, but was failing fast.  I finally took a 2 hour nap.  When I woke up, I was ready to start preparing food for Brett's movie night/sleepover.  Within 10 minutes, my cell phone was ringing.  I answered to hear dad asking "how much do you love your Daddy?"  Ruh Roh.

Seems they were stuck in Branson.  There are many many chapters of this story, so I linked to the whole journal.  Scroll down, it's worth it.  Anyway, Kevin went to Dad's to let some air out of the shocks and rear tires, for a smoother ride.  At 6, I headed out.  It was an uneventful trip (PHEW!) and I arrived at 10, after refueling the beast.  We laughed and I got the whole story while we watched some TV.  Up until 1am again.

Sunday, we got the bike loaded (NOT EASY) and headed out.  It was a good trip, and I enjoyed the time with Mom and Dad.  We got home in time for me to tell Linda and GG goodbye, then wen't to Mom's to watch the Chiefs game (GO CHIEFS!)

I was so dead last night that I pretty much collapsed after Grey's Anatomy (good show) and got a great night's sleep.  Wow, I'm ready for a boring weekend.

All that being said:  I do love a good road trip.  Call me any time, Daddy.  Never again let me complain about mediocrity...NEVER!

My Friday Memory

My Friday memory, this week, is about bicycles.  I can't say it's about "my bike", since I went through so many.  My parents were cool about bikes.  We were allowed to disassemble, reassemble, paint and apply stickers to our 2-wheeled modes of transportation.

I had one bike that had at least 3 layers of spray paint on it!  The seats were changed out, the handle bars adjusted.  We got new hand grips or fancy add-ons with our allowance.  We rode up and down that gravel road like it was new territory.

We rode to town (about 2 miles) and got a soda at the fountain there.  Real, old time cherry Cokes.  Mmmmmm.  We were on one such ride when our dog was hit by a car and killed.  That was a very upsetting day.  We ruled the world when we were on our bikes, though...ruled the damn world.

Yeah, I miss my bike(s).

Treading lightly

I'm so very tired, and have such a story to tell.  Here's the problem:  Anyone can read this journal.  I can't tell the funny/sad/pathetic details here.  I need to get it out, though, so I came up with a plan.  Anyone who wants to read the long details should email me at fierro6@cebridge.net or comment here.  I will email the word document that tells the tale.  Fair enough?  I can't take chances in this journal, but if you email me, or leave a comment, and I recognize your user name, I'll send you the story.  Gotta crash now.  Good night, friends.

Home at last...for a while

I'm exhausted still, and it was a rough trip.  I probably won't post tomorrow, but wanted to get the pics up.  Here they are.  *sigh*  It's so good to be home.  Why is the flight delay ALWAYS on the way home?  Dang weather.  Oh well, Night Night.

A long long day

Well, I'm here.  That's all I care to say about it.  This day has been going on for 17 hours which included an hour and a half drive to the airport, an hour and a half flight in the back of the plane (why am I always in the back?) and a long long day of working with clients.  *sigh*  I'm exhausted and it's causing a bit of a pity party.

The kids want to go to a church gathering instead of trick-or-treating.  WoooHoooo!  That is awesome news, after last years door-to-door in the rain fiasco.  I can handle a one stop night.

I don't have much to say, due to extreme sleepiness, but we have another half day of work in the morning, before flying back.  Not sure if I'll post tomorrow or not, since I have to be up at 3:30 again on Tuesday for the dreaded monthly statements at work.  For now, I'll watch some TV and turn in by 9.  The time change helped me greatly, so I'm pretty sure I'll live through this.

"Whiney, party of one?  Whiney?  Your table is ready."

Business Trips and Kids who Lie

Well, I'm off on another trip tomorrow.  I will wake up at 3:30 to leave home by 4:30 to arrive at the airport at 6:00 for a 7:15 flight.  Sheesh.  I'm mostly packed, but will have to throw in the last minute stuff in the morning.  Toothbrush, deodorant, etc can't be packed until I am done with them in the wee hours tomorrow.  I usually look forward to work trips, but this one, although I love the customer I'm visiting, leaves me with a weird feeling.  I'm worried about the flight, worried about parking, worried about the timing of the flight home (gotta trick-or-treat, ya know) and generally worried.  I'm not sure why, but I have reservations.

Kevin gets a bit on the sad side when I am out of town.  Not down-right depressed, but sad and quiet.  I worry about that.  If he has something to do, he's fine, but we accomplished most of our weekend tasks today, so he could easily lie down to watch TV and find himself sad and lonely.  I hope that doesn't happen.  Frankly, I hope it rains.  If it rains, Mom and Dad will be home, and Kevin can visit them and help Dad with some project.

Brett got busted lying again.  It's been going on for years, so I should be used to it, but I'm not.  He doesn't drink, doesn't do drugs, doesn't sulk in his room for days on end.  I should be thankful for that, I know.  His addiction is sneaking and lying.  He sneaks snacks and the Diet Coke that is intended for the adults lunches.  He hides the evidence, then lies about where they went.  "Where did the 5 missing Diet Cokes go?"  "I don't know, Mom, REALLY!  I have NO idea!"  He acts so incredulous that I want to believe him.  Then we find the empty cans hidden in a storage closet.  Sheesh.  It's just so disappointing to be lied to so blatently.  Spit in my face...it'd be less disturbing.

Hell, I hate leaving town with this cloud hanging over the house.  He's grounded for a week, and his MP3 player has been confiscated.  It's new, so that will hurt more than most things.Ya know what, though?  It won't matter.  When he's out of trouble, with free time again, he'll sneak and lie again.  I hate the thoughts I have when this happens.  Sometimes I think that, if I can make it another year and a half, he will be off to college or work or the Army.  I feel like shit for feeling that way, but he's done me wrong so many times.  All I can do is forgive him again and move on.  That's what parents do, right?

Well, enough depressing crap.  If things go well, we'll be back in our hotel rooms fairly early tomorrow evening.  That will give me time to post an entry, chat online, and get some good ZZZ's.  I need to go to bed now.  3:30 will come way too soon.  See ya from Ft. Worth tomorrow!

My Friday Memory

I'm going to start a new trend here.  Each Friday, I plan to post a memory from my life.  I have 36 years of them built up, and many things bring them to mind.  I'll reserve Friday's for these thoughts.

I was driving home from work today and saw a truck with "Mr. CB" on the window.  I got to thinking (which is never safe) about CB's.  I didn't even know they were still around, other than in tractor-trailers.  We knew CB's quite well when I was growing up.

Mom had a very powerful "base" at home.  There was a mobile unit in the truck.  She could talk to Dad from quite a distance.  This was quite amazing, in the time before cellular phones.  She would sit on this high seat (bar stool height) and talk on that thing, in the corner of the kitchen.  Everyone had a "handle."  That was the name you went by on the CB.  The handles got very interesting.  For instance, my Grandma was an Avon lady, and the "ding dong" of a doorbell was Avon's jingle.  Grandma, therefore, was "ding dong lady".  Grandpa was "ding dong daddy."  That's how it went.

I can remember the time mom told me that I could pick my handle.  I didn't know what to pick, or how they were chosen.  She offered some advice: "Just pick something you like!"  That is how I became "applesauce."  Yup...it was the best I could do, and mom let it stick.  She didn't try to talk me out of it, or guide me in another direction.  I was applesauce.

I can remember her powerful base unit opening the neighbor's garage door.  She was quite unpopular during that time.  I can remember riding in the truck with Dad, calling home to tell Mom we were on the way.  I can remember Mom talking to folks quite far away.  It was cool.

10-4 means "ok" or "yes."  10-20 is your location.  "What's your 10-20?"  "3 miles from home."  "10-4."  There was even the ever-famous "over" thrown in.  When you're done, you say "over."  'nough said. 

A friend of mom's went by the name of "Cupid."  As a kid, I thought I was very smart.  She called one time, and I handed the phone to mom, saying, "It's stupid cupid."  Cupid heard me.  Mom made me call to apologize.  Sheesh, what a lesson.  I was VERY careful what I said, and how loud, from that time on.

Yes, I'd say the CB shaped me in many ways.  I know there are more stories about this, and hope my brother jumps up and helps.  I can't form any more right this minute.  10-4, over and out, good buddy.

A day?

Well, it was an awful day.  I awoke at 5:30 to Kevin saying "what? did you oversleep?"  ummm...YEAH! Hell YEAH I overslept!  Time to wake up.  I woke up and showered and got ready.  I went down to wake the girls only to find out...the tooth fairy forgot to show up last night.  DAMN!  It must be because the girls switched rooms, so we dealt with it...life is good?

We piled into the car (the car that Brett wrecked, but that was too good a deal to pass up, at $500) and got ready to go.  I was in the process of starting it when Monica shut the door.  She only shut the door.  Nothing more.  The passenger side window shattered all over the girls.  SHIT!  Glass everywhere...in their shoes, on the coats, EVERYWHERE!

We regrouped and got into the van.  No problem, we have the van.  Yeah, right.  The van overheated in the 1.4 miles it took to get to mom's.  I drank some coffee and waited, then put water and antifreeze in the van.  1 1/2 gallons!  It was dry.  Why?  Who knows, but I didn't have time to ask why.  Kevin demanded that I trade vehicles with him, so I did.  Got to work only 1 min late, after 20 min of BS.  Not bad.

Tonight, I saw my best friend for an hour or so.  I had good food, wept on a friends shoulder, and generally was made to feel good.  I love Joker's. I love Tammy.  I love having a friend who loves me unconditionally.  Tammy rocks.  See ya next Tuesday, babe.

One more thought.  My mom is the best.  How many babysitters would offer a free night, EVERY week.  She allows us the luxury of seeing our friends and hanging out. She is the bomb.  I love you, Mom.

Whirlwind weekend

It was my turn to work a half-day this weekend, so I went in yesterday morning.  It started out pretty busy, but I ran out of much to do by 10.  Since I needed to stay until noon, I started cleaning and organizing my desk and work bins.  By the time I headed home, it was as clean as on my first day.  What a relief.  It feels good to accomplish that much.

We found out something about Jonathan this weekend, too.  My stepson has had a lot of bumps along the road that is his life.  Little run-ins with the law, dropping out of high school, etc etc.  I used to wonder if he'd ever turn it around, and it seems he has.  He's kept this job longer than any job before, and it has paid off.  He got a promotion, and a transfer to a nearby town with a bigger store (it's a grocery store) and it involves a raise of $2 an hour!  WooooHoooo!  Go Jonathan.  He was so happy, you could hear it in his voice when we called to tell him how proud we are.  He also took the last section of his GED (the only portion that he hadn't passed) and will get the results soon.  There is hope for Brett yet.  I won't give up.

We went to mom's for lunch today, and got to see Aunt Maxine before she heads to Texas for the winter.  It's so cold and windy today.  It feels more like winter than fall.  The wind bites your nose and blows right through your coat.  Kevin and I got the house cleaned, oven and all.  It's been needing it quite badly.  I'll be flying out of town next Sunday, and knew that if it didn't get done today, it'd be two more weeks.

Well, time to wind it down for the evening.  The girls need to shower and we'll do a couple more loads of laundry.  It's that time of year...the time of year that will find me under a quilt any time I'm sitting still for more than a minute.  Brrrrrr.

Saturday Six

1. How many products throughout your home are labelled "antibacterial."
Probably about 3.  I'm not going to count, but there is hand soap, dish detergent, and spray that I can think of.

2. As a general rule, and assuming any required knocking on wood, how often do you get anything more serious than a sniffle or mild cold?
Maybe once per year, on average, I get a sinus infection.

3. John Scalzi ran this story about research that suggests the increased use of "antibacterial" products aren't necessary for people who are generally healthy, and might be causing the creation of "superbugs" that are resistant to antibiotics.  Are you more likely to avoid these products after reading about studies like this?
Not really.  Something new is going to "kill us" every time someone does a study.  Is coffee bad for you, or good?  How about wine?  Beer?  Carbs? I'm quite sick of it, frankly.  Yeah, sick...Aachooo!

4. Take this quiz:  Will you pass the U.S. Citizenship Test?
Nope, I failed.  My torch has been extinguished, and I've been voted off the country.

5. Now that the gas prices have dropped just a little (but nowhere near enough), what's the most you've paid for a gallon of gas so far?
$3.19 after Katrina, $2.16 today.  Sheesh.

6. READER'S CHOICE QUESTION #76 from Psychfun:   What was your favorite cereal as a kid?  When was the last time you had a bowl of it?
I don't remember.  Mom usually cooked hot breakfast, if I remember correctly.  I remember wanting Cookie Crisp cereal awfully bad, but it wasn't that great, and mom was mad I didn't eat it! LOL  I think Cap'n Crunch has always been a favorite, though it's been a year or so since I've had it.

A post for the sake of posting?

Well, I don't like to post unless I have something to say.  I have nothing to say.  I guess I'm posting for the sake of posting.  The family is good, work is fine, we're broke and happy.  The dog is fine, the house is fine.  It's all fine.

Survivor was good.  My fantasy league is going fine.  I'm winning!  LOL  Tonight's Pringle's choice was regular and salsa flavors.  Both wonderful.  It's cold, windy and misty.  Yup, it's October.  I'm OK with that.  The trees are beautiful and I am using the heater in the car for both trips, to and from.  Haven't turned on the furnace yet, but will probably have to soon.  I have to buy propane soon...yuck.

Well, I need to finish watching "ER", or "errr" as we call it at work.  It's great, and I don't want to miss anything.  See ya later!

Yelling at my kids, Nstuff

I woke up this morning a bit later than usual, but still in time to get ready.  As I woke the girls up and started getting them around, I had to step over a million things (maybe a *slight* overstatement) and there were other problems.  The trash can was full, there was no toilet paper in  the upstairs bathroom, and there was a KoolAid stained cup on the dining room table.  ARRRRRGGGGG!!!

Being the person I am, I started yelling.  "I'm sick of being treated like a maid around here!  I will NOT walk around picking up after people who are *PERFECTLY* capable of picking up after themselves!  This is a bunch of *CRAP*!"  and so on.  It was ugly.  I hate when I do that.  I can talk rationally and not yell, but I didn't use that discretion today.  Damn.

Tonight, when the girls got home from church, I made an announcement.  All three children would spend the next 15 minutes cleaning.  Take the garbage out to the curb, take all of your stuff to your room, put all shoes and jackets neatly in the closet, and generally pick up.  15 minutes later, I was happy, nobody complained, and life was good.  Why do I blow my top instead of talking rationally?  Why am I a "yeller"?  Why don't I use my brain more often.  Any kid can handle 15 minutes, but screaming "clean the house" is a bit overwhelming to me, let alone a kid. 

Sheesh.  Sorry kids.  Yes, I will tell them that myself, not just in my journal.  I will admit that I could have handled it better.  I made a mistake, and left my kids this morning under less-than-perfect circumstances.  I'll try not to let it happen again.  I love second chances.

Another boring day? Nah.

Well, those of you looking for excitement may want to move on.  Today was another day in the life of me.

I put some beans in the crockpot this morning, with bacon and onions, salt and pepper.  I dropped the girls off at moms and headed to work.  Work was good, got to head home on time, pretty much "caught up" which doesn't happen real often this time of year.  Kevin got home before me, so picked up the girls and headed to the house.  Cornbread was added to the meal, and the three kids started washing Kevin's truck, with him watching and offering advice.  They had a ball.

We're broke this week.  B.R.O.K.E.  No extras.  Still, we laughed and had fun, ate a great dinner, and enjoyed life.  The girls did the little school work they had, and we kept laundry moving.  The girls showered, and the dog did his business.  We laughed some more.  Brett has a head cold, but is dealing with it quite well.  We watched some TV and checked out our favorite internet sites.  Life is good.

I work with rich people.  Not a lot of them, but some.  They have lake homes and boats and expensive cars.  They spend $100 on their hair and more on clothes.  I get a cut at Fantastic Sam's and buy clothes at WalMart.  I'm happier...I'll guarantee it.  They have the stress of managing money.  I have none to manage.  I get to laugh at a kid's fart, intstead of yelling at them to take their shoes off at the door.

Yup.  Just another day in the life.  Just another wonderful day that sends me to bed with a smile on my face.  Just another day that sends my kids off to bed with full bellies and happy thoughts.  Just another day that makes me thankful to have a good man beside me.  Just another day to appreciate my mother watching my girls.   Another evening of no drama, no stress, and no worries.  Good night, friends.  Good night indeed.

Girlie Day

Natalie and I are having a great "girlie day" today.  We drove around with the top down and had some good luck, too.  I topped off the gas tank in the car and went in to get a drink for each of us.  I had found 2 lottery tickets that were free-ticket winners, and took them in with me.  Got our stuff, including the 2 free scratcher tickets, and headed to WalMart.  I needed milk, butter, laundry detergent and light bulbs.  I looked in the checkbook and realized that it was gonna be ugly.  I had less than $18 in there, and had to buy a Bday present for the girl that invited Natalie to the party.  Well, OK, I'll have to crap some money to deposit.  So be it.

Right before we went in, Natalie said, "can I scratch one of the lottery tickets?"  Oh yeah, I forgot.  "Go ahead," I said.  She did, and it was a loser.  I scratched the other and won $60!  WoooHoooo!  The wolf has been temporarily locked out at the door.  Good luck indeed.

We went to Libby Lu's, for Emily's birthday.  Natalie was the only one that showed up, which was fortunate for Emily's dad, since I saw that he paid $30 each for the two of them.  ACK!  The girls got to choose the look that they wanted, then got pampered and preened over.  They mixed their own concoctions of perfume, shower gel and body lotion.  They got to choose 5 free items each to put in the free backpacks.  It was real cool.  Also, real girlie.  All pink and fluffy, everywhere you looked.

They had a great time, and I'm glad she got to go.  She's not usually a girlie girl, but she had a great time today.  The only problem was, she kept covering her belly.  She didn't like it showing.  That's my girl.  Your daddy would be proud.  Keep that attitude into your teens, ok?

A quiz that's right?

I usually avoid tests, since they get rather old, but I did this one, and it pretty well nailed me.  Hmmm.  Kinda fun.

the Ham
(28% dark, 69% spontaneous, 36% vulgar) your humor style:
CLEAN | SPONTANEOUS | LIGHT

Your style's goofy, innocent and feel-good. Perfect for parties and forthe dads who chaperone them. You can actually get away with cornyjokes, and I bet your sense of humor is a guilty pleasure for yourfriends. People of your type are often the most approachable andpopular people in their circle. Your simple & sillygood-naturedness is immediately recognizable, and it sets you apart inthis sarcastic world.

PEOPLE LIKE YOU: Will Ferrell - Will Smith



The 3-Variable Funny Test!
- it rules -

If you're interested, try my latest: The Terrorism  Test  


My test tracked 3 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:

You scored higher than 9% on darknessYou scored higher than 93% on spontaneityYou scored higher than 50% on vulgarity

Link: The 3 Variable Funny Test written by jason_bateman on <a  ="" href="http://www.okcupid.com">Ok Cupid, home of the 32-Type Dating Test

Good morning world

Kevin and Monica headed to the Maple Leaf Festival in Carthage.  It's a tradition for his family.  Heck, he's been going for 30 years or so.  I hadn't planned to go, thinking I'd be in Ft. Worth on a customer visit.  That got changed to the end of the month, but Natalie got invited to a Bday party.  A girlie glamor day at a local mall.  It's something she's never done, so she really wants to go.  That sent 2 to Carthage, Me and Nattie to the mall, and Brett will go to his dad's house after his final Saturday School.  Yup, his debt to society is almost paid in full.  I bet he thinks real hard before skipping school again.

I had a rough night.  I was tired and crabby, then sat down to figure bills.  I had a headache before I was half done.  I know better than to do that when I'm not on my game, but it had to be done.  We are in a rough patch, financially, right now.  They happen every now and then.  I have to do some creative juggling for a couple of weeks, then everything will be straightened out.  I'm getting some OT right now, and that'll help.

I get so depressed when this happens, but we bring it on ourselves.  Frankly, we're in better shape then we ever have been.  Every week used to be this way.  "Which utility is threatening the earliest shut-off date?"  "OK, that's what we'll pay."  We don't do that now.  It would just be so damn nice to be AHEAD, instead of HANGING ON.

Oh well, I'll not let it get me down.  I'll see mom and dad a bit, watch Natalie get dolled up at a party, hang out, and relax.  Now that I'm driving "the car formerly known as Brett's," we might even put the top down and enjoy the perfect Indian summer weather.  Yup, that'll cheer a girl right up!  It's a junkie little car, but it looks ok from a distance, and runs well most of the time.  It also goes 10 miles farther than the van on each gallon of gas.

Yup, it's gonna be a good day.

The weekend, and the fair

Yesterday was spent at the fair.  We had a good time.  Monica won the donut eating contest.  Kevin's so proud.  He's raising professional contest eaters.  Sheesh.  Natalie did the cracker eating contest, but wasn't the first to whistle.  We ate corn dogs, a funnel cake, and I had a carmel apple while the girls had cotton candy.  The short little parade was fun, and we enjoyed watching people.

*added later*
I forgot to mention that I gave Brett some money.  He went Friday night, then again with us on Saturday.  No pics of him because, as you know, no 16 year old is gonna hang out with his parents. (insert eyeroll here)  He was very appreciative of the spending money, even though it wasn't much.

More N'stuff

I'm tired, so I'm goin' to bed.  First, I'll put some opinion type crap on the table:

Survivor was great, and a shock.  Mixing the tribes up so early?  I have a fantasy league, and this worries me.  Wanna join?  let me know via comment, and I'll send the invite.

Kevin is at a fight.  It's an "ultimate challenge" type thing, in a nearby town.  Free, ringside tickets, so who could refuse?  I could, actually.  See ya when you get home, honey.  (I hate fights.  Wrestling, Boxing, Fighting...it's all painful and useless...heck, these guys aren't even MAD at each other!)

Tough day at work.  'nough said.

Ft. Worth trip may be changing.  Might leave Sunday morn (early) instead of Sat. night.  Not huge, but an interruped sleep pattern.

Brett got in trouble again.  Rightfully so.  He had over 500 text messages in 17 days.  That cost me about $30 over the normal cell phone bill.  His phone is gone now, so it can't happen again.  I told him that I'd buy his unlimited ride wristband, and his girlfriend's, too.  After that, I said "no way!"  They're $15 each, so it evens out.  Now, my soft heart wants to give him some cash.  Do I give him $5 or $10, or let him sulk at home?  I am so torn.  He's so fun and funny.  We had a blast tonight.  I want to give him $$$ just for being good company.

OK, gotta go to bed.  I'm tired.  I got a great sunrise pic today, but am too tired to find the camera.  I'll post it tomorrow night.  Honest!

*sigh*

Well, it's been a tough night.  A damn tough night.  I found out today that I need to fly to Dallas/Fort Worth next weekend.  There is a big festival (Maple Leaf Festival, to be exact) in Carthage (Kevin's home town) that he HAS to attend next weekend.  No, you don't understand.  He NEVER misses Maple Leaf.  He's used to this being my busy time at work, and used to me missing it.  He goes with my blessing, and has a good time.

Now, he'll go and take both girls with him.  Godspeed, Kevin.  He'll do fine, and so will they, but I worry.  He had them all weekend a few days back, so I could go out of town...now he's doing it again.  Poor guy.  He doesn't mind...heck, he doesn't even complain. I just worry.

Another thing that makes it hard is this:  Kevin's brother, as a fireman, was very active in Maple Leaf Festival.  He made pancakes for the city-wide pancake feed at the fire station.  Best pancakes in the world, dammit!  (that's what Steve said.)  The girls are having a hard time with it.  Natalie wanted to talk to Kevin alone tonight, and they both cried and talked and looked through the clippings and stuff that Kevin has.  I am, once again, wondering how many tears I have in my body.  Hell, they just keep coming. 

She went to bed, OK, and seemed fine. Both girls have been to the counselor, needing to talk about Steve.  They have drawn pictures and talked and thought it out.  I think we're doing the right things, but how can you know?  I mean, I still cry sometimes, and I'm not sure that *I* am dealing with it right.  How can I make sure the girls are dealing with it?

I guess, deep down, I am comfortable with things.  We won't get over it, and probably won't even deal with it for quite some time.  Steve should still be here.  It's not fair.  Maple Leaf was his time to shine.  Yeah, he saved lives.  Yeah, he saved souls.  Yeah, he took care of anyone who knew him.  But he made the best damn pancakes in the world...remember? 

Damn.

I'll go to Ft. Worth and help a customer.  Kevin will go to Maple Leaf and deal with the girls.  Life goes on.  Steve would say, "Quit crying and do what you have to do.  What's the big deal?  I'm fine, but you're stressin' out.  Just chill....just chill."  I miss you Steve.  My whole family misses you.

Pics at last...I'm exhausted

OK, the brief version.  If you want more details on specifics, just ask.  I'm tired.

Sunday morning, I got up early to take sunrise pics.  Sunrise over the ocean, who could ask for more?  I took one, it was great.  I took another...awesome.  Then my camera died.  Damn.  You can't get nothin' for $100 (and abuse it for 2 years) anymore.  We set up the booth, then went driving in search of a WalMart and somewhere to take customers to dinner.  We found both.

I got a new camera, and it was about $100, and does FAR more than the old one.  I still have much to learn about it, but I'm loving it already.  I've blurred a few, using wrong settings, but it takes longer video (with sound) and better pictures, over all.  I have video of takeoff and landing today.  The kids loved it.  I also have video of the surf crashing in.  It's already made me so happy.  Thanks, new camera!

We worked the booth all afternoon, then freshened up and called home, and took customers to dinner.  There were 11 of us in all.  Most of us were underdressed for this place, but I don't care.  The food was AWESOME!  The last froo froo place we took customers was aweful.  I don't know how to order or eat expensive meals, so I usually wind up with something like "snail hearts and algea", but I won this time!

After dinner was the dessert and auction thing.  We didn't stay long, but enjoyed our customers while we were there.  It was so fun.  We left after a bit and watched some TV until we fell asleep.

This morning we packed up and loaded the car.  We walked the beach (for a very short time) and headed out.  We got to the airport in plenty of time, and 10 min before time to board, they cancelled the flight.  Crap.  We went downstairs and waited in line for new tickets, and got the last two spots on the 12:55 flight...but sorry....it had to be FIRST CLASS!!!!!

I had a roomy seat and a free drink, but the flight lasted less than an hour.  Then we sat in Charlotte, NC for a couple of hours and finally had lunch.  When we finallyflew out of Charlotte, destined for KC, we had crap seats.  The very last row, with no ability to recline.  There were long-legged, reclining folks in front of us, and parents with kids beside us.  I looked at Michelle (with first class still fresh in our memory) and said, "Oh, how the mighty have fallen!"  We laughed hard and dealt with it.

 We got to KC, rode the shuttle to parking, got in Michelle's car, got to the lab, grabbed my car, and I came the heck home!  I'm tired, have to work tomorrow, and I couldn't be happier.  The kids have souveniers, I have my own bed, and life is good.  Life is so good, in fact, that I think.....ZZZZZZzzzzzz

 

Myrtle Beach, sans Pictures

Well, I got up yesterday morning and took two great sunrise shots...then my camera bit the big one.  Dead.  Gone.  No longer wth us.  It's been on it's last pixel for a few months, but this was for real.  Nothing would work.  I was very upset, but then called Kevin.  We are juggling a couple of bills this week so I can get another.

Michelle and I went to WalMart and I found one for around $100 that did far more, and was half the size, of my old one.  I am very happy with it, and I've been taking many pictures.

Unfortunately, my ethernet cable to this laptop is broken, and only half working.  I've tried to upload a couple of times, but I'm working with dial-up speeds on broadband, so I gave up.  I'll post them from home tonight, honest.

I am totally exhausted from doing so much on so little sleep, but it's a happy kind of exhausted.  I can't wait to get home, yet I've had a ball.  Everyone here is so darn nice!  I am so thankful to have come, and after I sleep about 12 hours tonight, I'll be able to remember this for a long time.

Pictures to come tonight...honest.

Destination: Myrtle Beach

We had a good time yesterday, but it was exhausting.  We had a big plane to get to Charlotte, but had to walk outside and climb onto a tiny little one to get to Myrtle Beach.  I've never boarded that way.  It was funny.  Had some turbulance, but nothing horrible.

There was a wreck on the highway and we were diverted through a mall parking lot, but it caused us to see some interesting things.  There is some sort of bike rally in town, so there are motorcycles EVERYWHERE!  It's cool.

We were hungry, and we're both very easy to get along with (not picky) so we were trying to decide what looked good for dinner.  It was 9:00 local time, and we saw a Hooters.  I commented that I'd never been to one, so Michelle said, "let's go there!"  The food was awesome (smothered chicken sandwich) and the waitress was sweet.  We both called our husbands to tell them where we were eating.  I asked Brett if he wanted a picture of our waitress, he said "of course".  She asked if we wanted to be in the picture, but I told her "that would ruin the whole thing!"

We checked in to the hotel and I got my first glimpse of the ocean.  Yes, Kevin, the REAL ocean.  It was dark, but still neat.  This morning has me in awe.  I've taken a few pictures, but my batteries for the camera are still happily charging away....AT HOME!  I have to find a store this morning, since the gift shop is out of AA's.  I'll get more pics today, and lots of early morning ones tomorrow.

Well, time to finish getting ready, call my family, and start this day.  See ya later!

I'm OK

I get sick of choosing "chillin'" as a mood, but it is the closest I can find to "content".

Work was OK today.  Just normal stuff.  I got a lot done, left very little for others, since I'm gone on Monday (flying home) and they have little reason to gripe about extra work load.  They shouldn't gripe anyway...heck, I cover for them when they're gone, so heck with it.  I'm OK.

I haven't ridden Buddy in over two months, yet I'm sad he's gone.  He wasn't the right horse for my situation.  Nobody could ride him but me, and I couldn't ride him.  He had turned into a hay-burning accessory.  Not good.  I'll have a horse.  I'll have a horse that anyone can ride and that I have time to ride regularly.  He's friendly and fun and energetic, but he's a waste if nobody rides.  I'm OK.

Tomorrow morning, I'll head to the lab.  I have to get my business cards and stuff packed into my bag (I won't check, I'll carry on...I won't risk losing luggage) and then I have some work to do.  I'm meeting a customer there at 11:30 to show him around the lab.  That'll burn about 45 minutes.  At 12:30, Michelle and I will head to the airport for a 2:15 flight.  Plenty of time, since we're not checking luggage.  I gotta get some matches...no lighters on flights now.  I can get matches...I'm OK.

We have a layover that's a bit over an hour in Charlotte, NC.  I can deal with that.  It's another airport to experience.  I like airports.  Call me a freak, but I am a people watcher.  It'll be fun.  Maybe I'll grab a beer or something.  My kids all want a "Sky Mall" from the plane, and I'll collect peanuts or pretzels, or whatever for them.  They like it when I come home with goodies.  I'm OK.

I will kiss my husband and kids in the morning, see Mom and Dad briefly, go to work, see a customer, fly to SC, see the ocean for the first time, post a journal entry from the hotel, and fall asleep in a strange place, all in the matter of 12 hours.  I'm OK.

I love my life.  I love my job.  I love travelling to places I wouldn't otherwise see.  I love having a husband that picks up the slack when I'm gone.  I love coming home to my own bed after a trip.  I have more than many rich folks could ever hope for.  Envy *THIS*, rich folks!  I'm happy...can you say that?  I'm OK.