Wow, this is pretty accurate.

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Midland "You have a Midland accent" is just another way of saying "you don't have an accent." You probably are from the Midland (Pennsylvania, southern Ohio, southern Indiana, southern Illinois, and Missouri) but then for all we know you could be from Florida or Charleston or one of those big southern cities like Atlanta or Dallas. You have a good voice for TV and radio.
The Inland North
The West
The Northeast
Philadelphia
The South
Boston
North Central
What American accent do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

Nothing, and a tag

I have a ton to say, and nothing to say, so here goes:  It's a tag that nobody tagged me with.

1. When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought?  Good LORD, I need to lose weight. L

2. How much cash do you have on you?  About $15.  That’s more than normal.  I don’t carry cash, because if I do, I’ll spend it.

 3. What’s a word that rhymes with DOOR?  War.  Long story, but we’re teaching Lucy “tug-o-war” when we want her to pull the rope toy, and “drop it” when we want to throw it.  She’s doing quite well!

4. Favorite planet?  Uranus (giggidy giggidy)

5. Who is the 4th person on your missed call list on your cell phone?  “home”  Wedon’t like to pay long distance, so anyone calling from home lets it ring twice, then hangs up.  I call back quickly.

6. What is your favorite ring tone on your phone? Miranda Lambert, Kerosene.

7. What shirt are you wearing?  A very worn blue pajama shirt.  I’m waiting for the dryer to finish with my thermal pajama shirt!

8. Do you label yourself? Constantly, and it changes daily.  I try to be nice to me, but it’s not easy.

9. Name the brand of the shoes you’re currently wearing? Shoes?  At home?  Nope!

10. Bright or Dark Room? bright

11. What do you think about the person who took this survey before you? I love her.

12. What does your watch look like? It’s gold and silver (colored, not real!) with X’s and hearts.  Cheap, Wal-Mart fare.

13. What were you doing at midnight last night?  Sleeping.

14. What did your last text message you received on your cell say?  “Mt. Dew, peanut butter and chocolate Chex Mix, Muffin Tops Cereal!!!”  It was the last part of Brett’s Christmas list.

15. Where is your nearest 7-11? I think there is one in Independence (about 20 miles away) but I’m not sure if it’s still there.  QT is way better!

16. What’s a word that you say a lot?  I say a lot of words too much, but “right ON” and “awesome” and “ too cool” are among them.  One that I’m trying to eliminate during conversations at work is, “Absolutely!”  I say that a lot.  I annoy me.  sigh

17. Who told you he/she loved you last?  Kevin,  at the end of ANY conversation.  I should take a lesson from him.

18. Last furry thing you touched?  Hawkeye or Lucy, my dogs.

19. How many drugs have you done in the last three days?  Caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, and grease.  Yeah, grease may not be a drug to you, but you should see how many chips I can eat!

20. How many rolls of film do you need developed? None.  I have a digital camera and work at a lab.  If I had a roll of film, it would be developed at work within one day.

21. Favorite age you have been so far?  Gosh, there have been good and bad things at most years.  I would say 30.  I was married to the man I love, had all my kids, but didn’t ache as much as I do now.  Sheesh, I hurt.  And, I could stay up later, too, without paying for it for two days!

22. Your worst enemy?  I can’t say.  Some folks I work with read this.  Grrrr.

23. What is your current desktop picture?  My baby boy, Hawkey the Mutt, in the snow.  He’s so cute.

24. What was the last thing you said to someone? “Time for showers!” to the girls.  They have to go to the lab with me in the morning, and I need them to get ready.

25. If you had to choose between a million bucks or to be able to fly what would it be? Fly?  Why?  I have a car.  Pass over the mullah, please.

26. Do you like someone? Most everyone I meet!

27. The last song you listened to?  “Boondocks” by Little Big Town.  If you haven’t heard their harmony, I suggest you do so, soon!

28. What time of day were you born?  I’m not sure.  Mom?

29. What’s your favorite number?  4 and 9.

30. Where did you live in 1997? In Oak Grove, Missouri.

31. Are you jealous of anyone?  In some ways, yes.  In most ways, I wouldn’t trade what they have for what I have.

32. Is anyone jealous of you? I doubt it.

33. Where were you when 9/11 happened?  Working in a cubicle in Carthage, MO.

34. What do you do when vending machines steal your money? Go to the front counter and get my money back.

35. Do you consider yourself kind? Usually.  I try to be.  Am I?  ACK! I think so.

36. If you had to get a tattoo, where would it be? I have one, and want another.  Not sure what or where, so I probably won’t.

37. If you could be fluent in any other language, what would it be?  Spanish.

38. Would you move for the person you loved? Without a question!

39. Are you touchy feely? No.  Kindly stay out of my bubble.

40. What’s your life motto?  No problem!  I get PAID tomorrow!

41. Name three things that you have on you at all times?  My cell phone, my watch, and my purse. 

42. What’s your favorite town/city?  This one.

43. What was the last thing you paid for with cash?  A bag of jalapeno chips from the vending machine at work. Yum!

44. When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper and mailed it?  I wrote 9 Thank-you cards to customers today, for Christmas gifts…does that count?

45. Can you change the oil on a car? Abso-freaking-lutely!  I can also change a tire, change plug wires, and most other maintenance duties. Thank you, Daddy.

46. Your first love: what is the last thing you heard about him/her?  Well, he’s Brett’s Dad, so I hear of him regularly.  I heard he fixed duck for Christmas dinner, upon Brett’s request.  It annoyed Brett’s aunt.

47. How far back do you know about your ancestry?  Know about?  Like details?  Grandparents, I guess.  Limited details on great-grandparents.

48. The last time you dressed fancy, what did you wear and why did you dress fancy? Fancy?  Does that mean NEW sweats?  I don’t dress fancy.

49.Does anything hurt on your body right now? My elbow and both knees hurt most of the time.

50. Have you been burned by love?  Oh yeah.

I went shopping today.

Well, I did it.  Kevin and I did most of the Christmas shopping last night, but there were some things that I needed to do this afternoon.  We got off work at 1:00, and I told Kevin that I was going to do it.  Take the plunge.  Brave the crowds.  Bah.

First, you must know a couple of things.  I hate shopping.  I hate malls.  I hate "last minute" anything, but with my job being what it is, I have no choice.  I'm not a typical woman.  I hate shopping.

That being said, here we go.  I headed to the nearest shopping mall.  It took 6 cycles of one traffic light for me to get close to the mall.  *sigh*  Just wait it out.  Play the radio, let people merge when needed, you have all afternoon, you're in no rush.  I kept repeating those things.

It took about 15 minutes in the parking lot to find someone leaving, so I could have a spot...FAR from the mall.  I parked and headed in.  A couple of rows over, two women were honking their horns and screaming profanity at each other.  It was almost humorous, but I was waiting to hear gunshots.  Merry Christmas, ladies.

I got inside and started my search for a couple of specific items.  There were hundreds of groups of teenage girls, cell phones firmly on their ears, saying things like "OH MY GOD!  I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!" and "NO WAY!" and other nonsense like that.  It was all very exciting, I guess.

There were also groups of friends walking 5-wide.  I'm glad ya'll are having some bonding time, but how am I supposed to get by?  Wait it out.  It'll be fine.  There were folks with out-of-control children, women looking mad or worried, men looking lost, and old folks wondering where they were, and why.

I walked past the Macy's perfume counter.  BLECH!  The smell burned my nose something fierce.  I kept thinking, "I wish something would get this smell out of my head."  Then it happened.  Be careful what you wish for.  I fell into step behind a greasy guy that smelled of body odor and onions.  Then, I went into the restroom.  BLECH!  It smelled like a shopping mall restroom.  So many smells this holiday season.

By the time I left, I had only made one purchase, and it wasn't even a planned one.  I got a little something for my babysitter (mom) and headed out.  It took another 20 minutes to leave the mall and get to the interstate.  I was patient and kind and loving to all drivers, regardless of their level of road rage.  "You need to whip your car in front of me from two lanes over?  No problem, I'll slow down for you."  I was quite merry and bright...or faked it real well.

Finally, after striking out at 4 stores, I went to Walmart.  I got the stocking stuffers and such, then bought baking goods.  We make trays of goodies for all of our neighbors and friends each year.  I'll start on that tonight.

Wow, I'm glad to be home.  I do NOT see what other women see in shopping.  Could someone please explain the fun?  Maybe it's more fun if money is no object?  Who knows?

*ahhh*

Well, here we are.  Today was the day in which all "out of town" orders had to ship.  I offerred to be the CS rep that hunted down orders lost in CS.  I worked my TAIL off, but we did it.  Some people were mad when it was said and done, but we got them all out.  "Change the due date or ship it!" became my phrase of choice.  The production staff loves me, but other CS reps hate me.  ehh, so be it.

Now, we wait to see if we made incentive.  If the remake percentage is low enough, we made it. If it's not, we didn't.  We'll know tomorrow.  Incentive means we get paid for 12-26 and 1-2.  We're off work either way, but paid?  We'll see.

Kevin and I got to do some errands tonight.  Had a late night, thanks to Mom.  She got fed up early, and had Natalie call me, but we got the Wal-Mart thing done.  We had ordered dinner when the call came, so I got mine to go and ate when I got home.  It was cold, but still good.  Brett ate the last half.  He was happy that I got called home early, since it netted him some grub.

I'm trying to work a way to go to Carthage on Monday.  Kevin's mom is very down.  Her other son, Steve, would have had a birthday yesterday.  He's gone now.  Her voice is void of feeling.  That scares me.  If I can work it, we'll leave early Christmas morning, and come home that evening.  She needs to see Kevin.  She needs to see the girls.  God, how awful must this be for her?  I can't imagine.

So...life is good, life is tough, life is comfortable, and life is bad.  How do you sum it up?  I can't.  Kevin is hurting, his mom Linda is hurting, and Steve's twin sister Susan is hurting.  Please, if you pray, call them by name tonight.  If you don't pray, send good vibes to Kevin, Linda, and Susan.  This sucks. I am so sad.

I didn't mean to get off on a tangent.  Let's just be happy that life is going on.  I am alive, my husband is alive, and my children are alive...alive and healthy.  Thank God for that. 

Russ?  I love you.  I have met you, and it makes this harder.  I'm glad you're at peace, and I'm glad you're coping...but let's get together soon.  Let me give you a real hug.  You warned me, the last time we met, not to do the "hug and pat the back" thing.  I know that we need to hug tightly and let the rest go.  I can do that, now.  I need to give you a hug, big bro.

Saturday Stuff

Well, I made it through the last Saturday of busy season.  A coworker even offered to stay until 2, so I could leave a bit early.  It was my turn to stay until 2, but she thought it was hers, so she said, "Go ahead, you have plans and I don't!"  Cool.  Thanks, Patty.

I met Kevin in Blue Springs, where he and Monica got their hair cut.  Then we dropped his truck off at his work, and headed to Independence.  A customer sent me a Chili's gift card, which just happens to be good at On The Border, too, so we redeemed that. 

The food was good, as always, but the service was lacking (we're usually quite happy with them) and the bathroom was a wreck.  Kevin and I told the lady we were going to split a Borderito (they are HUGE) and she didn't bring an extra plate.  When we asked for one, she brought me a dirty one.  The second one was clean.  We spent $47 of the $50 on the card, so guess what her tip was?  LOL

Then we headed over toward the theater to see Charlotte's Web.  There was a major traffic jam, and you couldn't get to the theater.  It's across from a mall, and it's the week before Christmas.  We turned right around and headed back to Blue Springs.  That theater was almost empty!  We really enjoyed the movie.  I cried.  Laugh all you want, I cry at Hallmark commercials, what do you EXPECT me to do when the spider dies?  Oops, I've given away the ending.

After dropping Kevin off at his truck, I took the girls to Walmart to buy a dress for their many programs coming up this week.  Have I mentioned how much I hate Walmart?  And people?  And spending money that I need for Christmas?  And holiday traffic?  And kids bickering in the back seat?  Bah Humbug.

OK, I'm over it.  I found some stuff on clearance, so 3 skirts, 2 sweaters, two pairs of tights, one pair of shoes, some makeup that I needed, and a few other necessities, and I walked out of there $70 poorer.  Not bad, I guess, compared to department stores, but still.

Now I'm home, and in my comfy new jammies (thanks Kevin!) and he noticed I was a bit crabby, and fixed me a diet coke with some hooch in it.  He also replaced the fuse in the outside Christmas lights, because he knows how much I enjoy coming home and seeing them on.

Well, with programs coming the next 3 nights in a row, I'll hopefully have some pictures to share this week.

Cup of stress, anyone?

Work is stress.  Home is stress.  Home ownership is stress.  Why didn't anyone warn me about growing up?  Oh yeah, Mom tried.  *sigh*

I had about 3 calls from ANGRY customers, that I dealt with quite well.  I also had about 3 calls and 2 emails from customers singing my praises.  That means I win, right?  I am so spent when I head home, I don't know how I'll get here, but I do.  I make it home, and it's warm and peaceful here.  My family loves me and I love them.  I have TV and Internet and food in my belly, and I'm relaxed.  I love it here. *sigh*

We are almost through with the process of refinancing our house.  Knocking 1.5% off our interest.  It's just stressful, playing the waiting game.  It means no payment this month, which insures that my kids WILL have Christmas.  That was in question...honestly.  *sigh*

I made a mistake on an order for a customer that happened to FIX a mistake that they made.  It was how a name was spelled on a Christmas card.  They spelled it wrong, but I had to redo the order, and I spelled it "wrong" according to what they had entered.  Turns out that my wrong spelling corrected their mistake, and they'll deliver the cards to that customer tomorrow, with no problems.  Huh?  Yeah, I'm confused, too.  Just so you know, the name should be "Kristin", not "Kristen". *sigh*

Hugs to Russ, and his upcoming ordeal.  I love ya, Russter.  Hugs to Amy and her upcoming move.  I love ya, Aimes.  Hugs to Mom, for being the greatest babysitter ever.  I love  ya, Mommy.  Hugs to all my other J-land buds, and my other buds, too.  My H&H friends?  Yeah, we'll all make it through "season."  My personal friends?  Yeah, I'll see you again, after "season."  *sigh*

Love ya, love your show! (Is that the first time I've put that phrase here?  It's something from Kevin's favorite radio station.  Every time someone calls in, they start the conversation with "Love ya, love your show!"  I like it, so I stole it.  That's how I am.  Deal with it.)  *sigh*

My ONLY day off this week

Yup, it's crazy at work.  I went in yesterday, and am doing nothing much today.  I keep mentioning that this is "my ONLY day off this week" in an attempt to justify sitting around on my ample behind.  I don't need to justify it, everyone is pitching in great, but it's an ongoing joke for me and Kevin.

I did manage to get all the laundry done, with help from the girls.  Kevin and I had chili dogs for breakfast, with cheese and onions.  I know what you're thinking, but it's my ONLY day off this week!  They were wonderful fare.  Tonight we had burgers on the foreman grill.  Health nuts?  Not us! 

Tomorrow, I'll put in about 13 hours, due to a meeting after work.  ICK!  It's not going to be a bad meeting, just a lot of info about the convention schedule, starting in January, but it's still a long day.  I would putt around in the morning and not go in early like I usually do, but since production worked today, my desk will be buried tomorrow.  I like to get an hour or so in before the phones come on.

I didn't go to Mom and Dad's today.  I like to see Dad on the weekend, but I was busy sitting around, because....say it with me...it's my ONLY day off this week!  I see Mom every morning, so I get tidbits of news here and there from her.  I'll make sure I see him next weekend...the last weekend of busy season.

We need to find a way to go see Kevin's family for Christmas or New Year's, but it's tough with two dogs.  I guess we could board them, but I hate to spend the money.  Do I trust my 18 year old son enough to leave him here to tend to things?  Do I want to do that to him?  I don't know yet.  I'll have time to decide later, I guess.

A customer sent me a $50 gift card to Chili's, which is also good at On The Border.  I love On The Border.  Kevin and I will probably use it when we Christmas shop...whenever that is.  We have been known to do ALL of our shopping on Christmas Eve.  Seriously.  Not one gift bought earlier than that.  I don't care.  I can power shop and try to keep Kevin from killing other shoppers.  Not an easy task, but I'm up for the challenge.

Well, have a great week, and think good thoughts of me, while I wear my "happy voice" and talk customers down off the ledge of insanity over last minute orders.  Please, all of you, don't EVER ask a photographer to deliver before Christmas, when your sitting wasn't until December...OK?  You just drive the photographer's lab NUTS, and that could be me!

The Angry Blogger

OK, here goes:  You may want to just hit another link now.  You were warned.

Monica got a detention today, to be served tomorrow.  She missed an assignment.  OK, I know.  She should have done it.  I know she blew it off or lost it.  I ALSO know that she makes straight A's in school.  She doesn't get in trouble, and she's on the friggin' honor roll.  So, we miss ONE assignment, and you want me to leave work 2 hours early in the middle of busy season?  NOPE!  Not happenin'.

Brett will be able to pick her up tomorrow, so she'll do it, but Mom asked "what if?" so here it is.  IF there was no way to get her, I'd call the school.  If they kept her after, knowing I had no way to pick her up, they DAMN sure better find some way to get her to Mom's afterwards.

I get so fed up with school sometimes.  I have to fill out so much paperwork, the kids are done with homework before I am.  I work almost 50 hours a week, plus the 2 hours of driving to and from each day, and your teachers are going to lecture me??!!  I don't FREAKING think so.  I do my best.  My kids do their best.  I am a good Mom, and my kids are clean, fed, housed and happy.  Screw you, public school!

If I was rich, I'd hire a tutor for home-schooling.  I don't have the patience for it, so I wouldn't do it, but I'd have someone here who was willing.  Not some chick who wants to send my kid home for a 99.9 temp, or for the sniffles, or who wants to lecture me about the scratches on Monica's glasses.  You wanna buy glasses two times a year?  OK, here's her prescription, knock  yourself out...literally.

Yeah, I know, Natalie straggles behind sometimes.  She's easily distracted and takes forever to get her shoes on.  Know what else?  SHE'S FRIGGIN' 9 YEARS OLD!  Deal with it, or teach another grade.  Get off my ASS about how you have to remind her about things.  Kevin couldn't find his keys this morning and I forgot to pack a lunch for myself.  Give me detention, I dare you!

OK, I think I'm done.  I have to go pay over $60 for Brett's cap and gown shit  for graduation, and then write checks for all three lunch accounts.  Then, I'll sign the girls' agendas and check homework.  Then I'll fold some laundry and do the dishes and worry about Brett until he gets home from work. 

Yeah, I'm not doing what I should for my kids.  You already mentioned that, Mrs. Butthead Teacher...you made your point.

An idea

OK, here goes.  Work is crazy busy, and I'm exhausted and frustrated by the time I get home.  That's why I don't blog much.  Pissy people make for annoying blogs sometimes.  Except Russ.  His journal is funnier when he's pissy.

Anyway, I was driving home tonight, admiring the lights on some rich folks houses, and then I would pass some tacky display that made me laugh out loud.  I'm going to have my camera ready on the way home tomorrow.  Please watch your neighborhoods and post some tacky decorations.  I'm thinking about a "best-worst" post, or something.

You know, like when they throw a small string of lights at a tree, and it has no shape at all?  That kind of stuff.  If you do this, leave a link here, please!  I wanna see if it happens everywhere, or just here in rural Missouri.

Friday, statements, and forts

OK, here are some pictures of the dogs playing in the snow last night.  I could have had some GREAT action shots, but they were running WAY too fast for me to catch it.  They had a ball.

This morning, I left early to run the monthly statements (grrr, don't get me started) and truly tested the car.  The street wasn't touched.  I just plowed through it with no problem!

Work sucked,  because it's statement day.  'Nough said.

The girls had a ball at mom's today.

On the way home, I saw many cars in ditches, saw a warning for "heavy drifting and icing, choose alternate route" about 20 miles past my turnoff, saw a snow plow in a ditch, and saw many idiots learning the laws of physics.  DUH!

My car did AWESOME!  I have named the little thing "Captain Incredible"  Every good car needs a name, and mine earned this one today.

Now, I'm sipping hot tea, the girls are hiding in the relative safety of a room-sized fort, and Kevin is watching TV in the bedroom.  It's been a long day for everyone, and it's time to chill...so to speak.