Sunday

I had computer issues on Sunday evening, so I couldn't post my pictures.  Today, I worked half a day, then flew to St. Louis on the tiniest plane I've ever seen.  We checked in, I showered and dressed, then we went to dinner with customers, which lasted 2 1/2 hours!  Now, I'm in my room, but I need to get up by 5:30, so this is a short post.

Sunday pictures are above, the pictures from this trip will follow tomorrow morning (if I ACTUALLY get up at 5:30) or tomorrow evening.  I have some fun stuff to share.

Getting back to "normal"

The girls are home!  And it's about time.  The problem is: Monica arrived with a horrible sore throat, and a fever.  Kevin stopped at the Minute Clinic before he ever got them home, and she has strep.  Oh joy.

The poor kid hurts so bad.  This afternoon, her temperature was 103.8.  She has antibiotic and numbing gargle stuff and Tylenol, so she'll be OK.  Right know, though, that kid is SICK.

I went to Dad's today, so Natalie could visit (Monica is still contagious) and Natalie decided to stay for a while.  I came home to do some more laundry, then went back to pick up a refrigerator (our back porch fridge died a week ago.)  While we were there, Natalie decided that she wanted to spend the night with Aunt Rena.

We brought the fridge home and Natalie packed some clothes.  Then, I took her out to drop her off.  When I got home, Monica and I went out to the deck and lit the tiki torches.  She had asked to, and the Tylenol had her feeling better.

We sat out there and visited for a while, and she even caught a couple of fireflies.  When the skeeters started biting, we came in.  She's going to bed soon, since she is starting to droop a bit.  Tylenol can only do so much, you know?

My brother should be here soon.  Well, not HERE, but at Mom's.  We'll see them in the morning.  Monica can't be there until afternoon, since she needs 24 hours on antibiotics before she can be around anyone.

This will be a whirlwind week.  I have to fly to St. Louis on Monday afternoon, with the owner of the company.  Dinner with a customer Monday, then I'll get a rental on Tuesday to drive around Illinois to see 2 other customers, then meet back up with the owner and the pilot to fly home on Tuesday evening.  Then I'll work Wednesday and Thursday, then it's INDEPENDENCE DAY!  Woo Hoo!

Three day weekends are ALWAYS a good idea, right?

Angry Dad

Kevin's truck has been running like shit.  Sorry for not warning you that I'm going to cuss in this entry, but his truck has been REALLY running like shit.  If you ease into your cruising speed, you're fine.  If you stomp it, it sputtered and fell on it's face.  Kevin was SURE that there was some bad shit going on.

He asked several folks about it, and got different opinions.  I said "fuel filter."  He felt that it was the fuel filter.  YET, you don't know Kevin.  He is usually SURE that it's the worst possible problem, so he was sure his engine was about to blow up.  OK, not really, but he knew it was bad.

From the test drive we took a bit ago, the fuel filter fixed it. Rock ON! 

On his way home tonight, he had to stop at WalMart.  I can't blame the guy for looking.  I really can't.  However, he got a dirty look for it.

Please check out my husband, Angry Dad.  It was too funny not to post.  Poor guy.

Check this out, OK?

OK, here's the deal:

go to tiny little division, OK?

You don't understand.  Most of you already love Toonguy (Russ to some of us) and you think he's funny.  there is a site for the cartoonists to let go of some creativity.  These are things that are NOT approved for cards that you'll buy in the stores.  Some are weird, some are crazy, and ALL are things that you will NOT find while browsing the card isle at WalMart.

Because many of my coworkers check this site daily, I was shocked with Russ said that it "wasn't catching on."  Hell, we FREAK if we can't access this site.

I'm not kidding.  Go.  Go read it, and let me know what you think, OK?

Promise?

91 is hot!

UNCLE!

I CRY UNCLE!

OK, 91 is HOT!  Actually, I could probably still deal with it.  I get home at 6, and by 9 it is OK in here.  The problem is that the girls will spend some time here during the day, so we can't have it this hot.

I got home tonight and let Hawkeye out, and later asked him if he'd like to come back into the house.  He turned around slowly, lifted his right paw, flipped me off and said, "Screw you, woman!"  OK, dude.  I know it's hot in here.  No need to be rude!

My a/c quit, my garbage disposal quit, my hot water heater is leaking (but still working) and on Sunday, my dryer quit.  I was ready to throw in the towel and go back to renting, until neighbor Jimmy (bless his soul) told us that he had a dryer down there, doing nothing.  Well, let's put it to work, my friend!

The garbage disposal has been replaced with a straight pipe (we have a dog, after all) and the dryer situation is handled for now.  The a/c guy will be called tomorrow, and the hot water heater can leak until it quits, or until I have $500 extra lying around.  Anyone want to gift $500 to me?  No?  I thought not.  I can handle the slow stream in the basement.

The girls come home on Saturday, and I can't WAIT!  I called them twice, and sent texts twice tonight.  I try not to contact them more than 4 times per week, so that they don't get sad, missing home too much.  Now, we're 2 1/2 days out, so I can call all I want.  They're stoked!  We'll go firework shopping next week.

Oh, and JIM IS COMING THIS WEEKEND!  HE'S BRINGING MY GEORGIA PEACH OF A NIECE WITH HIM!  Yeah, you guessed it.  I'm excited.  We'll have so much fun.  On the 4th, we'll have many folks around, and Kevin will grill, wearing his new apron that Mom bought for him in Branson.

Yeah, Dad, Mom got the credit.  Sad, huh?  Kevin lives that crap, so talk to him.

Anyway, we've got appliance troubles, but much to be thankful for.  I choose to focus on the good stuff.  I'll see Jim and Lyndsay in a few days.  It's about time!

Oh, and one more thing...for Russ.  There was an awesome cartoon on www.tinylittledivision.com today.  It wasn't up for long.  Was it pulled for the questionable content?  Is there any way I could get it emailed to me?  4 of us at work saw it before it was pulled.  We NEED this cartoon.  It's like a drug, man!

Peace out, suckers!

Natalie's letter

I got a letter from Natalie today.  Actually, Kevin and I both got letters.  He's asleep, so I don't have permission to publish his letter, but I'll share mine.  I will type it exactly as she wrote it.  Her grammer, spelling, and punctuation is 100% better than only a year ago.  I'm proud of that.

Some things that you need to know before you read this are: I told her the a/c broke, and told her that I hoped I didn't get a heat rash on my butt.  I started with "Dear Pumpkin Butt" and ended with "Love, Mommalicious"  I told her that the trip to the KS party was long, but we made the best of it by joking around.  Also, Kevin usually gets a good deal on fireworks due to the tent in the parking lot of his employer.  I think that covers everything.  If anything is not clear, let me know.  By now, you know that we have a weird sense of humor around here.  Deal with it.  The sooner you deal with it, the better off we'll all be.

And now, the letter:

Dear Momilicious,

Hey Mom!! Down here it's good.  I sure do miss you, too!  I'm glad your friends, you, and dad had a good time on your drive.  And you're right, you do have to make the best of a bad situation.

I am looking foward to my week at camp.  Thanks for sending a care package.  I got Dad's letter with yours, too.

No I can't believe it's 2 1/2 weeks 'til the 4th of July.  I can't wait either.  I hope Daddy gets fireworks, too.  I can't wait to see Lindsey and uncle Jim.

I can't believe the air conditioner broke!  I'm glad we have fans.  Oh, and if you do get a butt heat rash, I would see a doctor about that. LOL!!!

I love you, too and can't wait to get HOME!!!

Love you,

Pumpkin Butt

(LOL)

P.S. (xxxxxxxxxxxx) is a my coke rewards code.)

That's the letter.  It was so great, it made me cry.  There were a couple of grammatical errors, but other than one misspelled word, it was awesomely done, and melted this momma's heart.  I can't wait until they get home on Saturday!

Oh, and you didn't think I'd give out my coke code, did you?  LOL

Random thoughts that do NOT go together

These thoughts do not go together in any fashion.  They are just things that have crossed my mind today.  In no particular order:

I saw a semi trailer that said "fresh young chicks" following a semi trailer that said "hot and fresh."  Hmmm.  Slut trucks.

My man-child Brett started work today, at his new job...working for Kevin.  We'll see how that goes, but today was good for both of them, so I'm hoping and praying.  Kevin needs yard help at the lumber yard; Brett needs a job.

My brother is coming for a visit.  He's bringing my Georgia peach niece with him.  I cannot wait!

Kevin has 33 hours in at work this week.  It's TUESDAY!  Yes, he's in bed.  At 6:30.  His body can't take this, so I worry.

There was some awesome lightning this morning, on my way in to work.  I love a good storm.

My deck is too hot tonight, even in the shade of my fabulous umbrella.  Maybe later.

The girls are coming home on Saturday.  I could pee myself with excitement.  I got the greatest letter from Natalie today, and a call from Monica last night.  It's TIME!

I asked Kevin if he needed a treat tonight.  He did.  I didn't know what to get, but as I exited in OG, I saw a sign for Dairy Queen.  Kevin LOVES (and would marry) the Peanut Buster Parfait.  I got one, wrapped it in napkins, shoved it in a bag, and got home as fast as I could.  He was SO happy.  I'm a good wife.

I helped coworker "T" with our software today.  How can he work in sales for our lab, and not even know the software? Good lord.  He didn't know what a browser window was, or a scroll bar, or where to find images on his computer.  *sigh*  Why me?

OK,I should stop.  I have had a TON of rambling thoughts today, and it would take all night.  You don't have that kind of time.  Actually, if you made it this far, I think you may need a hobby.

Peace out!

My bottom smells bad

OK, folks, my bottom smells bad.

My car has no a/c and it got kind of hot today.  What?  Did you think I meant THAT?  You're nasty.

On my way home, I turn right about 5 miles from my home.  Three of those miles are through the river bottoms.  When it's hot, the temperature drops 10 degrees (at least) as I make this corner.  I cruise through the river bottoms, enjoying the cooler temps. 

In fact, if I stick my arm out the window JUST right, and lean forward, the cool air goes up my sleeve and around my back, sending chills up my spine as the sweat dries.  It is my FAVORITE part of the commute home.

HOWEVER.  However, this area has flooded recently.  It's flooded more than once.  Now, there is stagnant water standing there, and it smells.  Saying it smells is an understatement.  Have you ever smelled a shallow, stagnant pond?  Yeah, take that times 10.  It's bad.

So, tonight, I round the corner, feel the temperature drop, stick my arm out the window JUST right, and took a deep breath through my nose.

AARRRRRGGGGGG!!!!!!

I gagged a bit, curled my nose, and decided that I would deal with it.  Honestly, the smell is worth it.  Ever had cool air hit your arm pit during a hot day?  No?  Then you're a liar.  I know you've stepped in front of a fan, raising your shirt or positioning your clothing in a way that achieves maximum cooling.

I got home to a house that isn't half bad, even with a broken a/c unit.  Two fans makes it quite comfortable, and my electric meter thanks me.  Hell, if I knew it would never get over 90, I wouldn't even get it fixed for a while.  It WILL get over 90, though, so I guess we better have it looked at.

The next time someone tells you that their bottom stinks, wait for the whole story, OK?  Yeah, I know, nobody will EVER say those words to you again.  I'm OK with that.

Almost a week's worth of entries

I know, I know.  I haven't posted since Wednesday, but there has been SO much going on!  I guess you can tell that by the fact that there are 38 pictures up there.  Here is a rundown:

Thursday, I stopped by my best friend's house to say 'howdy'.  Kevin joined us, and we relaxed on their deck, watching the storms to the North.  What?  To the North?  "Umm, Kevin?  You know that's our house, right?"  He agreed, so I headed out.  As I left, the weirdest clouds ever formed over me.

Within 5 miles, it started to POUR.  I quit taking pictures and started watching the road.  3 miles after that, I could NOT see the road, and went around 10 mph in order to BARELY see the yellow line.  Soon, I was driving through rising flood waters (don't worry, nothing deeper than I could handle, but 10 minutes later and I would have been in trouble.)  My windshield started to fog up, so I rolled the window down about 2". 30 seconds later, the hail started, and it was pinging off my temple.  Awesome, no?  LOL

I got home safely to see that one trash can was halfway down the street, and the other was in the neighbor's yard. *sigh*  I ran to retrieve them, in the pouring rain, and came into the house DRENCHED!  All I could think of was drying off, when I saw it.  Yeah, the a/c is down, so ALL of my windows are open.

OK, time to mop up water.  That took a while, and when I was done, the storm had passed.  Mom says that we got 4" of rain.  I know for a fact that most of it was in less than 2 hours.  Nice.  I got up Friday, and it was all suddenly very funny.

Friday night, coworker Mike came over to attend our town fair, as did my BFF Tammy and her husband Greg.  We ate some BBQ, then went to the fair.  It was smaller than ever, but we hung out for a while, and we got to see Tammy win a 3-legged hippo.  It wasn't "missing" a leg, it was sewn together with only 3.  ROFL

Saturday, Kevin had to work.  He expected to be off work by noon, and we were to attend a 3:00 wedding about an hour from here.  By 1, I knew he'd never be here in time.  Besides that, he hurt REAL bad from the 65 hour week, so I let him off the hook, and told him I was going without him.

I hate weddings, but this one was awesome.  It was in the woods, on their raw land.  They've worked hard to clear it and make it ready, and it was so sweet.  I had a good time, and even had an organic beer.  That was a first, but that's Melodie.  She is a hippy, born too late.  I love her, and everything is natural and organic.  The snake was an odd addition, but I hear that native American's call that a sign of a new beginning.  OK.

Today, we kidnapped Dad, along with Mom and Aunt Rena, and took them to get lunch at the closest Chinese buffet.  It was great, and I had a good time.  Several of you thought that "I missed father's day" or "I missed Dad's birthday" meant that I forgot about them.  That's not the case.  Time just didn't allow any fun until today.

We had a great time, then we came home.  Kevin mowed the lawn and even did the hill with the weed eater (that's a JOB.)  Then, he went down to help neighbor Jimmy with some odd jobs.  I'm watching the end of the Nascar race.  Carl isn't going to win it, but at least he won the Nationwide race yesterday.

OK, I'm done with this marathon entry.  I'll be better at posting, now that things have calmed down.  Have they? Well, maybe for now, but the girls come home next weekend, so it'll get exciting really fast!  LOL

Peace Out!

Happy ____ Day!

I know that I owe some stories from the party, and those will come.  Today, however, I have some dues to pay.  This whole party thing caused us to miss some big days.  Now, I'll try to make it up, although a journal entry doesn't seem like enough.  It's all I've got, though, so here goes:

Mom and Dad's anniversary:  I am one of the VERY few people who have parents that are still married to each other.  Have they ever disagreed?  Yeah.  That's not the point.  They find a way to work it out.  They deal with it.  They get over it.  After so many years together, Congratulations, Mom and Dad!

Dad's birthday:  Happy Birthday, Dad.  It wasn't that long ago that we thought you'd never SEE another birthday.  Now look at you!  You're in better shape than you were before, and you're still doing SO much around there.  Most guys your age are retired and sit around being tired.  I am proud of you, and I brag about you constantly.

Father's day:  The girls weren't with Kevin, and my brother and I were not with my Dad.  What a weird Father's day.  I didn't have a signal (middle of nowhere, KS) when it would have been best, then we got home so late that I thought I'd wake mom.  Dad?  I'm sorry.  I feel REAL guilt about this.  I can't get away at work long enough to call, and now it's been 4 days.  I'll see you this weekend, OK?

Me and Kevin's anniversary:  Honey?  We've made it 13 years.  Can you believe it?  I know we went to dinner the other night, but it seems that you got cheated.  We both worked SO hard that day, and had rough days, so we ate, came home, and I promptly fell asleep, still recovering from the party.  Thank you for driving across the country to take me to a Nascar race.  Thank you for driving me (and our friends) across Kansas to attend a party.  Yeah, you know those folks, too, but you're a home-body.  I doubt you'd have gone if I hadn't wanted it so badly.  You really try to give me more than I could ever hope for, regardless of how little we can afford.  I love you, and I am thankful for you.

Now, let's cut the crap.  Nobody could live with me, and nobody could live with Kevin.  We're a match, and we'd better just protect the public from the likes of us.  LOL

This ends this public service announcement.  It's not enough, but I'll try to make it up to you all.  I promise!

The Kanas Party

Well, we got back on Sunday, late.  We were all wiped out, and crashed pretty early.  I missed father's day, Kevin missed father's day, many holiday's missed.  I owe my dad 3 times over, and my husband twice.

I had to work on Monday, so I went in early to catch up.  Kevin was on vacation, still, so he ran everyone to the airport.  We were all tired to the point of a stupor, I think.  Last night, I tried to get images to cooperate in photobucket, but it wasn't playing nicely.

I have many stories to tell, but I'll let the pictures talk for me for now.  Many of these pictures will only make sense to those who were there, but if any of my regular readers have questions, ask away.  You know me:  I'm an open book!

Now, I'm off to find something for dinner.  It's good to be home!

It's TIME!

The day has finally arrived.  Today is the day that the fun starts.  We've had two back out, but the other three are still flying in today.  I can barely sit still.

In less than an hour, Kevin and I will go pick up the rental van, then head to the airport.  We'll pick up Jim, then find some lunch somewhere.  A couple hours after Jim's flight lands, Mike will arrive in KC.  We'll add him to our troop, and head back home.

Later tonight, Ray flies in, so we'll head back to the airport again.  He doesn't get in until 9, so we'll grab him, then come back to get some sleep.  In the morning, we'll all get up early and load into the van.

Then?  Oh yeah, the grand experience of driving to Liberal, Kansas.  LOL  I'm looking forward to it, actually.  We'll have a ball.  These are folks that we've talked to online and on the phone and through email for many many years.  At the party will be some that we've met, and some new faces that we've been wanting to meet for a long time.

There will be pictures galore, most of which will probably bore you to death.  See ya after the trip!!!

Life keeps moving...

OK, here goes.  I have reinstalled Windows on the Mac, and am trying it out for the first time.  I won't even TRY pictures, although I have some random ones.  I'll post them later this week.  This is the THIRD install of Windows on this machine. *sigh*

The weekend was awesome.  The girls are home!  I waited FOREVER for this (or maybe two weeks.)  They are both doing great, and life is good for them, too.  Saturday, we hung out at Mom's and Kevin BBQ'd my favorite kabobs (I am VERY proud of my kabobs, OK?) and the girls helped where they could. 

On Sunday, we watched the Nascar race while napping.  Yeah, I napped, but Pocono is a  LONG race, OK?  I didn't miss anything big, and I got the nap that I require on Sunday.  I ALWAYS nap on Sunday.  Get over it.

There are big things looming.  More to come, but for now, I'm out.  Ciao'!

Random pictures, 'n stuff

OK, here it is.  There are some random pictures from my commute today.  There are some random pictures of the sky, and there are some random pictures of train graffiti. Now, I have spell check.  I'm wondering if it's spelled correctly in my captions.  I have NO idea how to spell that word without spell check.  2 f's and 2 t's?  1 f and 2 t's? 2 f's and 1 t?  ARG!

Anyway, plans are still being formed for the chat meet.  Our guest pillows suck, so we bought some cheap ones from Big Lots, so our guests won't hate us.  I think I have Thursday off, so I'll get to go to the airport with Kevin, to gather our guests.  That rocks!

We are supposed to have wicked storms, later tonight.  That means another night of setting alarms on the cell phones, in case we lose power.  I'm just enjoying my deck.  Have I told you lately how much I love my deck?  My husband did this for me because I nagged (wives?  nagging works) and I love him DEARLY for it.  He's so good to me.

I think I'll light my tiki torches and have a beer.

Chat meet looming

Well, after working until 7:45 last night (with customers in town for a class) and driving home in a storm, I was glad to get off work ALMOST on time tonight.  I was stuck on a call until 5:15, so that's not too bad.  Brett left his cell charger here, so I agreed to meet him in Blue Springs.  I landed there just as Kevin was getting off work, so he followed me home. (stalker!)

We came home, grabbed the dog, and headed out to Mom's.  Yesterday, we were "economically stimulated" and Mom had loaned us a bit, so we went to pay her back.  All that this check means is that we get to keep our house for another month.  Kevin was off for quite a while with his surgery, so we're constantly treading water.  It's OK.  I'm happy with my life, and I love my home.  I also appreciate parents that help when they can.  And they did.

After saying "hey" to Mom, and dropping off the $$, we visited with Aunt Rena for over an hour.  I'm enjoying her being here.  I love her, and I haven't been able to be around her for YEARS.  This is a sweet deal for me.

On Thursday of next week, we will have house guests.  There is a chat meet (from the jokeaday forums) in SW Kansas, and we're going.  Flights to Kansas City are MUCH cheaper than those to Wichita, so 4 guys are flying here, and will stay with us Thursday night.  I'm so excited, and so anxious.

We have GOT to clean the HECK out of this house.  Kevin will play airport shuttle driver on Thursday, while I'm at work.  On Friday morning, we'll grab a rental van and move on.  I'm ready.  I'm so excited, I can barely stand it.  I've only been to one before (the same chat group) and it was one of the best trips ever.

While we're gone, the girls will be in Branson with Mom and Dad.  They'll see a show, ride go carts, and generally have a blast.

Speaking of the girls, they'll be home on Saturday.  I am SO excited to see them.  It will have been 2 weeks by the time they get home.  They're having fun, and helping Grammy a lot, but I need them HOME!

Driving home in a storm

I drove home in a wicked storm.  This Window is freaking out, not playing nice, so there wil be more story later.  However, I entertained customers for several hours, I did a good job, and I'm home safe.

Deck stuff, boring to all but me

OK, tonight, it loaded pictures fine.  Too bad for you that it was a test of YGP, and now you're stuck with 47 torch pictures.  OK, not 47, but almost.  I love my torches.  I paid $1.50 each for the three of them, and they've brought WAY more joy than many large purchases would have.

We've been helping Mom and Dad move Aunt Rena in.  You can check it out here, on her journal.  It's such a big thing in her life, and I just want to do what I can to ease the transition.  I love my family!

The girls are having a BALL at Grammy's, and Kevin will pick them up on Saturday morning.  It'll be fun to have them back for most of a week, then we have a chat meet.  While we're at the chat meet, the girls with be with Mom and Dad in Branson.  Then, back to Grammy's for them for a bit longer.  What a busy summer for them.

I miss them, and they miss us, so we're ready to reunite.  Kevin and I are kind of boring without them.  Even the animals keep looking for them.  Poor fur babies.  They aren't sure why the girls disappeared.  They'll be happy when Saturday gets here.

OK, time to sit on the deck.  Enjoy your evening!