Hibernating

It is bitter and miserable outside, and it's going to get colder over the weekend.  That means that I have NO intention of leaving my house until Monday morning.  I stopped at the store on the way home, so we'd be stocked for the hibernation period.  Chili, soup, tator tot casserole, hot chocolate, hot tea....yup, I'm ready.

When one of the cats gets too close to Hawkeye, he gets up, acts offended, then walks to the corner where he lies down and scowls at us.  It's really quite funny.  I can almost hear him thinking, "Jeez, *I* lived here before *they* did, and they act like they own the place!"

I like banana peppers.  I like them on sandwiches, hot dogs, burgers and in chili.  I bought some today, for the chili that I'll make tomorrow.  I think I like them better than any other pepper, although I love them all.

I wonder how bad I'd smell if I wore these PJs all weekend, without changing or showering.  Pretty bad, I bet.  Oh, I won't do it, but right now, it sounds pretty darn good.  I think I'll take 3 naps this weekend.  I may take the first one right now.

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OK, I'm back.  That was nice.  I drooled a bit, but I can't help it.  When I sleep I drool.  Sometimes I snore, but not loudly.  Sometimes I speak Chinese, according to Kevin.  He says that he wants an interpreter, because it doesn't sound like gibberish, it sounds like honest-to-goodness Chinese.  I don't really toss or turn much.  I don't know why I'm telling you this.  Drooling is gross.  Forget I said it.

I have weird hang ups.  I'm not OCD, I swear, but some things would make you think that I am.  All of the window shades in a room need to be either closed, or opened exactly halfway.  If someone opens just one, or has one halfway up and the others closed, I freak out.  Seriously, I've lectured my family about this several times.  Now, I just think they're doing it to mess with me.

Another hang up is the number of icons that I want on any computer desktop that I use.  I have three on this MacBook, 5 on the work PC, and 4 on the home PC, although right now, the girls have added several to it.  I have to dump them weekly.  I can't stand it.  I work near some folks that have the desktop half full of icons!  It's nutty, and would drive me insane.  Then again, that's a pretty short drive.

The last hang up that I'm willing to tell you about today concerns driving.  I have this little shelf thingie in the dash of my car.  After starting the car I put things in EXACTLY this order up there:  My cell phone (after turning on the bluetooth headset), then my lighter, then the smokes, then my Ice Breaker mints.  If Kevin is with me and puts the lighter in the wrong place, I correct it as soon as possible without him noticing...I hope.

OK, that was a wandering post.  I think I'm weird.  No need to respond to that.  I know what you all think!  LOL

It's hard to type with frozen fingers

Chillin', get it?  HA!  It's cold.  GET IT?

OK, so we got very little snow, but KC got quite a bit more.  Our bus routes are so rural that school was closed.  It was tricky getting to work, but getting home was fine.

Now, let's examine my relationship with my husband, 13 years later.  There are many differences.  It's kind of amazing.

Going out used to mean getting fixed up and taking in a movie and dinner.  It was quite romantic.  Now, going out means taking the dog for a pee, helping to ward off the wildebeests.

Dinner used to be a big deal, with homemade rolls and candles.  Now, dinner is fish sticks and macaroni and cheese, eaten on the couch in front of the TV.

The kids used to be Brett and Jonathan.  Boys through and through.  Farting was the biggest annoyance, but that was funny.  Now "kids" means Monica and Natalie.  Drama and tears and problems with fixing hair.

Parents were visited, but not very often.  My parents saw a long-haired, sandal wearing, tattoo'd freak, and his Mom saw an immature husband-hunter who looked out only for herself.  Now, we wouldn't trade time with the parents for ANYTHING.  We learn so much from them, and we love them.

Finally, Kevin was a guy who seemed to care, but was NOT to be trusted.  He would eventually find someone else, or hit me, or ignore me, or worse.  I'd lived "worse" and I knew it was coming...eventually.  Now, Kevin is a guy who I trust without a second thought.  He is my soul mate, and my life.  He cares for us, works when it hurts, goes without decent clothes so we'll have new shoes, and worries non-stop about us.

Yup, I think I'll take "now" over "then" any day.  I miss the freedom and carefree days of going out with friends, but the trade-off is worth it.  I am comfortable here.  Comfortable when we're broke.  Comfortable when we're alone, and comfortable when we're surrounded by people.  I know what my life is, and I know my place in it, and I wouldn't trade that for anything.

Peace out, icicles.

PS, I love it that "chillin" is a "mood" for AOL, but their spell check tool doesn't recognize it.  LOL  Also, I'd LOVE to see some of YOUR comparisons of then/now.

Blah 'N Stuff

Blah.  I'm not sad, mad, happy, or bored.  I'm Blah.  I think Mom said it best when she said, "blah blah blah."

When we saw Ron White at Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, OK, we bought some waters and a beer at the bar, using our debit card.  Since then, there have been three fraudulant charges on our account.  They've all been under $15, but sheesh!  Our debit cards have been canceled and it'll be 10 days or so before new ones are issued.  Sheesh.

The girls are grounded from the computers, due to forgotten papers.  Monica leaves hers at school, and Natalie leaves hers at home.  They are both on the honor roll, so there is no excuse for detentions.  We've forgiven a few of them, but it's becoming habitual.  No journal updates for them this week.

My dog did NOT get his but kicked by another dog.  I decided today that he's MUCH too tough for that.  After all, he is Hawkeye the Wonder Dog.  Today I decided that he must have been attacked by a Wildebeest.  Yup.  That's what happened.  Actually, he made out pretty good for being the victim of a Wildebeest attack.

Have YOU ever been attacked by a Wildebeest?  No?  Then you have no room to judge, do you?  Trust my dog, you would NOT like such an attack.  It's not pretty.  And it's bad, too.

I like vanilla candles.  They smell the best.  Of all the food-scented candles (although I love them all) the vanilla is the best.  Wildebeests HATE vanilla candles.

Goodnight.

Disjointed thoughts

So, I was driving home and the lady in front of me was swerving quite a bit.  I finally figured out why...she was driving on a donut spare on one side.  Stupid!  Those things are to limp you along to a tire shop, not for doing 65 on the interstate!  Sheesh.

I got home to a wounded dog.  It seems the ol' guy took on a dog tougher than him this time.  I think his ego is hurt more than his leg.  He's used to being the tough guy, and he got his arse whupped.  LOL  Poor dude.  He's actually fine...just a couple of superficial scrapes on his back leg.  No limp or anything.

American Idol is on again.  It's such a train wreck.  I usually don't watch this early in the season, but what else is on?  The girls and I have gotten some pretty good laughs out of it.  Who are the parents of these people?  It's good to build the self esteem of a child, telling them they sound great. 

However, the day before the American Idol auditions, it's time to get honest.  "Honey, your father and I love you very much, but you don't have the voice for American Idol, and I don't want you to get hurt."  Is that so hard?  Maybe we're just more honest with our kids than most folks.  Who knows?

I don't wear jewelry.  Would I wear it if I could afford it?  I doubt it.  I lose watches, break necklaces, am allergic to earrings, and I've been known to be injured by rings.  Don't ask.  I think I would stay simple, even if I could afford it.  I'm not sure, though.  Some folks have such huge rocks on their hands.  I'm not girl enough to be jealous.

I also only own 3 pairs of shoes:  Tennis shoes that need replaced, snow boots (new this year!) and "girl shoes" that I wear at convention.  I no longer own any dresses or skirts.  Ick.  I am a jeans and T-shirt girl.  I'm almost a dude, I've been told.  Pass the beer.  --buurrppp--

OK, back to Idol.  What has the world come to?

Cold and Girlies 'N Stuff

The girls have been asking for a myspace account for quite some time.  There is NO way I'm letting that happen.  Still, they want to journal, or blog, and they are quite creative, so I wanted to give them a chance.  Here is the compromise:

They each get an AOL journal, but it's private.  They can only invite family, and other folks that they have met IN PERSON, and I have to approve all readers.  I figure this is a good way to let them try it, and I can shut it down in a HEARTBEAT. 

All of that being said, a few of you may get an email, announcing that you've been added as a reader.  Most of you won't, since they haven't met you in person, and neither have I.  There will be a couple of exceptions, but not many.  If you REALLY want to read the silly ramblings of a 10 or 12 year old, let me know.  If I feel you're "safe," I'll let them add you.  Even if we chat frequently, don't assume I'll think you're "safe."  I'm a Mom, ok?

It's friggin' COLD outside.  Good Lord in Heaven Above, I can't feel my fingers until halfway to work.  I just wish it would be 78 forever.  Nah, probably not.  I like snow, and I like heat, and I like changing seasons.  I'll deal with this cold crap.  Brrrr.

Why is there a dog on my bed?  He sheds and he smells kinda like a dog and this is MY bed!  Why is he here?  Oh yeah, he keeps my feet warm.  Now I remember.  Scoot closer, doggie of mine.

OK, Intervention is on A&E, and I love this show.  See ya 'round!

Sunday 'N Stuff

My first day off at home has been productive.  We woke up this morning and watched CBS Sunday Morning (my favorite weekend show,) then got right to work.  Several hours later, we were all getting short with each other, but the house was clean.  It's awesome to sit in a clean house.

After lunch, we headed out to see what Mom and Dad were up to.  After all, we didn't go in last night when we picked up Hawkeye.  Mom was messing with Libby, and Dad was doing some kind of manly thing with some manly equipment while standing on the manly forks of the manly tractor.  That means I'm not sure what he was doing.

It must have been interesting, though, because Kevin stayed out there the whole time we were there!  It was -46°!  Well, maybe not THAT cold, but it was cold.  I even rushed the girls through their rides, because I wanted to go inside.

I watched the Colts lose, and I watched the Cowboys lose.  *sigh*  I should be used to it by now, since I live in Chiefs country.  I'm just so sad for Peyton.  I guess now I can hope for the Patriots to continue breaking records.

I guess I'll go watch my usual ABC shows now.  It's nice to catch a new episode every now and then, and Brothers and Sisters is new tonight.  Even the Golden Globes have been canceled.

OK, I have an idea for a new reality show.  People will compete to write TV programming.  New shows, existing shows, whatever.  The winner gets a contract, and the viewers win, too!

Maybe not.  Maybe we should all just deal with it.

Oh, and Kevin and I realized something tonight.  For the first time in many years, I will be home on Super Bowl Sunday!  I can't believe it!  I'm going to throw a HUGE Super Bowl party.  I'm not going to invite anyone over (other than maybe Mom and Dad) but I'mgoing to have a HUGE party for us.  In celebration of me being home on that day.

Yeah.  A party.  That's the ticket.  Go Chiefs!  Ooops, they've been out of it for several weeks.  Let me see, Go Patriots!  That's better.

Random Weekend Crap 'N Stuff

I took a vacation day on Friday, to head South again.  Kevin's mom bought us tickets to see Ron White on Friday night, and we were ready to laugh.  The drive sucks, big time, but we took it easy and got there around 12:30.

We stopped and ate at Subway before heading to the Buffalo Run casino in Miami, OK for the show.  Yeah, I love Subway, and I'm still being "good" when possible.  I've lost 8 lbs so far.  Not a ton, but moving in the right direction.

The show was great.  Even the opening act was really good.  Here is a math fact for you: 1 Friday night + 1 Indian casino + 1 Ron White show = Many Many Drunks.  There were 3 drunks within arms reach of us, but Ron put them in their place, more than once.  It was awesome.

For example, at one point a drunk stood up and yelled "Git 'Er Done!"  Ron said, "Wrong comic, but thanks."  Everyone died laughing.  The same guy, later, yelled "Tator Salad!"  Ron said, "I don't do that bit anymore.  If you're bored, go home and watch TV."  It was great.

Today, we woke up and got started on Grammy's yard.  Kevin's uncle and his wife showed up with a truck and a chain saw.  We hauled and loaded and burned and raked until we were about wore slick.  I have splinters and blisters and aching muscles, but her yard looks SO much better.

The city is supposed to be hauling this stuff off, but it's been over a month and they haven't gotten to her area, so I hated to count on them.  The city dump was allowing folks to haul the brush there for free, so we took 5 loads.  Now, the only thing left is the stuff we can't do.  There are limbs still hanging from the trees, and one is lying on her roof.  She'll have to pay someone to get to those.  They are just too high in the air.

Tonight, we stopped at Wal-Mart on the way home and bought a rotisserie chicken.  Theywere marked down to half price, so we bought 2!  Lunch for tomorrow, too!  We stopped at Mom's to get Hawkeye, and didn't even go in to say "hi."  That's terrible, but we're so sore and tired.

Now, it's football and relaxation.  Tomorrow, we clean house, but tonight, we rest.  Tomorrow will be my first day off at home since January 1.  It'll be great.  After the house is clean, my butt will be right here, on this couch.

I meant to get an "after" picture of Linda's yard, but we didn't even think about it.  We just poured ourselves into the car and headed North.  Did I ever mention that I work at a desk and am TERRIBLY out of shape?  Yeah, I do and I am.  There are places that are sore that I didn't know I had.  Ever notice how a thorn in the finger tip can cause horrible pain at any touch?

Typing isn't fun anymore.  Good Bye.