Graduation N Stuff

First of all, I'd like to thank my buddy Russ for the entry that died.  2 comments, and one was from you.  Dude, are you REALLY as weird as me?  I thought it was a joke.  Your questions just MIGHT be as lame as my journal.  I'm just sayin'.  Maybe you should align yourself with cooler folks.  'Nuff said.

I'm designing Brett's graduation announcement/invitation so that it can be printed at work, at a huge discount.  I'm getting input from his stepmother (and his Dad) but could use some more input.  Would enough folks give CREATIVE input here?  Would it bore you?  Should I keep it private and deal with personal issues personally?  Do more than 2 people read this, or are Mom and Russ using alternate user names to comment?

Kevin and I are making an agreement.  It's a pact, but that word looks like I'm spelling it wrong, so I'm going with "agreement" OK?  Once ever 3 months or so, one takes the kids south to K's mom's house, and leaves the other one for a full 2 days of solitude.  We decided this while the trumpet, drums, and keyboard were all going full-blast, and not all on the same song.  I'm just sayin'.

I plan to take the girls South within  a month.  Kevin gets a weekend.  It's loud here.  It's fun and great and wild, but everyone needs "down time" sometimes.  Are we bad parents for wanting "down time" or are we working together to keep the sanity?  I prefer to go with the latter.

OK, enough veering from topic-to-topic?  Probably.  'Night.

Answers

Here are the answers to Toondude's questions.  It's an odd assortment of questions, Russ.  Seriously.  It reminds me of the bags/boxes of goodies that Kevin's mom sends home with us after we visit.  It could be; a box of macaroni and cheese, a 4-pack of toilet paper, a can of coffee, and a candle; or 10 cans of green beans, a box of Kleenex, and some sausage.  There's no rhyme or reason.  That's ok, though.  I love her and appreciate the thought.  Same with you!

1.  "Do you still keep in touch with anybody you went to high school with?"  Yes, but just a couple.  I graduated in a class of 27, and I keep in touch with 2 or 3.  This year marks 20 years since I graduated, and if they decide to have a reunion, I'll probably go.

2.  "In what way are you exactly like your mom, but wish you weren't?"  I have been known to hurt someone's feelings by being too blunt and honest.

3.  "And in what way are you exactly like your mom -- and are happy about it?"  I am blunt and honest, so nobody has to wonder what I am thinking or feeling.  No games.

4.  "Trent Green -- hot or not?"  Hot...ish.  He's got a lot of competition for my looks, stares, and stalking, since he works with Tony G.!

5.  "What commercial jingle from radio or tv do you find yourself humming or singing the most?"  (this is SO a Kansas City thing...sorry out of town readers.)  "For better living now, and better value later; Call Standard, bum bum bum bum bum, Improvement Company, at Westport 1, 7 100!"  I've seen that since I was quite young, and still love it.  There are others that get stuck in my head from time-to-time, but that's the one that will NEVER leave.

Random Crap

Here are some random pictures.  Some from last weekend, some from this weekend.  I don't know what's been explained, and what hasn't, and I'm too lazy to go look right now, since Deal or No Deal is starting, so ask any questions you wish.  I'll answer, as usual.

An unwanted dog

I got Hawkeye for Kevin's birthday in 2005.  Within a couple of months, he was my dog.  I didn't plan for that.  I don't want to take him out at 5 in the morning.  I don't want to clean up dog hair.  I want to yell at someone else when he eats my plant, then pukes green on the floor.  I didn't want a dog, but I had one.  And I love him. He's the best dog I ever had.

Early last year, Keith (a work friend of Kevin's) said that they'd soon have puppies to get rid of.  There would soon be an accidental litter of half Chihuahua/half Jack Russell pups that needed homes.  I said, "NO WAY!"  I didn't want a puppy, and sure as HELL didn't want THAT mix! Jack Russells are hyper as heck, and Chihuahua's are quivering little yippy dogs.  Hell no!

Well, Kevin kept bringing it up, so we visited a few weeks after they were born.  Kevin REALLY wanted one, and one stood out.  Most were white with tan spots, or tan with white spots, but then there was Lucy.  She was black and white and tan, and just cute as could be.  I still didn't want her, though.  We're too busy and absent to raise a puppy, I don't have the patience, and I only like big, slobbery dogs.  No Way!

When she was 6 weeks old, we brought her home, LOL!  Kevin REALLY wanted her, and it was his birthday again, so I reluctantly agreed.  I was honest from the start:  I will NOT clean up messes.  I will NOT house break her.  I will NOT put up with hyper, annoying antics. I will NOT be responsible for ANY portion of her care.

Yeah, you can guess how that went.  Lucy prefers to sleep on MY lap, because I have the comfy fleece blanket.  Lucy sleeps against my legs at night.  Lucy lets ME know when she needs something.  I'm cleaning the porch as often as Kevin (that's where she lives and "goes" during the day, while we're at work), and I'm feeding her daily.  I insist she gets a doggie cookie for coming in from outside, so she doesn't run away. 

When I go to work in the morning, I pick her up to put her on the back porch.  She lays her head against my chest and gives me the sad eyes.  "Mom, please don't go to work today.  I get so lonely out there."  I almost cry, as I melt at her cute little face.  She has more personality than any dog I've ever met, and can relate whatever message she wants, with just a look.

I took her to the vet this morning, to get "fixed".  I do NOT need unexpected puppies around here.  Hawkeye was due for shots and a grooming, too, so I dropped them both off shortly before 8.  Lucy puked in my back seat, and I didn't even get mad at her.  I was late to work, cleaning my car, but it's not her fault, right?

As the lady took them back and put them in the kennels, I heard Lucy start to cry and whine.  I almost cried.  I did NOT want to like this dog, let alone LOVE her!  Kevin picked up Hawkeye tonight, but Lucy can't come home until tomorrow morning.  I will be there, waiting, when they open.  I'm sad and lonely without her silly games. 

Who signed me up for this? NO MORE DOGS for Kevin's birthdays.  PERIOD.  I'm NOT doing this again.  I've always wanted a Shelty like the one I used to have, or maybe a lab again. I think it'd be fun if we got a....

ACCKKKK!  Stop me!  I just miss my baby girl. :(

Weird? Unique? Odd? Strange?

In a recent entry in Mom's journal, she stated several reasons that she's unique.  I guess we all are.  But, if we ALL are, doesn't that make unique normal?  Am I over thinking this?  Yup, you bet I am.  How are you weird, unique, odd, or strange?  Here's my list:

I am 37, yet play hide-and-seek with the entire family for an hour or more, and enjoy it more than the kids.

I let a huge, hairy dog lie on the couch next to me, then curse while lint-rolling the hair off the couch.

When listening to music, I alternate between Trace Adkins, REO Speedwagon, Travis Tritt, Kid Rock, Fleetwood Mac, Merle Haggard, Elton John, Sara Evans, and...shall I go on?

I watch too much TV, and tend to ignore the phone, even if it's a good friend, if a favorite show is airing a new episode.  I WILL call them back later, but please leave a message, I'm watching something good.  I assume a good friend will understand.

At the age of 37, I feel weird if I go more than a week without talking to my Daddy, even for a few minutes.  Even if it's about his newest tractor implement project.

I have as many on-line folks that I consider "friends" as I do "friends" in real life.

I get giddy and child-like about wearing new socks.  Thick, soft, warm new socks.  I can run faster and jump higher!  I love new socks.  New socks are better than a new sweater/blouse/top.

I think that re-gifting is OK if you'll never use it and they would love it.  I never get gifts that I'd never use from folks who really know me.

Dust is OK, clutter is unacceptable.  Dirty dishes are evil, clean dishes stacked in the drainer for 3 days is perfectly fine.

I'll wear jeans more than one time before washing, but a sweatshirt is foul after one use, even if worn over a Tshirt.

OK, there you have it.  I'm weird, and that's OK.  I like me. 

Wednesday

Well, work was busy!  Many studios were closed last week, so they made up for it today.  Not too much to keep up with, but steadily busy all day.  Good stuff.  I had a 20 minute meeting that lasted an hour, and cut out a bit early to run a couple of errands.  Kevin picked up the girls and I grabbed a couple of burgers for them, so they could scarf food in time to get to church at 6:30.

Now, I'm surfing the 'net and listening to music.  Don't taunt me about Kid Rock, ok?  It's just one of those things. He's a dirty little greasy guy, but I love this stuff...but I only listen to country, remember?  You say different and I'll call you a liar.

I woke up later than I am accustomed to, then Monica needed a shower.  We all three at breakfast at home, and I dropped the girls off at Mom's later than usual.  I got 2 exits past Kevin's work, and he reminded me that I was going to trade vehicles, to pick up some 8' lightbulbs for Dad.  Crap!  I took the cloverleaf exit and went back, grabbed the truck, and headed out again.  I still got to work 15 minutes early.  Hmmm.  How late DO I have to sleep?  This is so weird.

I love my dog!  I can now let him out when he begs, and not go with him.  This has been over a year in the making, since we live in town and have no fence, but he does his business and comes to the door.  Thanks, Hawkeye, mamma's cold!  Now, to train this silly, hyper puppy.  Yeah, fat chance.

I got a gift card from another customer today.  It is awesome to feel appreciated.  I work my ass off during the busy season, as I do the rest of the year.  A little recognition goes a long way.

Well, time to veg out for a bit.  The girls need picked up in 50 minutes, then Monica has more homework to get done.  I have BEGGED them to do it at Grandma's on Wednesdays, and they never do.  If she has to drop out of Awana's (Wednesday church) then she can't say I didn't warn her, but I won't keep feeling under-the-gun because she is ill prepared to go.  Tough love or self-preservation...call it what you will.

Happy New Year!

Well, here we are.  It's a brand new year, and I'm ready!  My job is changing for the better, the overtime is done for now, and life is relaxed.  I don't know how to go to work at 8:30...I'm used to getting there between 7 and 7:30.  Hmmm, maybe Mom can get a break from early mornings?  OK, we all know she'll still get up before the chickens, but she can relax and sip coffee a bit longer before the girls get there.

I watched the video that my brother posted of his beautiful daughter, and it made me cry.  It was easier when I hated him.  Now I miss him.  The girls said, "let's go visit!"  Yeah, no problem.  Let's just hop in the car and drive down for a few hours!  (he's 15 or so hours away.)

A wonderful friend at work gave me her iPod, since she got a newer one.  We've been playing all day, and I have 12 CD's on there so far.  I would have done more, but many CD's are in Kevin's truck.  I'll get those done later.  This is fun, and it will make my business trip flights more fun.  I've never owned an MP3 player, let alone an iPod!   Brett got a nano for Christmas, from his Dad and step-mom, so we're both using iTunes a lot.

Our last name comes from Kevin's step-dad, who adopted him when he was quite young.  He was full-blooded Mexican.  We get junk mail in Spanish all the time;  BMG music offers, credit card offers, and the like.  This year, Kevin's company's corporate office sent us a Christmas card, as usual.  This year, however, it was in Spanish.  He is TICKED!  Not because someone assumed that we are Mexican, by the last name, but that he has MET the owner of the company, on more than one occasion, and as had conversations with her.  He's not sure how he's going to stir the pot with this one, but stir he will.  He's like that.  It's fun for him.

Everyone got what they wanted, and then some, for Christmas.  (I got my external hard drive!)  Brett used the money we gave him (his biggest portion of gift) and bought a double bass pedal for his drum set.  Monica loves her microscope (we're currently parents to thousands of shrimp...I think) and Natalie loves her telescope.

New Year's Eve was fun.  We had a VERY few people over, ate too much, and threw conf with the kids at midnight.  Yesterday was lazy, with more eating.  Today, I took the girls and mom with me for some mindless running around.  I didn't have cash, so intended to buy very little.  Kevin had given me two scratcher tickets that each won a free ticket, so I cashed those in for two new ones.  One of them won $20!  There was my cash for the day.

It'll be hard to go to work tomorrow, after my second 4-day weekend in a row, but I'll manage.  The slower pace that January brings will be wonderful.  I can work on some software that is getting the better of me.  I will NOT be beaten by a computer.  I'm hard headed, and in my job, it pays off.

I'll be better about updating my journal now.  My first convention isn't until the first weekend in February (Indianapolis) so I'll have a full month of in-lab work before the craziness of convention season.  Peace out!