Ramblings

I put together some assorted pics from the last couple of days.  We found out that Hawkeye howls.  He howled at a cop show's siren.  Then, we howled and he joined us.  We did this a couple of times, until I realized how SAD the sound was.  It's like he's crying.  I couldn't stand it, so I put a stop to it.  What a lonesome sound it was.

Today, I left for work in BAD fog.  It happens a lot here by the river.  I usually like it, unless it prevents me from seeing at a bad intersection.  Today, the worst intersection was below the fog.  It made for some pretty pictures, and all I do is set the camera on the steering wheel and click randomly.  Out of 8 pictures, I got 4 good ones.  Not bad for not trying.

I am so moody and depressed and worried about hurricane victims.  We have customers who have lost everything.  Home, studio...everything but their lives.  We are down to only 2 that we haven't heard from.  I don't know what to do.  I can't afford to donate money, don't have enough time to donate, either.  I want to do something, but all I can do is pray.  Pray I will.  I am so thankful to have my home and family safe.

I hope everyone is well.  I can't afford gas, but I have a job to get to, and a home to return to, so I'll suck it up, lay off the extras, and buy gas.

Sunday's jet, Monday's Birthday

Went to Texas yesterday.  It was my first time on the company jet.  All leather and white carpet, so shoes come off at the door.  They serve wine on the way home, but white wine only (doesn't stain.)  It was nice, and I enjoyed walking up to stick my head in the cockpit.  The pilots are awesome about explaining all of the gadgets.  There are switches and gauges in every free inch of space.  Amazing.  Got home by 9 to tuck the girls in...Natalie's last night as a 7 year old. :(

This morning, I awoke early to make brownies for Natalie to take to school.  They were barely out of the oven when it was time to go.  I dropped the girls and the brownies off at mom's house, and asked mom to cut up the brownies when they cooled.  Then I was off to work.  Mom emailed me a short time later to tell me that Natalie didn't have her backpack.

A kid can get in trouble for not having papers that are due.  Missing a recess is not unheard of.  All I could picture was poor Natalie, missing recess on her birthday.  I emailed the teacher, claiming responsibility for the forgotten bag.  Natalie was helping me carry coffee, diet coke, brownies, and other crap to the van.  The teacher answered and said that she was ok, Natalie could bring it tomorrow.  THANK YOU TEACHER LADY!

Tonight, I left an hour early to start the evening.  I went by the store for Natalie's dinner of choice (frozen pizza with a cheese stuffed crust) and the cake fixin's.  Kevin met me at the store (he works next door) and took the frozen goods home, as well as starting the cake.  We had a normal evening.  Brett usually works 8-12, but tonight he worked 4-8, so he was able to join us for cake and ice cream.  Awesome.  I love it when everyone is together.

It was a good day.  I am sad that my baby is so old.  I remember the night I had her, waking up to hear that Lady Di had been killed in a car accident.  I remember the bottles and diapers and sweet, sweet smiles.  I remember her fine, baby hair growing in so slowly (it's still thin and fine.)  I remember the hugs and cuddles (those still happen!)  I love you, Natalie Kay.  You're my baby girl, and always will be.

::sniff sniff::  I need to cry.  See ya'll later!

A good day!

We had a blast, but it's after 11:00 and I have to fly to Texas for work tomorrow afternoon.  I gotta get some sleep, but I'll post about the concert later.  Or not.  The pictures tell most of it.  We're broke, tired, sunburned, and happy.  It was good.

YA'LLAPALOOZA 10

Well, I have something that is gnawing at me, but first, something else.

Thank you.  Thanks to everyone that commented on my boring life.  It was the most comments I've ever had on an entry, and it made me gloat a bit.  Thanks.

Now, Ya'llapalooza.  There is a concert tomorrow night that I want to attend.  Last year, my dear husband took me to see Trace Adkins (hubba hubba) and we scored 4 tickets to Ya'llapalooza while we were there.  There are drawings and giveaways constantly.  I was sick as a dog, but the girls enjoyed it, Kevin tolerated it, and it was a great time, other than the sinus infection.

This year, I can't win tickets to save my ass.  I tried every contest, every call-in, everything.  It ain't happenin'.  Tonight, Natalie made it clear that she wants to go for her birthday (Monday) no matter what.  Even if it's all we can afford (and it would be.)  It's her wish, and please please please can we go.  Well....

Kevin won't be interested.  He doesn't care for country music.  Monica was on board, then thought about it and decided she'd rather spend the afternoon with her daddy.  Brett has to work.  I IM'd mom.  She might want to go...we'll see.

I could get a ticket for Natalie and me, and spend $30, plus a Tshirt or something.  Mom is probably in, unless something comes up.  I can afford it, and I want to do it.  I was gonna type all about the controversy, but I've talked myself into it.  If Kevin is OK with it (he's asleep right now) then we'll go.  Me and Natalie, and hopefully Mom.  It'll be a blast.  Weather is supposed to be perfect, and I will try to buy Natalie a Tshirt or something.  If we make it 'til the end (Please Natalie, stay awake) we'll see Montgomery Gentry.....cool.  If not, I'll see a lot of newer acts that I've been wanting to see.

OK, now it's up to Kevin, but he always tells me to do what I want.  I think I'm going!  Pictures to come!

A Day in the Life

All right, here it is.  My week-day life lying there like a buffet. It's long, it's boring (to others) but it's all there.  Nothing left other than TV and posting to my journal.  Anyone else have the guts to get this detailed?  I'd love to hear about your day.  Is it more exciting than mine?  More organized?  Longer commute (1 hour each way)?  Come on, let me have it!

Tomorrow's post

I have plans for a journal entry.  I planned to do it today, but work got away from me.  I plan to post tomorrow, with a photographic look at my day.  I'll take a series of pictures throughout my day, and post them here tomorrow, to show my boring life.  There is stress, and excitement, but let's face it, it's a pretty low-key, normal existance.  I think it'll be fun to let you all get a glimpse at my workplace and life, to explain the things I have posted, and will post in the future.  It may bore you to death, but I'll take a shot.  If all goes well, it'll be here tomorrow evening.

various, assorted crap, and news on the A/C

Well, the insurance folks have no contractors around this area.  That is good news, since we get to pick one!  That means, we call the original guy, and insurance covers it.  WoooHooo!  Maybe he can be out early next week.  The weather will be bearable until then, so it's all good...as long as mom's dryer holds up.

Last night, some cool storms moved through, North of us.  That's where a lot of the pictures came from.  The clouds at the end were the ones in front of me on my evening commute.  I found crescent rolls in a basket, an elephant, a rooster, a mushroom cloud, and a scary clown.  By the time I remembered my camera, the images that I saw were gone.  At least it filled my time, stuck in traffic.

I think we'll be ok.  No, I KNOW we'll be ok.  I just worry sometimes.  I worry ALL the time.  Come on, cool air, I'm ready for ya!

Gotta work tomorrow.  August is awfully early to start this nonsense, but it'll help pay the electrician, so I'm ok with it.  OT typically starts after Labor Day.  I'm glad for the money, and a husband who'll take good care of my kids.  Bring it on, busy season, I can take whatever you've got.  BWAAAHAAAHAAHAAAAA!!!!

::shuddering:: I'm worried about busy season.  Shhh, don't tell.