Russ has been found!

Well, Russ came out of hiding, which kind of takes all of the humor out of my "Where's Russ" series.  Don't get me wrong, it's MUCH better when he posts daily, so I don't have to worry.  So we ALL don't have to worry.  Dearest Russy Poo...please stay around regularly.  Women tend to worry excessively.

That being said, I really enjoyed the "Where's Russ" posts.  I realize that things went REALLY wacky, and things were described that would NEVER happen, but I had so much fun.

With that being said, I don't think I'm done having fun with this little escape from reality.  Russ?  Can I have your blessing to keep putting you in odd situations?  Can I encourage others to post a "Where's Russ" entry when they have writer's block?  If you're good with that, and any of you readers out there do it, please post a comment with the link to your entry.

I'm having a ball with this...but I'm kind of lame.  I'd like to see Russ show up in different states, hiding out as a????  Or making a scene doing????  etc etc

OK, I'm off to chill.  I have to work tomorrow (poor pitiful me) and I'll be back tomorrow to look for Russ.  Rumor has it he was seen at a flea market, trying to bring down the price of an olive green lamp (slightly broken.)

Where's Russ

Bongo came over earlier this evening.  He talked to Hawkeye at length as they dropped some land mines in the back yard.  Apparently, Russ attacked an employee at Price Chopper for being too rough with the pear display. 

As they were trying to get him into the straight jacket, he fell into uproarious laughter, shrieking, "Straight Jacket??? Straight??? HAHAHAHAHA!"  While the confused authorities looked at each other, he escaped, and was last seen doing back flips down I-70, singing the Kansas Jayhawk's fight song.

Have you seen him?

What? Random crap? From me? No WAY

Well, I didn't bring work home tonight, but I stayed late.  I only worked 10 hours, and was out of there at 6.  That's not bad for busy season.  I had only TWO breakdowns today.  Again, not bad for busy season.  Seriously, I'm OK, but the stress is higher than ANY job I've ever had.  I strive on it, though, and I accomplish more than ever.  I'm sick.  I know.

Today's volume of "Where's Russ" starts at QuikTrip in Oak Grove, MO.  I stopped there for a white chocolate cappuccino and I think I saw him hovering near the Hotzi sandwiches.  Then, I saw him outside with some friends:



Then, tonight, I was in Raytown, MO and I'm pretty sure I saw him at 63rd and Raytown Rd., hiding behind the billboard on the hill.  Have you seen him?

I am loving Kid Nation, the reality show for kids.  I know of a couple of kids on there that could use a good spanking, but most of them impress the heck out of me, with how they act in the absence of adults.  Taylor needs a spanking.  "Deal with it!" (anyone who hasn't seen the show won't get that.)

I will be teaching online classes for work next year.  I'm excited and nervous at the same time.  I think it will be a great experience, and highly stressful.  Thank goodness I'm going back to Myrtle Beach in February.  Yup, there's a payoff to the stress.

My kids are so funny.  I could tell 100 stories, but there isn't the time!  They are on the honor roll, and they help around the house, and they are SO funny.  We are a warped household, and we have warped senses of humor, so they fit in wonderfully.  If that's not enough, we can laugh about a fart joke for an hour, or burp the alphabet to the delight of onlookers. Yeah, we're special like that.

I get my "sick check" next week.  Where I work, we get paid for any unused sick time (40 hours per year.)  For perfect attendance, you get a gift card of some sorts, too.  I don't know what it is, because I've never had it, but THIS year, it's MINE!  The girls are getting older, so fewer sicknesses, and Kevin's busy season is opposite of mine, so he can stay with them when they're sick, sometimes.  Plus, I have a mother nearby who is a GREAT help.

Anywho, next week is "sick check" week, and I'm so excited to have a week's pay on a non-pay week.  That's the good news.  The bad news?  Kevin's truck needs tires.  *sigh*  He HAS to have 2 tires, and honestly needs 4.  Goodbye, sick check.  *sniff sniff*  I'm just thankful that the sick check enables the buying of tires.  I don't know what we'd do, otherwise.

OK, time to go, but one more thing:  I think I just saw Russ running down the street outside my house, wearing a pair of stone washed jeans and a K State T-shirt.  He was barefoot, too.  Dude, it's cold outside.  Put on some shoes.

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Good Evening, Friends

I had a terrible day at work today, but that's to be expected this time of year.  I was so mad (at coworkers) by afternoon, that there was NO way I was staying late, so I brought some work home.  Little did I know how long it would take!  I just finished, 3 1/2 hours later.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: This is what "busy season" means at my job.  I'll also not have another Saturday off until after Christmas.  It's only a few weeks, so I'll live.  There are still Sundays, right?  LOL  Maybe I can look pitiful and talk my mommy into making a big dinner one Sunday, and I'll mess with her phone.  OK, I'll mess with the phone, anyway, but a big meal would sure help make up for missing Thanksgiving. <insert pitiful face here>

::added later:: I forgot that my poor mother can't stand or walk without horrible pain.  Forget dinner, Mom.  Maybe we'll come over and I'll cook for you guys.  Sorry that my gut reaction is "spoiled brat" <hanging head>

Remember the Where's Waldo books?  We loved those when Brett was little.  I'm gonna start my own book series.  It will be called "Where's Russ"  There will be pages and pages of no-journal-entry days, and you have to figure out where he is.  Dude?  It's OK to give the author a hint as to your whereabouts.

My cats are stupid, my dog is a moron, and my sharks are idiots.  Anyone have any tips to make my pets smarter?  Maybe they are smart and we're stupid?  Yeah, that's probably it.

It might snow this weekend.  At the very least, it's going to be nasty out, from what they say.  Bring it on.  If it's going to be cold, it may as well be pretty.  I'll be right here, under my quilt, when April arrives.

OK, enough random crap.  See ya later, fabricator.

More on the topic of this morning's entry

Sonya, bookncoffee, said "If I write on my journal "sorry, I'll read your entries later or sorry I've not been by", it is just an endearing way of saying "I'm thinking about you if I haven't told you so" or "I've been busy, but still think a lot of you".  But then, having said that, I ALWAYS do what I want.  I  never sit and read journals unless I'm truly interested, and I never comment unless I truly want to.  LOL  I don't feel so much guilt though as just feeling that my internet friends are dear to me and I want them to know it. And I think when most folks say it, that is what they mean.  I have noticed that a few don't seem to say much related to your entry when they comment and figure there may be some out there that just leave comments to get comments on their own journal.  I love comments and lots of them, but at least the comments I leave are sincere and only as I have time.  And yours is one of my favorites!  So if I visit, you will know it b/c when I do I usually like to let the person know.  LOL  I have developed lots of friendships that way.  Each person gets to do what they like though and that is what makes it enjoyable.  If you lurk, then that is what you like to do, and that is fine!  LOL Have a good week."

I couldn't have said it better myself.  I like it when people keep me in their thoughts, and I think about many of my journal buddies on a daily basis.  I have 12 journals that I read daily, and many others that I read as I can, but they don't post as often.  Without excluding anyone, let me talk about Russ for a minute.

Russ was one of my favorites before I ever met him, and now I've met him twice.  He is funny, insightful, and we have so many opposite views that I find he makes me think more than most folks.  He gets down sometimes, and has suffered from depression most of his life.

When he's down, I don't post a "warm and fuzzy" comment every time, but if I don't see a post for a week I will email him and make sure he is still around.  I'm not cold-hearted or cruel, but he knows me well enough to know that my heart is always with him.

I love to get a ton of comments as much as the next person, but I don't get hung up on it.  I know that many of you think of me regularly, and many of you pray for my family.  I know when I realize that you remember to send my daughters ecards for their birthday, or ask about a pet, by name, when I haven't mentioned them for a while.

Yeah.  I know.

Now, go and prove it by leaving a comment, ok?

HA!  I crack me up!  Go spend time with your families, and post something fun for me to read in your *own* journal.

You won't find anything important here

I get amazed, as I drift around to various journals and blogs, at how many folks feel an obligation to read certain journals each day.  Most of my regular reads have, at some point, posted an apology about turning off alerts, or not commenting.

Yeah, it's exciting to post something and see a lot of comments in response to it, but my well-being doesn't hinge on it.  If you're sick, go to bed.  If you feel like napping and run out of time to surf to this boring little corner of the web, I'm OK with it.

Yesterday, I laid around all day.  I watched T.V., welcomed the family home, watched football, took a nap, watched my usual Sunday night lineup, and played on the computer.  I didn't even shower!  (eeewwwwww)

Yet, I felt no guilt.  This time of year, I work 6 days a week, and I cherish my one day off.  I will usually see your posts, but won't always comment.  I won't feel bad about it.  I don't suddenly like you, or your thoughts, any less than before, I just felt like lurking that day.

If it helps your mind, even a little, there's never anything important here.  This journal is guilt free, calorie free, and contains no trans fats.

Plans change

OK, so Mizzou just beat KU.  Yup, I said it.  KU sucks.  Or, "Go Mizzou!"  Whatever.   80,537 people showed up, yet this is a college game.  Wow.   This is something.

Now, a dog who isn't allowed on the bed, is on the bed, and the alpha cat is up here, too.  What the hell?  Is this not MY bed?  Why are there animals up here?  I am taking up 1/3 of the bed, while animals get the other 2/3.  Sheesh!

Ray isn't coming tomorrow.  His schedule changed.  Damn.  He says that he'll make it before the year is out, so we'll see.  I can't wait to meet him.  Now, I'm just excited to get my family home.  Come home, family.

Good night, friends.