2008

2008 for me was much more low-key than 2007, that's for sure! I found a lot of great things in 2008 - a job that I really like, a brand new neighborhood that I wanted to be in before any ground was broken - and moved into in October, and pieces of myself that I thought I had lost. I passed the one-year anniversary of my aunt dying, and made it through. I still miss her every day, but am thankful for the family that I have left that have filled the giant void that was left with her passing. In that same respect, it was 10 years last month since my mother died. Wow.

And speaking of 10 years - was it only 10 years ago that we were going to party like it's 1999?

I found some new, great friends (and kept a lot of old great ones, too!), and realized that some that I thought were friends really weren't, but that's OK - I recognize it for what it is, and don't let it bother me. I found my way back to school after taking a semester off, and still love it! In general, life is good. :)

I found that I still kind of enjoy "poking the beast" with the "Barb" in my life. That whole situation is worth a giggle or twelve, and I'm finding that "forgive and forget" isn't in the cards for her just yet.

But all that aside, I found that blogging is fun! It's a great way to keep in touch with friends and family, and I have found some new great blogger buddies!

Here's to a healthy, happy 2009 for everyone! Happy New Year!!

So this week - I've gotten in some of this:


and some of this:


Gotta love family. And kids. :) Tonight I'm babysitting for the little one up there. She's such an easy baby, she's so damn cute, too - which makes it easy!

Just wanted to share. :D

Manic Monday

Thanks to Fleur de Lisa, you too can play along with another Manic Monday by clicking here!


What is the biggest mistake you made in 2008 and will not make again in 2009?
Trying to take an accounting class online. I would just as soon take a red hot poker and jab it through my right nostril into my brain cavity than try that again. If you're not a math person, don't ever try it. I do much better with math "in-seat" and in the classroom. I have to take the class for my degree. I start next week. I WILL pass it and not withdraw. LOL


Do you make New Year's resolutions? Why or why not?
Not usually. I make New Year's I "hope" that I do something. Like I'd love to get rid of the tapeworm that keeps making me hungry at the worst times (oh, like ALL the time?), but to make a resolution to ignore it? That would be awful! It would come out the gaping hole in my brain cavity that I made after trying accounting. Or while on a date, it would slither out my nose or something. So no. No New Year's resolutions. Plus, I think it's like 80% of them don't make it past the first month. So I wait until February 1st, and make all sorts of crazy resolutions. By then, who cares? Nobody's going to hold me to them - only myself!

Who do you nominate as “Man or Woman of the Year” for 2008?
The most obvious choice here would be Barack Obama. But that's just going along with the crowd. Personally? I'd like to nominate Ben & Jerry for coming up with their Dublin Mudslide ice cream. Or how about Vermonty Python: Coffee liqueur ice cream with a chocolate cookie crumb swirl & fudge cows. And then they say: We interrupt ourselves with much hooting through tin horns to bring you this brilliant new ice cream, made from dried shrubbery and old cereal packets. This is a ripping good flavor, really, so buy it quickly and run away, silly person, or we shall taunt you a second time. How could they NOT be nominated?

What was your greatest accomplishment in 2008?
Proving that I could rise above the bullshit and once again be on my own. Not only did I find a great job to support myself and my son, I also had a brand new house built, and have maintained my 5.5 GPA in school. I went back to living on my own in 2007 because of circumstances beyond my control - and came out the better person.

ahhhhh Coffee...

A blog that I love to check out has a great contest going on here. I could win This!

I love coffee. I am a completely different person before and after it. LOL

Friday Fill-Ins

Hope everyone had a wonderful, magical Christmas :) Ours has been fantastic, and we're enjoying time with family.

Courtesy of Janet <-- Click here to play along!





1. I must see my son grow up before I die.

2. You can't stop the karma train, no matter how much you try!

3. I wish I never had to buy a pregnancy test again. I had a hard time with this one. I've never bought anything that I'm really "against" buying, and I'm not pregnant. My cousin suggested it, that's why I put it. I always wanted more kids, though. Not just one. I guess that's another post, huh?

4. My ex breaking up with me has helped me change my life. I have my own home, am back in school, and now know what my "I've had enough of this shit" tolerance level is.


5. I know the song A-B-C-D-E-F-G....H-I-J-K-LMNOP-Q-R-S...T-U-V...W-X-Y AND Z... now I know my ABC's, next time won't you sing with me?? by heart.

6. If I weren't so afraid, I would find a way to get my Bachelor's and go to law school. Maybe some day :).

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going to the family Yankee Swap (I have THE most kick-ass gift ever!) tomorrow my plans include hanging with baby L :) and Sunday, I want to go Mystic!!

The Eve of the Eve :)

So tomorrow, while most of you are snug as bugs in your nice warm beds, I will be up and traveling at the butt-crack of dawn to catch an early morning flight. "Where could you possibly be going, oh powerful and all-knowing Queen of the Universe?" I know you are thinking this. I am going H O M E. For the first time in 9 months. That's a gestational period, you know. For humans, at least, certainly not for an elephant - they'd still be in the first trimester. I have made it clear to all that will listen that I am going to do nothing but sit on the living room floor of my cousin's house and play with the baby, who I have not seen yet. She was born MAY 3RD and I HAVE NOT SEEN HER YET. I have so much time to make up. Her mother, my aunt, would BEAT me if she knew this. I duck when the wind blows, I'm so scared of her wrath. Not really, but it sounded good, didn't it?
And Christmas. Ahhhhhhh Christmas. Of course it will not be complete without some family drama, but I'm hoping that will be minimal. I still have some shopping to do, but the boy is pretty much done. I went against all I believe in and caved. I ordered him.... God I hate even typing it.... a cell phone. <--- That's how I feel about it. But he's starting ski club after the first of the year, and won't have any way to get hold of me for emergencies. Can I give it to him to use on those days only? Would I be a horrible mother? I mean, jeez, he's lucky he's even getting one. I hate the idea of kids having them unless they're needed, and I guess he needs it. Ugh.
Anywhoo... he is getting other stuff. The ski club costs, new boarding boots, goggles, other various and sundry items.
It'll be fun.

Merry Christmas to everyone that celebrates!

Muah!!

Manic Monday :) <---- Click to play along!



If you were at a friend’s house for a holiday dinner and you found a dead cockroach in your salad, what would you do?
It would depend on how close a friend. I'd definitely stop eating it, and probably stop anyone else around me. If it were someone that I knew I could do it with, I'd stop them all! Stop! There's an uninvited guest in the salad! Then I would find out who invited the bugger (pun intended) and smack them upside the head. Why, you might ask? Because salads would be ruined for me forever. You have no idea the extent of my bug phobia - they freak me out, and while I've gotten much better over the years? Bug? in my food? Um. Yeah. Not so much.

If you could put anyone you know on Prozac, who would you choose?
Oh my. I know so many people that are wound waaaaaaaay too tight. I can't choose just one.

How do you feel about public displays of affection?
I'm ok with it if it's a spur of the moment thing, but doing it to mark your territory (that's another post), stake a claim, or because you think it's the right thing to do? Nope. Or if you're going to hump my leg like a dog? Nope. Because that right there is going to make me want to jump your bones right then and there. The humping of the leg, that is. I used to go out with a guy that did that constantly, and I was like GET OFF ME!!! And then he wondered why I wasn't feeling all sexy later. Um, that's because you banged me into the counter and now I have a huge bruise? Ugh. Ugh. Ugh. That's an example of someone not grasping the concept, because he'd do it again. And again. And again.
BUT... I digress. Gimme a kiss, hold my hand, I think it's wonderful. Hump me? Not so much.

Sunday stuff..

There is a shit-ton of snow outside, and it's just going to keep coming! Hopefully today or some time in the next day or three the county will decide to plow our streets. Apparently they didn't think that the 6-7" of snow the other day warranted it. Since we're a new development, I think we get forgotten. sniff sniff... And since we're a new development, there aren't any mature trees or anything to block the blowing snow, so it's like a giant whirling dervish of snow outside. And who knows where it will land! It's actually been a nice quiet weekend. There were 2 hockey games and we missed both of them - Friday because we ended up hanging out with friends, and then last night the boy's friend was supposed to come with us and he bailed - which made the boy not want to go. Which was fine - saves me the money, and we listened to it instead. It sounded like a great one, though! I miss seeing our friends, but we'll see them after the first of the year.
Christmas shopping is pretty much done. Much easier this year! Anywhooo.... on to the Sunday fun that I found here (granted it says Saturday, but it still is good!) He's got a great blog - good reading there. :)


1. On an average year, how many days before Christmas do you generally finish your Christmas shopping?
HAH! I usually finish my shopping AFTER Christmas, because there is invariably someone that I won't see until after the big day. But for Christmas morning presents, it's usually Christmas Eve. LOL

2. Is the economy making you spend any less on gifts this year, or are you spending about the same?
I am spending way less this year than I have in years past. The boy is older, doesn't believe any more, and really doesn't need that much. He's also getting more practical gifts, too. Plus it makes it easier that I don't have to buy for anyone else, too. A lot of shopping was spent on the fuckwit's family in years past, and while it was fun - I'm sure that now they don't get any presents (he is a notorious bad or non-gifter LOL - just ask me about the coupons some time) He's also been known to claim that he's Jewish that week as an excuse. But I digress..

3. What part of the Christmas scene do you find the most chaotic? What part do you generally worry most about?
Really, I don't find any part of it chaos. I love it all. I'm not a big worrier, either - if I forgot someone, I get them something later, that's all. I suppose I worry that the boy won't like his presents, but he always does.

4. Take the quiz: What Movie is Your Christmas Most Like?

Your Christmas is Most Like: A Very Brady Christmas

For you, it's all about sharing times with family. Even if you all get a bit cheesy at times.

What Movie Is Your Christmas Most Like?

5. What Christmas movie is your favorite? Which one is your least favorite?
It's a Wonderful Life, or A Christmas Story. I've never gotten into the newer ones, it's all about the classics for me!


6. What Christmas tradition from years past do you miss the most now?
Christmas Eve with the whole family together. That was chaos! And I guess it's not so much the tradition, it's the people that kept it up that I miss more than anything.

Friday Fill Ins

Here we go! Courtesy of Janet <-- Click here to play along!




1. Said the night wind to the little lamb, come here my little pretty....(psst. run away little lamb, run away!!)
2. The first Noel, the angel did say, who the heck calls it Noel anyway? And why would someone name their child Noel? I dated a guy named Noel once, he had issues. I think it's because his name was Noel!
3. There's more damn snow Over the hills and everywhere.
4. It came upon the midnight clear, I think you are a fuckwit, dear. (ROFL couldn't resist)
5. Luke, even though Darth is your father, Let your heart be light.
6. And the thing that will make them ring is the carol that you sing that tells of the baby king
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to hanging with friends, now home and hanging with my kidtomorrow my plans include hockey game, the boy having a friend sleep over and Sunday, I want to recover from the sleepover!!

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!

And now, for the letter

Thistle was kind enough to share her letters with me, and has given me the E :)

Here is my list of 10 wonderful(and some not-so-wonderful) things that start with the letter :)



10. I drink a lot of water, and Evian is pretty nice once in a while (it's just hard to justify the expense because it is, after all, just water).

9. Our last election brought us new hope!

8. Ebay is a great source of income and wonderful deals. I have bought and sold a lot of *stuff* on there. It's amazing what people will pay for!

7. Email is a wonderful way to keep in touch with my family and friends back home in Boston :)

6. Espresso. 'Nuff said.

5. This one is too good to resist. Ex-boyfriends. I have a few. One liked to show his penis on the internet, the other was just a fuckwit who like to blame everyone else for his problems/issues and refuse to own his bad choices. Ahhhh, ex's, gotta love 'em (ACK!!) Which brings me to.....

4. Ethics. Pretty much knowing the difference between right and wrong. I have a very strong work ethic, and live by the ethics that my parents instilled in me. *I* am a good person, and I know that. It's too bad that in my life I have met a few that don't have any. Which (again) brings me to....

3. Expectations. In life we all have expectations. Some of the basics are respect, honor and the truth. Not too much to ask. It's what I give, and what I should get in return.

2. My favorite E of all time.... see if you can figure this one out:


And the number one E (in my book at least)..........

1. If nothing else, I have learned that an EDUCATION is one of the most important things you can get for yourself. I'm 2 classes away from one degree, and working toward the next! And I mean a real education - not where you sign up for a class, get someone to pay for it and then drop the class to get the money. Oh! And another one is taking silly classes like "the effects of rubber chickens in outer space" so you can tell people that you're in school.. I'm talking a REAL education.

Wordless Wednesday......

Manic Monday :)

Manic Monday :) <---- Click to play along!


Have you ever returned an item to a store for a refund after having used it?
Like as in, bought a sweater, wore it and then returned it? Actually, no - that's one thing I've never done! I've bought things and didn't like them, or they didn't work and then I returned them, but never the dress the day after the prom scenario

You are going out for the evening. If your partner objects to what you are wearing, would you change your clothing?
it depends. If I'm dressed like a Bratz doll and we're going to dinner with his family? Yeah, probably - but I wouldn't dress like a Bratz doll in the first place - and I'm usually pretty good about what to where when. I've always been the one to say "um. you are NOT wearing that, are you?" Remind me some time to tell you the tale of the blue clogs.

What item that you don’t currently possess would you most like to have in your home?Seriously? I have everything I want. A decent guy with a spine would be nice, but you can't possess those LOL. A kid who is happy most days would be nice, but we're working on that.

Things to do...

When you're 21-22 years old.

*Be a junior in college - even though it's tough - you get through it
*have your heart broken, probably more than once, but then you realize that there is a difference between love and lust
*go out on the weekends and have a great time with your friends
*fall in love (for real this time) - and figure out what your "type" is
*have a love/hate relationship with your family, but more love at this point because after all, you're getting more mature..
*start thinking about what you want to be when you grow up
*do the stupid stuff that you won't be able to do in your 30's... get it all out of your system now
*buy and drive a really fun car - just because you can
*just LIVE your life each day to the fullest - you're young, you CAN

things NOT to do when you're 22?
Think that your life is so horrible that you have to end it yourself a week and a half before Christmas and absolutely devastate your family.

Friday Fill Ins

Here we go! Courtesy of Janet <-- Click here to play along!



1. Friends are the family we choose

2.Screw health; it's time for titties and beer!! (ok, j/k - but my friend Marianne used to say that all the time, it sounded funny :).

3. I'm ready for Christmas at home

4. My Insolence by Guerlain (or a just out of the bath baby)is one of my favorite perfumes or aftershaves or smells.

5. The oldest ornament I have is probably one I made in kindergarten - it has dust bunnies on it. LOL.

6. Take some pecans, sugar, egg white and a mix of spices, mix it all together and you have this: holy moley it's good.... .

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to KWings game, tomorrow my plans include getting some homework done and Sunday, I want to maybe paint some more!!

Somewhat wordless Wednesday :)

The Helping Hands Project

Thistle has a wonderful idea going and I am going to do my part ~ you can read about it there :).

The Rules

1. Choose some way to give back. Here’s a few ideas….

* donate to the foodbank
* donate coats and blankets to a homeless shelter
* support a craft or bake sale that is in support of your local arts program or senior’s centre
* give a bag of cat litter or dog food to you favourite animal shelter
* donate blood
* throw your change in the Christmas Kettle as you’re going past
* volunteer to man the Christmas kettle
* make a new year’s resolution to volunteer some time next year to coach a kid’s T-ball team or a Special Olympics sport
* have a toy drive at school
* get a re-usable shopping bag

Something we've decided to do at work this year is rather than adopting a family, we're giving the $200 or so that we have earmarked for Christmas to the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission. While a family is a good idea, feeding homeless people is a better one. There are so many people that have no home, have no dinner, and it costs $2/meal or so, and if we can feed 100 people that's wonderful. I may take the money that I have for one of the boy's presents and give that, too.

I have lived a very lucky life. A far from perfect one, but I have always had a home, a warm bed and friends and family that love me and would help me out if I needed it. And sometimes, I've needed it. My son has never wanted for anything (except a male role model, but I won't go there). I've been fortunate enough that I have been able to help others out before, and I'm sure I will do it again, although maybe not to quite the extent I have (do a search on the filthy whore if you have to LOL). But life is good. Life is great, in fact. And will continue to get better. :)

So I hope everyone recognizes how lucky they are to have homes, computers, beds, TV's, friends and family. There are a lot - especially this year - that have nothing.

Pay it forward....

Manic Monday

Thanks to :) Fleur de Lisa


What is the most expensive meal you've ever eaten?
Hmmmmmm gee, that's going to take some thought... I'll get back atcha. LOL

What is the fastest speed you've ever traveled in a car?
Um. Yeah. My son's father is a cop and he drove me home one night in the cruiser, I stopped looking at 110.

What is the highest building you've ever been to the top floor of?
Empire State Building and the Needle in Seattle - and loved them both!!

I am so good...

Best.


Christmas.



Present.



EVER.



These guys:




LIVE. 4th row.

If you know my kid, you know he is a FREAK for their show. We went to their HQ in San Francisco and he was so awed that he refused to get out of the car. Seriously. They're coming to Chicago in March.

Friday Fill Ins

Here we go! Courtesy of Janet <-- Click here to play along!



1. Snow makes everything look clean :)

2. I'm looking forward to my open house/housewarming party tonight!

3. The recipe I have for the cheeseball I'm going to make is the best damn cheeseball ever!

4. One of my favorite old tv shows is without a doubt - I Love Lucy!

5. I'm done with men for a while LOL.

6. The most enjoyable thing around the holidays is spending time with my family!!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to the party, tomorrow my plans include my son's band concert and Sunday, I want to finish my homework!

This is fabulous! Thanks to Erin who got it from Ruth - you're both wonderful :)

See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die

Wordless Wednesday......

Manic Monday :) <---- Click to play along!


It's "Cyber Monday" today, the ceremonial kick-off of the holiday online shopping season in the United States. Do you do much online shopping, holiday or otherwise?
I do a lot of online shopping - working full time it's just easier. And this year we're spending Christmas in Boston (YAY!!) and it'll be much easier just to ship it there directly rather than bring it on a plane.

Are you a Mac or a PC user? Why?
PC - it's all I can afford. :)

What website do you spend more time on than you care to admit?
LOL Facebook

How much have you done?

Found this on a few blogs, and it seems cool, so I figured I would copy it too! Bold what you have done :)

Enjoy! I've got 58 - holy moley!

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland - WORLD
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea (God, I miss the ocean!)
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch - Photography? Calligraphy?
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon - ROFL now me? Running a marathon? I'd have black eyes, and most likely beat myself to death with my bazoombas.
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors - ahhh Ireland :)
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language - igPay atinLay!
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied - but how quickly it all goes away
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing - I'm counting the 3 mile hike in Alaska, a lot was on rocks!
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt - that bitch kept ignoring us.
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant - I'm thinking the Dunkin Donuts drive through counts :)
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Seen the Lincoln Memorial in person
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades (driven through them, does that count?)
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper - FRONT PAGE!!
85. Read the entire Bible
86. visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92.Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake - drove by it - very cool :)
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Totally copied a post from someone else's blog to your own

mmmmmmmmm

After that sandwich (which I had for dinner last night, by the way).. I thought. What could come close to topping that? Not much, I tell you. Not much. But there is some eye candy that I could share.

Here you go. Enjoy!

Yup.

This should be wordless Saturday. Or just worship Saturday. This is what this week is all about. Forget giving thanks. Forget friends and family. THIS is it.... (click on the picture to get an even better view)

Alice?

OK, a day late - but not a dollar short!! It doesn't seem like Thanksgiving without it!

Enjoy :)

Fabulous Friday Festivities!!

Play along! Friday Fun Time!!


Feel better Janet's Dad!!



1. My stomach was so full yesterday. I don't think I should have waited and just eaten one meal. Small meals throughout the day. yeah. Yeah. That's it. LOL
2. Vegetables is what I ate the most of on Thursday. Seriously. How often does THAT happen? But if you think about it - the turkey only takes up a wee bit of space on that plate. The rest is usually veggies!
3. The yard is dirt. I need to figure out what to do with it come springtime.
4. Home in Boston with my family and friends is where I'd rather be at any given time. But I do love the fact that we have NO TRAFFIC out here in cow country ;-)
5. The smell of date-nut bread reminds me of my mother. I make it every year. Just had a piece for breakfast, in fact.
6. JENNY CRAIG is what I need right now! ROFL
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to hopefully getting some paint, tomorrow my plans include painting and Sunday, I want to look at my fabulous non-white walls!!

Wordless Wednesday......

I guess the jig is up...

I've been found out. Discovered. Brought out of the closet (so to speak). No more will I reign superior, or be able to use a certain thing over my child's head ever again (well, I can, just not in the same way).

This delightful creature:



Has informed me that he knows. He KNOWS.

that I am NOT...





Well. That makes shopping easier, I guess.

I was talking about it yesterday with a friend (and I've had this conversation with others, too - that do have kids), she thinks if she ever has kids that she may not tell them about Santa. Some people consider it a form of lying to their kids, some thing why have them believe in fantasies?

Really? I think fantasies like Santa were WONDERFUL when I was growing up! The Easter Bunny, all that stuff!

Anyone else have thoughts?

Friday Fill Ins

Friday Fun time <--- click here to play along :)

1. The last band I saw live was Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band in Boston, almost exactly a year ago - the last official performance of Danny Federici before he died. It was an amazing show and I am lucky to have been a part of it. Although my son was pissed, because he loves going to Bruce shows with me!!
2. What I look forward to most on Thanksgiving is spending time with friends and family. Or friends that have become family. And cooking. And pumpkin pie. And dip. And turkey. Oh my, I'm in trouble! LOL
3. My Christmas/holiday shopping is about to begin. Online. Cheap. Got any ideas for a smart-ass 12 year old?
4. Thoughts of jalapeno popper dip fill my head. (I just made some for work and oh my it's good!)
5. I wish I could wear my size 4 Levis that I found. But then I'd have to give up dip. And all other food. For a long time. Damn that food.
6. Bagpipes just do it for me It's probably the whole "what are they wearing under the kilt" thing But it's always my favorite part of the parade on St. Patrick's Day!!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to softer water (softener being installed this afternoon) and a K-Wings game, tomorrow my plans include helping my friend Ashley move and Sunday, I want to work on my Humanities project!

The neighborhood..

OK, when you come into the development, the clubhouse is straight ahead, but you have to turn left (and then a right into their parking lot). Coming down the street my house is straight ahead - the first picture is a view from my house toward the entrance - I think most of the houses on the right are now lived-in. There is also a road up to the left with 5-6 houses on it. Then the road curves (at my house) and goes a bit, then curves again and ends up in a cul-de-sac behind us. There are a few houses that are still being built, but a lot up to mine are now lived in. I think 3 on my street and 3 behind me are ready to be closed on. The second picture is going past my house to the next curve. More later!

 
 

Mission Accomplished!

 

Friday Fill Ins

Better late than never, right?

Freaky Friday Funtime!!

1. Please feel free to leave a comment, give me miles on Northwest, or do random acts of kindness to strangers - it really helps make both your and their days!
2. When I try a new food I can't help sniffing it occasionally (yeah, it's pretty funny I really do this).
3. My favorite thing to cook is mmmmmm now that the cold weather is here? Beef stew, chili, stuff like that. But anyone that knows me knows I can always throw a great dip together!
4. My kid when he's in a good mood and being a goof is something I can't get enough of.
5. That's the thing I love most about the last couple of months of the year is Christmas. Family. I love it all!
6. The amount of stupidity with some of the people that call me at work always makes me think to myself, what the heck?
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to the K-Wings game (they won!), tomorrow my plans include cleaning out the garage (still working on it)and another KWings game local hockey team and Sunday, I want to get some homework done!

Totally wicked smart guy. I'm not gay, I do however have friends and family members that are. And who the hell is anyone to say that they can't have the same rights I have? I only wish I could find the happiness that some of them have found - who CARES if they found love with someone that is the same sex as them???

Holidays :)

So I've decided, because I just had this new house built and all and I have to start, oh, you know - PAYING for it? I can't afford to go home for Thanksgiving. Which means I miss my 25th HS reunion (holy shit, I can't believe it's been 25 years). That's OK. It's usually just a big drink-fest anyway. Not that I couldn't use a big drink fest, but it'll be cheaper doing it here. LOL And I will miss my family for the holiday. But I am going home for Christmas - I don't care if I have to drive there, I will be there. I haven't been there since March. Since I've moved, I think I've been home at least once every three months or so - this is the longest stretch I've gone in 5 years.
BUT... I get to see my family for a week. I will get to see Amanda, otherwise known as Stella!!
I will stay with Rob and Michelle and the adorable Miss Leah, and it absolutely KILLS me that I haven't seen her in person yet.


And my sistah, and brothah, and all the kidlins, and maybe my father and more!

Happy Hump day!

Veterans Day

Thanks to It's all about me! I found this great video and story behind the song (and a great new - to me - singer to check out). Granted, it's all Canadians, but really? On Veterans Day? Who cares what nationality they are. They're veterans. Hug one today and thank them for the freedoms that so many of us take for granted.

On November 11, 1999 Terry Kelly was in a Shoppers Drug Mart store in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. At 10:55 AM an announcement came over the store's PA asking customers who would still be on the premises at 11:00 AM to give two minutes of silence in respect to the veterans who have sacrificed so much for us.

Terry was impressed with the store's leadership role in adopting the Legion's "two minutes of silence" initiative. He felt that the store's contribution of educating the public to the importance of remembering was commendable.

When eleven o'clock arrived on that day, an announcement was again made asking for the "two minutes of silence" to commence. All customers, with the exception of a man who was accompanied by his young child, showed their respect.

Terry's anger towards the father for trying to engage the store's clerk in conversation and for setting a bad example for his child was later channeled into a beautiful piece of work called, "A Pittance of Time". Terry later recorded "A Pittance of Time" and included it on his full-length music CD, "The Power of the Dream".

Monday Madness!

Did I mention, by the way, that I got a wool coat this weekend for $12.50? Gotta love SA. LOL

Manic Monday time :)

What was the first thing you thought when you looked at yourself in the mirror today?
Not sure - I didn't have my glasses on or contacts in, which is probably a good thing, because I was probably nekkid.

Do you have a recurring nightmare? If so, explain.
I've had nightmares that include car accidents and my son. I think it's every parent's thing - and worst nightmare. Then again, I have this recurring nightmare that I was living with this guy in Michigan... oh wait! I woke up from that one!! LOL

List three foods you can’t stand:
Cauliflower, beets, liver. Nasty stuff all of it. Now I'm off to eat my chicken pot pie that I made last night. :D

Blue...

Why I am not a fan of the color blue any more.. My ex (the fuckwit) loved blue. Would buy anything blue. Cars? Blue. It didn't matter - if it was blue - he loved it and had to have it. The pretty blue Kitchen Aid mixer? It didn't matter that he never used it - didn't even know how - when I left and took it, there was a fit made because *I TOOK THE PRETTY BLUE MIXER*... Catch the drift? OK - here are some pictures (OLD ones) of a friend of mine at one end of the kitchen (with Dewey the wonder dog who we miss very much), and my fat ass at the other. Note the continuing color into the hallway. Yes, it continued.. Enjoy the blue...

Last night was crafty night. My friend Ashley came over and we took 3 old pillows from Crate & Barrel that looked like this:

And turned them into this, something that goes much better with the sofa and isn't falling apart!!

The picture doesn't do them justice - they match the couch and have shades of green, gold and red in them. I actually think I may paint a wall green now! I've been having a hard time deciding on colors for the house, it's pretty much a blank slate. It's an open floor plan, but I don't want to do all one color, I want to do something that looks good but defines each room. I'm thinking of doing wall that is the length of the house a really cool green, and then working off that. Greens and yellows are my favorites (the fuckwit pretty much turned me off blue, but that's another post). I guess I was afraid of doing the same colors that we had at the lake house, but I thought about it, and realized that *I* picked out those colors, not him. He's the one that has to live in it knowing that I picked them all out. ROFL If those are the ones that I like, well then dammit, those are the ones I shall have!!!

Happy Sunday....

Good Friday stuff

1. My blueprint for success includes standing up for what I feel is right, even if I stand alone.
2. Oh Jesus, there's a whole pumpkin full - I can't pick one! was the last candy I ate.
3. The best facial moisturizer I've ever used is some ridiculously expensive stuff from Eminence.
4. A great massage can be good therapy.
5. I'd like to tell you about what the boy said yesterday. I asked him to do something for me and his response was "Mom - are you trying to turn me into your little minion or something?"
6. Strength is my strongest characteristic.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to SLEEP, tomorrow my plans include cleaning out the garage and Sunday, I want to spend time with my little minion LOL!

Today...

What Erin said

And I'm stealing her picture. LOL

It's that day of the week again! Play along :) Manic Monday

How many hours of TV do you watch per week? Oh Jeez, really? That I get to sit down, do nothing else and just watch TV? Maybe one? Do you feel that's too much, not enough or just right? Obviously it is not enough - my DVR is getting full! I need to catch up - for pete's sake I haven't even watched the season opener of Grey's yet!

Which of the 5 senses do you feel is your strongest sense? Smell. I used to be able to tell when a patient was smoking in their room way before anyone else could (when I used to work in the ER). I smell stuff. I'm a good smeller.

What's the wackiest belief you held as a child? I don't know if it's the wackiest, but it's the one that has been blown out of the water with the biggest splash. I used to think that my father knew everything. Absolutely positively everything. Boy, was I wrong! But I remember fighting with one of my friends on the front lawn about how something was going to happen because "my father said so" and thinking I wanted to punch her in the face for dare to think that he was wrong.

Barb, Jocelyn, they're all the same

I was reading over ---> at Derfward Manor where Mrs. G loves to write, and I love to read, but she makes a post about Barb, forgiveness and being a dirty dog whore. I think we've all got some kind of a Barb in our lives. I happen to have a Jocelyn. Who never slept with my boyfriend, she just let him think that she would to get me out of the picture. And she's not a dirty dog whore, she is known as the "FFW" or the Filthy Fucking Whore. Sometimes, we'll even call her the filthy FILTHY fucking whore. She has made a fool out of my ex. Her initial actions and my ex's subsequent ones put my son into a tailspin that he was lucky to come out of. My ex lets her live in a house rent and utility free. And gives her money. Calls her his "employee" because she cleans his other, empty house when he's not there. Oh, right - she moved her boyfriend into that one, and then the one that she's in. Whoops! So now not only is he supporting her, he's also supporting her boyfriend! There's a village in Michigan, they really want their idiot back. Anyway. We all have a Barb. Forgiveness is tough, especially when there are kids involved. I feel nothing for my ex - I told him that he ceased to matter to me when he fucked with the boy's mind. He really doesn't know any better, I guess.
But her? She knew exactly what she was doing. She knew exactly what the outcome would be. She played him like a well-tuned harmonica. It's going to take a looooooooong time to get to the forgiveness point with her. Maybe after she moves out of the school district we live in and goes back to the trailer park she got evicted from (yes, I'm serious)...
From this:

To this - can't find picture of the rent-free house, but this is the lake house that she sleeps in often (and no - she doesn't wash the sheets)....

the PC has returned...

A couple of months ago, the PC decided that it wanted a little break. Luckily I have the laptop as backup, so I was using that until it got fixed. I kinda got used to the little screen, LOL. I finally got the PC back and it promptly crashed AGAIN. So, the $159 I paid someone to look at it went right out the window as I did what they did - and reinstalled the OS. Only this time (hopefully) it took. I went out and got a new hard drive yesterday, thinking the 2nd reinstall wasn't going to work. It's still freezing up every so often, but so far so good. I may actually return the hard drive and maybe get an external one that I can backup stuff onto. I didn't lose everything on the drive when it crashed - it's just all saved as windows.old - who knew???

I spent hours on this yesterday rather than doing my homework. Must work on homework...

My father called me 5 days after my birthday to wish me a happy birthday. 4 days after my son's. I'm not sure, but I think he's getting a little forgetful? I've stopped letting it get to me, and just let it roll off these days. It used to really piss me off, but it's just not worth it.


The house is still a mess. I still don't have a trash bin. I do, however, have grass in the front (after I'd asked them to wait until spring to lay down the sod) AND.... a friend that is a landscaper may do a kick-ass job here for short money because when you come into the development, mine is one of the first ones you see - and it's like free advertising for him. So we'll see.

Happy Sunday. Go read Other People's Secrets.

And don't forget to get out and vote this week!!!!

Shut UP!

Much like Elaine in Seinfeld ~ Erin - if you were here, I'd shove you. LOL

My friend Erin nominated me for this:

Dayam! I never win anything!! Woot! Woot!

What I'm going to do is nominate some of my faves, some of whom might read here, some I know that don't :):

Cool chick is the blog of Tammy, wife of Melissa Etheridge. I forget why I started reading it, but she's hysterical at times, some of the stories when the kids were babies just cracked me up. I enjoy reading the honest and insightful stories about life on the left coast. :)

Baby Leah is the blog of my cousin Michelle and her journey as a first time mom and her adorable baby that I have YET to see in person. She needs to post more (hint.. hint...) I can't wait to get "home" and see them all. sniff.. sniff...

Urban Paramedic is the blog of a city of Boston medic and his travels through the urban jungle. It's a great blog - but right now you have to go through the archives, he's been deployed to Germany and may or may not be back to the blog. I have to admit, I really miss it.

Enjoy, check them out - and happy reading!!

Today I am going to be knees deep in classwork - my two Fall 2 session classes started Wednesday. Humanities and Sociology. And Sociology would be MUCH easier if I'd gotten that book instead of the Psychology one. Whoops! I'm a maroon.
The house is coming along - the mess is making me nuts, which is a good thing, because that's when I just start throwing shit out. I have to go out and pick up sprinklers and hoses - because of course NOW is when they choose to put in my sod (that I asked not to be installed until the spring) and it needs to be watered the first 24 hours. I'm also going to pick up my PC - minus all the stuff I had on the hard drive, because of course it had to crash. Hopefully there wasn't anything important on it. I know I lost pictures of the fuckwit. ROFL YAY!! So maybe it's a good thing? A fresh start of sorts. :)

Ahhhhh Saturday. At least I slept past 6AM.