I love my Aloe Vera plant.

Here's my story. Let me tell you it.

Last night, I was making French Onion Soup for the Commander. One of the steps was to put the pot with the onions in the oven for a while to brown up the onions. I had to keep the lid on it and cracked just a little.

This pot has never, EVER, been in the oven. I don't even know if it knew the oven existed. As a matter of fact, I had to go to the website that sells this pot to see if it could even go into the oven. (Yes, up to 400 degrees.)

When the time came to remove the pot back onto the stove, I had no problem what-so-ever.

Then, disaster struck.

Since I am use to the pot normally holding boiling potatoes or spaghetti noodles, my head didn't quite wrap around the fact that THIS POT JUST CAME OUT OF A 400 DEGREE OVEN AND THE HANDLES COULD POSSIBLY BE VERY, VERY HOT.

I had to take the lid off and give the onions a little scrape. I removed the lid without an oven mitt/potholder. Needless to say, I didn't stay attached to the lid for very long.

The very hot, very glass, lid hit the top of the stove, bounced around and headed for the edge of the counter. I stuck out my foot (Which has saved a small child's head from hitting the floor once. So I know the procedure.) and the lid bounced off my leopard print house shoe. It landed on the floor upside down, bounced upright and did the little spinny thing for a bit. No breakage! Yippee.

But, man, my fingers were hot.

I kept working on the soup (and managed to grab the hot handle of the pot a couple of more times with the other hand) and notice the fingers on my right hand weren't getting any cooler. And they were hurting.

I went downstairs to the Aloe Vera pot, broke off a leaf and applied the slimy goodness. This morning? No red. No blisters.

(I also had another cooking episode years ago where I removed a glass casserole from the oven with two hands, but only one oven mitt. Aloe Vera came to the rescue then as well.)

______________


Tomorrow night I'm going to be sleeping in a mall with a bunch of Cub Scouts. I don't know if there will be much sleeping because of 1) Cub Scouts and 2) The floor of the mall is not cushy.

I'm not dead

Yet.

I'm on day 10 of the sinus infection/cold/whathaveyou. Not fun.

You Would Win Best Original Screenplay

You are insightful and expressive. You've always been a natural storyteller. You know how to hook an audience, entertain them, and surprise them at the end. Where people see everyday life, you see an engaging plot with interesting characters. You notice details that other people ignore. People you've only met once or twice live inside your head.

What Would You Win an Oscar For?

Wiper Blades- Heywood Banks

This reminds me...my rear windshield wiper needs replaced.

I love whiteboards.

Busy week. Busy weekend.

We are going to try to go to an RV show tonight. We'll see how that goes.

Guests in town tomorrow.

Rubber stamping card making party for me on Sunday.

Somewhere in there I need to get groceries. Hopefully today so I can feed the guests tomorrow.

I'm sure I'll figure something out...

You Are a Whiteboard

You are a dreamer, a visionary, and a straight up idea person. You are very creative. Even if the things you think up are a bit wacky, they often are brilliant. You are an adept problem solver. You are always tossing around dozens of ideas. You would make a good artist, designer, or architect. You do best when work feels like play.

What Office Supply Are You?

Happy Birthday!

February 4th, 2000
9lbs, 11oz, 23"














First day of Pre-K


First day of Kindergarten


First day of 1st Grade



First day of 2nd Grade (I failed to get him a back to school haircut. Don't judge.)

First day of 3rd grade

Success, we haz it.

The blue ones had some droopy hats.



But the green ones were all perky



And because you can never have too many cookies in the house, I made some faux thin mints.

I'm not always in a snit.

The Boy's birthday is tomorrow. Thus begins the tale of The Goodies.

Friday - Go to sprawlmart. Show them this photo from last year and ask, "Can you do it?"



I need to talk to manager. Leave photo with notes about how many (30), when needed (Tuesday afternoon) and phone numbers.

Saturday - Go to sprawlmart. Talk to manager. She hasn't seen photo. She takes a look and says it can be done, but she needs to talk to her manager about price. Will call me.

Sunday - Nothing

Monday - Nothing. Go to other store and buy substitute goodies.

Tuesday - Call from sprawlmart. Just checking to see if anyone called you?

We went ahead and told her to go ahead and make them because the price she quoted was not too bad and that's what he wanted.

SuperMom comes through again!

(From last year. See how excited he is about them?)


Guess I'll have to eat the backup goodies myself.

(Again from last year. The Commander enjoys them as well!)

Well, this sorta fits with that last post.

A DEA agent, together with an ATF and an FBI agent, as part of a task force, arrive at a ranch in western Nebraska. The agents tell the rancher, "We need to inspect your ranch for illegally grown drugs." The old rancher says, "Okay, but don't go in that field over there." The DEA agent verbally explodes saying, "Mister, we have the authority of the Federal Government with us." Reaching into his rear pocket and removing his badge, the agent proudly displays it to the farmer. "See this badge? This badge means we are allowed to go wherever we wish on any land. No questions asked nor answers given. Have I made myself clear? Do you understand?" The old rancher nods politely and goes about his chores.

Later, the old rancher hears loud screams and spies the three agents running for their lives and close behind is the rancher's bull. With every step the bull is gaining ground on the agents. They are clearly terrified. The old rancher immediately throws down his tools, runs to the fence and yells at the top of his lungs . . . . "Your badges! Show him your badges!"

I'm so mad right now it isn't even funny.

Every day when I go to pick up the boy from school, I park on the west side of the road. The east side of the road is a no parking area from 7:30am-4:00pm. Yet for some reason, there are always pickup trucks parked on the east side of the road. Right under the no parking sign. I have been sitting there many days while the cop in town drives right by there and doesn't do anything about those trucks illegally parked.

Today, there were some cars parked all wonky where I usually park and, of course, a pickup parked under the no parking sign.

I pulled to the end of the block and waited until the buses went by. Then I pulled around and was going to wait by the no parking sign for the boy to walk over. The truck that was parked there pulled around the corner and parked.

I wasn't there two seconds and a van pulled up behind me, parked and the driver got out with a small child and walked toward the school.

She wasn't across the street when the cop pulled up next to me and rolled his window down. I rolled mine down and he said, "There's no parking on this side of the street until four o'clock."

If you know me well, you know that homey don't play that game. I was thisclose to giving him what-for. It hurt, but I held my tongue. I said, "All right." and he drove off.

I think the next time he drives by the illegally parked trucks while I'm sitting there, I'm going to hop out of the car and suggest he ticket them.

Aaargh! Hulk Smash!

Input needed.

We have a predicament.

We have an event for each of the boys scheduled on the same day.

The Oldest has his ROTC's Military Ball and he has invited The Commander and me. His girlfriend will be flying up to join us as well.

The Boy has his Cub Scout's Blue and Gold Banquet that day too.

??????

Did it. Done it. Dood it.

Things you’ve already done: bold
Things you want to do: italicize
Things you haven’t done and don’t want to - leave in plain font

1. Started your own blog. (Hi! You're reading it.)
2. Slept under the stars. (Until the storm blew in.)
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. (We used to go every summer. My Granny and Papa lived two hours from there.)
8. Climbed a mountain. (Rode a gondola to the top of the Swiss Alps once.)
9. Held a praying mantis.
10. Sang a solo.
11. Bungee jumped.
12. Visited Paris.
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch. (I did take two years of glass blowing classes. I can't blow glass, but I can make a mean paperweight.)
15. Adopted a child.
16. Had food poisoning. (The Commander has had it. I don't want it.)
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty.
18. Grown your own vegetables.
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France. (When I was there, we were on a tour and didn't have the time to go to the Louvre.)
20. Slept on an overnight train. (If I had a sleeper. Don't want to do it sitting upright.)
21. Had a pillow fight.
22. Hitch hiked.
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill.(Prefer to call them Mental Health Days.)
24. Built a snow fort.
25. Held a lamb. (Held a baby bear once.)
26. Gone skinny dipping. (More of a chunky dunk.)
27. Run a marathon. (HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!)
28. Ridden a gondola in Venice.
29. Seen a total eclipse.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset. (Prefer sunset.)
31. Hit a home run.
32. Been on a cruise.
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person.
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors.
35. Seen an Amish community.
36. Taught yourself a language.
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied.
38. Seen the leaning tower of Pisa in person.
39. Gone rock climbing.
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David in person.
41. Sung karaoke.
42. Seen Old Faithful (geyser) erupt.
43. Bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant.
44. Visited Africa.
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight.
46. Been transported in an ambulance.
47. Had your portrait painted. (If caricatures count.)
48. Gone deep sea fishing.
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person.
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel tower in Paris. (My friend carved her initials in the paint.)
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. (Nothing you've seen. Straight to DVD.)
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. (I've eaten my share as well.)
62. Gone whale watching.
63. Gotten flowers for no reason.
64. Donated blood.
65. Gone sky diving.
66. Visited a Nazi concentration camp.
67. Bounced a check. (NOT ON PURPOSE!)
68. Flown in a helicopter. (Flew over the woods/forest in SE Oklahoma. Loved it and would do it again in a heartbeat.)
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy. (Herkimer the stuffed bear is sitting on my nightstand.)
70. Visited the Lincoln memorial.
71. Eaten caviar.
72. Pieced a quilt.
73. Stood in Times Square.
74. Toured the Everglades.
75. Been fired from a job.
76. Seen the changing of the guard 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. (I live in a small town. I'm in there every few weeks.)
85. Read the entire bible.
86. Visited the White House.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating.
88. Had chickenpox. (And its close relative, Shingles.)
89. Saved someone’s life. (I did keep two small children from cracking their skulls open. One fell backward off of a hospital bed and one fell backward off of some bleachers.)
90. Sat on a jury.
91. Met someone famous. (I hung out in Las Vegas with Gordon Jump.)
92. Joined a book club. (Just read "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee.)
93. Lost a loved one.
94. Had a baby.
95. Seen the Alamo in person. (Photographic evidence).
96. Taken a road trip.
97. Been involved in a law suit.
98. Owned a cell phone.
99. Been stung by a bee.
100. Met the love of your life.

Remember the 10

Every morning when I went into work, I would come around the corner of the ETS building on campus and there would be Kendall and James having their morning cigarette break (Kool Soopah Longs).

On January 28, 2001, I didn't want to come around that corner.

On January 27, 2001, 10 members of the Oklahoma State University family died in a plane crash in Colorado.

Kendall was on that plane.

He was my first real boss at my first real job.

He wore pocket tees with holes in them.

He had a ball cap with "FOG" on it. (Foghat. Get it?)

I got some of my favorite quotes from him. I can still picture his drunk, squinty-eyed face as he gestured with his Kool, "Take a picture of ME!" and "Chicken make lousy house-pet."

At his funeral, our friend EB came up to me and said, "That crazy Kendall." He was right. Crazy Kendall. I miss you.



__________

We won't be in Stillwater this year for the run, but here are a couple of photos from last year.

Eyebrow Dance

Getting jiggy with it.

Now I want a Cadbury Caramel Egg.

I'm a loner.

Your International Spy Name is Solitaire Danger

Your Code Name: Checkmate You Reside in: St. Petersburg Why You're a Good Spy: You're sneaky

What's Your International Spy Name?

I love milk.

I really do. I would rather drink it than any other beverage.

Lately, I have been wondering if I would be able to drink a gallon of milk in an hour. I have heard about people challenging others to do it. I thought that if I decided to do it, I could have people sponsor me and then give the money to the American Heart Association.

Then I looked online.

Maybe I don't want to drink a gallon of milk in an hour. I still think I could, but I don't want the after effects.

I also don't want to take the Cinnamon Challenge.

We're like this {crosses fingers}

You Got 8/10 Questions Right

You are a probably a news junkie, Obama fan, or both. You know a lot about Barack Obama - including his politics, history, and family. It's likely you're a very knowledgeable person and quite well read. You can't stand ignorant people, no matter what their political persuasion is.

How Much Do You Know About Barack Obama?

I like to share.

One of the blogs I read is The Crafty Crow. They have links to awesome kids' crafts from all around the web.

(I know Miss Banana's Mom will like this site.)

They are currently having a giveaway that looks really cool. So head on over there and check it out.

It's alpaca.

You Are a Hooded Sweater

You are active, casual, and laid-back. There's not a pretentious bone in your body. You are very humble. You have a very giving spirit. Whether you're dealing with friends or strangers, you tend to ask very little of people. You are honest and open. You believe that if you are truthful with people, they will be straight with you.

What Kind of Sweater Are You?

My head hurts.

I spent about three hours with the computer guy trying to get The Commander's POS computer to connect to the damn internet already! Wired or wireless. Either way. I don't care which. No luck. The Network and Sharing Center says it is connected to the internet, but IE keeps giving me the HTTP 400 Bad Request error. It claims it cannot find the webpage. Any webpage evidently. I don't know what to do. Neither did the computer guy.

Of course My iBook is rocking our new wireless signal. Now all I need is a Chumby. I'll take the amethyst one. Thanks.

So to sooth my aching head, I took Cursing Mama's lead and did this quiz.

Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz...

You Are an Audrey!

You are an Audrey -- "I am at peace"

Audreys are receptive, good-natured, and supportive. They seek union with others and the world around them.

How to Get Along with Me

• * If you want me to do something, how you ask is important. I especially don't like expectations or pressure


• * I like to listen and to be of service, but don't take advantage of this


• * Listen until I finish speaking, even though I meander a bit


• * Give me time to finish things and make decisions. It's OK to nudge me gently and nonjudgmentally


• * Ask me questions to help me get clear


• * Tell me when you like how I look. I'm not averse to flattery


• * Hug me, show physical affection. It opens me up to my feelings


• * I like a good discussion but not a confrontation


• * Let me know you like what I've done or said


• * Laugh with me and share in my enjoyment of life

What I Like About Being an Audrey

• * being nonjudgmental and accepting


• * caring for and being concerned about others


• * being able to relax and have a good time


• * knowing that most people enjoy my company; I'm easy to be around


• * my ability to see many different sides of an issue and to be a good mediator and facilitator


• * my heightened awareness of sensations, aesthetics, and the here and now


• * being able to go with the flow and feel one with the universe

What's Hard About Being an Audrey

• * being judged and misunderstood for being placid and/or indecisive


• * being critical of myself for lacking initiative and discipline


• * being too sensitive to criticism; taking every raised eyebrow and twitch of the mouth personally


• * being confused about what I really want


• * caring too much about what others will think of me


• * not being listened to or taken seriously

Audreys as Children Often

• * feel ignored and that their wants, opinions, and feelings are unimportant


• * tune out a lot, especially when others argue


• * are "good" children: deny anger or keep it to themselves

Audreys as Parents

• * are supportive, kind, and warm


• * are sometimes overly permissive or nondirective

Take Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz at HelloQuizzy

Now what?

So far today I have:

• Fed all of the mammals in the house breakfast
• Refilled the automatic fish feeder (for the dragonfish*)
• Did dishes
• Did four loads of laundry
• Shoveled the front stoop
• Shoveled a path across the deck for the dogs
• Got the mail
• Got a handmade greeting card from Deanna
• Got a book from Lynette
• Made some homemade greeting cards
• Played Wii Baseball
• Printed off some questions for my bookclub tonight
• Made lemonade for my bookclub
• Showered!
• Fixed lunch for the humans
• Uploaded some photos off of the camera to iPhoto
• Posted on my blog
• Answered some emails
• Forgot it was Monday and missed all but 10 minutes of The Price is Right
• Read a little bit of "The Lost Recipe for Happiness" by Barbara O'Neal
• Read a little bit of "Pontoon" by Garrison Keillor
• Read some blogs

I'm tired. And sweaty.

* Drago the dragonfish. Ick and then eeeewww.