You Are 45% Pirate |
Ahoy matey! Ye can think o' yerself as a swashbuckler in trainin'. If ye study hard an 'do what the captain tells ye, ye may be gettin' part o' the booty. Get to work on yer pillagin', swordfightin', an' drinkin'. Ye dasn't want to end up in Davy Jones' locker, so make sure ye pipe down when the captain be around. |
Friday, September 19, 2008
Happy Talk Like a Pirate Day!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
Dr. Dreamy? Well, he did offer me morphine...
During the 25 minute ride there ('cause we live in the middle of nowhere), the pain eased up, but I was still hurting pretty good.
Long story even longer, we made it there, I told the nurse I was hoping I just had a really bad UTI, I peed in a cup, my blood pressure was high, my abdominal sounds were hyperactive (I didn't mention the huge bowl of Jiffy Pop Kettle Corn I had eaten.), my blood pressure went even higher, I was offered Morphine (turned it down*) and finally diagnosed with a UTI. Or as the nurse put it, "You were right. And it's a bad one." Saw the doctor for less than a minute and left with antibiotics and Vicodin.
The pain, according to the doctor, was a bladder spasm. (Or as my friend, Vinny, put it, spontaneously fluctuating contractions of the piss bag.) I didn't even know a bladder could spasm. I can tell you this, I would prefer my piss bag to never, ever, ever spasm again. That was some crazy pain.
Anywho, so I'm better. Drinking water and cranberry juice.
*I did tell the nurse that if she would have asked if I had wanted the morphine about an hour earlier, I would have gladly taken it.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Finally!
This morning, I put the brackets on the back of the TV. This afternoon, The Commander put the mount on the wall and this evening, I took the feet off of the TV and we hefted it up onto the wall. I kinda felt like I was back at work. Space out the work so you don't look over eager, right?
Any guesses to the first movie we are watching?
Baby Mama.
Sweet.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
I like it all!
Your Taste in Music: |
Classic Rock: Highest Influence Adult Alternative: Highest Influence Pop: Highest Influence Alternative Rock: High Influence Country: High Influence |
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
I just keep him around to amuse me.
The Boy - I don't know.
Me - How about a food scientist?
The Boy - I might want to come up with new candies.
Me - A food scientist does that.
The Boy - Maybe I could be just a regular scientist...or a mad scientist. Mwahahahahahah!
Friday, September 05, 2008
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Is it Thursday?
I tend to leave the house a little early in the afternoon. (Especially now with the cool weather (65 degrees as I write this)). I park across from the school, open all of the windows in the car and read. It is nice and relaxing.
Today I will pick him up and head west. He takes piano lessons about 20 minutes from here. His teacher used to be a backup singer for Charlie Pride, Roy Clark and Dolly Parton. I still don't know how I like her as a teacher. She is real good with him and very free with her compliments, but the instruction itself leaves a little bit to be desired. Maybe because his former teacher ROCKED I am not giving the new one a fair chance. I told him he would only have to take piano until next summer and then he could take guitar lessons. He wants to play the bass guitar.
After piano, we are hitting the grocery store. This store has a meat counter. Not a deli like Sprawl Mart, but a genuine meat counter with guys in white hats. The selection of meat there is awesome. The meat case runs almost the whole width of the store. You tell one of the men in the white hats what you want, he packages it up and WALKS IT AROUND THE COUNTER AND PUTS IT IN YOUR BASKET. The first time I went there, I kept reaching up and then getting weird looks from the white hat man.
The Commander will stay at home today. He wasn't feeling good last night and this morning he woke up with a terrible sore throat. I patted him on the head and said, "Poor little bunny." I think that made him better.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
JBU Basketball Toilet Paper Game
This is awesome. They do this on their first basket in their first game of the year.
Something for you
Receive a FREE Rachael Ray 3-Pack DVD* with any purchase over $50 at the Food Network Store. Enter coupon code C98278 at checkout. Offer expires 9/15/08.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Something was lost in the translation
The Boy (looking at me) - Dad wants you to put a case of cokes in the fridge.
Me - Tell Dad to want in one hand and pee in the other and see which one fills up the fastest.
The Boy (looking at Dad) - She's busy.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
It is half full!
Your result for The Perception Personality Image Test...
HBPS - The Optimist
You perceive the world with particular attention to humanity. You focus on the hidden treasures of life (the background) and how that fits into the larger picture. You are also particularly drawn towards the shapes around you. Because of the value you place on humanity, you tend to seek out other people and get energized by being around others. You like to ponder ideas and imagine the many possibilities of your life without worrying about the details or specifics. You are in tune with all that is around you and understand your life as part of a larger whole. You prefer a structured environment within which to live and you like things to be predictable.
The Perception Personality Types:
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Almost three months
Missing, presumed forever.
One set of red Wearever pots and pans (Except for the smallest pan. Somehow it made it.) (And I can't find any more red ones anywhere!) (Why couldn't it have been the orange Rachel Ray set that I really should have spent my money on another set of Wearevers for?) (Did that make sense?)
One four-slice toaster (With frozen food button.)
One fairly new lid holder for pots and pans.
One awesome red cutting board.
One rolling pin.
There may be more, but these are the things that I use most. We have pulled out every moving box we have left, dug through them and still nothing. We have no idea where they are. The house was totally empty when we left. The Commander said the storage units were empty when he finished up down there. The moving truck was empty when we returned it.
?????????
Whaaaaaaaaah.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Friday, August 08, 2008
Olympic Meme
1. Are you going to watch the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics? Why or why not? I will watch some of it, but I think it is like four hours long! The Commander and I are dropping the boy off at VBS this evening and then going out to eat (and pick up puff corn for my Okla-homies!*)
2, What events to you like to watch? Curling. Wait, what? Oh, SUMMER Olympics. Gymnastics and swimming.
3. If you could be in an Olympic event, which would it be and why? Not running. Ever. Softball or Volleyball.
4. What event would you like to see in the Olympics (you can even get creative and make one up)? Bowling!
5. Where should the Olympics be held next time? Why this locale? Minneapolis. That way I could go see the Curling!
__________
*The Boy and I are abandoning The Commander and heading off to Oklahoma tomorrow. I'm gonna see my Mom and Dad (and maybe hook them up to e-mail!) and then going over to my old stomping grounds and see my friends and eat some Mexican food that I have been totally missing. Blue Corn Chicken Enchiladas with avocado ranch sauce. Mmmmmmm.
Sunday, August 03, 2008
Any other questions?
more cat pictures
__________
Heading out for a cycle ride. I haven't ridden in a while because of my carpal tunnel. It is hard to keep the throttle cranked, but I got a wrist rest that will hopefully help. We'll see...
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Good Stuff, Maynard
Have you girls tried World Harbors Buccaneer Blend BBQ Sauce? Well, you should. It is *so* good.
Recently, I snuck some of their Apple Maple sauce on some steaks The Commander was grilling. Now if you know The Commander, you would know that his is severely adverse to fruit any where near meat (Are you listening Ursula?), but he liked it! As a matter of fact, I bought him some New York Strip Steaks for supper tonight and he asked for the sauce!
The Apple Maple sauce smells exactly like Bloody Mary Mix. (Um, or so I've heard.) But it doesn't taste like it (If I knew what it tasted like, that is.) (Heheheheh) It has a little bit of apple taste. Just a bit, not overpowering. The Boy even liked it!
Anywho...go get some and try it. This bottle is almost empty, but I have a bottle of Honey Mango in the
Friday, July 25, 2008
Good Gravy
We have guests here from back home and every since they pulled up in the drive last night, we have been running.
We went to Minnesota last night for pizza The Commander things is the Best Pizza Evah, went to the park beside one of the local lakes and then went to the Dairy Freeze and had some crazy delicious ice cream.
This morning, I got up early and made pancakes and bacon for everyone. Then we headed out to the Iowa Great Lakes! We ate on the deck at a restaurant that looks out over the lakes, went and rode a tour boat around the lakes, drove to *another* lake and looked at a cabin that is for sale (crazy expensive, but a great location) (just looking, not buying). We made it back home and The Commander started cooking supper while the rest of us went to the Aquatic Center for a swim.
After supper, The Commander took his friend and The Boy and headed out to go to THE FASTEST 1/2 MILE HIGH BANKED DIRT TRACK IN THE MIDWEST-west-west-west while Friend's wife and daughter stayed home with me to lounge in the recliners and read magazines.
I'm so ready for bed.
Night, night.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
How Sweet
He looked back at me and I gave him the go ahead. He turned back to the girls and told them he would be right out, he just had to get his shoes on. When he turned back around to go get his shoes, I heard him say under his breath, "Cool."
I'm sure in a few years, this won't be quite as sweet. It will be a little nerve racking.
_____________
In other news...we are going to Minneapolis this weekend. Yippee. We are going to the Science Museum and the Mall of America. And who knows what else. It will be so fun.
Now I just have to finish the laundry and pack.
Monday, July 14, 2008
I'm tired of hearing about poor, poor Christie Brinkley
Karma's a beyotch isn't she?
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Festivus
Things are slowly getting somewhat normal here. We can see the light at the end of the moving boxes! Trouble is, we have no place to put it all! I'm gonna have to cull (shout out to my cattle friends!) a lot of clothes in my closet. It is packed full and I haven't even found my winter clothes yet.
We have been trying to schedule time to attend all of the festivals and county fairs around here. We missed the Ice Cream Days (Blue Bunny), but this weekend is the Chocolate Festival. I'm not missing that one. The fairs start up in a couple of weeks. Hopefully we can make it to at least two. I need my funnel cake fix. Bonus if they have Pineapple Whip.
__________
They are installing a fence here as we speak!
__________
I've got to go sign up at the ladies' gym here. If I don't have to get up and walk the dogs, I may need to make it up somewhere else. So far, knock wood, I have lost 2 1/2 pounds. Not much for a month, but it is something. We try to walk at night, but we haven't been diligent about it.
My friend, V, says his tummy is shrinking since I am not down there to feed him. I was teasing The Commander last night saying he is getting V's tummy since I am feeding him all of the time now. Except I am feeding him meals instead of Ding Dongs, Sausage Croissandwiches, caramel corn etc. Stuff like chicken pot pie, meatloaf and mashed potatoes, fall brats with German potato salad, rhubarb pudding, and other goodness.
_________
It is almost 10am so I guess I'll go get in the shower. This SAHM is tough. I need a schedule. The only one I have now is getting up and walking the dogs. And Merv Griffin's Crosswords game show at 2 and 2:30.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Holy Cripes
The neighbors were outside last night looking at this. It just emerged from the cocoon and was hanging out waiting for its wings to fill out. It is 4-5 inches in length.


Here's a bit on it.
When the adults eclose, they have to pump fluid into their wings to extend them. The females emit pheromones at night, which the male can detect with its large, bushy antennae. Males can fly for miles in order to reach a female. The moths mate, and the female spends the remainder of her life laying eggs, while the male may mate several more times. Because the adult moths do not have mouth parts they are unable to eat. As a result, the lifespan for an adult Cecropia moth is generally only 7 to 10 days in the wild, perhaps a little longer or shorter, depending on how much movement the moth makes.
An OSU Entomologist sent me a little about it. He says "They don’t feed as adults, so she would need to find a mate and get to reproducing ASAP!"
Well, she wasted no time. This was the scene this morning...


The little tart.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
More time waster...
2. Are you a vegetarian? Hell to the No
3. Do you believe in Heaven? Definitely
4. Have you ever come close to dying? Not that I’m aware of.
5. What jewelry do you wear 24/7? I don’t wear anything 24/7. When I am home, my watch and wedding ring come off and go into the basket where I keep my keys.
6. Favorite time of day? Evening
7. Do you eat the stems of broccoli? Bleech. I only eat the tops of them when they are chopped up fine and mixed in with rice and CheezWhiz.
8. Do you wear makeup? Nope.
9. Ever have plastic surgery? I had a tummy tuck.
11. What do you wear to bed? PJs or shorts and a t-shirt. (By the way, what happened to question # 10?)
12. Have you ever done anything illegal? Yep. And I’m gonna leave it at that.
13. Can you roll your tongue? Yes. Shorty can do the shamrock roll.
14. Do you tweeze your eyebrows? Me and my eyebrows have an understanding. They keep in line and I don’t have to pull out the tweezers.
15. What kind of sneakers? What kind of sneakers what? Do I own? Have I ever owned? Am I wearing now? New Balance.
16. Do you believe in abortions? When performed correctly and not used for birth control.
17. What is your hair color? Was brown, now more black with lots of silver.
18. Future child’s name? No future children or I will have some ‘splainin’ to do.
19. Do you snore? Since The Commander got his snoring problem fixed, he says I snore. I guess he couldn’t hear me over his racket.
20. If you could go anywhere in the world where would it be? Ireland.
21. Do you sleep with stuffed animals? No, but I have my stuffed bear from when I was nine – Herkimer.
22. If you won the lottery, what would you do first?
The dance of joy.
24. Hamburger or hot dog? Depends on my mood. Oscar Mayer Cheese Dogs rock.
25. If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Shuh. Donuts.
26. City, beach or country? Country-ish.
27. What was the last thing you touched? A can of Pepsi.
28. Where did you eat last? On the recliner. I made Rotel dip.
29. When’s the last time you cried? A couple of weeks ago in the shower.
30. Do you read blogs? Does the Pope crap in the woods?
31. Would you ever go out dressed like the opposite sex? I am a tomboy to the bone so I’m gonna have to go with yes.
32. Ever been involved with the police? I sleep with a cop every night. Doesn’t get more involved than that.
33. What’s your favorite shampoo conditioner and soap? I use Suave Professional 2 in 1 and Oil of Olay Quench.
34. Do you talk in your sleep? Not that I am aware of.
35. Ocean or pool? Pool. No, ocean. No, pool. I don’t know!
36. So, who has the original missing questions? If I knew that, they wouldn’t be missing.
37. Who would you take on a ménage à trois for a dirty weekend? Not a woman, that’s for sure. I have someone in mind, but I plead the fifth.
38. Window seat or aisle? No preference.
39. Ever met anyone famous? Gordon Jump from WKRP.
40. Do you feel that you’ve had a truly successful life? Yes, I have a great marriage, great family and great friends.
41. Do you twirl your spaghetti or cut it? I cut it much to the consternation of my husband.
42. Ricki Lake or Oprah Winfrey? Rachel Ray
43. Basketball or Football? Baseball
44. How long do your showers last? Not long at all. 5-10 min.
45. Automatic or do you drive a stick? Automatic. I can drive a stick, but I prefer not to.
46. Cake or ice cream? CAKE!
47. Are you self-conscious? Just about my hugely fat thighs.
48. Have you ever drank so much you threw up? Once and only once.
49. Have you ever given money to a beggar? Yes.
50. Have you been in love? Yeppers
51. Where do you wish you were? At my mom and dad’s house.
52. Are you wearing socks? Yes. They keep my feet from getting rough.
53. Have you ever ridden in an ambulance? No.
54. Can you tango? No.
55. Last gift you received? My new neighbor brought over a pan of Rhubarb Crisp a couple of weeks ago. It was yummy. (My friend V is sending me something. I can’t wait to see what it is!)
56. Last sport you played? Bowling and before that, volleyball.
57. Things you spend a lot of money on? My damn cell phone bill.
58. Where do you live? 1970s split level in Iowa
59. Where were you born? California
60. Last wedding attended? My friend Kel in OKC.
61. Spit or swallow? Sunflower seed hulls? Spit.
62. Favorite position? Perpendicular.
63. Most hated food(s)? Not fond of seafood.
65. Can you sing? I can sing, just not well.
66. Last person you instant messaged? I haven’t IMed in forever. Probably Todd from work.
67. Last place you went on holiday? Possum Kingdom Lake, Texas.
68. Favorite regular drink? Milk
69. Current Song? We Use to Be Friends (Come on now, Sugar! Bring it on. Bring it on, yeah.)
70. Tag 3 friends: All my frins.
Are you sitting down?
Things are looking up. Knock wood and all that.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
First I would like to thank...
The bartender at the Biting Sow for making them so crazy tasty.
Whoever invented Butterscotch Snapps. And Bailey's.
The Boy for sitting patiently in the car while Mama ran into the liquor store to get the makings for them.
Amen.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
all the cool kids are doing it

To make your own, answer these questions:
1. What is your first name?
2. What is your favorite food?
3. What high school did you go to?
4. What is your favorite color?
5. Who is your celebrity crush?
6. What is your favorite drink?
7. What is your dream vacation?
8. What is your favorite dessert?
9. What do you want to be when you grow up?
10. What do you love most in life?
11. What is one word that describes you?
12. What is your Flickr name?
Type your answer to each of the questions into Flickr search.
Using only the first page of results, pick one image.
Copy and paste URLs for the images into Big Huge Lab's Mosaic Maker to create a mosaic of the picture answers.
Details & credits on mine:
1. Pierre & Sherry, 2. Daylight Donuts, 3. Coweta Falls, 4. Purple fingers, 5. David Duchovny 14, 6. Buttery Nipples, the drink of the night, 7. GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN!. TIPPERARY, IRELAND., 8. Blackberry Cobbler, 9. pastry brush chef, 10. Snowmen family in TX, 11. Funny Face, 12. Fruit Salad @ Jonathan T's
Get Yer Motor Runnin'
I'm a Ford Mustang!
You're an American classic -- fast, strong, and bold. You're not snobby or pretentious, but you have what it takes to give anyone a run for their money.
"Take the Which Sports Car Are You? quiz.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Pea-own-ees
Pea-uh-nees
Pennies
Pea-own-ees
However you do, I got some. They came with the house. I've never been up close to them before. They smell wonderful.



We also have this unknown.

These heathens are confined on the deck until we get a fence. (Soon. Oh please, oh please, oh please.)

You may have me now, Woman, but soon I'll be free.

(I say pea-own-ees. The Commander says pea-uh-nees. He also says Puh-jam-uhs. I say Puh-jaw-muhs. Lie-lack? Lie-lock? These northerners. Sheesh.)
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Dear New Town
I'm trying to give someone hundreds of dollars to put in a chain link fence and I am having no luck what-so-ever!
Five phone messages left.
1) Never returned call.
2) Never returned call.
3) Returned call. Made an appointment to meet with me. Never showed up. Didn't return "Where the hell are you?" call.
4) Returned call. Made an appointment to meet with me. Never showed up. Didn't bother making "WTHAY?" call.
5) Returned call. Said he would "try to make it out there this week". When informed that I was leaving town at 11am on Wednesday, he said, "I will try to make it out there before you leave."
Seriously? WTF is wrong with people?
I went to the building center in the Minnesota town we frequent and got a three page list of contractors. The guy circled three people he said have put in chain link fences. I'm calling first thing tomorrow. I can not deal with these dogs not having a fence much longer.
Anyone out there with chain link skills willing to travel to Iowa and put in a fence? Free room and board while you are here!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Noodle Head
P.S. Freddie Paul's has awesome hummus!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Iowa - Week One Cont.
I had a good cry today.
I cried for his* family. I cried because I miss my friends (a lot), I miss The Commander, I miss Shorty and I miss my Mom and Dad.
I'm better now. We went to the diner for dinner (lunch) and then to the library (again). The Librarian is trying to recruit me to teach Sunday School. Ha. Then we went to the big city park.
Jealous much? Isn't my life thrilling? During my bawl fest this morning, I was trying to decide if I would rather be in my situation right now or would I rather be going to work each day and seeing all of my friends. Mixed emotions right there I tell you.
__________
*I met Scott and his wife this past February at a Dining Out with the OSU ROTC. The Commander has known Scott since he was a Cadet years ago. Scott and his wife seemed like really good people in the short amount of time I talked to them. They were smiling and laughing. Scott was talking about his deployment and I was telling his wife that I felt kind of guilty because when The Commander got mobilized, he only went to Texas and I got to see him from time to time. This was the third time (I think) that Scott had been sent overseas and his first time to Afghanistan. I couldn't imagine my husband being overseas and not knowing what was going on with him. My heart really hurts for her right now.
Iowa - Week One
We stayed at my parents’ house Tuesday and Wednesday night. When we arrived at their house, my Mom had supper ready for us. For me actually. Chicken, dressing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn and made from scratch banana pudding. I told her I should move more often!
We left about 7:30am on Thursday and headed off to Iowa. I packed peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, Pringles and Gogurts so we wouldn’t have to stop to eat, only to get gas and let the dogs potty. We arrived at our new house at 5:30pm. Then I curled up in a ball and died. (Not really.)
Friday, June 6th, Day One
We got up and went to the library for the summer reading program. The theme is Bugs! The Boy wanted me to stay since he didn’t know anyone so I took a chair to the side and tried to blend. The Boy had a pretty good time. After they split the kids into younger and older (there were about 50+ kids!), each group had three books read to them and then they gathered in one section and a lady did a presentation about the Madagascar Hissing Cockroach. The Boy got to hold it repeatedly and was grinning from ear to ear. They did a craft, got a snack and then we headed out the door.
We went to the bank and handed over the check for the proceeds from the house we sold. We decreased the new house loan amount by 2/3!
We went to the newspaper office and to change our mailing address, the post office to pick up our mail and let them know we are officially here and the cable office to sign up for cable and DSL. Guess which two out of three happened? I’ll give you a hint. I had to dig out the VHS tapes because we have run out of DVDs to watch.
The cable office is closed in the mornings and when I went back that afternoon, no one was there still. I called the number and got an office in another town that was handling his calls because he had a trouble call to go on. The lady I talked to didn’t know the exact services and prices for our town. She actually told me, “I reserve the right to be wrong.” If I make it through the weekend, I’ll go back to the office on Monday.
The Commander showed up later Friday evening with a load of stuff. After we unloaded, we went into Minnesota for Jake’s Pizza and a Sprawlmart run for groceries.
Saturday, June 7th, Day Two
The Commander’s Mom and Sisters came down from Minneapolis today. We visited for a bit and went to the diner for lunch (dinner). They left right after. Then the excitement began.
Unpack, mow, unpack, mow, unpack, rototill, plant tomato plants using kitchen spoon as trowel and slice open palm of hand in three places, wash clothes, wash clothes, wash clothes.
When I sent out an email with my new address, I said it was in case anyone wanted to send me a Christmas card. Guess what was in the mail today? A Christmas card. Kathy, you so funny. Thank you so much. Keeping in the spirit, we watched A Charlie Brown Christmas tonight.
Sunday, June 8th, Day Three
The Commander got up and headed back to Oklahoma bright and early this morning. I had a nasty case of the sleepies. I could not get out of bed and function. Finally, I managed to get up and showered about noon. We ate lunch and headed back up to Minnesota. (We are only 9 miles from the border. 20 miles to a town large enough to have real stores.) We spent quality time and money in ShopKo (Four new DVDs!) Including Godzilla. We are watching it now.) and headed back home. I unpacked three more boxes and made supper.
My goals for this week:
GET CABLE AND DSL!
Get someone to install a fence for the dogs.
Unpack at least 10 boxes.
I’ll try to take the computer with me to Minnesota tomorrow. There is a Starblechs up there that will hopefully have wi-fi.
This is harder than I thought it would be. We don’t really know anyone and The Boy is very sad about not having anyone around to play with. I keep telling him he will meet people, but it will take time. I’m having problems keeping him entertained, the dogs corralled and trying to get organized. I need my husband!
Monday, June 9th, Day Four
Unpacked 2 1/2 boxes. Woo! Slow going I know, but this house has a lot less storage than the one we just left. I’ve got most of my kitchen stuff unpacked and we all know that is the most important, right?
The dogs are driving me crazy. Scotch, aka Sir Chomps-A-Lot, managed to drag the middle cushion off of the couch in the den and chew chunks out of both sides of it. It is still useable, but we may have to get a slipcover for the couch.
Cooper, aka Houdini, has managed to bend the chain link in the corner and get out of the 10 X 10 dog kennel we have been keeping the dogs in when they are outside.
Makes me want to ship both of them off to boarding school.
I am meeting with a guy tomorrow night to get an estimate on the fence. Couldn’t happen soon enough.
Finally got in touch with the cable guy and he is going to hook us up with cable, DSL and phone tomorrow. I certainly hope so. We have watched three or four National Geographic videos and are currently watching The Music Man. We have also played Trouble, Snap and the Playstation. And scooped poop.
Trash day is tomorrow so there’s that.
Did I mention I need my husband?
On the bright side, The Boy met a friend at the park! He is in the same grade, in Scouts and his birthday is two weeks after The Boy’s. I hope it works out. He came over to the house for a bit and seems nice.
The neighbor kitty corner from us brought over a fresh out of the oven Rhubarb Crisp.
The Commander’s Aunt and Uncle came over and brought fresh out of the oven Apple Pie and Ice Cream.
I guess I’m going to have to wait a bit to start losing weight…
Tuesday, June 10th, Day Five
We have phone, internet and cable!
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
I got your dinner right here.
After a few days they meet again.....
The engaged girlfriend said: 'The other night, when my boyfriend came back home, he found me in the leather bodice, 4' stilettos and mask. He said, 'You are the woman of my life, I love you...then we made love all night long.'
The mistress stated: 'Oh Yes! The other night we met in the office. I was wearing the leather bodice, mega stilettos, mask over my eyes and a raincoat. When I opened the raincoat, he didn't say a word. We just had wild sex all night.'
The married one then said: 'The other night I sent the kids to stay at my mothers for the night, I got myself ready, leather bodice, super stilettos and mask over my eyes. My husband came in from work, grabbed the TV controller and a beer, and said, 'Hey Batman, what's for dinner?'
Friday, May 23, 2008
Freecycle rocks
This one came this morning. (HE = high efficiency. You know, the type that needs LOW SUDSING SOAP.)
If you have ever been told that it is OKAY to put liquid laundry soap of any kind in your he washing machine...well it's a LIE! I did and
now my machine is broken- literally. I NEED several parts and the
repair man has yet to call back. If you have a Whirlpool duet washer
that can be used for parts, please let me know. Otherwise, I'm looking
at $$$ in repairs.
Thank you,
Crystal
Thursday, May 22, 2008
The fools are out.
Shorty is graduating tomorrow night! I became his stepmonster when he was four years old and now he is a semi-adult.
On Saturday, he has his Eagle Scout Court of Honor. I was helping him with his script last night and when we got to the part where he gives his mom and dad the Eagle Parent pin, he said, "We have to put you in there." Yea me! But then we couldn't think of what to say about me. Well, I could think of lots of amusing things to say about me, but since he is a grumpy old man, he didn't appreciate them.
The Boy got his final report card and reading test results yesterday. The good news is he gets to go on to third grade next year. The great news is that he is reading at a fifth grade level. Woo!
__________
I turned in my letter of resignation at work. Less than two weeks to go. They are having a big
__________
It's a lot like nature. You only have as many animals as the ecosystem can support and you only have as many friends as you can tolerate the bitching of. - Randy K. Milholland,
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
I thought it was funny...
Me - How's it going?
Him - I need a longer hose.
Me - THAT'S WHAT I SAID! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
'Cause I'm funny that way.
Well, I am a tomboy...
You Are a Salty Person |
When it comes to snacks, you're more likely to grab a bag of chips over a bag of cookies. There's a good chance you're male (men prefer salty snacks)... Or at least, you feel very comfortable in male dominated environments. Your taste tends to be complex, sophisticated, and adult. You tend to crave your favorite restaurant meal... or mom's cooking. |
Monday, May 19, 2008
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
We have a reader.
Therefore and thusto, we are on the lookout for Chapter Books! If anyone has any old books that their kids have outgrown or whathaveyou, we would love to have them.
We are currently on the lookout for:
The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling
The Mouse and The Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary
Marley A Dog Like No Other by John Grogan
D'Aulaires Book of Greek Myths by Ingri D'Aulaire and Edgar Parin D'Aulaire
Thanks Interweb. You rock!
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Product Review
Mom Central and Ocean Spray sent me a couple of samples of their new juice drink, Cranergy.
From the website:
Do you need a little help to get through your busy day? We sure do, which is why we created Cranergy™, a delicious and naturally energizing juice drink. Cranergy™ is made from our refreshing cranberry juice, which we've enhanced with natural energizers like green tea extract and B vitamins. Made with Splenda® brand sweetener, Cranergy™ has only 35 calories per eight-ounce serving, 50 percent fewer calories than other leading energy drinks and traditional sodas. Cranergy™ is a "good for you" kind of energy that helps you get stuff done!
It isn't as strong as most of the cranberry juice drinks I have had. I liked that a lot.
I could really taste the green tea flavor in it. I haven't had green tea before, so it was kind of a shock.
It is flavored with Splenda so it has a little of the artificial sweetener taste.
Overall the taste is very light and enjoyable.
Product Review
From their website:
Norton 360 Version 2.0 delivers industry leading protection and performance in an easy to use all-in-one solution. With a single subscription up to three PCs are protected, safeguarding your family by verifying trusted Web sites, blocking fake ones, and securely managing user names and passwords so that they can safely shop, bank, or browse online. Norton 360 V2.0 also helps keep your PCs running at peak performance and protects your data by making it easy to automatically back up and restore files locally or to a secured online storage service.
I have a MacBook at home. Since Macs aren’t as virus-prone as PCs are, I have never really given security a thought. But my husband just recently bought a PC laptop and I know what can happen with those.
Norton 360 is so easy to use. It is pretty much “set it and forget it”. My husband is totally a non-techie and he has no problem with it. It runs in the background and doesn’t give you the horrible pop-ups every few minutes like some anti-virus and spyware programs do. Plus, it doesn’t slow down the speed of your computer. Big Plus.
If you haven’t had a chance to use Norton products, I suggest you give them a try.
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
100 things I have done. (Did? Dood?)
What about you?
1. Attend at least one major sporting event: Dodgers vs. Astros, Fiesta Bowl, KC Royals Game, a few Atlanta Braves games.
2. Throw a huge party and invite every one of my friends: I’ve had a few of those.
3. Be an extra in a film: I was an extra in a commercial. Does that count?
4. Make love on a forest floor: In the woods, beside the lake.
5. Learn how to take a compliment: Why, thank you.
6. Be a member of the audience in a TV show: The Price is Right and A Different World.
7. Get to know my neighbors: I miss my old neighbors.
8. Plant a tree: I have planted many trees!
9. Learn not to say yes when I really mean no: I have amazed a co-worker with this ability.
10. Write a fan letter to my all-time favorite actor or actress: Wrote a fan letter to Tom Hanks when he was on Bosom Buddies. He sent me a postcard thanking me for “the lovely letter”!
11. Visit the Senate and the House of Representatives to see how Congress really works: I went to Girls’ State and learned all of this, but I have been to the Oklahoma Capitol and experienced this first hand.
12. Fall deeply in love: Did it!
13. Be someone's mentor: I had a couple of students I mentored. I miss them too.
14. See a lunar eclipse: These are really cool.
15. Get passionate about a cause and spend time helping it, instead of just thinking about it: I was on the Board of Directors for Big Brothers/Big Sisters here in town for four years and was Executive Vice-President for one term.
16. Make a complete and utter fool of myself: Who hasn’t done that?
17. Write my will: Done it. Need to revise it.
18. Sleep under the stars: Did it until the storm rolled in.
19. Learn how to complain effectively -- and do it!: Sheez. I complain in my sleep I’m so good at it.
20. Spend a whole day reading a great novel: I was sick last week. I read three.
21. Learn to juggle with three balls: I can do this for a short period of time.
22. Find a job I love: I have had two of those.
23. Buy my own house and then spend time making it into exactly what I want: We had ours built like we wanted it and have made it entirely ours.
24. Grow a garden: Would be nice to have one the deer didn’t get into.
25. Drive a convertible with the top down and music blaring: Shuh. My first car out of college was a convertible. Then I got a family.
26. Accept myself for who you are: I accept, but don’t really like it from time to time.
27. Learn to use a microphone and give a speech in public: Yuck.
28. Attend one really huge rock concert: Dave Matthews Band and The Rolling Stones.
29. Be able to handle: my tax forms, Jehovah's Witnesses, my banker, telephone solicitors: Done, done and done.
30. Give to a charity – anonymously: All the time.
31. Fart in a crowded space: No comment.
32. Make love on the kitchen floor: Again, no comment.
33. Create my own web site: Here you are!
34. Visit the Holy Land: Tried to…

Heh. Just kidding.
34. Look into your child's eyes, see yourself, and smile: Dang kid looks just like me.
35. Be interviewed on T.V.: I make TV for a living so I have found my way on screen from time to time.
36. Get married: 13 years, 7 months ago.
37. Have a family: 8 years, 3 months ago.
38. Go to a Broadway stage show: We saw Phantom of the Opera last year.
39. Watch a sunset with someone special: The Commander and I used to go and sit on the dock and watch the sunset at least once a week.
40. Fill up my bookshelf with books: Overflowing!
41. Own a house: I own #3 and #4 right now.
42. Help build a house for a homeless family: I volunteered with Habitat one weekend.
43. Pay off my student loan: I only had one student loan for $200 during my college years. I paid it off right away.
44. Publish a book of my photos: I did this with iPhoto for my MIL and The Commander.
45. Air travel in first class: It was a short trip, but I managed to down a couple of Bloody Marys.
46. Learn how to eat properly with chopsticks: Still prefer a fork.
47. Develop a roll of film from my own photographs: I took a photography and darkroom class years ago.
48. Visit a pub in London: Awesome experience.
49. Visit the Alps in Switzerland: Totally awesome experience.
50. Help someone get into or through college: Do your kids count? This crap is hard.
51. Go peach picking and make cobbler: Oh yeah.
52. Meet someone famous: Gordon Jump – WKRP and the Maytag repairman.
53. Take tap dancing lessons: When I was in Kindergarten.
54. Tithe: Every month.
55. Go to religious services other than my own: Catholic, Seven Day Adventist and Latter Day Saints.
56. Rewire a lamp: I am Ms. Electrician. You have a ceiling fan you need hung? I’m there. Your outlet doesn’t work? I can fix it.
57. Have a family portrait taken: It is tough, but it can be done.
58. Be bold and take my action figures out of the box: Value be damned!
59. Go to the top of the Eiffel Tower: Loved it.
60. Know where my things are at a banquet: BMW. Left to right – bread, meal, water.
61. Become an editor and get paid to correct other people's grammar errors: Heh, I get to do that from time to time.
62. Get a tattoo: My tattoo will turn 21 years old on the 19th of this month.
63. Get my belly button pierced: For three weeks. My pants kept snagging it.
64. Dye my hair an outrageous color: Um, let’s not talk about that.
65. Play Laser Tag: Did it in February. Fun!
66. Ride a motorcycle: Been doing it since I was little. Currently own two of them.
67. Take a picture in a photo booth: I miss photo booths.
68. Hold a bear cub: These guys are so cute.
69. Stay awake for 24 hours: 38. I don’t recommend it.
70. Watch a movie being filmed: Did for a short time, but someone from the crew got all bent out of shape.
71. Get a book autographed: I got to meet Debbie Macomber last May.
72. Get something published in a newspaper or magazine: Some of the photos I have taken at work have made it.
73. Ride in a helicopter: I was nervous at first, but once I was up there, it was great.
74. See a movie at a drive-in: It has been a while.
75. Get a professional massage: You betcha!
76. Draw on a wall: My wall at work has a large chalk drawing of a hibiscus flower.
77. Donate blood: It is hard for me because I have wonky veins.
78. Be on the front page of the Sunday paper: Did it! The Daily Oklahoman had a large, color photo of me and the Commander at an Oklahoma State/Iowa State football game.
79. Get a college degree: BA in Radio/Television/Film Production and Performance with a Minor in English.
80. Rescue a dog from the pound: His name is Cooper and he has been with us for 2 ½ years.
81. Win at a Bingo Hall: Bingo!
82. Crash a tailgating party: They didn’t know me, but I still got beer.
83. Catch something and eat it: Crappie and bass. Yum.
84. Take my son on a toy shopping spree: He got a lot of cash for his birthday one year. He spent loads.
85. Win an award: Scholar Athlete in high school.
86. Go to State in an athletic even: 4th place in the Discus my Freshman year.
87. Process inmates into jail: Crazy, but yes, I have done this.
88. Sip a Tequila Sunrise while at the horse track: My dad bought it for me.
89. Eat a doggie treat: Just once. I was curious.
90. Watch the movie Grease 13 times: It was when it first came out on HBO. I’m a fan.
91. Eat Bison, Elk, Emu, Ostrich, Deer or other wild animal: I have had them all in Jerky form. Tasty.
92. Have a smiley face inlaid into my porcelain crown: It broke, but now I have a paw print and Saturn.
93. Learn to correctly make chicken gravy: It took a while, but I got it down.
94. Reconnect with a high school friend: In the process right now. I got in touch with her dad and he is passing the message along.
95. Sit and listen to nature: Frogs, geese, and birds (including woodpeckers and wild turkeys) are making up the majority of the ambient noise at my house right now.
96. Get high blood pressure: Not funny.
97. Get high cholesterol: Still not funny.
98. Get TMJ: Funny? Not at all.
99. Get Carpal Tunnel: Shut up.
100. Live 40 years: Done.
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
Friday, April 25, 2008
I told you he was smart

He picked up his tux for prom yesterday so I whisked him out to the Garden to snap some photos to put in with his graduation invites.
I did a pretty decent job if you ask me.
Go ahead. Ask me.
(The one above was tweaked in PhotoShop, but these are SOOC.)




Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Looking for ideas?
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Monday, April 21, 2008
Product Review

Their first mistake? Sending it to me. I had about three bowls of the stuff over the course of two days before I had to put it up so The Boy would get a chance to try it. And try it he did.
He really liked it. He asked for a second bowl and he rarely does that. A few days later, he asked me when the cereal was coming to the store because he really wanted to get some more.
It doesn't taste very sweet. They say it is a chocolate and vanilla taste, but I couldn't really tell one way or the other.
The pieces are animal shaped, but we couldn't tell what animals they were. Luckily, they tell you on the inside of the box.
Speaking of the box, here is a look at the back...

It has animal trading cards you can cut out, trivia and games. The Boy would get so interested in the box, he would forget to eat the cereal!
We will definitely be buying this when it comes out. If you see it on the shelves, pick up some and tell me what you think.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Dear Friends and Family
Not a lot happening around here.
The Boy is still going to piano lessons and Scouts. He is still reading two grade levels ahead. Still can't spell worth a lick.
Shorty is counting the days down to Graduation and is busy dealing with all of the ROTC and Iowa State paperwork that has been coming his way. So far he has four scholarships that will provide him with puh-lenty of money for the next four years (although he needs enough for the next five years due to ROTC and his major (Civil Engineering) taking a bit longer than most).
The Commander is probably going off of Active Duty in the next few weeks, but he may be applying to work for the Inauguration. I think it would be cool. How many people do you know have been part of a Presidential Inauguration? Plus, I want to go to Washington DC to see the sights.
I'm still in Occupational Therapy for my Carpal Tunnel. It is getting better, but not better enough. And I deleted all of my bookmarks on my computer this morning. Snap.
Here is one of the funniest things I have seen in ages. Enjoy. (Thank you Cursing Mama!)
Oh, and we put our house up on the market last weekend.
__________
There is no such thing as "fun for the whole family." - Jerry Seinfeld
Friday, April 11, 2008
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From The Literal Tree
(We made it through a weekend of Scout Camp. Next time, remind me to take the air mattress just in case I am too big of a princess to use just a sleeping pad. (I am.))
A bunch of the little monkeys were climbing this great-for-climbing tree. The Boy asked if he could climb the tree. Uh, Hell to the No. We were out in the middle of nowhere. I know how graceful he is (He gets that from me.) and I didn't want to risk it. He kept asking and kept asking and kept asking until he wore me down.
"Okay, but don't go real high and BE CAREFUL."
This caused much elation on his part. He spun around and took off running toward the tree. Then he immediately tripped over a tent stake and went ass over tea kettle.
There ya go.
__________
Some national parks have long waiting lists for camping reservations. When you have to wait a year to sleep next to a tree, something is wrong. - George Carlin
Thursday, April 03, 2008
What would you do?

__________
COLD IS A RELATIVE THING . . .
65 above zero: Floridians turn on the heat.
People in Iowa plant gardens.
60 above zero: Californians shiver uncontrollably.
People in Iowa sunbathe.
50 above zero: Italian & English cars won't start.
People in Iowa drive with the windows down..
40 above zero: Georgians don coats, thermal underwear, gloves, wool hats.
People in Iowa throw on a flannel shirt.
35 above zero: New York landlords finally turn up the heat.
People in Iowa have the last cookout before it gets cold.
20 above Zero People in Miami all die.
Iowans close the windows.
Zero: Californians fly away to Mexico
People in Iowa get out their winter coats.
10 below zero: Hollywood disintegrates.
The Girl Scouts in Iowa are selling cookies door to door.
20 below zero: Washington DC runs out of hot air.
People in Iowa let the dogs sleep indoors.
30 below zero: Santa Claus abandons the North Pole.
Iowans get upset because they can't start the Snowmobile.
40 below zero: ALL atomic motion stops .
People in Iowa start saying..."Cold enough for ya?"
50 below zero: Hell freezes over.
Iowa public schools will open 2 hours late.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Product Review
First, a little from the back cover…
Motherhood -- it's not for wimps.
Once the zigzagging hormones and endless, bleary-eyed exhaustion of the first year have worn off, you're left with the startling realization that your tiny, immobile bundle has become a rampaging toddler, complete with his or her very own, very forceful personality.
Just as Sippy Cups Are Not for Chardonnay helped debunk decades of parenting myths to offer honest advice for the first year, Naptime Is the New Happy Hour is a voice of reason for every woman facing questions such as: Will refined sugar make my toddler's head explode? Is it wrong to have a cocktail at two in the afternoon? And what exactly is a Backyardigan?
With biting wit and boatloads of common sense, Stefanie Wilder-Taylor addresses all these concerns and more. Whether it's planning easy outings that are fun for both of you (fact: your child will find the local Target just as scintillating as the Guggenheim), dishing the dirt on preschool TV (those mothers who swear their kids don't watch television? Liars or psychos, every one), or perfecting the art of the play date, readers will find advice, anecdotes, and a reassuring sense of camaraderie to help them survive -- and even thrive -- during each hilarious, frustrating, and amazing moment.
And a little about the author from her Blogger profile…
One thing to know about me is that I don't like people who say "one thing to know about me." That statement tells me a lot about a person. Like that I probably don't want to know about them. Another thing to know about me is I can be a little testy. I am married to a man whose character is way too great to be believed, had a daughter on Nov. 12, 2004, used to be a TV writer and comedian but now I'm trying to live off of my books "Sippy Cups Are Not For Chardonnay: And other things I had to learn as a New Mom" and "Naptime Is the New Happy Hour." Oh and I recently had TWIN GIRLS! Need I say more?
Now my review…
Hated this book.
The end.
Seriously though, I really did not like this book. I think the author is trying to hard to be funny and it just isn’t cutting it. She insults just about everyone – the Pampered Chef demonstrator she calls The Cult Leader, the Spanish speaking gardener, “towel heads”, the Gays, etc.
She says she only moved ten miles or so away from her friends, but she is too lazy to go and see them so she needs to make new ones. Within the first 50 pages of the book, she pretty much narrows down what she wants in a friend, and says, quite frankly, that if you don’t meet certain requirements, she doesn’t want you as a friend. Guess what Stefanie? If you live your life the way you write, I wouldn’t want to be your friend.
Now I know you are supposed to take this humor tongue-in-cheek, but it just isn’t funny. She makes so many references to alcohol and drugs (legal and not) that it really makes you wonder.
Thank you Mother Talk for letting me review this book, but it just didn’t cut it for me.*
(If you want to read a really funny book about parenting, check out The Sweet Potato Queens.)
*Anyone want my copy? Leave me a comment and I’ll draw a name and let you endure the “humor”.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Product Review
I received a box of the cheddar flavor and we gave them a try. They were pretty good. They didn't seem to have a lot of cheddar flavor, but they were still pretty good.
So I went to the store and bought a box of the original flavor. These, my friends, were KRAZEE DELISH! As I'm typing this, I have a small bowl of them perched on the arm of the chair.
You first get the buttery taste of the cracker, then a quick taste of the salty pretzelly goodness, then back to the buttery crackerness.
I highly recommend Townhouse Flipsides. And I thank you Mom Central and Kelloggs for letting me review these Prackers? Cretzels?
__________
Sharing food with another human being is an intimate act that should not be indulged in lightly. - M. F. K. Fisher
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Hey Y'all

__________
I've got a couple of product reviews I will be posting later in the week. One item isn't too bad, but the other is not so good. As a matter of fact, if I find out any one of you goes out and buys the product I didn't like, I will come to your house and beat you with it. Kisses!
__________
I've signed up to walk the 2k for Remember The Ten. My friend Kendall was killed in the plane crash seven years ago. I miss him.
__________
Hold a true friend with both hands. - Nigerian Proverb
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Road Trip!
Out with The Offspring, in with Dolly Parton.
Out with the Suburban Legends, in with George Strait.
Out with Jim Croce, in with Merle Haggard.
Out with Rufus Wainwright, in with Willie Nelson.
Out with Journey, in with Vince Gill.
Out with The Rugburns, in with Shania Twain.
Out with The Dandy Warhols, in with The Bellamy Brothers.
__________
I found me a T-shirt that says, "What part of Y'all don't you understand?" I don't need any new shirts, but I love this one! Should I get it?
There's also one that says, "You say potato, I say tater". hehe
__________
If you ever start feeling like you have the goofiest, craziest, most dysfunctional family in the world, all you have to do is go to a state fair. Because five minutes at the fair, you'll be going, 'you know, we're alright. We are dang near royalty.' - Jeff Foxworthy
Monday, March 17, 2008
Puttin' the foot down.
I finally had it. Up to where? Here! So I told him every time he said "Fine!", he lost 25 cents of his allowance. Zoinks!
He then started to say, "All right!" as in "All right! (I'll do it, but I would rather be saying, "Fine!" Sneer.)"
That got old real quick. So guess what this mean old Mom did? I told him from now on, he is to say, "Yes Ma'am."
Mwaaahahahahahaha!
Oooooooo, how he hates that.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Dear Husband,
Love,
Your Wife
P.S. Thanks for doing the laundry. Please use dryer sheets.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Monday, March 10, 2008
Saturday, March 08, 2008
I'm still here!
Let's see....
Scotch the dog hurt his back right leg, was diagnosed with hip displasia (sp?), got almost better and then tweaked his knee on the same leg. We are supposed to keep him quiet for six weeks. Ha, I say. (Two different types of meds and fish oil.)
The Commander had his tonsils and adnoids removed and his diviated septum straightened. He is slowly getting better. (One med, but the good stuff.)
The Boy got a virus (not a stomach bug, thank goodness) and has been running a fever and coughing like crazy. (Two meds.)
Me? So far so good. Knock wood. I got my new crown (with Saturn on it!). Still have carpal tunnel. Going to the doctor next week and will probably get an injection of cortisone and a referral to an orthopedic surgeon. Oh, I did pop my elbow (on the same arm) a few weeks ago and it still hurts. My arm is out to get me.
So how are you doing?


