Product Review

When Mom Central sends out requests for product reviewers, I am very picky about what I throw my name in for. If I don't think I would like it or would use it, I don't ask to be a reviewer.

Recently, they asked for bloggers to review Priority Club.

I LOVE PRIORITY CLUB!

I asked to be a reviewer and so, here I am.

We have been members of Priority Club for years. Every time you stay in one of the 3,800 worldwide hotels, including Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza, you earn points (That never expire!). You can redeem the points for free hotel nights, brand merchandise, CDs, DVDs, gift cards, airline rewards, car rentals or you can donate to charities!

We haven't redeemed points for merchandise, but we have used the free hotel nights. When we went to New York City a couple of Aprils ago, we stayed in a Holiday Inn on 42nd street FOR FREE! Three free nights in New York City thanks to Priority Club.

A couple of perks you get in the hotels as a Priority Club member are free upgrades if they have room and (my favorite) if they have a bar, you get a chit for a free drink!

We also have a Priority Club Visa rewards card. We have racked up some points using that little thing.

I would highly recommend joining Priority Club. At least take a look at the website for more information.

Happy Thanksgiving, Y'all

You Are a Pilgrim

Like the pilgrims, you've felt persecuted for your beliefs from time to time. You have a strong sense of right and wrong. Your morality sometimes makes you feel out of step with the modern world. You may not go as far as moving across the world, but you still identify with the pilgrims. Well, except for the whole stealing land and killing Indians thing.

Are You a Pilgrim or an Indian?

I forgot to tell you about our award

You know the one - Parent of the Year. I usually win it by myself, but the other day, we both accepted it.

November 11th, Veterans' Day, we woke up to the aftermath of some icky weather. The streets were slick and there was some snow on the ground. We all got bundled up and headed out.

We dropped The Boy off at school and headed out to the grave yard to visit for a bit before we headed back to the school for the Veterans' Day program. The Commander stopped at his dad's gravestone and hopped out of the car to straighten the flag. He wasn't back in the car two seconds when his phone rang.

It was the school.

They were having a two hour late start due to the icy conditions. Please come get your child. And for the love of all that is holy*, listen to the radio station or watch the news channels to get the updates!

Good thing we did watch for updates. They ended up canceling school for the rest of the day. The Veterans' Day program was held on the 13th.

We scurried back up to the school and there he stood, out on the sidewalk, waiting patiently for his award winning parents to pick him up. Poor child.

I would like to point out that we are not used to schools being that concerned about the ice. In Oklahoma (I'm looking at you, Stillwater!), we slipped and slid all over creation to get to school and work. Heck, The Boy's school had a very icy sidewalk on the backside of the gym that a bunch of us had to use to get the kids into the before and after school care. I called the principal's office repeatedly about getting the ice cleared off of it and at least two moms fell and got hurt AND THEY NEVER DID ANYTHING ABOUT IT. And I wiped out at least twice on the ice at my old job (I'm looking at you, Oklahoma State University!) So this ice? Meh.

So thank you kind school for understanding that it takes some people a while to get it.

Just don't get me started on the whole "One hour late start EVERY WEDNESDAY" thingie. That's just crazy. (We only dropped him off early once on a Wednesday. Now we have a sign on the door to the garage to remind us.)

*Implied.

__________

By mid-November I always like to have an extra 15 pounds on me. - Diane Frolov and Andrew Schneider, Northern Exposure, First Snow, 1993

What's Up?

So my husband was giving me grief last night about not updating my blog. "Now I don't know what you are doing." he joked.

I think since he has lived in Iowa before, he would have some idea of what I've been up to.



That's right. Not a lot to do here. My work days have been cut down since harvest is winding down. Bowling once a week. Book club once a month. Picking up The Boy from school every day. Cooking. Baking. Jello making!

I would like to say that my house is SPOTLESS, but that ain't happening.

I read. I read a lot. I just finished "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn". I really enjoyed it. Next on my list is a book about Postville, Iowa. The kosher meat packing plant there got raided this summer and more than 300 illegals were carted off. The book is about when the Jewish people first moved into the town way back when.

I also have spent way too much money on rubber stamps and accessories to start making my own greeting cards. Jump back!

Right now, I'm up at the crack of dawn because somewhere in the bedroom is what I believe is a digital watch that has its alarm set for 5:45am and if I'm in a light sleep, it wakes me up. Sigh. Anyway, I can sit on my recliner and watch the sun come up over the snow covered corn field behind our house.

Yesterday, The Commander took us out for breakfast during a blizzard! (Not really, but it was coming down pretty good.) Afterward, he decided to drive around and look at the snow. We saw five deer run across the road from one corn field into another. They get pretty big here because of the free range corn grazing so we have to really keep an eye out when driving.

__________

Our high school football team played in the state championship game Friday. They came in runner-up last year, so they were really gunning for it. They started out terrible, picked it up quite a bit, but still ended up losing. They were down by two points with five seconds left and the attempted field goal was blocked. It was only their second loss this season. The team that beat them for the championship last year? They came back and killed them in the semi-finals this year!

__________

My computer's hard drive is almost full so I haven't been able to upload my photos lately. I am in dire need of an external hard drive, but I can't decide which one I want. I need to get off the pot and get one.

__________

So that's my exciting life.

Stop and Think

Please remember our men and women serving our country today.

And please keep the family of Scott Hagerty in your prayers.

Crazy kids

Almost every day after school the doorbell rings and it is usually one of four boys or the girl from across the street wanting to play with The Boy.

Today, The Boy and one of the boys, T, were outside doing whatever it is that they do out there and I happened to glance out at them while I was closing the window. They were playing with a water balloon launcher, but yet, they had no water balloons.

Woooosh. Something is launched out into the street.

Me - WAS THAT A ROCK?!
Him - Uh, yeah.
Me - DON'T USE ROCKS! Gah.

I ended up giving them a large bowl of green apples and tomatoes that were on their last legs.

Me - Here. Take these out back and shoot them into the field.
Him and T - Woooooooooooooooo!

Fast forward to supper time.

Me - Did you get hit in the back with a tomato?
Him - Yeah.
Me - Gah! That will stain. (I'm a mom. It must be said.)

Oh well. I'll shout it out. At least he has made friends.

__________

Boys don't make passes at female smartasses. - Letty Cottin Pogrebin

I'm a member of the nerd herd.

There Are 1 Gaps in Your Knowledge

Where you have gaps in your knowledge: History Where you don't have gaps in your knowledge: Philosophy Religion Economics Literature Science Art

Do You Have Gaps in Your Knowledge?

Go vote!

We Can't Predict Who You Voted For

According to our quiz, there's a 40% chance you voted for Obama. But that means there's an 60% chance you voted for McCain. You aren't very typical. You tend to be independent, and your vote is highly coveted. While we can't predict how you voted, there's a good chance you voted for the winner!

Did You Vote for Obama or McCain?

Some people are idiots.

(Note: this post speaks of feminine products.)

Always has a new pad and is giving away free samples. On the website, there is a Whadayathink? area where you can read reviews.

Here's some entries that will make you cringe...

Maria in Illinois says: When i got Alwasy Infinity (Spell the product right, fool. And capitalize!) She finishes with: i had no leeks or nothing (Try the produce aisle.)

Jessica in California says: i likedthat it was light but yet observant. (I'm guessing absorbent? Capitalize! And use your space bar!)

cc in Tennessee says: I had a coupon so I desided to try them (Spelling!)

Kristi says: I honestly wasnt satisfyed, the wings got caught on my bush and I bled all over my sheets D: if it were thicker longer and wider it would be perfect! (First - You kiss your mama with that mouth? Second - That's what she said!)

Ellie says: well i have a very heavy flow so this pad didnt work to well its bleeded through and everyone saw! but it makes me excitied to know i can wear a pad! (Oh no! It bleeded through!)

caroline from New York says: its that ineversee somethinlike this iwaet triet pleas (WTF? Was she typing with her toes?)

I stopped reading after that one.

__________

I am returning this otherwise good typing paper to you because someone has printed gibberish all over it and put your name at the top. - An English Professor, Ohio University

Honest!

She did it and so I followed suit. And I agree, what is with the photo not really jibing with the results? I'm honest, but evidently I also like to berate people? WTH?

And zero percent on courage? Whatevs.

Your result for The Best Thing About You Test...

Honesty

Honesty is your greatest virtue.

Honesty is the human quality of communicating and acting truthfully. This includes listening, and any action in the human repertoire — as well as speaking. And you? You cannot tell a lie. Both loved ones and strangers should trust you, because you won't (1) lie, (2) lie via omission, or (3) sit there and let lies be told. (Can you even let a sleeping dog lie?) All 7 virtues are a part of you, but your honesty runs deepest.

Your biggest risk is hurting the feelings of your most sensitive friends. However, most appreciate you for your candor.

Honest famous person: George Washington, if you believe the propaganda.

Your raw relative scores follow. 0% is low, and 100% is perfect, nearly impossible. Note that I pitted the virtues against each other, so in some way these are relative scores. It's impossible to score high on all of them, and a low score on one is just relatively low compared to the other virtues.

YOUR VIRTUES

30% Compassion

33% Intelligence

38% Humility

78% Honesty

50% Discipline

0% Courage

67% Passion

Take The Best Thing About You Test at HelloQuizzy

Put'em in the freezer!

What Your Love of Snickers Says About You

You are a very popular person. People can always find something about you to like. You are friendly and approachable. It's easy to feel comfortable around you. You are lively, playful, and sweet. But you are also substantial too. No matter what the situation is, you are good company... and the ideal best friend.

What Does Your Favorite Candy Say About You?

I'm not complaining.

Really, I'm not. It is just going to take some getting used to.

The Cold! (And it isn't really that cold yet!)

Things that bother me so far...

1. Cold nose. I hate having a cold nose.

2. Leather furniture is very cold in the morning.

3. When you walk to the football concession stand and buy some crazy delicious concession stand nachos? By the time you get back to the bleachers, your cheese is cold. (I ate them anyway.)

4. I can't wear a stocking cap for any length of time. I put one on and about ten minutes later, I yank it off and start scratching my head like I have cooties. I've tried stocking caps, wool caps, caps with fleece lining, etc. I guess it is the tightness around my head. I don't itch on the top of my head, just around the sides and my forehead. I can wear a sweatshirt hood and have no problem, but a cap, no go. Any suggestions my peeps from the land of the coldness?

___________

A couple of photos of our trip to the patch...




__________

If winter is slumber and spring is birth, and summer is life, then autumn rounds out to be reflection. It's a time of year when the leaves are down and the harvest is in and the perennials are gone. Mother Earth just closed up the drapes on another year and it's time to reflect on what's come before. - Mitchell Burgess, Northern Exposure, Thanksgiving, 1992

Into life, a little rain must fall.

And a lot of leaves...

I raked some.



But a lot were left.



And then...







You can't tell by the photos, but it was spitting rain. And cold. That didn't stop him though...

Old Reliable

Your result for The Harry Potter Husband Test...

Mrs. Longbottom

Your perfect HP man is Neville Longbottom.

You like the nice guy. You don't need the best looking guy, or the most talented, or the most popular, or the most powerful. You want a guy who'll be there when you need him, who knows how to stick through the hard times, who isn't afraid to do what needs to be done, and who stands up to even his friends when necessary. You can't go wrong with a guy like this.

(fanart by jeremia http://jeremia.deviantart.com/ used with permission)

Take The Harry Potter Husband Test at HelloQuizzy

Rant

I pink puffy heart House Hunters, but the people on the show are starting to really work my nerves.

Waaaah. It doesn't have granite counter tops. (I have never had granite counter tops. Never will. I'm hoping for quartz if I ever get to remodel.)

Waaaah. It doesn't have stainless appliances. (These either. Magnets don't stick.)

Waaaah. There's carpet in the bathroom. (I like carpet in the bathroom. The house we built had carpet in two of the bathrooms. You just have to be careful.)

Waaaah. There's only one sink in the bathroom. (We went from two to one. We had to adjust.)

Waaaah. This room is Pepto Pink. (We accidentally had one of those rooms (It was supposed to be mauve.) We repainted it Sugar Cookie.)

Waaaah. There's no hardwood flooring. (Three. Count them. Three rooms in this house had 1970s red/orange shag. One even had (still has) red/white flocked wallpaper and grey/white paneling.)

One thing I have noticed is that the less money people are spending, the less picky they are. Usually the hundreds of thousands of dollar purchasers are the whiny babies.

Did you know I agreed to purchase the house I live in without ever seeing it in person? Just some iffy photos The Commander took? Did you know I never stepped foot into this house until after I signed the mortgage papers?

Do you know what I got excited about? Double ovens (One is a convection oven.). Double ovens that now anger me because I can't fit a jellyroll pan in either one of them?

Probably the one thing that is bothering me the worst about House Hunters? For whatever reason, St@r J0ne$ has been popping up as host. Gag. Why HGTV? Why?

__________

One thing is clear to me. You can't know everything you'd like to know. You can't do everything you'd like to do. You can't read everything you'd like to read. You must hold onto some things and let go of others. Learning to make that choice is one of the big lessons of this life. - Real Live Preacher, Real Live Preacher.com weblog, September 9, 2003

Got Tongue?

Got Tongue?
Originally uploaded by Sherrypg

Cooper plays hard to get.

Click on the photo to check out some more I just added to flickr.

Chillin'

Unlike some people, I've turned on the gas fireplace for the last 14 mornings or so and have turned on the heater in the bedroom for the last 5 evenings.

But you know what? I can light the fire or throw on a hoodie and I'm good. For now. Ask me in a couple of months.

__________

I stepped outside just a few minutes ago to take some photos of the full moon and when I opened the door, I thought, "It smells like snow!" Maybe it was just my imagination.

Unemployment - Too good to last.

So, uh, guess who got a part time job?

{{{sheepishly raises hand}}}

Up front I want you to know that I didn't go looking for it, it came after me.

You see, it is harvest time up here (soybeans and corn) and a lot of wives drop whatever they are doing to help their husbands out on the farm. This leaves some businesses (and bowling teams!) short handed.

I was asked to come in 2-3 days a week for just an hour or and hour and a half over dinner (or what we Okies like to call "lunch") and help out. I probably will be there through the end of the year.

The place where I will be working is, get this, a coffee house. 'Cause who loves coffee more than me?! Everyone. (Except The Commander.) It is a small place, six tables. Family owned (My husband's aunt's son's wife's mom). They have a lot of coffee drinks and smoothies. And they serve soup, sandwiches, and salads. They also have daily specials like creamed chicken on biscuits and hot beef commercial (Yeah, I had to ask too. Open faced roast beef sandwiches.)

So in addition to my earnings (Enough to pay for my bowling and gas money to get to bowling every week.) I get a free lunch on the days I work! Woooooo!

The plus for The Commander is that at least three days a week I will be showered before noon.

__________

The human race is faced with a cruel choice: work or daytime television. - Unknown

How well does my husband know me?

He was reading the questions off of my blog and wouldn't let me have the computer to record his answers as he gave them. So here are the answers to the best of my recollection. There may be some embellishment, but not much.

1. Sitting in front of the TV, what's on the screen?
Some stupid sitcom. Probably The Big Bang Theory. (CORRECT! But it's not stupid.)

2. You're out to eat; what kind of dressing does she get on her salad?
Blue cheese. (CORRECT!)

3. What's one food she doesn't like?
Any good vegetables like peas, green beans or lima beans. Me - I like green beans. Him - I mean green peas. (CORRECT!)


4. You go out to a bar. What does she order?
Bloody Mary or a Slippery Nipple. A Buttery Nipple. (INCORRECT! A margarita. If I go to the Biting Sow, I would get a Buttery Nipple.)

5. Where did she go to high school?
Coweta High School. Go Tigers! (CORRECT!)

6. What size shoe does she wear?
I don't know what size shoe you wear. (CORRECT! He doesn't know what size anything I wear.)

7. If she was to collect anything, what would it be?
I don't know what you would collect. (CORRECT! I don't either.)

8. What is his favorite type of sandwich?
Chicken Salad with grapes, raisins, and pomegranates. (ALMOST CORRECT!) Me - Chicken Salad with Fruit Salad in it? Him - Yeah. (Chuckles) And nuts. Chicken Salad that has been tampered with. (VERY CORRECT! And he can't stand it.)

9. What would this person eat everyday if she could?
Your mom's Banana Pudding. (CORRECT! Also, donuts.)

10. What is her favorite cereal?
You've got 17 boxes in there! Probably honey cluster crunch. Me - Honey Bunches of Oats with almonds? Him - Yeah. (CORRECT!)

11. What would she never wear?
A dress. (CORRECT! I will if needed, but I even wear jeans to church.)

12. What is her favorite sports team?
I don't think you have a favorite sports team. (CORRECT!)

13. Who will she vote for?
We have the same answer. (CORRECT! Or will we?)

14. Who is her best friend?
Lynette (CORRECT!)

15. What is something you do that she wishes you wouldn't do?
Spend so much time on the History Channel. (CORRECT! Oh how correct.)

16. How many states has she lived in?
Three - California, Oklahoma, and Iowa. (CORRECT! And evidently, he is counting his time in Texas (two years) as living there. I think of it more as a temporary thing.)

17.What is her heritage?
French. (OUI!)

18. You bake her a cake for his birthday, what kind of cake?
Any. (CORRECT!)

19. Did she play sports in high school?
Softball, track, and basketball. (CORRECT! 4th place in State in Discus my Freshman year!)

20. What could she spend hours doing?
Sitting on the internet. (CORRECT! Or reading.)

21. Does she belong to any women's organizations?
You don't belong to any women's organizations. Wait. Your book club. Me - And...? Him - Oh, Presbyterian Women. Me - And my bowling team. Him - I don't think that counts.

I've been called a "Donut Whore"

And I'm not ashamed.

The Commander took the little Honda motorcycle down to a town about 35 miles from here to be worked on a couple of weeks ago. This morning, we headed down there to pick it up. I asked him if there were places we could shop there. He said because we will have the trailer hooked on, we couldn't stop.

After we picked the motorcycle up, he drove through downtown so I could see the sights.

Me - "Antique shop, computer shop that sells Macs, antique shop, scrapbook store, Daylight Donuts....STOP THIS CAR RIGHT NOW!"

He whipped around the corner and found parking. I jumped out of the Element and said, "Do you want anything?" He replied, "What? You were just going to get you something?" Uh, yeah. Duh.



Since it has been more than four months since I have had a donut, I tried not to go too crazy - five Bear Claws (No apples. Just cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice. But still....), two chocolate and bavarian cream things, three glazed, and one huge something or the other with cream and coconut.

So what is the proper procedure for eating the ginormous box of donuts on your lap? Do you slowly savor them? Space them out through the day? Or dive right in and eat every freakin' one of them before you drive the 35 miles back home?

(I managed to just eat two (still warm) bear claws. The Commander had one glazed. It was tough.)

How well do you know your husband?

Judy did it so I thought I would too!

1. Sitting in front of the TV, what's on the screen? History Channel, History International, The Military Channel, or The Beverly Hillbillies. If he's watching a movie - Phantom of the Opera. According to my friend Craig, that's how we know he's gay.

2. You're out to eat; what kind of dressing does he get on his salad? Blue cheese

3. What's one food he doesn't like? Tomatoes

4. You go out to a bar. What does he order? Corona with a lime or a Bloody Mary

5. Where did he go to high school? Armstrong High School. Go Tigers!

6. What size shoe does he wear? 12 wide

7. If he was to collect anything, what would it be? Anything with Harley Davidson on it. Oh wait, he already does that.

8. What is his favorite type of sandwich? Reuben

9. What would this person eat everyday if he could? Pizza

10. What is his favorite cereal? Grape Nuts with half and half. (blech)

11. What would he never wear? Sandals

12. What is his favorite sports team? Iowa State Cyclone football

13. Who will he vote for? That's between him and the vote counting machine. (I know (boy how I know), but I'm not saying.

14. Who is his best friend? Outside of this house, Richard.

15. What is something you do that he wishes you wouldn't do? I spend too much time on the computer. (Oh yeah?! Well, he won't replace the damn toilet paper!)

16. How many states has he lived in? Three - Iowa, Colorado, and Oklahoma

17.What is his heritage? Scottish, English, and German.

18. You bake him a cake for his birthday, what kind of cake? Yellow cake with chocolate frosting

19. Did he play sports in high school? Football

20. What could he spend hours doing? See question #1. He also likes to be outside puttering around in the yard, but he really loves to be on his Harley.

21. Does he belong to any men's organizations? Veterans of Foreign Wars

Why men shouldn't write advice columns...

Dear Walter:

I hope you can help me here. The other day, I set off for work leaving my husband in the house watching the TV as usual. I hadn't gone more than a mile down the road when my engine conked out and the car shuddered to a halt. I walked back home to get my husband's help. When I got home I couldn't believe my eyes. He was in our bedroom with the neighbor lady. I am 32, my husband is 34, and we have been married for twelve years. When I confronted him, he broke down and admitted that they had been having an affair for the past six months. I told him to stop or I would leave him. He was let go from his job six months ago and he says he has been feeling increasingly depressed and worthless. I love him very much, but ever since I gave him the ultimatum he has become increasingly distant. He won't go to counseling and I'm afraid I can't get through to him anymore. Can you please help?

Sincerely, Sheila

---------------------------------------------------

Dear Sheila:

A car stalling after being driven a short distance can be caused by a variety of faults with the engine. Start by checking that there is no debris in the fuel line. If it is clear, check the vacuum pipes and hoses on the intake manifold and also check all grounding wires. If none of these approaches solves the problem, it could be that the fuel pump itself is faulty, causing low delivery pressure to the carburetor float chamber.
I hope this helps!

Walter

P.S. ... have a great weekend

Hey Grandpa, What's For Supper?!

(Bonus points if you can name the source of the title.)

Wow. I am totally little Susie Homemaker today.

Yesterday afternoon, one of The Commander's aunts and I went out to a friend's farm and I brought back two sacks of apples, yellow squash and (ack) horseradish.

This morning, after The Boy got off to school, I sliced up three apples and put them into the dehydrator.

The Commander and I drove over to his aunt's house and trimmed up a tree for her then came back home and unloaded the brush into the pile.

I came back into the house and started supper in the crock pot - Brown Sugar Chicken. (I noticed there wasn't any salt in the recipe, so I salted down the chicken. As I was dumping in the second tablespoon of soy sauce, the little light went on above my head. Soy sauce = salty. Crossing my fingers.)

Now I am going back into the kitchen, turning the exhaust fans on and attempting to make, for the first time, prepared horseradish.

Wait, I might make Coconut Ice first.

__________

This weekend is going to be busy, busy.

There is a kids' program at the library tomorrow morning and then door-to-door Boy Scout popcorn sales.

I'm headed to coffee in the morning and then on to Mankato, MN with the aunts to meet my MIL and SILs and other assorted women for my MIL's birthday lunch at THE OLIVE GARDEN! Yummmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Sunday is church and Sunday school*. Then The Boy's scout pack is headed up to an apple orchard for orchard/pumpkin patch fun.

I need some B12.

__________

*A lady at church asked me if I wanted to teach Sunday school. Uh, thank you, no. A few weeks later, she told me the pastor was going to contact me about teaching Sunday school. Still no.

No one ever contacted me and what do you know - the church's newsletter came out and there was my name listed with the other Sunday school teachers. Not a happy camper. At all.

Being the trooper I am, I jumped right in and am teaching the crud out of this class. It isn't too bad. Class only lasts 40 minutes and I have yet to finish everything I had planned for the day. I only have three third graders. Thank goodness. If I had more kids, I might have to turn in my scissors.

Four fried chickens and a coke

Do you drink coke products? Wanna help a lady out?

Since my pots and pans and my toaster are still MIA, I am needing to get new ones. I have been saving My Coke Rewards points to get some pans. The pans are no longer listed, but they have a toaster oven. I currently have 573 points, but I need a total of 2,200. If you or someone you know wants to send me the codes from your coke products, hopefully I can get the toaster oven. (Plus? It is RED!)

Bonus! I have a small, but meaningful gift I can send to the person who sends me the most points by the end of November.

Ready, set, go!

God's Honest Truth

One day, when a seamstress was sewing while sitting close to a river, her thimble fell into the river. When she cried out, the Lord appeared and asked, 'My dear child, why are you crying?' The seamstress replied that her thimble had fallen into the water and that she needed it to help her husband in making a living for their family.

The Lord dipped His hand into the water and pulled up a golden thimble set with sapphires.
'Is this your thimble?' the Lord asked .
The seamstress replied, 'No.'
The Lord again dipped into the river. He held out a golden thimble studded with
rubies.
'Is this your thimble?' the Lord asked. Again, the seamstress replied, 'No.'
The Lord reached down again and came up with a leather thimble.
'Is this your thimble ?' the Lord asked. The seamstress replied, 'Yes.' The Lord was pleased with the woman's honesty and gave her all three thimbles to keep, and the seamstress went home happy.

Some years later, the seamstress was walking with her husband along the riverbank, and her husband fell into the river and disappeared under the water. When she cried out, the Lord again appeared and asked her, 'Why are you crying?'

'Oh Lord, my husband has fallen into the river!
The Lord went down into the water and came up with George Clooney.
'Is this your husband?' the Lord asked.
'Yes,' cried the seamstress.
The Lord was furious. 'You lied! That is an untruth!'
The seamstress replied, 'Oh, forgive me, my Lord. It is a misunderstanding.
You see, if I had said 'no' to George Clooney, you would have come up with Brad Pitt.

Then if I said 'no' to him, you would have come up with my husband. Had I then said 'yes,' you would have given me all three. Lord, I'm not in the best of health and would not be able to take care of all three husbands, so THAT'S why I said 'yes' to George Clooney.

And so the Lord let her keep him.

The moral of this story is:
Whenever a woman lies, it's for a good and honorable reason, and in the best interest of others. That's our story, and we're sticking to it.

Signed,
All Us Women

Contest

You can win a free handbag!

They are launching October 15th and are giving away one handbag an hour.

Check it out. Handbag Planet

School

You don't have to be smart to work there.

I don't know if I have told you about the ordeal we had with the school here or not. I'm guessing I didn't, so here goes.

A month or so before school was to start, I started calling the superintendent's office to talk to someone about getting The Boy's records sent up here. No answer. Repeatedly. I called the elementary school's office. The custodian answered. She had no clue. I finally drove up to the school and wandered the halls looking for a human. I ran into the counselor (Nice lady.) and she found someone for me to give our phone number to. I waited about a week and no call. I called back up to the superintendent's office and the secretary answered. Oh yeah, she had gotten my number, but hadn't had a chance to call me yet. I jumped in the car and went up to the office to sign the form to get the records sent up. A week later, still haven't heard anything. I called the school, got transferred to another secretary who told me she had gotten the stuff from the other secretary and would be working on it.

THREE DAYS before school was to start, The Commander, The Boy, and I marched into the superintendent's office and demanded to know what the hell was going on. THREE DAYS before school was to start and no one had bothered to contact us. THREE DAYS before school was to start and we had no idea who The Boy's teacher was much less if he was even enrolled in school.

Oops, sorry, blah, blah, blah, ha ha ha, perfect spot for him, call elementary, schedule meeting with teacher, sorry again, ha ha ha.

So the boy has been in school for more than a month and things have been going well. Until today.

The phone rings and it is the school.

Um...yeah...uh, we don't have The Boy's records from his other school. We faxed the request and we didn't receive anything and so-n-so threw away the fax and I usually keep them and can you give me the name of his old school?

Jeebus.

Hit the nail on the head for the most part.

What Sherry Means

You are the total package - suave, sexy, smart, and strong. You have the whole world under your spell, and you can influence almost everyone you know. You don't always resist your urges to crush the weak. Just remember, they don't have as much going for them as you do. You are truly an original person. You have amazing ideas, and the power to carry them out. Success comes rather easily for you... especially in business and academia. Some people find you to be selfish and a bit overbearing. You're a strong person. You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together. You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something. You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense. You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun. You are a free spirit, and you resent anyone who tries to fence you in. You are unpredictable, adventurous, and always a little surprising. You may miss out by not settling down, but you're too busy having fun to care.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

Quiz

Your result for Reincarnation Placement Exam...

Garden of Eden

35% Intrigue, 49% Civilization, 56% Humanity, 44% Urbanization.

It's the Garden of Eden for you!

Well, this is about as cozy and simple as life can get. We hope you like it here. The real estate is not well developed, but the garden is top-flight.

Your answers indicate that you basically want to just coast through life. You don't want any trouble, and you don't want any special privileges either. That's fine with us. It's entirely possible to live a pleasant life without trouble or strife, and Eden is the perfect spot for it, as long as you don't... well...

Just try to behave better than the previous tenants. Evictions can be rough.

Take Reincarnation Placement Exam at HelloQuizzy

Happy Talk Like a Pirate Day!

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.

Would You Make a Good Pirate?

Dogs

I've came home to this sort of thing more than once...


see more puppies


see more puppies

I'll stab you with a knife.

Dr. Dreamy? Well, he did offer me morphine...

About 9:40 last night, I got a nasty pain going on down toward my lady parts. It got worse and worse and there was some wailing and moaning and tears and a hot pad and finally The Commander asked if I wanted to go to the hospital. Actually, I don't think he finished the question before I screeched YES!

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.

Finally!

It has only taken us three months, but we finally hung the plasma TV up above the fireplace today. And by today, I mean all day.

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.

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

How's Your Taste in Music?

I just keep him around to amuse me.

Me - What are you going to be when you grow up?
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!

Cough Cough Hack

The Commander gave me his boy cooties and now I feel like this...


more animals

I never knew him

but I'm gonna miss him.

Is it Thursday?

Our town is consolidated with the next town south. Pre-K through 3rd go to school down there. 4th-12th go here. The Boy finally gets to ride a school bus! Evidently the driver likes to yell. Not at him, but it still bothers him. He's sensitive like his mama. :)

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.

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

PASS-ALONG PROMOTION
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.

Something was lost in the translation

I was in the pantry, The Commander was in the TV room and The Boy was midway between relaying the info.

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.

They grow up so fast

My Boys

3rd grader




Are you ready for this one?

COLLEGE FRESHMAN

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:

Take The Perception Personality Image Test at HelloQuizzy

Almost three months

and still no sign.

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.

Is it time yet?

Almost!


Widgets & Flash Toys

Olympic Meme

Judy did it, so will I!

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.

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...

Good Stuff, Maynard

(The following is an unpaid product review. Although, if World Harbor, Inc. felt the need to reimburse me with, say a case or two of their products, I wouldn't turn it down. I'm just sayin')

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 coat closet pantry waiting its turn.

Good Gravy

I'm tired.

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.

How Sweet

The doorbell rang a little bit ago and when The Boy and I opened the door, we saw three little girls standing there, looking all cute and everything, wanting to know if he could come out and play.

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.

I'm tired of hearing about poor, poor Christie Brinkley

How come no one is bothering to mention the fact that she cheated on Billy Joel? Sure they mentioned the helicopter crash, but they don't mention the fact that she was on the chopper with HER LOVER? Just a little while after the crash is when she and Billy separated.

Karma's a beyotch isn't she?

Festivus

Woooooo! How's everybody? We are still trying to regroup after the 4th. The Commander's family reunion was the 4th and 5th and it just about wore us out.

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.

Holy Cripes

This place has everything!

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.

In the snow. Barefoot.

more cat pictures

More time waster...

1. Are your parents married or divorced? Married, for 42 years this year!! I want that to be me someday.
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?

I just had a contractor show up and measure for the fence. He said he would have the estimate to my by 2:00 this afternoon. Plus, he sounded like he could get to it within the next week or so. (Not the end of July/first of August like I had one guy quote me on the phone.)

Things are looking up. Knock wood and all that.

First I would like to thank...

WizOfOz83 for introducing me to them.

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.

College Man!

Not a beanie
Originally uploaded by Sherrypg

He's all grown up. Click to see the flickr set.

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.

Pea-own-ees

So, how do you pronounce them?

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.)

Dear New Town

You're killing me.

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!

Noodle Head

The folks at the OKC radio station I listened to talked to Lee about noodling a couple of weeks ago. He said Gordon Ramsey was in Stillwater and they were taking him noodling. Here's proof.

P.S. Freddie Paul's has awesome hummus!

Iowa - Week One Cont.

Wednesday, June 11th, Day Six

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

The Boy and I have moved to Iowa. The Commander still has a few more weeks at the Police Department before he will be able to join us. He is going to be making trips up on the weekends to bring the rest of our junk important household belongings.

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!