Peace and Quiet

Finally I have a few moments to myself. Wow, I have missed typing on the blog. I wish I could have typed daily over the last week.
Unbelievable extremes that I have seen. There is so much that we did in Hawaii. When I arrived back home my little angel boy was my shadow. He has been following me around like a fly at a summer picnic. I have not had much space to call and talk to friends and family without him right there. And guess what, he just woke up. OK my time is up for now!!!

SNOW!!!
One little flake followed by two.
Two more, they are starting to wake.
Powdered sugar pouring from high, dusting the ground, piling high.
Trees that were green are now turning white. Oh my what a heavenly sight.
The skies are alive with snowflakes in flight, kids are squealing with delight.
Get out the boots, the hats and mittens. No child wants to miss this day, with the snow they are smitten.
Making tracks where there once was none, a snow angel must be done.
Cheeks are pink with chill and fun, hurry now before there is none.
Time to go in and get warmed up, momma has some cocoa in your cup.
Noses still red from the chill, playing in the snow is always a thrill.
Watching from the window as it falls.
Softly, quietly not a sound does it make.
Even at night it is still quite bright. Thank you heaven for this simple delight!!!

Need more bloggers!!!

Here I am, wide awake!!! Thanks JenE, JenE, JenE and Mama Llama for updating your sites. I am ready to call Oogah Boogah, LN, Angela, Abeer, Echo, Stephanie, and whoever else I would like to see blogging. My friend Oogah Boogah and I when we were much much younger used to do prank phone calls and think it was funny. Now everyone has caller ID and if I called everyone now they would know it was me. SIGH!!! The good ole' days.

ME, Pushy????

Some sweet person named JenE, JenE, JenE thought I was pushy in getting a friend named "Oogah Boogah" to e-mail me. Yes threatening my friend was a little naughty but I hadn't talked to her for a long time. I was missing her. So I knew the fastest way to hear from her was a threat. It worked. She e-mailed me very, very quickly. Now I have to work on her to start a blog.

She has a great set of parents that would do ANYTHING for their kids, grand kids, and friends. They are down to earth people that are always a pleasure to be around. I hadn't seen them in years and it was a nice surprise!!! As far as "Oogah Boogah's" glass eye..... well she was in a bar fight in Mexico one night. Someone stole her tequila and she busted the bar apart. She fought 30 men to find her drink. The rest of the people scattered out of the bar like cockroaches. She was one hot tamale and no one wanted to mess with the Bad Senorita with the hot chili pepper temper. When she found her drink she drank the tequila in a single shot. She was so mad that she slammed down the glass and it went into her eye. That my friends is how she got a glass eye!!!!
The bar was closed after such a fight. They never could get anyone back in there. The rumors were that the hot tamale, Bad Senorita, with the red hot chili pepper temper and glass eye might return again someday. No one wanted to get caught in there again. The building is still there, but it is like a ghost. There is a sketch drawn of this hot tamale, Bad Senorita on the door and in Spanish it says "Beware she may come back looking for her eye". It's across from the Taco bell on Bean Burrito Block road.
Go there if you dare.
Notice I threaten her from a computer far away where she can not get me. You don't want to make her mad!!!!
OK my amigos, adios!!!!

Welcome Mama LLama

YAY Mama Llama!!!! She used to be Janet, then she was Jay ( 1st surgery), and now she is "Mama Llama (another surgery). I am glad that another friend blogs too. I wish that all of my other friends blogged too!!! HUGE HINT!!!! It is so fun to see the pictures and hear how lives are going. Plus when I can't sleep at 1:58 in the morning I like to look at the blogs. So my dear friends either you quickly start blogging or I just might start calling at 1:59 in the morning, after I p :0 !!!

Dear friend Oogah Bugah, I haven't heard from you in a long time. JenE JenE JenE showed me how to put pictures on my blog and if I don't hear from you soon I will post you and your glass eye from "Ruby Tuesday's". I know it's not nice to threaten people but drastic times call for drastic measures!!!
You know who you are!!!! Your parents looked great, I was so glad to see them!!!

OK again welcome "Mama Llama" keep on posting!!!

Do you read it??

Do any of you read the "Things to ponder" that's in the right hand corner of my blog?? Everytime I read those silly remarks I crack up. Why??? Because being such a silly simple minded person these questions amuse me greatly!!!
Love a laugh!!!

Early Christmas

Well, apparently I made Santa's good list this year (been a long long time since that last came about).
I am leaving for Hawaii on 12/17 in the morning BY MYSELF!!!!!! I will meet up with my friend/neighbor Lynda in Honolulu Hawaii. We are taking different airlines. We both arrive back in Portland on 12/22.
She has invited me to go on several different trips to various locations around the world but I just couldn't afford it. She asked me several weeks ago if I could go to Hawaii with her and I had every intention of looking into it but as usual here "Nothing goes as planned"!!!
She e-mailed me yesterday to see if I was joining her. I made some calls got on the Internet and as of 15 minutes ago I am booked and in less than a week I will be in hopefully sunny Hawaii!!! I am so excited. This is a real vacation for me and a HUGE treat from my husband!!!!! I am REALLY surprised that it's happening.
So Echo and JenE, JenE, JenE I am going to be missing the Christmas party at school on the 19th. Sorry!!! Angela, thanks for letting me bail out on my last day. And Yeah, I don't get my mammogram that week!!!

I can't think of a better way to end 2008!!! The only way better would be if all of you, my friends were joining us.
Aloha!!!!!!

Hurry up!!!!

We are SUPPOSED to have the same morning routine before school each day. I know what it is. But Michael conveniently forgets EVERYDAY!!! He can remember that we "might" do something special a week or two from now. He remembers when you said you were going to do something and you didn't follow through but retaining the everyday Monday through Friday routine is just not a priority!!! This is one of those things that drive me "batty". Now, if you know me then you know I am NOT the cheerful type when I wake up. I want it quiet and calm. So God, having a sense of humor that he does gives me this wonderful, charming, smart, CALM child!!!

I try and wake my little angel up by nicely rubbing his back, giving kisses, calling him cutsie little love names, etc. When he is first waking he is so cute. This lasts all of 20 seconds and then the true child wakes up. He jumps out of bed as quiet as a stampede of cattle. Then we start the whole clothes routine. 4 or 5 clothes changes later we are POSSIBLY dressed for the day. He then heads right for the TV.
NO TV UNTIL YOU ARE READY!!!! We head down stairs for breakfast and lunch packing. He turns the TV on again. "PPPLLLEEAASSSSEEEE MOM let me watch Curious George while I eat"!!!! GGRRR, "OK, but no dilly dallying around!!!!" So I try and get stuff ready in between no less than 100 interruptions from him. "Mom", "MOM, MMOOOMMM"!!!! "WHAT IS IT MICHAEL, I AM RIGHT HERE!!!" "Did you know a "Green Shark" and a "Sleeper Shark are the same sharks??" "UUMMM, no I didn't know that, but thanks for sharing that."
"Mom"??
"Yes son"
"I love you"
"I love you too, now get eating. We only have 1/2 hour left."
This continues on, and on. There is always a running dialogue between us. Morning, Noon, and Night.
He slowly finishes his food. Now comes the fun part. "Michael go brush your teeth."
He wails, "WWHHAATT?????" " I don't want to brush my teeth". This goes on for several ear piercing, brain thrashing minutes. Everyday!!! "Wash your face". Again same response. Unbelievable to me.
Finally he does a quick brush and usually forgets to wipe his face. At this point I just want him out of my hair. I am still trying to finish things up and he says to me "HURRY UP MOM, I want to get there early to play"!!!!

Time flying by

Whew another wild week behind me. I worked a lot with my friend. We were busy all week at her shop. I enjoy the fast pace and seeing what people create. I am so grateful for all the friends, and family that helped me with my child last week. BIG HELP!!!!!

I made more copies at school!!!! I think I screwed the homework assignment up.

A group of us had gone to my friend Angela's shop and painted ceramics. We had our "unveiling" party Friday night. The kids were wild, and loud. We had appetizers as our food and then we looked at what everyone made. It was fun!!!

I finally started to tackle some home projects (cleaning). Still need to put those lights up on the rest of the house.

Sunday my mom had my angel child all day. What a blessing!!! At one point my husband and son were gone at the same time. I snuck in a nap. It was so nice to relax and get a few extra ZZZZZ's.

This weeks forecast??? Busy Busy Busy!!!

Sad Start to the Season

What beautiful sunny days we've had here. It feels like winter but the sun makes you think of fall.
I am sure at the malls the frenzied shoppers are fighting over parking spots, socks, and who knows what else. I was saddened again at how people act. I read that a "Wal-Mart" employee was trampled to death on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Can you believe that an electronic game at a discounted price is worth a human life. Did no one feel or hear his screams??? Have we become so numb in our society and so materialistic that it's "Who cares"???
I rarely venture to the malls or shops during this time of year because I feel my own blood pressure rise at rude people.
Who's to blame for such shameful acts??? The retailers have trained us like dogs to get up super early so we can get something for 1/2 off, they feed us donuts and coffee as "doggie treats", and they open the doors in a way that people have to run to get to the good stuff first. We as consumers are so animalistic that it doesn't matter who gets hurt as long as we get what we want!!! Me, Me, Me!!!! Only I matter!!!!
Truly this is not what Christmas is about.
Good luck out there friends as you shop. May you be safe and not get trampled or involved in road rage!!!!

Tagged

I am very new to blogging. I do not know all the ins and outs and am trying to figure out what things mean. I only know two bloggers. One of them last night wrote I was "tagged." KT, KT, KT and JenE, JenE, JenE need to come and show me linking, posting photos and all that stuff. So I know I am not doing it right but I still wanted to do the writing part. I really am enjoying this whole blogging thingy!!!

So anyhoo, I am supposed to write 7 weird/random things about myself that people might not know. Somehow it was not hard at all. I decided to be VERY TAME on this!!!

If "Smartie Pants" was an animal what would she be??? I could have gone on but I will have pity on ya all!!!



1). I would be a sloth. I am so slow about finishing projects that I need to do. I have a huge mess in my house that needs to be dealt with but instead I just hang around and watch it get bigger. Sloths are very slow. They have low energy and that describes me pretty good right now. I can come over to your house and help you with a project and we would make great progress, but at my house it's a different story. Plus my brother-in-law once called me a sloth. See#4 at how I reacted when I heard that!!!!



2). I would be a butterfly. I love springtime and watching the world around me waking up. The colors in nature are spectacular. I would go from flower to flower gazing at it's beauty.



3). I would be a bird. I am so wanting to travel in my life right now. I would love to fly over to Europe and eat real Italian food, see Greece, Spain, Switzerland. I would live in Hawaii and my nest would be in a plumeria tree. Every morning I would wake to the sweet smell of that flower. I want to see the world!!!



4). I would be a T-Rex. Don't piss me off!!! I have a nasty bite. I growl a lot (just ask my family), I have a temper (again the family knows), and I really like meat. No Herbivore here.



5).I would be a hound dog. My husband always says that my nose is like a dog's. I can smell good things and bad things. This is for Lisa-" I hate the smell of grease!!!!" My son has an even better sense of smell. It truly is phenomenal.

6). I would be a kitty. Cats can sleep up to 16 hours a day. That sounds good. I love my bed, I love my pillows, I love my blankie. I enjoy taking "cat naps". There is such a sweet pleasure crawling in bed and grabbing a quick nap. I am yawning right now thinking about it. I'll pass on the fur balls!!!

7). I would be a laughing hyena. Get me around my friends and we start laughing, oh my goodness. I can start laughing at the dumbest things and almost wet my pants. Recently with a friend at the mall he said something so bold, something so outrageous that I couldn't catch my breath. I had tears running down my face, my stomach felt like a did 100 sit ups(as if!!!) from laughing so uncontrollably. It was awesome!!!! (Lisa, do you remember what I told you Matt said to the salesman???) I love laughing like that. I love that giddy feeling you get when you can't stop. Of course at 41 it is a bit embarrassing when you wet your pants. The older I get the closer I get to doing that.
And there you have it, 7 random things about "Smartie Pants"

Ok 1 more!!!

I would be a squirrel. We have a bunch that race around in our backyard. They chase each other, chase their own tails. They forget where they hid their nuts. They truly have ADHD. More days than not I feel "squirrley"!!!!

My dear friend Angela owns "Rose City Ceramics" . We were there on Monday (Michael and I). Monday the schools here were closed for grading day.

The shop was packed!!!! Group after group came in and made such cute creations. Lots of little kids were making gifts for their parents and grandparents!!!
I am new to ceramics and NEVER EVER knew how labor intensive this art form was. When you pick up that piece from the shelf, there have already been sooo many hours of labor, and care put into it. It takes a long time to make those creations. And that's just making the item, there's more after you paint your precious piece. So next time you go to a ceramic shop and my PERSONAL recommendation is "Rose City Ceramics" take the time to appreciate the hard work that went into it. Look at the details of the item. Look at the creations on the walls that are there to inspire you. They have all been done by someone who felt creative at that moment. Don't just look at the workers as regular people. They are artists, and they are creators. These shops aren't mass producing factories that can crank out an item in a few minutes. They make each piece one at a time. They carefully handle your art work and enjoy opening the kiln after your piece has baked in the oven for so many hours. They ooohhh and ahhhh pulling them out and admire what you have done. They enjoy seeing your creations and know what went into it. A lot of TLC!!!
Angela you ROCK!!!!!

HO HO HO Up on the rooftop

So yesterday all the men in our neighborhood were puttin' up the ole Christmas lights. I have not had lights up on our house for years (guess who & why) and decided this was the year!!! So after our long exciting day I yell at my dear husband who is peacefully watching another ball game (Sports!!!!!!!) "Why don't you get up and put out the Christmas lights!!!" Of course that was met with great enthusiasm, he turned the volume up louder to drown me out. So being the patient person that I am I got the window cleaner, paper towels, a broom, and the ladder. I got up on our porch roof. There are two windows that I cleaned while there. I swept all the pine needles off the roof and start cleaning the gutters. By this time my husband appears. Lots of "talking" between us and it is then decided that YES we will put up the lights TODAY, thank you very much!!!!
He was most helpful in directing me. Thank you dear, yes dear, I know dear can you please be quiet now dear!!!! He gets out a second ladder and "helps". We got the front of the house trimmed with lights. It looked beautiful and peaceful by the time we were done, it was dark.
So depending on the weather I will scale the rest of the roof and clean it up. Clean the rest of the gutters and put 2 more strands of lights up to finish the house. I am sure I will have my "little helper" standing there directing again.
HO HO HO!!!!

Safety, Safety, Safety

So Michael and are outside after 10:00 am this morning shootin' hoops. He has real potential and I do enjoy playing with him. Of course I'm no Michael J but I can knock down some shots.
We were out there quite awhile when my husband comes out. He is heading to the gym to play basketball with some other guys. He comes down and shoots a few shots with us. He takes off and Michael and I continue for awhile longer. We head to the house to do other things. I go to open the door and it's locked. I have no keys, no cell phone, the car's locked, you get the picture right. Neighbor #1 is not answering the door. Neighbor #2 finally answers after a few doorbell rings. Luckily we know where the husband is and it's not far. We borrow the neighbors car (Thank you Sally). I sent Michael in to get the house keys, I would have said some naughty things. Not worth it!!
Time to get extra keys made for the neighbors, hopefully their home again next time!!!!
Another fun lesson from "Smartie Pants". Life does not go as planned!!!

Crafty Day

Michael and I met some friends for ceramic painting at my good friend Angela's shop (Rose City Ceramics). The kids all painted various items for Christmas gifts or for themselves. Great creativity. I think they all enjoyed it. My son painted really fast and then was in and out of the shop, jumping around, tossing a bouncy ball. Of course there are breakables everywhere. Anyhoo all the kids finished and left. I was ready to go because I was meeting Janet for our monthly meeting of shuffling papers, I mean scrapbooking. Suddenly my little angel decides he wants to add some more details. GGGRRRR!!! Ok but hurry up I got places to go, people to see, paper to buy!!!
Seriously, almost an hour later and many delays we still aren't finished so we had to bring it home so we can go back and paint more on our items. These of course are the "little" things that annoy you as a mom. I could have said many things to him about his choice of timing, etc. but it wasn't going to change the outcome. I drop him off, get my stuff and headed to meet Janet. Poor Janet has put up with my tardiness, cancelling and just all around flakiness for a while now and I am afraid one day she will quit on me. And before it was Janet it was Lisa. That's probably why she stayed away, got tired of always waiting on me!!!! My life does not go as scheduled. I truly have been working on it. Right Abeer???? It's hard, no one likes waiting. In the end we laughed, and enjoyed each other's company.
One of our favorite topics is "Mike Rowe" from "Dirty Jobs" and "Deadliest Catch" MEEOOOWWW!!!! I see you smiling Jenny T. He's a sexy one!!!
We had fun. I don't get much done but at least I am out of the house and with other adults. YAY!!!

Doctors

I don't like going to the Dr. If I have to go there's usually a pretty good reason that I am there. My doctor that I have had and been pleased with for 3 years has moved on to greener pastures. Wednesday I replaced the old with the new. He is a young man (Doogie Howser comes to mind when I think of how young he is) probably from India. Nice man. We start the reviewing process of my "Issues". It's long. I hate going over my history, but when you get a new Dr you have to do these things. Question after question. He was probably thinking that he's seen 90 year olds in better shape than this 41 year old. He almost had a dazed look on his face. It is hard to give up the comfort of the familiar. My old Dr and I joked around (I'm not sure if this guy laughs, seemed pretty serious) and if I needed something than most times I could call his office and just have him call something in for me. Much easier. SIGH!!!

Different appointment now.

So on Friday they had an opening at the OB/GYN's office and I took it, trying to get all my medical stuff done before the end of the year. I normally have a female Dr but one of her colleagues was the one available on Friday. I've seen this Dr before. He removed an ovary for me so he knows me inside and out. Now, I have not come across any woman who enjoys this appointment. Everyone dreads it, we avoid it, it's just not one of those top ten things to do. So I'm sitting there in one of those lovely gowns trying to be relaxed. Deep breathes, hands all sweaty, etc...
The Dr comes in, and he is a nice guy and is younger and I just keep thinking "I hate this, I hate this". He sits on his stool and starts a conversation. Well I am not very good at small talk when I am sitting in a room naked except for some flimsy gown that only covers my front side. He keeps chattin' away. My hands are getting sweatier and I just want to bolt. Blah Blah Blah he goes on. I'm thinking "Hello, can we get this over with please. It's easy for you to talk your fully dressed and you don't get to go through this humiliating exam, so cut the chit chat and get going"!!! Finally his nurse comes in and 2 minutes later it's done. He starts chatting again after all is done. Me, I am still in my gown and trying to get up from the stirrups. Bad timing Doc. Could you just get out of here.
When you want a man to talk they won't, when you don't want a man to talk they won't shut up!!!
3 weeks til I get my mammogram, PLEASE DON'T BE A MAN!!!!!

Thankful

Well I need to not let this important "national" holiday pass without being really and truly "Thankful". In this country you have more than most of the rest of the world.
1). I am thankful for having a relationship with Jesus Christ!!!!
2). I am thankful for the countless blessings He has provided for everyone!!!).
3). I am thankful that God gave me my son, Michael. Through his life I have learned a lot about things that you don't come to know without being a parent. He has brought so much to me that I can't imagine. (right now he is pitching a fit over brushing his teeth!!!)
4) I am choosing to be thankful for my marriage right now. If you really know me then you know how hard this is for me to say. I have learned a lot throughout my 14 years of marriage and thankfully I have learned about another culture that I couldn't have known about any other way.
5). I am thankful that I have parents that love me and even when I was truly awful (hard to imagine isn't it???) they somehow kept from killing me (that's part of the reason of my blogs name which was chosen over "Smart Ass". Smartie Pants sounds more politically correct!!!) Somehow they taught me things, I kept out of jail (so far), and I think I turned out OK. Yes I have my days but refer back to #1!!!
6). I am thankful for my one and only sibling, Stephanie. Amazingly enough we survived childhood disliking each other and are now friends.
7). I am thankful for the great husband and children she has brought into our family.
8). I am thankful for my step father, Ron and all the joy and contentment he has brought to my mommy.
9). I am thankful for my dad's girlfriend, Sylvia and all the love that she gives to my daddy. She cleans up after him, she cooks for him, she takes care of him, and the poor thing has saved the rest of us I'm sure from a lot more political comments than if she wasn't around!!! Syl, your an angel.
10). I am thankful for my 2 aunt's that have both given and reflected such strong character through their own lives to me.
11). My grandparents when they were alive were so ahead of their time!!! The 2 grandma's I had were absolutely amazing. They were strong, independent women who did not fall into the "American" woman category of the 40's, 50's and 60's. They were busting their butts raising their kids as single moms, full time jobs, and very active in organizations that were important to them. I seriously am in awe of those women, they rocked!!!!!
12). I am thankful for the Pilgrim men and women who were brave enough to come and live in this country even though it would have been easier to stay back.
13). I am thankful for America, and proud to be an American. I will not accept the label of the "ugly, mean, lazy, dumb American" for I am not those things. I am a hard working American who reaches across to embrace those that do not look like me here. I embrace that all are created equal for it is true. I give to those that are less fortunate than I, I volunteer because it is important, I care because I am a human being first!!! I don't care what you look like, or believe in, if I see you in need I will do my absolute best to give 100% of me to you!!!!!
14). I am thankful that I do not rejoice when others are killed, hurt, or have lost loved ones because they do not believe in the same thing I do. I HOPEFULLY will never forget the images of people rejoicing around the world when the World trade centers collapsed. I felt so sad that humans were glad because they thought it was a great blow to our country. Never mind that on that day a dad, a mom, a brother, a sister, a child, a friend were not going home that day.
15). I am thankful for the millions of people that put their lives on the line daily, and those that have given their lives to be ready if I need them. Thank you firemen and women, paramedics, police officers, Dr.'s, nurses, military personnel, the list is truly endless!!!!
16). I am thankful for who I am, because that is who God made me to be. YES, I am flawed but if I weren't than I would be in charge and honestly there would be no human race.
17). I am thankful for my dirty dishes waiting in the sink for me, the dirty bathrooms that I need to conquer, the floors that need to be cleaned, the toys that need to be put away, the beds that need to be made. I am thankful that I have that job security as a domestic engineer because that means I have a home right now, I have food to eat right now, I have more than I could ever use right now. Thank you God that I do have those things right now. So many have not even one of those things.
18). I am so thankful that I have so many friends, acquaintances, and family that love me. I cannot imagine my life without the fullness of people that contribute to my life. Thank you all for who YOU are.
19). I am thankful that right now the garbage men are taking my garbage. I wish people would not litter. We only have this one planet to live on. We really need to take better care of it.
20). I am thankful that I have the house to myself right now. My husband is shopping (EGADS!!!!) and my mommy has taken my son to the Macy's day parade. She does so much for him and all her family actually!!! I am especially thankful for all you moms out there because our job is not easy. We are trying to raise our kids as responsible, caring, law abiding citizens that will hopefully take care of us when we need it!!!!
I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and that your thankful list never ends!!! Blessings to all.
OK, you can turn on the Christmas music now, I will not complain about hearing it now that our national treasure of a holiday has officially passed!!!

Read the fine print

I am such a goof ball!!! I was at "Michael's" craft store on Wednesday afternoon and an employee told me the "cricut" cartridges (scrapbooking) were going to be on sale starting Thanksgiving. I double checked and he confirmed for me that they were going to be open on Thanksgiving, and that the price would be $30.00 a cartridge. That's a great price!!! They are normally $90.00. So I thought OK I can be up at the crack of dawn to save $60.00. Set my alarm for 5:00 am. Was at Michael's a little after 6:00 am. No cars in the parking lot. Wow I get this great deal all to myself!!! Pulled up to the front door cause there were not even employee cars, and there was the sign!!! "Open Thanksgiving 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. That's right, I was 12 hours early!!!! So those that know how late I usually am, I was early this time. Way early!!!!
I did go back at 6:00 pm to get my good deal!!! YAY!!!

Thanks Jenny

Thank you Jenny for helping me with my "cookie"dilema. She knows the link to explain about these fortune cookies and it is interesting.
Go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fortune_cookie to get the facts!!!
Jenny you rock!!!

Why?

Dear Lord,
Gotta a few questions for you.
Why do 8 year old boys have more energy than their mommy's?
Why do they wake up happy and in a moments notice are crabby?
Why do they have to change their clothes a million times to look good even though they don't match?
Why oh why don't they brush their teeth everyday without a big tantrum?
Why won't they wear their hair styled like their mommy wants?
Why do they whistle so loudly in the morning when I am trying to have quiet?
Why can't they take their plates to the sink without a million reminders?
Why do they throw their food trash in the toy corner?
Why can't they get the pee in the toilet instead of all around it?
Why do they bounce like Tigger all day long and never get tired?
Why do they out grow giving kisses to you except when they have a snotty nose?
I am sure you have great answers to these silly questions and I know this will pass, but could you give me some more energy and wisdom to handle this little guy.
Thank you Lord!!!!
Yes I know he's is just like me when I was 8 too!!!! Bless him today in all that he does, and please keep him safe.

Eye Surgery

So last night as I am trying to "blog" my son screams (nothing unusual here), but it's the pitch in the scream that says to me "Ok it's real, stop typing, stop typing now, LOUDER SCREAM, all right I'm up!!! My son who had been clipping his little toe nails was for sure that a piece had landed in his beautiful brown eyes. Even though he wears protective eye wear. Crying, screaming, panic attack both parents are running to the epi-center. "MMMOOOMMM my eye, there's a toenail in my eye, am I going to die????" No Dr. Seuss surely you will not die, even if a nail is in your eye.
Dr. Dad puts on his best bedside manner (this is of course a joke) and says stop crying!!! I snicker, yeah right daddy-O. Turns out it's an eyelash. Scalpel, scissors, tissue. There's a very serious tone in the operating room (the bathroom) all the bright lights, the sterile environment, the goofy fish on the walls as spectators. Is he going to make it???? Dr. Dad is very tense. The patient will not hold still, it's to much for the poor lad. This goes on for close to 30 minutes at least. Longer story short, the operation was successful. Funny how a small eyelash feels like a boulder in your eye.
I do not know why???
The drama is fabulous here!!!!

Is it obvious???

Today I was supposed to be at the happy store(Winco) getting my happy creamer for my coffee. I was going to do my volunteer job at school and hit the road. Lots to do no time to waste. My life does not ever go as planned. I got to school at 8:00 am and left there at 3:05. No lunch, no happy coffee break with happy creamer, nothin'. It's no one's fault but my own. I can't believe how much work there is to do at the school. I swore I was not going to do anymore copying after spending 6 hours a couple of weeks ago with that insane task. Well I showed those teachers today. "Can you make a billion copies of this double sided math packet that is 10 pages thick??? OH and we need it today for math"??!!! "Yes Mrs. Olson, right away ma'am." I was given this right as the kids were at lunch.

OK this is THE last time for sure!!! I got things all mixed up again, I swear those copy machines are possessed by evil demons that laugh at me as I scratch my head and wonder "WHAT????!!!!" Then they have some fancy, smancy machine that puts them in order for you and all you have to do is pull them out and staple them. Again "possessed". So after I see another fine mess I laid my billion sheets out and start putting packets together the old fashion way. Apparently I was taking to long because they called the office and the secretary came to "Help Me".



Not so long ago I was a pharmacy technician. I counted pills, called Dr.'s, filled the prescriptions and did a multitude of stressful tasks. I used to be really good at my job. Suddenly I can't figure out a machine that does the work for me. It's crazy!!!



My whole day at school was filled. My friend Janet e-mailed me information about the millions of dollars the schools have to trim for 2009. The next thing to go is the teachers. They have no aides to help in an out of control class like ours. The teacher is so busy putting out fires with the high energy kids (mine included) that she has no time to do her job properly.

My snack was 2 and 1/2 fortune cookies. If I keep volunteering like this and do it daily I might drop a few pounds. HMMM. Forget it, too stressful.
I didn't get my happy creamer today, is it obvious???

UN-FORTUNE-LY (UPDATED)

Who do I talk to about fortune cookies and their messages inside? I have been waiting for those pieces of paper to come true. Who is the fortune teller that knows all of this? Is it "Confucius"?? Someone very wise must know all this great stuff that is going to happen to you mysteriously. If it's not "Confucius" writing these than surely he left someone with some "knowledge" in charge. You don't just give this job to anyone. There has to be some teaching of skills, some refining, some kind of aura that this 2nd in command would have right??!!! I watched the TV shows, "You must be patient gwasshopper"!!! I've seen the movies, the chef from "Happy Days" in a time warp to the future with the "Karate Kid". "Wax On, Wax Off"!!! Then he catches a fly with his chopsticks!! Even a couple of weeks ago I saw some very old turtle smelling a clumsy, chubby, food obsessed "Kung Fu" panda and knew he was "the one". If that's all it takes that's me in a nutshell!!! I could write these messages and be more realistic.
TWO DAYS IN A ROW I had these fortune cookies. Yesterday at the "Happy Panda" (owned by that cartoon smelly, chubby guy) I got a fortune cookie with a message that I am pretty darn sure was a re-run. Then today at school another volunteer gave me 2 and 1/2 cookies (what does that empty half tell you!!!)
One of them said something about "being appreciated for my inner beauty", isn't that just a polite way of saying "You ugly on the outside, and since we can not see inside you, surely there's something beautiful in there". Good golly people, that's got to be older than "Confucius". What's the numbers on the back for??? Who started this whole thing???

I admit I have been gullible and saved a message or two, BUT NO MORE!!! Here's the one I saved and have been counting on...
"You will be traveling and coming into a fortune".
I seriously need a vacation and I have never been so broke in my life.
On the back is the #'s 5, 26, 27, 38, 39, 41. What is it telling me???
The last numbers could reflect my tummy, and hip size but it's not high enough. Or maybe the last # is when it will all be over for me. I have been all those ages before and now I am on year 41 !!!
It's high time to stop this false sense of something coming to us everytime we eat at a Chinese restaurant. I am boycotting fortune cookies. Tired of the disappointment. It's not like they have any flavor either, blah!!!
"SIGH!!!"

Simple

Good ole Winco was out of my "Peppermint Mocha" coffee creamer last week. I had to use the boring "French Vanilla". Guess where I need to go today??? That's right, the happiest place on earth, "Winco". I hope they have my happy cream today or I might throw a tantrum right there in the farm aisle!!! My mornings have not been as perky and festive without my happy cream. SIGH!!! Wish me luck as I try not and have aisle rage in that store with all the aisle hogs!!! Just to calm myself I will have to hit Trader Joe's too. They have the best Madeline cookies there. Starbucks sells them too. If you've never had a Madeline with "peppermint mocha" then you are missing a very simple pleasure!!!
Simple girl, simple tastes, simple life (YEAH RIGHT)!!!

The Highlights of Smartie Pants

Whew, another busy week. I swear things are going faster with each passing day. My girlfriend Janet and I had "Happy Hour" at Gustov's on Saturday the 15th. We both brought in our little treasures that we had bought to show and tell each other, and had some "happy" drinks!!! We don't get to do this nearly enough. If we went to "happy hour" everyday I would for sure be much more relaxed!!! What do you think Janet??? Gustov's daily???
Monday and Tuesday were spent with my girlfriend Lisa. She was trying to help her friend (ME) who has ADD get ready for the bazaar that coming weekend. She gave me creative energy and made sure I stayed on task. I tend to shuffle papers a lot when scrapbooking. She was so helpful in getting me going. Hey Lisa can you come daily to my house and keep me on track for getting house work done??? She has already come and helped me in my "scraproom". Right brained people just tend to be more disorganized.
Tuesday and Wednesday I volunteered at Michael's class. I helped with a reading group!!! I know, that's scary that I helped with education. Obviously the school's are out of money when the likes of me can help in school. On Wednesday Kari (who really is a teacher) and I were trying to come up with ways to get our class organized. We had great ideas. She is left brained and can think and organize, I was just sitting there saying "YA, and let's use pretty paper too!!!" That is a huge part of volunteering. You get to be with other mom's and vent, catch up on your lives, and look useful to the principal at the same time. Plus it's pretty hard to get fired as a volunteer!!!
I helped in the school office, I love the secretaries at our school. They run the school, they know the kids, who goes where and why and they give helpful encouraging advice to those of us that need it.
Thursday I went to my friend Matt's dad's funeral. Funerals are of course not the fun days. That night I went to the reception at "The Roadhouse" on Cornelius Pass. For my friend Matt it was the time to relax. He had made several trips up here from California to visit his dad and spent 2 weeks up here this time. It's hard to watch your loved ones dying. You could see a weight lifted from the shoulders of Matt and his family. The days of anticipation were over. It was now the time to remember and celebrate their father's life.
Friday was back to the school to pop popcorn for the kids. Every Friday mom's come in and pop hundreds of bags of popcorn. This is another time of fun for me. I went almost weekly last year but that was to much. Now I am only going when my girlfriend Echo goes, which is once a month. Popcorn Fridays are very fun. We have VERY interesting topics to talk about, we gripe (excuse me, I gripe) about the school and teachers, and do a lot of laughing!!! We stink when we are done!!!
After popping the corn I met Lisa for lunch. I have enjoyed re-newing our friendship. She has been a huge source of support for me. We all need those friends that you can lean on. Thanks Lisa for being there!!!
We went to "Rose City Ceramics" together. My dear friend Angela bought this business this past year and she has graciously let me come in to help her for the holidays. I have already broken a plate. I am clumsy!!! So Lisa went with me on my first day of work.
There was a home schooling group there that day. 23 people painting. That's the way to break a person in on their first day!!! I really enjoyed it!!! The time flew so fast.
After a hard day Ang and I needed food!!! We went to "Macaroni Grill" for dinner and then to "Rose's" for dessert. We laughed and had a great time together!!! Angela, it was a great day for me. I really enjoyed our time together. The time flew by.

After that I went home and dealt with trying to get ready for a holiday bazaar the next day at Beaverton High School. Yes, that's me. Put everything off until the last possible moment. I stayed up until 4:30 am trying to get crafts assembled that I was for sure would sell like hotcakes. Saturday was spent with my girlfriend Abeer. We shared a table to sell our items. We got to chit chat, laugh and really just be together.
I sold 1 stinkin' item. So I lost money on that venture. But being with my friend was worth it so really it was a great day. We are going to try it again!!!

Sunday I did some housework. Lord knows my house is in need of an "Extreme Makeover, and heavy maid work". I am loosing the battle, the mess is winning!!! CALGONE TAKE ME AWAY!!!
After giving up (It don't take much for me to give up) Michael and I headed to a play date at our friends Ellen & Cole. Michael and Cole had lots of energy so I took them for a walk and let them scooter. I let them off their leashes and let them go. They both are really good at scootering and don't worry about falling. I keep my eyes half shut in case they fall. Somehow keeping your eyes half closed helps right??? We headed back to Ellen's and then I got to have my play date. The boys played "Wii" while Ellen and I had our "therapy session". That's what we call it, and we save so much money on real therapists. We encourage each other as mom's, wives, and women. We laugh and roll our eyes together. We wonder if we will make it or if being parents will kill us. It's great!!! It's always time well spent!!!

Today is Monday the 24th of November and another full week awaits me.

Today I meet Janet (not at Gustov's, DANG!!!) and another friend Janice to have lunch. We are eating by my favorite craft store(Craft Warehouse) and as soon as we finish I am heading straight to that store and look at all the stuff I want but don't need!!!! Does that sound familiar Jenny T.????? Do you need "Stickle"??? It's a darn good thing that store is not close to my house, cause Jenny and I would be there daily!!!
My poor husband wonders what I do everyday with my "spare" time. I think to myself, what spare time??? These are just the highlights, these days don't include any of the mothering responsibilities, chores, and have to do's. This blog is about my "peeps", "my homeys", "my friends". My blog is about the fun times with all my wonderful friends. I enjoy each and everyone of you and am truly grateful for the joys, support, and comforting advice that you all give me. I truly am blessed by all of you!!! Thanks

Yeah, Right!!!

I think the person who coined the saying "Kids keep you young" had dementia!!!! I have never been so tired in my life. As soon as he wakes until he's asleep there is constant talking, movement, acting, tantrums, etc. My son has so much energy that I am thinking of a way to harness him to a very large hamster wheel that is hooked up to a wind turbine and start generating free electricity for our home. "OK honey, mommy needs to do laundry. Get out there and start running". Can you imagine how much we could cut this country's energy bills if we used our children as generators!!! I am sure there's a way!!! Imagine all the kids out at recess across the nation. Power stations would be exploding from all the power generated.
And there should be scientists working on a way to extract some of that energy from these whippersnappers and be able to give us poor lifeless, tired creatures power injections. Kinda like botox, or collagen shots.
Now the person that said "energy is wasted on the youth" or something like that was a genius!!!! Obviously a tired worn out parent!!!!

BAH HUMBUG!!!!!!

I love Christmas. The reason I love Christmas is because I believe it is the time that Christians celebrate the day that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ was born. He was not born on December 25Th. That is a day picked out by the holiday experts of when we should have a party. And I am 100 % positive that Jesus is not sitting there thinking "HURRY, HURRY, HURRY get those singing Santa's out!!!! Get those singing bass mounted on a fake plaque out. Bring on Hannah Montana. Get all the decorations out because it's my birthday"!!!!! He's thinking "What a shame that people think that Christmas is about a man dressed up bringing a load of gifts." That's right folks Santa ain't REAL!!!!!
Christmas was about the day that God came to earth to save us pathetic people. And if you are a Christian and you profess such ideas you are not "Politically Correct"!!! And the way the trend is going, in the not so far future you could be possibly sued for not thinking Santa is the reason for the season. I say this jokingly of course. But stranger things have happened.
Now don't get me wrong, I do enjoy giving and receiving gifts. But this season has taken on a whole different meaning. WAY back in October, and in some stores maybe even sooner they started putting out "Christmas" decorations. The stores now in mid November are in the full swing. When I turned on my radio this week I started hearing "Christmas" music. AAARRRGGGHHH!!!!!!!!!
It infuriates me.
If Rudolph and his red nose are already playing why do we even celebrate Thanksgiving. What happened to that day of remembrance???? Of course the pilgrims did not have the first Thanksgiving on November 27Th either. Again the party planners had a meeting and said "OK, every 4Th Thursday in the month of November let's put turkeys on sale, get rid of the plethora of canned cranberry sauce that no one eats at any other time of year, and have the NFL play so that we keep all those fans happy too". YAY!!!
This country has a lot to be thankful for and as far as I am concerned (and seeing how this IS my blog) we shouldn't be in such a rush to edge out a day of remembrance of the first Thanksgiving. We need to slow our hurried lives down and remember why we celebrate what we do, as a nation, as a community and as a family. Let's take the time to be thankful. How often do we really reflect all that we do need to be thankful for.

NURSE!!!!!!!!!!!

Had a lot of fun at the dance last night but today I am hurtin' for certain!!!!! Oh my, not only was I "bustin' a move" but bustin' my buttocks, my hips, my back. I really need to loose some weight cause "this baby's got back", and front, and chins!!! WHHEEWWWW!!! Ok back to my heating pad I go which is WAY up stairs.

YMCA

Our school had a family dance Friday night. It was fun!!! They had a limbo line, a teacher and his wife teaching dances (who knew Mr. Pfaff had moves!!??), and a lot of wound up kids running around and going "crazy". Normally you would get in trouble if you were running like that in school, but tonight you had a free pass to live it up!!! The young boys were more actively dancing than the girls, which surprised me. I thought the opposite would be true. They played the oldies that were around when I was growing up and the kids knew that music. Remember "Celebrate" by Kool and the Gang, "We are Family" by Sister Sledge, the Macarana (no, idea how to spell it), "The Twist" by Chubby Checker and of course the "Y.M.C.A" by the Village People.
I got my fat tooshi out there and "busted out some moves" with other mom's. Michael was being "to cool" to dance with his old lady. I am so out of shape that just one song about put me into cardiac arrest. But it felt good to hear the music, be with other families and dance.
I am sure they had a talent scout there from "Dancing with the stars" and with my old moves on I will probably be on that show soon. :) Either that or "America's Funniest Video"!!!

F*R*I*E*N*D*S*

You know why that show "Friends" was so popular??? Because all of us have that need to be connected to others, unless of course your the "Una Bomber Ted Kazinski".
I have only seen a few episodes of "Friends" but know several people that adored that show. Same thing with "Seinfeld", a group of friends that shared their lives.

Recently I've had a high school friend come back into my life after probably 8 to 10 years without us talking. In high school and after we shared "our lives". We hung out together, ate together, mostly got into trouble together, you get the point. He came back into my life this past April. Our lives have taken different paths and so much has happened in those years to both of us.

Again, another friend that I met while working at Fred Meyers and have known for over 22 years has come back into my life. We would talk occasionally on the phone but life gets busy, there's kids, husbands and sometimes people just fade out of your life. Not for bad reasons but it just happens. We hadn't seen each other for probably 3 years and then one day she stops by. And just like that, it's old times!!!

This last Tuesday I had the joy of spending the day with both of these "FRIENDS". All three of us used to hang out together. You don't even realize how much they meant to you until an extended absence and when you re-unite, it is fabulous!!! We had a long lunch and all got caught up. There was a lot of laughter, reflecting on the past and of course more serious topics. After that we went to Starbucks to continue on. The 3 of us spent 4 hours together and it was one of my best days. We will never have the same friendship that we did 20 years ago because we are not the same people anymore. We have evolved. But the thing that comes back to me over and over is that we share history together. History is knowing what was in the past and not having to explain. History means you have been through good and tough times together and somehow you made it, because that friend was there to help you up. History, it's our story of our friendship. I love my friends and each of them is special.
It just was one of those magical days. Old friends that know the real you. And somehow still love you despite all that time that has kept going. I feel blessed because I still have these oldie but goodie friends, and don't plan on letting them fade away again. OH they might try and ditch me but I will stalk them!!!!! :)
Take out your history books and call those people from your past. You might have a pleasant surprise or think "THANK GOD I don't hang out with them anymore!!!

Double Trouble

You know what is worse than worse??? Federal holidays!!!! Not only does that mean your child is home from school but so is your husband!!!! What's worse than that??? Your husband SUDDENLY decides to change a faucet that has been leaking for a few years and replace it with the ugliest faucet handle you've ever seen!!!! What's worse than that??? He is not "Joe the plumber"!!!!!!
Thank the good Lord above I have plans with my dear friend Lisa today, and we are meeting up with our dear friend Matt!!!
I AM OUT OF HERE!!!!!!!!

The Grapes of wrath

My dear friend Jenny likes "Wincos" produce. So we did a little debating on the phone yesterday. She's right "Winco" does have more items to offer than "Trader Joes", but for me it's all in the presentation. Plus getting down those produce aisles in "Winco" is a pain. She's a great debater. She insisted that "Winco" has the best grapes. When I arrived home there on my door step was a bag of grapes. I took them in and looked at them. The color was good, the size was large, and they were grown in the good ole U S of A. Even the bag tells you"Crimson Seedless a sensational red grape!!!" So there you have it they must be good. I rinsed a few. Now if you know me well you know I like to do stupid, weird, freaky things. For some unknown reason I like to pretend I am a chipmunk when eating grapes. I stuff as many grapes as I can into my cheeks, upper and bottom lip to distort my whole mouth. Like a stupid human trick. I know, I know it's crazy but look whose typing!!! Anyhoo, the stuffing began. I got 17 of those oblong sensational grapes into my big mouth!!! They had great flavor, great crunch appeal, and I didn't choke on them (that's always a plus). So my dear Jenny, you have given me a lovely treat, and they were delicious!!!!

Thank you so much!!! Now you need to teach me how to put photos on the computer so everyone could be grossed out by me as a chipmunk.

What should we debate next Jenny, I like the fact that you "present" the evidence. How about pasta, or ice cream, COOKIES!!! ;)

My first cup of Joe

Good Morning World!!!!
It's a happy morning in my house. Today is the day!!! I've waited a whole year for this day, I've been searching, hoping that they would change their policy. I've been patient.
Yesterday (you need to scroll down to my Winco blog to fully appreciate this blog) I found it. There quietly waiting for me to notice was my creamer for my coffee that finally came out for the "holidays" (IT IS NOT HOLIDAY SEASON YET TO ME!!!). It's the "Peppermint Mocha" creamer.
OK, the water is boiling. LA la la la la. The microwave has just gone off. I grab the "Folgers" instant coffee. I open the fridge and carefully pull out my precious creamer. "Hello, how you doin'??. GLUG, GLUG, GLUG goes the cream into my coffee mug. Stir, stir stir. Smell the aroma, the steam fogs my glasses. The spoon jabs my nose. Bad spoon!! Sluuurrppp. Swish around in my mouth. YEEOOWWW that be hot. Oh the peppermint, the chocolate. Divine, simply divine.
It's the little things that make me happy, I am fairly simple (that was hard to guess wasn't it)
Enjoy your boring coffee today, as I enjoy my divine delicate delicious dessert coffee.

Safeway, an ok experience

My latest blogs have turned into a shopping experience critique. So really you should scroll down to where my journey began on Sunday at Winco. It will make more sense.
After a pleasant time at Trader Joe's Michael and I headed to yet 1 more store. Can't believe I did all of that in one night with an energetic, stop suddenly in front of the shopping cart kind of kid. I do believe another miracle happened and I am just now recognizing it. Slow learner I am.
The Safeway we live by has recently remodeled. It looks nicer, updated and I don't mind going there. Their prices are much higher than Winco of course but a better experience. I go there for their meat. I don't like it from Winco. Trader Joe's and Hagen's are to pricey!!! Don't like the parking lot or the dangerous ways to exit that place. We went in to get steaks for dinner, $43.00 dollars later and with a little more (hardly) than a couple of steaks we went to checkout. The store wasn't crowded, didn't experience the aisle pigs or rude shoppers. But the cashier, and I was a cashier for over 21 and 1/2 years was unpleasant. No "Hello", No "How are you"? Nothing. Not even a phony smile. That irritates me. Service is important!!! She rang up my gold priced items and before I was even finished started asking the questions to the next customer. Not good service. Apparently when you remodel a store you don't have enough cash to remodel your employees so they match the new appeal of the store.
So I left and headed out of the parking lot. A "monster" truck apparently feels the same way that I do about the entrance and exiting situation at Safeway and he drove his beast of a truck over the median, into oncoming traffic, and into the parking lot. Of course I got my feathers ruffled because that's just plain stupid, or maybe I was just jealous that I don't have a "monster truck" and can drive over things that are in my way. Thank the good Lord above that we were headed home, I was done and I might not have been so nice at the next store.
So there you have it, a day in the life of a grocery shopper.

Love Trader Joe's

As previously posted I am not fond of grocery shopping at Winco. I do like Trader Joe's, it's a clean organized store. After Michael and I checked out of the nightmare at Winco we headed to Trader Joe's. I was still happy with my miracle at Winco and so the city of Beaverton traffic didn't bother me at that point. Found a parking space quickly and without almost getting into a bunch of accidents like over at Winco.
We walked into the store and were greeted with a bright cheery display of beautiful flowers. Their garden section is at the beginning of the store and I think sub consciously it puts people in a better mood. I love their produce. They have a wonderful selection of fruits and veggies at a very reasonable price. They have gourmet stuff that makes you want to cook, of course as soon as I walk out of the store POOF that crazy thought is gone!!! It was busy there too, and of course you have the aisle pigs but overall it is a much nicer experience!!! I got my goodies and got out!!!! Nice cashier, well stocked, and clean store. I give Trader Joe's a 2 thumbs up!!!

WARNING Irritated WINCO shopper has a happy ending

Sunday started as it usually does. Michael wakes the house up at 6:30, because he's a rooster and that's what rooster's do. I refused today to get up with him because for the first time in months I actually slept through the night. BTW I have terrible insomnia. Anyhoo. I got up at 8:30 which is just plain unheard of here!!! Made my little angel breakfast and started my day.
We did our usual "Sunday" things. Knowing that I needed groceries for feeding the rooster we headed to Winco. Frankly I would rather not do that awful task but alas my cupboards were bare. I do not like going to Winco. Just getting through the city of Beaverton makes me irritated. So much traffic, this city has been a pain to drive in for the 36 years I have lived here. GGRRRR!!! I live less than 5 miles from it but it feels like it takes me 30 minutes to get there.
So here are the top 5 reasons I dislike shopping there.
#5...The parking lot is a flippin' nightmare.
#4...Location, Location, Location
#3...The busiest place on earth, I'm sure
#2...I have to bag my own groceries which takes more time, and you have to be quick or you get run over
#1...People do not pull their cart to the side so you can pass easily, they park right in the middle of the aisle, take forever to grab their item and then start yappin' at the person they know who is also blocking the flippin' aisle. Sunday afternoon is not the time to be at "Winco".
As I was starting to get aisle rage at the hundreds of people slowing me down from getting out of there I came across a small but much needed miracle!!!!! Yes, a miracle happened to me today to keep me from being a not so nice shopper. As I headed to the farm aisle (Eggs, Milk, Butter) there it was. I saw it out of the corner of my eye. Of course it was not expected and so I did a double take. GASP!!!! It's true, we have hit that precious time of year when unexplained acts of kindness, miracles, or peace on earth happen. Yes folks, there on the endcap of the farm aisle, on the top shelf was my FAVORITE creamer for my coffee. "Nestle's" Coffee-mate "Peppermint Mocha". It was beaming so brightly in it's festive wrapper. Adorned in a red cap, baby blue background, and a cup of coffee in a cute candy cane mug, surrounded by sticks of peppermint candy and chocolate shavings. I couldn't believe it. This is my all time favorite flavor of creamer and it only comes out during the holiday season which apparently is NOW!!!!! That's right they still have Halloween crap out and we are now officially in "Holiday Season" as determined by all the retailers in the world. Anyhoo back to my miracle. I held myself back and only bought 2 bottles today. I need to remember greediness is ugly. I carefully got my 2 bottles from the very back of the cooler just in case, and gently put them in my cart. I wiped the mist from my eyes and regained my composure. Suddenly the store seemed brighter, friendlier, not such a pain in the arse. I couldn't wait to savor my next cup of coffee with my cream. I need to clean out our big freezer so I can buy a gazillion bottles of the sweet cream to last until next season. AAAHHHH!!!! Life is full of small miracles everyday, you just have to keep your eyes open. Apparently my miracle ended there, the checkout line was as usual backed up to the chip aisle. Oh well, I have my happy cream!!!!

Life in the busy lane

Wow what a week. Beside taking Michael's class to the zoo we had their Halloween party at school which was entertaining, and very NOISY!!! The kids at this age no longer wear cute little cuddly animal costumes, or their favorite Disney character. Those days of making them cute are gone. There was one boy that had an original costume. He was dressed as a hot dog with ketchup, mustard and relish. It was a great costume. He also provided entertainment. He sang the "Armour" hot dog song but with 7 & 8 year old lyrics that of course refer to potty things, and body parts. The boys were all jumping around him as he sang and then they tackled the hot dog. The kids were high on sugar. They got to decorate a cookie with frosting, sprinkles, and candy. There was more "decorations" than cookie. Their drink was apple juice. HELLO!!!! I was concerned that one of them might slip into a diabetic coma.
The next day was Halloween. School was closed, see how smart those teachers are!!!
It just isn't a holiday around our house unless Michael is sick. He is battling a sinus infection. This kid is sick more than he is well, which is sad. We kept him to clean as a baby and toddler. We should have let him eat the dirt, eat the food off the floor and run around outside naked. He did go out "trick or treating" with our friends Ellen and Cole. We started early, so early it was light outside. We wanted to beat the rush. After a couple of hours in our neighborhood we headed to my mom's to raid that area. It's cool that my son got to "trick or treat" in the same neighborhood I did while growing up.
The next day we had a birthday party to attend. Another wild adventure. And to wrap up the weekend we saw "Space Chimps" at the movie theatere. It kills me when my son says he's bored, or "I never get to do anything or go anywhere". WHATEVER!!!!!

The new week was spent volunteering at school by correcting papers, making gift bags for a fund raiser, and I kid you not, 6 hours copying papers on the copy machine. I almost pulled my eyelashes out with that one. I went to my first PTC meeting which was very informative. It is so funny the amount of time I am at school seeing as how that was the last place I wanted to be growing up. My old teachers would be proud.

My husband keeps saying I need to get a job. I laugh. This job of being a mom is 24/7, no days off, no vacation. I often think of outsourcing my job but my husband isn't crazy enough to take it. Who is??? I ask, is there a harder job out there??? To all the moms out there, GOOD JOB!!!!! You are needed!!!!
Who knows what this coming week brings, I'm ready. I'm a mom!!!

A bunch of animals

Yesterday I was a chaperone to the zoo with Michael's class.
OH MY GOODNESS GRACIOUS!!! The kids were so wound up. It was hard to tell which ones really needed to be in the cages!!! If your childless and thinking about breeding I highly suggest you volunteer at your local elementary school and go along to the Zoo field trip. It's hilarious and gives you a pretty good idea of what child rearing is like!!!
The zoo is one of those funny places where everything that your trying not to expose your child to happens. We want our children to be well behaved, talk nicely, and not expose them to sex at to young of an age. So why do we take them to the ZOO??!!

The zoo is filled with hoodlums, and hooligans. Horny beasts just waiting to pounce on the next female that walks by. Monkeys sitting directly in the center of the window touching themselves and grinning happily. Chimps picking their noses and then eating it or picking their bottoms and sniffing it. Baboons with their colorful bottoms eating with their mouths full and dropping their food all over the place.
You know those monkeys are studying you. They wait until your child is totally enthralled with them and then they do their best to make you blush and have to run from the exhibit because your kid is laughing so hard and you will have a lot of explaining to do!!!! Trust me, those monkeys are brilliant. How boring to be in a cage all day, let's make things real interesting.
Bats hanging right side up to take a pee right in front of ya!!! And of course the all time favorite, the bull elephant having to go pee. Try explaining that one to a youngster!!! Try not to stare while your at it too!!!
It's the greatest place. Especially if your a child between the ages of about 4 up to maybe 9. You can go from exhibit to exhibit and see the behaviors your parents keep telling you to stop. You get to laugh at the poop all over the place. The goats head butting each other, the monkeys giving "special hugs". Food being thrown. Animals swinging from the furniture, and running wild. It's great!!!!

Then you bring your little mammal home and they imitate what they have seen, cause that's what they do!!! Your silly enough to say"Why are you acting like such an animal??!!" And they say to you in response" You took me to the zoo"!!! And of course you have the annual pass!!!
Monkey see Monkey do!!!

Life at 41

Well I turned 41 on October 13th.

First of all let me say that if I knew that I would make it to this age I would have studied in school, gone to college, taken better care of myself and I would have taken more time to smell the roses!!!

Turning 40 last year was awful!!!

This year was a delight. I had some crafty friends over to my house the week before, we made cards and had "birthday" coffee cake. On my birthday I volunteered at my son's school. He made sure people knew his mom was 41. After that I met 3 super girlfriends at "Ruby Tuesday's" for lunch. Two of them brought their little boys (3 year old Lucas and 4 year old Zac). Those 2 little guys were so sweet. Every few minutes one of them would hug me then the other one would do the same. It became a contest to see who could get the old lady to laugh, hug, and kiss them more. I loved it!!!! Nothing makes your heart soar than the love from a child. The next day my 2nd mom/friend took me to "Olive Garden" for lunch. We ate and shopped. Did you know you can now buy a purse made out of recycled TIRES!!!! "Excuse me, could you add some air to my purse it's a little flat!!!" The rest of the week I received cards, flowers, gifts and $$$$ from family and friends. Saturday was spent scrapbooking with a dear friend in Sherwood. She took me to lunch/drinks and we spent the day laughing, complaining, laughing and just having fun. Then on Monday an old friend whom I've known for 22 years stopped by my house. I haven't seen her in 3 years. If you know Lisa you know that it's a big deal to me. Hopefully she comes around again (HINT HINT HINT). I gave her a small Christmas gift from 3 years ago and she gave me a "CRICUT"!!!! If you are a scrapbooker than you know what I am talkin' 'bout!!!! Michael figured it out within minutes and I am still going DUHHH!!! On Friday my Aunt Peggy sent me a 38 pound box full of die cuts called "Sizzix". Again if you scrap you know what this means!!!! JACKPOT!!!!!!

My dad and mom expressed themselves the way I love too-checks payable to ME!!!! They were very generous, as they always are!!!! Thanks dad and mom!!!!

I still have one more lunch date pending with my oldest friend of 36 years. We keep having to re-schedule. Between her new kitty, and field trips at our school we eventually will see each other and without a doubt laugh our retarded heads off. Isn't that what friends help you with!!!

The lunches, the gifts, and the attention were all great results of turning another year older but it was the fact that so many people that have been in my life forever or those that are new friends took the time and let me know "I am a friend"!!!

In the end isn't that what matters??? Thank you family and friends. This was the best birthday yet!!!!