naptime anyone?

Last night we hung up the new bookshelf that mom and dad got me for Christmas. I drew a giant star for Anya for the Community Club Drawdown. And I got into bed at 8:30 to read my book for a couple of hours before I put on my iPod with Riley Lee and Drifted off to sleep.

Tonight I am hoping to make a trip to the local mall and Target and Wal-Mart, for desperate supplies like toothpaste and toilet paper and other supplies like Tylenol and Bread. And I have a few gift cards from Christmas that I wouldn't mind using.

But I also would really like to take a nap. Maybe nap first and shopping second? Now THAT sounds like a plan!

Happy New Year Friday Fiver

Thank GOD it's Friday! This week has been short but it has DRUG by considering that everyone would rather be napping than working!This New Year:
1) Big Party or stay at home alone?

• We initially planned on going to the Wyanet Community Club Draw Down. But in the last two weeks we were invited to our friends John and Amethyst's house, and we opted to take them up on that offer. I think it will be lots of fun but still plenty relaxing. i.e. I can totally wear stretchy pants and my slippers!

2) Stay up to watch the ball drop?

• I will certainly try to. We are in a different time zone, so the ball drop happens at 11pm here, and we usually miss in in recent years.

3) Will you make any resolutions?

• You know, I don't know about that. It seems a little silly to me that we are supposed to have goals based on a calendar year. I honestly make goals for myself year round, and achieve them constantly. It makes me feel much better than that annual pressure type of goal.

4) Is Dick Clark a good host for New Year's Eve?

• I thought he was supposedly in bad health? I remember last year he couldn't be there. I have to say he is a lot less annoying than anyone else they put on there. The fakeness of Hollywood stars does not fit New Year's Eve. I hope he can be there.... perhaps as a head in a dome, like on Futurama.

5) Do you know the words to Auld Lang Syne?

• Absolutely. I love love love that song. It's one of my favorite "christmas" tunes and I find myself singing it several times. The Beach Boys do a really good version of it.

Bitch-Ass Bidders

Hi there! Sorry I haven't written much, but we are in that sucky week between Christmas and New Year's where work is slow, people are cranky, and everyone would rather be taking a nap.

It's all I can't do to keep on truckin. Without eBay, I am sure I would be asleep right now. I have some serious auctions going on right now, lots ending this evening...

Today I got in a bidding frenzy with this bitch who decided last night to bid against me. And I don't mean "I'll just make one bid and see what happens" I mean the "I will bid 15 times, increasing my bid by $1.00 each time, until I beat her by on penny" kind of bitch-ass bidding. MAN does that piss me off! So an auction that could have had TWO bids ended up having 15 bids and 11 of them were put on in the last ONE MINUTE of the auction. Yeah. Annoying. But guess what? I won! Mwuuahahahahahahaa! In the end I paid $35 for a shirt that I wanted to pay no more than $25 for, but when you bitch-ass bid against me, you are pissing me off to the extent of "I will keep bidding till I win because I hate your tactics."

So what else is new? Hmmm.... oh yeah. This morning I thought of something to blog about and I was ready to go and then I forgot about it by the time I was able to blog. See now, if I didn't have a day job, I wouldn't have to worry about holding all those blog-a-riffic thoughts over until I got home at night... right?

Maybe it will come back to me....

It's Over!

It's over! Back to work! Take down the trees! Stop eating all that crap! Focus on the new year!

LoL. Christmas was great. I was a little (okay, a lot) gassy.... but besides that, I enjoyed myself. My mom and dad got me a very nice bookshelf that hangs on the wall, which I really wanted, and a sleigh style nightstand, which I also really wanted, both from Pottery Barn. My sister bought me the Deluxe Turntable Edition of Scrabble, and I am SO thrilled about that. I can't wait to play it. Husband got lots of great gifts, including a new guitar stand, a steel slide, and a ukulele.

Just this morning I realized that I still haven't opened my 'stocking' from DH. He was extremely cranky when I made him get up at 10:45 on Christmas so that we wouldn't be late to my parents. So I just sidestepped that altogether.

Mom had AWESOME food, meatballs, tortellini pasta salad, salmon spread, mashed potatoes, BBQ Ribs, Broccoli and Cheese Casserole, Corn Casserole, Wheat Rolls, Cheese and Crackers with Sausage, Chicken Taquitos, Turkey, etc. It was fabulous (that was two meals, not all one)

We watched Talledega Nights and the Jack Johnson Weekend at the Greek DVD that Evan bought me. What was really cool? At the end of the Jack Johnson DVD, it said that he recorded it August 19th and 20th 2005, which was the dates of our overnight wedding reception. What's really cool is that when we got married In Vancouver, he was there performing THE NIGHT that we flew out, so we couldn't go see him. I kept telling Evan that I was waiting for them to check into our hotel or see them out and about. So right after playing in Vancouver, while we flew home for our wedding reception, they flew to Berkley to film that DVD and perform at the Greek. How cool is that?

So last night Husband put together the nightstand for me. I did some surfing online and then went to bed after watching Pleasantville on cable. All is well. How was your Christmas?

NOW It's Christmas

Several times this month my husband and I have remarked "it doesn't even seem like Christmas."

Today after work I had a nice 30 minute massage and got some more bare minerals make-up, all courtesy of a gift certificate that Ava bought me for Christmas. It was a fabulous massage! Then Evan took me to Hardees and I had a Roast Beef (my favorite!!) and Chili Cheese Fries (first time!)

Tonight mom came over and then I popped myself some popcorn and watched "It's a Wonderful Life" on the couch in my pajamas. I LOVE that movie. It's my favorite Christmas Movie of all time. I hadn't seen it in so long, I had forgotten parts! And it's amazing how a favorite like that, which has been around for so many years, can be SO relevant today. And how as you get older, it becomes even BETTER because you can relate to it even more.

Overall, it's been a GREAT day and I am ready for bed!

We have Christmas Gatherings with family every single day from now until Tuesday, so you might not see too much of me for a little bit.... but only time will tell.

As for me, I got the best Christmas present EVER already, so this Christmas is already great!

There's No Place Like Home For The Holidays....

Well, my husband is back home. It's a good feeling. He was only gone 3 days or so, but it was just long enough for me to ejoy myself thoroughly and then just start to miss him as he arrived home. Perfect in Every way.

My main goals:

• Eat Grilled Cheese and Chicken Noodle Soup
• Eat Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich
• Watch CMT
• Read a Book
• Take a Bath
• Don't shave anything for 3 days
• Wrap Christmas Gifts
• Run the Dishwasher
• Enjoy my Christmas Party
• Bond with the Dogs
• Keep the house picked up and the laundry in the hamper

What I accomplished

• Shaved the 2nd day because my legs were itchy
• Ate Peanut Butter and Jelly and REALLY enjoyed it
• Ate Chicken Noodle Soup and Grilled Cheese (mediocre)
• Took a bath
• Woke up early each day, went to work early
• Slept like a ROCK with no interruptions
• Went to bed early each night
• Watched CMT
• Watched Roseanne Marathons
• Ate Chocolate and Potato Chips
• Laundry is in the hamper
• Did 4 loads of laundry
• Thought about running the dishwasher
• Enjoyed my Christmas Party
• Wrapped 2 Christmas Gifts
• Didn't kill the dogs, even after Boyd sneezed snot on me and pooped on the floor a record 3 times while I was in the basement doing laundry.
  

Christmas Frenzy that Everyone has Created for Me.

Wow! Busy Busy Season!

Last night was our Christmas Party for our department at work. We went to the Chestnut Street Inn in Sheffield, and Monika made Italian. It was FABULOUS!! I got a great gift in the exchange, I received a journal jar and lots of flowers for scrapbooking, and a handmade journal... and a cool book about living artfully, and some misc background papers for scrapbooking. Right up my alley. My gift was also received well. We had a wonderful time together.

When I got home I went right to sleep because I had to get up early again today and come to work early. Today I had so much to do! My sister came over this morning and I had to run to the hobby store and pick up her gift to my dad for Christmas. Then my DAD called me and I had to run to Wal-Mart for him to see if a gift for my mom had arrived on the truck. So I had lunch plans with CB but canceled them to run errands for my family. I didn't even get to EAT lunch because I was gone 45 minutes instead of 30 and didn't even have time or $$ to get something to eat. Someone had bought me a gift card to Wal-Mart and I bought the "Little Big Town" CD and I love love love it. I knew I would. It's fabulous. They are so beautiful!

So I picked up family photos from our trip to East Peoria and a rechargeable battery and charger for my mom's digital camera as she bought one for me and I am paying her back by buying one for her. Tonight I have to wrap presents that arrived at my house from DAD to MOM, so that he can pick them up at midnight tonight. Then tomorrow night MOM will come over to pick up a gift that arrived at my house from MOM to DAD. And today my sister called me with a credit card number so that I could order a gift from her to mom. It's crazy silly really. So right now I have gifts from Liz to Dad, from Dad to Mom, and from Mom to Dad.... all at my house. And I still have 1 gift from Liz to Mom arriving AT my house. Call me Mrs. Claus. And of course my shopping has been done, and all my stuff is wrapped.... so all these running around and wrapping have been for everyone else. Apparently I look like I have time on my hands!

The forecast says rain starting this afternoon and going through Saturday. Not really looking forward to it.

So that's all folks!

Our Year In Review...

Go see our "Year in Review"

ENOUGH ALREADY!!!

If I get one more email with the words

• "It's Not Too Late!"
• "Free Shipping If You Order By Midnight"
• "Last Day for Christmas Delivery!"
• "Guaranteed Delivery By Christmas"
• "Get it there on time!"
• "Last Minute Deals!"
  

I think I might kill someone.

Kisses,
Scrooge

7 days and counting....

Friday night I had fun. I went with my mom and sister to 6 & 34. I had pickle Chips, Amaretto and Cokes, and smoked Marlboro lights. Nothing can lift your spirit like that. When I got home Friday night at about 11:30, I put on my pajamas, washed my face, pulled back my hair, and settled on the couch with a book when the phone rang. It was Anya.... she, Bobbi, and Anya's brother Brandon wanted to play Cranium, but Brad didn't want to, so I went over in my pajamas and we played a good game. Anya decided that she and I shouldn't be partners anymore (not fair to those who had never played) so I was Bobbi's Partner and we won. I had to Hum "I heard it through the grapevine" but Bobbi didn't know it. It was fun. I went to sleep about 1:30am and about 3:45am Evan woke me up. I could hardly talk to him I was so knocked out sleepy. My throat was dry and I Drank a whole bottle of water, went to the bathroom, and went right back to sleep.

Saturday I woke up late. Yeah! I balanced a checkbook (eeww) and then put in 3 hours at work. Then I went to Wal-Mart. Then I babysat Ava and Husband brought Dinner from 6&34. I wanted a burger, so I ordered a 6&34 Burger. It has ranch and sautéed mushrooms and onions. It was not my favorite. Usually their burgers are really really good, but this one wasn’t fabulous. I think I would stick with a regular burger next time. And my fries were cold. Darn.

I also worked at home on Christmas Cards. On Saturday night I completed the 24 that I was hand-making, and when I pulled out the list from 2004, I sent out about 50 cards, so I had to order some photo cards to mail out too. So husband helped my stuff envelopes, and he signed our names on the 24 handmade cards. It was funny because when my mom opened her Christmas card, she said “Wow! Did Evan sign all of them or just ours?” and I said “All of the handmade ones were signed by Evan” and mom said “I am impressed!” and I responded, “Sure, I slave for WEEKS making 24 highly decorative hand-made cards and Evan sits down and signs them in 10 minutes and THAT is what impresses you.” I just can’t win. So anyway, Sunday we went to brunch at Wise Guys and we dropped our Christmas Cards in the mail, and then on Sunday night I went to East Peoria with my family to see the Festival of Lights and take the drive through VFW park. It was awesome. I highly recommend that you go. It’s well worth the drive. It was fabulous. I took LOTS of pictures. Liz and I got our annual photo with Santa taken (two poses!) We had Corn dogs and Ice Cream for supper, and ate Christmas Cookies in the car.

Last night from 10pm till about 3am I spent running around the house picking up, organizing, doing dishes and laundry, preparing for cleaning people today. Ugh. I finally couldn’t stay asleep, despite the Roseanne Marathon. This morning I spent another hour and 15 minutes cleaning up around home before work. For the next 3 days, I completely plan on reading books, doing crafts, and sitting on my ass. This weekend was too busy! I also plan on watching “It’s a Wonderful Life” if it kills me. I have been thinking about it since Friday. I will hopefully have 2 more presents arrive in the mail so that I can wrap them, and I have some of mom’s presents from dad that should be arriving soon and I can wrap those. I bought husband a Resonator Guitar for Christmas, and it’s still on it’s way. Everyone else is done and wrapped. I really only shop for mom, dad, Liz, Evan, Carrie, Angela, and then I do half of the gift exchanges I am asked to participate in. So this year I did 3 out of the 6 I was asked to participate in.

Today I received a Christmas Card with 2 cents postage due, and it sent me into a panic. I thought “what if our Christmas Cards are postage due” because I never weighed them, I just put them in envelopes, addressed, and stamped them, and then dropped them in a mailbox in Princeton. I never even checked. SO if you receive your Christmas Card postage due, I pre-apologize, because I never even THOUGHT of checking them until I received one postage due today. Oh well, too late now!

I love it when you Spanx me!

I am addicted to spanx. And I don't mean tawdry S&M sexplay (that's another post altogether. lol.) I mean the soft and stretchy Hide and Seek "Spanx" line made by Sara Blakely. The camisole/tank tops. Now, if we must discuss underwear, we might as well make it wonderful. I don't wear camisoles. Never have. Don't need anymore layers of clothes. Really. I need a pretty well-constructed Frederick's of Hollywood Bra to make me happy, and to fit me. I recently bought 4 bras for $109 dollars from FOH, which is a steal, especially considering that it's no secret that Victoria's Secret bras ate $42-$45 EACH and they don't last me a month and they have already lost their underwire, and the hooks are bending. Frederick's Makes bras to LAST. And they are less money, around $28-$30 each, and as low as $22-$26 when you buy 2 or more of one style. I personally love lacy satiny ones, but I also love me some Microfiber. Especially in the winter, because I have insanely dry and sensitive skin (eczema) and my clothes and bra seem to rub my skin raw. So Microfiber is a true true luxury for me.

So, last weekend, I had the Christmas Party for work. I had ordered a little black jacket from eBay and it was on it's way, to match my red skirt, and I really thought (by the pictures) that I could wear the jacket with no shirt under it. That's my usual plan. Well, when it arrived on Friday night, it had only one button. It was cute as the dickens but it buttoned closer to my belly button than I thought, so both my tummy and my boobs were very visible. Evan laughed when I tried it on. I thought "shit! I need to get a tank top!" Okay. 5'8" women with D cups do not just FIND tank tops. Either they are so damn short that they don't even REACH your stomach, or the line that is supposed to go UNDER your boobs (think empire waist) hits you at nipple height and it is very uncomfortable and unattractive. You feel like you are a giant wearing barbie's clothes. It's very unbecoming and frustrating. So I have ONE DAY to get one found, and I only have time to shop IN PRINCETON and that means Wal-Mart or Four Seasons. Well great. Nothing dressy at Wal-Mart that isn't velvet or beaded like something grandma would wear. Ugh. So off to Four Seasons where Every tank top is $24 on CLEARANCE. As I was weighing my options and had two $22 clearance tank tops that I was sure would be too short..... I suddenly happened across SPANX. I touched them and I was in love. Spandex-y and microfiber-y and all soft and sexy! And (YIKES!!!!) $42 each! But If I was going to spend $40+ on 2 tank tops that wouldn't fit, I could spend $42 on what that I knew Would fit, especially in a pinch. So I picked up the camisole/tank and it has made me the happiest woman on earth. It is so comfortable that I Don't even know it's there. Soft and stretchy. It tucks your tummy and hides lumps and bumps and bra ridges. It stops my clothes from chafing my skin and it fits nicely over my bras. It is attractive and comfortable and I find myself even wearing it to work under my shirts. I MUST HAVE MORE! So I started combing around and found 2 on eBay in my size for around $15 each. FABULOUS! They are gentle cycle wash and hang dry, and I will wash them in a lingerie bag. I did buy 1 size larger than my actual size, but I knew I would have to so that my boobs would fit, and so that the "waist" line would actually fit under my breasts instead of awkwardly across them. I love the v-neck one with lace too.... that will be the one I eyeball next.

After I HAD to gush to my mom about the Spanx, and how FABULOUS they are and how EVERYONE must have one or two, she said that she has heard all about them on TV and that all the celebrities wear them under all their super party dresses for the red carpet events, and they are fabulously mentioned in hollywood and all over TV. Considering all I watch is TIVO from cable, I had missed that, and thought I had really discovered something new and fabulous. But I have to tell you firsthand, that Spanx are WONDERFUL. Now if I can just find some no snag pantyhose.... the world of undergarments will be mine!

Honey, There's a Runner in my Pantyhose!

Because this happens to me. Alot. The runner thing. Okay, and sometimes the no underwears thing. Wardrobe malfunctions are a serious matter, especially when your workplace mandates what you wear, and that you wear pantyhose.

But really, the advice does nothing to solve the problem. And there is never any public transportation around this neck of the woods, unless you count Rose in the Tiger Town Taxi, which I haven't seen for a while. But maybe her old 83 Buick is out of juice these days.

New Shlippers.

Today is a good day. Besides my wrist fucking killing me that is.

I got the new Close To My Heart Catalog for Spring 2007 (yum yum yum!) and I got my new pink slippers from Avon, with Bottoms! I love slippers with bottoms, like shoes. I guess they could be called Shlippers. Or Shoeippers. Love them.

Carpal Tunnel HNT

Oh man. After completing the 239 pages of website in the past couple of days, and 16 hours on the mouse at work, and then working on the Handmade Christmas Cards, my carpal tunnel is KILLING me. I had to break out the braces, and I haven't worn them in MONTHS or probably close to a year. Damn repetition!

Oh and Since Osbasso wanted us to show our Christmas Trees for the Holidays HNT... Here is my tree at home..

And here is my tree at work.... in my office....

Been An Angel All Year, Santa Baby... SO Hurry Down The Chimney, Tonight!

Still Kicking

I am still alive. I have been so busy! This week at work I have been literally shut in my office with the door closed, the phone forwarded, and concentrating on finishing up our HUGE webpage. Finally. 2 years and many many obstacles and opinions, it is finished. Of course it is an ongoing project and there are things that need to be added once we can gather the information, but overall FINISHED! There are 99 individual webpages (htm/html) and then a "work-specific" directory of between 140-300 more pages. And I made ALL of it. Myself. Me.

Do you wonder why I haven't had time to write? When I get home at night, I just want to do stuff at home and wear my pajamas and listen to Christmas music. I try to block out work but all night long (even in my dreams) I think of things that I want to do with the webpage, ideas to try, information to gather, people to check with. My brain hardly shuts off. But I have been doing some reading on inducing the relaxation response using body scans, breathing techniques, and meditation. I was surprised to know that a body scan and the breathing excercises are some of my favorite parts of my Yoga DVD's. I have enjoyed body scans and not even known what they were. I am reading books by Dr. Domar on using your mind to heal your body. Quite Interesting. I don't care if you think I AM a granola munching hippie, I do enjoy the subject quite a bit. I need to look into her tapes. I find it difficult doing body scans to my own voice, because if I am going to listen to my mind, it's harder to shut it off. If I listen to someone else, like Rodney Yee (he he) then I turn my mind off and just do as he says. That works better for me. So I am thinking I might want one of the Mind Body Medical Institute's tapes, so that I can listen to someone else instruct me on body scans, and can shut off my own mind. Trying relaxation response exercises has been helpful in getting myself to sleep earlier- like 12 am (or 1 at the latest.)

Besides that I have stamped, embossed, colored, glittered, and sponged 24 christmas trees for the fronts of my Christmas cards. Tonight my mom will come over and I will work more on the cards. In the sense of irony, my dad gave me a catalog to order mom's Christmas presents, and my mom is coming over tonight to have me help her order dad's online. I feel like Mrs. Claus. But really, I am just happy being Mrs. Johnson.

Friday!

Friday! YAY YAY YAY!

This week has been cRaZy! I have been so busy at work! When I would check my voicemail, I would have one voicemail, and by the time I got finished checking it, I would already have another voicemail, and when I got finished checking that one, I would have ANOTHER Voicemail! Insanity!

So thank god for the weekend. Tomorrow night is my Christmas Party for work, and I am all excited. I usually don't care, but I got a new outfit to wear and I am getting my hair done, as part of the Holiday Party spirit. I don't usually do any of that, but this year, I could use a little holiday spirit.

Last night I did that thing where you bite the inside of your lip till it bleeds. I hate that.

I watched the past two episodes of the O.C. where Taylor and Ryan FINALLY hook up, and I loved it. I was so freaking excited, I am so happy! That show took a downward turn (in my opinion) and Marissa was really pissing me off. She was so Depressing and all that, I just wanted Ryan to dump her and start giving it to someone else. Now that she's all dead, I am like on a cloud, and then I see the preview for next week and it's when Ryan falls off the roof (I assume putting up Christmas Lights) and wakes up in a different world where Julie Cooper is with Sandy, and Marissa is ALIVE. That pisses me off. She's gone. Give it up. Leave Ryan alone. Taylor is totally cooler than Marissa. Can you believe this has me so upset?

ON another note... how about Men In Trees Last night?! Lynn back!? Lynn Pregnant?! And JACK TOOK HER HOME from the hospital to take care of her! OMG! Let me tell you, I know that's what a nice guy does. I appreciate that. But at the same time, he should not have let Marin just stand there and go home. He could have, just as easily, taken Lynn to the inn and let her stay there. Jack could have stayed with Marin at the inn and totally watched over Lynn. Or hey, how about Jack invites Marin over to stay, so that when he gets Lynn comfortable, he can sit and cuddle up with Marin, instead of sending her home? Wow that pissed me off. And really they didn't show a make-up session with Patrick and Annie, and I freakin LOVED it when she threw the pie in his face. That is SO something I would do. Not to Evan though, cuz he would probably be really pissed about that, and wouldn't have laughed about it like Patrick (kinda) did.

So I got my fill of the TIVO'd shows last night. Yeah! I do have lots of Frisky Dingo, Robot Chicken, and Family Guy episodes to catch up on, but I have the whole weekend!

I do need to continue working on my Christmas Cards. I stamped and embossed 24 Christmas Trees from the O' Tannenbaum set by Stampin Up. Next step, color all the trees, add gold detail and glitter. I have one tree colored, and then I needed to borrow markers to get the rest of them done. So now that I have my markers, I am UNSTOPPABLE! My cardstock and ribbon order is scheduled to arrive on Tuesday next week and then I will be able to finish and assemble them, and get them mailed out. I used to have a list of 50 recipients, and then I started cutting back to those who actually send me cards. It's tough!

I am still waiting for my pink and green swap from November, mine hasn't been received yet, but I had to send it overseas, so it may be a while, especially with Christmas. I can only assume that mine is also arriving from overseas, otherwise I should have had it by now!

Let's see, what else is up. Oh yes, I took my picture this morning so I could show you the fabulous coat that my husband bought me for my Birthday. He gave it to me early, back in October, so that I could USE it (I needed it) but I just thought it would be neat to show. I took the picture in the mirror, so there is no flash. But you get the idea. I love taking pictures! It really makes me sad that at most occasions there are no pictures of me. or of me and Evan together, It's like I am the ghost behind the camera.

It seems like there was more to blog about, but my brain is blank now. I guess that I just don't want to think now. It's Friday and I want to relax and just BE.

I am an Evil Pop Tart!

Okay First, You HAVE to see my new renter. OMG! I had 5 bids. They were all great but I couldn't turn down the Evil Pop Tart! It's a site where people can anonymously turn in all their evil deeds and it's great. I totally love it! I have one that I can submit but I will probably wait a while.

You MUST go see the evil pop tarts!

That's all for now. Just trucking through a Thursday!

Decisions, Decisions, HNT

What shoes to wear today?

Run of Bad Luck?

• Saturday I broke a Ceramic Pumpkin that was expensive.
• Sunday my car got a flat tire and today husband took it to get a new one.
• Monday I broke my $390 Oscar de la Renta Glasses.

Bad Things Come in Threes... Right?

• Or do I get to count the $140 washing machine repair the day before Thanksgiving?
• And the $350 (out of pocket after insurance) that I paid The Dermatologist Last Thursday.
• Or can I count the News that I have to have 3 Wisdom Teeth Pulled in January? And that will cost me $350 after insurance?

That makes 6. Two sets of threes in the last two"ish" weeks.

I'm even gonna count the 15 inches of snow and being stuck at our house and taking another day off work without pay as a GOOD thing.

It's over, right? No more bad shit? No Broken Mirrors in my future to doom me for 7 years?

Goodbye Oscar. I loved you dearly. Let us remember the good times we had....

And we need a little Christmas, Right this very Minute......

What is it about December that totally sucks? Ah yes, MONEY! We have two license plate renewals due (overdue) that total $170. The power bill is higher because it is now ZERO degrees outside. Tonight I discovered that I have a FLAT tire (CaChing$$ another $90) and we are supposed to be buying Christmas Presents AND making and mailing (ca-ChINg!) Christmas Cards.
Then my co-workers decide that our departmental Christmas Party will be at a neat little location, which I do so adore, that just happens to cost $50 per couple to eat. So not only do I have to take $30 in gifts, but we have to take $50 to eat. That's an $80 occasion, occuring 6 days before Christmas. So that has me all worked up. Then I am supposed to be participating in THREE gift exchanges with a $15-25 gift, on top of my usual gifts for Family, Husband, and my two bestest friends. If it were up to me? Prioritize. Purchase gifts for my family, my husbands, and my two bestest friends. Don't purchase gifts for co-workers. Don't get in on the three gift exchanges. Don't spend $50 to eat at a restraunt 6 days before Christmas when we could all bring something and have snacks at someone's home (I would even offer mine!) And pay my bills and get a new tire instead of frantically freaking out about how in the FUCK I will pay for everything. I did do some Christmas Shopping Online today, which was great, and it made me feel good, like I was actually ACCOMPLISHING something, until I ran to Wal-Mart for necessities.... and when I left my tire was flat AGAIN and then I realized that I would have to buy a new one. AGAIN. Well, at least I will officially have 4 new tires.

And then tonight we got a bill for CAR INSURANCE due December 27th. Ahhh.

Ho Ho Ho!

Blogging On The Edge

Don't you love blogging when you know you shouldn't be? Like in the morning when you will be late for work, or when you SHOULD be getting ready for something else or cleaning your house, or letting the dogs outside? It's like "wow I need to clean this place.... Let me just blog for a sec....." and then time flies by. Today I just woke up. Yes I know it's noon. I like it that way. I went to Anya's last night and Ryan and Emy came over and we played lots of games.... Cranium, Imaginiff, Boxers or Briefs, and Scattergories. It was good fun. I got home around 2:30ish. I was so tired. I washed my face. I pulled back my hair. I brushed my teeth. I didn't even get my clothes all off, or do my nightly face soak. I was lying in bed, using the zeno and I was falling asleep... but it beeps so it kept waking me up. I remember (barely) sitting up and taking off the black lacy push up bra and then deciding to keep on the black tank top and the red Pirate Love Shirt and my red underwear. That was all. I was asleep in seconds. I slept right through husband coming home AND getting into bed with me, he was just THERE sometime in the morning, complaining of a stiff neck and drinking lots of bottles water. I was so tired! I didn't do a WHOLE lot yesterday, although I did get the lights and ornaments on the tree, and the santa and reindeer assembled.... And I shoveled a little bit of snow and traipsed through some snowbanks. And I made a pizza. That's all.

Today I am supposed to have an altered clipboard class at the Printer's Box but the streets in Princeton still aren't plowed completely and there is no way to park because of it. So We have decided that if another class member arrives, They will call me and we will have the class... Otherwise I will stay here and pick up and vacuum. Tonight I will watch Ava for a little while, I don't know what else is going on.

Hadley tried to escape this morning... apparently he wanted to poop in the freshly plowed STREET. You see he never leaves the yard, but apparently the snow had him all "Little House On The Prairie" where he was disoriented. I didn't realize that he COULD Leave, because we were so snowed in that the snow was too high for him to get through. What I Didn't realize is that sometime during my morning slumber, the plow guy showed up and we are all plowed out. SO when I was standing in my underwear and let Hadley outside, I didn't even GLANCE at the escape route that he had. Never even noticed it in the world of white. Then I looked outside like 2 minutes later and he is NOT in the yard, and in the street at a busy intersection. There are cars going by, and he is taking a shit in the middle of the road. Dumb Ass Dog. So I yell at him and he doesn't come TO me but goes AWAY from me so i run inside and get my pants on and I am doing that "running while putting on pants" thing that cheating husbands perfect so well, and then cramming my feet into boots and wearing a sweatshirt with no bra, my hair all sticking up, and he walks BACK into the yard and finds a clear spot to poop more. Then as a big diesel truck pulling a trailer decides to round the corner, he takes one look at it and decides to walk in FRONT of it. All the while I am screaming at him. Finally the trailer makes a noise and he takes of running with his tail between his legs like someone was chasing him, and goes right through a big drift and into the house. Dumb Dog.

With this much snow, you get a teeny tiny taste of how it must have been on the prairie with snow that disorients you. If you look down and don't pay attention to the landmarks, you end up off course. You spend so much time concentrating on walking through the snow that you don't watch where you are. It's difficult to gauge how deep the snow is until you step into it. Even though it is 3/4 of the way up the picket fence over there, it might be much deeper here due to drifting. And with everything being so blindingly white, it's not always easy to tell. Canyou imagine the snow being so high that you would have to use your upstairs window as a door? That you would have to tie a rope between the house and barn? I know. Insane. And to think that's what Illinois was once like. Prairie affected by global warming?

So that's it for today folks. Have a great weekend!

15 inches of snow in less than 12 hours!

Looks like it finally stopped snowing. We have gotten 15 inches of snow here in less than 12 hours. Everyone is home today, snowbound. All morning guys spent time pulling out people on main street who thought they were going somewhere. My sister works 3rd shift and got snowed in at work, when she tried to leave, the whole front end of her car got buried and she had to dig it out by hand and go back to the parking garage. Evan and I stayed up till 4am, and by that time the Wyanet-Walnut Blacktop was completely closed, and the drifts were about waist high. It's just before noon and we officially have 15 inches of snow. I guess that means today was meant to pick up this messy house and put the lights and ornaments on that tree that's been looking at me all week. I tried to let the dogs outside but the snow was so deep they couldn't walk. So I had to bundle up and go get the shovel, and dig them a square where they could pee. I also picked up the lawn furniture so that it was out of the way for when the plow guy shows up. The picture of the snowdrift in front of the door is taken from INSIDE the house, that's what the back porch looked like this morning when I woke up.

The neighborhood just started to start officially digging out around 10:30. The best thing about being in small town, everyone knows everyone and everyone helps each other out. Whoever hsa a 4 wheeler with a plow, a truck with a plow, or a bobcat, goes around helping whoever doesn't, and they pull each other out when they get stuck. And Believe me, there have been lots of stuck folks this morning. I heard that a state plow truck overturned on 251 and that it was loaded with salt. I heard that 6 state plow trucks from the Bureau County Region are stuck alongside the road somewhere and unable to plow. Around 11, a plow truck came through and plowed one lane open on the Wyanet-Walnut Blacktop.

Yesterday was Evan's birthday, and I had two doctor's appointments. One at the Dermatologist, in which I was told my acne is 30% better, and given (okay, sold. It was $225.00) a Zeno. I have been trying it out to see if it works for me, it has a 30 day money back guarantee. The second appointment was at an Oral Surgeon's, where they had me watch a horror movie about wisdom tooth extraction. Then they decided that all 3 need to come out and that we will do that on January 26th. For someone has never even been hospitalized, has never had a broken bone besides toes and fingers, hates needles, and has never been put under anesthetic.... this should be a frightening adventure. I am less worried about my teeth than being knocked out. Husband is super supportive, having been under several times, and he will be there to take my home and feed me soup and pain pills.

After those two Doctor's appointments, we ate at Ruby Tuesday's in Peoria and then went through Circuit City and Guitar Center. Then we came home and watched Nacho Libre, which was okay. Funny. Not exceptional. We watched You Me and Dupree on Wednesday night, and totally loved it. They are due back tonight but we might not be able to get to Princeton, although now that it has stopped snowing they should get the roads cleared this afternoon. I think we are going to Anya's tonight for pizza and Game night with Ryan and Emy. That should be fun.

Well, SOMEONE Needs to clean this pig pen, so I had better get going.

Oh and I made TWO of Leanne's snowballs, and mine are not nearly as cute as hers, but since I am snowed in and I have 6 more started, I should get better with practice. Check them out...

Finished my Cherries Purse Organizer

Decided at midnight to start making my purse organizer. Because I can.


Created with fd's Flickr Toys.

1. Detail of Purse Organizer, 2. Purse Organizer I just Made, 3. Purse Organizer all folded up, 4. Purse Organizer from the top

• The Denim came from husbands old levis (sentimental value)
• The Cherry was something I had around, a ME Cherries Patch on clearance for 50 cents at JoAnne a while back
• The Red Satin Binding was leftover from Kelly Skellington's Coffin that I made for Cheryl in Canada
• The Dot Fabric was something that I had picked a yard up at Wal-Mart for $1 on sale last month.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE how it turned out!

Heater Whore and the Rusty Pickle

Today, is an okay day.

But let us start with last night. I did nothing. I watched a movie on cable (Autumn in New York with Winona Ryder and Richard Gere) while I messed around a bit on the laptop. Husband brought me home Subway. Yum. Then I took a bath that lasted so long that the water was hurting my skin. Between the bathtub and in bed until 2:30am, I read a hefty 2/3 of my book "The Tenth Circle" By Jodi Picoult. Now I have read one of her other books, and it was good but I wasn't overly impressed. But this book is AWESOME good. I had to take it to work today so I could read while I ate my stuffed pizza for lunch. I can't tear myself away. It's pretty good. Husband was intrigued when he saw me reading the comic book sequences. Of course I lvoed the references to Jim Lee and Marvel/DC Comics. The book itself is just a great story, and it's well told. Of course, at exactly the halfway point, I had a pretty good handle on the "secret" piece, but I haven't gotten to the end to actually see what happened for sure. I can't give you ANY details without giving away the book. But it is GOOD and I suggest it to anyone.

Tonight I had a Rusty Pickle Class after work (oh I can already see your eyebrows rise, and guys are probably pitching a tent over me saying pickle.) but for those of you who DON'T know, Rusty Pickle is a scrapbook company- and I made this Christmas Album. Although sister and I did purchase a book at the Girl's Night Out Party called "tickle his pickle" and we are both going to read it, so if that doesn't get your mind wandering, nothing will.


Last night I also did the "What's In My Bag" thing for the flickr group... and then upgraded to a bigger purse. But what I really wanted to do was sew a purse organizer, but I was so in depth with the book that at 2:30am I had to make myself put it down and sleep.

I got two of my shirts off ebay, they are kinda smallish. The "Meet the Twins" shirt is the same brand as the "Pirate Love" shirt but it's a size bigger according to the tag, but it fits smaller. WTF? So I dunno. Might end up reselling them. I have had bad luck lately, even with using measurements. I got a dress that was too big, and shirts that were too small. I got pants that look black with white pinstripes in the pictures and ended up being kinda multi-colored pinstripes. Strange. I am hoping my luck changes. Of course I just got outbid on my outrageously low Palm treo 650, which I knew would happen. Too good to be true.

Today I mailed bills. Power, Cable & Internet, Cell Phones, etc.CB gave me a little belated birthday gift, the book "Pirates" By John Matthews. I had seen this book at Shop-ko in October and coveted it terribly. But it's just one of those things you don't buy for yourself, so it was the perfect gift. And I was surprised to get it, which made it even nicer. Last night I decorated my little pink tree at work. It's sparkly pink (the tree itself) with pink class balls and pink christmas lights on pink wires. And I have more ornaments at home that I need to remember to bring to work. AND I need to put the lights and ornaments on the tree at home. Ugh. Maybe tomorrow night. I am just SO not in the spirit. I think not putting up decorations last year made me lazy.

Today was such a gloomy looking day. It rained some. It was just overcast, although it wasn't cool outside, it was cool INSIDE at at work all day I just wanted a blanket or sweater or heater to curl up with. Yes, I curl up to heaters. My husband is always laughing because if he can't find me, I am sitting on the floor somewhere about 1 foot in front of a space heater or next to a register. When I used to babysit I would make a blanket tent over the registers and sit under it with the kids while we watched a movie or read a book. I think it probably drives husband nuts that I always want to cuddle. Usually it's a one sided cuddle. He plays a video game or holds the remote while I try to carve a place into his side where I can squeeze myself and keep warm. When all else fails, I love to cuddle with Boyd. He's a "hot" dog. Like a personal heater to curl up with.P.S. UPDATE-- I did finish my book tonight, and it was good. I knew "Who Dunnit" but the ending, although good, also kinda pissed me off because it was that open ended bullshit where you really don't know what happens at all. That sucks. But the book was good. It just lacked closure, which pisses me off. I need closure. Unless Johnny Depp or Edward Cullen is involved and there is a sequel, there had damn well better be closure!

Do You Have It? Wanna Share?

I was making lists of the CD's that I want, if you happen to have them, let me know as I would love a copy! Several of them I used to have tapes for, and WISH I had bought CD's back in the day... If you have one, let me know and I would be more than happy to swap you a CD that you don't have...

Green Day 1039 Smoothed Out Slappy Hours

Green Day Dookie

Green Day American Idiot

Green Day Nimrod

Foreigner Complete Greatest Hits

Michael Jackson's Greatest Hits

Smashing Pumpkins Greatest Hits

Soundgarden Superunknown

Soundgarden Down on the Upside

The Raconteurs Broken Boy Soldiers

Beck Odelay

Beck Guero

Snow Patrol Eyes Open

Unreleased Stuff I will Buy:

Gwen Stefani The Sweet Escape

Incubus Light Grenades (in stores tomorrow, Nov 28th)

Sunday night!

That damn Christmas Tree is sitting over there looking at me. "LIGHTS!" it screams. "ORNAMENTS!"

NOOOOOO. I don't WANT to do anything. The house is basically trashed. It was all clean before Thanksgiving. It was even clean AFTER Thanksgiving. But right now the kitchen is a mess, the dining room is filled with totes and decorations, the coffee table is the the new home of all my CD's and my laptop, and the mail, and a discarded pair of earrings. The bathroom has dirty laundry on the floor. The bedroom has every single drawer hanging open and the bed unmade. The porch smells like stinky dogs and has dirty dog beds. And. I don't care. Well I care, but that doesn't mean I am going to DO anything about it. At least not tonight.

Ah well maybe I will clean up the coffee table, and pick the laundry up off the bathroom floor. And I suppose I could close the drawers in the bedroom and I could probably clean up the kitchen a bit. But THAT is where I Draw the line! Okay and MAYBE I did just run into the kitchen and clean it up. And unload the dishwasher. And reload it. And perhaps I did start the wine glasses soaking in the sink. And I might have picked up all the dirty laundry. But now I am back to watching desperate housewives and ripping off my bra to lounge in comfort.

And honestly, doesn't that british chap know that the only reason Susan took him up on his offer because she loves Mike so much that she wants him to have the best lawyer. Jeez. And every week my theory comes to light, that ALMA killed Monique, and that Orson hit Mike with his car either BECAUSE Mike was with Monique, or because he THINKS that Mike killed Monique.

Still importing CD's into iTunes.

Oh, on a techie note, I recently decided to install Norton Antivirus 2007 and discovered that now it is no longer compatible with Zone Alarm's firewall products, including their free firewall. Of course Norton just tells you to "uninstall Norton" and sort of misleads you into thinking that you are protected. But if you READ the back of the Norton Antivirus box, you will immediately see that there is no protection for wireless and other users via a firewall. Of course, I was immediately pissed because Norton would just LOVE if you would run out and BUY their firewall, which is probably why they were so careful to make sure that the free version of Zone Alarm wouldn't work anymore. So, I have officially began the process to file for a refund from Norton and purchase the full Zone Alarm Suite, including their firewall and anti-virus. So in summary, Norton has just lost my business, which they have had for YEARS, and in turn have lost the business of all the computers I work on, and all the people I give recommendations to. Poor poor Norton. And I am not the only one. The internet is full of people who have Boycotted Norton 2007 and moved to Zone Alarm for all their needs. Good call Norton!

Maxim Sucks

Is it wrong to hate a magazine? For years my husband has gotten a subscription to Maxim Magazine. And. I. Hate it. Playboy doesn't bother me. Cherry, Hustler, any dirty mags don't even make me mad.... but that damn Maxim magazine. I hate it. Honestly, how retarded can their articles get. 100 ways to blow your paycheck? Sexiest webcams? How to outrun a bear? How to live to 130? 50 very bad things to do till sunrise!

Granted. Everyone wants to relax and have fun. Not everything you read has to have substance. But do you think I am dying to buy my husband a subscription to a magazine that points him to the sexiest internet webcams and 100 ways to blow his paycheck? Um. Negative.
Husbands get into enough trouble on their own.

So the maxim subscription has run out. But somehow over the years it keeps getting renewed. And it's not me. And unless he is sending cash through the mail, it's not husband either. Although I do recall MIL renewing it as a gift previously. I am really really hoping that it will expire and be replaced by something else. At least Playboy has excellent articles with substantial topics.... and the chicks are naked. Maxim just has about a bazillion "girl next door" and "college hotties" contests each year. It's so boring. I'd rather see pretty naked chicks any day.

Maxim Sucks.

O Tannenbaum

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Happy Birthday To Me!

Well, Today is my Birthday. I am 28. It doesn't feel a whole lot like my birthday. I am not working today, but besides that I have absolutely no plans. That's okay. Last night we hosted Thanksgiving. There were 8 people here, we had a wonderful time. Husband and I seemed to iron out the issues around noon yesterday, and then the day just got better as it went on. We deep fried our first turkey and ham, and they were delicious. Injecting the Turkey was fun, we made our own secret Johnson Family Recipe Marinade (lol) and plumped up the turkey all over. It was fun. We didn't exactly eat "on schedule" but we didn't have enough oil to do the turkey and ham at the same time, so we did the turkey first, and then while I carved it, they did the ham. We had lots of appetizers and lots of wine, so the time went by pretty fast. The house looked really nice, and it was just an all around good time. Last night we also celebrated Evan's and My birthday, his is next Thursday.

We got to open some presents. Evan got Guitar Hero II with the Red Electric Guitar for PS2 from Mom. We already have Guitar Hero I with the Black Electric Guitar, but this has all new songs. It was awesome. He also got Cranium from my sister, which was what I wanted but she was sneaky and bought it for him. She got me Trivial Pursuit Totally 80's! LOL. Mom got me lots of cool stuff I got tons of dark socks (yeah!) and two pair of those REALLY fuzzy and soft eyelash yarn socks in pink. Yippee! I had one pair and I wash them every other day and wear them at night around home. I also got two i-kandee chalk sets for Scrapbooking, a Christmas Decoration Sign, a Moose Bell for my Christmas Bell Collection, and Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 6000 for my laptop (oohhh!) And she made me a copy of Huey Lewis and the News "Time Flies... The Best of" which I love! And some little tiny clear stackable containers with lids that I can use for scrapbook or beading supplies. Evan got me my pink peacoat that I have been wearing since the end of September.

So after opening gifts, we had my "blue ribbon winning" Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars, and grandma Marie brought an ice cream cake too, and homemade chocolate truffles (which were delicious! She did awesome!) Then we went outside to play because dad brought over his monster truck at our insistence. We played till we ran the batteries dead. Then we came in and cranked up the guitar hero, even my mom and dad played! I had never played before, Content to watch Evan. I sat down to try, and was very upset to realize that I play guitar left handed (I had to have my acoustic guitar specially made for me by Schecter's Daisy Rock Collection and shipped from overseas.) and this guitar is RIGHT HANDED. So I tried flipping it upide down, but then the keys on the screen are backwards, and I had a hell of a time flipping it around in my mind fast enough. I just couldn't do it! We need to investigate to see if you can flip it around on the game settings for lefties. If you can't, that would totally suck ass. I never even thought of that! So just before 1am, everyone was gone, and I sat on the couch with Evan while he kicked ass at the game and unlocked new song after new song. But before 2:30 I couldnt't keep my eyes open so I went to bed.

Today I have everything pretty much back to normal, all the big tables taken down, and the dining room back to the way it should be, which won't last long considering tomorrow I want to put up the Christmas Tree. I have run the dishwasher twice and all the dishes are done from the meal, except the wine glasses and stoneware that I have to handwash. I have decided today to concentrate on importing CDs into iTunes. I am anticipating the 8Gig Nano that Evan bought me for Christmas. I previously only had the 1gig shuffle, and since there's no screen, I was really picky as to what I put in my itunes. Now I am going to put my whole CD Collection, even older stuff like the Fugees and Bush, into the computer and I can have it ALL on my iPod and listed to whatever I want because I can search by artist, song, genre, etc. So this afternoon I have set down on the couch with about 1000 CD's in an attempt to make a dent in uploading (seriously, that number is no exxageration.) and I have considered taking a shower, but instead opted to do a little blogging in my pink long johns and eventually to probably watch TIVO (Big Grey's Anatomy!) while importing CD's. Whew!

I am also importing Album Art for my iTunes album, but that is the flakiest thing! I just imported Lidacris new CD "release therapy" and it's IN the iTunes Music Store, but it won't pick up the album art. I even tried to drag and drop the album cover into iTunes as it tells me to, and it won't take. Hell-o! That's a brand new CD! Yet you will find the album cover for Ray Parker's Greatest Hits to go with my "Ghostbusters" Theme song? Apple needs to get a clue with this and get the bugs kinked out. People on iTunes message boards re having a cow over the buggy flaky album cover feature. Oh well. All things come with time, right?

This weekend we have a birthday party for my Uncle (a surprise!) and another Thanksgiving. Otherwise it's iTunes importing and Christmas Decorations for me!

Thanksgiving Pictures! Check them out!

Men are so SELFISH!

Today is the day before Thanksgiving. I took the day off to prepare for hosting Thanksgiving Dinner, as we have done for 5 of the 6 years we have lived here. I had lots of things to do today, one of them being to get all of the food dishes that I need to make ready ahead of time. I also planned on rearranging the dining room, setting the table, getting the dishes and serving pieces out and ready, thawing a turkey and ham, doing laundry, getting the washing machine fixed by a sears repairman, and hopefully showering. I also had a doctor's appointment to make. This was my agenda.

About a month ago, I started to discuss with husband the importance of burning our wildflower/grass plot in the ditch. I have been increasingly hinting that it is time to burn it, thinking that while I am at work all day, and he has some time, he could be raking leaves and burning. Nothing happened. Last week I said "I think that when I am off work on Wednesday, you should burn the ditch" which turned out in his head as "WE" will burn the ditch. Okay, whatever. I will work it in. So when I woke up at 10am, and he said he wasn't going to get up until noon... Okay. So I start my day by unloading the dishwasher and putting away dishes, organizing and preparing the kitchen, finding ingredients, and then putting some dirty dishes in the dishwasher. Then I get dressed. Then I let the dogs outside. And I drag a cooler in the house and fill it with water and start to dethaw the turkey. And I fold the blankets that he left all screwed up in the spare bedroom, and picked up his dirty clothes from the floor. At 12:30 he still wasn't up. I woke him up. At 1pm, as I was outside BY MYSELF raking leaves... I knock on the bedroom window with the rake and tell him to please get up.

At 1:30 I have raked half of the yard. Yes. 50% of the leaves. Into the ditch. BY MYSELF. Then the Sears repairman comes. I spend about 30-45 minutes with him and he repairs the wash machine and shows and explains everything to me. Then FOR FREE he looks at the dishwasher, shows me what part I need, explains how to order it and shows me where to install the new part. This guy was awesome. Sears wants to charge you TWO $65 service fees to look at two different appliances. Huh. Nice guy! Then It's like 2:15 and I haven't eaten and I am starving. Not to mention that I have terrible cramps and had a prescription Naproxen floating around in my empty tummy.

I go outside to tell Evan about the sears guy and he GROWLS "if you want to do something productive, you can go put my check in the bank." (now the poor baby is raking 50% of the leaves all by his lonesome. awwww.) So HE is pissed at ME because he has to do this alone while the Sears guy is there. So I drop everything and go to the bank. Then I make lunch. Halfway through stir-fry, Iwalk outside to see if he wants to come in and eat soon but he has already lit the ditch. He yells at me because I am not helping him. I call him a dick and go inside to finish our lunch. I eat lunch. He's standing out there watching the ditch burn, randomly spraying the green grass with the garden hose to "contain" the fire. *cough*

I am not sure if he just needs me to stand there next to him or what his deal is. So I stand there and watch. He doesn't speak to me. I ask him if he is going to burn the other side of the ditch. He growls "no. we don't have enough help." and that is clearly meant to be a dig on me not groveling at his feet anf being at his beck and call as he burns. So I go inside and put his food in the oven to keep it warm. Then I check the turkey. Then I clean up the lunch dishes. I wash three loads of laundry. I fold sheets and blankets, quilts and comforters. I strip the bed and put on new sheets and blankets. I carry down a hamper of laundry. I rearrange the dining room by myself, moving the dining table. I carry up the buffet table from the basement (alone) and set it up. I put chairs around it. I move all the dishes, silverware, and serving dishes into the dining room. I take his un-eaten lunch out of the oven at 5pm and put it in containers in the fridge. I get out napkins and napkin rings. I get the cream cheese and butter out of the fridge to soften. And then, I sit down for a second.

He comes out of the shower and looks at me (sitting. can you believe she has the nerve to SIT while I burn the ditch??) and says he is going to Princeton. Do I need anything? No. Then he proceeds to ask me if I have seen his wallet. Have I seen his shoes? Then "what are we doing tonight?" and when I say "I still have to make all the food for tomorrow. That is the REASON that I took the day off work today." and he looks at me and says "I thought that's why you were in here instead of helping me. And besides, when you raked the leaves, you Did it all wrong. And if you would have helped me, I could have got the raking done in half the time." and all I said to him? "forgive me for 'doing it wrong.' I thought that by raking 50% of the leaves in the yard I was being helpful. If you had gotten up at 11 or 12 instead of 2pm, it also would have gotten done faster. Next year you can do it by yourself." And he got cranky, stood up, proceeded to slam every door, drawer, etc. and stomp out of the house.

Wow it's a good thing he's around to tell me how to be productive, isn't it? Otherwise I might enjoy myself on my day off, and wouldn't that be a shame? SO now that he is gone and taken his crankiness with him, and I have vented it off on my blog, I am going to go prepare pumpkin cheesecake bars and stuffed olive cheese secrets and continue with laundry and feed the dogs.

Update

SPEAKING OF THE MOVEMENT--BREASTFEEDING UPDATE: We have exciting news on this front: You all are amazing! Last week in response to news that a ticket agent forced a mother off a Freedom Air flight run by Delta Air Lines for breastfeeding on-board, MomsRising put up a petition and you responded. In less than a week the petition gathered over 20,000 signatures telling Delta Air Lines that breastfeeding mothers should be supported, as well as supporting the Breastfeeding Promotion Act before Congress. Over 20,000!

Emails and calls from MomsRising members, as well as regular updates about the high number of petition signatures, pushed both Delta and Freedom Airlines to issue statements underscoring their commitment to allowing women to breastfeed onboard planes. Freedom Air also noted that the incident would serve as a training opportunity for all employees.

DELTA AIRLINES STATEMENT: "Delta Air Lines supports a mother’s right to breastfeed her baby onboard our aircraft. We regret the decision to remove the passenger from Flight 6160 as it was not in keeping with Delta's high service standards, and we are coordinating with Freedom Airlines to ensure that they deliver the level of service we expect for all of our customers."

NEXT STEPS: Right now, Delta Airlines is contemplating officially supporting the Breastfeeding Promotion Act which is currently before Congress. So please give Delta a call to thank them for taking a strong stand on behalf of breastfeeding mothers, and encourage Delta to actively support the Breastfeeding Promotion Act. Getting more signatures on the petition helps let our leaders know that citizen support is strong.

*To sign the petition (and ask friends to sign on), go to: http://www.momsrising.org/breastfeeding-petition

MomsRising is committed to making it possible for all mothers who want to breastfeed their children to be able to do so. In an effort to build a country that's truly family-friendly, MomsRising supports policies and programs that allow mothers to make that choice—including policies like paid family leave and flexible work options.

Together we’re building a more family-friendly America. Thank you! – The MomsRising Team

Good Christmas Project....

Good forward that I got today...

A Different Christmas Poem

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.

The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.

Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out there!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts.

They looked to the window that showed a warm fire's light,
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
that separates you from the darkest of times."
"No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.

My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
"My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile."

Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.

I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."
"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."

"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us,and never forget.

To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled,
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

PLEASE, Would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many
people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to
our U.S.service men and women for our being able to celebrate these
festivities.
Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people
stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for
us.


LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN
30th Naval Construction Regiment
OIC, Logistics Cell One
Al Taqqadum, Iraq

If you go to the web site at www.letssaythanks.com you can pick out a
thank you card and the Xerox Corporation will print it and it will be sent
to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq. You can't pick out who gets
it, but it will go to some member of the armed services. It is FREE and it
only takes a second. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the soldiers received a
bunch of these?
The directions are easy and it only takes a little of your time to send
some 'real mail' to a soldier.

After giving this a bunch of thought, I decided that I need to get the names and addresses of some soldier's stationed in Iraq over Christmas and add them to my Christmas Card List. If you know any, please send me their addresses, and I will do what I can.

Song of the South

When I was a kid, I saw Disney's Song of the South in the movie theater. I Loved that movie. It must have been the 1986 release, I would have been 8 then. I loved that movie. I remember songs, pieces of the action, and I have always wanted to add this movie as a piece of my disney collection. You can buy it in European format online, but what good does that do me? None. Today I found this. Proves that you learn something every day. http://www.snopes.com/disney/films/sots.htm

CraZy ShIt!

Check out this email. This is the kind of crazy shit I get all day long.

You might blow someone up.Shut up if you can't take a joke! But, seriously, could these two look any more alike?com for full links, other content, and more!
com for full links, other content, and more!
Because a woman owns the weapon of seduction. com for full links, other content, and more! Well, at least we thought so for a few days, but now we've changed. com for full links, other content, and more!
Ephebophila: A condition in which an adult, usually male, is sexually attracted to young people about the age of puberty. Motorcycle Pictures of the.
One billion, three hundred thousand Muslims are ready to kill you.
Law Stops Renting to Illegal Immigrants.
Bradley played tambourine at his side. Phone features, phone plans and calling cards.
What I like about it so far? com for full links, other content, and more!
com for full links, other content, and more!
My mind has been preoccupied with Jane's total knee replacement surgery that took place on Election Day.
Well we think your citizens' complete disregard for our laws in an insult.

Well, the Christmas Music started at work today. Full blast over the loud speakers. You couldn't ignore it if you try. I personally really love Christmas Music. But I am still not particularly pleased that they have started it PRE-THANKSGIVING. WTF?

Oh well. I did have a couple of revelations today. This morning in the shower, I had a Desperate Housewives flash- what if Orson never DID kill Monique or his wife. What if his wife left him BECAUSE of Monique. What if Mike killed Monique (the wrench, his number on her hand, etc.) and Orson ran over Mike BECAUSE he thinks that Mike killed Monique? Or what if Orson's wife killed Monique out of jealous revenge and Mike killed Orson's wife to avenge Monique? Aha! I have to say that I think Orson is innocent. It's too convenient that they make him out to be such a bad guy from the beginning. So that was my one insight for the day. Voila!

Thrilling!

Damm it

Well, the washing machine quit working. That sucks ass. It's just over 3 years old. It's a Kenmore. I tell you, they just don't make washers like they used to. My mom had the same washer for like 15 years, and we can't get one to last more than 5 or 6. I guess that the moral of my story is that you should buy the fucking extended warranty. Bastards! So now I ALSO find out that EVEN IF the warranty is up, and I might have warranty on the motor, (don't know, phone lady couldn't tell me) then I STILL have to pay for the service fee ($65) and the labor. So even if it WAS under warranty, all they cover is the PART that goes bad, not the labor or the trip. What the hell?

So I made a $65 appointment for Wednesday. But I have to consider calling my dad and having him come over to look at it before then. I dunno. Damn washers. Probably cheaper to buy a new one. WITH A LONGER WARRANTY. With all the washers we have added up so far I could have had a damn neptune. In this house 6 years and on our second washer AND dryer. Jeez.

Sunday

It's practically impossible for me to flip past the Notebook on cable and not watch it and bawl my eyes out. I remember years and years ago when I read the book. Jeez. But I have to admit that's the BEST movie representation of a book I have ever seen. And it doesn't hurt that Ryan Gosling is hot. And Rachel McAdams is just beautiful beyond belief.

This weekend was nice. Friday night I got all the Thanksgiving ingredients, a Ham and Turkey too. Saturday I got a massage. Ahhh. Then I looked at entry doors and picked out paint chips. Saturday night we went to the Kaiserhoff for a nice German dinner. I ordered the Ham hock. It was FABULOUS. We ate with Evan's family. It was fun. Of course we sang some great songs accompanied by the accordian. That night we hung out at home with our pajamas on and watched Benchwarmers. I also caught up on the O.C. episode that I TIVO'd Thursday. I was super psyched about Ryan and Taylor. When he kissed her I literally rewound and watched it twice. I was like YES!

So today I got my hair done, I went darker than I think I ever have before. Two colors of red. I actually was flipping through a people magazine while waiting my turn, saw a picture of Addison Shephard from Grey's Anatomy, and said "some of that red please." It's SO dark that it scared me at first, but I am really loving it now... Husband loves it too. In natural light it is especially funky and red. So today we did laundry and picked up around home. I need to remember to take the turkey and ham from the freezer tonight and put them in the fridge to start thawing.

I can't WAIT for this week. Time off work. time off work. Turkey. Family. FOOD! Birthday presents!!! YAY!

But I still have to work for TWO DAYS Until I can get there. Ugh.
Chin up.

Everything.

This morning when I woke up, I could think of a BAZILLION things I would rather do today than go to work. A BAZILLION. With Turkey Day coming up, and my birthday, I really am glad that I will have this weekend, then just two more days of work, then 5 days off work. Ahhh. I love Thanksgiving.

So I have been slacking at telling you what's up. Went to Anya's Tupperware Party on Wednesday, and Ava CRAWLED! Right there in front of all of us! I kept setting her up on her knees, because she keeps getting so close to moving.... and Bobbi had all the good stuff that Ava wanted and she put it across the room, so that Ava would have to "go to it" and she did it! Anya was upstairs and we were Screaming for her to get downstairs to see Ava. Anya was so excited. It was awesome to be there for that.

Last night I had a pedicure. Which was awesome. And necessary. It was relaxing. And my toes needed a paint job. And they just seem SO far away lately. So it was a nice evening. I got OPI's new 25th Anniversary color "Who Makes Up These Names?" (bottle at left) on my toes and I eyeballed a neat sparkly deep red for Christmas time. Similar to "O'Hare and Nails Look Great" but more sparkly. Called "It's a Doozi, Says Suzy." (bottle at right.) Guess I will have to get a December pedicure. LOL.

I have been reading "The Thirteenth Tale" and it is a good book. I am enjoying it. Although I have to say that it's hard for any book to follow "New Moon" and "Twilight" By Stephanie Meyer. Edward Cullen just has my votes through and through. But Diane Setterfield is keeping my interest in this book, and it's a good one... it sorta puts me in mind of the drama that accompanies a V.C. Andrews book, but an A.D. book. Not one actually written by V.C. Andrews, not even close, but more of in a way of dramatic without being terribly graphic and cruel. It's good. I think it's supposed to be mysterious. I get that. But it's no DaVinci Code. I am just over 3/4 of the way through. For the way it's being pimped by bookstores, book clubs, and the like, it must have an awesome ending. So I am waiting. The book's website calls it "gothic" and I am sorta okay with that. But it doesn't seem nearly as dark as I think it's trying to be. Maybe that's because I am desensitized by books like VC Andrews (her OWN books) and historical fiction like the Linnet Bird and Memoirs of Helen of Troy. I was also shocked to see a pleasant review by Kate Mosse, the author of Labyrinth, which I also read recently. That book is dubbed "the female DaVinci Code" and while it was good, I wasn't DYING to read it or DYING to get through it. I just read it. I was pleased. It was over. I moved on. And this book kinda feels the same.

I did watch Grey's Anatomy last night, and it looks like they will be killing off George's dad in the interest of revealing Burke's "deep dark" secret. Interesting. I am most disappointed that Men in Trees isn't on this week, in favor of Barbara Walters. Ugh. Really. Is there EVEN a contest there? But next week, Men in Trees is after Grey's Anatomy, which I think is an AWESOME move, and I betcha that there will be LOTS more Men In Trees fans within a few weeks. I haven't watched the Tivo'd OC episode yet. I have to say that I am really sick of Ryan all upset over Marissa. I was so sick of Marissa on the show, I was glad to see her go. And really, if he loved her SO much he wouldn't have been breaking up with her over and over. Whatever.

In the real world, hmmm. Nothing is happening. Regular week. Regular day. Had an awesome scary and vivid dream last night. My friend Brandon (who now lives in the suburbs and is expecting a baby with his wife Ryane) was somehow in it. I haven't seen him much, but I did see him for about 10 minutes at the bar the night that Anya and I had just got out of the hot tub and the whole town was abuzz with the suicidal guy who was missing. I got a big hug from him but we didn't get to talk much. He looks good.

So anyway, in the dream, we were like "back" a few years, 5 or 6 maybe. I was at a party and ran into Brandon. I had been waiting for Angela to call (story of my life, Ha ha) and she didn't, so I told Brandon and he was like "let's go find her" and so we got into his Bronco (hence the 5-6 years ago) and started driving. I was calling her on her cell phone and no answer and I said "maybe she never left Chicago" (ala class reunion style Angela) and he said "I know where to find her."

Now you have to know, that Angela is a botanist and ecologist. She has always been the animal and wildlife lover, and has been an ecosystem cheerleader. If a rainforest is in danger... she knows about it, and she has a petition you can sign. She is fabulous, and one of my two very best friends in the whole world. Brandon, and Angela, and I have know each other our entire lives. So Brandon starts driving to all the conservation areas and wildlife preserves and parks that he can find. Then he takes off through a corn field and towards the canal. I am like "whoa. where are you going?" and he is like "I know where she is." and he starts to drive like his is going to drive ACROSS the aquaduct/viaduct and I am like NO FREAKIN WAY. and all holding on and yelling at him (I hate water. Hate hate hate. ) and then suddenly there is this drop off and below, there is flowing water that goes over what looks like a little dam of ice. The ice looks slushy, like you imagine it would with water running over it, and I am like "you are not. Stop right here." and he starts DRIVING ACROSS and Through the ice and open water. He's like "it's fine. I do it all the time. I have 4 wheel drive" and I am like "I don't like this. It's not a good idea. I don't want to DIE finding Angela." and so he keeps driving and the water gets deeper and the ice is slushier and I can feel the truck sinking a little each time. Then we get up on this "island" of ice. There is no running water over this ice. I finally feel safe. And there is a sign right in front of us that says something about not going any further (I can totally see the sign in my mind, white with red and black) And just when I am like "whew!" he guns it and goes past the sign.

And we start to sink. Fast. Into the ice and water. And I am like "We are Sinking!!" and he just looks at me and says "yeah, that sucks." and I am like GET THE HELL OUT OF MY WAY and I push open the sunroof (yeah, I know, in a Bronco?) and There is HUGE chunks of ice in the way and i am pushing them aside and the water is higher than the doors and over the windows and then over the roof. And I squeeze through the sunroof and I can feel the water and the suction pushing me DOWN and I am swimming and fighting and Pushing and trying to get to the surface and it seems like I am never going to get up and out of the ice and cold water and just when I think I am going to die, I feel the air.

Then I climb up on a block of ice and was safe, and looked down for Brandon and I could see him so I reached my hand down and grabbed his and started to pull and he got out too and we were standing on the big block of ice, a complete island with rushing cold water all around us and just FREEZING cold and wet and it was DARK and WINTER and our cell phones were gone and we STILL didn't know where Angela was and I was so upset and I just woke up in bed and it was dark and 6:30am and I padded to the bathroom to pee.

How's that for a vivid dream?

1. What is your nearest lake or river? (besides the one in my dream) Probably the Illinois River, although we are also about 45 minutes from the Mississippi. We are right between the two. Nearest REAL Lake? Lake Michigan.

2. Do you believe in heaven? Yes, because that's where dogs go. But I don't know about heaven for people, because how can it be heaven without all the people you love?

3. What's your lucky number? 17

4. Ever know anyone who appeared on a game show? Not that I know of. But I remember when I was a kid that my mom was in the audience of Donahue and that made me think she was famous!

5. Charades: good times or lame? I don't really like to play just charades, but I LOVE the game Cranium. It's like Win Lose or Draw meets Charades and there is Sculpting and drawing blindfolded and all kinds of good stuff. So If it's Cranium, where you have Charades but don't do JUST Charades I think Charades are cool.