Sunday, June 29, 2008

Not Sure

I went to bed early last night. Well, early for me - about 11ish. I just got sleepy and I'd already cleaned everything in sight with my new Sonic Scrubber (love it). Then, I went thru werepig mode.

Werepig mode is when I get hungry and I don't know what I want, so I eat lots of little things trying to find the "answer". It wasn't working, so I figured going to bed would cure that.

I woke up early and in a good mood. The Evil Twin and I stayed in bed and talked for a bit. I love those moments. We laugh about stupid things. This morning, it was the saying, "Confucious say: Man who go to bed with itchy butt wake up with stinky finger."

Clearly, we have the maturity of two five year olds, but what can ya do?

Anyway, the thing that is most on my mind these days is planning our first trip to Disney next June. I am OCD about organization, plus if you knew what I'm spending on this trip, you wouldn't blame me for wanting it to be perfect.

I have two close friends who are Disney freaks and I have been pumping them for information, along with obsessively reading my guides and visiting a few websites that I've found helpful.

According to one friend, June is rainy season in Florida. Then I got to thinking (bad!). What if we pushed it back to May? The first week of May - which would mean pulling Buddy out of school... That is something I typically have been very against. But, next year is his last in elementary school and usually by May, they've wrapped up most of the learning portion of the year.

I wouldn't want later in May because 5th grade has graduation, and loads of field trips planned at the end.

So, the pros would be: trip would be a little cheaper, weather would be better and parks may be a little bit less crowded. Cons would be: having Buddy miss a week of school and have to do make-up work.

Disney won't even have their 2009 rates out until August, so I've got a month to figure it out.

Until then, we are off to Mayberry's for dinner. I need a Mayberry's cheeseburger like a crack ho needs crack.

Saturday, June 28, 2008

She wuvs everything

Sissy has gotten into this new "habit" (?) of saying the name of an object or food, and then immediately following that with "I wuv ____". For example, she'll say "Oh, chicken nuggets. I wuuuv chicken nuggets." If it's a food, sometimes, she'll also rub her tummy and say, "Yummy."

But it's everything. The other day, we were in the back yard and she picked up a leaf. "Weaf. I wuuuv weafs." (and I know it's spelled weaves, but that's the way she says it.)

She has also taken to spontaneously telling me, the Evil Twin or Buddy, "I wuv you." and give us kisses. I just think it's the cutest thing. She can also be pretty demanding for hugs.

Luckily, she's as cute as a button, so I don't mind indulging her.

I know one thing Sissy wouldn't love and that's a scumbag thief.

A fellow blogger and close personal friend of ours (I'm not going to link to his blog because he's been on hiatus for a while and I want to protect his privacy, too) had his home burgled in broad daylight earlier in the week as he and his wife were at work.

This friend of ours is in his early 20s and used to work with the Evil Twin. They became friends, despite the age difference. In fact, the Evil Twin is a few years older than our friend's own father. But, neither one of them acts their age and I think they bonded somewhere in the middle.

Our friend was born and raised here, but found a good job a few states over and moved. He and the wife bought a house, settled in and started on the regular routine about a year or so ago... I can't remember exactly.

He came home from work to find a busted window and blood in his house with half their shit missing. I guess the dirtbag got cut on the way in (good!). Whoever it was took his wife's laptop that had two years worth of school work on it - among other items (their Wii, assorted electronics).

All this stuff he and his wife had worked hard for.

Someone violated their home, their sanctuary for what most likely is drug money.

The police did get blood samples and lift fingerprints. I hope it will lead to something conclusive. In the meantime, they do have homeowner's insurance.

It's a shitty reason to need it, though.

So, if you could keep my friend and his wife in your good thoughts, prayers, what have you, I'd appreciate it.

Friday, June 27, 2008

The Peel Out Dairy Queen

Yes, this is another story from years ago, but it still makes me laugh.

The Evil Twin and I woke up one morning and were both in terrible moods. This was waaay before Buddy was born. I recall it was July - because it was the Ornament Premiere at Hallmark (I'm an addict). So, we had gone to Hallmark where I picked up my ornament order (yes, I pre-order hundreds of dollars worth of ornaments every year).

Afterwards, we were going to grab lunch out and decided on Dairy Queen in Scott Depot. So, the Evil Twin pulls up and proceeds to place the order.

He orders "Four hot dogs with chili and cheese and a large fry." He didn't bother himself with ASKING me what I wanted, he just ordered for me.

That is the point where I totally lost my shit.

I am not originally from WV - so I like my hot dogs mainly with just mustard and onions, occasionally with chili. But I feel putting cole slaw on a hot dog is really never right. And cheese? Please... I'm not from Ohio, either.

Plus, I worked at a DQ back in college. I know how they do cheese on a weiner. It's a half a slice of "It's not really a real food product" processed American cheese, not shredded cheese artfully sprinkled on the chili.

We had such a huge screaming match right there after he pulled up from the ordering speaker area that he just peeled out in the parking lot and drove off like a mad man, before we even got to the window where you pay and recieve the food.

I've often wondered who ate those four hot dogs.

Ever since then, we've referred to that Dairy Queen as "The Peel Out Dairy Queen". And yes, we did go back there to eat from time to time. But, not very often. It brought back bad memories.

But, the Evil Twin never ordered for me again.

Thursday, June 26, 2008

The Orange Tic Tac

The Evil Twin and I used to live in a different county and work in this one, so we commuted together almost every day. I liked that because I could zone out and semi-snooze while he drove. (The Evil Twin does not a good passenger make. I think I've driven the car while he rides about 4 or 5 times in 16 years).

One morning, I had a hangover and was feeling less than fresh in the breath area. I had brushed and mouthwashed at home, but my breath just wasn't feeling so groovy.

So, I asked the Evil Twin if he'd mind stopping at a convenience store to run in and get me some gum or mints or something... He said, "No problem."

Well, he (much to his credit - he's a really nice guy) goes in and when he comes back to the car, he hands me a box of orange tic tacs. I wanted to scream.

We had been married about 2 years at that point - together for about 3 and a half. I asked, "Have you EVER, in the course of knowing me, seen me eat orange candy?"

Because, friends, I HATE orange flavored things. Hate them, that's right.

And, everyone knows that orange tic tacs aren't really the number one choice for a breath-freshening candy.

What was he thinking? I don't know.

I have a blood clotting disorder and I have to take a baby aspirin every day. A friend told me that Saint Joseph's baby aspirin tasted the best. I promptly told her I didn't care because I hate orange things, so the baby aspirin goes flying to the back of my throat and is swallowed whole with a bit of ice water.

Funny enough, I do like oranges and orange juice (not my first choice for a fruit or beverage, though). It's just orange flavored things that make me gag.

The Evil Twin learned a valuable lesson that day. And I only see orange tic tacs as a joke these days. Buddy likes 'em. (who, incidentally, is the same baby who sent me flying to the toilet to vomit if I'd drink OJ while pregnant with him and still won't drink it!)

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Later Tater

I am running SO far behind this AM. I finally got a shower, but I had to use the one downstairs. Apparently, the shower massage/shower head thing in our main bathroom is defective. Hair dryers and shower heads... I live an exciting life of replacing those two things. Often.

So, I'm going to have to gather up the tots and trek to Lowe's today.

I was at WM on Monday and I did purchase a new tourmaline ion hair dryer, as suggested by my friend, K. That is the most super terrific hair dryer on the planet!! I was so disgusted with my hair, I was ready to have it chopped off. This dryer works miracles! I hope it lasts forever. Of course, I probably just jinxed myself.

It really doesn't matter - if this one dies, I'll be purchasing another one - Just. Like. It. It was only $23, which is not much more than I'd normally spend.

Ok - off to a different topic. Over the weekend, I had to visit the restroom (for a pee). While there, I noticed a blue line on the edge of the tub. Crayon! Sissy has been really digging crayons lately and I guess she decided to gussy up the tub.

I called the Evil Twin to come look at it, and we scolded her. But, I knew it would be an easy clean up job. One swipe with a Magic Eraser... I turned to walk down the hall to get said Magic Eraser and I screamed in horror.

One wall of the hallway had crayon art on it.

Buddy never did stuff like this.

That hallway is on our list of "to-dos" (it needs a fresh coat of paint, along with our bedroom). However, we aren't ready to get to it yet, so I pulled the Magic Eraser out for that too. It took all the crayon off, along with a fine layer of dry, dry flat paint (seriously, why even bother with flat paint? Even we're not that cheap).

But, it is passable until we can get around to repainting.

As I was sitting on the floor (crayon marks were at a 2 year old level), I actually started laughing. I wish I had thought to get a picture of it.

Sissy will have many interesting stories for later.... She is a handful! (But we love her like crazy). :-)

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Hopping Caviar

I went to WalMart yesterday. Of course, Buddy had a few dollars burning a hole in his pocket, so we had to pop by the toy section before we spent half an hour in the check out lane (and I am not even exaggerating).

He chose a lego toy and I got this for myself:






It's a piece of walking sushi! Well, it was only .50 cents and I just couldn't resist.

There were several different pieces ("Collect them all!"), but I chose the fish egg one. Not only is sushi just nasty in general, but this one piece has slimy unhatched fish eggs on top.

Ugh. No thanks!

Let's think of ways to make it even nastier. A booger on top, perhaps? A big doo doo log with corn and peanuts? Oh, it's too much for my barely awake brain to assimilate.
_____________________________________________
In other news, we had a hailacious hail storm on Sunday.

Leave it to your intrepid reporter to get pics. Here's one:



The whole yard was covered with these pieces of hail. The temperature dropped 10 degrees in a very short time period.

It was bizarre and a little scary. A few hours later, all the hail had melted and things were back to normal, although the yard is covered with leaves, sticks and other debris that got blown around in the high winds.

I'm off to get my day started fo real (shower, etc.). Have a totally terrific Tuesday!

Monday, June 23, 2008

Just Say No

I don't wear t-shirts. You know, the crew neck variety, sometimes with a saying or something on it? I only wear regular tops and they have to be either v-neck or square neck. I don't do 3/4 length sleeves, so it's only short or long. Many of my short sleeved tops have cap sleeves and that's okay - but it has to be some sort of sleeve.

I don't wear tanks, either. At least not out in public. I do own a few t-shirts, from years ago - mostly for sentimental reasons.

Unlike sweats, I consider t-shirts to be "real" clothes, but I just don't wear them.

There's a mom who has a son at Buddy's school. She's very pretty, but she always wears large (like way too big for her little figure) baggy t-shirts and track pants. I mean, every time I see her. I often wonder if she owns a mirror....

Don't get me wrong, it's not like I dress like some high fashionista myself. But, I do take pride in my appearance enough to try to match and look semi decent. My regular summer uniform is denim shorts and a top of some sort. I slip sandals on to leave the house.

Which is another of my "clothing" issues. Shoes.

I don't like tennis shoes and in fact, don't own any. Not.One.Pair. I don't plan to take up jogging anytime soon, but if I change my mind, I'll definitely invest in an appropriate shoe.

Until then, it's sandals in the summer and Land's End hand sewn mocs in the winter. With only beige colored socks.

It may be a mental illness, but it makes my life SO much easier.

The only times I change clothes a million times are if we're going to a decent restaurant. Otherwise, I just wear what I've got on.

For church, I might don a denim skirt... or just wear what I have on. The Catholic Church is very laid back when it comes to attire. I love that about it.

No one cares that I have tattoos. Or if they do, they don't tell me about their issues. Which, trust me, is a good thing - because I would hate to have to tell someone to stick it up their ass in church.

I have loads of other "clothing" issues. But, it helps the budget (I don't buy, buy, buy) and it makes shopping easy (I know what I'm looking for, so I don't waste time looking at everything).

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Book Meme

I was tagged for a meme from Honeywine and need to get around to that.

The dealio is:
Step One – pull out a book on the book shelf.
Step Two – go to page 123.
Step Three – read and write out the 5th sentence.
Step Four – tag 5 more people.

Just to show you how pathetic my life really is, I'm just going to grab a book close to me. This is a book I spend A LOT of time with. It's "2008 Birnbaum's Guide to Walt Disney World". I am addicted to it. I am trying to memorize it before we trek to WDW NEXT June (I'm telling ya - I'm a sicko).

"As always, we advise calling 407-842-4321 to confirm schedules." (that refers to Entertainment in the Magic Kingdom).

Of course, I'll buy the 2009 version when that comes out too - and that will give me only 6 months to commit it to memory. There is, however, an online guide that can be downloaded to a PDA and used for parks' reference whilst you are actually AT WDW. I plan on buying that too. And, there's also "Pal Mickey" - an interactive stuffed Mickey that will pipe up and tell you when things will be happening and what times. He's another purchase.

Cause, dammit! My family is going to have FUN for the amount of cash I'm laying on this vacation.

Friday, June 20, 2008

WV Day

It's West Virginia day, but I'm not going to blog on that. I'm not originally from the area, although the Evil Twin is - I just don't feel like I'm as knowledgeable as need be. Y'all know how I feel anyway. WV is breathtakingly beautiful and I feel like I'm on vacation every day.

My hair dryer is broken. Again.

I go thru hair dryers like a hobo does wine. I guess I just work them too hard.

This time, it's the little slidey thing that regulates the temperature. It just slides all willy-nilly, but only stays on the hotter than blue blazes temperature.

I DO mostly use that setting, but I also like to move it to cool towards the end to really make sure all my hair is dry. If it's not fully dry, I can expect random hair mutiny later on.

That is simply not part of my agenda.

So, I guess I need to run out (AGAIN!) and buy a new dryer. I only spend $10 to $20 on them because I know mine don't last long.

Luckily, mine still does work - if not completely properly - because if it didn't, I'd be at Kmart right now for replacement. With wet hair. Actually, I'd pull it back and hope no one noticed.

I see fancy dryers for a lot more than my budget will allow. I wonder sometimes if I paid the premium price, would the dryer last longer?

I'm not a betting gal, but I'd have to think probably not. And since I'm cheap on top of being cautious, there will be no "test" for my theory.

Unless some company sends me a free one. In that case, I'd put that bitch thru it's paces.

I think it's a conspiracy from the hair dryer manufacturers.

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Another Lucky Day!

The Evil Twin is off work for the next coupla days. He took today off as a vacation day and tomorrow is WV Day, so it's a regular holiday for where he works.

This weekend is also the big city-wide yard sale gig. He and Buddy are going to Wonderfest in July, so they're trying to get money for their weekend there.

I refuse to be involved in anything yard-sale-ish.

Of course, as luck would have it, Sissy woke up really early this morning - on a potentially "sleep in" (even if for just a wee tiny bit) morning.

You know, there is no better therapy than hammock therapy.

I had a bit yesterday and it was most excellent.

Then, the Evil Twin called from his cell phone to tell me he'd been in a car accident. He was rear-ended by an apparently inebrieted "rode hard and put away wet" woman.

The damage to the bumper is very minimal (just scuffs, really). It still pisses me off. It seems like he and I both have bulls-eyes on our vehicles.

My van still sports dents from getting a hit n run about a year ago in a parking lot. Whatever hit my back end was a truck or SUV (higher than my short wheel base van). It's going to cost us $300 to have the repairs done and I can't really "afford" to have it in the shop for long because it's our main vehicle.

It's already been in the shop once, after I got rear ended when I was pregnant with Sissy. The replacement van I initially got smelled like smoke so badly that I had to return it after only hours. The next van I got was a super duper base model without even the remote lock feature.

The Evil Twin's car was damaged the next week in his work parking lot. The rental he had? Same base model van I'd had the week before.

Cursed, I'm telling ya.

I may not leave the driveway today. Not like I can afford it anyway.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Uninspired

Uninspired doesn't mean unhappy - it just means not feeling too creative or chatty today.

I took the kids to the pool yesterday. That makes me feel weird saying it. I'm always worried that someone will take it figuratively and think I mean, "I took a dump", but no. I'm a girl, I don't do that sort of business. LOL. But, I literally put my children in swim suits and we went to the actual swimming pool.

It was a cooler day when the wind blew, so Buddy was standing there shivering. Sissy and I had a good time. It was the first time of the season we had gone. We belong to a private pool, so it's always not too crowded. Sissy and I had the baby pool to ourselves.

I'm going on day three of no sex. It doesn't make me a happy camper, nor necessarily an unhappy camper, but it does make me a horny camper, so there.

Seems like someone (the Evil Twin) will be busy later on whether he wants to be or not.

It also seems like I have been at the Kroger's every evening for one or two things. I had to go last night. Even though it was Tuesday evening, and all the elderly had completed their shopping, it was a fricking madhouse in there. I came home and told the Evil Twin that they should just change the name to Cavalcade of Morons.

Seriously, folks, open your eyes! When you're blocking an entire aisle with your shopping cart and others (yours truly) are standing behind you trying to get by (and in a hurry, I might add), move your fucking cart!!!

To make matters worse, no one told me we were out of toilet paper before my little shopping nightmare, so guess where I'll be later?

That's right. At the Cavalcade of Morons buying apples and toilet paper. Nothing screams "I need to wipe my ass!!!" like buying a large package of TP and maybe one or two other items.

Then again, I'm a girl and thusly do not do that kind of thing.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

My Funny Man

Last night, I checked my email before I went to bed. I had an email from my husband - who sits downstairs on his computer some evenings and emails me stuff.



It was this picture:




It was accompanied by this note: Honey, Just in case any of your blog regulars want to know what I looked like when I had hair, here is a portrait that you can show them. I don't mind.

This is, of course, not my husband. Even when he HAD hair (which he did when I met him).

Humor can go a long way to making a relationship work.

His sense of humor was the second thing I found most attractive about him - aside from his general good looks. So: face, sense of humor, hands.

I like a man with nice hands. Clean fingernails and nails of a normal length (trimmed and in shape). A long time ago, there was a guy who pursued me in an almost stalker like manner. He was a nail biter. That right there sealed his fate to never get a date with me.

He had unacceptable hands.

I guess we all have our deal breakers. I'd be interested to hear yours, if you want to share them in the comments....

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Bunny Rescue Squad

The Evil Twin had to get out and take care of the yard today. Yes, it's Father's Day, but it needed to be done. We have a veritable zoo around our property and when he went out to get started, a bunny was startled and dove into a hole in our chain link fence.

He overestimated his ability to get fully thru the opening and his fat little butt was caught. The Evil Twin called me to come help. It was decided to get wire cutters to snip one part of the fence, so he could escape. My job was to hold back some branches that were in the way.

The poor little fella had tired himself out kicking and wriggling, so when the Evil Twin cut and moved the wire, the bunny just sat there. The Evil Twin had to lift up his little back feet and give him a push. Our little bunny friend ran off, unharmed, but definitely shaken and scared.

Later, I took the dinner order. The Evil Twin wanted my Paprika Chicken. That involved a trip to the store. I didn't mind because I needed some other things anyway.

I got in my van, buckled up and started it up. All of a sudden, I was hit by a flying something. A cicada! Bleeech! I was more terrified than the baby bunny, I think. I screamed like a chick in a horror movie.

I quickly removed my seat belt and bolted out the driver's side, still screaming (and I am not even joking about that) with the engine still running. I ran up to the door, practically in tears.

The Evil Twin looked all over my van and said the cicada in question had probably flown back out thru the open door.

I'm not the kind to have huge entomological problems, but those cicadas are nasty, disgusting critters. And they're not small, either. But, if it stings, is a fly or roach or cicada, you can count me out.

The whole incident gave me the skeeving jibblies.

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Father's Day

Tomorrow's the big day, but the Evil Twin likes to incorporate the whole weekend for his celebration.

I had ordered him an assortment of Try My Nuts products. Since they're a food item, I went ahead and gave them to him when they arrived about two weeks ago. We're still snacking away on stuff. They're tasty!

I had heard of this company from Buzzardbilly. It's one she and her husband enjoy. See, Buzzard is truly one of the pickiest eaters I know - thus, I can take it to heart if she says something is yum-tastic. I figure it's not being picky as much as it is being a discerning eater!

The Evil Twin is taking a nap and I am waiting on him to awaken and send me out to pick up Saturday Night Special, which I believe is going to be Cap'n D's. We went to Mayberry's for dinner last night (I was craving the cheeseburger), but no one in town is serving tomatoes - since they're apparently loaded with eColi or something, so we are bummed. My burger was good as usual, but having no tomato on it was sad.

I mentioned earlier that Saturday Night Special should probably be someplace not tomato dependant, like seafood. The Evil Twin is all about some Cap'n D's... I am not so much a fan. So, many times when that restaurant is bandied about in the list of our choices, I say, "Ugh. No seafood." It tends to give me the grease willies.

I'm not a fan of the fish plank, so I stick with shrimp, but even those contain a fairly large amount of grease.

Oh well, I do like the cole slaw.

So, it's all about the Evil Twin this weekend. I guess I'll be waiting on him even more hand and foot than usual. Let's hope he doesn't request I walk around topless all evening (trust me, he has asked before).

If any of my readers are dads - human kids or furry kids, have a happy day!

Friday, June 13, 2008

Wasting Time

I've been extremely lazy the last couple of days. Yesterday, I planned to gather up the kids and go to the pool, but Sissy took a nap (something she almost never does) and Buddy, who at 10 is already a sullen teenager, slept most of the day too. He doesn't really have a set bedtime during summer break.

It also rained just briefly early in the day, so that kinda pointed to signs of "no pool".

Today is Friday the 13th, so I'm debating the safety of leaving the house and further, being around water. The Evil Twin says I shouldn't be superstitious, but really, why push it?

Soooo, I finally got in the shower (wasn't going to shower until AFTER the pool, IF we went). And now my hair and face are all ready.

I'm sweating my ass off after being under the super hot hair dryer.

I guess I'll have to break down and switch the AC on in a bit. Our outside thermometer is saying it's 94 already, but my Weather Station desktop icon is saying 89. Doesn't really matter - it's hot.

And the nasty cicadas are ruining my summer. They're so gross and they are everywhere. Live ones flying all over and dead ones littering the yard. Blech!

Thanks for coming by to waste some time with me today - I've got to get laundry going. ::::Sigh::::

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Irony

Yesterday, I went to get the mail. We only had two things in the mailbox. One thing for the the Evil Twin and a piece of junk mail for moi:



Now, these people are clearly wasting their money sending this to me.

The Evil Twin and I have more sex than should be allowed for a 15 year old marriage. (TMI - sorry 'bout that, folks, but you know? We ARE married!).

In fact, I wake him up some nights if he goes to bed before I do, just to molest him. He doesn't mind.

It reminds me of a joke I tell.

When a couple first gets together, they have "all over the house" sex. The kitchen, bathroom, living room - no place is safe. After a few years of being together, it evolves into "bedroom" sex - strictly the bedroom and bed. Several years later, it becomes "hallway" sex. This is where they pass in the hallway, give each other the finger and say "Fuck you!"

Since we have children, we're somewhere between stage 1 and 2. Mostly 2. You know, in case the oldest one wakes up and needs us, at least we'd be behind a closed and locked door.

We've only been "caught" once and that was pretty tame. The Evil Twin had his mouth on one breast and Buddy came in and asked what he was doing.

The Evil Twin said he was "Just smelling mommy's armpit." Not a real plausible answer, but the only one he could come up with at a moment's notice.

Since then, we shut and lock the door. LOL.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Didn't Know It

I've been watching the show "Dead Like Me", thanks to Ron. He lent me the DVDs of the two seasons it ran when he visited in April. I'm just now finding the time to watch them.

I'm currently on Season 2 and I really enjoy it. The basic premise is that an 18 year old girl dies in a freak accident, but instead of "moving on", she joins a crew of the undead (reapers) who are facilitators for the living soon to be dead.

Not surprisingly, the show has some sad moments, but surprisingly, the show is also full of humor and the regular daily examples of what makes life worth living.

Mandy Patinkin plays the role of Rube, who is the "supervisor" of the crew of reapers. In one episode, he is at a yoga studio in preparation of assisting a soon to be dead soul. The yoga instructor is asked by an attractive participant to demonstrate a complicated yoga move in order to help perfect hers.

I was shocked that the "move" was something I do regularly - a contorted position I put myself in just for the hell of it - because it makes my back feel better.

I'm incredibly limber. And double jointed. (Use your imagination). Maybe I should take up yoga.

This was the pose: The Plow Pose. It makes my back feel good.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Doctor Doctor

I have an appointment with my neurologist today. I have to see her or the physician's assistant about 3 times a year.

Luckily, it's one doctor's visit that I don't need to worry about having to get naked for and I don't get poked at all. They just ask the same questions - blah, blah, blah.

I'm glad that my appointment is at 1 pm. That gives me plenty of time to get myself and the kids ready in the morning. The Evil Twin is coming home at noon to hang out with them while I make the trek downtown - thank goodness he can do that! I would hate to have to drag them both down to my appointment.

So, I'll get to see if "they" want me to have another MRI. My last one came back with only a slight change in brain activity.

I don't mind the MRI tube. It's comforting. What is not comforting is the daily injection ritual. 8 years old and it still feels like a bitch.

And I am not a needle-phobic person. I have three tattoos. My tats represent something tangible, something beautiful. I can't say as much for my other injections.

I dread these visits for a far more important reason. Will "they" find I've become less a person? Will "they" want me to give a little bit more of me away with meds and appointments and poking and prodding?

I have MS. It doesn't have me.

Saturday, June 7, 2008

The Ship Song

This was the only video I could find of this particular version of the song. The intro is about one minute long before the song starts, but it is one of my favorites from Nick Cave. All his songs are really brilliant, though.



Come sail your ships around me
And burn your bridges down
We make a little history, baby
Every time you come around

Come loose your dogs upon me
And let your hair hang down
You are a little mystery to me
Every time you come around

We talk about it all night long
We define our moral ground
But when I crawl into your arms
Everything comes tumbling down

Come sail your ships around me
And burn your bridges down
We make a little history, baby
Every time you come around

Your face has fallen sad now
For you know the time is nigh
When I must remove your wings
And you, you must try to fly

Come sail your ships around me
And burn your bridges down
We make a little history, baby
Every time you come around

Come loose your dogs upon me
And let your hair hang down
You are a little mystery to me
Every time you come around

Friday, June 6, 2008

The Nutty Professor Does Karaoke


A few days before school was out, Buddy brought home a little goodie bag of candies and such from his teacher. Included in the bag was a rubber ducky.



It's about the weirdest ducky toy I've seen. Yesterday evening, the Evil Twin and I were talking about it.

ETW: This thing is weird. What is it? He's got these crazy hypnotic eyes thing going on and he's holding a microphone.

TET: Uhhh, that's a TEST TUBE.

ETW: Oh! That makes sense then.

TET: What? Did you think he was a fucking American Idol contestant?
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In other news, I received a lovely award from Honeywine! I was chagrined when I noticed that she was not on my blogroll, even though I read her blog every day. I thought she was, but then again, I also thought a toy rubber duck was holding a microphone. The award is:



How cute is that? I guess I need to spread the lurve. Will do, end of blog.
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My submission to my photo group in the landscape category was this:



A few days later, Buzzardbilly called and told me about fog rolling out of the valleys, so I also took this:



Both are views from my front yard. The first one I tweaked a bit in Picasa. The 2nd one, I only resized. I'm lucky to have such a view.
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I'm not going to do links for the award - y'all can find them all at the blogroll to the right, listed under "Other Pit Stops".


In no particular order:

Buzzardbilly

The Blonde Goddess

Warped Mind of Ron

Wyldth1ng from Wyld's Q&A

Tiff from No Accent Yet

Rennratt

Kenju from Imagine What I'm Leaving Out

Stew from Get Stewed

Dave from Silver Creek 78250

Juanuchis from Juanuchis' Way

Thursday, June 5, 2008

The Wedding Shoes




Sissy looooooves shoes. She especially loves to wear other people's shoes and then clomp around the house in them.

This morning, she was rooting around in the closet I share with the Evil Twin and found my wedding shoes.

She must have been digging hard because they were in the very back. In a box. And each wrapped in its' own little plastic bag. Exactly as they had arrived to me.

I saw them in a bridal magazine and thought they would go with my dress perfectly, so I ordered them. Then, I worried the heel would be too high and I would match or tower over the Evil Twin. (I'm a tall gal).

Of course, seeing Sissy in my shoes brought back memories. The day was rather bittersweet for us. You see, the Evil Twin had been married when we met. I liked him as a person, but hey, he was a married man. As was my luck back then, all the good ones were married or gay.

So, we were friends. And I was friends with his then wife, too. I often wondered how they got together because they didn't have much in common.

Turns out the marriage was over before I ever met either one of them. She had packed her bags and threatened to leave on several occasions.

Finally, she said it was over and that left the Evil Twin single. We ended up living together (and doing other things together as well LOL).

A year and a half later, we got engaged.

His then ex-wife flew off the handle. She threatened to crash the wedding. My parents considered hiring security.

I couldn't understand the hate she was dishing out for us when she clearly left the relationship of her own accord. Like many things in life, jealousy can be an ugly, ugly beast. She was jealous.

Despite her ugly ways, we had a lovely wedding, without incident.

Almost fifteen years, two houses, two children and boundless love later, here we are.

And he's still the hottest thing I ever laid eyes on.

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

The ABCs of Me, Me, Me

I stole this from my pal,kwr at Give Me A Minute.....

Accent: Southern-ish. Evil Twin says I sound like a magpie.

Bra size: LOL. I don’t know. Bigger than a 36 D apparently.

Chore I hate: all of them, bathrooms the most.

Dad’s name: Billy Robert _______

Essential make-up: eyeliner

Favorite perfume: Coco Chanel or Clinique Happy (currently the Chanel)

Gold or Silver: silver

Hometown: Birmingham, AL.

Interesting fact: I could read at the college level by the time I was 7.

Job title: Domestic Engineer

Kids: son, Buddy (10) and daughter, Sissy (2).

Living arrangements: Ranch style house with full finished basement in WV with my husband and two chili-beans. And a bird.

Mom’s Birthplace: Elba, AL.

Number of apples eaten in last week: One half.

Overnight hospital stays: 2 as an adult (one for each c-section) and one as a child. I refused to stay overnight after an ectopic (tubal) pregnancy surgery.

Phobia: Bees

Question you ask yourself a lot: Do I have enough wine?

Religious affiliation: Catholic (convert in my 30s).

Siblings: 1 younger brother (adopted, who I was raised with). 1 younger biological sister and 1 younger biological brother (not raised with).

Time I wake up: For summer break, about 7:30am

Unnatural hair color: With black hair, I have to cover the greys.

Vegetable I refuse to eat: mushrooms... brussels sprouts (ditto).

Worst habit: Laziness.

X-rays: Bunches. And I get to spend time in the MRI often, too.

Yummy food I make: meatballs, enchiladas, pound cake

Zodiac sign: Taurus

Who's next?

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

What Picnic?

Today is the school picnic for Buddy's school. It looks like we're going to have rain today and furthermore, Buddy is still in bed (at a bit after 10A). If he gets up soon and wants to go, I suppose we can always head in that direction.

Honestly, I dreaded it anyway. Sissy would have been all over that park and the shelter they reserve each year is really close to a lake. The lake is lovely, but the kids tend to play a bit close to it for my liking.

I could swim like a fish by age 2, but my kids are more timid than I was. Buddy is a good (I wouldn't say strong, but decent) swimmer. Sissy is not. She'll get swim lessons this summer, but last year, she didn't really want anything to do with the kiddie pool. I tried and she would sit in it with me sometimes - but it took a lot of coaxing to even get her to that point. Anyway, that's the round about way of saying that lake makes me nervous.

And, I do keep a really close eye on my children at all times, but Sissy is very quick. I could turn my back for a second and she could be running towards water.

It's time for my injection (past time, actually... I've been putting it off because yesterday was top left thigh and it hurt....). I have a blog idea that I stole from kwr today, perhaps I'll post that later on.

Monday, June 2, 2008

Haterz

Peanut Perfume

I'm sorry, but this Planter's commercial cracks me up. The Evil Twin thinks it's mean spirited. I can see his point, but it's still funny. I prefer Coco Chanel, but this would definitely work in my household! Maybe I'm just a cruel human being.

Sunday, June 1, 2008

Thoughts

I keep this little piece of paper hanging on my fridge. I love the little bird. He's so tiny and fuzzy.

Sunday Stuff

It's just after noon and I'm already finished with my Sunday paper stuff. Also finished the crossword puzzle and cryptoquip.

The crossword puzzle drives me batty, but I love it. If it was too easy, I'd feel cheated out of the challenge. Likewise, if the cryptoquip letter is a common one (E, T, I), it's too easy to string the words together. I like it when it's a hard letter and it takes me a while to figure it out.

Either way - easy ordifficult - I have to groan at the answer. It's often some ridiculous pun or something equally cheesy.

So, I'm done with all my Sunday stuff. What will I do with the rest of my day? Buddy only has two more days of school left - tomorrow is track and field day (they have relays and get ribbons, etc) and Tuesday is the school picnic, so both days are "jeans days" (no uniforms), so I don't even have uniform laundry to get ready for the next week.

I've tried to work on my photography landscape. I wanted to get the view of the mountains, but it's so humid and hazy, I might have to find a different photo victim.

See? The life of a hausfrau IS glamorous! Yawn....