Settle In, Get A Snack

I was born in Alabama in 1968. I was given up for adoption at birth. Back then, girls who weren’t married didn’t keep the babies unless they wanted to bring shame on their family. I was placed in a foster home until the paperwork for the adoption could be completed. I was two months old when the adoption took place.
I often say that if God had let me hand pick my parents, I couldn’t have done a better job. I was adopted by a wonderful, loving couple who were unable to have children of their own. After they had turned in their paperwork to be on the list for adoption, they waited only 6 months before they got the word that I would be theirs.

I knew I was adopted for as long as I can remember. My parents never withheld that information from me. When I was younger, people would often ask me if I wanted to find my birth mother. I never really gave it much thought until after I became a mother myself right before my 30th birthday. I figured it would be good to find out more about my medical background and - as a mother - I realized that if I were in my birth mother’s shoes, I’d want to know the baby I had to give up was happy and healthy and had a good life.

I still didn’t really act on finding her at that time, though. I did visit some adoption websites and check if anyone was looking for someone with my same birth date and details. I never found anything.

The summer before my dad passed away, Buddy and I were visiting and I was working on Dad’s computer (I was his IT person, LOL). When I was finished, he said, “There’s a box in my closet you might be interested in looking at.” I had a feeling it had something to do with my adoption and I really did not want to get into that that day. I said, “Dad, I don’t have time now, but I will look at it soon.”
Several months later, Dad passed away and I spent the next 14 months taking care of my mom - she was in bad health even before Dad died, and she needed me. One night, she fell and broke her pelvis. I had to coerce her into going to the hospital. I spent a lot of time going back and forth from their house to the hospital and one day, I decided to look in that box.

I had a name. A different name than my current name. I thought, “She named me. She cared.” Somehow it just seemed like proof to me that perhaps she really didn’t want to let me go, but circumstances prevented her from keeping me. There was another document in the file regarding the laws in Alabama in regards to a closed adoption. The legislation had changed in the year 2000 to allow adoptees to petition the court and receive copies of any documents in their sealed file. I sent $20 and my info - I received my original birth certificate with my birth mother’s name and address on it.

In doing some research online, I located a woman in the area listed on my birth certificate who operated as a “Search Angel”. She helped adopted people looking for information in her city and gave them what she could find. She was an angel, alright. She emailed me back within a few hours with details about my birth mother’s parents and their last known address - in North Carolina - and their death dates. So, I had quite a bit MORE information.

I kept searching online and finally found my birth mother, but couldn’t find a phone number and didn’t want to send a letter. So, I entered my information that I had into a few adoption websites and hoped that someone would be looking for me and find the trail I had left.

A year after I had entered that information, I got a phone call from a younger female. She is my biological sister and is 6 years younger than me. My biological mother had gotten pregnant when she was 17 and had me 3 days after her 18th birthday (I knew that already), but several years later she and my biological father got married and had two more children. A third child was stillborn. They had gotten divorced in the early 80s. My biological sister and I traded pictures online and she could be my twin.

Anyway, after I spoke to my sister, several hours later, my biological mom called and we talked for hours. I still talk to both of them and we email frequently. We plan a get together soon, but my sister is in school, studying for her LPN and really can’t get away until after mid December.

Oh, and this is probably the funniest thing: when my bio parents got married - he was Catholic, she was Presbyterian and they really (in the hippy dippy 70s in San Francisco) wanted to find a religion they could both practice and feel comfortable. They settled on Judaism. So, my sister and brother were raised (and still are) Jewish and I am Catholic.

I have not spoken with my brother and my bio father is still unsure that he wants to get involved. I'm not sure he's convinced I am his, even though the pictures don't lie. That's okay. I'm not looking for replacement parents. I was looking for some insight into my ethnic and medical background - I'm Irish, baby! Whooot!

Also, my bio mom is only 4 feet 11 inches. I am nearly 5 foot 9! LOL. I think that is hilarious. I think I'm the tallest in the immediate family.

I'm enjoying getting to know this new side of my life. I've learned so much and I think I've made my bio mom happy and helped her realize she made the right choice. For both of us.

It's That Time of Year, Again

And no, I don't necessarily mean the holidays, although that is part of it. It just seems like once Thanksgiving is over, time speeds up and sends us hurtling into Christmas, New Year's, Buddy's Birthday, Sissy's Birthday and then - whew - I can relax. After I've written all the Thank You notes for the gifts!

Between Christmas cards and Thank You cards, I probably spend a good $50 in postage alone during the holidays.

It's pretty cool, though, because we have a lot of friends who live out of town and if they're going to squeeze in a trip "back home", Christmas or New Year's seem to be popular times. Since Sissy has her early bedtime, friends can usually be bribed into coming to our house and spending time here.

It's also the time of year my sinuses go all crazy. If Buddy comes home from school with a cold, the rest of the family will eventually get it, but with me - it'll hang on FOR WEEKS. Usually until I'm in such pain from coughing, I have to call my doctor and beg for liquid codeine, like some sort of drug addict. I'll get the big jug of codeine and a prescription for a Z pack.

Luckily, I only have a few more gifts to get, but unfortunately, it's for my biological sister, her husband and his two small boys. Keep in mind, I just got to know my sister in July, and I don't really know much about her husband or step sons, so it's actually going to take some sleuthing and good picking.

Happy Speedy Weeks!

The Tidy Bowl?

Okay, we have two brand new toilets in this house (well, new since Summer time) and I'm an avid bowl cleaner. I even bought those Scrubbing Bubbles toilet wands and brushes for all three bathrooms. All bowls get a regular swabbing.

Then, why is it the toilets collect black-ish looking junk under the rim that never wants to budge? Is this a matter of just needing to slather it in bleach, let it sit, then scrub with sandpaper (or something equally abrasive)?

I'm just really annoyed by having 2 new toilets and they aren't as sparkly as when they were first brought home.

I can't even guesstimate how much money I've spent over the years trying to find the perfect bowl cleaner. I've used the drop ins, I've used Kaboom, I've scrubbed with a hard bristle brush (really hard) and still.... there's a yucky bit of "junk" under that rim!

I'm desperate friends. If you have any tried and true, guaranteed formula for the toilet problem that has me flummoxed, I'd appreciate it. It's been shameful to stand before you and admit my toilet defeat, so please no LOLs.

Things That Make Me Go GRRRRR

A few months ago, we bought the Evil Twin a new computer. I think I've disclosed that he does graphic design work and has freelance work every now and then. His old computer wasn't able to keep up with the types of jobs necessary. So, Welcome Brand New HP desktop - with Vista! Eeeeek.

First, I had to buy some mighty expensive software because you can no longer "borrow" copies from your friends and install them on your computer - at least not the mega expensive design programs that he needs. He installs that stuff - so far, so good.

I wanted to scan a photo, so I was using his computer - that's where the scanner is, but it won't work. ET says he needs to download a new scanner driver to get it to work with Vista. I also discover that I can no longer print wirelessly from my laptop to either printer we have in the office. Apparently, all these issues are related to Vista.

The Evil Twin went online and tried and tried to find a new driver for the the scanner, at least. It's an HP scanner, HP Computer--- he got a message that THIS HP Scanner is not supported in Windows Vista. We just bought this thing not too long ago. So, on top of a new computer, new software and possibly a new printer, we have to buy a new scanner. Oh, and we gave Evil Twin's old desktop to Buddy for his room, so that required the purchase of a wireless adapter card so Buddy could use the wi-fi. Not to mention the new printer cable we had to get so the new HP could be hooked up to the HP Laser Printer.

Why don't they tell you in advance it's gonna be a money pit? Crappity. I plan to make a little phone call to HP support tomorrow and log a complaint. Hell, if I act the way I usually do, maybe I'll get a discount on a new scanner. Tee hee. My dad was right, I should have been a lawyer.

A Sunday By Any Other Name...

Is still a Sunday. My Sundays don't vary much. Maybe the time I get my shower is a little different each week, but that's about it. The dag-gone crossword puzzle was out to get me today, I think. It was harder than usual, but I did finish it and I didn't even have to resort to "Google Cheating".

This whole weekend has been pretty ho-hum, actually. I knew we didn't want to deal with the crowds, so shopping was out and we had plenty of food, although we did get Wendy's on Friday due to holiday food fare burn out.

The Evil Twin drags home new music all the time and I'm not even sure what all we have - there are literally hundreds of CDs in the collection. I had read an article on Amy Winehouse and asked if we had her newest CD. He said "yes", so I found it and gave it a listen (it's easy to find things because the Evil Twin keeps all CDs and DVDs in alphabetical order). Now, that girl is a hot mess, but she can sing. I only had the patience to sit thru about half of it last night, but I liked what I heard and will try to finish the listen tonight. While I do laundry, unload and reload the dishwasher and have a conversation with my biological mom - we have a routine. She calls me on Sunday Evenings and I call her on either Wednesday or Thursday Evenings, depending on her schedule.

I promise I will get around to telling the story of my adoption and my reunion with my biological family. It's completely surreal - even to me, even 6 months later. I'll even try to get to it this week sometime. How's that for a loving friend?

A Holiday Update from Casa Evil Twin

We had a really nice day - laid back. We had all gotten up fairly early because Sissy makes that happen. I started on my pound cake and boiling the potatoes for mashing. I wanted to really boil the hell out of them, because the Evil Twin doesn't want any lumps in his AT ALL. So I wanted those suckers to be reaaaallly soft!

They were a tiny bit lumpy, but at least they were soft lumps. The pound cake turned out great. I had asked the Evil Twin if he wanted me to do a turkey breast or pick up stuff from Heavenly Ham and he voted on Heavenly Ham, so I was totally off the hook for bird duty. Although we did joke with Buddy that we were going to put Apple (our budgie) on a stick and cook him for a meal. [True tidbit: Budgie is short for Budgerigar, which means "Good to Eat" in the aboriginal language - they probably taste like chicken!]

Apple was in no danger. He's too cute and entertaining to get the "fried bird on a stick" treatment. I have raised this wild bird myself and trained him to be a real family pet. He still gets nippy from time to time, but he knows if he acts ugly, he gets put back into his beloved cage - and really, he does love it. It's BIG, like a McMansion for such a tiny bird.

My brother and his wife and their two children stopped by later in the evening yesterday and that was actually nice. My brother and I don't have the best relationship and his wife and I have an even worse relationship. There has been a lot of bad blood between us, especially since my brother and my parents' died. I got no help from him on anything and handled the entire estate by myself (paperwork, selling of contents, shoring up the house with updates and putting it on the market, etc.), so that's been a point of contention.

Our niece and nephew are as cute as can be and both friendly, outgoing kids. I just loved seeing them again (as you can tell, another point of contention, we don't get to see them often!)

I hope you all had lovely days with your families or friends and watched some ball.

And, a special gift for Renn: My Tats:

8 Things

Buzzardbilly over at Buzzardbilly tagged me for the 8 Things meme, an instant meme where I tell eight random or interesting (or both) things about me, then I tag 8 more bloggers. (I totally ripped that last part off from her - hee hee.).

1. I have three tattoos and would love to have one more. I'm waiting on the Evil Twin to design it for me.

2. I'm not much of a meat eater and I don't eat anything with a bone. I've never had a buffalo wing.

3. When I was 20, I got my hair done in a mohawk (yes, shaved completely to the scalp on both sides). My hair grows very fast, so within three weeks, I had a crew cut.

4. I was adopted at 2 months old, but this past summer found my biological mother and sister. That's a whole 'nother blog.

5. If I find a pubic hair anywhere in my house, I know it's not mine. I've shaved "down there" for 20 years.

6. I am bi and a half lingual (bet you thought I was going somewhere else with that, didn't you?). I speak English, Spanish and a little bit of French.

7. I was raised Baptist, was agnostic for many years and converted to Catholocism about 4 years ago.

8. My mom sent me to Charm School in Georgia, run by the Miss Georgia 1977 or 78. We walked with books on our heads and that sort of thing. FWIW, I'm the crudest person I know. LOL.

Oh, I'm not going to tag anyone. I think everyone's been hit, but if you haven't and if you want to do the 8 Things, help yourself - and let me know you did so I can read your lists. I'd be interested in everyone's answers!

Even Better Today!

Ah, I got to sleep in a little bit and I'm finding that having my nearly 10 yr old son at home is a good deal. I paid Buddy a buck to watch Sissy while I got a shower. LOL. If I don't get up early and get my shower, trying to get one after Sissy is up is tricky bidness.

Then, after I got my shower and got Sissy dressed for the day, I started on my Chex Mix. I love the smell and just the fun of making my own Chex Mix. My family likes only Rice Chex, Corn Chex and peanuts, so I follow the basic recipe and then just wing it on amounts of those three things. It smells so good in here! I'm about halfway finished with the mix!

I did some dusting earlier, so the Big Ass TV looks nice. I'll clean the oven down after I'm done with the Chex Mix and it cools off a bit. I've got laundry and dishes that need attended to, so that will happen at some point today! Yippee!

I think it's about time to put Sissy down for her early nap and I can get more done for a bit.

I'm so thankful this year. I'm thankful I was able to have Sissy almost 2 years ago. She really completes our family and adds so much joy. I'm thankful for The Evil Twin and Buddy. I'm thankful for this blog and having a space to write out my thoughts and feelings and for friends who stop by and leave comments. I've "met" so many cool people these last few months! There's waaaaay more I could add, but in the interest of brevity, I'll leave it at that!

Feeling Better Today

Thanks to all my blogger friends who had kind words for me yesterday, or even the people who stopped by to read... I feel so much better today.



I had a pleasant surprise this morning. A good friend of mine called early and asked what my plans for the day were. I told her I was going to WalMart and she asked if I wanted company. We stopped by Cracker Barrell for breakfast and went to the grocery store. It was nice to have someone to chat with . Sissy acted like a demon all morning, but that's kinda her regular MO.



I picked up my prescription and started taking that again. I also found a really neat "toy" at WalMart - it's a doll of Mary, the mother of Jesus. She's a little larger than Barbie size and she quotes passages from the book of Luke. The area next to her on the shelf was empty, but I looked at the tag with the price and it was Jesus! Sold out, though. They also had Moses, David and a couple of others. I bought her for Sissy as a Christmas present, but she's just so cool, I might keep her for myself.




Please don't think I'm making light of this doll. Myself and the children are Catholics and Mary is such an important part of the Catholic faith. Plus, she makes me feel better.



I'm also relieved that this was Buddy's last day of school. Having a school aged child is almost as much work for the parent as it is the child. I have to supervise and assist with homework (i.e. nag him to get it done), get him up in the morning, give him breakfast and make sure he looks nice for school. The fourth grade teacher is very big on the uniform policy and the boys will get in trouble if they are missing a belt for the day. Tuesdays and Thursdays are Mass days, so I make sure he has his tie on those days as well. It's usually just chaos during the school year, so I'm happy to have a few days "off". The Evil Twin is off on Thursday and Friday, so it's a nice long weekend for all of us!


I'm hoping the weather on Friday or the weekend is halfway decent because I'm trying to talk ET into vacuuming and washing my van. It could really use it!


I'll be back tomorrow evening and in the meantime, I'll be lurking on my blogroll over there - leaving comments and love!

Bleh

I've had such a bleh day. Every Monday it seems like I have no energy, I feel anxious and depressed. This Monday, it's probably because I haven't had my anti-depressant since Saturday.

See, I was at Walmart on Thursday to get my prescription refilled. I had called my doctor's office prescription line on Tuesday to request a refill and felt a 2 day waiting period would be sufficient. Well, my prescription wasn't there and when I called the docs to ask after it, I was told they didn't call in scrips on Wednesday and mine wouldn't be called in until after 6 pm on Thursday (the day I was there). So, I said, "Well, I'm here now." And she said, "Well, we can't do it now."

Seeing as how I was unwilling to waste gas to go back to Walmart for just one prescription, I figured I'd wait until I was there next time I was grocery shopping. Turns out, that'll be tomorrow. I took my last pill on Saturday morning and it's been downhill since then.

I get that particular med filled at Walmart because it falls under their $4 plan. Walmart is not super convenient for me, but I do get there at least once a week for my main shopping trip.

If I didn't like my doctor so well, I'd be finding a different physician. But, this wasn't his fault - this falls squarely on the office employees and their new prescription line policies.

Then, we have to add in the upcoming holidays that add to my gloom. My dad passed away in September 2004. My mom followed 14 months later in November 2005 (two days after Thanksgiving). Neither of them lived to see Sissy and that breaks my heart. My dad would have loved her so much.

Mischief and Merriment

I was prodded to do this particular blog by Buzzardbilly and since she suggested it, I figured it might make for an interesting topic.

Before I met the Evil Twin, I dated a guy who lived in town here, while I was in college at Marshall in Huntington, so I'd come home on weekends and spend them with him. One weekend, he and I and a small band of our motley friends went to a movie, then to Captain Ds to grab a bite to eat. One guy had ordered the deluxe platter that came with a deviled crab. He didn't really want it, so we took a coupla french fries and broke them in half (making four half pieces) and planted them in the crabcake middle, so they created "legs". Then, we took ketchup and made little dot eyes. We named him Russell and took him grocery shopping on our way home.

We ended up leaving Russell on a shelf in the cereal aisle - certain that whoever discovered him would find him every bit as fun as we had. Well, we had quite a laugh that evening thinking of the night crew finding Russell and what Russell might be smelling like after a few hours being "out". This little excursion lit my fire for more random mayhem.

By the time I met the Evil Twin (who is on the same mental maturity level as myself) and we put our brains together, we had all sorts of fun tricks up our sleeves. Our main one involved fake grocery lists. This one was simple, cheap (free) and brilliant. We'd start by jotting an actual list of regular items, like bread and milk. Then, we'd add things like "a douche for my smelly twat" and "preparation h for my burning 'roids", you know, things of that nature. 14 condoms, enema (Fleet brand), 7 packs of butt wipe, cockroach traps.... The more random or disgusting, the better.

We'd do our shopping and conveniently leave the list on a shelf in a pretty open area, so it would be sure to be found. Then, we'd imagine the looks on the face of who ever found it and read it. Would they take it home and show their spouse? Because if you found such a list, wouldn't you assume that it was someone's TRUE list?

There was one other time when we threw a pink dildo on the sidewalk of a busy downtown area. That's been about 15 years ago and we still laugh about that one. Cause, y'all, SOMEONE had to clean it up. I imagine some really disgusted state maintenance employee with a coupla sticks or one of those long "grabber" type things.

I never said that The Evil Twin and I were mature.

6 Degrees of Secretation

I was tagged, first by Ron at Warped Mind of Ron and then, I got tagged again by Rosemary over at Rosemary's Attic. How cool is that? I, for one, think it is very cool! Without futher ado, the meme goes as follows:

THE RULES:
1. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning.
2. Each player list 6 facts/habits/secrets about themselves.
3. At the end of the post, the player then tags people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

Okay, so this was harder than I had imagined. I spent most of the day ruminating on what I'd like to share and jotted down some points of interest, wherein I will hereby elaborate on them.

1. I have "Mystery Lactose Intolerance". I call it a mystery because I'm never sure when or where I might be stricken. I can have a bowl of cereal and be just fine and dandy or I can have a bowl of cereal and be running for the toilet inside of an hour. I never know, so I don't take chances. I also carry a bottle of Immodium AD in my purse. Just in case.

Menfolk may want to pass on by #2, but I'm giving you fair warning.

2. You've heard of the "crazy cat lady" right? Well, I am the crazy pad lady. After Buddy was born (by emergency c-section), I was told that I may have bleeding or spotting for up to 12 weeks. 12 weeks? That's just crazy talk. Since Buddy was in the NICU for 6.5 weeks, the Evil Twin and I spent a lot of time visiting him up there. I had had a couple of "good" days - i.e. nothing going on down south AT ALL. So, I went to the NICU wearing legging pants (the popular style then) and as I was sitting by Buddy's isolette, I felt a gush. Luckily, the Evil Twin had his Air Force jacket with him and I was able to wear that out of the hospital. But, ever since that fateful day, I do not get dressed without wearing a panty liner. Just in case.

3. I think my feet are adorable. They're really nice and smooth and my toes are all little and cute. My second toe is NOT longer than my big toe, which I think is cute. The Evil Twin says it's weird. I try to keep the toenails polished at all times, but since it's cold (no wearing sandals a possiblity), I'm giving them a polish break. I also have a odd shaped brown birthmark on the inside of my left foot, which I was always self conscious about, but I've embraced it and almost never pay it any attention now.

4. I do not think that sweats, track suits, or lounge wear are REAL clothes. I won't go out in public in them - and I don't even own anything sweat suit material. Nor will I let my children wear them out of the house. They're fine for hanging around the house on a cold day, but if we leave for any reason, I will change them into jeans, khakis, whatever.... NO SWEATS!

5. I have never eaten a brussels sprout and have no desire to do so. Ditto that on lobster.

6. I like to cook and consider myself fairly proficient at it. My mother was the best cook on this planet... I tried to learn as much from her as possible. However, no one can make a scrambled egg sammich like she could. I haven't even attempted to make one myself since she died.

Okay, the rules didn't say how many people I should tag, and I think most everyone on my blogroll has been tagged already, but I'll throw out Buzzardbilly, ...A Sour Apple Tree, and Kate from One More Thing. If they are so moved to do it. I'd enjoy seeing their "secrets".

Missed Out

Last night, there was a PTO meeting at Buddy's school. It wasn't on any of my plethora of calendars, datebooks, schedules or PDA, so when the little note came home "reminding" parents of the meeting, I was a little confused.

Yesterday was an overcast and depressing day in general and I was in no mood to leave the house after dinner and be at the school by 7 pm. Plus, you never know how long those things will last and I had promised my biological mom I would call her after 8 pm.

I really kind of hated missing out, though. They're typically comedy gold, but I was tired and just not in the mood for the upcoming angst and hilarity. I just didn't think my psyche was up to it last night, so I blew it off. This made Buddy all kinds of unhappy, since they have childcare available for the school kids and all the boys' bring their Nintendo DSs (that's a handheld game device for those not in the know) and they hook them up or play wirelessly and do whatever you can do on those things. So, he was extremely mad at me for being too freaking tired to sit and listen to a bunch of grown people piss and moan over fundraisers or whatnot.

I have added a few cool new bloggers to my blog roll over there on the right. A Sour Apple Tree , Buzzardbilly and The Film Geek are all local (WV bloggers). I've also added The Warped Mind of Ron , No Celery Please , One More Thing and Cynical? Who, me?. I know that's a bunch, but it's such a good bunch - please try to check them out, but only if you want to be entertained. You're welcome, by the way. I love you, too.

Ok, ok... really. I do all this research so I can bring you the brightest - and it's all good, baby.

Now, it's off to give my full attention to Survivor: The Country of the Season.

Ta ta.

Busy, Busy

Sorry I didn't get back to this last night. I know I usually babble on in the early evening. The Evil Twin and I had "Apocalypto" to watch - and seeing how it is just over 2 hours long, we decided to get started watching it right about 8 pm. I didn't know much about the movie, really, other than what I had seen on the trailers and knew that Mel Gibson directed it.

Knowing that he's a talented director, I figured it would be worth a couple of hours of my time. Wow - it was worth 2 hours and more! I'll just leave it at: if you haven't seen this one yet, put it on your Netflix queue.

I woke up in a good mood this morning and thought about getting out with Sissy to run around a bit, but it's so overcast and gloomy, I can't get myself worked up to do anything. It's not cold out, just rather depressing, I guess you could say. I hope tomorrow is nicer and then, perhaps we can get out and have some fun together.

We need to go to WalMart tomorrow no matter what, cause I have a prescription to pick up.

Sory, I had to stop there for a bit and read a book to Sissy. She's learning new words every day. I love this age (well, all of them have their pros and cons), but it's fun to be a part of them learning things! Things we take for granted.

I hope your days are brighter, in all ways, than mine.

A Really Great Website

A friend of mine on a loop I belong to posted this link the other day and I've become obsessed with it.
It's www.freerice.com

It's a great way to donate to a great cause and build your word power. I think I'll go play right now for a bit, actually. Sissy is taking a nap and I've had lunch and checked all my blog-buddies.

I'll be back later, taters.

Adorable Sissy

Sissy will be two in early February, so she is a toddling fool and into everything - all the time. In fact, when I think that almost 2 years have gone by, it seems so strange. Like, that can't be possible! Then, when I think about Buddy turning 10 in January, well, that's just crazy talk! Know what I mean? It's like they can't possibly be that old and I'm surely not old enough to have a 10 year old! Sheesh.

Anyway, Sissy is into everything. We keep our bedroom door and Buddy's bedroom door closed most of the time because there's just too much to destroy in those rooms. But, this morning, I was making our bed before my shower (an OCD trait that I picked up somewhere along the way), and our door was open. Sissy came in - and was poking around. I kept an eye on her.

She grabbed my bra and starting running down the hall with it! I walked behind her to see what she intended to do. She came into the den, slung one strap over her shoulder - the end of the bra strap was dragging the floor and she looked at the Evil Twin and said "Bye bye" while headed toward the door!

Like, she was good to go. She was still in her jammies, but apparently, that doesn't matter when you are 21 months old. You've got a bra-purse and that's all ya need.

We laughed sooo hard. She finally headed back to our room and deposited my bra back on the floor where she had found it (I take it off right before I get in bed and usually just throw it on the floor - because I put it back on first thing the next day - my girls are floppers).

I have to give her credit for returning it when she was finished playing with it. It's my favorite one, so I would have been bummed out to have to resort to 2nd best while searching around for numero uno.

Apron Envy

I got my fancy new apron in the mail today! It is sooo cute. I actually opened it and threw it on, as I was forced into service to make dinner a little earlier than I expected. And, yes, I wore it with pearls, but seeing as how I go shoeless in the house most of the time, I was barefooted! LOL.

A good friend of mine, who I IM quite ofteen, and I were IMing last night. She was the one who pointed me in the direction of my KitchenAid mixer (sent me a link and it was a great deal). So, last night, she suggested I have a name for the beauty. We came up with Cherry - since it is red and my apron has cherries on it. Then, I added Baby after a childhood friend of mine. My brother always called her S___ Baby. I still call her that 35 years later. :-)

So, thanks J! Cherry Baby was in service last night making "Day Ahead Mashed Potatoes". Today I was going to do my mom's Blonde Brownies, but I got too lazy, so I'll do that tomorrow.

I think I slept on my head last night because my neck is so stiff! I can barely turn it to the right. I hate when that happens, but I know it will work itself out. Meanwhile, I will medicate with Chardonnay this evening. My boys - The Evil Twin and Buddy - are planning on doing their "Friday Night Freakshow" tonight, since they missed it last night. The movie of the evening is "The Black Hole". I have no clue what it's about, but it's an opportunity for them to spend time together, eats lots of junk foods and leave me the hell alone! Woot.

It doesn't get better than that people. Except when I have free range of motion in my neck. Ouch.

Did Someone Say Glamorous?

In my effort to truly be the glamorous hausfrau, I now have my wonderful KitchenAid Stand Mixer. But, it needed something...Something I couldn't put my finger on.... But, it's so fabulous all by itself. What could make it even more wonderful?

How great is that??? I can even cook while naked (if I want to) and still protect all my goodie bits. Go ahead, and imagine me in my birthday suit with that on with a duster in my right hand. Okay, maybe not if you've just eaten or don't want to think about someone with boobs around their belly button, then fine. You're free to think about Barbie wearing it.

But, Barbie doesn't have really cool black hair, tattoos and 12 earrings either. It's your pick. Like I said, I wouldn't want to influence your imaginations in any way...

Eat your heart out, Donna Reed.

Is There An FAQ?

Is there an FAQ for the etiquette of blog-land? Have you ever read a really great post, and thought, "Self, you have some pretty funny stories or anecdotes along that same line, wouldn't it make a great blog?" Cause after all, you don't want to hijack their blog in the comments, now do you?

Of course not. But, if you post a blog later on concerning the same/similar subject matter, only your take on it, doesn't that seem like blog poaching?

I would probably get a complex if someone posted almost the same exact subject as me on the same day or even a day or two later.

So where is the Miss Manners for Bloggers? Or the Blogger for Dummies book? Maybe I should start my own advice column. You know, "Ask The Evil Twin's Wife" or something like that. Lord knows I love to give my opinions on things, so I'd be good at that. And y'all, there are lots of folks out there who could use my services!

Okay, if you're in a quandry or need advice of any kind, feel free to email me. I'll keep your name private, if you wish and then come up with a decent answer. You can get my email off my "About me" page. Hell, most of you have it in your address books already LOL.

And my question to you, dear readers, is what do you think of blog poaching/hi-jacking? I'll update later with my own 2 cents.

UPDATE: My 2 cents: I guess the consensus is that lifting is OK, as long as credit/link is given. I can agree with that.

Buzzardbilly - probably time for a new stove... :-)

Rosemary - once you are 59 or older, you may feel free to make out where ever you'd like. You've earned it by that age, I would say!

Too Busy

To dwell on much today. I've been busy since 7:30 this morning. Sure, it was just day to day stinky stuff, but it kept me occupied, so the old noggin couldn't linger on any one thing for too long.

Except getting home and relaxing for a bit. While I was at the lovely WalMart (home of Walmartians), I bought my favorite box o hooch - the Peter Vella Chardonnay and I knew that big ol' box was chillin' (literally) and waiting for my eager thirst to be quenched.

Now, if I can get Buddy in bed, I can truly focus on my other love: my blog. It's hard to concentrate when someone is always needing something from you, ya know? Don't get me wrong, I love him with all my heart, but everyone needs a moment or two to themselves. And, I'm still not done with all my evening chores, so I won't get much of a break at all this evening. Tomorrow, I'll spend the day Sissy-wrangling.... You know, the Girl Who Doesn't Want A Nap? Not yet 2 and already causing me more grey hairs. I actually bought the Miss Clairol Nice & Easy for Grey Coverage today. Not just the wimpy Nice & Easy regular, but this is supposed to be super duty.

I only have a smattering of greys, so I do feel it's necessary to color it, for now. When the greys are winning the war, then I'll rethink my strategy. After all, I really don't want to be one of those really obviously past 40s or past 50s or whatever gals who have blue black hair. Unfortunately, black is my natural color and there isn't much you can do with that once you reach a certain age.

I wish I could keep my black forever. Maybe I will. You know, just as a big Fork You to people in general.

Alrighty, I've got blogs to catch up on. I've been gone all day and haven't had a chance to visit my whole list of faves. Ta Ta!

Not My Best Day

But not too awful, either. Lately, I've been having days where for no apparent reason, I experience a higher amount of anxiety than usual. I had been on an anti-anxiety med for several years, but last year - around this same time - I started having massive panic/anxiety attacks and the med just wasn't cutting it at all.

By the end of January, the Evil Twin had to take me to the ER at the hospital - so sure was I that I was having a heart attack or stroke. When they triaged me, my blood pressure was sky high, so I was admitted and given the standard battery of tests.

When they could find nothing physically wrong with me, I was sent home with a prescription for Ativan, a pat on the head and a referral to see a shrink. Niiiiice. Part of my anxiety at the time was being over-scheduled, so in my mind, I didn't need yet another appointment to add to my already hectic schedule.

I was really pleased when the psychiatrist that I was referred to by my neurologist didn't take our insurance plan. So far, I've managed to dodge seeing anyone. My primary care physician changed my anti-anxiety med to an anti-depressant (tried Lexapro - no good, switched to Paxil - seems to be working) and has kept me on Ativan. He doles them out in tiny amounts with no refills. I have to call and ask for a refill from the office, then I have to drive to the office and pick up the prescription and take it to be filled. They don't phone in what they refer to as "nerve pills". Thanks, that's okay, I don't need anything to be easy for me.

So, today was one of my off-kilter days. I feel restless and anxious and just all frizzled. Generally, I only take one Ativan a day. Today, I took an extra one to take the frizzle off. Luckily, it did work.

I think I start getting worked up when I think about the holiday stuff. I know it's going to be really hectic and probably not as cheap as I would like, so that makes my mind race - add in that it's bill paying time and I'm liable to explode! LOL.

I'm off to try to find a recipe. I had it somewhere around the house - it's a chicken recipe with Stove Top stuffing and I've misplaced it and it was really good. Something the whole family liked - which is really rare around these parts. I'm off to recipe hunt and hopefully, get my mind off the madness.

Sunday Ramblings

I used my new KitchenAid mixer yesterday for the first time. I made a pound cake that I have made before (without benefit of the beloved mixer action) and it's a super easy recipe. Let's just say it got even easier with my mixer! Squee! The Evil Twin declared it as good, if not better, than a store bought pound cake. I thought, "You better mean it is highly superior, there, Mister!"

You should have seen him ogling that mixer while I was doing the pound cake. I think he's as in love with it as I am. You have to admit, it's a functional work of art.

Anyway, we had friends over last night and the Evil Twin made his delicious chili. We had that and 2 loaves of french bread. For dessert, we had my extraordinary pound cake and a store bought apple pie that the Evil Twin had picked up when he went to get the chili ingredients.

Today has been so nice. The very epitome of how a Sunday should be. Football, leftover chili, snacking and napping. Fall is officially here, I suppose. It's getting cooler outside, but our windows have really made a difference in the amount of heat or AC we have had to run in the past.

The whole "fall back" thing has me confuzzled, as usual. It'll take me a good week to get adjusted. I hope everyone has had a nice weekend and is looking forward to a good week!!

Til tomorrow, I am your humble hausfrau.

Is It So Wrong?

To love an appliance? Really...LOOOOOK at it:

and a different view:

click for a larger view.