I Have the best Evil Twin

About 45 minutes before the end of the Evil Twin's day at work yesterday, I decided to call him and see if he could skip out early by any chance and come home.

He had some deadline things he was working on and couldn't spare taking the extra few minutes off. So, I said, "Okay, I'll see you when you get home."

I guessed he sensed something in my voice, because he asked, "Is there anything wrong?" and I said "No, I'm just tired." No big deal, ya know. I'm often tired. I work through it and keep going.

We hung up and I started doing something else. But, just a few moments later, the phone rang. I could tell by the caller ID that it was his number - so I answered.

He said, "Hey, why don't I pick up dinner on my way home so you won't have to cook. It'll be easier for you."

How sweet is that?

I had dinner planned - Carribean Jerk Chicken, which was marinating and all I needed to do was throw the pieces of chicken on foil and chuck it in the oven. I was going to go to a whole bunch of other trouble to open a can of corn and heat that up. Whew! It was obviously not a complicated meal.... but it could keep one more day.

He said he would call before he left to find out what we wanted.

I guess we're having chicken tonight. :-)

He really is a thoughtful guy and he's always looking out for me. I don't deserve him.

This Morning

This is what we saw this morning - this view is in the general direction of the chemical plant that blew up last night. It was the Bayer CropScience plant in Institute. After the initial shock of things last night, the Evil Twin and I both got in bed.

The phone rang and it was Buzzardbilly telling us about the shelter-in-place.

Later, at about 12:15 am, our phone rang again, but I didn't hear it that time. There was a message on our machine this morning about the explosion and stating that there was a shelter in place for various towns around the plant, including our little berg.

Getting information last night, prior to going to sleep, was a bit sketchy. However, we knew that it was something major because we could hear the emergency vehicles in the distance.

By the time we all woke up this morning, the shelter in place had been lifted - but as you can see from the picture above, there was quite a bit of dark smoke still hanging in the air.

I'm sure I'll hear/read more about the situation as the day wears on. Strange stuff.

Explosion

The Evil Twin was getting ready for bed and I was enjoying listening to old BeeGee's tunes on YouTube.

We heard a huge BOOM. I thought it might have been a thunder clap.

The Evil Twin came running from his chambers in his dressing gown and I dove for my camera.



Apparently, some plant over across the river is having issues. I'll let you know more when I know more. Scary stuff.

Getting It Together

We moved into this house in March 2004. A few months later (September), my dad got very sick and passed away suddenly. My mom had always been frail and I knew Dad did everything for her, so it became my duty to take mom grocery shopping, to appointments and basically anything else she needed.

I didn't mind and I had the time and she really didn't do much, other than shop for groceries once a week and have the occasional doctor's appointment. She had her hair styled once a week, but the beautician was right down the street from her, so she drove herself to that appointment and she had housekeepers who came and cleaned every other week.

This went on for about 8 months and I found out I was pregnant (with Sissy - in June 2005)). I kept taking care of mom and making time to get to my own rather frequent doctor's visits (I was REALLY a high risk pregnancy, so I was at my OBs office frequently).

In October 2005, my mom fell one night and broke her pelvis. While she was in the hospital, they noticed that she was having trouble swallowing, so they did a scope procedure of her esophagus and stomach. Initially, everything looked fine and they planned to send her to the recovery unit of the hospital to do rehab.

Then, the lab work on the scope procedure came back. She had esophageal cancer and it was terminal. With this news, the doctors decided she didn't qualify for rehabilitation, so I had to find a nursing home to give her round the clock care.

We offered to have her live with us, but she refused and even if she had said yes, I would have still needed home health care. At 5 months into a high risk pregnancy, there was no way I could lift her or be of any service, really.

I visited the nursing home several times a day and kept in touch by phone with the nurses. Meanwhile, I was paying the bills at her house and taking care of paying the housekeepers, who I kept on.

Mom was in the nursing home less than a month when she passed away in November of 2005. Sissy was born in February of 2006 and my life continued to be hectic.

To say that my house took the brunt of my over-scheduled life would be an understatement.

I had a newborn and I was going through all the probate and estate stuff necessary to put my parents' house on the market. The house finally sold in May 2007 (and let me tell you, THAT whole ordeal is another blog).

The Evil Twin and I had some remodeling done on our own house that summer, but there were three other things I wanted to do.

1. Repaint our bedroom.
2. Repaint the hallway.
3. Remove the wallpaper from the dining room and kitchen and repaint. (that's going to be a fairly large job).

Now that Sissy is moving from babyhood into toddlerhood, we are able to get some of the baby clutter put away. Last week, I bought her a booster seat for the kitchen table, so the Peg Perego high chair that has served us well through two children is ready to go.

Sissy is a little more self-sufficient, which means I have time to do more around the house.

It's only taken me four years, but my house is finally getting the attention it needs. I'm in crazy woman on a mission mode for organization.

Some people are sad to see their kids growing up, going off to school. They cry on the first day of kindergarten. Not me, pal. (okay, I did shed a tear on Buddy's first day of preschool, but I had spent almost every day of four years with the little man...I wasn't used to being away from him where he wasn't with another family member).

I enjoy seeing my kids grow up, become more mature, etc. I don't look at is as losing a baby, but more like I'm gaining a person. A really cool person, in the case of my two children. :-)

I sense this is going to be a year of lots of GOOD changes. I'm actually looking forward to it.

Since 2004, my life has been chaos. The reign of chaos ends here. Whew.

Be Back in ___ Minutes

The blog for today will be late(r) than normal. Twice now, since school has started, I've gotten back in bed after the Evil Twin and Buddy are out the door - thinking, "I'll just rest for a few minutes, then get up and get in the shower."

Well, guess who doesn't just "get back up"? Guess who conks out and drools on herself until she hears Sissy on the monitor? That'd be me.

This was one of those mornings. And now, I'm completely behind. I need a cup of coffee, a shower and then, when all the cobwebs have been cleared from my brain, I'll be suitably awake to blather about my usual nonsense for you fine folk(s).

I think I'll stretch out on the floor and find some zen before I actually do anything, first. So, give me an hour or so and I'll have something sure to make YOU feel sleepy and restful. :-)

My Shameful Purchase

And no, this won't be like Buzzardbilly's post a few days ago. (which isn't really shameful as much as it was super brave and fun). My tale involves real shame.

I'm going to have to work up to this a bit, so bear with me.

Last weekend, we went to the wonderful Fiestaware Tent Sale, which I relayed in mind-numbingly boring details for you. Remember?

Anyway, one of the purchases we made was a Fiesta Vase. I'm not sure why I chose it, because I am not a flower person, but the look of this vase has always caught my eye and I really dug the color of this one as well. And, the prices were rock bottom cheap, so it ended up coming home with us.

I got the vase home and loved it so much that I wanted to display it, but I knew I couldn't afford to keep real, live flowers in it all the time. So, I made the decision to head to Michael's to look at their silk flowers.

Okay, this move will have me in such deep hot water with kenju, I fear she may drive back up to WV to pimp slap me or something.

Plus, I had a gift card for Michael's that my friend MEL gave me last year and I still hadn't been there yet. It's not like it's out of the way, but I just hadn't had an opportunity to stop in there in a while.

So, yesterday, Sissy and I went and we bought silk flowers.

Shame, horrible shame overtook me when I got home, but I told the Evil Twin, "There were girls in there much younger than me also buying silk flowers, so maybe it's not just a granny thing."

But I still felt like a corndog for buying silk flowers.

Someone hold me.

I think it turned out okay though. The Evil Twin helped with the arrangement and it turned out very pretty:

Sixes

Last week, I was tagged by CitizenX for a meme on six things about myself. The rules state: Link to the person who tagged you, Post the rules on the blog, Write six random things about yourself, Tag six people at the end of your post, Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog, Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

Okay, I have done a few like this in the past, but lucky for me (and you, dear readers), the well of my randomness may never run dry.

1. When I was younger, even just thinking about touching a dirty dish would make me gag. Nowadays, I have no compunction about rinsing off a dirty plate - with my bare hands - to put it in the dishwasher. (Yes, I have a scrub brush thing, but sometimes the hand is quicker and more efficient.)

2. I have issues about consuming calories in liquid form. I prefer to drink water at all times, except the occasional cup of coffee (wine, obviously, doesn't count). The way I see it is: if I save myself 140 calories by NOT drinking a Sprite, then a Baconator won't kill me (or maybe it will - just a little bit).

3. Along those same lines, I am a compulsive weigher. I even bought the fancy digital body fat analyzer scale because I weigh myself every day. I don't know why - it doesn't vary much.

4. I don't personally believe in divorce, but the Evil Twin and I each have one "loser" marriage under our belts. They were both huge mistakes.

5. I'm a tweezer junkie. It's not unusual for me to pluck my eyebrows two or three times a day. I don't over-tweeze, but it drives me crazy if I discover a random brow growing where it shouldn't. I take care of the offender with swift and painful justice.

6. All my life, I have been a night owl. At this point, I don't think that will ever change.

Okey-dokey. There you have it - six more tidbits of random weirdness in my life. I'm not going to tag anyone this time around, but I'll just leave it open to the universe and whoever would like to participate (hint: it's great blog material for those "I got nuttin'" days.)

Peace out, my homeskillets.

I Don't Like Change

I'm the type of person who just takes a bit longer to get used to any change in my routine or surroundings. This morning (today) marks the first FULL day of school for Buddy.

Last week, on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, they only went for a half day - or for what is known as Early Dismissal at 12:45. They have to be there by 7:45 and for a regular day, they're dismissed at 2:40.

Although I have long maintained that Buddy's school (and our church - same building) is somehow placed in it's very own time zone. They kinda do things when they feel like it. Dismissal at 2:40 might turn into 2:45 or even later.

Five o clock Mass on Saturdays is likely to start at ten after five sometimes or perhaps a little earlier. If it's football season and Notre Dame is playing during the day, you can be certain that Mass will be as short as necessary, but still be a full Mass.

So, today's schedule is different than the rest of the summer has been.

That gives me anxiety.

It's okay, though, just give me a day or two to get into it and I'll be fine.

I took an Ativan early this morning and did some of the relaxation techniques that help me feel better. (i.e. I sprawl out on the floor, flat on my back and try to clear my mind and be still as possible). That helped.

Then, I got my morning routine started and finally, around 10 am was able to use my blood pressure machine. My bottom number is always too high in the morning. ALWAYS. Sometimes my pulse is extra high too. And that was after I had tried to be extra zen, too and before any coffee.

Could have something to do with my "someone's upset my apple cart" with my schedule feeling.

By Wednesday, it'll all be good. :-)

Happy Monday, friends!

And Just Like That

At the beginning of the summer, I had taken the kids to the grocery store with me and while I was shopping, I noticed a display of summer merchandise.

Among the goods was a display of Country Time Lemonade. Now, I fully realized that CT is really just glorified Kool Aid and all and probably contains next to no nutritional value.

But, I also know that Buddy is very sensitive about juices that contain pulp. Plus, the CT would be easy enough to mix up and was cheaper than 100% juice.

So, I bought the cannister, thinking it would be a nice treat for the kids on the hot summer days. Turns out, Buddy didn't like the taste at all (imagine that - he doesn't like much), but Sissy, being my little Sugar Hound, thought it was wonderful.

I would give her a bit in her sippy cup every so often and sometimes, she would ask for it. Or rather, she would shove her sippy cup in my direction and say "Wemonade?"

This morning, she asked for (demanded LOL) some and I said sure, but then I realized that the Rubbermaid container in the fridge had looked low on lemonade the last time I had checked.

I had made a mental note to mix up another batch, but the container had gotten shoved to the back of the fridge and behind all the GALLONS of milk I must purchase and I forgot about it.

Until she brought it up earlier. So, I get the container and the cannister of lemonade and the funnel (I'm terrible about getting the powder into the hole of the container - a funnel makes it so much easier and less messy!). And, I poured the powder into the handy measuring lid.

It came out to exactly 2 quarts and then the cannister was empty.

And I thought, "Welp, Summer is over."

Just like that.

More Fiesta

We went to the Flatwoods Outlet Mall today where Everything Fiesta was having their tent sale on Fiesta 2nds (might have a small paint bubble on it or another small imperfection). So, it's all cheap and most of it is really fine quality - with almost imperceptible flaws.

We picked up a few interesting pieces and got in line to check out. The line moved along at a good pace - we ended up having a conversation with the lady behind us who said she was from Scott Depot (which is not very far from where we live). Flatwoods (or Sutton) is just right under an hour and a half drive for us, so we weren't just down the street.

The Evil Twin put our goods in the van and we headed over to Shoney's for lunch. I was hoping there might be more options available (it's been years since I've been to that Outlet Mall area). But, Shoney's was fine. The food was good.

The restaurant there has all these littl knick-knacks on the walls that are for sale. Most of it is your standard "country kitchen" crafty-ish stuff that I'm really not into, but I did see one sign that caught my eye. You just know I had to have it:



After that, we walked back over to the outlet mall area and stopped in the Amish Market. They had the green peas that the Evil Twin loves so much, so he grabbed two bags of them. The kids each got bags of candy.

We then wandered down to a shoe outlet. Buddy needed new dress shoes for school as the ones from last year were too small and Sissy needed some fall/winter type shoes as well.

We found a perfect pair for Buddy and these fancy little pink Chuck Taylor Converse tennies for Sissy.

You know my little Imelda Marcos... she wanted to wear the new ones home, so I also had to purchase some socks - which is good actually because she needs new socks this year anyway. This is a good start!

We ended the trip by browsing in a book store for a bit, then decided to head home.

I'll need to start a load of dishes this evening to wash up my new Fiesta pieces (Oh! I also got two of the stripped glasses from the Everything Fiesta store...I've wanted a few of those forever!).

Now we're home. It's bath time for Sissy and t minus one hour before I whip out the Chardonnay.

The Revenge of the Baconator

Yesterday, I had a strong, strong craving for Wendy's - specifically for the Baconator sammich.

I'm not big on the "two patties on a bun" type of sammich, unless it's a Big Mac, but what can I do about cravings?

Plus, anyone who truly knows me knows that me and Wendy's fries have a long history and love affair.

In fact, when I was pregnant with Sissy, the joke was that no one would be surprised if she were born clutching a Wendy's fry in her chubby baby fist. I drove thru there nearly daily for fries.

I especially love their fries dipped in bleu cheese dressing. Several years ago, they used to carry bleu cheese dressing for their salads. They would sell me a packet of it for 25 cents.

They stopped serving bleu cheese dressing, so I have to stock my own bottle in my fridge (but I had to throw the bottle out when I got pregnant with Sissy because we all know pregnant women should not eat soft cheeses, such as bleu or brie nor should they eat cold deli meats - the risk of the listeria bacteria is too great and listeria can kill the elderly and the unborn - stay away from these things if you are pregnant - it's not worth it! There. That's my PSA for the day).

Anyway, I wanted a damn Baconator like a hobo wants Mad Dog. So, I called the Evil Twin at work and asked him to stop by on his way home.

He had eaten a Baconator MONTHS ago that he swears made him sick. He cautioned me, "You're playing with fire - getting that Baconator."

I said, "Well, we're not 100% sure that Baconator was the direct cause of the diarrhea you had."

He answered, "I was sick within minutes of eating it. I think it was the Baconater."

Now, when I think of Wendy's and Diarrhea (which I DO think of), I think: Chicken Sandwich. I swear their chicken isn't handled properly. I ate a chicken sandwich from one store about 12 years ago, back when I had a paying job.

I had to LEAVE my job and drive home later because my stomach was so upset. When I arrived home, I started stripping clothes off immediately upon entering the house... I was sweating and praying to make it to the toilet in time.

I haven't eaten another chicken sandwich there in TWELVE YEARS. The chicken sandwich from Wendy's is DEAD TO ME.

The Baconator is a huge sandwich, so I did my best with it. It was delicious, so I only left a bite or two before I could do no more damage.

The Evil Twin changed out of his work clothes and took the kids out in the back yard to play.

I didn't feel so well.

After a few minutes, I was able to join them in the back for play time, but I lounged on the hammock and still wasn't feeling all that great.

I looked over at the Evil Twin and said, "That Baconator had it's way with me."

I didn't have to say anything else.

He glanced at me, sagely, and replied, "I told you so."

A Meme

I was tagged for a meme a week or so ago by Honeywine. I think it's called "The Saddest Song You've Ever Heard".

Here is my entry and later on, I'll discuss why:

I love Patsy's voice and I just want to cry every time I hear this song.

Now, perhaps, you will understand why this was such a hard challenge. There are loads of sad songs out there. I looked to Nick Cave and Johnny Cash for inspiration (cause they're both usually good for a real downer) and I passed over Massive Attack's "Teardop" because I just can't hear the song or watch the video without immense sadness.

Onto the tagging - and in this case, I'm going to pick a few blogging buddies who love music:

Janis at Juanuchis' Way.

Buzzardbilly

Ron

Laura

and

Efen

School's Back In Session

This morning is Buddy's first day back at school and I am already loving it.

I keep myself on a fairly strict schedule, which is strange. I mean, I could lounge around all summer on the couch and never get a shower. Buddy stays up late and sleeps in during the summer months, but instead, I'm up (well, I have to be up early because of Sissy), but I hop in the shower and remain productive for the day.

Today, I actually got to get back in bed for a few minutes after the Evil Twin and Buddy left and before Sissy woke up. I never do stuff like that! It was decadent, I tell you. Decadent!

When Sissy woke up (about 15 minutes later), I got up and fixed her breakfast and have continued to just be lazy.

The mornings here have been a bit cooler, so I opened the window on the screen door, turned on the ceiling fan and have been enjoying the nice breeze while Sissy and I hang around watching moronic pre-schooler TV.

This week, as the kids ease into school, there will be early dismissal at 12:45 every day. I figure there should be some "easing in" for me as well - getting used to the new schedule so I'm facilitating that by being lazy.

In other news, Kenju was in town for her high school reunion over the weekend. We had arranged to meet on Sunday and I called my pals Buzzardbilly and the Blonde Goddess to hook up with us as well.

We had decided to meet at Tim Horton's to have coffee, since I knew Kenju was having lunch earlier and probably wouldn't be hungry at our meet up time.

A few minutes before the time, Kenju called me to say that the Tim Horton's was closed for remodeling. After a brief exchange, we changed the location to Shoney's and I gave the other two girls a quick call to let them know.

Unbeknownest to me, Kenju had told another local blogger (who the rest of us didn't know) about the Tim Horton's plan, but didn't have a number to contact her to say anything about the re-location.

A few minutes into our coffee and chatting at Shoney's, Kenju sees a gal walking towards the door of Shoney's and says, "That's Inanna!"

Turns out, Inanna just lives a few streets over from me and we had never met and I had not found her blog (until now). She had gone to Tim Horton's, was hungry and noticed they were closed and just decided to head over to Shoney's instead (there are several restaurants in this area, so her choosing that one was a strange coincidence).

I'm so glad! It was great to finally meet Kenju and also to get to know Inanna! All in one sitting. And, of course, any outting with Buzzardbilly and Blonde Goddess will always be great.

 

I cropped Buzzardbilly out of the pic because she prefers to remain competely anonymous, but from left are Kenju, Inanna and Blonde Goddess. We had such a great time! 

These Are A Few of My Favorite Things

I think I've shown you all my pride and joy (of something that isn't directly related to me, anyway).

She's red, she's fast and she's powerful:

She's my KitchenAid stand mixer. Man, I love that thing. I really only rarely use it, but when I do, I get a real kick out of it. She's a Professional Heavy Duty 5Qt baby with bowl lift feature. I highly recommend the extra $$$ for this one (or any of the profesional series).

I've also mentioned my love of Fiestaware. The Evil Twin is lucky enough to work with people who have ties all over with different WV businesses and sometimes, they turn up with perks. Sometimes, he is (we are, I am) the beneficiary of said perks:



Aren't those adorable?? I think so.

Next up on the list is a new addition to the family, but you better believe that I will be enjoying my morning java with this sweet mug:

It's big, too. I should get quite a jolt. (The company, Our Name is Mud, also sells one that states "Proud to be a Bleeding Heart Liberal" - equal opportunity bigotry and all that, you know... LOL).

UPDATED: I forgot about this - and this one is truly one of my favorite things, but Stew likes it too:

 

It's my retro cherries apron from Jessie Steele. I need to buy the child size one for Sissy. Wouldn't she be an adorable little Mini-Mom in it? 

Lastly, one of my most appreciated favorite things these days is this:

Sure, it's a Big Ass TV, but what's most spectacular about it (besides that it's filthy from little toddler hands touching it)?

That it's OFF. That's right. No more Dora, Blue's Clues, Spongebob, depressing news, or asinine programming. Just sweet, sweet silence.

In the evenings, it's just me and my little clicky fingers on the laptop keyboard. And maybe a glass of wine or several. But, the important thing is QUIET.

It's one of my most favorite things.

The Tale of the Taco Salad

We had our usual "Saturday Special" this weekend, but instead of going to the usual fast food places we haunt, we decided to head to Mayberry's for a midday meal and sit in the restaurant.

It's a "seat yourself" kinda place and we always choose a boof if one is available. Since we were there in between the main lunch rush and the dinner crowd, there were several boofs available. We chose one, got a highchair and settled in.

Our server was a newer girl and didn't recognize us, so she brought us menus (we almost always order the same things every single time, so getting a menu is like a novelty).

A few more people entered the restaurant while we waited to place our order, but aside from just glancing at them as the door opened, I really didn't pay much attention. I mean, it isn't unusual for us to see people we know there, but it only takes a half second of glancing to discern whether you know or don't know the people coming in the front door.....

A couple of ladies ended up in the booth directly behind ours. The one lady - let's call her Patty - was right behind me and she was talking in a louder than average voice. Try as I might not to eavesdrop on her conversation, it was really difficult because she said everything in an amplified way.

A few moments into this, I took a glance behind me to assess the situation as I looked around as if I was checking out the decor and realized that the woman Patty was with was Asian. We'll call her Sunny. I only heard Sunny speak twice the entire time we were there and I could tell that, while her English was quite good, it was obviously not her first language and she spoke slowly, deliberately and quietly.

Then I realized that Patty was talking to Sunny as if she was deaf, instead of just being a person who didn't have a strong command of the English language. You know how some people just get louder instead of speaking normally and slowing down their words to foreigners? Well, Patty was a guilty, guilty gal.

Patty decided that they would order the taco salad and split it. She then went on at length about the taco salad, telling Sunny that this taco salad's chili either did or didn't have beans (I can't remember now) and that several other places also served a taco salad.

As if poor Sunny would be starving to bits and think, "Hmmmm, where can I get a taco salad?" When, in reality, she probably just wanted some of her own comfort foods.

Anyway, Patty went on to tell Sunny that Taco Bell served taco salad and so did Wendy's.

Mayberry's taco salad is served with Frito Scoops and I heard Sunny ask if they were "chips", which they technically are. But Patty said, "They're SCOOPS. Dorito Scoops."

Great - just what poor Sunny wanted to know, I'm sure. The almost completely wrong brand name of the chips.

If there's one thing I can't stand.... well, there are lots of things I can't stand, but one happens to be people who don't pay attention to details. If you're imparting some great wisdom to another person, at least get your facts straight.

And further more, let's face it, all Sunny needed to know was: "Yes, they are chips. Corn chips."

Well, at the very least, Sunny was out with a nice person who seemed to be interested in getting her to try some "typical" food served here in the US.

And I hope she enjoys her time here in beautiful West Virginia.

The Dirty Birdies

The Evil Twin and I have always called birds "dirty birdies". I'm not sure why. Perhaps just because it rhymes and sounds ridiculous? We also use that phrase when talking about bird food, too.

We've always enjoyed feeding the wild birds.

At our old house, we had a deck with sliding glass doors where we had mounted a bird feeder. We could see it from the den/dining room area and always got a kick out of seeing how many different little dirty birdies we could attract with seed and suet.

Our current house is different and while we do have a bird feeder out back, it's not visible from the main part of the house. We still put seed in it for the visitors.

I decided to get a plastic bird feeder with suction cups that mounts onto a window. I put it in our big bay window on the front of the house.

This window is right behind the love seat where my lazy rear end is parked most of the time.

Every time a little bird lands on that feeder, I hear this scritchy sound and it startles me every.single.time.

I mean, it's not bad enough that we have Apple, our resident budgie (or parakeet, if you prefer). Always over there hopping around and chirping, driving me nutz - then, I have to mount a bird feeder from my front window so that I can be further annoyed by the noise of other birds coming to visit.

What can I say, I'm a sucker for punishment. And, I love to look at the pretty dirty birdies. :-)

A Jumbled Mess

That's what my brain feels like this morning. By next Wednesday, Buddy will be back in school. There are still items on his supply list I need to pick up. So, I've got this running commentary in the back of my mind with assorted school supplies being yelled out. "FOUR Composition notebooks, black and white cover" "Three boxes of tissue to share with class" and "Four report covers". What in the world are report covers?? Anyone care to assist me in gaining that knowledge? Thanx.

There are more items on the list, too.... But, I've bought almost everything necessary or we have things from last year he can use again.

I've ordered and received summer uniform pieces. The shirts have already been washed - shorts are next. He still has a tie from last year (amazingly enough), a belt and enough navy blue socks to get us started.

I'm going to have to get my schedule re-adjusted as well. I'll be getting up just a little bit earlier to wake him up and get him breakfast. After I do that, I'll fix the Evil Twin's lunch and be able to get in the shower before Sissy wakes up.

We've decided that the Evil Twin will adjust his work hours and leave earlier to take Buddy in to school. I'll do pick up in the afternoon, as usual.

This is our first year since we've lived in this house that we haven't carpooled with our friends/neighbors. Their youngest son is going on to Junior High and we don't know anyone else nearby who will have a kid at the same school as Buddy. That's fine - the school is less than 2 miles from our house, but I am so not a morning person.

I was always thrilled that our friends were happy to do morning drop off (they both have jobs outside the home and had to be off to work anyway, so morning drop off was on their way). I don't mind driving Buddy to school in the morning if I can do the "dump n' run" (i.e. I don't have to get out the van, I just pull up on next to the sidewalk and he lets himself out). But, I always worry that someone will need to talk to me or that I'll need to enter the school for some reason and I would hate that if I wasn't dressed for the day, know what I mean?

It's stupid, really, but it's my own little stupid quirk. Y'all, I never claimed to be perfect.

Why do I say that? Because I can already sense that someone, somewhere is reading this, clucking their tongue and saying, "What a stupid, shallow little ninny she is." As if no one else has flaws. At least I admit mine. :-)

Anyhoot, I better get myself in gear and finish up the Back to School things. I like being prepared. And, I really didn't do well in Brownie Scouts, either. Must just be my all natural anal retentive personality! Wheee!

Could I Be Any Dorkier?

I think I've mentioned it before, but I'm playing this silly game on MySpace called Mobsters. The deal is you can grow your "mob" by adding other players. However, they must first be your "friend" on MySpace before you can add them as a mobster.

My profile is set as private, which means only people who are my "friends" can see it. Since I started my account a couple of years ago, I have only added people I either really know in real life or know pretty well thru online interaction.

So, to grow my mob, I've had to add people I don't know to my friend lists and then invite them to join my mob.

I quickly discovered that once a person accepts the mobster invitation, that they can be deleted from the friend list and still remain a mob member.

I've been spending my free time adding strangers, verifying that they're in my mob, then deleting them before they have a chance to check out my profile (although on MySpace, much like here, I never mention my kids by name - although I do have a couple of pictures of them on my picture pages).

I found a website called mobsteradd.com where you can quick add people to your friend list.

In the game, you can have up to 500 mob members. I'm near 350 at this point, but I'm desperate to round out that number to a clean 500.

In the mornings and evenings, I go to the quick add site and chose a few people at a time.

Yesterday, I added a freaking CORNDOG to my friend list in order to have another mob member.

Yep, a corndog. That was the name on the account and the photo was that of a corndog. I figured, "Why not?"

After I added the corndog and saw that they (she? he?) had become part of my mob, I deleted the corndog from my friend list.

I never even went to the profile to learn more about the corndog.

BTW, my blood pressure this morning was 103 over 71 - a respectable, if not even low, number. And, it was MUCH lower yesterday afternoon than it was yesterday morning. Luckily, my blood pressure monitor stores the data over time, so next time I see my doctor, I can take it and he can analyze what it all means...maybe I won't get another prescription after all! :-)

High Blood Pressure Tomato Head

That's a phrase that the Evil Twin and his Air Force roommate made up to define someone who was really jacked up (mad, angry, upset, etc.). And that's the way I feel most of the time, only I'm not necessarily mad, angry or upset - it's more anxiety related with me.

Although one of the other three might be hiding in there without my knowledge.

So, the doctor recommended that I buy my very own blood pressure thingy doo to have at home. I found one on Amazon for a good price and ordered it.

It arrived later yesterday afternoon and I set it up and sampled it. My systolic pressure was fine, but the diastolic was high. Which is where I was at last week when I visited the doctor.

I rolled out of bed this morning and did the blood pressure thing. 135/96. Holy shit! That was upon, literally, stumbling out of bed and down the hall.

I waited about a half an hour and did it again. By that time, the numbers were both lower, but still too high on the diastolic end.

I'll take it again here in a few hours and see if my anxiety meds have kicked in to lower it or if I might actually have a problem.

I always thought only heavy people had high blood pressure issues. At 5 foot 9, I weighed in at 126.5 this morning. That is not heavy. In fact, I am underweight according to the charts on "how much you should weigh" at X height. But, I am small-boned, so there is just no way I could carry 140 pounds on my frame.

So, in talking to my doc, he says that HBP can be hereditary or just one of those things. Crap. I seem to be the "just one of those things" type people.

I already take one baby aspirin a day because I have a blood clotting disorder that makes me at a higher risk of stroke and/or heart attack. I have MS. And, I have anxiety issues that make me jumpier than a one legged man in a butt kicking contest.

I am not even going to ask, "What next?" because we all know that no good will ever come of that! Sheesh!

Ah, the joys of getting older.

Stay tuned - up next: news about my goiter or bursitis! LOL.

Parties and Potties

Buddy will be going to a birthday party sleep over tomorrow night. It's his best friend and the BFF's brother's birthday (they were born on the same day four years apart). So, we need to get out and find birthday gifts today and I need to pick up a few food items that I didn't get at Sam's.

A friend of mine emailed me a website about potty training. It's the Dr. Phil method. So, we need a pee pee potty baby.

Sissy only has one kind of real baby doll. She just really hasn't expressed much interest in the babies yet. She did have fun playing with this crazy looking, naked Barbie doll looking thing (I think it was a Bratz) at my doctor's office last Tuesday. I think she might be more of the Barbie doll kind of girl, rather than the "real" baby kind of girl. KWIM?

Aaaanyway, we're going to find a couple of birthday gifts and a baby that pees and then in a few days, we'll attempt the steps mapped out for potty training ala Dr. Phil.

I might buy her one of those puffy potty seats (you know, the kind you can put on the big potty). See if she prefers that and a step stool to the smaller potty seat.

Isn't my life riveting? I know you are all out there (all 7 of you), in rapt attention with my potty training tales.

The Evil Twin went off to work and forgot his lunch. I pack his lunch four days out of the five he goes to the office. He likes to eat at this chinese buffet with his co-workers once a week - but all other days, I prepare the lunch. And then, he forgot to take his this morning, so on my way to Toys R Us, I'll just run by his office real quick and drop it off. It's on the way....

I've got dishes to empty from the dishwasher and clothes to get out of the dryer, so I'm off.

Manic Monday, y'all. Love ya!