Whomp! The Anxiety Forces its Way Into my Psyche

That's it. Yesterday I was feeling pretty good, no particular mood. Maybe just contentment.

Today, I woke up, and like I said, "WHOMP!" in marched anxiety.

I don't know why; no, that's not entirely true: I DO know why. It's mainly financial worries, with Christmas coming. I mean, it's like this: Begin with a tight budget. Suddenly, I'm taking an already tight budget, adding a bit of trying to get Christmas gifts, stir in loss of overtime, add a pinch of basketball ($350+) expenses, sprinkle with a couple of unpaid days off, along with every day bills. This is a recipe for anxiety. And bills getting behind. Ugh!

Sometimes it feels like my life is like this: Lucy is life, holding the football, and I'm the gullible Charlie Brown, always trying to kick the stupid ball. When will I learn that Lucy is ALWAYS going to pull the ball away and I am going to end up flopping onto the ground? UGH!!!!!!! I don't know which is worse, the football getting yanked out from under me or the stupid kite eating tree! :) You know, I don't like to spend my life griping about stuff. I like my life. I am blessed in many ways. I don't want to sound whiney. But there are just times that I would like to crawl back in bed, cover my head and pretend the world doesn't exist. I can't do that, but I'd like to sometimes. Today was one of those days.

Let's see. I'm letting that rant go for now. I just had to get it off my chest. And boy, do I feel like eating a donut right about now! I've heard that adult children of alcoholics tend to crave sugary foods, like pastries. That may be true, since both my bioligical parents were alcoholics, and I love donuts. Darn my genetics! ;)

Speaking of not liking one's genetics, the doctor diagnosed Josh with asthma. Actually, he has seasonal allergies and has been on an inhaler before. Now they are saying that his biggest trigger is activity. Of course, this kid is one of the most physically fit kids I know. He has endless energy.

Every day when I get home from work, he has organized a football game in the side yard. He runs and roughhouses all afternoon. Then he goes to basketball practice for hours. When he can't get outside, he works out inside. He's 5'8" of lean muscle. I wouldn't have dreamed that asthma was an issue with him.

What clued us in was he started coughing uncontrollably, almost to the point of not being able to catch his breath after practice. So, now he has to use his inhaler before he does any running. He says it really seems to help. The thing is, even though I am a lot less physically fit than Josh, activity has never been a known asthma trigger of mine. I played varsity tennis in school, and sometimes I played 3+ hours of matches. (Back when I WAS physically fit!)

I can only remember one incident where I had some breathing trouble in the three years I played. I think part of it was it was fall and my allergies were in full swing. Otherwise, I never coughed or got winded. I hope that an inhaler is all Josh is going to need to keep this at bay.

We're still waiting on test results for Rob. That remains in the back of my mind. I know it's weighing heavy on his as well. I just want him to be okay. The whole thing seems to have brought us closer together. Just reminds us of what's important.

I did get most of my Christmas cards ready to send. I did that on Thursday, as per my plan. I do feel like I've accomplished something with that nearly completed.

Last night I went to Bipsy's house for a crop. I got about 5 pages done, which I was pleased with. We had a nice light dinner and snacks, did a lot of talking as usual, and shared ideas. My friend, Sandy, was there, and that was an added bonus. I took a break from my gift album. I'm working on another "portrait" album. What I do with those is just do a basic background paper with an 8" x 10" or 5" x 7" portrait (usually of the kids) and do very minimal decorating. I don't even put them in date order. My goal with the portrait albums is to get the bigger pictures in a safe environment so they don't get damaged. Then the kids can look at them and enjoy the pictures, instead of leaving them stored in envelopes for years.

I plan to let them, when they are adults, pick a few albums to take with them as they establish their own homes. So I don't worry if there are duplicate pictures in the books. My eventual goal is to have all the portraits I have, including sports, school, extended family, etc., in a Creative Memories album. It's a lofty goal, but I'm getting there.

Okay, I've got to get to work. Hope you all are having a decent week. Thanks for letting me rant. I know all things will work out in the end. It's just beating the anxiety in the meantime that's no fun. ;) More later.

Another Monday This Way Comes

Well, it's back to work after four days off. It was a nice weekend. I did exactly what I hoped to do on Thursday. We got up early, and Rob, Jess, Jo and I cooked. Josh slept in late. He wasn't feeling well. More about that later. Anyway, Jess, Jo and I did the sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, pumpkin pie, tarts, banana cream pie, punch, egg nog and rolls. We got our stuff done and out of the way for Rob to do his share. He did ham and turkey, the major work on the deviled eggs (which Jo and Jess later assembled) and the stuffing. Working together, it didn't seem like all that much work for any one person.

After we ate and watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (we ate early, like 10:30 a.m.!) we all took naps. I got up and had a little bite to eat later. I didn't really do much of anything except clean up and napping. It was a day of relaxation for all.

Friday and Saturday ended up being a lot of running around doing errands. And cleaning. No shopping for gifts. I hate to fight crowds. Although I have so little shopping done that I am sure eventually I will have to fight a crowd or two. Oh well.

Sunday I was lazy, and did little to nothing all day. So I had two days of rest and two days of running.

*Okay, I started this post yesterday when I was in a grande mood. Today, Tuesday, I am feeling quite down, so I am closing this 'happy' post and proceding to a new one.*

My Friday is Here at Last

It's a cloudless, sunny day here. Probably upper 50s. It's just one of those breathtaking days that is more and more rare this time of year around here. I had to leave to pick up Josh from practice, and run a couple of errands this afternoon. I'm glad I was forced out of the office, otherwise I would not have been able to truly enjoy the weather.

Not much is going on here. Just looking forward to a few days off. Rob is having some testing done Friday, and Josh is coughing a lot, so he's going in for a checkup Friday as well. Please say a prayer for Rob, as the doctor thinks he might have diabetes. Hopefully not, but at least that's treatable. I just want him to be okay.

Just a quick shout out to Debbie: "Happy, Happy Birthday! If you ever stop running around today, check your email!" ;) Of course, if you're reading this, you're probably finally on your computer. ;)

To all my other peeps, if it's Thanksgiving where you are, Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy the feasting and celebrating! If it isn't Thanksgiving, have a great rest of the week!

Thankful for a Short Week!

Hi to all, hope this Monday is starting out relatively painless for you.

My weekend started out good right off the bat on Friday. When I got home I had an envelope from Pepsi. I had won a $10 Visa gift card. I was so excited! That's the third time I've won something from a Pepsi contest! Once I won a long sleeve Pepsi t-shirt, once I won a cd, and then this! When I took Josh to practice I went out and bought Rob a new OSU long sleeve shirt with it. I am so glad I registered for Pepsi promotions! That was such a fun way to start my weekend!

Josh's scrimmage went well Saturday. His team won, and he scored six points, which I got on video. Yay! I was very proud of him! I also found out last week that a friend I met when Josh was a baby (that I have lost touch with over the years) has a step son on Josh's team. I was in the grocery store and I ran in to her, and through our conversation, we ended up figuring this out.

So, at the game we sat together and ended up talking the whole time. It was neat getting back in touch. We worked together almost 15 years ago, and always said we'd keep in touch, but life gets in the way. She and her husband are practically neighbors to us...they live in the village just 5 minutes from ours. Josh is friends with their son, so we may end up hanging out in the future some. It's ironic how there are some people in my life who just keep resurfacing, as if we are meant to be connected, somehow. (April, you're another example.)

I ended up seeing a bunch of people I knew Saturday at the scrimmage. Some were from years ago when I attended school there. Some were in grades behind me, or ahead of me, but were familiar faces still. I figure I'll never get bored at the games. I'll always have someone to talk to. Of course, my kids tease me that I make friends in line at the grocery store, so I am sure even if I didn't know anyone, I would by the end of the season. I just find people fascinating! :)

Yay! The Buckeyes won! Yippee skippy! ;) I only watched bits and pieces of the game, and listened to the rest on the radio.

Jess and I stayed at the toy shop to close it down, while the boys went to watch the game at Robert's uncle's house. Rob, Josh, Jo and Jess' boyfriend, John all piled in the van and headed out to cheer on the Buckeyes.

Jess and I closed down early and had a girls' evening out. We went shopping, (how can it be a girl's day out without shopping?!?!) out to eat, and then went home and I gave her a pedicure. She really needed one! I did a pedicure on myself a week or so back, so I just soaked my feet and then used lotion on them.

We went to my favorite restaurant, Eldorados' Mexican Restaurant. (Holli, I thought of you when I was there since you like it, too.) Jess and I both got chicken Chimichangas. Yum! I kept getting up and going over to the bar area to keep an eye on the scores. That was an exciting game!

Jess and I didn't buy a lot when we went shopping, but I got the idea for the pedicure by going to the Big Lots right by the restaurant. They had some very reasonably priced pedicure kits, so I bought us each one. I took a picture of Jess' feet before and after. It was her idea to take the picture, and the difference was remarkable! I think I am some sort of wizard! ;)

I'm really loving my new camera! I do not regret what happened to my old one now, though I would not have spent the money unless forced to. I am happy with the pictures it takes. I'm getting a lot of use out of it. (No big shock there.) Today, if our snow stays on the ground for any length of time, I may snap a few shots of our first "real" snow.

Sunday was good. I got quite a bit of cleaning in, a little scrapbooking and a nap, which makes it a good day for me. I did a lot of laundry yesterday. I don't want to have to be doing laundry all day Thursday or Friday. I have four days off in a row! Why mess that up with running up and down steps, doing laundry? I probably will do some, anyway, but at least it will be optional. ;)

Right now, I am working on a scrapbook for my sister-in-law, Kay, who is battling cancer. She went on and on about how much she loved the book I made for my mother-in-law (her mom) for her 60th birthday. I started thinking about it, and I figured it wouldn't take long for me to make a small "get well book" for her. Kay has to do 5 chemo treatments, 5 radiation, then 5 chemo. She is really weak, constantly sick to her stomach, and her hair is mostly all gone now. She is still in good spirits, but any prayers for strength for her would be appreciated. I'm hoping this book will bring a bit of cheer for her at this difficult time.

So, that's the news here. What's new in your life? Anything exciting to report? Hope you have a good week, short or otherwise. I love Thanksgiving, so I'm looking forward to it. I love watching the parade, eating, napping, and hanging out at home. John, Jess' boyfriend, is from Mexico and has never celebrated Thanksgiving, though he has been here in the states for years. We invited him over to celebrate with us, and he has been counting the days until Thursday. We're all looking forward to it more because of his presence in our home. He's a really sweet kid.

Okay, I'm out for now. Have a great day!

Go Buckeyes!

I am looking forward to the game this weekend. I love football, anyway, but there is a lot of energy buzzing around here about the big OSU/Michigan rivalry. OSU is ranked #1, and Michigan #2.

Sadly, former Michigan coach Bo Schembechler passed away today. That is truly unfortunate and the timing is ironic. My condolences go out to his family.

Robert's uncle stopped by to see if Rob would like to watch the game with him Saturday. I think that would be cool. They don't spend nearly enough time together since we moved out of town.

I hope you have a great weekend wherever you may be!

Really Bad Puns, but I Blame Holli, because She Forwarded this to Me in the First Place

1. Two antennas met on a roof, fell in love and got married. The ceremony wasn't much, but the reception was excellent.

2. A jumper cable walks into a bar. The bartender says, "I'll serve you, but don't start anything."

3. Two peanuts walk into a bar, and one was a salted.

4. A dyslexic man walks into a bra.

5. A man walks into a bar with a slab of asphalt under his arm and says: "A beer please, and one for the road."

6. Two cannibals are eating a clown. One says to the other: "Does this taste funny to you?"

7. "Doc, I can't stop singing 'The Green, Green Grass of Home.'" "That sounds like Tom Jones Syndrome." "Is it common?" Well,"It's Not Unusual."

8. Two cows are standing next to each other in a field. Daisy says to Dolly, "I was artificially inseminated this morning." "I don't believe you," says Dolly. "It's true, no bull!" exclaims Daisy.

9. An invisible man marries an invisible woman. The kids were nothing to look at either.

10. Deja Moo: The feeling that you've heard this bull before.

11. I went to buy some camouflage trousers the other day but I couldn't find any.

13. I went to a seafood disco last week...and pulled a mussel.

14. What do you call a fish with no eyes? A fsh.

15. Two fish swim into a concrete wall. The one turns to the other and says "Dam!"

16. Two Eskimos sitting in a kayak were chilly, so they lit a fire in the craft. Unsurprisingly it sank, proving once again that you can't have your kayak and heat it too.

17. A group of chess enthusiasts checked into a hotel and were standing in the lobby discussing their recent tournament victories. After about an hour, the manager came out of the office and asked them to disperse. "But why," they asked, as they moved off. "Because," he said, "I can't stand chess-nuts boasting in an open foyer."

18. A woman has twins and gives them up for adoption. One of them goes to a family in Egypt and is named "Ahmal." The other goes to a family in Spain ; they name him "Juan." Years later, Juan sends a picture of himself to his birth mother. Upon receiving the picture, she tells her husband that she wishes she also had a picture of Ahmal. Her husband responds, "They're twins! If you've seen Juan, you've seen Ahmal."

19. Mahatma Gandhi, as you know, walked barefoot most of the time, which produced an impressive set of calluses on his feet. He also ate very little, which made him rather frail and with his odd diet, he suffered from bad breath. This made him. (Oh, man, this is so bad, it's good...) A super calloused fragile mystic hexed by halitosis.

20. And finally, there was the person who sent twenty different puns to his friends, with the hope that at least ten of the puns would make them laugh. No pun in ten did!

(INSERT GROAN HERE!)

A Story or Two this Evening

Since my oldest started basketball, what little spare time I once had is now non existent. I am so happy that he made the team, because he hasn't played a team sport since he was in 6th grade. For a while he lost motivation, and the few times he was motivated, his grades didn't cut it, so he was ineligible. He's not failed a grade, and is in his correct grade. He's fortunate, because with the lack of effort he put forth many years, he easily could have fallen behind.

However, like I've always said, he is ultra intelligent, and this year proves it. He tried out for football, and the coaches were excited at the idea of him being on the team. He has great athletic talent, and plays in the back yard every chance he gets, no matter what the sport. His main sports have been basketball, football, soccer. He plays badminton and tennis with me, as well as baseball when enough kids are around to play. He is in great physical condition, despite his love of video games, because he runs and works out on a regular basis.

So when he got excited for football, along came a school official to tell him he was ineligible due to his low marks the year before. His poor grades in his final semester of 2005-2006 school year prevented him from playing football for the 2006-2007 school year. It's an Ohio law. So, this really was a good thing, though it seemed bad at first. FINALLY, the point Rob and I have been trying to make STUCK. What a person does in their past does impact their future.

All of a sudden this child who had consistently gotten mediocre to below average grades was getting A's and B's. He had something to prove!

Years ago I saw it, but I couldn't get it through to this, my very stubborn eldest child. He is extremely capable and smart! I have told him that since he was in elementary.

For example, when he was about eleven years old, there was a news story on prior to him going to school. That night, we were taking my grandmother around town on her errand day. Josh started talking about the news story. It had really impacted him emotionally. It was about an little boy who was abandoned by his step father. Josh remembered the child's name, the step father's name, the town they lived in, their ages, and the details of the story down to a science.

My grandmother and I just looked at each other, incredulous. I had been seeing this type of thing from him since he was a toddler. However, nothing we did would get him to put this brain power to use. It was finally (thank the good Lord!) this year that he found his motivation.

I am so happy! I will gladly drive back and forth, give up a few minutes of rest here and there to keep this new Josh around! Josh has always been a very argumentative kid, but just the other day I told him to do something, he started to argue, and then stopped ALL on his own. This basketball team discipline stuff is really doing him a world of good. I am starting to see a young adult emerge here, and I am so proud.

Likewise, I have to sing the praises of my Jess, too. Monday I was having a really rotten day. It was Jess that helped turn my day around.

I usually don't get overly emotional about a lot of stuff, thanks in part to my low dose of Effexor that I take every day. I started taking in when my grandmother was sick, and my doctor says I should continue to do so until I no longer have two teenagers in the house. ;) I think he's right.

Anyway, I think Sunday was the straw that broke the camel's back. ;)

I was getting ready to take my annual Christmas card picture of the kids. I was really in a good mood. I had bought them all different colored winter hats to wear in the picture. I had my can of fake snow to spray down my pine trees with. I had my camera and tripod in hand. I affixed the camera on the tripod, and I pulled up to make sure the camera was secure. I was sure to double check, because I have to say I love my camera. It goes with me everywhere. I take A LOT of pictures. I mean, my hobby is scrapbooking, for crying out loud!

I carry my camera in a double-padded camera case. I paid around $300 for it about two years ago. I have the printer dock and the whole nine yards for it. My cameras usually wear out from overuse, so I planned to get my money's worth out of this one.

Until I picked up the tripod and tucked it under my arm. All of a sudden, my camera and the metal plate it screwed in to all came sliding out of the tripod and hit the ground with a crash. I had checked the security of the camera by pulling up, but the side locking mechanism was not locked in place. When I picked up my camera, it sounded like a rattle. It wouldn't even turn on.

I put on a smile, pulled out my old digital camera which is held together by a rubber band, and took the pictures. They turned out great.

However, the next day, the reality of the situation hit me and I started crying. I cried and cried and cried almost all morning long. Every time I tried to stop crying, I'd start all over again.

I think I just felt like I couldn't even have one thing in my life that went right. I work hard, I am disciplined about not spending money, and BOOOM...I lost my camera due to my own carelessness. I knew I couldn't justify replacing it with Christmas around the corner and bills already stifling us. Josh's basketball would cost over $300 alone. I had been inwardly fretting about that as well for weeks.

So, I finally gained my composure, but just barely. I felt like a huge lump was in my throat that I couldn't get rid of.

Then the phone call came. It was Jess' principal, a former jr. high teacher of mine. Immediately, when she identified herself, I braced myself for the worst. I usually don't get "happy" phone calls from principals. Typically, a phone call from a teacher or principal means one of my children has had low test scores or has to stay after school due to missing homework assignments.

However, this was not such a call. This phone call was what it took to turn my whole day around. I actually cried tears of joy.

The principal said that she had just had the most wonderful talk with Jess. That last year, Jess seemed angry and brooding. We had talked about that in the past, and Jess did not transition well her first year in the country school. However, the principal indicated that Jess is thriving this year, and really impressing everyone. She said Jess is turning in her homework assignments, doing well on tests, her grades are up and moreover, she is happy and smiling and open throughout the day.

Then she went on to say, "I told Jess that the Jess I am seeing is more like her mom than she has ever been. I told her that when you were in school, you were a light and a joy to everyone around you. You always had a smile on your face, and you always had something positive to contribute. This is what I am seeing in Jess now."

I choked back tears and thanked her profusely. I told her that I had been having a pretty rotten Monday, and that her words turned the day around. Deep inside, I felt at peace. I felt like at some point in my life I had made a difference to SOMEONE. That I might actually be doing something right with my children.

Soon after that, Bipsy suggested I put a new camera on one of the company's office supply accounts and payroll deduct the expense a little at a time until it was paid. Again, I was flooded with gratitude. The camera I found was less than half of the cost of my old one, and was two generations newer, with a higher mega pixels and some better features. Rob's attitude was that I was probably due for a new camera, and that as much as I used my camera, it would not be a frivolous expense.

Still later, my Aflac agent called to answer some questions I had posed to him earlier in the month.

Turns out, I have not submitted claims for wellness benefits on three of my policies for some of 2005 and all of 2006. I would have to wrestle with a mountain of paperwork that would include faxing several doctors AND Aflac, with over 5 forms per claim. However, in total, I will be receiving well over $300 if all claims went through like he anticipates.

Today Robert found out that he may be able to redirect a portion of one of his retirement accounts to pay off our land contract. We owe so very little at this point, but the staggering monthly payment is what has been crippling us. If this does work out for us, our restrictive budget will ease up tremendously. We have just a few months' left on our car payment, so breathing room may be in arms' reach.

I have spent the rest of the week with a smile on my face. Yes, I've been busy at work. Turns out, I've adapted easily to my new responsibilities and have not lost any pay in the process. I feel like God has granted me even more favor with my boss because I have met this new challenge without becoming overwhelmed. I don't have much free time at work, but I have a job and I am not feeling the stress there that I was feeling just a few weeks ago. The tension that was present has eased up quite a bit.

I just want to thank all my friends who have sent thoughts and prayers my way. I also want to thank Debbie for always looking out for me and for finding me the beautiful kitchen table. Everywhere she goes it seems she is thinking of how she can bless me. When I think of how blessed I am, I am humbled. I have so many wonderful people in my life.

I am praying for all of you, my friends, for you to enjoy the same peace that I am feeling right now. You are loved and valued. I pray you are blessed and comforted this week, able to overcome all you face with grace and love.

More later.

I Am Still Alive, Just Busy

I will post later today, I hope. Work continues to be hectic, life continues to be hectic.

I'm happy and healthy, just trying to keep my ducks in a row. As soon as I get some free time, I'll post, and drop by your blog (if you have one)! ;)

Until then, hope you're having a great week! You're in my heart and mind!

Thoughts of Arlene

October 20, 1947- November 10, 2005

Thinking of you, Mom, and hoping you're at peace.

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

A Post From Beyond.....

Okay, not really. It's just I started to write about the OTHER love of my life, Weird Al, the other day. Then I got sidetracked and I finished the post today. However, it stuck the post down on the page a little. SOOOOO, you will have to arrow down a tad to read it. I must give my OTHER true love the post recognition he deserves. :) teehee.

I Want My "Good Citizen Award" and I Want it NOW!

If those awards are in short supply, I want my "patience under extreme circumstances" award.


First of all, I had to go to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles on my "lunch" hour, which I didn't get to take until 3 in the afternoon. Work was so hectic I could barely breathe, and it never really stopped at any point. I had to leave at 3, though, because my boss had somewhere she had to be by 5, so if I waited too much longer, I wouldn't have made it out the door. Just going to the BMV....I won't explain further. I just had to wait an hour, because the computers were offline, which is the usual drill.


So, I left there and went back to work. I left at five to go vote. Right as I was getting ready to leave, about ten emergency vehicles went zooming past my job. I figured they were going to the biggest plat in the town....which is where most emergency vehicles are headed if they pass my job.

So, I let a few minutes pass, and I headed out to the driveway. At 5 p.m., it can be touch and go getting out of the driveway. I sat there and sat there, waiting for a chance to get out of the drive. I was there at least five minutes. If I turned right (which is the way the EMT vehicles went) I could get out. If I turned left, I would have an idefinite wait. Against my better judgement, I ended up going right.

After getting on the highway, I would be one exit...about 1/2 a mile from my exit....and I could vote and be on my way.

Pulling off the exit, I realized my mistake. Directly off my exit on the highway was what looked to be a fatal accident. I couldn't get on the highway or off. I was stuck there for 45 minutes, waiting. I watched my gas guage go from 1/2 to 1/4. People were pulling off the ramp, backing off the ramp, going into the grass, etc.

Finally, we were back on the highway. Cars were towed, cleanup was done, we moved! We moved for about 1/4 a mile. Suddenly, we stopped. Guess what? Two semis wrecked on the same highway, IN FRONT OF MY OTHER EXIT! I was in that backup for another 45 minutes before they started letting people go around. My gas guage was pushing empty when I got to the Board of Elections. (Had to go there because I failed to change my address when I moved out into the country.) SMART, huh?

Anyway, it was 6:45 by the time I got there. Remember, I left work at 5 p.m., so it took me 1 hour and 45 minutes to go less than a mile!

When I got in the building, the line was snaked around the entire hallyway. I'd estimate roughly 150 people were in line. I didn't get out of there until about 7:15 pm.

By this time I am sure that my husband thought I was dead or moved out of state. My cel phone battery died because I was passing time in the van during the traffice backup by playing a game on the phone. I got one call out to Jess before it died, telling her I was stuck in traffic (the 1st accident) and I didn't know how long it would be.

What was shocking is when I left the Board of Elections, I could see from the road I was on that there was ANOTHER accident on a DIFFERENT part of the same highway the first two accidents were on. I'm starting to wonder if that was some sort of record!

I still had two stops to make, one at the grocery store, because the guinea pigs were out of food. The other was to the libary to return some Spanish learning materials, but I decided enough was enough for one night. I have that on my list of things to do tomorrow.

So, it's late and it's been a long day. I am starting to think that Ellie is right when she said this may just be a week full of Mondays. Wheh!

I do think I should get some sort of award for managing to vote under perilous circumstances. :)

If this post has typos, I don't care. I will fix them tomorrow when I am awake enough to care.

Hope you had a better day. :) Funny thing is, despite all the weird events and unplanned snafoos, I didn't ever get really tense or stressed. Part of it is that I am starting to enjoy ANY alone time I can get. I was stuck in traffic. No one could ask me to do a project STAT or yell, "Mom, I need you to sign a form for me," or "Mom, can you help me with my homework?" It was just me, the radio, and no place to go.

I might need a vacation. Seriously. :)

Have a good night! More later.

Alas, the OTHER love of my life is married....sigh

Okay, I'll admit. I have a thing for Weird Al. It's not the money....it's the funny. I personally think that if a man can make a woman laugh, that's half the battle in the relationship.

But today I figured it out, by going to his website and browsing around, that he got married to his wife, Suzanne, in 2001. They have a daughter, Nina. Sigh. I guess my back up plan in case Rob and I ever get divorced is out of the question. ;)

Al's face is who is staring at me from my computer screen on a daily basis. My husband told me I should never admit that to anyone, so just to show him that I am a strong, independent woman, I am telling all of bloggerdom! ;) Here's some of my favorite pictures of Al:

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos
Doesn't he clean up nice?




Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos
From his latest album. The song "White and Nerdy" ROCKS! Ya gotta hear it! Especially if you need a laugh! ;)




Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos
Okay, that's all, folks! Have a good day!

An Opinion about Politics in a NON-Political Blog

I'm going to say this about politics, and then drop the subject. I don't debate politics, I don't talk about my personal views on the subject, but I will say the following:

I am so glad the elections are over after today! If I hear one more nasty commercial bashing the "other" candidate, I will scream!

I am purposely NOT watching t.v. right now (which I don't watch a lot of, anyway) just to stay away from the stupid "he said-she said" crap that's on the air.

Personally, the ads DO NOTHING to impress me with either party, and makes me want to write letters and say, "WHY DON'T YOU JUST SHUT YOUR BIG YAPPERS!????"

THERE IS ONLY SO MUCH THE AMERICAN PEOPLE CAN TAKE OF THIS BACK STABBING, CHARACTER BASHING, ACCUSATORY STUPIDITY! IS THIS 3RD GRADE RECESS, PEOPLE?!?!?! I THINK NOT! SO GET A GRIP!

I hope you have a nice day. I'm pretty busy right now, but I will write some regular stuff later on. Thanks for hearing my rant. ;)

Friday, Friday Bo-Bidey Me My Mo-Midey....Friday

I'm sitting here listening to a Columbus radio station, 97.1 over the internet. It's nice. It's a mix station....80s, 90s and today. For me, that's good, because I can personally live without most 70s music. I do like some 70s, but my love for 80s music is one of the main things Rob and I have in common.

So, what's new in your world? Not a lot here. I do have a sinus headache, which is annoying, but as soon as my otc med kicks in, I'll be feeling fine.

Hey, goofy question, fellow bloggers. Have any of you dealt with the impact of well water on hair? My hair is getting really....bogged down...that's all I can think of...seems to have some sort of buildup at the roots. This is irking me big time. Anyone know of a really good clarifying shampoo that you've used? I've been using this expensive shampoo...Nirozal or something like that. It's like $15 per 8 oz., and it's one of the only shampoos I can use over a long term basis. It's good for sensitive skin.

I just think I need some anti-buildup shampoo to use a couple times a month to keep the well water effect at bay. I've heard well water can really do a number on peoples' hair. Any thoughts, or am I the only person I know that is living in the middle of nowhere with no city water? Oh well. At least I don't have a water bill, and the water filter on my kitchen sink is pretty economical.

I saw a story that just really touched my heart on yahoo's home page today. Let me try to cut and paste that link: (If it doesn't work, you could try cutting and pasting the link into your browser.)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/unanswered_prayers

Just my take on this: Those prayers may not have been seen by the pastor they were addressed to, but they were not unseen. They were not unanswered. They were heard, every one.

Okay, off to actual work I go.

Hope you have a totally rockin' weekend! May it be fun, productive and relaxing all in one!

A Case of the Sillies

I found a website with some "Tick" quotes from the animated series and the live action series. So, here are some ones that made me laugh from the 1994 animated series:

"Thank you for teaching us all that love is thicker than most bodily membranes. But not quite as sticky. And that a heart full of love is better than a body full of people. Merrilly, the feet that carried us on the heart's path today will be the feet that soak in the steaming brew of happiness tomorrow."

"You're not going crazy. You're going sane in a crazy world!"

"You know, evil comes in many forms, be it a man-eating cow or Joseph Stalin. But you can't let the package hide the pudding. Evil is just plain bad. You don't cotton to it. You gotta smack it on the nose with the rolled up newspaper of goodness. Bad dog! Bad dog!"

"You know, gang, when you're a superhero, you never know where the day will take you. You may find yourself halfway around the world in the shark-infested waters of true-to-life living. Or you may find yourself going down to the store for a lozenge. You can't know, can you? No. You gotta ride that wave, you gotta suck that lozenge. 'Cause if you don't, who will?"

"When a nice clean brain tumbles into the dirty street to lay among the discarded wrappers and spat-out gum wads of wickedness, you can't just pick it up and wash it off with soap and water; you have to think it clean from the inside out."

"Well, once again, my friend, we find that science is a two-headed beast. One head is nice, it gives us aspirin and other modern conveniences... But the other head of science is bad. Oh, beware the other head of science, Arthur. It bites."

"Well, folks, there you have it. A day in the life of a superhero and his sidekick. It's a very long day, the tights are uncomfortable; I think we covered that before. Map light, convenient and essential. A lot of working of villain motifs. Crime has a Bossa Nova beat. Leap before you look. Remember denouement. Other French words: inconvenient, nonessential... oh... I could go on and on... But time's a-wasting and evil's out there making hand-crafted mischief for the swap meet of villainy. And you can't strike a good deal with evil. No matter how much you haggle. We don't need to look for a bargain; goodness is cheap because it's free, and free is as cheap as it gets."

"Let your journey into hugeness teach us all a lesson. Absolute power is a sticky wicket. And, Arthur, chum, you were the stickiest. Don't you get it, good friend? Some of the best things come in small packages. But large things can't. Unless they're inflatable, or require some assembly, or unless they're hearts. Yes, giant, juicy, loving hearts. As big as the moon, but much, much warmer."

"I'm sure millions of viewers out there are just wondering what it's like to wear the tights of justice. Well, it's tingly and it's uncomfortable, but it gets the job done and, oh, the job of it."

"Everybody was a baby once, Arthur. Oh, sure, maybe not today, or even yesterday. But once. Babies, chum: tiny, dimpled, fleshy mirrors of our us-ness, that we parents hurl into the future, like leathery footballs of hope. And you've got to get a good spiral on that baby, or evil will make an interception."

"Destiny, that finely-shaped engine of the universe with the warm hands and the tasteful footwear, pushed Arthur, wings and all, into my path. We were meant to be together, friends to the end. He has a three-pound brain, and it's all smarts."

"Destiny's powerful hand has made the bed of my future, and it's up to me to lie in it. I am destined to be a superhero. To right wrongs, and to pound two-fisted justice into the hearts of evildoers everywhere. And you don't fight destiny. No sir. And, you don't eat crackers in the bed of your future, or you get all... scratchy."

"And, isn't sanity really just a one-trick pony anyway? I mean all you get is one trick, rational thinking, but when you're good and crazy, oooh, oooh, oooh, the sky is the limit."

And what I think I should have put on my tombstone: ;)

"I'm betting that I'm just abnormal enough to survive."

Hope you're having a good day...silly or otherwise...where you are!

I Love "The Tick!"

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

Last night Rob went to watch the Cav's basketball game at a local BW3s...I ran the kids around, and then when I got home, I watched a couple dvd episodes of the live action show, "The Tick." It just cracks me up! The way he says things is just hilarious.

Two notable quotes from last night's episodes:

"Destiny dressed you this morning and now fear is trying to pull of your pants."

and (since fear seemed to be a theme):

"Don't let fear's bad apple spoil your barrel of virtue."

I loved the cartoon version that used to be on, too. They had a character called, "The Chameleon." His special power was to blend in to whatever he was touching. On one episode, he's crawling on the wall and tries to crawl over some multicolored pattern. He freezes up, falls on the floor, moaning: "Can't.......do.......plaid."

To this day, when I'm talking about something I'd rather not do, I say to Rob, "Can't.....do......plaid." And he laughs, knowing just what I'm talking about. ;)