'09 is NOT so fine...

Well gang - this year is what - 14 days old and I'm already tired of it!

I need to whine a bit here so if you'd rather not hear it - click somewhere else. :)

I just can't catch a break these days.

To summarize the last few weeks....

My dog injured her rear leg pretty bad. Her collar got stuck on a bookshelf handle and the entire thing fell on her. We are watching it and hoping she'll be ok. She is 12 years old.

My family DRAMA is on high alert for the most ridiculous things. I won't even go into it, but rest assured it is silly and people need to just GROW up!

Turns out I have yet ANOTHER sinus infection complete with an oozing eye.

The pipes in the cabin are frozen and need repair.

My washing machine broke.

One of our two vehicles is near death and it is only a matter of time before we are down to one car. Can't afford to fix it.

My LOVE of my life (dear daughter) tripped and hit her eye tonight on a table and has a SHINER like you wouldn't believe.

The wind chills here in Wisconsin are so ridiculous that school is closed tomorrow. Minus 30 to minus 40 wind chill!

Sigh. I just want someone to tell me that it will be OK. That this isn't really anything and that it too shall pass. I want to call my mom. I want to get a hug from my dad. But that won't be for some many, many years.

I know in hindsight that this post will be one I want to delete, because I am not a negative person. But right now I am fighting hard to stay smiling!

I know I have much to be happy for and all and all I am blessed. I just want the dark cloud to move on out!

So send me a smile, send me a prayer.

I'm off to take some antibiotics now. Can you mix those with the other type of WINE?

;0

Me

It's 2009? Really?

Gee, I haven't blogged in the NEW YEAR yet? Shame on me!

I guess the hustle and bustle of Christmas and New Year's got to me and then, of course, I got sick. Why wouldn't I get sick? Sigh..

Got this horrible sinus thing and I just feel lousy.

I hope you all had a wonderful New Year's and that 09 is turning out to be a good one for you.

I'll be back soon, I hope.

Miss reading your blogs and blogging in general...

Me

Staying within the lines

Sometimes the simple answer is the best. And then again, sometimes I just SAY TOO MUCH! Here is my morning conversation with darling daughter as we enjoyed breakfast.

Daughter: Mom, what are those LINES on your forehead?
Me: Where?

Daughter: On your forehead. They look like hairs, but they go side to side. Horizontally.
Me: Oh. Those are wrinkles.

Daughter: Will they go away?
Me: No.

Daughter: Will I get those?
Me: Yes. Some day.

Daughter: Why do you have them?
Me: Well it is just age. You get them from the sun, from just getting older.

Daughter: Some moms don't have them. Why do you?
Me: Well I'm older than some of the other moms.

Daughter: Why?
Me: Because I was older when you were born.

Daughter: Why were you older?
Me: Well I guess I wasn't ready when I was younger.

Daughter: How do you know when you are ready to be a mom?
Me: Well you just KNOW. You need to be with the right person and then, well, God just knows and helps you.

(Keep in mind she is 7 and I'm not ready for THAT TALK, just yet!)

Daughter: He helps you? How?
Me: It's complicated. I will tell you more when you are older. You wouldn't understand it all right now

Daughter: When will you tell me?
Me: When you are ready?

Daughter: When will I be ready?
Me: When you are older.

Daughter: How much older?
Me: Oh gosh, I don't know. In a few years.

Daughter. Oh. You know you have other lines on your face too. And some marks that look like holes.
Me: Yes I know. Thanks for pointing that out. (my tone IS changing at this point)

Daughter: What's wrong?
Me: Well you are pointing out things you seem to not like about me.

Daughter: Mom, I love how your face looks! I like to stare at you so I don't forget what you look like when I'm gone all day at school.
Me: (silent)

Me: (tears welling up) I love you.
Daughter: I love you too. Why are your eyes all watery?

Me: Sometimes grownups cry when they are happy?
Daughter: That's weird!

Me: I know!
Daughter: Will I cry when I'm happy some day?

Me: Sigh. Yes. Finish your breakfast Silly Billy!
Daughter: Ok, Pallie Pal.

Daughter: And hey mom, don't feel bad. Dad's lines on his forehead are much worse than yours. So are my teachers. She has really DEEP ones.
Me: Thanks. I don't feel bad.

Note: I am getting my hair cut tonight. GUESS WHO is getting bangs! Ha, ha - that will cover my lines!

Have a good one everybody!

Tell it to me TUESDAY, #2!

Here you go - things you never knew that you wanted to KNOW about me!

MARGIE asks:

Did you ever find the mates to the shoes you showed us in your 6/2008 post?

No, sadly I did not. I also did not take them back to the store. Come to think of it, what DID I do with them? Put them back in my closet? I'd say yep, they are probably somewhere in the black abyss!

Did you ever get all your spring cleaning done?
ACTUALLY I am making great progress since it is too cold to do ANYTHING OUTSIDE! I cleaned my office, the garage, my daughter's closet and the entire house in the last 3 days. I ache everywhere and I'm living on Motrin, but it is nice and tidy in most places! It has REALLY helped my frame of mind to get rid of the clutter. Most of it is in the give away pile that is in my trunk which I must clear out so I can re-fill it with more new stuff for Christmas! Ah, the cycle never ends!

Do you drive in all the snow you get?
It is more like we SLIDE and pray we eventually stop! Ha, ha. I ONLY DRIVE if I have to when I'm in my car. If I am in hubby's 4-wheel drive truck, then I am OK. You cannot live here and NOT have one vehicle that is 4-wheel drive!

Do you like winter/summer?
Asked and answered your honor! Ha, ha - SUMMER without a doubt!

What is your favorite color?
PURPLE. Purple pens, purple paper, purple love seat, purple plates, purple wallet, purple hat, purple purse, purple gloves, PURPLE PURPLE PURPLE!

Your blog layout changed. Did you do it?
Thanks! Yes, but it is a template. I have a new header for it, but I'm working on some minor tweaks. Maybe for 2009 I'll surprise you all!

Well OK that is it! Easy week for me! Unless I missed something someone asked, I do believe we are all caught up!

More later. I've got tons on my mind!

Me

Ten More Winters...

That is how many more winters I plan to stay in the MIDWEST! Wisconsin to be exact! Ugh!

This morning it was minus 16 with the wind chill. OK, that just isn't right!

The kids could not play outside (thankfully) and I feel cooped up already. The scraping of the snow, the crunching of the snow - it is just icky! And because it was 50 degrees (YES YOU read that right) on Sunday - the piles of old snow have melted and become this dark black icy mix of who knows what.

The good news is that the SUN has been shining so it isn't the typical gray, but still! I'm getting OLD because none of this interests me!

I think the title of this blog would make a good book title. Hmmmm..

Other items of interest - I have done zero Christmas shopping and I'll admit it...I'm a little nervous. I haven't done Christmas cards either and don't know if I will. A lot of people are skipping it I think.

We are supposed to be getting another 3-5 inches of snow tomorrow starting at 3:00 and I'm just not that adventurous to head out into it. I'd rather stay at home and blog, read or write. OLD OLD OLD huh?

I know I owe you all a Tuesday update - my Tell it to me Tuesday and I will keep that. I don't have tons to answer so if you have lurking around and wanting to write something - now is your chance!

Have a good night. If you are somewhere warm, please go outside and smile for me.

:)

I DID IT...

You know the soap dispenser that magically gets filled?
I DID IT.

Those clean clothes that appear in your drawers and in the closet?
I DID IT.

That warm meal that got cooked?
I DID IT.

The forms for school that were filled out and turned in on time?
I DID IT.

The furnace that got cleaned and serviced?
I DID IT.

The food that appears in the fridge? I DID IT.

The birthday present that was bought for your family member that I really don't like?
I DID IT.

The bills that get paid (sometimes on time)?
I DID IT.

The house that is relatively clean?
I DID IT.

The nice fresh sheets on all the beds?
I DID IT.

The Christmas cards that get sent out?
I DID IT.

The thank you notes I made our daughter write?
I DID IT.

The RSVP's to parties?
I DID IT.

The calls to the vet, the doctor, dentist and all other appointments?
I DID IT.

The piles of paper that get put away?
I DID IT.

The mail that gets opened?
I DID IT.

And that bottle of wine that opened itself and evaporated?
I DID IT.

:)

Tell it to me TUESDAY, 1st edition!

Awwww...a few of you actually gave me questions.

I'm so happy! As part of the NEW ME, I am going to keep my promise and give you some enlightening material to read. (ha, ha, ha)

Here we go:

Michelle from The Zoromski Chronicles asked "What's the name of your GPS?"
Answer: Priscilla. Although my daughter and her friends call her Drazilla. Who knows why. Priscilla wasn't funny and odd enough?

Michelle is such an over-achiever that she asked more than one question! :) She also asked these tough questions,

"Coke or Pepsi?"
Answer: COKE. But I rarely drink soda anymore. Is it soda or is it pop? I'm from Illinois and I think I used to say pop, but here in Wisconsin it is soda. Oh my - they have converted me! I'm ONE of them!

"Christmas lights - white or color??"
Answer: On the tree white, outside color. I used to think all white was so classy and simple and pretty. But then everyone started to do it and it got, well...boring. SO now I like colored lights and of course, I gave all mine away during some crazy binge cleaning!

"Do you miss me yet??
Answer: YES! It has been far too long and I'm sure it is 100% MY FAULT!

Brandi from O.W.IN.G.S asked,
"Hows the new job?"
Answer: It is a lot of fun! I'm teaching part-time. But kids can sometimes be too honest. One kid said to me today, "I can't wait for the REAL TEACHER to come back." (I'm filling in for a gal who is out because of surgery) Can you just FEEL THE LOVE?

Whew. That was hard! Just kidding. If you missed this exciting new opportunity to ask me anything - feel free to post a question and I'll answer it next week. Oh I feel like Ann Landers!

Actually - you can ASK ME ANYTHING. That's a neat idea. Advice needed anyone? You can post anonymously if you want. I'm REALLY GOOD at giving advice! :)

Have a nice Tuesday. We are expecting 6-10 inches of snow. Pretty to look at, not practical to get around and actually live/work!

Night!

ps_I hope the links work! I was patting myself on the back for that. I'm that easy....!

Tell it to me TUESDAY's

OK NEW IDEA here.

Let's see how this goes.

I am borrowing (because I hate to copy) from Dawn's idea over at Because I Said So. You know Dawn, right? She is like RUDOLPH - she is the most famous blogger of all!

Anyway she does Sunday Sound Outs where she answers questions from during the week. Since I only have a handful of followers, I figure I can handle this. I have this horrible guilt when I don't respond to all of my stalkers, I mean readers - so here is the deal.

On TUESDAYS I will answer all the questions either sent to me via email OR left as part of your comments. You know how sometimes you comment on something and then at the end you ask a question? Well I'm one of those that can't ignore them so come on - ASK AWAY!

I will do my best to answer them and be as open and honest as possible. Obviously if you ask me some crazy super personal question you might get a quick bite from me...but I promise to be nice.

:)

Come on now - don't make me feel bad - somebody start this off and ask me something!

Doctor Doctor give me the news....

Yes those are lyrics to a great song, I know. But this post isn't about singing. It's about a simple test I went to take at the doctor's office this week. A simple TB test. Come on. This is me. You know it wasn't simple. Be prepared. This is a long post, but worth it, I think!

As part of my new teaching gig at my daughter's school, I needed to take a TB test and a physical exam. When I started the job I vaguely remember them giving me papers with names of places I could call for this to be done. They pay for it, so I might as well go to their people. Right? Umm....wrong.

I didn't call and was in a PANIC as I thought that I might not be able to work if they found out I didn't take this test. I'm curious - - is TB really that common? I haven't had this test in years. The last time I had it I think I was in high school or college so it has been a long time!

I call and think I'm going to have to bribe someone to get me in on time, but the gal on the phone is super sweet and says "can you come today?" I thought - WOW these people are great. I couldn't go on that day so I scheduled it for the following day. 12:30 was my appointment.

I show up, sign in and right away get this "feeling" that I might not be the only one that was PROMISED an appointment at that time. The place was packed! I sign in and wait. And wait. And by the way, I wait. NOT being a patient person, I proceed up to the desk to ask how much longer. Oh you should be next, once we clear a room. Ah. The old "clear the room" game.

An HOUR later I'm escorted back to the vision test. Part of my physical. Well my contacts are old and dirty (not to self - order new contacts!) and I basically FAIL this test. It is like the on at the DMV where you lean up on a screen thing. She doesn't seem to care. I guess I can teach the kids blind!

Next it was onto the steps of death or the more common term - the scale. Oh great. I basically weigh what I did when I was pregnant. OK that was 8 years ago. Oh joy! Yep she has to shout it for the whole world to hear. Sigh. Oh and I apparently am shrinking because she said I was 5' 2" and I know for a fact I am 5' 3"! LOL!

Now on to the urine test. Huh? No one told me about this. I can't just go at will. Or can I? Oh yes, I've had one child so I basically go anytime I laugh! No problem. I take the cup and head into the room. Here is where the day gets interesting.

There is a HUGE sign that says "DO NOT FLUSH TOLIET". I am so naive that I think it is broken or something. There are no sanitary wipe things to do beforehand, so I just go for it. I'm sure you can relate - there is no GOING IN THE CUP. You basically GO ON YOUR HAND and hope a few drops make it into the cup. Satisfied that I have "enough" to proudly walk out and hand her my cup I look for a place to set the cup. You know - that little door that you place it in and it magically is taken away and you never have to SEE your urine again? No such door. Huh?

So I place the cup on the floor and desperately look for a towel to wipe my hand. Nope. No towels. Just some good cheap toliet paper. Great. It isn't even ONE-PLY toliet paper. It is like HALF-PLY that won't come off the roll in more than one square at a time!

I peel off as many layers as I can in a row and wrap it around the cup. It sticks to the WET cup. I'm dabbing my hands and throwing all this paper in the toliet. GASP! Oh no! I can't flush this all down and get rid of the evidence! Remember the sign - NO FLUSHING. Oh great.

I bravely open the door, holding my soggy tissue-covered cup and look around. No one is there. Figures! I said "hello?" She pops up from around the corner and takes the cup. I say "um....can I wash my hands somewhere?" She shows me to a sink where I now suffer second degree burns attempting to sanitize my hands. I then shyly say "I had to use paper to dry my hands and there is a bunch of paper in the toliet." She just stares as me and gives me an odd look as if to say "thanks for sharing crazy lady." I go on to say "I couldn't flush because of the sign." She starts to laugh and tells me "oh that is just for drug testing! You could have flushed!" Ah yes, of course. I would know this - - how, exactly?

The rest of the "physical" wasn't much better. After waiting another 45 mintutes in a room I am given these paper shorts. Why you ask? Because the doctor will need to test my reflexes. This actually makes sense to me. I must have reflexes to run away from any naughty children! Ha, ha, ha!

My "physical" was an absolute joke. Sorry. No other way to say it. The doctor comes in and I have to do a series of tests like touch my toes, put one hand out and while my eyes are closed I touch my nose What? I'm not drunk!

The ONE test that just floored me was the hearing test. The doctor had me turn around (I think he wanted to see my big bottom in those paper shorts) and cover one ear. Then he whispered something and asked me what he said. At this point I looked up in the corners of the room in search of the hidden cameras. I was waiting for the cameras to come out and someone to tell me I was junk PUNKED by Ashton Kutcher! Can you even believe this? Oh and what did he whisper to me you ask? Sponge Bob Squarepants!!!!!!

I had to go back there yesterday to have my results read. Luckily I was in and out in 2 minutes. A receptionist looked at my arm and said "it's negative."

When I got home hubby asked me about it and I filled him in. He asked WHY they took the urine and I said they put a stick in it to check my glucose levels to make sure I wasn't diabetic. He brought up a good point. He said "so they didn't check you for drugs? You can teach kids and be on drugs but they want to be sure you don't need insulin? That's weird." (for the record I am NOT on drugs and would have passed - just had to mention that.)

It is weird. But it seems that lately everything around me is weird!

I'm telling you that I do need a new T-shirt that reads "it could only happen to me!"

Have a good one,

Me

:)

Women are NOT sinks...

don't try to fix them.

Alright I can't claim to have said that. It was on TV tonight on Samantha Who? If you don't watch that show - check it out, it is pretty funny!

Basically we have all been there. Something is bugging us and we VENT. I know every woman reading this knows what I mean and the few guys that read this know what it is too. You've heard us go on and on about one topic and then all of a sudden we are talking about your mother and last Thanksgiving when she wouldn't serve us the last helping of turkey! LOL!

It IS WHAT we do. We don't want you to FIX anything. We want you to LISTEN and nod your head. Pretend that you can emphathize and feel our pain. If we complain about our best friend we do not want you to harm her. If we gripe about our boss, we do not want you to grab an ax and kill him. If we grumble that you should do more or take out the trash ON TRASH day, it does not mean we want a divorce.

We do our thing and you do yours. See, that is the problem. Your thing is - - fixing it? I don't want to be fixed. I want you to LISTEN and for a brief moment in your life TRY to be me and understand that sometimes I just need to spew.

Sometimes when you ask me "what's new?" I should say "nothing" and call a girlfriend!

Me

Back to Reality

Hi gang!

Well I'm back in town and back in business! I had a WONDERFUL TIME relaxing and getting myself re-charged for the upcoming 24 days.

I came home in a MAJOR snowstorm, but all in all, it is good to come home and see things in a new light. Every room looked bigger, things seemed better. I don't know why - maybe it is just being away makes you appreciate what you have. I am always so thankful to pull in the driveway and see the house is still standing! :)

My "to do" list is long this week. How is yours? I am trying to not get overwhelmed and just saying "yes" to things I actually want to do vs. doing it all.

One of the big things I feel I want to do is CLEAN UP MY BLOG! Holy cow do I have too many labels and I still hate the colors and layout of this thing. Suggestions? Anyone want to take it on and do it for me?

I hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving. I should list all the things I am thankful for but right now my tired old body wants to get some rest. Just didn't want to disappear like I did last year so this is my boring post for tonight.

Sleep tight,

Me

happy Thanksgiving

Just a quick hello as I am out of town and attemting a post via a cellphone keyboard is not recommended!!

I am thankful for so many things and I will be home Monday to post more, however I didn't want You all to get worried that I was missing again.

I hope today was as good for you as it was for me.

Be safe... Be happy...be you!!

Peep Show

Part of my new mini part-time job is working at my daughter's school. I say mini because it is only 2 hours a day/10 hours a week. I do it because I love teaching and miss it and hope to return to teaching full time in the fall. Well most of it is in the classroom, but from time to time they need help in the lunchroom and outside for recess duty. I do it because it is part of the gig and I avoid it whenever possible.

I'll admit it - I don't like the lunchroom or recess duty. I don't mind the little ones (Kindergarten and first graders) as they are still "nice" and "polite" and really seem to appreciate it when you help them with opening a juice box. The kids over 5th grade, well they seem a bit uninterested in any adult, let alone me. I'm not a tall woman by any means and even WITH boots or heels, some of those 6th graders have four-inches of height on me! You can't really make small talk with them, its kinda like zoo animals. I look at them and then move on! I REALLY don't like the outside duty as I feel there are WAY too many kids to watch and I fear something horrible will happen on my time. (broken bones, fist fights come to mind)

Another glorious part of helping out in the lunchroom is that you get to wipe down the tables. I should back up a bit and tell you that I dress professionally for my mini-job at school. I am always in heels or boots and I normally wear a sleeveless shirt with a sweater or a short sleeve shirt with a jacket of some type. I am ALWAYS HOT so this gives me some flexibility in taking off the sweater and cooling my HOT BODY down. (you can laugh that I said HOT BODY and didn't mean it like I was some 20 year old 'thang!) Oh and most of my tops that I wear underneath are V-necks. This will become and important details in a few more paragraphs. Some of you know where this is going, don't you?

As the other "regular helpers" are talking and apparently working, I am scrubbing down the tables and the seats on all of these tables. There is one group of 6th grade boys that just seems to be hanging around and not eating their food anymore, but just sitting at their table talking and laughing. We are told to push them outside as close to the bell as possible, but we let most kids hang back while we are cleaning up and sweeping - maybe an extra 5 minutes to finish up. It's now colder outside so I am guessing they don't want to go out for recess or they are too cool to be outside or something.

I mean WHY would they stay inside and watch some middle aged lady wash tables...unless there was something interesting...wait a second...what are they looking at...me? But why - what could be so interesting...OH MY GOSH!! They are looking DOWN MY SHIRT! Those little PIGS! When I glance down at my extra-large shirt with it's V-neck I can see a nice beige bra (dirty, I'm sure) that has seen its better days - but yep - there they are - MY BREASTS on display!

They are giggling. I'm mortified. I quickly re-adjust my shirt, pulling it down in the back and securing it with my belt and I now it appears as though I am wearing a turtle-neck! I quickly leave the room to "find some more rags" and pray they are gone.

I return a few minutes later and they are gone. Unbelievable. I feel like a fool! Had I know I was going to give these young boys a glimpse into their future I would have put on a red lacy bra to liven up the show!

Can you believe it? It really COULD only happen to me.

What about you? Anything you care to admit here as your most embarrassing moment? I'd love to hear it.

Night,

Me

I DID IT...

You know the soap dispenser that magically gets filled?
I DID IT.

Those clean clothes that appear in your drawers and in the closet
I DID IT.

That warm meal that was cooked?
I DID IT.

The forms for school that were filled out and turned in on time?
I DID IT.

The furnace that got cleaned and serviced?
I DID IT.

The food that appears in the fridge?
I DID IT.

The birthday present that was bought for your family member that I really don't like?
I DID IT.

The bills that get paid (sometimes on time)?
I DID IT.

The Christmas cards that get sent out?
I DID IT.

The thank you notes I made our daughter write?
I DID IT.

The RSVP's to parties?
I DID IT.

The calls to the vet, the doctor, dentist and all other appointments?
I DID IT.

The bottle of wine that opened itself and evaporated?
I DID IT.

:)

WWYD? What would YOU do?

Ok folks - I need an opinion here. I'll give you some background first.

Pre-election, a friends husband and my husband started a "banter" back and forth verbally about the candidates. Obviously they were on opposing sides and in the past their discussions have gotten heated, but they were always about the candidates.

Well hubby sent an email with a video about the other guys opponent. Not important who liked who here, as that is ancient history - we all know who won.

So from there it went back and forth a few times but the other guy started blasting my HUBBY personally. We are talking obscene words here and he was down right rude and insulting! We held off having plans with them because things got beyond awkward. I thought time would let things die down.

Well once hubby stopped emailing him (my advice) he started emailing ME! And it hasn't been nice at all. My husband can kiss his *ss and so on. Again, I thought "ignore it" he is an idiot and he'll go away. Also made me think - wow, how can my friend be married to such a jerk! I never mentioned it to her as we are friends through church and do things occasionally with the families. She isn't someone I would call to gab on the phone with or to do something with alone.

OK so the latest is that he is still emailing me! I had thought in the past that this guy was a bit of a drinker and it seems that he can only write me at 1:30 in the morning and he is all over the place. Things that are attacking and threatening me, my family and then the next sentence says "call us for plans!" Bottom line, this guy is not stable.

Oh one more bit of info - he NEVER emails from his home account that he shares with his wife. You know one of those joeandcindy@yahoo.com type of emails. That seems SO SILLY to me to have a joint email - I mean it isn't a checking account! He emails me throughFacebook. Geesh - maybe I should have never gone on there! :)

SO do I call his wife and tell her or just continue to ignore him? When I say tell her, I am 100% sure she does NOT know what he has been doing or saying. He is totally creeping me out and I just want him to go away. I mean it is like cyber harassment!

Your thoughts...?