A Huge Load of BS

Because Ethel's Lazy

2006-12-11T15:07:00.000-06:00

Stolen from Ethel of The Ethel Experience fame...and she lifted it from someone else...

So what?!?!

If you wanna be kewl like me and Ethel...copy the list, and make the ones you have done bold...

01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
02. Swam with wild dolphins
03. Climbed a mountain
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid
06. Held a tarantula
07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
08. Said “I love you” and meant it
09. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby’s diaper
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on champagne
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 50 states
41. Taken care of someone who was drunk
42. Had amazing friends
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44. Watched wild whales
45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road-trip
48. Gone rock climbing
49. Midnight walk on the beach
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger’s table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow
56. Alphabetized your CDs
57. Pretended to be a superhero
58. Sung karaoke
59. Lounged around in bed all day
60. Played touch football
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theater
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured ancient sites
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted the Snake River
82. Been on television news programs as an “expert”
83. Got flowers for no reason
84. Performed on stage
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark
88. Kissed on the first date
89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house
91. Been in a combat zone
92. Buried one/both of your parents
93. Been on a cruise ship
94. Spoken more than one language fluently
95. Performed in Rocky Horror
96. Raised children
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn’t stop when you knew someone was looking
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an accident that you shouldn’t have survived
105. Wrote articles for a large publication
106. Lost 100 pounds
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane
109. Touched a stingray
110. Broken someone’s heart
111. Helped an animal give birth
112. Won money on a T.V. game show
113. Broken a bone
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a facial part pierced other than your ears
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had major surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi
128. Had your picture in the newspaper
129. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about
130. Gone back to school
131. Parasailed
132. Touched a cockroach
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes
134. Read The Iliad - and the Odyssey
135. Selected one “important” author who you missed in school, and read
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
137. Skipped all your school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146. Dyed your hair
147. Been a DJ
148. Shaved your head
149. Caused a car accident
150. Saved someone’s life

For Those Who Don't Know

2006-11-02T23:36:00.000-06:00

I wanted to update this blog. I didn't know exactly how to approach it. So, I took down all the posts dealing with my pregnancy other than the first one. It had a lot of comments and it DID happen...I can't deny it. I just can't keep reading about it.

We lost the baby. We found out on Aug. 29th that our baby's heartbeat had stopped sometime that week. I was 14 weeks along. We still do not know why it happened. Since then, I have been told that I have a fibroid tumor in my uterus. I'm currently going to a specialist to deal with this condition...and to see if it will be possible for me to get pregnant again. If all goes well, we will be trying to produce another offspring sometime next summer.

I won't dwell on this here. I've done enough of that already. I need to get back to "normal" life again. That is why I felt I needed to post this and get it over with. I'm going to try to get back to regular posting here. Bear with me. I may not always be this positive.

Warning To Ethel (and others)

2006-07-03T12:17:00.000-05:00

Exercise causes pregnancy.

Proof?

My mom had me when she was 18. She tried to have another baby off and on throughout the years. Then she finally got over it and realized that it wouldn't happen. She joined a gym and got in the best shape of her life....then she got pregnant. It was 20 years after I was born. YIKES!

Now...it's happened to me. Used the same BC for 13 years....never had a problem. Started exercising...best shape ever....and BOOM...here's comes baby!

So...I've concluded that this means exercise causes pregnancy. All you fitness buffs BEWARE! Especially you Ethel! Be careful down there in Hotlanta!

How Does That Crow Taste, Dad?

2006-06-23T16:10:00.000-05:00

There is still a side of me that loves to prove either of my parents wrong. Something about it gives me a charge. Is that evil?

Anyway...my boyfriend's truck had to go in the shop this week to get some much needed love and attention...not to mention an inspection and new license plates. My Pop is good friends with a great mechanic! He always works on our cars and doesn't charge us two arms and three legs. So he fixed the truck, and then my Dad said he would get it inspected for us. Great! He tells me to make sure I have the "paperwork" in the truck.

Now, mind you, in all the years leading up to this one, this would have been a perfectly logical thing for him to say. However, our state just changed to a different system. They mail you a postcard. The place that does the inspection has the "paperwork". I know this....my father doesn't.

Once the truck was repaired, he went to pick it up and was shocked to find that I had not left my "paperwork". He calls me all irate and screaming at me at 9:30 in the morning. This too, is not that unusual. He thinks I have shit for brains. No...let me rephrase that...he thinks I have shit for common sense. And sometimes, he's right. Not this time though.

I calmly tell him that they only sent us a postcard this year. He refuses to believe this and tells me that I must have misplaced it somewhere during one of my shit-brained moments. So...I concur...and hang up to go in search of paperwork that I know full well does not exist. About 20 mins. later, the lady who runs the shop that is performing my inspection calls and says all she needs is my BF's name and address.

After she hangs up...I wait, with bated breath, by the phone for the BIG moment....I think I may have even had a few goose bumps. Then it rings....It's HIM! "I just wanted to apologize to ya. Betty (shop lady) told me that the state changed that this year and now they just mail you a postcard."

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.......

S----W----E----E----T!!!

I was right...you were wrong.....nah..nah...nah...

Of course...I only thought that part.

I graciously accepted and said it was no big deal.

I'm such a liar!!!!

LMAO!!!!

I love my Daddy!

Still Alive!

2006-06-20T16:03:00.000-05:00

Sorry I've been AWOL the last couple of weeks. We've just been enjoying the summer a little. Hayley is all better. Her chest x-ray was clear and she is finally finished with her antibiotics. She feels great and I'm SO happy to have my normal little girl back!

Some of my internet friends from the RacingOne forums sent me a graduation present. $300! Can you believe that? I was so shocked and grateful! They are a great bunch of folks. You should stop by and say "Hi" to them sometime!

I promise to be back by week's end...boring you all to death. LOL! My mom is coming to visit in a couple of weeks...so I will still be somewhat busy. I will try to keep things updated here though.

BTW....Thanks for the good wishes for Hayley everyone!

I'll Post More When I Have More Energy

2006-06-03T09:57:00.000-05:00

We are finally home. The folks at Glennon are amazing! I can't even begin to tell y'all how wonderfully we were treated. Hayley is doing MUCH better. She has just the tiniest hint of red in her spit now. It's nearly gone. She is on a heavy-duty course of antibiotics for the next 2 weeks, and she can't do a lot. We will go back for another chest x-ray and CT Scan a week from this Tues. Then, we will know if it was just pneumonia or if there is something else there. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. We want this to be all gone by the time we get the x-ray.

Thanks for the kind words, prayers, and thoughts. It's good to know that there are people pulling for her.

More when I don't feel like a zombie.

Hospitals SUCK!

2006-06-01T13:13:00.000-05:00

My daughter is in the horsepital. We are at Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital in St. Louis. She has MAJOR pneumonia! She was coughing up blood and the whole deal. In fact, she is still coughing up a little blood. Doesn't look like we will be coming home until tomorrow night. She was rushed up here Tues. morning around 3am. Of course, they are still concerned that there could be something else going on because of the amount of blood and the shape of the mass in the chest x-rays. Although they are about 97% sure it's just a pneumonia. It's a waiting game I guess. She is feeling a million times better than when we first got here though. Today we played air hockey in the playroom for awhile and that wore her out totally. I'm at my aunt's house. I came here to take a shower and check email and then it's back to the hospital.

I'll update when I can. Say a prayer if you're into that sort of thing.

Still Deaf

2006-05-29T20:33:00.000-05:00

And I can't hear either. LOL!

I think I'm getting used to this not hearing business. I've caught myself turning my "good ear" toward the TV or anyone who might be talking to me today.

We put off our Memorial Day stuff until tomorrow. Hayley and I will go the cemetary after we get up in the morning. Yuck...we hate doing that.

My friend and I walked 3 miles tonight. Just finished about a half hour ago. We got a little light rain while we were walking, which is ALWAYS nice. This is the most we've walked to date. Feelin' pretty good about myself now. I had ice-cream on Saturday....so I needed the extra workout. LOL

Hope the rest of you had a fun and safe holiday weekend. I need to get around and visit some blog friends. Tomorrow is my guy's 37th birthday. So...not sure how much I'll be around. I'll spend the evening making him a nice supper and all that jazz.

Oh....btw....my burn is gone and I've got a pretty nice tan going on. Maybe I'll post a picture sometime this week. Also...we've just about finished Ethel's Photo Challenge for this week! Go US!!!

Can You Hear Me Now? No? Good!

2006-05-29T00:10:00.000-05:00

I'm deaf tonight. Not sure what is going on...but I've lost all hearing in my right ear. Maybe it's just some kind of ear infection or something cuz my nose is a little stuffy as well.

All I know is...it was a bit of a blessing. Meant I didn't have to listen to the idiots on Fox during the Coke 600 tonight. BONUS!

American Idol

2006-05-24T21:05:00.000-05:00

I think I'm in love with Taylor Hicks! Is that wrong? I don't normally post about stuff like this. I just can't hold it in any longer. There is just something SO intoxicating about that man! SOOOO glad he won!

Burn Baby Burn

2006-05-23T23:08:00.000-05:00

Ok...so I decided since I'm doing all of this stuff to improve my appearance, (losing weight, exercising, getting a cute haircut) I should start tanning. It's been about 4 years since I've been in a tanning bed.

I got my membership on Saturday and tanned that day when there was really no one there. It was great. I went for 12 mins. Didn't even get all hot and sweaty. I tan pretty easily....so Sunday I could really see a difference.

So....I decided to go back yesterday and do 15 minutes. OH LORD WHY?!?!

First of all, it was 6pm. The place was packed with a buncha skinny bitches...as Ethel calls them...cuz it's a gym too. So...I go in to tan and after about 10 mins. I realize that the bed seems MUCH hotter than last time. I stayed in the 15 mins. though. I was cookin'! I thought maybe it was because of all the other people tanning...the bed was already hot. I'm not sure why it was so intense. Seems that 3 extra minutes wouldn't make much difference. NOT SO! I'm burnt to a crisp! Why oh WHY...didn't I get out of there when I could feel my flesh melting???

Now I'm a lovely shade of pink with nice white "racing stripes" down both sides. Yeah....that's a great look for summer FOR SURE!

I Suck, At Pictures

2006-05-21T19:22:00.000-05:00

Well, I tried to get some photos for Ethel's Photo Contest this week. So far...these two that Hayley took from the car are all I've gotten. LOL! I WILL start working on them, I promise...

1. True Colors....

2. Slippery When Wet...

3. Romancing the Stone...

4. She Blinded Me With Science...

5. Jump...

I'll add the others as I get them. Sorry I am so bad at this, Ethel.

(Edited to add the rest. Hayley took them all. The pink thing is soap...in case you were wondering...LOL)

Let Them Eat Cake! Ok...just let ME eat cake!

2006-05-20T01:24:00.000-05:00

Check THIS out! Is that just the coolest thing or WHAT? Did y'all know Wal Mart would do this?

This was the cake they had at Amber's little post-graduation dinner. I had to get a picture! Took that picture with my new phone...btw. Not the BEST...but it'll do in a pinch.

Congrats To Valley High School Class Of 2006!

2006-05-20T00:47:00.000-05:00

I went to graduation at my old high school tonight. My friend Tina's niece, Amber was graduating . She was also Salutatorian and had to give a speech. She was just a little, tiny girl the first time I met her. So hard to believe. The school has changed VERY little since I left nearly 16 years ago. So strange to see these kids graduating, who have such familiar faces (because they look like their parents).

This was a happy night...but a really sad one as well.

First, another history lesson......I'm from a rural (and when I say rural...I mean...200 people per town) area. Kids come from miles around to attend the tiny schools. These are farming communities...tight knit as they come. I wasn't from that area originally. Though I lived really close...in the next community over. When I came to the smaller school, they treated me just like I'd been there forever. It truly became my home. The years that came before that place melted away and I embraced them as much as they embraced me. My husband and I settled there and raised our daughter there until he passed away. I moved out of the area after that, and I don't get back there nearly often enough. Lately, it seems like only for things like funerals.

Last week, one of the girls (Rachel Johnston) who was to graduate in this class was killed in an auto accident. She was a really close friend of Amber's. Everyone knew her...she was an amazing kid. I've know her and her family for many years. The rest of the graduating class has been so extremely mature through it all. They were at the funeral in their Senior t-shirts....they were at her parents' house pretty much round-the-clock to help out in whatever way they could. Tonight, they wore her initials on their boards, laid roses in her chair, and gave her parents a standing ovation when they went up on stage to receive her diploma.

Now, I know this kind of thing happens all the time. But to a community such as this one, it was beyond tragic! And as if that isn't bad enough....Rachel's family has suffered so many of these things the last few years. Her mother's brother was killed in a hunting accident, one of her father's sisters died of cancer, another was killed in a car accident, as was one of her father's brothers. They've just suffered SO much....but, there they were tonight...cheering on Rachel's classmates and honoring their daughter in a way that gave me a feeling that I can't EVEN begin to explain here.

Those kids...heck, those PEOPLE are what it's all about folks. No matter what life throws their way...they face it head on and NEVER surrender! RIP Rachel....you made it!

RIP Billy...And Stevie Too

2006-05-18T10:34:00.000-05:00

We played this song at my husband's funeral. It just says it all.....

"Life Without You"---SRV

Ooh, ooh now baby,
tell me how have you been
We all have missed you,
and the way you grin
The day is necessary,
every now and then
For souls to move on,
givin' life back again and again
Fly on, fly on,
fly on my friend
Go on, live again, love again

Day after day,
night after night
Second guessin' every, every minute,
as the years go passing by, by, by, by
Long look in the mirror,
we've come face to face
Wishing all the love we took for granted,
love we have today

Life without you,
all the love you passed my way
The angels have waited for you so long,
now they have their way

Take your place

(This man was a true musical poet...believe it!)

Beware...Not My Normal Light-Hearted Post

2006-05-17T22:42:00.000-05:00

In a few hours, it will officially be the 4th anniversary of my husband's passing. While it doesn't hurt as bad now as it used to....it's still a VERY difficult day for us. Luckily tomorrow is Hayley's last day of school for the summer. WOO HOO!

Anyway...I'll probably post some pretty somber things over the next 28 hours or so. I will try to throw in a few fun things too. Just don't be shocked if my mood seems melancholy.

Copied From A Sick Ethel

2006-05-17T14:16:00.000-05:00

Get well Ethel!!!

What Famous Leader Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

RM Phone Home

2006-05-16T22:26:00.000-05:00

I finally broke down and got a cell phone. I know...I know. I just resisted the urge to have one for so long, and then it became this "thing" where I was too cool to have one....or so I thought.

Well, of course, when I decided to get one, I had to have at least CLOSE to the latest thing. So, I ended up with a W600i, Sony Ericsson...you know...the one with the walkman. It's a GREAT phone. It was pretty expensive, but with the rebate, it wasn't TOO bad. I can't get insurance for it yet though. So, I have to be extra careful for the next couple of months. The Cingular lady said the insurance should be available after that. I've already downloaded a bunch of songs to it. It's so cool having a phone and MP3 player in one. It is REALLY nice for my workouts. Before I know it, I'm finished and I don't miss any calls. Also, I am really going to need the phone in August, when I'll have to be on the road for 4 hours a day.

Oh...btw...a couple of really impressive things about this phone are...it has FM radio and Bluetooth wireless technology.

"I love technology....always and forever."

Vote for Pedro!!!

That's Right, More Pictures

2006-05-16T11:56:00.000-05:00

You know the drill....

Again, second gold shiny spot from the left.

And here, I'm not the one shaking hands. I'm the one walking over to get my "diploma". It's really just the cover. I already have mine since I actually graduated in the fall. I got to walk second out of 374. That was kinda awesome. OH...the girl shaking hands is a friend of ours who works for the college. This is her second degree.

Bored Yet? No? There's More...

2006-05-16T11:44:00.000-05:00

Another nice picture of our new Quadrangle (yes...that's what they call it...dorks). Wish I had more shots of it. The landscaping is amazing! Love the tables!

Ok...here's where my BF's wonderful camera skills came into play. I've done my best to lighten these up...but....Anyway, I'm on the front row, first gold shiny spot from the left.

And here, I'm the second gold shiny thing from the left. Bless his heart.

I'm Still Alive

2006-05-16T10:45:00.000-05:00

Sorry to be so scarce. I've just had a lot going on. I know I promised graduation pictures. So, I'm going to post a few. My sweet, well-intentioned boyfriend took pictures for me. Let's just say...it was very nice of him. LOL Since my honors medal cannot be seen in any of these pictures, I will post a picture of it later.

Ok...1st couple of pictures...here we go...

This is me, just before going to the concourse area to line up. We LOVE our new Quad. Someone donated $250,000 to the school to redo our quad and put in this beautiful waterfall! I didn't have my Honors Medallion here. I got it literally seconds after this picture was taken. Notice I'm wearing a different color tassel than you will see on some of the other grads. It's my Honor Society one. In fact, I think I had both of them on my board at this point. If pride really is a deadly sin...I should be more than six feet under by now. LOL!

This is my oldest and dearest friend, Amy. She and I have been best friends since 8th grade. We attended school together from 1st grade on. We've both had our ups and downs, but we've finally managed to DO something with our lives. She graduated with a 3.75 GPA...from the Radiology Program! YAY!!! I'm jealous because she is nearly finished with college. She has 3 more weeks of clinicals and then she's done. OH...and that's her sister, Julie, on the right.

I Want My MOMMY!

2006-05-14T23:33:00.000-05:00

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mothers out there! Sorry I'm here late....had a busy few days...what with graduating from college with honors and all. YAY! It was fun. I'll post pictures later. I'm beat. I think I need to sleep for a few days.

Another Birthday....YAY!

2006-05-11T10:43:00.001-05:00

Happy Birthday to Jeremiah's daughter, Erin!!! She is 10 years-old today. He has a great post on his blog listing all of his nicknames for her. It's too cute! Check it out!

Proof That I'm Still A Newbie

2006-05-11T09:26:00.000-05:00

I love these "blog things". Just skip it...if you've already "been there, done that".

You Belong in Dublin

Friendly and down to earth, you want to enjoy Europe without snobbery or pretensions.
You're the perfect person to go wild on a pub crawl... or enjoy a quiet bike ride through the old part of town.

What European City Do You Belong In?

Something Trashy

2006-05-10T11:17:00.000-05:00

Today is trash day in Racemomland. I hate trash day. We are only allowed 2 (yes I said TWO) bags of trash per week. It doesn't matter if they are small bags, medium bags, large bags, 2 tarps sewn together to form a GIANT bag....you are ONLY allowed 2 bags.

Unless you are my next door neighbors...in THAT case you can have 900 bags a week and they will pick them all up and smile and wave at you while they are doing it. If I stick a Wal-Mart bag next to my 2 bags, they will take it and one big bag and then throw the other one at my car or something. These same guys pick up our recycling on Fridays. They ALWAYS throw the bins at the back of my car. Sometimes they actually hit it. JERKS!

Now...I HAVE been sneaky a time or two and tied 3 bags of trash together in such a way that taking them was much easier than cutting them apart. hehehe. But, I've only done that once or twice....and only AFTER the neighbors had put out 8 bags the week before.

For many months, I have believed that the reason they take the neighbor's trash, no matter how many hundreds of bags they have, is that there are two young girls that live there. I thought it was a flirty thing. Weeelll.....I found out the other day that they go to City Hall and pay extra for the other bags.

Uhhhhh.....but....ummmmm...

So THAT'S why they have those little red tags on them. DOH!

And Here We Have....

2006-05-09T14:02:00.000-05:00

...the reason why Racemom was only a lesbian for 5 seconds.

I snapped this picture at the bar Saturday night. Notice she's the only one dancing. It was barely 9pm and she was already drunk enough for this. I don't know the girl...but all night I just wanted to go up there and throw a blanket over her. Obviously this chick doesn't own a full-length mirror....or possibly any mirror AT ALL! LOL!

My 5 Seconds As A Lesbian

2006-05-08T21:47:00.000-05:00

I took my daughter to the hospital today to get blood work. She has hypothyroidism. We do these blood tests about every 3 months or so. Our local hospital has been going through some changes recently. They've hired all new people to work in their outpatient department as a result of these changes.

When we came in today, there was a very friendly-looking lady behind the counter. She smiled at us, and then I realized that I was still carrying my soda. I had forgotten to leave it in the car. So, I sent the girl back out to the car with it. While she was gone, the lady looked up her file and asked how old she was. I told her she is 13. So, she says...."Well...are YOU her mother?!?!" I was a bit shocked at the way she said it. Of course I said, "Yes." She then proceeds to go on and on about how I just don't look old enough to have a kid that age. She said I only looked about 21 or so. I laughed and laughed. I thanked her and told her how good that made me feel. But....I really just wanted to kiss her....

and that was my 5 seconds as a lesbian. LOL

Hey Ethel!

2006-05-08T20:40:00.000-05:00

Guess who's gonna be on your "favorite" show tomorrow?

The View

I will be watching for you since Rosie's not there yet. LOL!

Don't look....Ethel's 30 Today!

2006-05-05T00:14:00.000-05:00

As some of you know, today is our good friend Ethel's 30th birthday! This is the official beginning of The Ethel Experience birthday blog party! If you love Ethel...and we all do...show her you care by posting a birthday wish for her on your blog. Also, be sure to stop by her blog and check out her birthday facts! Happy Birthday Ethel! 30 is the new 20!

Keep That Turtle Away From Me!

2006-05-04T11:32:00.000-05:00

My boyfriend's son has been stricken with the dreaded "pink-eye" this week. He found a turtle and played with it all last weekend and by Sunday...his eye was all puffy and pink. He's doing well now. Gets to go back to school tomorrow.

Now...my grandma always told me that turtles are major carriers of conjunctivitis. Has anyone else ever heard this? I'm starting to believe it's true. Because Zack got it when he played with one and then, my friend's son also got it after they got him a pet turtle. Maybe it's just a coincidence?

Anything For YOU, Ethel!

2006-05-03T23:37:00.000-05:00

My student ID photo. Yes...it was taken when I was still blonde....sort of. Oh...and I am just this grainy in person. LOL

Inside the Actor's Studio List

2006-05-03T18:33:00.001-05:00

Lifted from another site, via another blog...link at top and bottom.

01. What is your favorite word? IT!!! Oh no...she said "it" again! AHHHH!

02. What is your least favorite word? Can't.

03. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? Good conversation with a person who has at least a FEW brain cells left.

04. What turns you off? People who are too demanding.

05. What is your favorite curse word? Ass.

06. What sound or noise do you love? A Harley Davidson engine.

07. What sound or noise do you hate? The sound of my fishing line breaking...especially if there's a big ole bass on the other end.

08. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Belly dancer.

09. What profession would you not like to do? Port-a-potty cleaner.

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? Welcome home, boss. LOL

Pass The Pickle Juice!

2006-05-03T08:28:00.000-05:00

"Congratulations! You're not perfect! It's ridiculous to want to be perfect anyway. But then, everybody's ridiculous sometimes, except perfect people. You know what perfect is? Perfect is not eating or drinking or talking or moving a muscle or making even the teensiest mistake. Perfect is never doing anything wrong - which means never doing anything at all. Perfect is boring! So you're not perfect! Wonderful! Have fun! Eat things that give you bad breath! Trip over your own shoelaces! Laugh! Let somebody else laugh at you! Perfect people never do any of those things. All they do is sit around and sip weak tea and think about how perfect they are. But they're really not one-hundred-percent perfect anyway. You should see them when they get the hiccups! Phooey! Who needs 'em? You can drink pickle juice and imitate gorillas and do silly dances and sing stupid songs and wear funny hats and be as imperfect as you please and still be a good person. Good people are hard to find nowadays. And they're a lot more fun than perfect people any day of the week." ~Stephen Manes, Be a Perfect Person in Just Three Days!

The Most Fun You Can Have In Bed...

2006-05-01T10:30:00.000-05:00

...with your clothes ON!

Sure wish I would have been doing THIS over the weekend.

Instead..I mostly just laid around in my bed at home. I was there in spirit.

How Much Of My Brain Is Left?

2006-04-28T22:38:00.000-05:00

Apparently, all of it. LOL! Can't believe I found a test at Tickle that I hadn't taken...

See how you score

you are Left-brained

Most left-brained people like you feel at ease in situations requiring verbal ability, attention to detail, and linear, analytical ability. Whether you know it or not, you are a much stronger written communicator than many, able to get your ideas across better than others.

It's also likely that you are methodical and efficient at many things that you do. You could also be good at math, particularly algebra, which is based on very strict rules that make sense to your logical mind.

I'm High On Grass!

2006-04-28T18:34:00.000-05:00

Today I did something I've never done before. I bought a lawn mower. Our push mower took a crap last year and my dad finished out the summer for us with his rider. Since I don't want to force my disabled father to have to tow his mower over here every week for 6 months, I decided to bite the bullet and get a new one.

Now..when my husband was alive, he took care of all of that stuff. My BF just doesn't have time. So...I had no choice other than to go get one myself. I know nothing about lawn care or the tools it takes to accomplish it. I think I did alright though. I bought one that is just a regular push mower...not a bagger. It has a 4.5 Briggs and Stratton engine and it's a mulcher. It was only $138. I didn't opt for the cheaper one because it was only $10 less and the engine was just a 3.75. The Wal Mart lady told me that they only put them together for you if you give them 24 hours notice. So...I thought I would have to do it myself. But, the kid that came to haul it out for me must have liked my smile or something because he put it all together and loaded it up for me. He even offered to put the oil in it. Maybe I should have asked him to come over and mow the grass for me too?

I spent the rest of the afternoon mowing and weed-eating. The yard looks great and I'm DOG tired....but I think I've found a new hobby. Who knew? LOL!

Oh...and another plus...my guy was so happy when he came home to freshly mowed grass. This could be even better than I realized.

WTH Is My Crazy-Assed Father Up To Now?

2006-04-28T18:29:00.000-05:00

He's had a brainstorm. I was going to sell my old car to a junkyard....but he's not having it. NOW...we are going to have it towed to the garage of a friend of his. He wants to start working on it until it's pretty much new so that my daughter can have it when she turns 16. Oh...she's gonna be THRILLED! It's a 91 Dodge Shadow covertible. For the amount of money it's going to cost us to fix it up...I could buy her a GOOD used car. LOL! Oh well...whatever Daddy wants...Daddy gets.

Rain Rain Go AWAY!

2006-04-28T08:54:00.000-05:00

I AM the real Bad Luck Schleprock....folks....I'm serious. This is me....take a GOOD look...

Just because I have to mow the grass today, it's nice and sunny. But, tomorrow, when I have something FUN to do (go to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Race at Gateway) it's supposed to rain all day and night.

Biggest Losers Come To My Town!

2006-04-27T11:57:00.000-05:00

WOO freakin' HOO! I'm SO there...one of these places is only a few blocks from my house. I'm signing up for this too. I could win it...since it's based on body fat %. I wanted to do the Heart Walk this year anyway. This will make it not only a worthy cause...but a FUN one.

Biggest Losers in the Parkland

Let's Get Physical!

2006-04-25T10:15:00.000-05:00

Been awhile since I've updated the weightloss/workout progress. I'm still hanging in there. Though I have scrapped the exercise ball. I just didn't really feel like it was doing anything for me. I'm doing the yoga/pilates DVD and I'm strength training...with a regular DP weight bench. Yep, I'm doing it "old school". Not looking for bulk...just a little muscle tone. Seems to be working already. I alternate days. So, I'm working out every day other than Sunday. That's my rest day. As it should be.

I've been preached at by everyone I know that I should up my carbs a little if I'm going to work out this much. I think it's funny how they all think that I'm only eating like 20 carbs a day, just because I follow Atkins. I don't still eat 20 carbs a day...haven't for a long time. I eat between 60-80 carbs a day. Not bad at all. I'm in the "ongoing weightloss" phase of Atkins. You get to have all kinds of good carbs in this phase as long as you keep losing. I've considered switching to South Beach as I feel that it is pretty much the same thing I'm doing now. If that's true, why change? To make my diet more acceptable to OTHERS??? Nope! That's just not me. Besides, I wouldn't do that to Dr. A! His book changed...no...saved my life!

Oh, and no more weightloss to date. Staying within the same 2-3 pounds, up or down. I'm not stressing though. Muscle weighs more than fat...I chant this 900 times before I step on the scale these days.

Redneck Heaven!

2006-04-24T11:43:00.000-05:00

My guy got to play music with his old band(not the one I miss...another one) Saturday night. It was awesome! I think the stars were aligned just right or something. That's him up there, lurking around the stage before the show. He hasn't played with them in 3 years and it was like he never left. A fun time was had by all. I knew they were having fun because they didn't stop playing until nearly 1:30am. They were supposed to stop at 1. LOL! He is going to play with them again in June at this biker party. They are opening up for Jackyl...not that big of a deal considering they are pretty much just a club band now anyway. But...it's cool to US. LOL!

Here are some random drunken redneck pictures for your enjoyment. This place is out in the middle of freakin' nowhere! People actually rode their 4-wheelers to the bar....keep that in mind while viewing these. LOL!!!

L-R: My guy(Ronnie Joe), Hippie...in yellow(their roadie...or whatever), THE Dean Berry, and Marty Club's head. In the background you can almost see Pup...the bass player. LOL!

And now....for the drunken rednecks...

These folks were REALLY drunk...I know because somehow they ended up at my table. LOL!

WOO FREAKIN HOO! Can't wait to do it again! LOL!

Oh...and don't forget to tip your waitresses....

Oops! Seems the Music's Been Resurrected

2006-04-22T00:36:00.000-05:00

While I feel that Yoko is a tiny little whack job...she is probably right. John was just not that type of person. I don't think he'd be happy about this in the least. Those folks better hope they didn't make contact with him. He might just haunt them all after this little...

"let's whore the Beatles for as much money as humanly possible...especially the dead ones"

...episode airs.

The Day The Music Died

2006-04-21T20:01:00.000-05:00

I was digging around in my music files today and I discovered a set list from my boyfriend's last band(the one with the drunken ASS for a singer...for those that have been paying attention). Man...do I ever miss this band...not the drunken ASS part however. LOL!

Here's what they were playing when the whole thing imploded and the drunk dude had to go...(this is the short set list...I don't have the long one saved on this computer)

Set One:

2 Tickets to Paradise
Can't Get Enough of Your Love
Roadhouse Blues
Tush
Born to be Wild
Crossroads
Sweet Home Alabama

Set Two:

Mississippi Queen
Never Been to Spain
Rocky Mountain Way
Waitin' on the Bus
Needle and the Spoon
Rocky Candy
Smokin' in the Boy's Room

Set Three:

American Band
The Cowboy Song
Shine
Stealin'
Can't Get You Off My Mind
Cumbersome
Some Kind of Wonderful

Set Four:

Balinese(my favorite song of the entire list)
Homesick
Too Rollin' Stoned
Hey Joe
Honky Tonk Woman
Voodoo Child
War Pigs(this song always brings the house down...they were so dead on with it...it was spooky)

This was a kick ASS night of music....not to mention that when the D.A. was sober...they sounded SO flippin' good! I miss it! This new band...I just don't know. Their set list includes such hits as "Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy" and the Cledus T. Judd version of "Gin and Juice". YUCK! LOL!

Little Sisters Are Awesome!

2006-04-20T11:13:00.000-05:00

I got this survey from Ethel's dude the other day and I sent it out to some of my friends. I've gotten several responses to it...I was shocked. Someone even copied and posted it on a message board I frequent. I'm sure everyone has probably seen this 900 times. That's alright though...you haven't seen THESE answers! LOL!

I decided to send it to my 13 year-old sister. I knew some of the questions would stump her....but thought it would be cute to read her responses. Hope y'all enjoy this as much as I did. This is the email I got from her this morning...

My comments are in red.

1. What time did you get up this morning?
7:00 AM
2. Diamonds or pearls?
pearls
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
Take the Lead
4.What is your favorite TV show?
SpongeBob SquarePants...
5. What did you have for breakfast?
WAFFLES!(this kid has eaten waffles every single day of her life since she was two. We have to buy them just for her when she visits...she's just not herself without her morning waffles.)
6. What is your middle name?
Alexandra
7. What is your favorite cuisine?
don't eat them.(now...is that cute or WHAT? She doesn't know what cuisine is)
8. What foods do you dislike?
boiled eggs!!!(my daughter agrees)
9. What is your favorite Potato chip?
don't really like any potato chip but the best one is regular Lays i guess...(what kind of weirdo doesn't like potato chips? LOL)
10. What is your favorite CD at the moment?
don't have one. i have an iPod.(smarty pants...that was just for me...she knows I'm jealous.)
11. What kind of car do you drive?
None.. =/ (bet ya a million dollars that it'll be nicer than what I had at 16...which was nothing)
12. What is your favorite sandwich?
peanut butter and jelly
13. What is your favorite item of clothing?
SHOES! (me to)
14. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go?
New York City (again) or Paris, France (again with the picking on her sister. jealous about that New York business as well)
15. What color is your bathroom?
the theme is different color flowers(it is really cute...mostly orange and yellow)
16. Brand of clothing?
anywhere from Hollister to Wall Mart(I love that about her...this is one area where she really does take after me)
17. Where would you want to retire?
don't know.
18. Favorite time of day?
Night
19. Where were you born?
Dallas, Tx
20. Favorite sport to watch?
Football or soccer or basketball or volleyball.. dont have a favorite
21. Who do you least expect to send this back?
(i'm not sending to anyone except you back)
22. Person you expect to send it back first?
(none)
23. What type of detergent do you use?
which ever my mom uses(yeah...you don't have to do laundry..I get it. Your poor older sister had to do it everyday when she was even younger than you....spoiled brat. LOL)
24. Coke or Pepsi?
Sprite
25. Are you a morning person or night owl?
diffinitly a night owl!(hoo hoo)
26. What size shoe do you wear?
9 to 10 in woman(Holy crap! It's bigfoot!....luv ya Sis!)
27. Do you have pets?
Saige and a fish with no name(no...that really is his name..."The fish with no name"....like the horse with no name..LOL)
28. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with everyone?
Praise God!!! haha. not really.(Not lacking in the sense of humor department...is she?)
29. What did you want to be when you were little?
pro volleyball player(and she probably will be...she's always the best player on whichever team, in whichever sport.)
30. Favorite Candy Bar?
Butter Fingers (crunch)
31. What is your best childhood memory?
Halloween '05
32. Different jobs you have had in your life?
Cleaning the pool.. and babysitting.. if that counts.(cleaning their pool is a tough job. I helped her do it last summer)
33. What color underwear are you wearing?
blue
34. Nicknames:
Kris, Waffles, or Laquisha (don't ask)(oh...I'm gonna ask....I'll post the "scoop" later.)
35. Piercing?
none(CHICKEN! Just like our momma...cluck!)
36. Ever been to Africa?
Nope
37. Ever been toilet papered?
Yes.. only cuz we did first.(pretty good story about this one...ya know...I should add her to this blog and let her post some of her crazy teenage stuff mixed in with my boring stuff...that might be fun)
38. Love someone so much it made you cry?
Yupperz.
39. Been in a car accident?
nooo(hard to believe...considering that her dad is legally blind and her mom is...well...blonde) LOL!
40. Croutons or bacon bits?
croutons
41. Favorite day of the week?
Friday or Saturday..
42. Favorite restaurant?
Austin Avenue(a place she hasn't take me yet...hmmmm)
43. Favorite flower?
i dont know
44. Favorite ice cream?
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough(when she was little, it was Blue Bunny vanilla...she always said..."but that's not my favorite bunny ice cream" if you tried to give her anything else.)
45. Disney or Warner Brothers?
Disney
46. Favorite fast food restaurant?
Wendys or Taco Bell
47. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card?
uhh.. everywhere (the shopping problem comes from our mother)
48. What do you do most often when you are bored?
Talk to people on the computer or go to the mall with friends if i can(oh yeah...what about going to the movies with another girl and 2 guys...like you did Saturday...hussie?!? Oh...and what about seeing Scary Movie 4 this weekend...when it's rated R??? I got you busted on that one missy! Sorry...LOL)
49. Who are you most curious about their responses to this questionnaire?
noone im not sending it to anyone
50. Last person you went to dinner with?
i dont remember
51. Ford or Chevy
either
52. What are you listening to right now?
nothing
53. How many tattoos do you have?
none
54. Which came first, the chicken or the egg?
?Â¿?Â¿
55. How many people are you sending this Email to?
0
57. What color is your bedroom carpet?
white!
58. How many times did you fail your driver's test?
haven't done it.. but hopefully none(she'll ace it...she's good at everything!)
59. Before this one, from whom did you get your last-mail?uhhhh... grandmama... (i think)

New Feature Here At HLBS

2006-04-17T19:44:00.000-05:00

My father is disabled...has been for a few years. He's never remarried...so he has A LOT of time on his hands. I hope to bring you regular updates of his adventures. So...I'm introducing a new segment of my blog called....

What is my crazy-assed father up to these days???

For the last week, my dad has been transferring his old VHS movies to DVD. He has called me 900 times to explain each step of the process to me. Funny thing is...most of them are movies he tapped off HBO. Just what I've always wanted...scratchy old movies that HBO has aired a brazillion times........ON DVD!

Hope and PRAY that your parents don't retire or become disabled early in life...it's like having a 53 year-old kid. He's so bored and he's always coming up with these "projects". Later....I'll tell you about the "system" he's worked out for beating the video poker machine at the local bar. It's a doozy. LOL! Gotta love dads.

I Need Some Bunny To Love

2006-04-17T18:45:00.000-05:00

Ya know...I haven't had an Easter basket since my MIL passed away 5 years ago. I didn't realize how much I miss that. It was so special. My parents quit doing stuff like that when I was pretty young. Every year, my MIL would make me a B-day cake...give me an Easter Basket...all of that stuff. She was so good to me.

I miss my loved ones that have passed on so much...always...but it's so much worse on holidays. Hope everyone out there in cyberland had a good Easter weekend!

Oh...and if any one has any extra chocolate bunny ears....

The Lamest Lamer in Lameland

2006-04-12T23:42:00.000-05:00

Someone actually called me this tonight. They must have read my earlier blog entry today. LOL! Naw...it was a "friend"...just giving me a hard time. It cracked me up!

I really don't have a thing to talk about. I spilled enough of myself all over this place for one day. I just wanted to say "the lamest lamer in lameland"...cause it's fun to type.

Motherload!

2006-04-12T10:15:00.000-05:00

When I started this blog, I really didn't give much thought to whether or not I should share all the intimate details of my life. I tend to talk too much and probably give a little too much information about myself. What can I say? I'm an open book. What you see is pretty much what you get. It's really hard for me to find anything wrong with that. So...keep that in mind while I bore you death with what's happening in my world...

My Mom lives in the Texas (close to Dallas). She moved there when I was around 13. Every summer since then, I have made the trip down there to see her. This year...she's coming here! YIKES! It's certainly not the first time she's come here to see us. It's just that...well....that's why I have to give you all this history lesson first...

My parents divorced when I was 11. Don't feel sorry for me...it was a good thing. They never should have been married in the first place. I've never met two people more completely different from each other. They were just kids when they were forced to get married because my mom was pregnant. It ruined her life (as she's made me MORE than aware of throughout MY life). She was on her way to college. She had worked so hard in school...hard enough to graduate a year early. All she ever dreamed about was getting out of this place. She was not made for small-town living. Everyone who knew her...could see that from a mile away. She tried to take some college classes...but she had to work in order for she and my dad to make it. She finally got a job as a teller at our hometown bank. It wasn't long before she was a loan officer. She was either the vice president or president of every social club that a little town like ours had. She organized dinners, parties, parades, our town's annual event "Booster Days", she was active in our church, and taught Sunday School. All of this while I did all the "home stuff". I cleaned...my dad cooked. She socialized. She planned. She worked. Sometimes we thought she just did it all to be away from us. Later, we found out we were right.

When my mom left my dad, she found a job with a lender in a bigger city a couple of hours away. The way I was informed of my parent's impending divorce was interesting. My best friend's parents drove me home after a basketball game. When we arrived, there was a "for sale" sign in our front yard. Somehow...I knew something wasn't right. LOL! Like I said before, it was alright with me. All they ever did was fight. It drove me crazy! I agreed to live with my mom. My dad agreed to pick me up every other weekend without fail and he did just that. In fact, he picked me up any weekend that I wanted to come. I found myself counting the days...hours...minutes...seconds...until my next trip "home". I missed my old life so much. I missed my friends, my school, and my grandparents.

My mom was so busy building a new life she hardly ever even remembered to buy food for the apartment. She partied hard and dated a lot. Since she didn't have my dad to fight with anymore, I become the object of her pent-up anger. We argued about everything. It was pure Hell for a long time...but then summer came and I was able to go "home".

I spent the entire summer with my dad...at my grandparents' house. It still holds the record for the best summer of my entire life...right up until the end. A few days into August, I was at the high school with my best friend. We were over on the elementary side of the school, sitting on top of the monkey bars. It was getting late so we decided to get down and head home. My friend flipped off backwards...landed on her feet...went to get her bike. I flipped off backwards...my hands slipped off the bars and I landed on my back. My head wasn't so lucky. I hit a huge rock that was sticking up out of the ground with the back on my head...right at the base of my skull. Passed out...woke up...thought I was screaming...was only whispering. Things are fuzzy after that. I spent a couple of weeks in the hospital because of swelling and blood on my brain. My mother visited me one time for a grand total of 15 minutes. My dad pretty much lived at my bedside, and my grandmother was my nurse. My mom had a new boyfriend...she was far too busy for that stuff.

I met my future step-father a few weeks later at a little restaurant in my hometown. He was a kid....I think he was 21 at the time. She was 29. He was just getting ready to graduate from college. He was alright...whatever...looked a little like a blonde Superman. I guess if your into that sort of thing. A few days after that, it was time for me to go back to my mom's and start a new school year.

Well...she had a big surprise for me. I never went back to the apartment. We moved 4 hours north of there. In fact, my stuff was already moved and set up when she came and got me. For the first 3 days after we got to the new place, all she did was cry because my future step-dad wasn't there. He was still in the other town. I got sick of listening to her cry and told her to just let him live with us...I didn't really care. So...she did. Somehow, I think that may have been the plan all along. Less than 6 months later, I was back home with my dad and she and her beau were on their way to Texas. I won't go into all the details...there are some things that are just to painful to rehash...even for me.

They married eventually and finally had a child 13 days before my daughter was born. I have a half-sister the same age as my only child. My mother just can't let me have anything! She's always gotta either share or steal the spotlight. LOL!

The result of all of this is...my mother and I have pretty much the same relationship we did when I was 13 years old. Except that I DID live with them again for a year after I graduated high school. It was actually a nice time in my life and is probably the ONLY reason why I even still talk to those people. LOL! My mom and I just can't seem to evolve our relationship. We are fine for a couple of days. Then...it degenerates into bickering over nothing. She is coming here for 5 days in July! She wants to stay with me. She's already planned out what we're going to do for each of the 5 days. When I go there, I can deal with her lifestyle. But...when she comes here...all she does is disrupt our po-dunk lives. LOL! So...I'm a bit on edge these days knowing how much I have to do to prepare for her arrival. Thank GOD I'm 40+ pounds thinner than the last time I saw her! She doesn't know....it should be interesting. At least I have SOMETHING!

Oh...and may God bless anyone who actually read this all the way to the end (you should apply for Sainthood) LOL

May You Be Blessed

2006-04-11T23:51:00.000-05:00

Link

My mommy sent this to me tonight. It's pretty long...but worth it.

I think it sums up how I feel about the important people in my life...including my internet friends.

Enjoy!

J-E-L-L-O

2006-04-11T00:00:00.000-05:00

I LOVE sugar-free Jello pudding. I could bathe in the stuff. It tastes just like regular pudding and is just the thing for my sweet cravings. I would like to French kiss the genius who decided that making this treat in sugar-free form was a good idea. Well...maybe that's carrying things a little too far....

No...upon further review....the offer still stands!

This Town is Going to HELL!

2006-04-10T01:10:00.000-05:00

Last Sunday...2 tornados.

This Sunday...two gas stations were robbed. Each one is within a block of my house. I live in a town of about 7000(max). WTH is going on around here?!?!

I went up to this other place to get a soda earlier; the lady that works there was telling me that the place down the street had just been robbed an hour before. The dude hit the girl over the head with his gun while her drawer was open. She didn't know the details of the other one.

I'm sure there will be something about it in the paper tomorrow. I'll share more when I get more information.

And Now...From the, "Save the drama for your momma" Files..

2006-04-10T00:13:00.000-05:00

My best friend from high school (we'll call her "Amy"....because that's her name...LOL)...is something else. Even after knowing the girl more than 20 years...I still don't understand her. She's always been selfish and immature. She's one of those women that is all about using guys to get what she wants. I really think she has no idea what "love" is and isn't all that interested in finding out. Cause love never bought her a new car, built her a new home, or took her to Vegas. But...Gary has! LOL! Of course, none of that means she deserved this...

They have let Gary's 15-year-old niece live with them since October. She is an extremely troubled young lady. She has made false accusations against her step-father to get attention. She has admitted they were false. She's been sexually active for some time now. So, my friend and her guy really thought they could help her. For a long time, it worked. She has a terrible attitude and all...but she's managed to stay out of trouble. Amy loved having her there because Amy has a 2-year-old son. Katie would babysit him in the evenings. She always seemed to be really good with him. She's been doing better in school and has just generally improved. However...she never acts very respectful toward Amy. She talks to her more like a girlfriend than a person with authority over her. That's partly Amy's fault though. Her boyfriend works out of town and isn't home often. Amy goes out a lot and she treats Katie like her girlfriend and talks to her about stuff that's probably too grown up for her to be talking about or even hearing about. Hence...the lack of respect.

Ok...I told ya that...so I could tell ya this...

Last Thursday, Katie freaked out on Amy. Amy was out at the bar after work...with her mom and sister. Katie called her screaming and calling her names and telling her that if she didn't come home RIGHT NOW...she was going to leave the baby there alone. Well...Amy came straight home and Katie and her mother were waiting on her. Amy had said some pretty harsh things on the phone and told Katie to pack her stuff and have her mom come and get her. Well...when she got out of the car, Katie's mother grabbed her and held her down while Katie beat the living crap out of her with a billy club(that Amy had given her for protection because they live off the beaten path and Katie spent at least 3 or 4 hours there every evening by herself). They finally stopped beating on her because her son was standing at the door screaming. Katie went to the door and pushed the baby down to go in and get her stuff. Of course...my friend...beaten as she was...took off after Katie and then got beat down again by the mother.

Now...like I said...my friend is something else. She's been in many fights and gotten herself into lots of trouble over the years. However...all of that has been SOME time ago now. This was just insanity! She filed charges on them and they are probably going to get into some serious trouble over this. She is terrified that this woman will send someone out to her house to kill her or something.

She went to Vegas with a black eye...but she still had fun. She's just a little skiddish now. I can't blame her. Gary is trying to be supportive. He's just between a rock and a hard place. I feel so sorry for the guy.

So....all of this has lead me to believe that what they say really IS true...

No good deed goes unpunished.

Cracker Barrel ROKS!

2006-04-10T00:01:00.000-05:00

I've only eaten at that place a few times. My husband and I went there with my inlaws. I remember liking it. Don't know why I haven't been back in so long. I ate there today with my friend and her boyfriend. It was fantabulous! An entire page of their menu is nothing but low-carb stuff. OMG! I can't believe it. How amazing is that? At most places...IF they have anything low-carb...it might be 2 or 3 items. Most of the time I have to "customize" and then I get sighs and eyerolls from the waitperson(look at how PC I am). Well...honey...roll your eyes over here and look at this ASS that's 4 sizes smaller than it was 6 months ago. Oh...and while you're there...you can KISS IT!

Sorry...I got sidetracked there. I was SO happy to see that Cracker Barrel is giving people like me good choices. I had a bacon cheeseburger...no bun. They served it with lettuce, tomato and sweet pickles on the side. For my side dish I had a garden salad with buttermilk ranch. YUMMY! All for the low...low price of $6.69!

Kudos to Cracker Barrel for being accommodating AND easy on the wallet! I'm telling ALL my friends! Yes...BOTH of them.

Rediscovering Radio

2006-04-07T23:02:00.000-05:00

When the power went out the other night, all I had to occupy me was my trusty battery-powered radio. It felt like reconnecting with an old friend. Even the cheesy commercials made me smile. I've been listening to the radio for the last few days for at least a few hours a day. In this day of MP3 players, I-Pods, and just downloading music in general...radio has taken a HUGE hit. I'm amazed at how many different kinds of music I heard in just a few hours. I heard songs that I hadn't heard in years. Many of them transported me back to another time and place...when life was easier and the world looked more promising. It's nothing short of incredible how vivid memories become when you hear the background music of your life. I really don't think I ever realized how much my good memories are tied to what was playing on the radio at the time.

So...the next time you hear a song that sparks a fantastic memory for you.... go hug a DJ!

Lifted from Ethel...I'm Shameless

2006-04-07T00:38:00.000-05:00

The "I"s have it!

Racemom's List...

I am: the Juggernaut...bytch!
I miss: Stevie Ray Vaughan.
I want: a 67 Mustang...fastback.
I have: a big butt.
I loathe: hypocrites.
I fear: leaving my daughter an orphan.
I play: with my hair.
I hear: my daughter's laugh and it makes me happy.
I care: about global warming.
I smile: so much it hurts.
I wonder: who my husband hangs out with in Heaven.
I poke: dead things...with sticks.
I love: TV.
I mess: around with recording music.
I ache: for a closer relationship with my mother.
I think: therefore, I am.
I always: lose my keys.
I am not: organized.
I sing: only when no one's listening.
I cry: in the bathtub...so no one will know.
I talk: to my husband...not so bad...cept he's dead.
I spill: my makeup bag at least once a week.
I wish: I could lose weight without trying.
I keep: everything.
I am not always: nice.
I can: make a meatloaf that will make you think twice about the idea that it's a "cheap" meal.
I can't: stand crowded places.
I write: poetry, songs, and opinion pieces.
I win: nothing.
I lose: at everything.
I smell: babies' heads..every chance I get...nothing better...it's like a nose full of pure youth.
I confuse: Al Pacino and Robert Dinero.
I need: a long vacation.
I should: make better use of my time.

I'm Naked....Under My Clothes

2006-04-05T18:43:00.000-05:00

HA! This may be too much information for a blog...but...it's my blog and I'll be as nasty as I wanna be.

I haven't worn underwear since I was 16 years old. Don't get me wrong...I wear them with dresses and skirts...I just don't wear dresses and skirts that often. LOL!

Anyway...with this big weightloss...I wanted to buy a pair of nice panties to wear for "special" occasions. Well...I never thought about sizes. So...I get to the underwear store and I have no idea what size to buy. Before...I would have went for the biggest ones. I looked at the biggest ones in the style I liked and they looked huge. So....I went for the next biggest ones....still looked huge. Finally settled on the THIRD largest ones. They looked alright. Boy...was I wrong. I could fit in these "Granny panties" TWICE! Oh well...at lest now I know. I don't think I'll take them back...because that would just be gross. LOL!

Long Rambling Story...Beware!

2006-04-04T14:35:00.000-05:00

Ok...it's day 6. Wondering about my progress? Well, I'm sure the two people who might be reading this...thanks Ethel...are awaiting an update.

I have exercised 3 out of the last 6 days. 50%...hmmmmm....but that's not counting today. So....4 out of 6 is not bad. Dang...that means I HAVE to do it today. LOL!

I certainly have not noticed a huge difference yet. Somehow I think it takes a little longer than that. Don't I WISH it was that easy? Heck..don't we all? I am a little sore...especially my arms. I didn't realize how weak I've let myself become. I'm starting to think I'd be better off to join a gym(that's pronounced..."gime" for all of you who live under a rock...or don't know Ethel...lol). I'm afraid that trying to do this all on my own may be hazardous to my health. I'm gonna pull something....I just KNOW it.

Now...for the good stuff....My friend's boyfriend works a job that requires him to be away from home most of the time. He gets to come home about every 6-8 weeks. Well...I've been friends with him almost as long as I've been friends with her. They weren't together for a great deal of the time in-between. Been together for about 4 years now though. Anyway...when he comes home, he always comes by here the first day to hang out for awhile and catch up with us. He came here Friday and when he first got here, I was sitting on the couch. I got up to get some water and he said..."DANG! Look at you...SKINNY!" Then something to my BF about how hot I looked. YAY (even if he was being a little more kind that I probably deserve...lol)

Now...he didn't mean a thing by it other than...he noticed my weightloss more than ever this time. He LOVES my friend...they are "meant..to..be". LOL! However...his silly butt then proceeds to go home and ask her about her exercise ball (she bought one after I did). He asked her where she got it and how expensive it was. The same ole things that men always ask when we buy stuff. So...she tells him where and how much and then her next question is, of course..."Why?" Well...the doofus then asks..."Is that what Sondra is using?" Which is followed by a much higher-pitched...."WHY?!?!" Next...the kiss of death..."Oh...no reason."

WTH??? Don't say THAT! That's the worst thing he could have said. He said her face turned red and she started yelling at him about how she's been working out for weeks and he didn't even notice. Man...jealousy is an UGLY thing!

This is all too funny because my friend is a tiny little thing...never had a weight problem in her life. Her guy just noticed my weightloss and commented on it because it's such a dramatic difference. She got all bent out of shape for nothing. Not that it was really all that much drama. They left for Vegas on Monday. If they DON'T come back married...I'll be shocked. LOL!

So...even though I hate it that my friend got upset...sure made my weekend.

Internet Idiots...

2006-04-04T02:52:00.000-05:00

...really give me a case of the red-ass.

Freakin' butt monkeys!

That is all.

Storm Damage

2006-04-03T19:58:00.000-05:00

This was NO gay tornada!

That top one is this bar in the next town over from me. The bottom one is a hotel a few blocks from here. The roof of the hotel landed on the highway off ramp on top of a bunch of cars. This is just SOME of the damage. There's more...and worse.

I don't think we're in Kansas anymore

2006-04-03T10:22:00.000-05:00

Ok...we never really WERE in Kansas in the first place. LOL! We had a tornado last night. Don't worry...the scarecrow, the tin man, and the lion made it through just fine. Got pretty scary for awhile. Our power was out from 5:30pm until 8:00am. Just enough time that the girl didn't have to go to school. Lucky kid. The boy was with his mom. They left their house before the storm hit. Poor boy probably even had to go to school today.

I'm never scared during storms. I like them. THIS one scared me. There were things flying at our house and hitting the windows. I saw a garbage can fly past my kitchen window about 30 feet in the air. Pretty freaky. My daughter had a friend here and I made them get in the bathtub. They were screaming at the top of their lungs. So....I'm now deaf. Two 12 and 13 year-old-girls screaming non stop for 30 mins. will do that to ya.

My "yellow brick road" is now covered with soda cans and trash. That stuff belongs to the people next door...but guess who will have to clean it up? Guess I better do that.

More later...

Time...keeps on slippin....

2006-04-02T00:43:00.000-06:00

Time flies on restless pinions - constant never. ~Friedrich Schiller

What then is time? If no one asks me, I know what it is. If I wish to explain it to him who asks, I do not know. ~Saint Augustine

Pick my left pocket of its silver dime, but spare the right - it holds my golden time! ~Oliver Wendell Holmes

Methinks I see the wanton hours flee,
And as they pass, turn back and laugh at me.
~George Villiers

Time, the cradle of hope.... Wisdom walks before it, opportunity with it, and repentance behind it: he that has made it his friend will have little to fear from his enemies, but he that has made it his enemy will have little to hope from his friends. ~Charles Caleb Colton

April FOOLS!

2006-04-02T00:36:00.000-06:00

Let us be thankful for the fools. But for them the rest of us could not succeed. ~Mark Twain

If every fool wore a crown, we should all be kings. ~Welsh Proverb

A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools. ~Douglas Adams

I have great faith in fools - self-confidence, my friends call it. ~Edgar Allan Poe

Real friends are those who, when you feel you've made a fool of yourself, don't feel you've done a permanent job. ~Author Unknown

"Borrowed" this from Ethel

2006-03-31T15:57:00.000-06:00

Thanks Ethel! I don't know about these results. LOL!

You Are 24 Years Old

Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe.

13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world.

20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences.

30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more!

40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax.

What Age Do You Act?

Stupid round objects!

2006-03-31T11:17:00.000-06:00

The exercise ball is evil! I don't like some of the "suggested" exercises they give you with those things. They are just uncomfortable and I don't really feel any benefit from them. I only did 15 mins. of that workout today. I'm going to do 30 mins. of the pilates/yoga later. I like some of the exercise ball stuff...just not all of it. I really need to organize a workout here. Instead of just doing whatever.

More Random Thoughts After Midnight

2006-03-31T00:43:00.000-06:00

Why is it that Kraft can make all of these yummy South Beach diet foods now and they couldn't do this years ago? I mean...how hard is it to put the more nutritional stuff in there??? Whole grains....what a concept!

Is it just me...or are kids getting taller? My daughter is not that tall...but most of the girls in her grade are taller than me already. Is this evolution or selective breeding? My Psychology professor says it's breeding. Tall is considered more desirable...so tall people breed with tall people and make taller people. Could be...I guess.

And...back to food..

Why is Easy Cheese so expensive? Is it the can? I mean...$3.59 for an 8 oz can? Is THAT really called for?

Finally...

What is it about their kid playing a sport that makes some parents go off the deep end? Is it that, "living out your dreams through you children" thing? I don't get it. I like for my kid to do well in whatever she chooses to do, but I'm not willing to put out a hit on someone to make that happen. This world is crazy! I want my money back!

Exercise....Day 1...and Nurse James

2006-03-30T21:58:00.000-06:00

Ouch! Ok...I did 30 mins. with the exercise ball today and 15 mins. of pilates/yoga. I really only did the yoga because I wanted to do the cool down. It's so relaxing.

I had to get out earlier and go to the Evil Empire(Wal Mart...for those that live under a rock). I stopped to get a soda on the way home and there was this dude beside me at the soda fountain. I try not to look at people when they know I'm looking...but I couldn't help it. Both of his arms were solid tattoos. Not that I'm not used to that. I know many guys in bands that are tattooed all over. I wasn't shocked...UNTIL I noticed that he was wearing a nurse's uniform.

Ok...people....listen. I get the whole "individual expression" thing...I really do. But...PLEASE...if you are going to work with the public...think about what you do to your body. The LAST thing I want to see when I'm flown in by helicopter after a horrific car crash is the hospital has sent Jesse James to help me use the bedpan. While Jesse can build a motorcycle like nobody's business...he's not my FIRST choice for "person who has to wipe Racemom's ass".

Now...a spongebath on the other hand....

Hey...maybe I should have gotten that guy's number???

Picture Crazy

2006-03-30T02:36:00.000-06:00

I swear this will be the last pic for tonight. Just one of me currently. Although, Ethel has inspired me to finally start working out. Thanks Ethel! So....this won't be me for long. I've lost a LOT of weight in the last couple of years. 40 pounds...to be exact. However...I still have at least 20 more pounds to lose. So....I'll post more pictures in a few weeks to show my progess. This keeps me honest and hopefully will further motivate me. LOL!

That yellow shirt HAD to go. LOL!

2 More Guy Pics

2006-03-30T02:28:00.000-06:00

First one is about a year ago with his old Strat. He's had 2 new ones since then and a PRS.

This one is last winter with his last band...Chopperhead. The singer was a drunken ASS! They were a great band though. That's my guy with his back to the camera. As usual.

I Love Rock Stars and Fast Cars

2006-03-30T01:31:00.000-06:00

Went to band practice with my guy....

...tonight.

It was fun, I guess. This is a new band. The drummer is a friend of ours. Well...I say ours. Friend of his. Old....uhhhhh....oh...alright we'll go with "friend" of mine too. The bass player and singer are guys we just met. Good musicians....but they lack personality. Maybe it's because we just haven't gotten to know them yet. We are crazy people...they probably just don't know what to think about us yet.

Sounded great though. My guy wrote a song and the singer helped put some words to it. I'm real happy with how it sounds. They recorded it tonight. Can't wait to hear how it sounds all mixed and everything. It's pretty funky. I told them it was so funky....I could smell it. They got a kick out of that. I don't think I'll go to another practice for awhile though. I'm too distracting and I can't keep my mouth shut.

Blaaaahg

2006-03-29T14:44:00.000-06:00

Well...after 14 and a half hours of sleep...I'm still tired.

Which always makes me think about things that are wrong with this world....like...

...Why are there so many court shows on TV during the day? Are housewives, stay-at-home dad's and people that work the night shift REALLY that interested in the law...or is this just simply the new format for "Jerry Springeresque" guests to strut their stuff? The People's Court has been around for years...why is this just NOW becoming such a big deal? I mean there is no less and 20 hours of reality TV on everyday. Do we really NEED this much?

Don't get me wrong. I love some of it. I'm a fan of shows like Celebrity Fit Club, Extreme Makeover, Home Makeover, The Biggest Loser, What Not to Wear, Top Model, Clean House, Project Runway...etc. Maybe it's because there is actually something rewarding at the end of these shows. The weightloss stories inspire me. The home shows make me want to decorate. The models and designers are working toward a lifelong goal. All of those shows are inspirational in their own ways. Watching people stab each other in the back to win a million bucks doesn't inspire me in the least.

Which brings us back to court shows. Airing dirty laundry on TV just doesn't appeal to me. Never been a fan of JS or Maurie for that matter. I just don't get it. Do people like this stuff because it makes them feel better about their own lives?

Ok...gotta go...Divorce Court is on. HEY! That one is different! Judge Mablean ROKS!

My Very Own Soda Fountain

2006-03-28T19:54:00.000-06:00

Just a tip...

Never tell an 8-year-old that Elvis died on the toilet when he's drinking a Pepsi. I'm gonna be cleaning this up for DAYS!

Poncho and Lefty

2006-03-28T18:19:00.000-06:00

Yes folks...we have NAMED my Pop's kidney stones. He has 2...one on each side. They have already passed from his kidneys to his urinary tract. So...he has no choice but to pass them. It'll mean a little more pain, but the worst is over. YAY!

I'm happy again! As for Poncho and Lefty...let's just say that right now...they are the names of my two best friends!

Well...that's over

2006-03-28T11:52:00.000-06:00

Tests are complete and now we just have to wait for results. Everyone seems to agree that it's probably kidney stones. I think I like the sound of that too. So, that's what I'm going with for now.

Back to the BS!

Dad Should Be Here Soon

2006-03-28T08:56:00.000-06:00

Almost 9am. I'll sure be glad when this is over. I'm sure he will be too.

Ok...odd thought of the morning...I was watching "Twins" on the WB the other night. The blonde twin...(I haven't watched long enough to know the name yet) had this idea for a bra with 2 different cup sizes. Is this really that much of a problem that they wrote it into an episode? I mean...I've never noticed mine being different unless it's while I'm losing weight like now. Are there really a lot of woman who are "BC"s?

Anyway...just thought that was odd.

No Rest for the Wicked

2006-03-28T05:07:00.000-06:00

It is now 5am. My guy left for work an hour ago. I haven't slept. Going with my dad when he has some tests today. I'm a nervous wreck about it. I always get this way when someone I love is ill. Guess I've just lost too many important people. I know I am NOT ready to lose my dad! I know that's not going to happen. He'll be fine. I can't wait to get these tests over and find out the results. The not knowing is the worst part.

Maybe this wasn't the best time to start blogging. Don't worry...they won't ALL be like this.

Random thoughts after midnight

2006-03-28T01:12:00.000-06:00

Why are we here?

What's love got to do with it?

Where's Waldo?

What is that SMELL? Oh...it's the garlic cheese I had for a snack.

Putting up shelf paper

2006-03-28T01:01:00.000-06:00

Oh Johnny! I just love shelf paper!

I need to spruce this place up. Any suggestions? All the other blogs are cuter than mine.

Anyway...I'm out of the starting gate. I'll try to keep things interesting. Can't promise I'll remember to ramble everyday. I've been doing it pretty consistently for 33 years though. I think I'll manage.