Sunangel

For a huge laugh.....

2009-02-10T09:10:00.002-06:00

I was browsing Amazon today, looking for a photography book for Hubby for Valentine's Day and I came across this one. Definitely not going to buy this! Just follow this link for a HUGE laugh!

Sun Angel Creations blog...is gone.

2009-02-06T10:41:00.003-06:00

I have deleted the other blog I was working on. Let's face it, it only had one post!
I made a major decision yesterday and my hubby agreed with me. I am not going to pursue crafting as a viable business. I am going to treat it like a hobby and if I sell something, more power to me. I will just post pictures of what I make here. I am also going to set up an Etsy shop online but maintaining two blogs was too much.
I had to do something because of what else is going on in my life. I am trying to get more instructor jobs with other local colleges and I am trying to pay off some credit card debt and I cannot do this while trying to force myself to create! I spent all day Wednesday, running around trying to get things done and was not able to do everything I needed to in order to accomplish all my goals.
Crafting to me is something fun and when I tried to put a time table on it, I got irritated. By making it a "job", I unconsciously applied my "job" work ethic to it. I put a time table in head and when I was unable to create or I had work from my real job that interfered, I was mad at myself. I cannot "create" under pressure!
This was actually brought about by some good news that I received on Tuesday. I drove to the next largest town, 60 miles, for some help on my state income tax and while I was there, I went to the Education Center on the Army post and talked to the school representatives there. The education center brings together everything needed for the military to go to school in a non-traditional setting such as night classes, shortened terms and usually, transferability between the various universities represented.

Anyways, I talked to the reps for three colleges that night and 2 of them are interested in having teach a course or two for them. I don't know the pay and I know it would be at night, plus a 120 mile round trip commute, so is it worth it? I think so, just for the resume value. I need to build my experience points so that eventually I can get hired full time, somewhere. I want the local state college that I teach at now to offer a position but I don't know if that is ever going to happen.
So anyway! Keep me in your thoughts and send out good karma thoughts that this works out and my family does not disown me for taking on too much!

Repeat of a conversation...

2009-02-06T10:28:00.004-06:00

On Monday, after the greatest football team in the world did it AGAIN, my darling daughter wore her Steelers jersey to school in celebration. At PE, the following conversation took place"
Coach (a man, of course): Are you wearing that because the Steelers won last night?
Cee: No, I'm wearing it because the Steelers won for the SIXth time, last night.
Coach: Bet you don't even know who the quarterback is.
Cee(turns around and points at her back): Big Ben (I don't know if that's what everyone calls him, but that is our nickname) and I know who Palamalu is too.
Coach: Who's the Steelers' play last night?
Cee: Some bird team, but does it matter?

I can just envision the body language going on here. Cee is almost 5 feet tall but weighs less than 80 pounds, the coach is about 6 feet tall.
I would like to say that he is really a nice guy but this ain't the heart of Steelers country here. Its all Oklahoma and Texas college football. There was literally no football decorations available. I would say that most people were rooting for that bird team anyways.

What do you expect down here in the middle of steer country?

My awesome Steelers cake.....

2009-02-01T21:35:00.002-06:00

I made this! Ok this was much harder than I thought.....

In memory of....

2009-01-30T15:33:00.003-06:00

Have you ever met someone just one time and liked them instantly? I had the pleasure of meeting such a person just before Christmas. Here is how it happened.
The hubby and I received an invitation to go to a Christmas jam and potluck. Basically, bring food and play music. We thought it would be a great idea until the night of... He came home from work very tired and I hadn't thought of anything to make but we had already RSVP'ed so I made 2 boxes of mac-n-cheese and off we went. Their house was in a town 47 miles north of here so we drove along basically only knowing how to get to town and then we called for directions from there. When we walked in, our host was playing music and so his wife welcomed us. We were over an hour late but she was very sweet. I could tell that much of the food had been made by her. Over the course of the evening, she talked to everyone, gave hugs where needed and made oodles of coffee.
When it was time to go, she gave everyone little gift bags with angel ornaments and small card. I was telling her how much I enjoyed myself (I usually don't really enjoy myself) and that I hoped to see her again. She told me they were leaving the day after Christmas because there was a small spot on her liver.
This morning she died of liver and lung cancer. She hadn't been truthful, the "small" spot was a tumor the size of a ping pong ball. She didn't want to ruin anyone else's holidays.
This lady has children my age but I really like her and thought that I could be friends with her. I was never given the chance.
I am glad that a few days later, I actually sat down and wrote her a card to thank her and to tell her how much I had enjoyed myself.
Sometimes, I think that it is not so much what you do in life but how big of a hole you leave in death.

MIA

2009-01-29T12:14:00.002-06:00

Ok, I have been totally MIA. I have all sorts of reasons for this but don't want to bore anyone....
All I want to say is, When the doctor says that there are no withdrawl symptoms when you stop taking this medicine. Shoot him. No, seriously, shoot him a dirty look and do your own research. Spent the last 3 weeks in hell because, yes, some people do experience SIGNIFICANT symptoms and no, the FDA does not have a warning about this drug.
The worst thing was the vertigo/motion sickness. This was brought on by just about anything including but not limited to:getting out of bed, opening your eyes, more than 2 minutes on the computer, watching TV, driving, riding in a vehicle, bending, moving..... YA GET THE PICTURE?
So, saw said Doc on Tues. and he didn't believe me about this but gave me pills to shut me up... Pills worked, placebo effect, you say? Do I care why they worked? No....just that I am able to function in my somewhat normal way.
Anyways, in other health news, the sleep study was done last week and found that I have severe obsturctive sleep apnea. Sound horrible doesn't it? I couldn't be more thrilled. Now I know why I am tired and there is a way to fix it! I get fitted for my breathing machine today and tonight will try to sleep at least 2 hours with it on. I might even be sorta rested tomorrow when I go and get professional help for my state taxes.
I was able to figure and file my federal return (with the help of some software) but this state is whacked. I need help to figure out that I don't need to pay because I took a loss on my business......
Speaking of business.....I am attempting to get it up and running and I have created a blog (with no posts yet) but intend to get busy with it now that I am feeling better.......

Just have to say one thing...........

GO STEELERS!!!!!

Some quick updates from here.

2009-01-15T08:46:00.003-06:00

I started teaching Monday and I think things are going well. Some of my students are a little bit like zombies but they tell me that they don't get up until just before class at 9 am. Since I am up between 6 and 615 every morning, I guess I understand.....
I have been asked to teach video editing for part of this summer. I am excited that my name is out there but I don't know JACK about this subject!
Riddle for you....
What's worse than being a soccer mom? Being a gymnastics mom! She is practicing 4 or 5 days a week now and then we have the meets on the weekends. Are these meets local? Hell to the NO (borrowed from Momster) The closest has been an hour drive! This upcoming Saturday, almost 2 hours.......This being Oklahoma, it is a very boring 2 hours.
Last Saturday's meet was good though. She showed huge improvement on every event and won 2 firsts and 2 seconds and 2nd in the all around. Ok, there were only 2 in her age group but her scores were competitive with the next older group. In comparing them, she would have taken a 1st, 2 2nds and a 4th so not too bad. When I download the pictures, I will post some.
The animals are all fine. Max was groomed earlier this week and then it got really cold so he is wearing a sweater all the time. Our house is not the warmest place in the neighborhood. We decided slippers and blankets are cheaper than propane and electricity. We are a very snuggly family now!
Time to get on with my busy life!

I'm baaaaaack!

2009-01-08T12:07:00.000-06:00

I know, I know, how many times do I think I am going to disappear and then say, "I'm baaaaccckkk.!!" But things have been truly hectic here. The holidays were actually pretty quiet and I like it that way because I am usually stressed out. I actually decided that I was not going to put pressure on myself to post because I did not want to feel stressed!
I do have some big news BTW. I have a new job.........

Oh, you want to know what it is?

Really?

OK

Wait for it!!

Wait for it!!!!!

I will be teaching a class at the local college!!!!!! Yes, it is official, I am an "adjunct instructor." Fancy title for a part time teacher. I will be teaching Microsoft Office 2007. Slight hitch there, I don't know Office 2007. That is what the book is for, just as long as I stay ahead of my students, I should be OK..........
This is exciting because this is a job that is actually in my planned career! I want to teach at a college or university!
Time to get busy, getting ready for my job!!!!

Tag, I'm it.....

2008-12-13T21:48:00.003-06:00

I was tagged by Momster a few days ago but have not had a moment to get anything done. So, the way the tag goes is this. Go into your pictures, 4 th folder, 4th picture, and share the memory...

This was taken at a Rick Springfield concert, July 30, 2003. Momster was able to get tickets and I flew in just for the show. We ended up winning front row seats by writing on the bottom of my feet. Momster and I just about died when we saw him because we are such huge fans. I actually

have an entire scrapbook page from high school devoted to him. It was the best, most selfish thing I have ever done for myself and I will never forget it!!!

Now, my big problem....tagging 4 more people.........I hate to do this since I don't know many bloggers but I am looking... Just treat this as a meme instead and do it if you want........

Southern Cream Cookies.

2008-12-11T12:36:00.001-06:00

These are my favorite cookies......

Southern Cream Cookies
Preheat oven to 350°
1 cup shortening
2 cups sugar
3 beaten eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup sour cream
5 cups all purpose flour
3 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
½ tsp baking soda
1 ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
3 tsp sugar
1 tsp cinnamon

Cream shortening, sugar, eggs, vanilla and sour cream until smooth. Add flour, baking soda, salt and baking soda. Mix well. Stir in nuts, if desired. Drop by rounded teaspoon onto a greased cookie sheet. Grease bottom of small glass. Mix sugar and cinnamon on a small plate. Dip glass bottom into cinnamon sugar and then press cookie flat. Bake for about 15 minutes. Makes 6 dozen cookies.

Plans for the day.....a meme

2008-12-11T07:27:00.008-06:00

I saw on another blog, a post about doing 101 things in 1001 days. Things like sewing, learning a language, getting out of debt.... I thought, "wow, what a great idea! Set some goals, get some things done, motivation time!" Then I thought, not happening in my life at this time! I don't have time to make the list! My to-do list for today has too many things going on! So it is with great pleasure that I unveil my 1,000,001 things to do in 1 day. MUCH more realistic!
1. ~~Dishes~~
2. ~~2 loads of laundry (counts as 2 items, right?)~~
4. ~~Pay insurance~~
5. ~~Pay last of tuition~~
6. ~~Work 2 hours on paper~~
7. Wrap Christmas gifts
8. Figure out Christmas card design
9. Order materials for card
10. ~~Clean up area where tree is going~~
11. Find Christmas decorations
12. Vacumn
13. ~~Sweep~~
14. Dust
15. ~~Bake cookies~~
16. ~~Clean out fridge~~
17. Print pics for December album
18. Journal for album
19. Fold laundry from yesterday
20. ~~Learn enough HTML to cross out things on my list~~

OK, OK, I exagerated a little but this is just the things I can think of! I will certainly do things not on the list which I will add and I will come back and cross off those I have accomplished!
Hopefully, all will be done by tonight!!!!

********It's now about 5 pm and I am done for the day, things can wait until tomorrow!****************

The poll.....

2008-12-10T11:42:00.003-06:00

I added a poll to the right. My Ps just left and I thought of this because, if I were to answer, it would be "Not happening." I don't know why, because there would be 2 doorways between us and I can be quiet if I want but it just didn't seem right. The Catholic girl in me came out. I still don't even know how my parents had 4 children!
The darling hubby, on the other hand, was not deterred at all. If he had his way, it would have been happening. It is his way to deal with stress. Actually, I think it is all men's way of dealing with stress. He just didn't understand that, not only would I not enjoy it, but that I could not get my head around the feeling that it was WRONG!
So, those of you whose parents, or in-laws come and stay with you, chime in! Let me know how you handle this situation....

The local Christmas parade......

2008-12-08T10:31:00.004-06:00

That's right, I said Christmas! We don't do a "Holiday" parade around here! Cee and her gymnastics school participated in the parade. They created storybooks about their experience and these were attached to the float. I ended up doing the work just because I wanted it done!!!!
Eight of the team girls walked beside the float (trailer) with the other students on it. Two miles of cartwheels and round-offs took their toll and they were tired!!!!
Stuff for my December album though!!!!!! I am using the pictures from this to put in the album!

In memoriam.......

2008-12-08T10:27:00.004-06:00

OK, nothing major has happened except that my favorite pair of jeans went to blue jean heaven this morning. No surgery could save them, no amount of rehabilitation....
I loved these jeans, they fit me at my highest weight without binding and looked good as I lost and then regained the weight again. They finally wore out on the inside thighs. I had ignored this for a long time as the fabric got thinner and thinner but finally, a little too much air came through and a rip showed up...... Good bye jeans, may you rest in peace!

The Ps are gone....

2008-12-07T10:26:00.002-06:00

They left about half an hour ago. I watched them go with a mixture of sadness and relief....
I am very sad because I realized that my parents are getting old and they may not be able to travel much anymore.
I am relieved because I have a TON of things to do and I was not getting any of it done. They didn't stop me but I felt guilty doing mundane things while they were here and so everything is piling up. Laundry, dust, bills, shredding, Christmas tasks, dirt in the carpet, sweeping, etc. It was also abnormally cold and very windy here the whole time they visited so it really limited our time we could spend outside. We watched a ton of GSN and old Law and Order reruns......We did have a good visit with no arguing and disagreements, mainly because my darling hubby kept his mouth closed about things that irritated him. I give HUGE kudos for this...........
So, I miss them now and know that I am not going home for Christmas so I won't see them again for a while.... No, Momster, no Christmas joy for us this year unless I win the lottery...or airfares plummet to all time lows.......

December album update.....what album?

2008-12-04T07:41:00.006-06:00

Well, I really have nothing to update since I haven't done anything besides taking a picture of the pre-completed pages I have.... I thought that since my Ps were coming on the 1st that I would have lots of material but I can't find my camera, UGH! I have made notes of what has been happening so I can AT LEAST journal about the happenings of this month. I have writtendown some of the things said that are funny or notable. I have taken a few pictures with my cell phone and Cee had her picture taken with Santa last night so I can use thaat......
I am determined to do this though! It might not get done daily but I will do it!
P.S. I stole the image from online (Thankyou Google!)

My parents are here...and a Thanksgiving update.

2008-12-02T08:14:00.003-06:00

My parents came in last night. They were in Chicago visiting my brother and family and came this way to see us. My mom is not well but the docs said to just go while they wait for test results to come back. This could be as long as 8 weeks. Like my mom said, "I'll be dead or cured by then." So they are here and I hope this visit goes well because, lets face it, they are getting older. My dad is 71 now and my mom is getting ready to turn 69. I don't know how much longer they will be traveling around the country. Their friends of at least 35 years might also come in from Arizona to see them while they are here, also.
Thanksgiving was a disappointment for me this year. We decided to not cook for just the 3 of us. So instead, we went to the local resort hotel for their buffet. Items missing included turkey/brown gravy, corn, green bean casserole, pumpkin pie, whipped cream and ice cream. How is this a proper Thanksgiving? For the amount we paid, I think there should have been all of the above....Afterwards, we went hiking and took some spectacular pictures but I have to download them and I haven't gotten to that yet....That evening, we invited some people over for dessert and that wasn't bad but overall, a let down...
This was the first holiday weekend in 3 years where the hubby was not on standy-by, alert, standby for alert or completely away from home. He was wondering why I was so affectionate this weekend, besides the fact that he is handsome, and I think it was because I was relaxed and not resentful of his job!!!! Men sometimes don't see the underlying reasons to things........
BTW, I didn't get the job at the hospital...........I didn't particularly want the job but I didn't like not being selected, KWIM?

Last weekend's gymnastics meet...

2008-11-25T16:18:00.005-06:00

5th place over all for ages 10 and up.

The vault, 3rd

The floor exercise, 3rd

The balance beam, 2rd

The uneven bars, 2nd

She did very well over all for the first time competing. She thought she should have scored higher but then she watched the tape and said "I never pointed my toes in that routine."
Next meet, December 14......

Things that irritate me about life......

2008-11-25T15:54:00.003-06:00

I try to be positive for the most part. The meds help with that but I need to vent a little today so this is a brief list of things that bug me.......
1. This morning, a friend texted me to ask if I would watch her child while she took a test for a job. Sure, no prob, what time? I look at the clock and decide that I don't have time to shower so I get some ratty clothes on and do some housework. Look at the time, and its 1/2 hour after she said she would be here. Couldn't she have let me know? I could have showered in that time...........Just a thought.
2. I had to have some bloodwork done last week to get some meds renewed and the chick that was drawing my blood would not give me a Spidey band-aid. I wanted it because I was with my friend from #1 above and I thought her son would get a kick out of it. How hard is it to give me a freakin' cute band-aid? Then, to top if off, I have a bruise the size of my palm from her digging around.
3. My husband wants to go to a concert/cowboy ball next month. He doesn't think he needs to abide by the dresscode. He says they can't make him. I think they can and I don't want to go if he is going to be dressed in jean when everyone else is in a suit. Why do men do this?
4. BTW, guess who is responsible for obtaining childcare for said concert?
5. When you tell someone you will let them know about a job on Monday, shouldn't you call them by Tuesday to let them know?
6. I 'won' a 1 year subscription to BH&G today, if I buy a 1 year subscription.
7. My lovely daughter forgot to take her cellphone with her, again. Why do I pay for it?
8. My statement is ready online for the telephone company but I can't view it right now because it is unavailable. ?????????
9. My cellphone statement is available but not viewable either. ??????
So that's my vent... I fell better now. Where's the meds?

Peanut brittle, microwave version

2008-11-24T16:59:00.003-06:00

Tomorrow is the Fall party at Cee's school and she did not want to bring the usual cliched items such as cookies or cake so she asked me to make peanut brittle. This batch is slightly burnt because microwaves do vary and I cooked it a little too long but here is the recipe.
1 1/2 cups uncooked peanuts with skins still on
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup white corn syrup
1/8 tsp salt
1 tsp butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp baking soda
(have everything ready, this goes quite fast)
Grease cookie sheet with a tiny amount of butter, save rest for recipe
In a 1 1/2 quart microwave safe container (glass), stir together peanuts, sugar, syrup and salt. Microwave on high for 4 minutes, remove and stir well. Return to microwave and cook on high for 3 to 4 minutes, depending on color (should be light brown).
Stir in butter an vanilla (it will splatter) and cook for 2 more minutes. Remove and add baking soda. Mixture will become light and foamy. Immediately pour onto a lightly greased baking sheet or marble slab (we all have those :P)spreading thin. When cool break into small pieces. Store in an airtight container (if it lasts that long). Makes 1 pound.
Some disclaimers and cautions:
Use uncooked peanuts.
This mixture gets extremely hot(400 degrees F), it is not a project for kids.
Do not lick the spoon until it is cold!
Burnt peanut brittle is OK for family but not to give away.
Clean up is very easy, just soak in hot water.

Job update...

2008-11-24T16:43:00.002-06:00

Apparently, I don't have one. Not officially. After the interview, which I think went very well, she said she would let everyone know either way on Monday. I spent the weekend discussing and making plans and anticipating an offer/thinking I didn't get it. Back and forth on a seesaw of emotions. So today, all day I wait by the phone, like a teenager waiting for her boyfriend. and NOTHING. Phone.did.not.ring.....
I am hopeful still, knowing that HR can sometimes hold things up but tomorrow, I am going to call because I need to get my childcare in order......

Job questions...

2008-11-20T09:29:00.003-06:00

This afternoon I have a job interview with the local hospital. I did not expect them to call me because on my online application, I put a pretty high required salary. Now, I have a huge dilemma! If they offer me the job at my required salary, should I take it? It will be full time so I will make decent money but then I won't be able to teach for the university I just graduated from.
I have tried to list the pros and cons to myself but I can't make a coherent decision so I am asking my devoted follower(s) to help!
Good side of this job (if I get it)
1. Steady paycheck
2. Possibility of upward mobility
3. Getting out of the house
Bad side of this job
1. Not as much as I want to be paid
2. Won't be able to teach
3. Not in my field
4. Work during the summer

Good side of not getting job...
1. Can teach at college level if I want to
2. Can still substitute teach at local schools for money
3. Summers off (mostly)
4. Will not be accepting job outside my field just for money
5. Experience in teaching
Bad side of not getting job...
1. College position will not start until January at the earliest.
2. Don't know if i have college position
3. Both college and substitutue teaching only pay once a month
4. No upward mobility in either teaching job.

So, if I could have the best of both worlds, I would work at the hospital with flex time allowed for teaching at the college one night a week. Should I mention this at the interview? or if they offer me the job?

Is this cheating?

2008-11-20T09:10:00.005-06:00

No, I am not contemplating cheating on my husband. Where would I get the energy?
This about the December album. Taking Jess's advice, I just "did it" even though I did not have the motivation. I remembered that my Mama Angel had decided to get rid of a bunch of stuff she hoarded for years. I went to her sale to buy some stuff to hoard myself and got these albums. I thought they were blank inside with some stickers, etc. to fix up but they were finished! All I need to do is put some dates on the pages and actually commit to taking pictures and keeping up with the album.

This is the embellishments that I can use to spice it up even more!

Question for those of you who have done a December album. What do you do about days that nothing happened? Is this a day to journal about other Christmas memories or to write profound thoughts? Help on this one!

In addition to the December album, I have vowed to do a gymnastics album for Cee as it happens. I am going to get things ready so that the pictures can be put in immediately! Yeh, right!

Rainy days and Mondays always get me down, except its Tuesday!

2008-11-18T20:21:00.003-06:00

So, I'm over at Momster's blog and I see how motivated she is and I'm at Jess's blog and I see that she is super motivated and then there is me. I am not motivated at all. I need some motivation, mojo, umph, something.
I tried working on my thesis today and just got nowhere! I tried analyzing some statistics and figure out if I proved anything.. Yeh, I proved something, I proved I'm confused. Where's that sparkling, intelligent woman of last Thursday?
I thought about doing a December album, I have everything I need, did I even go near my craft room? No!
Help me, I need something to get me going (something legal, that is.) Any ideas?

Commencement ceremony

2008-11-17T08:33:00.003-06:00

Thurday was the big day! I done graduated! OK, I have not finished my final draft of my capstone paper (a type of thesis) which is due by December 5th but I still participated in the ceremony. I am getting all choked up just typing! I have my bachelors degree already so on Thursday, I received a Master's of Science in Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Not bad, hmm? No pics yet because I can't find the cable to download from my hubby's camera. When I can, I will post some so everyone can see! This is a special time when the candidate (me) gets "hooded." That means they receive the cloth that hangs down the back and is different colors.
This picture shows the tan color denoting business (MSM (mine) or MBA). The colors inside show the university colors. In my case, they are blue and gold (I couldn't find a picture).
Just in case my head got to big, Walmart brought me down a notch on Friday. I applied online for a management position. In order to be considered, I needed to pass this online exam. I failed it. Spent a good part of Saturday in a fit of pique but I am over it now. I am applying to teach at various colleges and universities in the area and something will come my way!

Socks, Max and Teesha...and an update on Cee

2008-11-17T08:17:00.006-06:00

To follow up on comments... Socks is fully male (for another week) and my eyes are not itching (surprisingly) so maybe the allergy shots are working. Max and Socks have a daily battle for my lap as I read the paper every morning but pretty much ignore each other the rest of the day. Teesha could care less about a cat in the house except it affects her eating schedule. Now the dogs only have food down for about 20 minutes in the evening. We do this so that Socks does not eat the dog food because we think this has been making him sick. If you have never seen the results of a cat with the runs, you don't want to!
Enough talk about sick cats... To follow up on my sick child, it was definitely strep. After a second trip to the ER because of a temp of 105.5, the doc ordered a shot in the bum and some really great (I mean it) mouthwash for her throat. She went back to school on Friday, and yesterday, she actually felt back to her old self. Still have about a week of antibiotics to go through but we are back on track!

Welcoming a new family member....Socks...

2008-11-12T12:07:00.002-06:00

craft room pics.....

2008-11-12T11:58:00.002-06:00

Before picture...

Stamping storage...

Some progess...

My personal library... (only about a third of my books so far)

2008-11-12T11:53:00.001-06:00

Puzzling

Groucho mom

Groucho Cee

Has it been that long?

2008-11-11T20:14:00.003-06:00

I feel like I am running into an old friend! Really! I have been swamped and now I finally have a few minutes to catch up. The hubby came home on Halloween night and we have been really busy. The parents were supposed to come and visit for my graduation ceremony on Nov. 13th and we were scrambling to get the house in visiting order. Unfortunately, my mother has been very ill and the doctors do not know what is the matter. She has been in and out of the hospital for the last few weeks. They think it might be lupus or something called mayasthenia gravis (sp). They won't be able to come for the graduation and I don't know if they are coming this year at all.
Cee is sick again. This time, I didn't even cal the nurse line. She had a fever of 102.9 and I gave her ibuprofen. One hour later, it was 104.2. The very nice ER doctor thinks it is strep but I have to monitor her for meningitis. I should just go to med school.

Or I should be a veternarian since Teesha has been in to see him twice in the last 2 weeks. Now he thinks she has developed a food allergy....
I am just waiting for someone else to get sick because I am on it!!!! I know everything! I am the goddess of nursing!

Lucky with health care....(sick child)

2008-10-31T07:43:00.002-06:00

OK, with Hubby in the military, we have it pretty good with health care. As in pretty much free for everything necessary and some co-pays for non-necessary..but that doesn't mean that my child is not sick!
This past weekend, Cee started REALLY coughing. She has had a tickle in her throat for awhile but this was much worse. She couldn't walk across the store or laugh without hacking up a lung. So Sunday night (early Monday morning), I called the 24 hour nurse advice line and got no good advice. Not that the nurse didn't try, but where am I going to get a humidifier at 1 a.m.? My hubby is away so I should go to Wally World? Take my sick baby (11 yr. old) out? Basically, I wanted to know what meds she could take (that I had available) that would at least get her to sleep without killing her. The nurse was not keen on combining meds (probably a good thing) but to my sleep-deprived mind, I was getting nowhere. She would not give us authorization to go to the ER because it was not an emergency. Cee finally fell asleep because of the Benadryl and I was able to snooze for 2 hours at a time. I kept getting up to check on her. I took her into the doc the next morning and got something that helps and the cough is almost gone.
Then on Tuesday at gymnastics practice, Cee smacked her right arm on the balance beam. She told me about it but since she had continued practicing, I did not think it was that bad. I sent her to school on Wed. and didn't think anything of it. She came home after school and was in pain. So again, I call the nurse line. This time, I want to go to the ER for Xrays. Let's make sure the wrist isn't cracked, etc. Nurse wants to give me home care advice. I want authorization to go, she gives advice. I finally insist on it. She doesn't know my child like I do. My Cee plays HARD. If the wrist is cracked, she'll finish the job and break it somehow. So finally, against the nurse's advice, I take her for xrays and it shows that there is no cracks or breaks. So the nurse was right. But does this mean that I shouldn't have insisted on xrays? Did I over react? The ER wrapped her wrist and now it feels better. Is this a placebo effect or was the wrapping necessary. I ask all of this because I am not objective. When my child is hurt or sick, I can't be. Maybe I am too close to the subject but when she cries (for real), my heart literally hurts. Let me hear your honest opinions on this one...

More pics from the Halloween party.....

2008-10-30T08:17:00.003-06:00

Here is Cee (the Goth Mummy) with her friends, The Black & White Fairy and Lola, from Hannah Montana...

Cee wins a musical chairs! Don't get in her way! She gets this from me. :)
Playing in the fog from outside.

The girls had fun at the party, mostly because of unlimited candy and I let them hang out outside. They thought they were very grownup but they were not visible from the street so I didn't think there was much danger. The door was cracked open, and someone checked on them more often than they realized. Cee's friends are also very sensible and so is Cee.
I even went to the Megan's Law website for around here to check for offenders near my friend's house. (I did this when I bought my house also.)

Kitty Litter Cake, anyone?

2008-10-29T08:35:00.007-06:00

Saturday was our Halloween party. I know that it was a little bit early but we needed to schedule it around custody issues with another friend! On the menu from our house, Kitty Litter Cake, Boiled Eyeballs and Chocolate Covered Worms. From other sources, Dirty Dishwater, Mummy Dogs and Witch's Hands.
Here are some pics...........
Gothic Mummy Bride

The invitation

Chocolate covered worms

Eyeballs

Kitty Litter Cake...

I think the adults had more fun cooking and planning than anything else. We had a great time and made a huge mess.....

****Edited***** I used red gel decorator's icing and a paint brush to make the eyeballs look bloodshot. Check out this site...
http://www.all-about-halloween.com for all the recipes I used.

Its Official

2008-10-22T08:00:00.003-06:00

This morning, I felt like Garfield on the scales. I have officially gained 10 pounds since coming back to the states at the end of June. In celebration of that, I have decided to lose those 10 pounds and 43 more! I added a ticker to the right side and think public humiliation might motivate me more that all the clothes that don't fit!
So I solemnly vow to stop eating out of boredom, start eating more protein, drink water, not drink soda or lemonade, and eat more veggies!
I will also list everything I have eaten in the last day....Just because I know no one will care!!!!!

Where's the cable?

2008-10-20T21:17:00.003-06:00

So this weekend, some friends came over to help me put my craft room together and I actually remembered to take some pictures of the before and during (the after hasn't happened yet)and then I can't find the cable to download the pics to the computer!!!!
Actually, they came to help with the craft room because I bribed them with access to all my paper and tools. We ended up setting a table in the living room and making invites to a Halloween party that is coming up. It now looks like a paper shredder exploded in the living room. You will have to imagine it until the cable shows up......
I finally gave up and just bought a costume at Evil Wal-Mart. I couldn't think of anything good that I could make up. Cee is going as a Gothic mummy? At least that is what she is calling it now.....
Max is going at Count Maxula and I have a good picture of that too!!!!!!!! This whole move thing is so frustrating when I can't find something.....

Project Runway fans....

2008-10-15T20:24:00.002-06:00

OK, so who watches Project Runway on Bravo? I have been a faithful follower of the show this season and I just watched the finale and I am pissed!!!!!! I wanted Kenley to win. I thought that her clothes were actually wearable and beautiful. I definitely did not think that Leanne clothes had enough variety to them. She used just a few colors and when she kept saying that waves were her inspiration, I think she was color blind!!! There are way more colors to the ocean than what she just showed! The sunlight on the water creates more than that!!! I think I just like the underdog attitude of Kenley and I thought Korto's line was beautiful also....
Let me know what you think!!!!!

VOTE

2008-10-15T20:12:00.004-06:00

This morning I went to training to be an election official for the upcoming general election. Thank goodness I will only be a clerk and there will be 2 others there to make things run smoothly. I don't know how many are in the precinct I am working at but they are expecting at least a 60% turnout. It will be a long and busy day but worth it in the end. I will say that I volunteered for this job but am glad that I getting paid......
All of this brought about a serious political conversation with my hubby over dinner at the local restaurant. Many couples might be able to say straight out who they are going to vote for but we were both very careful to talk without saying who exactly we each will vote for but it was insightful to find out that what I consider to be major issues, he doesn't see that way. He was concerned about things I didn't know mattered. I still haven't decided. Because I will be working that day, I will actually vote by absentee 3 days before....
So, if you decide to comment, please don't say who you want to win but tell me what you consider to be the most important issue in this election. I will come out and say that I think the war and how it is resolved is most important to me....

Making and breaking habits.

2008-10-14T08:28:00.002-06:00

Someone once told me that it takes a week to make a habit and two weeks to break it. I think that is what happened to me! I was blogging along and enjoying it and then when the internet fiasco happened, I was gone so long that I broke the habit of blogging. Now I am trying to get back in the swing of things and I am determined to blog everyday, regardless of whether I actually have anything to say!
I am ashamed to say that nothing of great interest is going on right now. The hubby is asleep (I think I wore him out) and Max (the Maltese) has just fallen asleep beside me on the couch. I know he is asleep because he has just done what all males do when they sleep...... He farted.
Its raining outside (hard) and gloomy inside. The house looked fab when hubby came home on Thursday but now looks like it threw up on itself again! We painted our bedroom Sunday and yesterday and it looks fabulous but everything else went out... No laundry, dishes, etc..... Today's job is to clean out the craft room so I can make it into a craft room. Cee and I had been sleeping in there while we worked on the main part of the house and when we moved, we left a bunch of stuff behind. Most of it will stay there but I need some order in my life! I'm OCD like that.... I will snap some pics of the before and after so y'all can be jealous of my own personal space!

Some observations on women and home improvement....

2008-10-12T15:55:00.003-06:00

I have been working on this house for almost 5 weeks in between all the other things that women do in the course of a normal day and I have noticed something. Men (and women) who work at hardware stores think that women are stupid and incapable. I think I know why....
Women ask questions. They want to know everything there is to know about a project before they start it. Men come into a store and ask one question, assume the rest, go home, screw it up and then come back, ask one question, repeat the process until they finally finish the project.
Since it is usually men that work in these places, they are not used to a women asking a multitude of questions, just in case. I think this gives the impression that women are incapable.
Case in point...
I decided that I wanted all new plug and switch plates in the rooms that I had just painted. I went to the local hardware store and I was looking at them and I thought, "If I put these on, it will just make the actual plugs and switches look even worse." So I decided that I wanted to change out the plugs and switches also. I did not know how to do this (BTW it is extremely easy, if you ask enough questions) but I figured that I could learn. I proceed to ask a bunch of questions. I figured, with a woman helping me, she would think that I am competent. Apparently not. She actually asked me for my phone number because she thought her husband should come over and do it, "Just in case." I thought I was going to scream!!!!!!!!! Just in case what? I knew how to turn the power off, I wasn't going to electrocute myself. If I had wanted someone to do this for me, I would have hired a handyman.
In the end, I replaced them all and I taught my 11 yr old daughter how to do it also!!!! Just goes to show that anything boys can do, I can do better!!!!!

http://www.funny2.com/menandwomen.htm

I'm baaaaaaaaaack! and so is the hubby!

2008-10-12T15:52:00.002-06:00

Again, I'm back. I had internet installed way back on September 30th and that was the last day it worked with any regularity. I had to throw the biggest hissy fit known to man to get someone out to fix it. Now it works wonderfully but why did I have to do this in the first place? Good thing I am really awesome at throwing a fit!!!
The hubby is also back. He came in on Thursday, a day earlier than expected. I was frantic trying to get the house ready but I don't think he noticed the things stuffed in the cupboards so the house would look neat. He loved the house, good thing because Oklahoma is a community property state and I own half. I would have kicked him to the curb if he didn't like it!

My Pap

2008-09-30T09:35:00.003-06:00

On Saturday morning, I was up having coffee and chatting with a friend that had come for the weekend to help me with my house when my phone rang. I saw the caller ID and I knew. My mother was calling to tell me that my grandfather had passed away early that morning. I had expected this, knew it was coming from conversations earlier that week and still, I found myself crumpling to the floor and sobbing. My mother, who's father this is, was strong and calm and I was crying so hard that I couldn't breath.
I knew this was coming and still there is a hole where his presence always was. He was my Pap jsut as he was Momster's and the many other cousins. I remember being asked, "Are you V's granddaughter?" I spent most of the day in a daze. I tried to function but I felt like my brain was in a fog. I will not be attending the funeral today becuase of the distance I am from my family but that is OK with me. I want to remember him the way I always have. Tall, goofing off, riding snowmobiles, driving the boat at Two Lick, teasing Grandma.
When I saw him earlier this year in the home, he was old, he had shrank down as age and illness took its toll but my image in my mind overlayed this. It was like his spirit was visible. I watched him talk to my daughter as she sat on his lap and I was sad because she will never know him and have the memories that I have.
Pancakes, bacon, egss and ketchup for breakfast every morning. Him sitting in his undershirt, twitching his biceps to make me laugh. He and grandma played cards with my parents many times and he used to hit his knuckles on the table as played a card.
He would try to make chores around the house fun for us. We would rake leaves from the trees into big piles and get it onto the giant tarp he would pull behind the tractor. Then we would all pile onto the tarp also as he put the leaves into the vegetable garden.
Picking potatoes in the fall. Why was this a good memory? Because it was fun, and the weather was cool and dry and it was a family thing.
Snowmobiles and sledriding and family picnics in the giant yard.
The sound his big tractor made is in my memory.

The thing I remember the most is his love for my Grandmother. They grew up and married in an age when visible demonstrations of love were uncommon yet they never failed to show each other how they felt. They got up in the morning at the same time, went to bed at the same time and ate every meal together. They had matching recliners sitting side by side and would often hold hands sitting there. He would do something and she would slap his hand and say, "Oh, V" and he would laugh and then she would to.
I think that their love is what makes this bearable. He is gone from us but they are together again. They are holding hands and teasing each other and leaning over to give a kiss. He is strong and goofy and she is right there to keep him in line.
I will miss them both very much.

I am connected!!!!!

2008-09-30T09:21:00.003-06:00

I am finally connected to the Internet!!!! Yeah! No more going to the Mexican restaurant to nurse chips and salsa just so I can use their free Internet!

Things here are about the same. I am working on getting my house unpacked and I have found my living room floor! The kitchen is organized but the stuff that didn't fit into the kitchen is still piled in the dining room. I have plenty of storage just not in the places I want. I don't like storing food or appliances away from the kitchen because then I don't use them. We have satellite TV and I managed to get everything wired into the back of the entertainment center so that DVDs play and things like that. I have learned a lot from this whole experience but what I really want is some TV show to come in and take over the rest. I'm done with the whole learning thing and just want it all over and put away!

The hubby is coming!!!

2008-09-19T12:05:00.003-06:00

The hubby is coming, the hubby is coming!!!!! Actually, I don't even know if he is breathing hard! but he will be home Oct 9th and will get to see the house for the very first time. Since I am still experiencing buyer's remorse, I have been working like a maniac to get it ready. On Wednesday, the first shipment of household goods was delivered and so that makes everything else even more complicated!!!! Check out my latest slideshow!

No longer homeless....

2008-09-16T12:10:00.002-06:00

That's right, I now am the proud owner of a house. With severe cigarette smoke stains, ripped carpet, sticky counters and cabinets, and other things I have not yet discovered.
But it is mine! I have no internet at this time and the technician will call me 'sometime this week" to come in and get it going but until then, if I eat lunch at the local Mexican restaurant, I get free wifi. The food is a little salty but other than that, not bad.
I have received permission to research on my paper and will be enrolling in the final class this week. My official graduation date is Nov. 13th and I have already ordered my cap, gown, tassel and hood! Good times.
I have spent since Friday working on my house. It took 2 coats of primer and then 2 coats of paint to cover the smoking stains in the living room. In Cee's room, we used a quart of spackle to fix all the nail holes that had been papered over. There was also the 10 foot wide murals drawn with oil pastels under the wall paper. I have primered her room but not painted yet. She is not happy but other things take precedence. I will compile a slide show later this week for all to see my home improvement efforts. Now I am going to home to change all the plugs and light switched in the living/dining room. Not just the plates, but the actual plugs! I am brave but I think it can't be that hard. I will let you all know how it went IF I survive. Tomorrow, I will be installing the new mailbox that I assembled this morning. The postmaster has to approve its location.
I feel like a veritable handyman!

Tales of woe

2008-09-05T13:13:00.003-06:00

Now that I have thoroughly hurt every one's feelings in my last post, I am back to vent some more! Yippy, aren't you excited!
I have been working on my paper, slowly but surely, but I have noticed a trend. If there is a book around that I haven't read, I'll read it instead. I have been very stressed and not sleeping well so I have a tendency to take a nap instead of writing also.
So yesterday afternoon, I thought "Go somewhere to get away from the distractions." I had everything planned. Take Cee to bus stop, take shower, make myself presentable and take laptop to Starbucks. I could sit there, drink outrageously priced coffee and be totally cool. No books to read, no couch to sleep on. Lots of work done, right?
The patron saint of mischief must have listening in. I can hear the laughter "Bwaaahhaaa!"
Here's what happened. The mortgage company wants to talk to Joe Dog, you know, my hubby, who is in Japan, 14 hours time difference. That one. And we can't just give them the phone number, he has to call the credit agency and change the number so the mortgage company can get it from them and call him. And then when he finally speaks to a human (although that is not what Joe calls him) at the credit agency, they won't put a phone number on his credit report.
At 9 pm last night, the toilet plugs up. Bad. Really bad. I pull out the handy dandy plunger provided with the room and give it a try, no go. I call the front desk for maintenance and am told there is no one on duty at that time of night. So, we continue to use it for non-solid waste until this morning when I call for maintenance again.
My request gets caught in the shift change turmoil. I call again. Maintenance finally shows up. Unfortunately, one of them is completely terrified of dogs so I lock Teesha in the bedroom. She proceeds to howl and howl and howl the whole time they are here.
They try my plunger, their plunger, their snake thingy. No luck. By this time, I am bursting at the seems. I finally go to the housekeeping office to pee. They have to call out someone else. "When will they be here?" I ask. "Sometime today" he answers. I tell him that is not acceptable. He makes a phone call from my room and is waiting for the call back when the phone rings. He answers, thinking it is the boss. It is not. It is my, by this time, very irritable husband, wondering why there is a strange man in my room, using my phone. Thank goodness, he was too tired to get upset.
Later, more maintenance shows up with yet another plunger and presto, toilet unplugged. Now I can shower, go to Starbucks, get busy writing, all is well.
Guess what I did instead?

I took a nap. Yep, couldn't take any more. Went to sleep and woke up refreshed and ready to write. This post that is..... :)

Where have I been?

2008-09-03T09:00:00.002-06:00

I am right here in SW Oklahoma trying to deal with everything that is going on in my life.

Have you ever been so overwhelmed that you just shut down? That has been me in the last few days.

My To-do list has been so long that I am not getting very much done! It includes:

Get Max groomed.

Email committee chair about meeting.

Attending said meeting.

Purchase and install new air filter for truck.

Fix billing for room charges.

Change rooms (so no one can move into the old one anyway!)

Call mortgage broker about interest rates

Balance check book

Put new tags on license plates. (Should have been done on Sunday.)

Bug realtor about measuring rooms.

Establish accounts with all the utilities.

Arrange for storage of personal property until house is available.

Pacify husband who is having control issues.

Clean room and do laundry.

Get appointment for Cee's allergies.

Get allergy shot.

Grocery shop.

WORK ON PAPER!!!!!

Did I mention WORK ON PAPER!!!!

I know that some of my faithful readers have missed me!!!! (Momster) I will try to post about every 3 days if my mind does not just burn out from the pressure! I will pick up my award today or tomorrow!

Touch me, touch me !.....

2008-08-29T08:39:00.006-06:00

The Master's Touch
His hands gently, firmly move over my shoulders,
Slowly up my neck,
I relax under his touch.
Gently working away the tensions, easing the way.
Slowly, methodically.
My eyes drift shut with the rhythmic moving of his hands.
Those hands gently stroke my face, eyes,lips.
He slowly works his hands into my hair,
Massaging my scalp,
My brain ceases to function.
His hands begin slowly retracing their path,
His touch becomes firm, demanding.
He pulls from within me,
he reaches to the core of my being.

http://www.magkllady.com/ml006.html

I know what you're thinking! Get your mind out of the gutter! Yes, this is about touch, and yes, there will be some references to sex but not like you think!

Yesterday morning, I had a massage and I started thinking about the importance of touch in our lives and how things change as we grow up.

When we are born, our parents hold us and cuddle us for comfort. Often, a crying baby will only need to be picked up to stop crying. Preemies are held skin to skin as part of their therapies and treatments. As children, we run to our parents for comfort again. When someone is mean, when we fall, when we haven't seen them because of school, what is the first thing Mom or Dad does? Hugs and pats on the back. When we tuck our children in at night, do we just make sure the covers are folded neatly and tightly around our child? No, we kiss and caress their hair. That final reassurance that all is well in the world.

Children on the playground will hug and hold hands as friends or to comfort one another. One child might take a new friend by the hand to introduce him/her to the group.

As we grow into our teens though, the significance and meaning of touch changes. It starts to take on a sexual connotation. Boys and girls hold hands to signify togetherness. Same sex touch becomes almost taboo as they learn and establish their own identities.

As adults, touch becomes a no-no. No pats on the back from the boss, no hugs between men and women unless related or very close friends. People start to make assumptions about others that touch. They must be gay/having an affair/coming onto/harassing, etc.....

But I think touch between adults is important. Touch means acceptance, reassurance, comfort to others. We hug for comfort and support, to show friendship, love, desire. I personally think that when we touch each other, emotion is transmitted some how. That is how a man and women can communicate love through hand holding across the table or a brief touch in the middle of the night.

Since my husband and I are not even on the same continent, I miss the touch in my life. Sure, I have my daughter but usually the hugs are from me to her as mother to child. I don't have that adult to adult touch in my life.

When I had my massage yesterday, I realized that is what I have been missing lately. The massage doesn't make up for my husband not being here, it wasn't that kind of massage, if you know what I mean! But it did make me feel better, not just physically, but emotionally too. The massage therapist, I think, truly cared how I felt and that came through emotionally, also. I even talked to her about this, telling her I wasn't being creepy, and she agreed that is why some people come in. They need that reassurance and emotion that comes from a massage.

I am not a psychiatrist or a psychologist but I am certainly psycho! but I honestly think that what this world needs is more good touching! Things have become so distant these days. So, the next time one of your friends is down, give them a hug, a pat on the back or a squeeze of the hand. Let them know, through your touch, that you care!

A contest: Things that you would never think you would say...

2008-08-27T17:41:00.003-06:00

I have long wanted to write down a list of things that have come out of my mouth since being a mom that you would never think you would say!
For example:
"Get the cat out of the dishwasher!"
"I can see from this, that you had green beans for lunch."
"What does jumping on the trampoline have to do with gum in your hair?"
So, I am going to start a list of funny or weird things that have come out of my mouth (words, people, words) and I want everyone to contribute also!
Leave them in comments and I will add them as I get them.

Retail therapy!

2008-08-27T06:13:00.002-06:00

Did you ever just want a reason to shop? I mean, come on! Its just aching to be bought and here you are, at your computer, looking through stuff and that blouse just leaps out and screams, "I would look perfect on you! Who cares that I am not on sale! Buy me, buy me!"

OK, so maybe merchandise on the web does not speak to you the same way as to me but in the past, retail therapy has been an issue for me. I admit that I was one of those people who got a thrill from purchasing stuff (and I mean stuff) and I felt better for a few minutes. I eventually got help for what was actually bothering me and I am faithful about taking those happy pills every day. That is what kept me from buying this morning.

I have, through my ISP, a spam blocker on my email accounts. This dumps known spam immediately and puts questionable material in a special folder. I look through that to make sure that no one that I want to hear from has changed their email address and my ISP has blocked them. This is where all the sale ads from various places I have ordered from goes.
I was checking this folder online this morning and saw "FREE shipping on orders over $50." and my resolve crumbled. Honestly, my resolve was not even there!!! I had to go look at these clothes, after all they are the new fall fashions! And I have been living out of a suitcase for 2 months. Not an easy thing to do after a while.
I am browsing through the blouses and shirts, thinking, if I had a job, I would need these clothes. I can see myself wearing that shirt. I would need some gray pants with that blouse. Etc, etc, etc. I start thinking, where can I get a job? I could go back to the bank where I worked previously, these clothes would look sharp there.
Then, the meds kicked in and reality became, well, reality! I am living in what is essentially a hotel, with my daughter, two dogs and a house on the way, out of a suitcase that contains 4 shirts, 4 pairs of jeans and some shorts. I have 15,000 pounds (that's 7 1/2 tons) of stuff on its way to the house that I don't officially own and I want a job so that I can buy new clothes! Now mind you, in that 7 tons of stuff that is coming, is some really nice clothes that I bought on other occasions when I was partaking in retail therapy. At one time, I actually had enough outfits to wear to work for 3 weeks without ever repeating a single item. That is not a typo, I actually said 3 weeks! I kept track on a special calendar hung just inside my walk- in closet. Yes, my walk- in closet. My husband had to use the closet in our spare room for his stuff.
So, in the interest of keeping my credit card bills down and so I don't get a job just to justify the new clothes, I deleted the email, permanently.

After all, I know how to get that free shipping code some other way. ;)

That's one sick puppy....

2008-08-24T20:22:00.004-06:00

Now, I've heard that phrase in association with someone doing something gross or stupid but today this applies to Max. Poor baby.
Maybe some of you remember that the dogs weren't interested in their kongs unless I held them but I decided to give it one more try and this time use CREAMY peanut butter instead of chunky. It worked! Both dogs really got into licking out the PB and I thought all was well.
Well, I was wrong. This evening, Cee and I came back from the pool and I opened the door to our room and about through up. Seriously, heaved and choked. I had put Max in the kennel because he had been naughty with Cee's stuff earlier. Thank goodness for that decision. Apparently, the PB was too much for his little system. At least it was all contained. He went straight into the bath (ugh!) and the kennel went outside. Then I cleaned the kennel, the tub, the floor, etc. I am pretty sure that I got the smell out but I may have olfactorally adapted. Housekeeping will probably heave tomorrow.
I feel so bad for him right now. He is drinking water but will not eat at all, not even saltines, his favorite treat!
So, if any of you have a space in your prayers tonight, think of Max.

I am very excited!!!!!

2008-08-22T15:15:00.007-06:00

OK, Momster tagged me and I tagged some other people and so on and so on. Well, what has me excited is that when I look at the site meter map, I literally have people from all over the world!! Australia, Asia, South America, you get the picture! So this tagging thing worked for me!

In other news, apparently, the happy pills have started working again and I am feeling better now. I just need to make the 100 mile round trip to the nearest craft store and get some stuff to pour my creative energies into.

Cee has been invited to a friend's house this afternoon so she is making friends and adjusting to life here. I think that has helped my frame of mind.

All is well. Thank you everyone who listened to me whine.

A new blog to explore...

2008-08-21T20:10:00.002-06:00

When Momster tagged me, I needed to come up with 6 other bloggers to tag. It was fun to stroll through blogs trying to find some that I enjoyed and that I thought my reader(s) would also enjoy. I came across this blog and although I didn't tag him, I have been laughing as I read it.
It is called Stuff Christians Like. Don't worry, it is not an in your face, Christian blog. Just a commentary on what some everyday Christians think about and how they face them. I think you will enjoy it and hope you visit for some laughs.

I am bored and I miss my husband! Ignore if you don't like whining.

2008-08-21T15:15:00.002-06:00

This will probably be a whiny blog because I have nothing else to do. Seriously, I have read in the last week at least 5 books. I sit here in lodging on base waiting to move into my house on Sept. 15th. Yes that is still like almost 4 weeks away. I have nothing to do but read and blog.

If my husband was here, I would have something to do. I would make up something just to keep him from nagging on me. I miss his nagging, I miss his comments about the dishes not being done. It has gotten to the point that I miss the annoying things about him!
Before anyone asks, I miss the good things more though. Like when I startle awake in the middle of the night and he says, "Its OK, honey." and then he pats me on the back to reassure me. Or when I feel him reaching for me because he needs to make sure I am still there. When I say that there's nothing to cook and he manages to whip up dinner. When he teases me about playing online computer games or when I catch him bragging to his friends that his wife can sew or craft. I guess I just miss the reassurance and partnership that he brings into my life.

So enough mushy stuff! This is what set me off today. I had to buy a card in a store! I usually make all of my cards, after all I am a stamp demonstrator!! But no, I don't have my stuff and I called today to find out where it is in the shipping process and I was told that it won't even be in country until Sept. 15th. So all the running around I did to try and get into the house early won't do any good because I won't have anything anyway! #$%@&^!!!!!
Thanks to all who have read this far, I just needed to vent!

What a difference a day makes....

2008-08-21T11:13:00.007-06:00

Yesterday morning, it was overcast and kind of mopey outside and I was feeling sentimental. This morning, when reveille went off at 7 am, it was VERY foggy and this did not burn off before the trip to the bus stop. Cee was absolutely amazed at the fog and could not stop talking about it all the way there. Then she says, "Mom, the bus driver is going to yelling for us all the shut up because she can't drive well in the fog." I'm thinking, what makes you think I am any better?

By the time the bus came, I was ready for her to get on. She must have gotten some of my morning coffee because she chattering away about everything. Good luck to her teachers today because I wasn't able to get her to shut up!

New hair style....

2008-08-21T10:40:00.004-06:00

I got my hair done yesterday because I was tired of looking like a shaggy dog. I got the idea to do some before and after pictures so here they are...

Before....

After....

OK, she wasn't the best photographer for this. She didn't zoom enough but there is a noticable difference (at least to me.)

I've been tagged.....

2008-08-20T21:04:00.003-06:00

Momster tagged me earlier today and challenged me to come with 6 UN-spectacular things about myself. This time, I can actually count to 6!

Six UN-Spectacular Things About Me, The Rules:

Link the person who tagged you
Mention the rules on your blog
Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours
Tag 6 bloggers by linking them & leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger’s blogs letting them know they have been tagged.

Six UN-spectacular things about me:

I love BBC America. I am huge fan of British comedies and their dramatic miniseries.
I very, rarely wear any jewelry. It’s not that I don’t have some really nice stuff from my hubby but I always forget to put it on in the morning.
I look terrible in hats. Baseball caps, ski hats, berets, anything makes my face look huge.
I love to drive down country roads really fast but I have to be the one driving and I can’t have my daughter in the truck with me.
I get sad every time I hear taps. This sucks because I live on a base that plays taps every night at 10 pm.
I had a massive crush on my daughter’s 5th grade teacher. And he wasn’t even that hot! He just had the same sense of humor as me and honestly, with my husband’s schedule and the fact that I worked at the school, I saw more of him than the hubby. No, I didn’t do anything about the crush.

So the six blogs I have decided to tag are:

Buried with Children

Sweet Caroline

Vintage Thirty

Mommy Needs a Cocktail

Le Musings of Moi

Killing a fly with a ukelele is...

Most of these blogs, I found through other blogs and the names caught my eye so I read them and I think they are hilarious and insightful....

How high can you get?

2008-08-20T09:00:00.003-06:00

I added a gadget to my blog last night and Momster has already picked up on it. Its Freerice.com and its a vocabulary quiz. For every word you get right, it donates 20 grains of rice to feed the hungry in the world. There are about 48 grains of rice in a gram and most people need about 200 grams of rice a day so you need to play!
This sight is legit. It was checked out by one of the teachers I used to work with. He used it as a teaching tool for independent learning. I have made it as high as level 49 (out of 60). How high can you get?

Musings on children... and a challenge....

2008-08-20T08:43:00.002-06:00

Do you ever look at your child(ren) and wonder how they are what they are? I know, confusing! but this morning as I was dropping my child off at the bus stop, something happened to make me wonder.
Let me set the stage... This is a community bus stop where all the kids who live outside the school district come to get on the bus. Yes, this school allows children from the city district to go to this school.. but I digress. There was a bit of a traffic holdup at the entrance to the parking lot because one of the children did not want to get out of mom's car. She ended up physically hauling him out and handing him to his high school age brother to carry on to the bus. He was pretty small and I think just in kindergarten. It broke my heart to see him with his little fists balled up in his eyes as he sobbed his heart out. His mother's expression was one of frustration mixed with sadness. My heart went out to her also. Probably, he was the baby of the family and she knows that this part of the learning experience but letting go and forcing him is very hard. I could have been frustrated with the delay but instead I was authentic. I took it for what it was and was not judgemental!
Anyways, this got me thinking about Cee's first day of kindergarten. I had no clinging crying child! I had a diva who didn't even want me to walk her in! She was ready! If there was any fear, she wasn't showing it. NO!
Cee is such a mix of my husband and I that it amazes me. She has his hair, cow-licks and all. From the cheekbones up, she looks like him but has my nose (thank goodness) and lips but then his body type and my skin tone. Her feet will be small like mine but with long toes like his.
Personality wise, she is even more of a mix. She has my eye for art and his ear for music. She has the most eclectic taste in music also, anything from New Republic to Kiss with some country thrown in just to mix it up. She even likes some of the old school rappers like MC Hammer and Sir Mix-a-lot.
She can be shy in some cases but she shows no fear in new situations. She will be very clingy leading up to something but the minute she is in the public eye, she acts like nothing is out of the norm. I know she gets this from her dad, he is all about not making a scene in public. She is friendly and outgoing (me) and demanding and perfect (him) She like social studies (me) and dislikes reading for pleasure (him). She tries new food when available (him) but will eat the same thing days in a row (me.) She is athletic (him) but can be a klutz (me.)
I am just amazed at the mix God has thrown at me and every day, something happens to show me how wonderful my child is.
I know everyone feels the same way about their children so I challenge you to take a look at your kids and recognize their similarities and differences from you and from their siblings and love each one!

Out my front door.

2008-08-19T15:59:00.003-06:00

I was on my way to pick up Cee at the bus stop and I actually remembered to grab my camera. It has stopped raining briefly so some of the wild life is out in the area between the buildings.

This sign was hilarious!. So was the look on the face of the lady stopped beside me!

What do dogs do all day?

2008-08-19T10:48:00.001-06:00

I have often wondered what dogs did all day. I have seen all the cute cartoons about smoking cigars and playing poker but I think I have figured out what dogs do. At least what my dogs do.

Just about NOTHING>
Teesha either sleeps or keeps Max from getting at the food.

Max either sleeps or tries to get at the food.

Both live for attention and begging when I am around. I have tried giving kongs to both and they want nothing to do with them unless I hold the kong for them.
***Just a note on kongs. Don't use chunky peanut butter!***

Rain, rain, go away....

2008-08-18T16:52:00.003-06:00

We have had a total of 2 inches of rain in the last 2 days. It has created a new water feature outside our room. I think that I am about to go stir crazy with this rain. Either that, or I need some chocolate!!!!

Fun in the sun....and the rain....

2008-08-18T15:28:00.011-06:00

One of the best things about this city is the pools. The city itself has an indoor/outdoor pool complex with 2 water slides and the base itself has a pool with water slides. Last Thursday, Cee and I met up with Tinkerbell and her 2 boys (A1 and A2) and had some fun in the sun....

Saturday, there was a fireman's competition and they had an obstacle course for the kids to run. As we stood in line, it started to sprinkle. Cee was initially paired up with a boy a little bigger than her but when it came time to race, they juggled things around so she would race against a girl. I think they were afraid that the boy would win but I think Cee would have kicked his a*ss! She is very competitive!

Here, she carries the rolled up hose to the bottom of the stairs....

While everyone else took to time to go down the slide feet first, Cee did a somersault and got a good lead...

I am not sure I would want to be dragged around by Cee but she got this dummy rollin'. It was safe (with a dislocated shoulder.)

I don't think I want her to grow up to be a firefighter because it is too dangerous but she certainly showed she had the spirit for it.

One of the best books I have read in a long time! The Gate to Women's Country

2008-08-18T13:56:00.006-06:00

By Sheri S. Tepper

I won't call this best book I have ever read but it is certainly in my top 5. Many people might think that this book would not interest them because it is classified in the Fantasy/SciFi category but do not be put off!

I was actually looking for a different book that I remember the plot to but can't remember the title and I was out at whatsthatbook.com. I browsed through the other questions already there to see if someone else had already asked and I ran across this one.

Basic plot breakdown: it is about 300 years after the "convulsions" which are never specified but are some sort of civilisation ending wars. The women have taken over and men and women live separately. It goes from there. Part of the narrative form takes its clues from an adaptation of the Illiad.

I can't stress how much I enjoyed this book. I received it from paperbackswap.com on Saturday and finished it Sunday night! If you see this book anywhere, grab it, read it, pass it on!

On being authentic.

2008-08-15T07:59:00.002-06:00

As I was coming back from dropping my child off at school this morning, I was channel surfing the radio and I came across a discussion about a book. This station is a Christian station and I would generally skip right by it but this caught my ear. This book was about being authentic. The author was actually speaking about our relationship with God but she pointed out that many women have a tendency to value themselves within the groups they participate in. They might say that she's a better blogger than me or she has better behaved children. Some even place value on how well their children do in school as opposed to theirs. (I am VERY guilty of this one!) So she asks this question: Does how well someone does something make them more valuable? Does God love them any less?
This made me think some things: 1. I need to blog about this. 2. Am I placing undo pressure on myself or my child because I am afraid of what others think? 3. Why do I care what other people think? 4. What if I tried to live my life by not placing value on these issues?
Now, obviously, I am not condoning murder and I understand that certain values and mores must be conformed to for society to function but lets be real here! I the fact that I am slightly overweight going to change the world for the worse? Does God love me any less because I am overweight? That I don't have the best self-control? Does it matter if my child is not the cutest, best behaved or smartest?
There was another thing this author said: God delights in our individuality. He created us this way. Think about it, if we were all the same, we would be like "A Brave New World." It would be miserable!
Now, this is not to say that I don't care if anybody loves me! But what I do mean to say is that I want people to love me for who I am, not who I think I need to be.
So starting today, I am going to have an attitude change.....
I am going to replace some phrases and ways of thinking in my life.
Instead of: It's a fixer-upper. I will say: I think we will be happy there.
Did you do well in school today? replaced with Did you enjoy school today?
Things like that.
But! this is not to say that I am not going to clean my house or dress in clean clothes. But I am going to do it with my own satisfaction in mind not because I care what others say.

Cee's 1st day of school.

2008-08-14T08:25:00.005-06:00

Somehow, every year, I look forward to the first day of school and then on the morning of, I get melancholy. I want to protect her from so much but I can't sit beside her at school.

The pile. Every year, the pile of school supplies gets larger.

Cee, with her newly styled hair, messes with her bangle bracelets. I'm sure the teacher will appreciate them.

The front of her shirt.

Last night in front of our "home."

2008-08-14T08:16:00.004-06:00

I once saw a sign that says "Home is where the Air Force sends Us." This is especially true for us as we live in lodging. Last night, as we put the dogs out for the last time, I snapped these pics.

Here, Max looks for the absolute perfect spot to pee. This can take up to 15 minutes but we are working on speeding this up using treats...

Teesha plots her escape... In the dark, she is almost impossible to find and since she is selectively deaf, she often does not come when called.

Our trip to Wichita last weekend.

2008-08-14T08:00:00.003-06:00

This is one of the coolest bridges I have ever seen. It is a foot bridge that crosses the Little Arkansas River. Its mate crosses the Big Arkansas River. Both lead to a small island right at the confluence of the rivers.

This is the metal statue on the island. It is called "The Keeper of the Plains" but the locals call is "Chief Rusty Feathers."

Of course, where there is water, there is Cee. She had to throw some rocks in the river.
Some sort of wading bird.....
This was on the wall on the outside of our hotel. Can somebody tell me why they need to say this? Was there a huge amount of gun battles?
Kinda freaked us out.

A book review- California Demon

2008-08-14T07:53:00.002-06:00

This is the second book in this series following Carpe Demon. I read this in one night so it definitely captured my attention. The main character, Kate, is mother to a 2 yr. old boy and a 14 yr. old girl. It is very funny with lots of "Mommy" moments that any parent can relate to including retail therapy, ordering pizza instead of cooking, leaving a store to avoid a meltdown... Just about any situation you have been in, she is in as she hunts demons without telling her family. Don't worry that the central character is Catholic, it is not an in your face book about religion. This book is well-written enough to be stand alone but would probably be better enjoyed if you read this series in order. Fortunately for me, there are at least 2 more books in the series so my fun can continue.

Old friends come back into my life today!!!

2008-08-12T19:13:00.005-06:00

So today, I was at the base clinic trying to get some paperwork done (because I haven't done anything) and in walks the ex-husband of a good friend from the last time I was here. I am a terrible pen pal and never kept in touch with her so I did not know where she was anymore. He tells me that Tinkerbell is on her way to meet him right there. Boy, was she surprised! She was not feeling well so I have not been able to catch with her. I am happppyyy that I have some one local that I know. Hopefully, tomorrow, we will be able to visit and Cee will get to play with some kids her age.

Then, I got a call from my MamaAngel, my best friend from overseas. She has 8 kids! Only 3 live at home now but can you imagine? I know, some of you can but being the mom of an only, aaahhhhhhhh!

MamaAngel lives in Florida now and I have not gotten to speak with her since mid-June so we finally were able to visit on the phone. I got to tell her about my new craft room and she was telling me about the interesting colors that her house had been painted before they moved in. She is trying to dig herself out of all of her household goods from both overseas and from storage.

She is so lucky because she has a built in pool in her backyard! Cee is already talking about where we are going to put the pool at our new house. I just want to update the inside first!!

The absolute latest on the house issue.....

2008-08-11T18:20:00.003-06:00

I promise that we will not change our mind about the house this time. Ya know why? Because we can't!! Seriously, I must have signed at least 30 pieces of paper today. We are now officially under contract with an approved loan to buy our fixer upper in the country.
I was saying before that I thought I would be sick when this all happened but now I am actually relieved. Its decided, finito, no going back. Now I am relieved. All the paperwork and hassle now belongs to the loan officer. That's why she gets paid the big bucks!!!!
What's funny is that she is used to dealing with military couples and it always seems like the wife who does all the leg work.
BTW, hubby says that I can have a reprieve from looking for a job until Oct. 1. That way I can get everything packed and put away without feeling any stress. :(

New housing update.

2008-08-10T20:59:00.004-06:00

I am currently waiting for the realtor to call and let us know if the seller on one of the houses we looked at has accepted our offer.... I know, I said that that the hubby had made a command decision to accept base housing but on Thursday evening, he changed his mind. We have negotiated the price and think it will be a go. I am sick to my stomach at this thought but my husband thinks it is agood idea to buy right now.

This is the front of the house. It is not very impressive though it does have a lot of space.

This is Cee's bedroom to be. The first thing we will do is update the walls. We are thinking a soft pink with a cool border. Lots of space for posters and she has her own bathroom.

This will be my craft room!!!!!!!! My very own space where I can leave things out on the table! My mess, my stuff!!!!!!!!

13 fun and quirky things about me.

2008-08-10T19:38:00.005-06:00

1. I hate to travel. Not the going to new places but the actual process of getting there. It means a long car ride or plane ride to get there. Uncomfortable, cramped, never knowing if I packed the right things, being tired when I get there and then the trip back to look forward to!

2. I have a book fetish. I don't know what else to call it! I don't just want to read a book, I like to be surrounded by books, have them piled by my bed ready to read, know they are coming in the mail, reading more than one at a time, rereading old favorites and crying in the same places. Really, its just weird.

3. I pick my toenails when I read. Maybe TMI but it is a habit I can't break!!! I can't read in bed without doing it.

4. I hate Starbucks coffee. I love to drink coffee but can't stand to get coffee from there. I can't explain it but it always tastes burnt to me. I will however drink their fru-fru drinks.

5. I am a particular OCD person. I am only OCD about some things. Mainly, the cabinets in my kitchen. I put things away a certain way and get angry if others don't do the same. My family will actually rearrange just to irritate me.

6. I re-shelve books in the library if I find them out of place. The other place that I am OCD. If you take a book off the shelf, put it back correctly or don't put it back at all. The local library here actually has a special place to put them so they don't get put back incorrectly. :P

7. I can do the "Live Long and Prosper" Vulcan symbol with both my hands. It is a skill that helps no one but what if Spock comes back in time to visit?

8. I tried out for Jeopardy. I didn't make it one but I did make to the second test. Out of 200 people who took it, only 7 scored high enough to go on. I wasn't one of them. I did however get to meet Alex Trebek.

9. I love the smell of Obsession but not on my husband. He wears Oldspice deodorant and after 14 years that is the only thing I want to smell on him.

10. My favorite ice cream flavor is vanilla. Plain, old, ordinary, boring vanilla. Don't put anything on it, in it, under it or else!!!!!!

11. I can't count!

Housing decision..

2008-08-07T08:20:00.002-06:00

After due deliberation, and a command decision from the darling hubby, we will be moving into base housing when it becomes available (hopefully by the end of next week.)
We will be heading up to OKC to spend the weekend with him so it might be kind of thin on the blog.......

My take on the birds and bees talk with Cee

2008-08-06T17:02:00.003-06:00

Cee was in 2nd grade and we were all sitting at the dinner table one Sunday night. I was talking that she had school the next day but her dad and I were both off because it was a federal holiday. My husband is in the kitchen getting something from the fridge and asks, "What holiday?" I say, "Columbus Day."
"Oh, you mean Rape and Pillage Day." My eyes immediately snap to Cee who asks "What does that mean?" I tell hubby that he has to explain that one so he gives her a very general overview of the Native American side of Europeans coming to America and mentions that some diseases that came over that caused great harm with the Native population. Because she is clever and smart and at this time, wants to become a doctor. I tell her about measles and small pox. Darling hubby says, "Don't forget syphilis." Again, I am ready to be a single parent because this opens up a whole new can of worms. So now I have to give a basic overview of Tab A into Slot B. I finish by telling her that if she has any questions to think it over and let me know if she needs to talk about tomorrow.
Hoping that she has no questions the next day, I tuck her into bed and then let my husband know what I think of his snide little comments.....
The next day, she tells me that she does have a question about how the body works.
I go in, sit on the floor next to her, no eye contact possible, take a deep breath and wait for the shoe to drop.
She asks, very seriously, "Why do fingernails grow?"
I'm dumbfounded but apparently, she had no desire to go into what she now considers "R-rated material."
Go figure.........

Some funny comments from Cee

2008-08-06T17:00:00.003-06:00

"They need to pay my dad more."

"Washer and dryer on the second floor. That will be nice for you, Mom."

"I'm glad we moved back here because the vet lady remembered Teesha."

"Good job saving money, Mom." This was in response to why we couldn't buy a particular cereal.

Housing update.

2008-08-06T16:50:00.002-06:00

Looked at 2 more houses today. 1st one, no way in heck. Had evidence of spider infestations and in one room, the floor sloped noticably. The outside looked nice also. The second was pristine inside and out. Beautiful! Loved it on every point except one. Very small.
Then we drove by 9 or so more for sale. Some had no curb appeal. The inside could have been spectacular and I would not have cared because the owners did not take the time to make the outside look decent. You can't judge a book by its cover but..........you can judge a house by its yard.
We went and spoke to the base housing people this afternoon and we are definitely going to get a brand-spaken new house if we want one. They also gave us a floor plan, and boy! did it look nice. It had one particular feature that I totally, like high 5, loved, loved, loved..... It had the washer and dryer hookups on the second floor where all the bedrooms were. How smart is that? Where is the majority of the dirty laundry? Where does the majority of the clean laundry need to go back to? No one changes clothes and takes showers in the kitchen so why would you put the washer and dryer there? I personally hate to gather all my laundry up, upstairs, to lug it down to the washer and dryer and then lug it back upstairs.
Let me know your thoughts on this. Especially you, Momster, as your washer and dryer are in the basement.

House hunting. UGH!!!!

2008-08-06T09:57:00.002-06:00

Ok, this house hunting is a total B@tch! Its driving me crazy! Cee and I looked at a house on Monday that was in our price range, had tons of room and storage but needed a little updating. By this, I mean that it needed some new paint, wallpaper removed, carpeting was old, etc. No major structural work required. Thing is that it will take 60 days to get into it and then we will owe hundreds of thousands of dollars. That thought makes me want to puke with anxiety!
Then this morning, I find out that we could conceivably move into a brand new base house at the end of next week. This means that I will get my stuff as soon as it arrives, we will no longer be homeless, etc. This house is smaller, with less storage, no room to do my business, on base, in the wrong school district but available NEXT WEEK.
What to do!!!!!!!!!
Hopefully, all is still on track for the hubby to come in tomorrow and help me decide!

Interesting signs and things in trucks...

2008-08-05T20:45:00.005-06:00

Ok, so does anyone have any idea what this is in the back of the truck?

We stopped at Sonic for a snack just before Tulsa. I have renewed my addiction to Sonic....

So, I thought this was an interesting sign. What if I only want to Whisper & Sack? :)

The temperature just keeps rising....

2008-08-05T19:30:00.004-06:00

These pics are from our drive through Oklahoma on Sunday. Can you believe it? Fortunately, there is no humidity at all. It is like a sauna. I love the dryness but Cee is having a hard time. She says it burns her eyes. I think she will get used to it. The hot weather is supposed to break on Thursday or Friday, just in time for my darling husband to come visit and house hunt.

The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor

2008-08-05T10:33:00.010-06:00

So last night, instead of updating my blog with all the pics and comments on our trip here, my lovely daughter convinced (nagged) me to go to a movie and it was.....

This movie was so bad that it was funny. It had the usual plot of beautiful women, emperor (pharoah) and second in command (priest). Unfortunately, the actress who played Evie was not the same as the first two movies and it was glaringly obvious that this new person was trying very hard to imitate her. She also looked too old for the roll. I understand that this is supposedly 15 years after the Scorpion King ended but Brendan Fraser did not seem to age.

It had some really funny and I even laughed out loud a few times but all the gags in the world could not rescue this movie from being a very poor copy of the first two.

It did have one redeeming feature in it though. Brendan Fraser with his shirt off. I could have easily imagined myself as the one who was being kissed. This, of course, has nothing to do with not seeing my husband for the last 5 weeks because of this move......

Just a gratuitous picture for those of you who like Brendan Fraser without his shirt....

I'm internet jinxed...

2008-08-04T19:25:00.003-06:00

OK, so I think that I won't have a problem with posting as I'm traveling but I was WRONG! I very carefully made reservations at hotels that have free internet service so that I could stay on top of my addiction to reading and writing blogs. But no! the internet gods have it out for me. First night, Indianapolis, the server is down for the hotel and they are on the phone, blah, blah, blah.......
Second night, Lebanon, MO. It depends on which operating system you are using. Apparently, I was using the correct one but it ran sooooooooooo sloooooooooooooooowwwwwwwww that I could only post one thing.
Last night, we arrive here at our new base and check in lodging. No internet available in room. They couldn't get hold of any customer service reps over the weekend. I was welcome to come to the lobby to use their computers but who wants to go out in the intense heat to drive (after 1300 miles) to another building so someone can look over my shoulder at I pour out my discontent with the services currently received. I must say that it is nice to be here even though I did not want to come to this base.....

Little Big Town, "A Place to Land" - a music review..

2008-08-03T09:10:00.004-06:00

Thanks to Momster, I am listening to Little Big Town as I travel down the interstate. I have to say that I love this band's sound. I swear it is the Eagles redone! I think that is what Momster said also but I may be wrong. My favorite is the third track, "That's Where I'll Be". It kinda reminds me of what I am doing right now. When I married my military husband, I commited myself to following wherever he goes. Currently, southwest Oklahoma. I have traveled all over the place with him and although I am essentially a homebody and like to have my things around me, I find that it is an adventure to move..... At least I keep telling myself that!
Back to my review...
I also like "I'm with the Band, Firebird Fly and Evangeline." I would highly recommend this CD and I can't wait to listen to some other CDs by this band.........

The Amish Basket tour

2008-08-02T19:06:00.003-06:00

At the request of Momster, I am giving all a tour of my Amish basket. About 2 weeks ago, I was going to my local Wal-Mart for something. I saw an Amish man sitting in the back of his buggy with baskets spread out around on the parking lot. I really thought they would be very expensive but I stopped anyway. I ended up ordering this chest (basket?) to be ready for the next week. A quick description for everyone..... The man had a beard and bare feet (which were dirty) but he was very nice. I actually expected him to have a funny accent (weird stereotype) but he didn't! I even received a post card from him telling which day my basket (chest?) would be ready... So here it is...........

Here it is in the back of my truck so you all can see how big it is.......

The only problem that I have with it is that it smells of the oils that were rubbed on it. It is very pungent and makes me cough. I hope that it will eventually lose this interesting odor.

Maximus makeover....

2008-07-30T19:53:00.006-06:00

Today, Max went to Dirty Dogs for a makeover. He normally needs groomed about every 3 weeks and it has been almost 5 this time. I promised Momster that I would document the transformation so here he is..

Here he is when his mohawk is long enough to put into a "ponyhawk."

This picture has him waiting to go to the groomers. I think he knows that something is up....

After coming home from his afternoon of pampering..... He wanted to lay on my sister's lap instead of posing for pictures...

Finally, under duress, he poses....

I am exhausted!!!

2008-07-27T20:01:00.003-06:00

Today, my sister, my nephew, Cee and I went to an amusement park and water park. I am exhausted! I think I went up the stairs to the slides about 10 times. Not the way I want to get my exercise. Honestly, I didn't want any exercise... We had a great time and I have reached the point where even typing is getting hard.
Tomorrow, I have to start the long process of sorting through everything I have acquired in the last 4 weeks. I have a bad habit of getting more than will fit in my vehicle. Fortunately, I have a truck that I can pack seriously full. I plan to document the whole process on film as I go....

Good night all.

Family reunion, Sunangel style....

2008-07-26T18:28:00.001-06:00

OK, it was totally lame. Cee went with my parents and got there just as it started. I waited and painted my nails so I could make my grand entrance....
Actually, the truth is that I hate these things because I don't ever know what to say. From my point of view, I am walking into a crowd of people, half of which, I can't remember their names or how they are related and all of whom think I should know and know their life histories, too~~~
So I come in, in my big-assed truck, down the hill and onto the wet grass. I embarass myself by trying to turn into a spot and spin the back tires. Spin them again. Back up and finally get it in there.... I come down to where everyone is sitting and eating and trying not to stare at the idiot who bought and couldn't drive it.

Example of typical conversation #1:
"Hi, Sunangel, how are you?"
"Great!"
"How long are you in for?" (What, is this a prison?)
"Til August."
"Then where are you going?"
"Oklahoma." I smile but apparently it does not seem sincere.
"Why are you going there?" (Do I have a choice?)
"My husband's next job is there."
"Oh! Where's he at?"
I supply the answer and then I hear, "You came back without him?" As if I couldn't even pick my nose without his help!
I just smile and look for someone else to talk to. Then my conversation partner says, "You don't me, do you?"
"Nope."

Conversation #2
I walk up to someone who I think I know. "Hi," I say. I get this look of confusion as I press on with talking. Finally, I say, "you don't know me, do you?" "Nope." I explain who I am and then conversation #1 starts.

Since I have nothing in common with most of these people, I attempt to stumble through the food line and hope I don't get any nasty surprises with flavors. No such luck.... I take a bite of something and am very surprised that there is some sort of peanut butter cream in it. I put it down on the plate and then find out that I am sitting across from the creator of the said pastry. Of course, I try to say something complimentary and I think I might have succeeded.

On a good note, I did get to see some cousins that I would have prefered to stay in touch with and boy! are they cute.

On the bad side, electric fence, horses, smoking around children, rain, snobby teenagers, interesting food and alcohol all made for one eventful afternoon.

For a much better description of the famdamly reunion, see Momster's blog........

Bug me anytime....

2008-07-25T19:53:00.002-06:00

Just a few bug images going at the lake today..........

Some lake images....

2008-07-25T18:37:00.002-06:00

Momster is always ready with her camera. She thinks that she has pictures to bribe me with about the park ranger but I WAS NOT FLIRTING WITH HIM. Really, I wasn't! You can believe her....

This is actually only one dragonfly but the sun shining through the wings makes it look like two.
You find shapes in the weirdest places. I just though this looks like a heart.

Have you ever taken a picture that just made you want to jump up

and down? When I saw this one, I got really excited because I just love the way the water looks in this.........

You may be a redneck if....

2008-07-25T18:24:00.002-06:00

You put an outhouse in your yard for Halloween and then decide it looks nice enough for the rest of the year.....
You have a statue of a cow in your front yard......
You think a wooden buro is decoration.......

Apparently, there is a pink elephant in the yard down the way but I haven't gone elephant hunting yet. Stay tuned.

Part 2 of our walk through town.

2008-07-25T18:08:00.007-06:00

Spidey's shadow at noon....
Cee shows me that she has eaten all of her pizza (and has no cavaties.)

Is this were the trash goes? In the same yard as the used condom last week.....

The local "crick".

It is weird what we will take pictures of when given a camera with unlimited memory capabiliities......

A walk through town for pizza (part 1 of ?)

2008-07-25T17:51:00.003-06:00

Yesterday, Cee, Momster, Goblin, Spidey and I went up through town to have pizza at the local pizza joint. Apparently, this town has more pizza parlors than churches.....
Just made me think of apple, baseball and mom....sniff, sniff, sniff. (Que sentimental music.)

I'm so excited....

2008-07-24T15:52:00.002-06:00

I have finally come to the top of the wish list on Paperbackswap.com for a book I have been waiting for since January!!!! Usually, I just go and buy the book used from Amazon or Half.com because I don't have enough patience!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But I should be getting this one soon...
The title is: If I Am Missing or Dead: A Sister's Story of Love, Murder, and Liberation by Janine Latus.
I love Paperbackswap.com because I really am such and avid reader and I read such a wide variety of things. If you have books cluttering up your space and want something new, this is an unpaid advertisement for them.

Living in a small house....with too many people and dogs and not nearly enough space....

2008-07-23T13:29:00.001-06:00

So, I know I said this earlier but I am staying in a house with 6 other people, 5 dogs and 1 bathroom.

Living here like this is extremely hard on me because I am used to having a LOT of space to myself. I lived in a 3 bedroom house with my hubby and daughter and 1 dog. Now I'm here. I share a room with my sister....This room also contains her computer, a couch and a TV. So a couple of nights ago, I get in bed and feel something uncomfortable. Sesame seeds.... Turns out, my bed is not my bed unless I am in it. My nephew was eating in my bed!!! I have no space that is exclusively my own. I can't take a shower without clearing it with everyone in the house because the minute I try, someone will need the bathroom. I don't mind my husband using the toilet while I shower and I can tolerate my daughter but I don't want anyone else in there while I scrub me bum. The bathroom door doesn't even lock so the dogs push the door open whenever....

Enough venting, just wait until tomorrow... My brother and his wife are coming over to visit and celebrate some birthdays and she drives me positively insane.....

Living Plain...

2008-07-23T12:27:00.000-06:00

I have been going to the flea market with Momster. Somehow, it never has any fleas for sale just lots of treasures waiting to be discovered....
So anyway, one of the things I bought was a used book, The Shunning, by Beverly Lewis. I thought it was a great book, about an Amish girl who finds out that she was adopted from the outside and the struggles she has with behaving the expected way. So, since I liked this book so much, I bought another by Beverly Lewis. I tend to do this with authors. I'll read one book that I like and then read anything I can get my hands on by that same author...
This book, The Redemption of Sarah Cain, has made me think about the thought of living Plain. Living Plain is where you essentially become Amish. They have decided to do without worldly goods, etc. I don't know the whole list of rules but the women cover their hair and wear long plainly covered dresses, etc. I don't think I want to become Amish but what would it be like to live and work in an Amish community for a couple of months. It sounds ideal to me in some ways because I think it would be less stressful. No TV blaring in the background. No bad hair days, no one calling your cell to find out where you are, no keeping up with the Joneses..... Just work hard and be appreciated for what you do instead of what you have and what you look like.........
What do you all think?

The Max....

2008-07-23T12:08:00.001-06:00

While we were outside playing cards 2 nights ago, my daughter decided to bury the Max in sandbox. The poor dog.

Let me tell you about the Max. His real name is Maximus. He is named after the gladiator Maximus from the movie. When he came into our family, I thought he needed a big name since he only weighs about 6 pounds. He is a Maltese and the groomer dyed his hair blue on top.

I named him Maximus but he NEVER gets called that. He has more nicknames than you can believe. Maxidoodle, Maxattacks, Maximomo, the Max, and Ichabod. Don't ask me about that one. My dad just thinks that he looks like an Ichabod.....

Here, Cee has decided to dig him out. He was filthy. He shook off and then went inside where he went nuts! Then my dad says that the sand was full of bugs.... So, 10:30 at night, Max gets a bath....

Some more lake pictures..

2008-07-21T17:54:00.000-06:00

On these two pictures, I was playing around with the settings on my camera and using aperature priority and focal lengths. Unfortunately, I have no idea the exact settings so I can do it again.

Playing at the lake

2008-07-21T17:50:00.000-06:00

This is Momster's son and my daughter on the tire swing at the lake. She loves to see if she can make him sick and make his mom wince as he comes to close to the post.....

Interesting dishwasher.

2008-07-21T17:47:00.000-06:00

So here is my darling daughter cleaning the bowl after making brownies. She probably had more mix on her face and in her hair than in the bowl....

My first....

2008-07-21T17:04:00.000-06:00

Ok, so I am trying to be provocative with the title but this is actually my first time at the whole blogging thing and it feels to me sorta like the first time you do a lot of things.... I'm slightly nervous about the whole thing. What will people think? Why do I think that what I write is interesting? So anyways, here goes...
This is a good time for me to start this as I am in transition at this time. I am currently staying with my parents and am in the middle of a move. I feel homeless. All my worldly goods are in boxes en-route to my destination and I am literally living out of a suitcase. I want to buy more clothes but I know that I have soooo much stuff being moved that I just can't justify it.
This whole blog thing will be a good way to get my feelings out without killing someone in my house. Let me just say that having 7 people, 5 dogs and 1 bathroom makes an outlet extremely necessary!
I am also stressed because I have to find a place to live, get my 11 yr. daughter, Cee enrolled in 6th grade, get all the stuff from the movers, etc.... I know that I am capable but sometimes the sheer amount of things gets to me. Good thing I have great friends like Momster to take me out swimming at the lake and challenge me to get some great pictures, too.....