Thursday Thirteen 04/17/08

Okay... I'm starting a new thing for my blog... I'm joining the ranks of Thursday Thirteen... So here's my first list...

Thirteen 80's movies I absolutely adore. This is nowhere near a complete list of course, just the first 13 that I could think of:

1. Uncle Buck

2. Tremors

3. Jumpin Jack Flash

4. Sixteen Candles

5. Ferris Bueller's Day Off 6. The Burbs7. Ghostbusters
8. Girls Just Want To Have Fun
9. The Goonies

10. Footloose

11. Real Genius
12. Adventures in Babysitting
13. Beetlejuice

Still alive... still stoned...

Here's my latest health update...

Hubby took me to the ER Monday afternoon. My headache was crippling. I don't think it's hurt that much since I had viral meningitis in 1999. The ER doc gave me an IV cocktail of steroids and pain meds to try to knock it out. It didn't kill the pain completely, but it did dope me up enough that I didn't really care about the pain (which is also a good thing dontcha think?) I'll tell you one thing though, I did not like one of the meds he gave me AT ALL. It really made me just freak out on the insides. Outwardly, I was laying on a gurney, dozing, but inside my head I was battling with myself trying to keep myself down. I got REALLY ansy and just wanted to jump up & run all around the ER. It was really weird. I felt like I was jerking constantly, like having a fit, trying to brush things off of me. But all that was happening on the inside, on the outside, I was laying there happy as a clam. I stayed in the ER for a few hours until the meds could take effect & get the pain under control and then he sent me home to rest. Of course though, the pain came back Monday night as soon as the IV meds wore off -- I just knew that was going to happen.

I went to see my neurologist yesterday - brainstorm with him to see what's causing this and what we can do to make it better. My body has done this before - this is actually my third year in a row to get headaches like this. In the past I've had some sort of health trauma or illness that has thrown my body chemistry off and triggered a migraine. The doc thinks that's the case this time too - that the hand foot & mouth virus triggered the headache. Even though the virus itself is long gone, it really affected my system - stirred up the water so to speak - and it's just going to take time for everything to calm back down and fall back into the correct places. Unfortunately, that means I'll have to deal with the pain until that happens. He told me to stay on my current pain meds and gave me an additional migraine med to take this week. If he's correct and this is definitely just all after-effects of the virus, the meds should take care of it and the headache should be gone completely by Monday. If not, he'll schedule an MRI just to be safe & make sure we don't overlook anything.

Back to the hospital for me

Hubby's on his way to take me to the hospital. I am in SO MUCH PAIN. I've had a killer migraine headache for the last 4 days or so that's just gotten worse. I spent most of the weekend doped up in bed, but my home drugs aren't cutting it anymore. I can't concentrate, can't drive, can barely walk, I'm shaky - you name it. I don't know if is residual from the virus I had, side effects of the steroids/meds my doc has me on or what... but OH MY GOD - I just want the pain to stop, it's horrific.

I'll keep you posted...

Still Under the Weather

Ugh... this week sucks for my family healthwise. I've been battling a killer migraine again for two days... and now my son's school nurse just called - he's in her clinic with an upset stomach... wonderful...

Kendall's Bday Present - SPOILER ALERT

I'm so excited about Kendall's birthday present - I HAVE to share!

**SPOILER ALERT**

Kendall Evan, you don't get this until tomorrow night, so no peeking!!

Kendall, my baby cousin, turned 16 this past Wednesday, April 9th. With it being her Sweet 16, I wanted to give her something special she can cherish, so... I stopped by James Avery, one of the best jewelry stores around, on Wednesday and picked up the beginning pieces for a charm bracelet. I wanted to buy every charm they carried, but of course that was out of the question. So I settled on three: her K initial, a Sweet 16 heart, and a ladybug - for good luck. There were two though that I just couldn't get out of my head and I HAD to go back for them today - a spur and a rose to represent our grandparents. Our grandmother died when Kendall was a month old, and our grandfather when she was three. I know they're both looking down on her from heaven, and this way she can have something special to remind her whenever she needs.

Bumper Sticker of the Week 04/09/08

In honor of my newly returned Battlestar Gallactica...

Sick Last Week... Hand Foot & Mouth Disease

Why can't I get the normal illnesses most other adults get? Why do I always have to be different and unique? As you can tell, I've been MIA for the last week & a half... let me fill you in on all of the fun details...

It started on Sunday March 30th, I suddenly developed a high fever out of the blue, and my throat started to hurt. So, I spent Sunday and Monday snuggled under the covers in bed. My throat was feeling worse on Tuesday and I made an appt to see the doc. My strep test came back negative, but all of my symptoms pointed towards strep, so he decided it must be a different strain of strep and treated me for that anyway. That same day, I noticed a little tiny red spot on my right thumb that made my whole thumb ache like you wouldn't believe. It wasn't anything big enough to even bring to the doc's attention, I thought it was a splinter or something. (Telling him about it later, he agreed that he would've just blown it off since it was just one little bump.) Wednesday morning I woke up with a rash & painful red bumps/blisters/sores all over the palms of my hands, bottoms of my feet, and inside my mouth. I rushed back to the doc first thing that morning and he said it was classic symptoms of Hand Foot & Mouth disease (HFM) - high fever, sore throat, and the rash/bumps. I'd thought of that myself too - my son had HFM when he was three. HFM is a childhood illness, in the chicken pox family. It's spread through contact/dirty hands etc. It's one of the illnesses, like chicken pox, that once you've had it, you should be immune. Unfortunately for me, I'm not immune to the virus that causes all the illnesses in that family -- I've had chicken pox twice, scarlet fever, shingles, herpes on my knee, and now hand foot & mouth. We're thinking my son acted as a carrier and brought the virus home from school or day care -- of course he's immune since he's had it before. So anyway... I was completely miserable on Wednesday -- you don't think about just how painful blisters/sores on your feet & palms and inside your mouth can be. I couldn't walk, could barely handle anything, couldn't eat -- I spent the rest of Wednesday & Thursday on the couch with my feet propped up, eating popsicles. Friday I woke up and the rash had spread everywhere - it was ALL OVER. Plus, my hands were so swollen, several fingernails had turned blue and I'd lost the feeling in those fingertips. So back to the doctor I went. The doc said he still wanted to say it was HFM but he wasn't 100% sure anymore since the rash had spread. With it being Friday and the weekend just around the corner, we both agreed the best thing for me would be to go to the hospital for observation & treatment. Plus, he wanted an infectious disease specialist to see me, and the fastest way to make that happen would be to admit me -- otherwise it would have to wait until the following week. So, by 3:30pm on Friday, I was an official guest of Tomball Hospital. Ever hear of the shotgun approach to medicine? That's where the doc tests for everything and sees what comes back positive -- like shooting a shotgun at a target, SOMETHING has to hit it. I think he ordered one of every blood test possible - the phlebotomist took out 14 tubes of blood! The results from the more standard tests came back normal, but we're still waiting on the more obscure ones - lyme's disease, rocky mountain spotted fever, coxsackie (HFM) virus, hepatitis, even hiv & syphillis. He also set me up with some heavy duty IV antibiotics and steroids. I think it was the steroids that did the trick, because the rash was SIGNIFICANTLY better by the time I woke up on Saturday. The specialist saw me on Saturday too and agreed with my doc that it was HFM. He said the rash had spread and I just had a more severe reaction to it since I'm an adult. (the same thing happens with adults who get chicken pox too, I hear.) Since it IS just a virus, there's not much we can do to treat it. The steroids help with the rash & swelling, but we just have to let the virus run it's course and leave on its own. I'm feeling much better now and the rash is almost completely gone, just the most severe spots on my hands & feet are still here. I'm afraid a few spots will scar, but they're not too bad - pretty small. My throat is scratchy & my voice comes & goes -- I figure that's from the sores in my mouth & throat healing. The worst part right now is the skin has peeled off of my fingertips - the ones that were numb & swollen. They look like I've been burned, and they're SO sensitive. But again, oh well... ce'est la vie!

I have strep... yuck

The doctor said I have strep throat... wonderful...

Sick Again

Ugh... I'm sick again. I really hate this. I swear, if there's a germ within 4 blocks of me, it'll get me. I'm stuck in bed today with a fever, aches & pains, sore throat & chest... I feel like I've been run over by a Mack truck... again...

I Am Legend

I watched I Am Legend last night. It was pretty good. To me, anything Will Smith does is good -- I really like him as an actor. I'd read reviews and write ups about how he's the only actor in Hollywood who'd be able to pull off being the ONLY person in the movie for over an hour. That's so true -- and he did it so well. In case you didn't know (and I'll try not to spoil any of the plot for you), the movie I Am Legend is based on a Richard Matheson book (of the same name) written in 1947 and takes place in 'futuristic' 1976. They updated the plot to make the movie take place in 2012. It's reminds me of 28 Days Later, where a virus is mistakenly unleashed on humanity and kills several billion people... those it doesn't kill, devolve into animalistic, vampire type creatures. They lose all characteristics of intelligent humans and live solely on instinct to feed and survive. A very small percentage of people are immune to the virus -- and almost all of those become food for the infected. Will Smith's character, Robert Neville, is an Army colonel and scientist, and the only uninfected person left in New York City. He spends his days hunting the nocturnal 'animals' and working in his lab to find a cure. At night he barricades himself in his house and prays for dawn.

While I really liked the movie, it had way too many plot holes for me to ignore. Some books are so detailed and in depth, there's no way it all can be transferred to the screen without losing about half of it. Most movies like this, the fantasy laced reality plots, I tell myself going into it not to look too closely at the details --- just assume it could all happen, don't apply logic. The perfect example of this is Tom Cruise's War of the Worlds. In one scene, an airline jumbo jet crashes into a neighborhood, destroying houses & everything else in the area, but miraculously leaving Tom's minivan untouched in the driveway. That's just one of several examples in the movie, but you get my point. I Am Legend is like that in several ways. I didn't notice so much inconsistencies like that, but more over chunks of plot that were left out/missing. It left me wondering, well what about this and what about that? It would mention a subplot line, but then just skate over it to something else. It left me thinking, 'wait! I want to know more about that'!

I've read several of Richard Matheson's books, discovered him first because of just that. I saw What Dreams May Come in 1998 and was left wanting to know more. I KNEW there was more to the story that wasn't in the movie. I've since read Hell House and Somewhere in Time (another of my favorite movies). I really like his books - they leave you wanting more once you're done.

So now I Am Legend has now been added to my wish list of books to read soon...

Zeno Acne Device

I finally broke down & bought a Zeno Acne Clearing Device. It was expensive, $150, but hopefully worth it. I've researched it for months now - all the studies, magazine reviews, and customer reviews are great. So, I finally went for it. Besides, Walgreens offers a 30 day money back satisfaction guarantee on it.

I really hate having acne. Thank God I was on the pill throughout high school and in my 20's cause I had flawless skin then. But no longer... I've done the Proactiv thing, gone to dermatologists for prescription creams, taken antibiotics, pretty much tried everything on the market. I'm now using Dermalogica products. They're really good, but dry my face out if I use too much. So... I'm going to compliment that with the ZENO. I get facials every few months and my esthetician uses this wand (I call it the lightning zapper thingy) that electronically penetrates & kills the bacteria in my skin. It REALLY works and my zits clear up rather quickly. So - I'm hoping this is a mini version of that machine, and if so, I know it'll work. The clerk at Walgreen's couldn't stop raving about it. She said that she bought one for her teenage daughter and it REALLY worked. Her acne is pretty much gone. Woohoo! Here's hoping!

Peep Show

a little post-holiday humor for you...

Torso Pants

Wow... I know I've said this before, but still... I am SO BLONDE sometimes I amaze myself...

I found this website http://www.torsopants.com/... It took me about 15 minutes of searching through the pages and looking at the FAQ's etc to realize that they sell T-SHIRTS. I was actually looking for TORSO PANTS - like these really weird pants that are more like a jumper that cover your whole body from your neck to your ankles with holes cut out for your head & arms.

WOW... I think my brain hurts... is it time to go home yet??

Easter Pics

Here are pics of Benjamin & my two nieces last weekend. Aren't they just the cutest?? I'm such a mom, I have to show off.

Benjamin & Daphne 1

Benjamin & Daphne 2

Benjamin, Daphne, & Lily

100% Boy... Dying Eggs with Benjamin

The tradition in our house for Easter is that Benjamin and I dye eggs the Saturday night before Easter and leave them out for the Easter Bunny to hide Easter morning. This year we used crayons and special Easter egg markers to decorate the eggs. I swear, Benjamin is 100% boy and it even affects his egg decorating choices. I drew flowers and polka dots on my eggs. Benjamin starts out with making everyone's name "blank" 10 - as in Ben 10, his new favorite cartoon. Then he draws an alien on a green egg - of course. Then he asks me, "how do you spell PTHT NNNNNN" like someone's sticking his tongue out & giving raspberries. "You will NOT put that on an Easter egg!" "Fiiiiine..." Then he dyes an egg red for "blood" (of course) and draws a boy on it. "How do you spell 'Help I'm bleeding!"? "NO - you are NOT putting THAT on an Easter egg either." "How do you spell 'I'm hurt!'? "NO - there will be NO writing on the eggs, just pictures!"

Bumper Sticker of the Week 3/24 - 3/30

Backlog of Blog

I have a Blog Backlog! I've been really busy and stressed the past 7 or so days... I have all these thoughts for entries and just haven't had the time to type them! I'll spend the next couple of days catching up...

Foul & Mysterious Stench

My house has stunk for the past week or so and it's driving me nuts. Well, last night we discovered the origin of the foul & mysterious odor...

Hubby & I were picking up the house last night, and he had the task of going through the boy's pile of crap in the breakfast area. About halfway through a pile of schoolwork from last week, he called me & said "umm... I think I've found the source of the bad odor in the house". Uh-oh, I'm scared... So I go over and he's holding a small white lunch sack decorated to look like a bunny (at arm's length btw). I look inside, and unfortunately got a whiff at the same time, there's a half peeled hard boiled egg inside. By this time it's green and fuzzy to boot! Apparently they had Easter eggs last week at school, and he didn't tell me he brought one home.

Oh the joys of parenthood...

Thank God the weather's great outside right now & we're able to open the windows and air the house out...

Fish again...

Speaking of fish... I just HAD to share... We recently bought 3 fancy gold fish for the tank in the master bedroom -- and my husband named them. 1) Garfield, cause he's HUGE and fat and bright orange... 2) Odie cause he's Garfield's buddy of course... and... 3) Dog the Bounty Hunter. Oh Lord... He swears one of the calico fish's fin & tail look like a mullet, making the fish look like Dog the Bounty Hunter. Umm... okay dear... whatever you say...

RIP Gary the snail...

We've had a death in the family... Gary the snail died. My son has a fish tank in his bedroom (works as a great nightlight AND Nana taught him that fish frighten monsters away - yay Nana!). Anyway, he has 3 goldfish - Sponge Bob, Patrick, and Mr. Crabs - and a blue snail, Gary of course. Gary's normally all over the place. One of our bedtime games is "where's Gary tonight?" (he gets in the weirdest places!). Unfortunately, Gary hasn't moved AT ALL in a few days, so I think he's gone to the great fish tank in the sky. I love kids' resiliency - when I told B the bad news, all he said was "does that mean I can get another one?"... My question though is, what do I do with the shell? I'd leave it in there, but doesn't it have a little snail corpse inside? I guess I'll just toss it in the trash tonight...

105.3 BOB FM

This radio station had a float in the St. Patrick's Day parade yesterday. I LOVE their slogan! "We play anything... 80's, 90's, and whatever! 105.3 BOB FM"

Bumper Sticker of the week

Crunched my garage door... ugh

SO... last night I stopped my car at my mailbox before pulling into the driveway, when my son in the backseat suddenly started screaming bloody murder and crying hysterically. What the hell??? Turns out a huge grasshopper had flown in the car, and my son is TERRIFIED of bugs right now. So now I'm trying to calm him down, shoo the grasshopper out the windows, and pull the car into the driveway at the same time. I actually made it, stopped the car, and told B to get out. He couldn't - he was frozen in place with fear (great) staring at the grasshopper (which was on the ceiling right next to the dome light). Oh and btw, I thought I did a great job staying calm up to that point - I have to say, that was the biggest freaking grasshopper I'd ever seen. B finally started inching out the back door when the killer grasshopper dove at my head and down the collar of my shirt. OH MY GOD! I screamed and started yanking my shirt over my head. This is where things got bad... I thought the car was in park already and obviously I was wrong, because the next thing I knew I heard a loud crunch, looked up, and I was smushed against the garage door. In my screaming and yanking fit, my foot slipped off of the brake. THANK GOD I didn't hit the gas!! I rolled into the door, crunching/denting it and scratching my front bumper. It could have been a lot worse. Thank God for small miracles huh... The garage door's going to need to be replaced, but luckily we have home owner's insurance... and car insurance - which will cover the paint job my car's going to need...

Oh - and to top it all off, I'm walking out to the car with my son this morning and he says "I liked the garage door like it was before"... yeah, well me too...

Dry Cleaned Night Shirt

So hubby took the clothes to the cleaners on Wednesday for me since I was sick and staying home... I got dressed, drove my son to school, and went straight back home & upstairs to lay in bed for the next 12 hours or so... but my nightshirt was missing - what the? It was right here before I left... right here on the closet floor... ooohhhhh - next to the pile headed to the cleaners.
So Wednesday night I asked my husband if he accidentally grabbed my nightshirt with the clothes --- he didn't know. huh?? "Well", he says, "they were really busy when I dropped the clothes off, so I just handed the lady the whole bag & she said she'd sort & count the pieces later". Great... So, I picked up the clothes yesterday and sure enough -mixed in with the others - was my newly dry cleaned $5 Walmart nightshirt. I think it probably cost the same to clean it as it did to buy it! (Not really, but it felt like it!)
Believe it or not, this isn't the first time Hubby's done that. Only the last time it was a negligee from Frederick's of Hollywood (back in my skinnier days). I can ALMOST see someone cleaning that, it was chiffon & satin after all. But a big tshirt from walmart? That's gotta be a new one for the cleaners.

Sick...

Sorry I haven't written this week... my allergies have been kicking my butt... I stayed in bed all day yesterday because of them... I'll check in later and fill you in on all the latest happenings...

Zzzzzz...

This is soooooo me today...

I miss hubby

I miss my hubby. He's out of town tonight on business. My brother's staying with us so I won't be alone, but of course it's not the same. I know I won't be able to sleep. After sharing a bed with someone for 11 years, you just can't sleep alone. Well I won't actually be ALONE alone - I'll be sleeping with three fat lazy cats who just love to take over hubby's side of the bed...

Bumper Sticker of the Day

I just started this 2 days ago and I already almost forgot. Actually, I think I'm going to change it to Bumper Sticker of the Week. That's more realistic.

Anyway -- since I already promised, here's today's... and it's oh so true...

Want a New Tattoo

The pics of my toesies reminded me... I want another tattoo. I think I need one on my left foot to balance them out. My (new) friend Kim has one on her left foot that I adore. It's really odd how well it fits with mine. I think I'm going to ask if I can copy her...

Bright Blue Toenails!

I treated myself to a pedicure last night. I hadn't had one since December. 4 months is an eternity to a princess like me! Anyway... I LOVE the seriously bright blue nail polish I picked out. It's almost blindingly bright! Though it does make my tattoo look a little faded...

Mysterious Text Conversation

When I turned my cell phone on this morning, I noticed a text message at 10pm last night from an 832 number I didn't recognize. So of course, knowing me - curiosity killed the cat and all that - I replied...

832#: you can just call me mr awesome

me: who is this?

832#: you don't remember mr awsome?

me: I know several awsome misters

832#: it's mr awsome god dammit!

me: ok - maybe you have the wrong number. Please tell me who you are or go away.

832#: James, james, james. It really pains me that you dont know who I am... several others my ass. I was in your algebra class.

me: Yep - sorry but you have the wrong number

832#: This isn't James B----?

me: NO - wrong number

832#: LMAO sorry dude. or girl. whichever you are.

me: LADY, MRS. -- no prob & good luck finding James

Moo??

I stopped by a convenience store/gas station on my way to work this morning for snacks & coffee... Usually the little quickie marts like that have the little single serve packages of International Delight flavored creamers - not this one. They had some contraption of a machine that dispensed plain creamer plus your choice of 4 flavors when you pressed down a lever. Ok - no prob. So I fill my cup with coffee, slide it under the spout, press the lever, yada yada... and when I let go of the lever, it MOO'ed at me. The first time I wasn't quite sure what I'd heard so I did it again... yep! The machine actually MOOS at you when you're finished. Umm... ok... I wonder if they had to pay extra for that feature?

Parking Lot Taqueria

Have you ever eaten at one of those little bus/camper/trailer/van Taqueria places that are usually in gas station parking lots? I've always considered them salmonella or e.coli on wheels, and have never been tempted to eat at one... until now. There's one right down the road from my office that just smells wonderful. It's a bright blue short school bus with picnic tables around it, permanently parked in an old closed gas station parking lot. I swear every time I pass it, it has the most mouth watering smokehouse smell wafting out from it --- and there's always a crowd of hispanic guys sitting at the tables. I can just imagine that the foods incredible, but I'm not brave enough to risk montezuma's revenge to try it.

Bumper stickers of cars past

I bought my first car in 1992 - a 1976 Volvo steel box on wheels. The first thing I did was put my stickers on the back window. I know I know, I was such a little radical liberal tree hugger back then. (btw - these stickers may or may not reflect my current political views/endorsements)

(and no, I don't know what was up with the Yaga Ragz sticker. I think it was a present from my cousin.)

My first two cars - the Volvo and a 1982 Dodge K Car - had the above stickers. Thinking back, it cracks me up that I had my pro-environment, hippy tree hugger bumper stickers on two serious gas guzzlers/CO exhaust fume producers...

My next two cars only had one sticker... my AIDS ribbon. I guess I was going for a simple statement at the time.

Bessie's first bumper sticker was from the Dixie Chicks concert I went to years ago:

That one went out of style after not too long, so it was removed quite some time ago... scroll down for Bessie's current stickers...

Bumper Sticker of the Day

I think I'm going to start something new for my blog -- Bumper Sticker of the Day. I love bumper stickers. They're one of my favorite forms of expression. I'd have my car covered with them if I could, but hubby thinks I might piss the wrong person off or make myself a target for vandals.

So currently I only have the below stickers (and my Minnie Mouse antenna topper). I think that's pretty subtle... well for me at least...

(is this TOO subtle? Can you tell the cats are a Pride Rainbow?)

(I cut the words out of this one so it only has Stitch...)

Mothers and freedon of religion

Uh-oh... I pissed my mama off... that's never good...

So I was on the phone last week with my mother, and she said that they were going to to go a bible study/church service in Huntsville on Sunday. I could tell she was trying to be nice and not ask but in the end she just couldn't help it and said I was more than welcome to come. I said thanks really, but no. I'm Buddhist remember? Buddhists don't do church. I have to give her credit, she's really been trying to be open minded about my whole Buddhism thing - but I know she thinks it's just my latest half hearted phase and I'll grow out of it like usual. So she tells me, that doesn't mean you can't come. We still believe the same things - faith hope & love. I said yes, we do believe the same things, hope & love, but you read a book I don't read and follow a guy I don't follow. Uh-oh. Wrong move there Wendy. She got really serious & told me to be careful what I say. "Tread lightly" she tells me. "You don't wanna go there - be careful what you say." Great. Now she has just one more reason to think I'm going to hell. Better light another candle for me.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HUBBY!

I just want to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the best hubby out there - the only man on the planet willing to put up with my crazy princess tendencies for over a decade!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HUBBY!!

Men... What would they do without us?

So hubby asks me last night "do we have anything going on Monday? I keep thinking there's something, but I can't remember what."

"Umm... honey?? Monday's your birthday."

"Oh yeah! I forgot about that! I KNEW there was something happening Monday!"

Boy Fits - Mama Breakdowns

I am drained - completely totally emotionally drained. My son started throwing these massive screaming fits for absolutely no reason this week. We've had one every morning and evening since about Saturday. Oh my God - I am completely and totally wiped out emotionally by the time he's through. The worst part I think is that they make no sense at all. Something sets him off, something small that doesn't go right, or something we've told him to do that he doesn't want to, anything really. I think he's having a hard time realizing that the world does not revolve around him, and he must conform to our rules. He doesn't like following directions and doing something that's not exactly his idea and way. I think initially that's what starts his fits, but then they just get out of control. He gets so wrapped up in screaming and crying that he won't stop and listen and realize that what's going on. For example - yesterday morning he was screaming over and over at the top of his lungs that his head hurt. I tried to tell him that I had Tylenol for him, but he wouldn't stop screaming long enough to hear me. The same thing happened twice tonight. First in the bathtub he was screaming at Daddy that he could wash himself (over and over again), and he wouldn't stop, look, and listen long enough to realize that Dad was trying to give him the washcloth so he COULD do it himself. Then he was standing in the tub screaming (over and over) that he was freezing. But yet he wouldn't step out of the tub to be wrapped up in the towel Daddy was holding and pj's I had that would warm him up. My God the screaming is killing me. I have to scream for him to stop just to be heard over him. I keep picturing the hysterical lady you see in the movies who won't stop screaming and someone ends up slapping her in the face with "snap out of it!". I swear, I just want to smack him upside the head! But of course I would never slap my child. However, spanking on the other hand... well... he has gotten a couple of smacks on the butt. I finally got him calmed down again and tucked in bed this evening. Once we were all settled and calm again I asked him where these fits were coming from. They're new. Is there something going on that I don't know about? Something that's triggering them? He said he didn't know. He couldn't remember. Umm... okay. Then we talked quietly for a few minutes. I reminded him of what a big boy he is and how very smart he is. He's too big and too smart to be throwing tantrums like this. If he's upset he needs to use his words to express himself. He said he'd try. Of course he's six. There's no telling what will happen tomorrow. We could have a wonderful day or it could be WW3 again - who knows. Ugh, motherhood's a bitch sometimes. But he's the love of my life and I wouldn't trade a day with him for all the treasures in the world. He's six - I just need to keep reminding myself that he's six, and he'll outgrow this phase just like any other.

My Car's back - YAY!

Yay - Bessie's all better! I have to give the guys at Munday Chevrolet kudos for the fast service & turn around on my car. I dropped it off Monday to have the a/c repaired. In addition to just that, they found my water pump & some belts needed to be replaced. They did all the work and still had my car ready by Tuesday morning. With the a/c problem I seriously was expecting to be without it all week.

Yay guys! Thanks SO MUCH!

Three Kittens' First Grand Adventure

This is really cute! But mute it. It's just fine without sound... (honestly I haven't heard it with sound yet, so it could be really annoying...)

Academy Awards Wrap Up

I'm completely copying and pasting this article from MSN. I love the author's humor and it really sums up the show last night. BTW, check out Jon Stewart's one-liners -- they're hilarious!

OSCARS BEST, WORST, AND WEIRDEST MOMENTS
Stewart gets edgy, Tilda gets funny, and everyone's got bedhead!

By Kim Morgan Special to MSN Movies

To think that just a couple of weeks ago, this whole Oscar shindig might have been cancelled...
But the three-month-long Writers Guild strike was settled in the nick of time, so the biggest movie awards show in the world -- the American equivalent of a coronation -- could go on, and stars could gather to honor ... other stars. As host Jon Stewart quipped: "Having the Oscars helped end the strike ... before we spend the next four to five hours giving each other golden statues, let's take a moment to congratulate ourselves."

The 80th Annual Academy Awards were not all just pats on the back, writer jokes and fantastic frocks (well, actually, there were a lot of fantastic frocks): Many of the nominated films, actors, writers and directors were (double gasp!) actually deserving, and two of the pictures -- "There Will Be Blood" and "No Country for Old Men" -- are bona-fide masterpieces. If there was any kind of theme this year, it was Oscar getting it almost right -- nominating interesting films and artists from all over the world (England, France, Ireland, Italy, Spain and Austria were all represented). And of the contenders, there was new talent (Ellen Page for "Juno"), older icons (Hal Holbrook for "Into the Wild") and, for heaven's sake, Viggo Mortensen (perhaps one of the coolest men walking the earth) for "Eastern Promises."

Still, maybe it was all this good taste and worthiness that made the show a little ... staid. Don't get me wrong, there were some surprises and spirited highlights, like Stewart's opening monologue, some heartfelt acceptance speeches and one (or should I say "Once"?) musical performance. And there were also some lowlights, like Academy President Sid Ganis' attempts at humor, the uninspired video pieces and three musical performances from "Enchanted."

So we're here to hand out awards for the best, worst and weirdest of the ceremony. The envelope, please:

Most Moving Acceptance Speech: How does he do it? Picking up his Best Supporting Actor award for playing psychopath Anton Chigurh in "No Country For Old Men," Javier Bardem managed to be likable, studly, humble, casual and touching all at once. Ambling on stage with his mussed-up hair and mischievous smile, he said, "I have to speak fast here, man" and then pointed out everything from how amazing the award was to his curious Dutch-boy haircut from the movie. But when he honored his "Mama" (entirely in Spanish) with nary a trace of sappiness, the charming Spaniard caught us off guard. We were positively teary-eyed. And then he all but strutted off-stage. Hmmm... maybe it's not Viggo but Javier who's the coolest man walking the face of the earth.

Best Jon Stewart Joke, Part 1: "Tonight we look beyond the dark days and focus on happier fare. This year's slate of Oscar-nominated psychopathic killer movies. Does this town need a hug? What happened? 'No Country For Old Men,' 'Sweeney Todd,' 'There Will Be Blood.' All I can say is thank God for teen pregnancy."

Funniest Acceptance Speech: Tilda Swinton. She is known for her edgy, serious work in heavy films like "Orlando" and "The Deep End" and as the famed ice queen from "The Chronicles of Narnia" so who knew she was so damn funny? When accepting her Best Supporting Actress win for "Michael Clayton," the red-haired Brit hilariously capped her speech by mercilessly teasing co-star George Clooney: "George Clooney... you know. The seriousness and dedication to your art, seeing you climb into that rubber bat suit from "Batman and Robin," the one with nipples, every morning, under your costume, on the set, off the set, hanging upside at lunch. You rock, man. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" Ever the class act, Clooney took it like, well, like George Clooney -- a man.

Am I Crazy Or... Was seeing acclaimed filmmaker Spike Lee and his "Jungle Fever" star, recent tax evader Wesley Snipes, sitting together as essentially dates kind of heartwarming? And they looked fantastic. Maybe they'll make another movie together? I'm sure Snipes would be happy. The IRS is another story...

Edgiest Jon Stewart Joke: "Julie Christie was absolutely amazing in 'Away From Her.' Brilliant movie. It was a moving story of a woman who forgets her own husband. Hillary Clinton called it the 'feel good movie of the year.' "

Buzz Off: Can Jerry Seinfeld please stop promoting that damn bee movie? We saw you on Oprah. We saw you on Letterman. We saw you on Larry King. We get it. You made freaking "Bee Movie." And yes, we know it will be available on DVD this March. And showing the montage of great stinging film moments didn't make us want to rush out and buy (ugh!) "Bee Movie." Seriously, we'd so rather watch that hilarious Bill Murray bee sequence from "Rushmore" over Jerry's entire animated classic.

Bad in Black: One would think black is basic -- that it flatters all who wear it. But the usually perky and lovely Jennifer Garner appeared downright dour in her dark frock, looking both unhappy and uncomfortable in such a gothic get-up. Helena Bonham Carter (where was she, anyway?) she is not.

Ladies in Red: Perhaps in the spirit of all the violent movies nominated this year, many actresses opted for bold red dresses. Helen Mirren, Anne Hathaway, a stunning Katherine Heigl channeling Marilyn Monroe, Heidi Klum and, uh, Miley Cirus all went primary. Wait, what the hell was Miley Cirus doing there?

Am I Crazy Or... Is Amy Adams becoming really irritating? I don't dislike the lovable star, but her appearance this year left me with conflicted emotions. As she performed "Happy Working Song," one of the three nominated songs for her film "Enchanted," I was both embarrassed and overwhelmingly annoyed by her Betty Boop/Snow White impersonation. Did she even want to perform this? And to make matters worse, little Miss Adams continued her cutesy, goody-goody act while presenting the award for Best Original Score. Typecast much? I hate to say this, but she needs to play a hooker/heroin addict/convicted murderer stat. That cuteness is starting to curdle.

Best Jon Stewart Joke, Part 2: "There is a great variety in the nominated films this year. Even 'Norbit,' got a nomination, which I think is great. Too often the Academy ignores movies that aren't good."

Technically Speaking: Why do Scientific and Technical Achievement Awards always have to be handed out by Hollywood's latest babe-du-jour? I know, I know. I'm sure all those guys slaving over their computers and gadgets and inventions more than enjoy the presence of sexy Jessica Alba (who looks terrific pregnant, by the way), but why not something new next year? How about Philip Seymour Hoffman presenting the award -- preferably as his Ned Beatty/Wilford Brimley-esque character of "Charlie Wilson's War."

Am I Crazy Or... Did the more hysterical of the two winning directors of Best Documentary Short Subject ("Freeheld," which I'm sure is a fine short film) provide the most unintentionally hilarious line of the evening: "It was Lt. Laurel Hester's dying wish that her fight against discrimination would make a difference for all same sex couples that face discrimination every day. Discrimination that I don't face as a married woman." The sentiment was nice, but why did she sound like Sally Struthers?

Ruffled Razz-Ma-Tazz: Aside from an incredibly dapper George Clooney, who looked a cross between Cary Grant and Clark Gable with his slicked-back hair and perfect tux, this year's male attire was decidedly relaxed though strikingly attractive. Most everyone appeared a little unkempt (mussed hair, unshaven face, less-traditional tuxes) and yet not at all slobby. They were in fact elegant and eclectic. Viggo Mortensen looked extraordinary rocking a Vincent Van Gogh beard and knee-length dinner jacket. Daniel Day-Lewis' longer hair and more retro tux was fetching. And Javier Bardem, Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill and Harrison Ford all appeared with a little bed-head ... which was actually very sexy. I'm not even going to start with Johnny Depp.

Least Surprising, Most Deserving Win: I think he's a genius (sorry to all of you out there who think him a ham), so I was ecstatic when the entirely deserving Daniel Day-Lewis picked up his golden boy for his powerful performance as insanely ambitious oil-man Daniel Plainview in Paul Thomas Anderson's masterful "There Will Be Blood." But come on -- everyone knew it was going to happen. As Tony Curtis said in "Sweet Smell of Success," "The cat's in the bag and the bag's in the river." I'd add something about milkshakes but that's getting a little played out...

Best Jon Stewart Joke, Part 3: "Democrats have an historic race going. Hillary Clinton vs. Barack Obama. Normally when you see a black man or woman president, an asteroid is about to hit the Statue of Liberty."

Diablo Disappoints: Diablo Cody, beloved hipster-ex-stripper-screenwriter-goddess, wins Best Original Screenplay for the indie hit "Juno," a movie soaked with quippy one-liners that either delighted or seriously exasperated audiences -- and all she can come up with is, "I especially want to thank my fellow nominees." Or, "This is for the writers!" Diablo! Honest to blog! Where was your arsenal of smarty-pants wisecracks and pop-culture Soupy Sales-isms? This is the Oscars, Home Skillet. This is your time on stage. As you wrote, this is "one doodle that can't be un-did." But hey, you pulled off the leopard dress, tats and your Louise Brooks bob. So at least you looked great. But... another thing. What was with your glum exit offstage? Was Harrison Ford taking you to Oscar detention?

Most Surprising Win: Wow! No Julie Christie for Sarah Polley's lovely, heartbreaking "Away From Her." We thought Christie was a shoe-in. But talented French hottie Marion Cotillard was the spoiler, picking up Best Actress for her performances as iconic French chanteuse Edith Piaf in "La Vie En Rose." I'm thinking all those mixed CDs Academy voters picked up at Starbucks (I'm only guessing these exist -- those International flavor collections) with that strange-voiced French lady actually compelled them to do a little Piaf research. Nevertheless, though we were rooting for Christie, it was tough not to be happy for Cotillard, who appeared definitely shocked and as she said, "speechless." She also looked wonderful in white. Jean Paul Gaultier does a gal good.

The Real Enchanting "Once" Upon a Time: Glen Hansard (he of the Irish band The Frames) and Czech musician Marketa Irglova performed their soulful, beautiful song "Falling Slowly" from their charming, touching, musical indie "Once." She on piano, he strumming a battered old guitar he's had since he was a teenage busker (street singer) in Ireland. It was gorgeous (though why did the camera choose to end on orchestra conductor Bill Conti? It was their moment, not his.) Next to all of those painfully corny "Enchanted" songs, some of which played like ads for Clorox Bleach (I could have sworn someone sang "Mama makes brights, bright like the sunshine ..."), the two channeled the late great Elliott Smith (remember him in his white suit, standing next to Celine Dion ... And losing?!). But the refreshingly independent Hansard and Irglova won! And we cheered when Hansard stated, "Make art! Make art!" Jon Stewart extended their moment by allowing Irglova, who was cut off by the over-anxious orchestra, to movingly extend her gratitude. What a moment.

The Dudes Abide: Though some of us were also rooting for Paul Thomas Anderson's "There Will Be Blood," Joel and Ethan Coen's brilliant "No Country For Old Men" was an entirely deserving winner for both Best Director (in their case Best Directors) and Best Picture. Their bloody, beautifully acted, poetic adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's novel was soulful, inventive, mysterious and truly horrifying. Though this is one of their best pictures, us Coen fans are also taking this as a win for "Blood Simple," "Miller's Crossing," "Barton Fink," "Raising Arizona," "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" and of course, "The Big Lebowski." And you know, had "No Country" lost, don't think we wouldn't see "Lebowski" vet Walter Sobchak storming on stage screaming: "Has the whole world gone crazy! Am I the only one here who gives a sh*t about the rules?" So with that, congratulations to the Coens.

Academy Awards Part 2 - Pre Show

OH MY GOD - I feel so sorry for Lisa Rinna. She's doing the Red Carpet pre-show interviews for TV Guide channel, and she's absolutely bombing! She's forgotten almost everyone's movies and all of their stats - and what she IS saying is completely wrong. More than once she's justs stood there silent staring at the star cause she didn't know what to say. Where are her writers? Don't they know the strike is over??

Academy Awards

Today's the day... it's finally here... the day I wait for all year... the Oscars! I love
Hollywood and the movies so much - I LOVE the Academy Awards.

I'm all set. It's 5pm, I'm sitting here with the house to myself, my big tv tuned to the pre-shows and red carpet countdown, my telephone handy to call my mother, and my best friend on the compt just to dish about who's wearing who and which movies won.

Pei Wei Tea

Well I just had a good pick me up! The manager at Pei Wei comped me an iced tea. I was jonesing for their chai tea, so I stopped in for just an iced tea to go -- and the manager gave it to me on the house! Yay!

VDAY - Vagina Monologues in New Orleans 4/11 - 4/12

The Vagina Monologues are 10 years old, and to celebrate 10 years of ending violence against women, they're having a special event in New Orleans:

On Saturday evening, April 12, 2008, V-Day will stage a once in a lifetime event - V TO THE TENTH - featuring international performances of The Vagina Monologues, musical guests, V-Day activists from across the globe including Kenya, Afghanistan, Iraq, The Philippines, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eastern Europe , men standing up for women and much more.
Salma Hayek, Oprah Winfrey, Faith Hill, Jane Fonda, Jessica Alba, Jennifer Hudson, Glenn Close, Julia Stiles, Ali Larter, Sally Field, Marisa Tomei, Calpernia Addams, Rosario Dawson, Kerry Washington, and musicians Common, Eve, and Charmaine Neville have already signed on. The evening will open minds and hearts and raise much needed attention and funds for groups working to end violence against women and girls around the world, and in New Orleans and the Gulf South.

http://v10.vday.org/

http://www.vday.org/

I wanna go! Anyone want to join me?

Irresponsible Drivers

I have to vent a bit about 2 different cars/drivers I saw while out at lunch today:

1) As I parked my car at Half Price Books, I noticed the car parked next to me had 3 or 4 dogs inside. I totally freak out when people leave animals in cars during hot months, but granted the temps weren't TOO bad today and they could handle it. But I was in Half Price Books for an hour and when I came out, the dogs were still there! I really felt sorry for them - all crammed in a little compact car. I don't know how long they were actually stuck there.

2) Now while that's not nice, it's not illegal or anything... but then... I was waiting at a red light heading back to the office, my windows down since Bessie's a/c is broken, and I hear a toddler babbling. The windows are down on the minivan to my right, so I can see straight in and clearly overhear them. I look over and there was a 2 year old little girl sitting in her mama's lap in the front seat - of course neither with seat belts. OH MY GOD! I mean c'mon people!! Set aside the fact that it's totally illegal to do that, don't you realize how dangerous that is?! We were on 1960, a pretty busy road - PLUS it's raining. That baby could have flown into the windshield or (God forbid) out the window -- not to mention the airbag could kill her. I wonder if there's a hotline or something to report things like that. I'm normally not one for being Big Brother's snitch, but some things should be reported.

Bessie's Sick

Uh-oh... Bessie, my beloved car, isn't doing well. The air conditioner compressor wouldn't kick on just now. I almost went into panic mode. That's always been the kiss of death for my cars in the past. This is the first really nice car - brand new car - I've had. Always before if the a/c went out, it would have cost more than the car was worth to have it fixed. I immediately thought, crap - the last thing I want right now is another car payment. I love having this car paid for. But - we're at the level now that I don't have to give up on Bessie, I can have the a/c fixed. I can invest a few hundred or a thousand (gulp!) into my car if that means it will continue to run well for another year or so. I can't complain either. My car's a 2000 Chevy Malibu LS - I bought it brand new in May 2000 (7 miles on the odometer!) - and from what I can think of, this is the first major incident we've had with it. 8 years with no major breakdowns? That's great! Isn't it??

Be Careful What You Write

Whenever writing a post, I always keep in mind that either 1) my mother or 2) my boss could be reading it, and so I'm careful what I say in those respects. Never say anything to embarass or get you disowned -- and never say anything that could get you fired. But last night hubby was kind enough to remind me that I should always write with the expectation that ANYONE could be reading and to always be careful what I say. Oops! I tend to forget about that. I know of my small circle of friends and family who follow my ramblings, but I forget that by posting this on the web, I'm opening myself and my thoughts to people everywhere. I always wonder (and have asked several times) if I'm boring you with my ramblings - most of the time I wonder why would anyone even care about the crap I write - but you've said no, you like checking in with your friend and her life. So I'll keep it up. I'll just watch what I say a bit more from now on...

ProFlowers.com

Since I'm in a princess mood today, I want to get on my little princess soap box for a minute. I can't stand getting flower deliveries from Pro Flowers.com. They arrive in a box, with a plastic vase, and you have to arrange them yourself. Uh-huh, no way. Hubby sent me flowers from there once. To top it all off that once, the flowers themselves were old & wilted. He confessed how much he spent for them, and I called Pro Flowers with a screaming hissy fit that we did NOT get our money's worth. I know - I can be such a bitch sometimes. In hubby's defense, he was new at the whole married guy thing and didn't know to order flowers from a local florist. I explained to him that they're just as cheap and it's a lot easier most times. I'm sorry, but if someone is going to pay $75 on flowers for me, I damn well want them in a glass vase and I DON'T want to arrange them myself. I mean c'mon people! That's why florists only hire trained floral arrangers - they know how to do it, I don't! Plus - part of the fun of getting flowers is the look on all of your coworkers' faces when this big beautiful flower arrangement is delivered with your name on it. Everyone notices. The same arrangement can arrive in a box and no one will give it a second glance.

So... guys... remember... Yes for floral arrangements... no for flowers in a box... (unless that's what she wants...)

NEW BRA - WOOHOOOOOOOOOO!!

I am SO excited I can barely sit still!! I am SO HAPPY!! My female readers may understand my excitement - guys, I'm sorry, I don't know if there's anything in your world that equates to this...

I finally got fed up with my bra not fitting correctly & being uncomfortable, so I went to get a new one at lunch. Now, being the princess that I am, I don't just go to a department or discount store and shop off the racks for a bra. I discovered specialty lingerie shops about 11 years ago. I'm digressing, but actually my ob/gyn suggested I go to one. I used to have serious breast pain, and he said that a properly fitting bra would make all the difference in the world - and boy was he right! My first experience shopping in a lingerie shop was a little frightening. I was 22 at the time and still a bit modest. The sales lady greeted me, and escorted me straight through the store to the dressing room where she told me to strip. Umm what?? She wanted me topless so she could judge my size. Umm... I don't think so, I don't even undress in front of my mother anymore. She then looked me straight in the eye and said "Honey, this is what I do for a living. There isn't a boobie or a booty in this city I haven't seen, now STRIP". YES MAMM!! Oh yikes! I don't think I'll ever forget that! But it was absolutely amazing. The woman didn't even take a measuring tape to me, she just looked at me and guessed my perfect size -- stepped away & came back with 3 bras for me to choose from -- and all three fit perfectly. She even showed me the proper way to put on a bra (who knew!).

So... I've been shopping at my current store, The Bra Specialist on 1960, for about 5 years now, and I've only worn two different styles of bra for 5 years. My first trip to the store, Erlinda walked into the dressing room with IT - the bra of my dreams. It's not the fanciest looking bra in the world, but MY GOD it fits wonderfully. It's just a plain stretchy satin type material with wide straps - no frills. But I swear, the instant I slipped it on, I was in love. It fit me like a second skin. It held me up and in, in the correct places without pinching or rolling or poking anywhere. HALLELUJAH!! It's the bra from heaven!! I took the tags off, threw my old bra away, and wore it out the door - after buying 1 in every color of course! And for the next 4 years or so, that was my bra. As soon as one would wear out, I'd buy a replacement. Until last summer... when the unspeakable happened... My bras were getting too tight so I went to get a larger size --- and found out that they don't make anything larger than that current size and I would have to change bras. WHAT?!?! NO!! This can NOT be happening!! NOT MY BRA!! Anything but that!! But yes, it was true... I'd gotten so fat, I couldn't wear my bra from heaven anymore. So, I bought a different style. I have to give Erlinda credit, the new bra was very pretty and it did fit very well, but it wasn't THE bra. My bra from heaven.

But! This story has a wonderful happy ending... I've lost 30 pounds so far since my surgery, and my bras have been getting loose and uncomfortable lately. I'd finally had it and went to see Erlinda for a new one. She was just leaving for lunch when I got there - oh no! She's the only one who's ever helped me - she knows what I like! Never fear, Angela can help me too... I was a little hesitant, but ok... so she ushers me to the dressing room and I explain how I've lost 30 lbs and my current bra is too loose. She asked if I wanted to stay with my current style - I said no, I didn't really care. Making small talk she mentioned that my current bra was her favorite style. I told her that while I liked that one, there's another I just adore. And unfortunately I'm now too large for it. She leaves and when she comes back with a bra for me to try on... you're reading ahead & know already don't you... yep! it's THE bra. MY bra - My wonderful favorite comfortable bra. (am I a bit too attached to this?? I don't know...) I said THAT'S IT! That's my favorite bra!! "But I don't understand, do they make larger sizes now?" No - I've just lost enough weight that I fit back into them again. WOOHOO!! At this point I am nearly jumping up & down with joy. I get the bra on and it fits - IT FITS! To be completely honest about it, it's a tad tiny bit tight, but I don't care. I'm not complaining - it'll stretch or I'll shrink a bit. I told her to take the tag off please, I'm wearing it out!

I left that place walking on cloud 9 - I'm really starting to see results with my weight loss. My pants are VERY loose and my bra was too big. Woohoo!!

Oh and P.S. I bought one in every color they make... of course!

Old Bad Habits

Dance with the Devil, the Devil doesn't change... the Devil changes you...

That's the quote I think of when I think of myself and how I led my life from December 2005 to August 2007... Almost 2 years of losing my sanity... and almost my family...

It blows me away how easy it is to fall back in to old habits - you don't even think about it, but there you are...

An old friend contacted me last week... We hadn't spoken in 6 months... but the instant we spoke online, I was instantly back into the routine. My old habits of lies, half-truths, etc (to my family & friends) came back immediately. I wasn't even aware of it until later. I had no reason to hide things or twist the truth, but I did just because I could.

Even though others disagree - I still don't think my old friends are bad people, that they set out to be that way deliberately. But just for some reason, when I'm with either one, I don't think before I act. The little signal that everyone has in her brain, the one that tells you something is a bad idea, your little Jiminy Cricket I guess - doesn't kick in for me. I don't look before I leap per se - and I've ended up in a few places and situations I should not have been.

Last week, I had to tell my friend goodbye - again. This time permanently. It really was just so easy to pick back up where I'd left off. The only way I can describe it is an alcoholic falling off the wagon. You have to stay away from the temptation all together, and that means I have to cut all contact with my old friends. I am not going back there again. I was able to fix things before I crossed the point of no return last time, and I'm not going near it again.

I do miss my friends - terribly sometimes. But I don't miss the heartache, headaches, and drama that seemed to be constant when I was around them. Sometimes it's best to just close the book on one chapter in your life & move on to the next. This is one of those times. If they read this, I hope they know that I wish them both the best in whatever the future holds, and I'll never forget them.

Wonderful Lighting

Don't you love the deep thoughts you get when you're awake in the middle of the night? I love the lighting in my downstairs bathroom. It always makes me look pretty. I can be having the worst "I feel fat & ugly" bad hair day, and I'll still look good in my downstairs bathroom mirror. It's a combination of the light fixture, the window behind me, and the shadows created by the room. It doesnt matter if I'm all done up for a night out, in no-nonsense wear for work, grunged out - dressed for house cleaning, or in my nightshirt with bedhead at 3am. I think I always look pretty when looking at my reflection in there.

I think everyone needs a magic mirror like that to uplift their moods now & then...

I want a Smart Car!

I want one! Aren't they just the cutest things? I mean, I'd never have it as my ONLY means of transportation. It's way too small to be a family wagon, but it's perfect for the drive to work! Plus its very "green".

A SMART CAR! I can totally see myself cruising around town in it!

http://www.smartusa.com/

Okay, I admit it... I'm a moron... Locked my keys in my car...

So I have to tell on myself again... I locked my keys in my car last night... I was rushing out the door this morning, trying not to be late for my doctor's appt, but I couldn't find my keys ANYWHERE. Ugh, I looked all over the place! Luckily my husband was still home today (he took the boy to school since I had the doc's appt), so I snatched up his keys and ran outside. Yep - just as I feared, there were my keys hanging from the ignition in my locked car. I haven't done that in over 6 years! But thinking back - last night I was trying to get myself, my purse, my books, my son, his backpack, his lunchbox, his water bottle, a kalidescope, a Happy Meal toy, a large pepperoni pizza, a medium Dr. Pepper, and my keys out of the car... No wonder the keys were left behind!

Thanks from the Tooth Fairy!

My son lost his first tooth last night. Yay! He's so excited! It's just in time too for school picture day today. Unfortunately it's a bottom front tooth, and I don't think you'll be able to see it like you would've if it had been a top tooth - but I'm not going to spoil his fun by saying that!

THANK YOU SO MUCH - to whomever left the comment about putting the teeth in envelopes. That was a great idea! I'd forgotten how tiny the teeth are! We folded the tooth in a tissue and sealed it in an envelope with his name and the date on the front. Perfect! It made it so easy for the Tooth Fairy to sneak in later & slide the envelope out from under the pillow.

P.S. for anyone's future reference, always keep at least one $1 bill around if your child has a loose tooth. Otherwise the Tooth Fairy could be stuck leaving a $5 bill under the pillow because it's all she had! Mama & Daddy had to explain that since this was his first tooth and a special occasion, the Tooth Fairy left more than she normally would...

Oh - and P.P.S. He'd secretly been wishing she'd leave a Star Wars light saber instead of cash... I told him, no way - ain't gonna happen. She's cash only!

Redneck Neighbors part three...

They are still hauling in furniture and decor... the space is not that big, where are they going to put everything?! They're also - get this - painting metal file cabinets with a faux finish to look like wood - geez... the fumes are making me high... oohhhh bad headache...

I saw one of the head honchos again this morning. He pulled up in his huge Ram truck - bright red. As he does everyday, he was wearing a black cowboy hat (I've never seen him without it), starched Wranglers, starched brushpopper shirt, boots, and his big ol' country boy belt buckle - oh and he has a big bush dark mustache. I swear, he looks like a bad guy on Road House... or a George Strait look alike...

Redneck Good Ole Boy Neighbors - Part 2

So the new office neighbors are moving their furniture in now. Wow! They have tacky tastes! My coworkers got the nerve to peek into their office this morning - the walls are a peachy terracotta color. Apparently, they're horrific! I haven't had the opportunity to directly snoop, but I've seen every piece of furniture and decor as they're wheeling it all past my glass doors. Wow - T A C K Y!! It's so over the top Texan and Western. My coworker described it as Mae West meets Willie Nelson - now THAT'll put a frightening picture in your head! It's every Texas cliche' and stereotype in the books. Ever watch Will & Grace? There's one episode where Grace decorates Will's Texan boss's office/apt and it's beyond gaudy with all of the Texas crap all over everywhere? Well that's what they've been wheeling past me for the past week. Ack! WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?!

Axis Camo Electric Razor

WHY? What on earth is the purpose of having a camouflage electric razor? When is this ever useful? Are the commandos in the jungles in dire need of shaves? And if so, wouldn't the humming/vibrating noise from the razor tip you off to their location? These are the things that keep me awake nights...

Tooth on the Loose

WARNING - Tooth Fairy Spoiler ahead!!

So I was talking to a friend of mine about why I bought the sterling silver pill box in the first place...

I want something nice to keep my son's baby teeth in after the tooth fairy collects them. My son just got his first loose tooth, and we're so excited! So I got to thinking, where do I keep his teeth? It was never a debate I think of whether to keep them or not, just where to keep them. My mother has a tiny trinket box in her old jewelry box with a few of my teeth - and the poodle's teeth. (ok, that explains SO MUCH about my present mental state I think...) So my friend replied "You keep those?!" Honestly, up to that point I thought everyone kept their children's teeth, but apparently not. Every baby store it seems has keepsake boxes for "Baby's First Tooth and Baby's First Haircut", so of course we keep the teeth. And so - here comes the idea for the sterling pill box. It's small enough to fit in my jewelry box, and nice enough to be a keepsake to keep his teeth in forever....

P.S. here's the bigger pill-box. It's plain jane, but it's perfectly sized:

4 more pounds!

I went to the doc this morning for one of my quarterly check ups - this one for my thyroid and high blood pressure. Everything's fine btw - labs came back normal...

but I LOVE his weight scale - it showed me as 4 lbs lighter than my scale at home this morning. It showed me as 221 - that's 29 pounds down, yay me!

My next adjustment is scheduled for this Friday. I need to get back on track with the diet & exercise program - hopefully that will help (well with the diet anyway). I may be 29 pounds down, but I still have plenty to go before bathing suit season

Always Read The Fine Print

I hate it when I make stupid mistakes... especially if they end up costing me money... I ordered a sterling silver pill box from a shop online last week. Well dummy me didn't look at the fine print of the listing that said the one I picked out was TINY and could only hold about 2 aspirin. (No wonder it was the cheapest one listed) I was all excited when the package arrived this morning, but then couldn't believe it when I finally got the box opened... it's the smallest thing I've ever seen! I measured it, it's the size of a quarter. What on earth could you use that for? I mean c'mon, pill boxes themselves are tiny enough as it is but what is a quarter size box for? Ugh... now I have to return it for a larger one, pay for shipping, wait for the new one... blah blah blah... dammit...

Nip/Tuck

I can't believe I'm actually saying this... I've lost interest in Nip/Tuck. What's happening to me?! I have been a devoted Nip/Tuck fan since day 1 and have seen every single episode in all 5 seasons... until now. I don't know, this current season just doesn't appeal to me. I personally think it "jumped the shark" when they moved everyone to Los Angeles. That's when they started to lose me. Hubby's never liked it. He's always said how can he watch a show where he hates every single character? There are no good guys, every single adult character is a complete and total asshole. (my words, not his) Yikes - I think I'm starting to see his point. I have the last 4 new episodes recorded, but I really have no desire to watch them. I hate to say this, but I think they've lost me. I just can't take it anymore. I can't stand the stupidity of watching everyone screw everyone else and then screw them over too. Yep... Fonzie's jumped the shark... game over for me...

Scary Redneck Office Neighbors

We have new neighbors moving into the suite next to ours. We've been the only tenants here on the 4th floor of our office building since we moved in 5 years ago - but not any longer! Rumor has it that the newbies are a couple of attorneys. I don't know about that, but I do know they are hard core redneck good ole boys. I'm not talking about the sweet, country bubba-type rednecks, I'm talking the skoal chewing, cowboy dressing, jacked up truck driving, bimbo dating, racist, phobic, hard-core klan partying rednecks. Now looks can be deceiving and never judge a book by its cover and all that, so I really shouldn't judge... but I will... and going by how they look and walk and talk as they pass my glass office doors they're some big time asshole good ole boys. Great...

Big Dream Bed

I just bought a new bed and I swear it's the biggest & most comfortable bed in existance...

A few weeks ago, my husband & I decided that it was time to get a new mattress & box springs. AND even though we were still really attached to our black iron bed - being a queen frame, we finally admitted that it was just too small & we needed to finally upgrade to a king bed. Man, I hate that! I LOVE our queen iron bed. We've had it forever and it's solid, so it'll last for decades to come. It's also a fun story to explain where we bought it. We bought it from a guy on the side of the road at the Westheimer Art/Street Festival when we were dating back in 1995. This guy told us that he had a shop in Mexico - he'd find patterns etc in the higher end furniture catalogs and take the pictures to the guys in Mexico to make for about half of the price. Then he'd bring the furniture back here & sell at festivals etc. Our bed cost us a whopping $400 - which back then was a HUGE amount (since we were still young & broke). We bought a queen because 1) it's all the guy had and 2) we were still living in apartments with smaller bedrooms.

While we upgraded the rest of our bedroom furniture to this really nice Thomasville set a couple of years ago, we were still hanging on to the iron bed and matched all the new furniture to it. Neither of us wanted to suggest getting rid of the bed. But we finally faced the truth a few weeks ago and admitted that we're completely cramped in that bed, and we really do have the room in the bedroom for a king bed.

So, we went to Star Furniture where we bought the rest of our bedroom suite to see if they had a matching or complimentary bed. We ended up with a GORGEOUS king sleigh bed frame and the most comfortable mattress in the world. I felt so sorry for the delivery guys though - this bed is freaking HUGE! We were honestly scared there for a bit that it wouldn't fit up the staircase & through the door. We almost had to remove the upstairs bannister rail, but luckily they were able to squeeze it in without needing to demo anything. It's PERFECT for our room. It matches our other bedroom furniture perfectly and is exactly our style. I LOVE going to bed at night... just sinking into it and snuggling in for the night. I can't wait to spend my first Lazy Hazy Sunday in bed - sleeping in until whenever and spending the whole day in bed reading, watching tv, dozing or whatever else comes to mind ;-). We don't get many of those anymore - not with a 6 year old running around the house...

P.S. I forgot to mention that 5 of us sleep in the bed every night. Hubby & me, plus 3 cats. They are SO excited about the new bed. They keep staring at it in awe - their little furry brains can barely comprehend! Anyway in the old bed, it was hubby on his side and Lily, Shelby, Willow & me on our side. The girls learned early on that "daddy" doesn't like to share his side of the bed. He has a technique we call "kitty express elevator" where he doesn't even wake up, he just shoves with all of his might and the cat goes flying off of the bed. I on the otherhand am a total pushover in my sleep, literally! I was trained early on as a kid (by my poodle) that if you push or kick me, I roll or scoot over in my sleep. I've woken up more times than I'd like to count in bizarre pretzel-like positions, with 3 cats sprawled out taking over my whole side of the bed. In the new bed, they can all 3 take their preferred spots and not impede us in the slightest! Lily has her corner up near my pillow (and sometimes ON my pillow), Willow's at the foot of the bed, and Shelby's decided she loves to sleep right in the middle between us. She and "daddy" have reached an understanding that he's ok with her there, as long as she keeps her tail off of his face at night.